Thursday Humor: "Hitting the Club"

Here is another Michael Jr. clip. It's pretty funny. I hope you enjoy it.

Spiritual Songs: "I Have a Shelter"

Here is a beautiful song put out by Sovereign Grace Music. They have some awesome music. This song, "I Have a Shelter," reminds us that in Christ, we have a shelter in lives storms.

Sunday Recap 3-25-12

Morning: The sermon, "Go Jump in a Lake," focused on Mark 11:20-25. In this passage, Mark wants the reader to know that  everything is possible for the one who trusts the Lord.

Jesus has successfully entered Jerusalem. After spending the night in Bethany, he heads to the temple. While in route, he spies a fig tree, and goes to look for something to eat. Being that it isn't the season for figs, Jesus finds no fruit, and curses the tree. He then proceeds to the temple where he chases out the merchants and money changers. That brings us to our passage: Mark 11:20-25. This passage can teach us many things, the first of which is that Jesus demands fruitfulness.

Jesus demands fruitfulness

            Why did Jesus curse the fig tree? The simple answer is because it didn't bear fruit. The more complex answer is that the fig tree was a symbol of Israel. Jesus had come into the world, but his own people didn't recognize him. They didn't bear the fruit of repentance, and thus they were about to be cursed.

            Fruitfulness is a consistent theme in Jesus' teachings. To paraphrase John 15:5, "Jesus is the vine, and we are the branches. If we remain in him and he in us; we will bear much fruit: Apart from him we can do nothing." That means, if we are not in Christ we do not bear the fruit of righteousness and we stand condemned. Jesus said, "Every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown in the fire" (Matt. 7:19).

If we are to bear fruit, we must have faith in God.

Peter's surprise is met with a clear command: Have faith in God. What is faith? Hebrews 11:1 states, "Faith is being sure of what is hoped for and certain of things unseen." Faith is trust (or confidence) in God's Word. There are, at least, three basic truths we must cling to:  

• God exists, 
• We can only know him through his Son Jesus Christ, and 
• He rewards those who seek him. 

As Jesus commands the disciples to trust, he compels them to pray. The principles Jesus expounds here are rooted in the larger context of his teachings on prayer (i.e., It has to be God's will, in keeping with Christ' nature, it must be persistent, etc." So when we pray, we must:

1) Pray from an undivided heart.

We are to pray without doubt in our heart. The word "doubt" refers to being pulled in two directions. There are many ways that doubt enters our heart.Here are some:

• We doubt God's ability
• We doubt God's willingness
• We doubt God's wisdom
• We doubt God's justice

How do we get an undivided heart? Faith comes by hearing the message of Christ. We pray, we read the Scriptures, we study them, meditate on them, listen to them, live them, love them, apply them, memorize them, we must by taught them and teach them, we talk to other believers, and we read good, sound Christian books.

2) Pray from a humble, loving heart.

Forgive, so that you may be forgiven. Prayer is a grace. As we pray, we are assuming God's grace to us, therefore we must grant that grace to others.To whom much is given, much is required. You cannot bear the fruit of mercy, if the seed of grace hasn't been planted in your heart.

How do we get a humble, loving heart? We meditate on the cross of Christ. We remind ourselves of the depths of God's mercy. We pray for God to widen our hearts. 



Evening: The message, "Walk in Wisdom or a Brief Refresher on Knowing and Doing God's Will," focused on Proverbs 2:1-6. Solomon reminds us that God give wisdom to those who seek it.


When trying to determine God's will, we need to answer three questions:

1. What does the Scripture say?
2. Is is wise?
3. What do we want to do?

Solomon uses wisdom as the means to knowing and doing God's will. He encourages us to

Listen to Wise Counsel

We are to accept the words of the wise, and store their commandments. We are to turn our ears to solid teaching, and apply our hearts to gaining understanding. These attitudes should drive us to earnestly seek wisdom.

Earnestly Seek Wisdom

Wisdom is a treasure, because it brings life. We should desperately seek it with prayer and diligent effort.

Trust the Lord

As we seek wisdom, we must turn to the source. The Lord gives wisdom to those who ask. James says, "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him" (James 1:5).

When we walk in wisdom, we are doing God's will. 

Thursday Humor: "Sizzle Reel" Michael Jr.

There is some funny stuff in these clips. I hope you get a laugh.

