Think About It!

Good Morning,

A friend of mine Pastor Joe Fuiten from Ceder Park Assembly wrote this intriging thought to pastors in our network concerning the election. I thought it was worth posting today.

Some good people both won and lost Tuesday. Same for some not so good ones. That's politics. While I wish more good people had won, what really is paining me since the election is the rejection of God and his counsel. Our coins say "In God We Trust" but voters said otherwise.

The prominence given to abortion as a test for politicians and the gay marriage votes made it very clear this election was about biblical ideas. Democrats thoroughly rejected those ideas. They were joined by too many Republicans.

The campaign raised abortion and gay marriage as issues and asked if we wanted Barabbas or Jesus.

• We chose Barabbas.

The campaign contrasted government with God. Who would provide for a safe, free, and prosperous future?

• We chose government.

The offer of Galatians 5:1 of liberty in Christ or bondage was answered in favor of bondage: For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

On Thursday morning I spoke for our Cedar Park Christian Elementary Veteran's Day Chapel. The kids put together packages for soldiers and their families for Christmas as they have done for the last ten years with the "Spirit of Christmas" effort. The children saluted a soldier as they handed in their packages. I spoke of sacrifices of generations passed, now buried beneath crosses in military cemeteries all over the world. I reminded the children of President Roosevelt's prayer, broadcast all over America, where he publicly prayed over the launch of D-Day which he said was to defend "our religion."

So many served and died for "God and Country" because the two were connected in the hearts of Americans. What was made clear in this election is that the two are no longer connected! Truthfully, it has been less and less true every year, but the vote took it to a new level. It was an open choice that made it official and verifiable.

The separation of God and Country is what is bothering me.

For all time people have messed up marriage, but at least they knew they were failing to live up to what God intended. Now they have voted to replace God with their own ideas of marriage. It's a perfect picture of how America views God these days. They don't want him around and for sure they don't want his ideas encroaching on their enlightened ways.

They think they can solve the economic problems by printing money or clever ideas. They forget that Jesus taught us to pray "give us this day our daily bread" and not to be anxious. They forget that Jesus said the earth itself would signal the end like "birth pains" so they are going to heal those pains.

We have raised four kids. Part of the reason I was working so hard in the elementary chapel was because we have several grand kids in that chapel. We also have a tradition of serving for "God and country."

If our country forces "God" out, there will only be "country" left.

Even worse, if God leaves through the door we are showing him, how long will it be before there is no "country" left.

How God Feels about You

 

'...You are precious to Me...' Isaiah 43:4 NLT   

             


One of things that we struggle with is if we are good enough for God? If you are struggling with feelings of unworthiness, working harder and vowing to do better won't necessarily change how you feel. It took me awhile as a young believer to realize that it wasn't always about feelings. Look at it this way, it's like remodelling an old house with a cracked foundation, you can redecorate every room but the floors and ceilings will just keep sagging until eventually it collapses. You've got to address the foundation! To do that, you must begin seeing yourself as God sees you; only then will you experience the stability and security you seek. Have you any idea how God feels about you? He sees you as: (1) Loveable. '...You are precious to Me. You are honored, and I love you. Do not be afraid, for I am with you...' (Isaiah 43:4-5 NLT) What assurance! The Bible says, '...The one the Lord loves rests between His shoulders.' (Deuteronomy 33:12 NIV) What a secure position to be in! (2) Valuable. If you grew up feeling unwanted, you got the wrong message. God established your worth at the cross. '...The Son of God, who loved [you], and gave Himself for [you].' (Galatians 2:20 NIV) The slogan on Hallmark cards says, 'When you care enough to send the very best.' That's what God did for you at the cross. (3) Capable. Without a supportive environment to grow up in, you can end up with a diminished sense of ability. It's why we compensate by overachieving. But God knows that you are capable because He's '...given...you...special abilities...' (1 Peter 4:10 TLB) Furthermore, He has '...seated us with Him in His heavenly Kingdom...' (Ephesians 2:6 NIV) So stay in your seat and don't let anybody tell you that your life doesn't matter. It does, because God says so! You are loved...