The Confident Heart

Do you think you can pass any test? Are you confident? Where does you confidence come from? David was confident that he could pass the test. He saw himself on solid ground. Psalm 26 captures David's confidence.

In Psalm 26:1, David asks for vindication. He wants the Lord to show others that he was right to trust in the Lord. David calls himself blameless. What does it mean to be blameless? David can't mean sinless, because only Jesus Christ was sinless. He must me mean something else. He clarifies his statement with the words, "I have trusted the Lord without wavering." David's righteousness rested in his faith in the Lord.

More amazing than David's claims is his request for God to test him. To paraphrase, he says check me from top to bottom. David is asking for a test. Most of us shy away from tests, but not David. He knew that his heart was prone to sinfulness, why ask God to search him. David wanted to where error was so that he could repent of it.

David was confident that he could stand up under God's scrutiny. But why? David's confidence wasn't in himself, but the Lord. As we read through Psalm 26:3-8, David tells us the reasons for his confidence. He kept the Lord's love before him. Whether David meant God's love was an ever-present reality in his life or that he continued to meditate on the reality of God's love for him, David was mindful of God's love. David walked in the Lord's truth. The truth here refers to God's Word. Walking in the Word, lead David to lead a holy life. David's life also centered on sincere worship of the Lord.

David's confidence was the work of the Lord in his life. He could see how God was working in him, and he knew God would continue. To that end, David asked God to keep him. Psalm 26:9-11 records David's prayer. In essence, he says, "Don't throw me away with the bad people."

David rested in the knowledge of God's faithfulness. He knew the Lord delights in showing mercy, so David trust in the Lord. That trust gave David the confidence to face any test? Are you trusting the Lord?

Spiritual Songs: "Your Love Oh Lord" by Third Day

Third Day has a lot of great songs. I tend to think of it as contemplative worship music. They appear to be drawn from a deep devotion and mediation. I hope you enjoy this one, "Your Love Oh Lord."

Sunday Recap 3-18-12

Morning: The sermon, "A Cure for Test Anxiety," focused on James 1:2-4.  James reminds us to rejoice in trials because they come with a reward.

Most people don't like taking tests, but we all get tested from time to time. The question most of us have in the back of our minds is "Will we be able to pass the test?" The question reminds me of the song, "The Impression That I Get." A line in the song says,

I'm not a coward, I just never been tested.
I'd like to think that if I was I would pass.
Look at the tested and think, but for grace go I.
Might be a coward. I'm afraid what I might find.

When it comes to spiritual testing, most of us would rather avoid it. The thought of God testing us makes us anxious. James tells us to take a different approach. We should rejoice in our trials, because they help us to mature.

Your Looking at the Test the Wrong Way

James calls us to rejoice in our trials, because they produce perseverance. We look at such a request and question his mental status. We can't imagine being beaten and imprisoned and finishing the night out with a worship service. We can't imagine being beating and walking away rejoice in God's kindness. Testing is part of the Christian life. Tests come in many different kinds (see Matt. 5:10-11; 2 Cor. 11:21-28; and Rom.  7:14-20 for examples).

We become anxious about the testing for one of two reasons. The first reason is that we view the test as pass/fail. When we allow ourselves to become performance oriented, we lose sight of the cross. God's love for us is not based in our actions, but in his nature (see Rom. 5:6-8). The second reason is that we assume the test is a judgment. Something bad happens to us, and we begin to ask, "What did I do now?" Sometimes, we know there is sin that needs to be driven out of our lives. We know we are reaping what we have sown. But other times, it is better to assume God is teaching us something.

View Testing as a Learning Opportunity

The author of Hebrews tells us to, "Endure hardship as discipline" (Heb. 12:7). If we look at discipline as teaching and remember that God disciplines those he loves, we can endure hardship more effectively. Trials teach you your limits. They show you what you don't know. They correct your misunderstandings. Trials demonstrate God's love. As you allow perseverance to work in your life, you grow. Remembering the benefits of perseverance helps us to keep our eye on the prize.

Keep Your Eye on the Prize

James promises that perseverance, when permitted, will bring rich rewards. Perseverance brings about maturity. Maturity is the ability to discern right from wrong, and to enjoy choosing the right. As you persevere in faith, you become complete. All the pieces of you come together under the common goal of pursuing God's glory and you find yourself pursuing God heart and soul. Finally, maturity and completeness mean that you lack nothing. It means you have everything you need to live a life that pleases God.