Bless the Children

 

'...Some parents brought their children to Jesus...' Mark 10:13 NLT

         

             


The Bible says, 'He took the children into His arms and placed His hands on their heads and blessed them.' (Mark 10:16 NLT) Interestingly, Jesus had just taught on the subject of divorce. Does the Bible record it this way because broken homes produce broken children? Too often children get caught in the crossfire of angry parents. Sometimes we actually use them as weapons to hurt one another. It reminds us of the newscasts on the Afghanistan war, listing young men and women who are accidentally killed by their own military. We call it 'friendly fire'. What's 'friendly' about bleeding to death in the hot sand of a strange country? What's the point here? It's this: divorce should be our last resort, not our first option. We grow in grace by giving and forgiving, by dying to self-interest and putting our spouse first. The Bible says this kind of love '...never fails...' (1 Corinthians 13:8 NKJV) Jesus, who was dealing with grown-up problems, interrupts His busy schedule to bless children. He doesn't counsel them, He just touches them because there's power in a touch. Let's salute all the wonderful people who work with children, for it's a high calling. And let's not forget to touch little lives with a word of hope and a smile of encouragement. Indeed, it may be the only one some of them will get. Don't hurt them, for they are the future. You are building a house that one day you will have to live in. What's wrong with these disciples? Who told them they were too busy to love, bless and care for children? Is God speaking to you through today's devotion? You are loved...

The Lost and Found Column (3)

 

'...[My] son...was lost, and is found...' Luke 15:24 NIV   

 

Last night as I was sitting in connection group, an overwhelming sadness over came me. I had been in such a spiritual battle for our nation and state yesterday it made me almost sick. He revealed something to me that took me back. God began to share with me that the battles we are facing in our nation today were lost years ago when His people stopped doing what they should have been doing all along; being a light to our nation. I began to feel what God feels for His people. Righteous or not He loves all of us. That's why it is so important we understand we can't sit back anymore and not tell the world about Jesus. If you love Jesus then it's your job to tell the lost about Him. But pastor I'm not good at that and you can't make me...I'm joking...the greatest thing I learned when Jesus came into my life was how much He saved me from! The story of the lost son in Luke 15 is about the son realizing that he knew he was lost, and knew his way home. Even though things look bleak, my prayer is that they begin to see how much they can be saved from.The shepherd sought the lost sheep, the lady with the lamp sought the lost silver, but nobody went looking for the lost son. Only when he had squandered his inheritance and ended up in a pigpen do we read: 'When he came to his senses, he said... I will...go back to my father and say to him: 'Father, I have sinned'...But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him...the father said to his servants, Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was...lost and is found...' (Luke 15:17-24 NIV) Backslider, though you have walked away from God, He is waiting to welcome you home. Your place at the table is reserved. He has a ring of sonship that identifies you as His own, and a robe of righteousness to cover your shame. The Prodigal Son's joy didn't return until he came back to his father's house. So, you have a decision to make. Though you're disappointed in yourself and ashamed before the God you've failed, you can come back home. And you can come today. That's the message we all should be sharing to anyone who can hear. You are loved!

The Lost and Found Column (2)

 

'...I have found the piece [of silver] which I lost!' Luke 15:9 NKJV

         

        
To everyone who signed up to help with the Thanksgiving baskets we need everything here at the church this Sunday. Thank you for listening and helping those in need this season.

As we continue from yesterday, Christ's next parable in Luke 15 was about a piece of lost silver: 'What woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls her friends and neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I lost.' (Luke 15:8-9 NKJV) Notice, this piece of silver, which was an inanimate object, didn't know it was lost so it had no concern. Observe two things here: (1) It was lost by the very person who was supposed to care for it. (2) It was lost, even though it was in the house. I know this may be hard, but this is a picture of those who sit in church every Sunday morning trusting in personal reformation, church affiliation, family connections or good works to save them. Jesus leads us to look at the woman.What did this woman do? She lit a lamp, swept the house and searched for it until she found it. That's what Bible-based, Christ-centered preaching does. Whatever stands in the way of people coming to Christ must be swept out. Let's light the lamp of God's Word. Let's preach the only message that can save people from their sins: '...The Gospel...is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes...' (Romans 1:16 NKJV) This woman probably had garments to be mended, cattle to be tended and water to be drawn. But all of that took a back seat. What's needed in the church today is the lamp to illuminate, the broom to sweep clean, and a commitment that refuses to stop until those who are lost in God's house are found and saved. That's our mission and vision at CFW. We have a passion to see everyone who needs Christ to hear the message of redemption. That mean you and me working together. Are you on board and ready? You are loved...