If you were tested, do you think you would pass? Does the though of failing make you anxious? Cling to Christ, and he will help you pass each test you face.

Evening: We had a special called business meeting tonight. We are going to be renovating our kitchen and fellowship hall areas.

Sunday Recap 3-11-12

Morning: The sermon, "A Grace that Saves," focused on Luke 17:11-19. In this passage, Luke reminds his readers that love is the only proper response to God's grace. Jesus heals 10 lepers, but only one returns to thank him.

The story unfolds by reminding us of common grace. The lepers ask for mercy, and all receive it. Common grace is God's general kindness to his creation. Jesus put it in terms of rain and sunshine being enjoyed by all.

The story illustrates the dangers of confusing common grace with saving grace. The blessings of God are not a sign of salvation, although they may being drawing someone toward salvation. Good things happen to bad people. Being healed and being saved are two very different things.

Luke reminds us through the action of the Samaritan leper that saving grace produces fruit. This man not only believe Jesus was capable of healing him, he felt compelled to honor him for healing him. His heart was driven to glorify God in Christ.

When we fail to understand who God is, who we are as sinners, and what Christ has accomplished on our behalf through the cross; we are not driven to love. We may be grateful for the gift, but we don't care about the giver.

Evening: We looked at Psalm 103. David gives a psalm for meditating on the reasons we should praise God.

Thursday Humor: "No Child Left Behind" Sinbad

The comedian, Sinbad, offers some answers to kids questions. It's pretty funny. I hope you enjoy it.

A Cry for Mercy

Psalm 130:1-8 paints a disturbing, yet beautiful picture. It is disturbing because it captures the anguish of a man who feels cut off from God, possibly because of his sin. It beautiful because it reminds us that God's grace is greater than our sin. The psalmist reminds us to trust the Lord for forgiveness and redemption.

In Psalm 130:1-4, The Psalmist opens with a cry for help. The tone is set by his depiction of his plight. He is crying out of the depths. He is overwhelmed, and earnest in his pleas. He feels God isn't paying attention to him. He needs mercy. He feels the weight of his sin and how it threatens to separate him from God. Yet he knows God is merciful, and worthy of reverence.

After calling out to God, the Psalmist commits himself to trust the Lord. He is willing to wait upon the Lord. But this is no passive waiting. His waiting is rooted in a continued trust in God's Word. I imagine him pouring over the Word daily, claiming promises, and awaiting God's deliverance. He is vigilant like a watchman waiting for God to break over the horizon like the sun at dawn.

He is not content to wait alone. No, he calls others to follow him. Although God has not arrived, he still wants others to follow him. One may wonder: Why trust God? The Psalmist offers two reasons. The first is unfailing love. God's lover never fails. God loved humanity so much that he sent Christ to ransom them. The second reason is full redemption. God saves to the uttermost. Those who trust him will be saved from all their sins.

Where are you in your walk? Do you feel cut off from God? Why not commit to trust him? The Psalmist is calling you to follow him in committing to the Lord. Why not accept the forgiveness promised through Christ?

Spiritual Songs: "God of Wonders"

Here is a worship song by Third Day. This song is about the vastness of God. It serves as a reminder that God is bigger than we often imagine.

Sermon Recap 3-4-12

Morning: The message, "A Word for Hard Times," focused on Isaiah 51:1-8. In this passage, the Lord reminds his people that he will rescue them. He gives them three pieces of advise.

First, they are told to look back. The Lord instructs them to consider Abraham and Sarah. He is reminding them that their very existence is rooted in his promise to Abraham. He wants his people to know that he is capable of bringing life from a barren womb, a desert wasteland, or a difficult situation. We need to look back at his faithfulness, and remember he is always the same.

Second, they are told to look forward. God points them to the light that will dawn with the coming of Messiah. Isaiah's audience would have to look forward to that day, but we look back on the coming of Christ. We look forward to the second coming of Christ, when we will experience the fullness of the finished work of Christ.

Third, they are told to look up. It is easy to become overwhelmed with the fear of people. Yet, Jesus warned us to only fear God (Luke 12:4-5). The people that we fear will eventually disappear, but God's grace will endure forever.

We need to cling to Christ in the hard times, in those times where good seems overwhelmed by evil. We trust him because he has proven himself true. We keep on pursuing him because we know he rescue us in the end.

Evening: Business meeting.

Thursday Humor: "Oversaved" Michael Jr.

I don't know how to introduce this one. I hope you enjoy it.