The Lost and Found Column (1)

 

'...I have found my sheep which was lost.' Luke 15:6 NKJV

         

Yesterday I touched base in Luke chapter 15 on the parable of the "Lost Son." Chapter 15 is sometimes referred to as 'the lost and found column' of the Bible. In it you find the parable of the lost sheep, the lost silver coin, and the lost son. Today let's look at the lost sheep. Like all of us, it had no intention of losing its way. Indeed, it probably thought it wasn't lost at all. This parable shows us two wonderful things about Jesus, our Shepherd: (1) The value God places on you! Some of us would say, 'It's only one out of a hundred sheep, no big deal, nobody will miss it.' Wrong, the Good Shepherd will! Understand this: If you had been the only person who ever lived, Jesus would have gone to the cross and died just for you. Next time you feel worthless and unloved, think about that! (2) The lengths to which God will go to save you! God demolished social and religious barriers and sent Peter, a Jew, down to Caesarea to preach the Gospel to Cornelius, a Gentile. Heaven cannot shut its ears to the cry of one lost soul! When Cornelius prayed, God replied, 'Your prayers...have come up for a memorial before [Me].' (Acts 10:4 NKJV) And here's a gem: 'When [the shepherd] has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.' (Luke 15:5 NKJV) Jesus will not only save you, He will 'carry' you when you feel you can't go on. His promise is, '...I will never leave you nor forsake you.' (Hebrews 13:5 NKJV) One Sunday when Charles Spurgeon preached, a man jumped up and shouted, 'I'm lost!' Spurgeon replied, 'Thank God, you've just been found!' You are loved!

Stand Out from the Crowd

  

'Do not follow the crowd...' Exodus 23:2 NIV

         

             




Thank you everyone who took part in our outreach last night.What a great way to stand out in our community. We believe we reached over 300 people for Christ. Now we need to pray them into the Kingdom...So how do you stand out form the crowd without following it? Mark D. Roberts writes: 'In junior high, a boy named Andrew...was the classic nerd: overweight...thick glasses...skin so white it seemed he'd never been outside. One day some of the boys began teasing Andrew and making fun of his appearance...I saw the pain in his eyes and knew I should tell the other guys to knock it off. But I saw an opportunity to be aligned with the in-crowd. So I joined in...adding my taunts as Andrew began to cry... In my heart I knew I'd done a terrible thing... Sometimes the temptation to follow the crowd is almost more than we can bear. We crave acceptance to such an extent that we do what we know is wrong so others will like us. This is true not only for insecure junior high boys, but for just about everybody. It's hard to stand up to the crowd.' Jesus wasn't ruled by people's opinions. Even His critics acknowledged, '...We know you are a man of integrity... You aren't swayed by [others]...' (Matthew 22:16 NIV) When you know who you are in Christ it frees you from the need to impress. Paul writes, 'Don't let the world...squeeze you into its own mould...let God re-mould your minds...so that you may prove in practice that the plan of God for you is good...' (Romans 12:2 PHPS) As painful as it is to be criticised, it's far worse to give up the course God has for you just for acceptance. At some point you must ask, 'How much am I willing to lose in order to be accepted?' Can you take the pressure? Will you be like Nehemiah who said, '...I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down...' (Nehemiah 6:3 NIV) We as a church stood against the response to alienate ourselves from the holiday (Halloween) as some may do. Instead we did what Jesus would have done, we walked into the midst of it and showed the world the the greatest love they could ever know, Jesus...How about you? Are you ready to stand out from the Crowd? You are loved!