How can this be?

Between the Old Testament and the New Testament we see that God had been silent for 400 years. The people of Israel had been awaiting the Messiah.

When Jesus was born, there was no fanfare. God chose an average woman named Mary living in an out-of-the-way place.

Mary found favor with God. God's choice of Mary comes from His grace - not through any work done by Mary. This is unearned merit. God steps into Mary's life and brings her into His service - not the other way around.

But Mary's response is, "How can this be?" Mary's faith is tested. The angel responds, "Nothing us impossible with God" to which Mary replies, "I am the Lord's servant."

In this we must remember that God seeks us as ordinary people in ordinary places.

On the Road Again

In Luke 24:13-35 we meet two fellows on the road to Emmaus. Like many of us, we are traveling along a road without knowledge of where we are going or why we are on the road.

Fortunately for these two men, Jesus comes alongside them. Again, like many of us, Jesus has also come up alongside. The two men are discussing the recent events surrounding the crucifixion of Jesus. And like Mary, they did not recognize Him - at first.

Jesus then asks what they are discussing. They told Jesus about the man they had hoped would be the Messiah. Jesus begins to tell the men of the Scriptures and how the Scriptures speak of Jesus.

For Mary, she recognized Jesus when He spoke her name. For these two men, it was when their hearts burned.

So when you seek Jesus, it may not be with your eyes that you will find Him. It will be with your heart.

Whom Are You Seeking?

We are all seeking something. In John 20:11-18, Mary Magdalene goes to the the now empty tomb. She is distressed. There she encounters the risen Christ, but Mary does not recognize Him. Jesus asks Mary an important question, "Whom are you seeking?" Mary does not answer directly. This is a question we all need to ask ourselves. Knowing that we are all seeking something to fulfill our lives, let us consider Jesus' question to Mary - "Whom are you seeking?"

When Jesus then calls her by name, Mary recognizes Jesus. "Mary" is a personal response. Mary doesn't recognize Jesus by sight, but by voice.

We are made to have a relationship with God. Whom are you seeking?

Within a Yard of Hell

Some want to live
within the sound
of church or chapel bell;
I want to run
a rescue shop
within a yard of hell.

- C. T. Studd, 1860-1931, English missionary to China, India, and Africa

Sometimes it is easy to forget just how close hell can really be. On Sunday, when visiting one of the homeless camps, we were told that a resident, 'Brian' was picked up by the sheriff's office on a burglary charge. Brian had been to several of our 'chapel' meetings and we had spent time talking to him about Jesus. Brian seemed like he was on track to putting his life back together.

Yes, this is about choices and we all make some pretty terrible ones from time to time. We all battle against the world, the flesh and the devil. But this was a stark reminder of how close hell can really be.

We hope to visit Brian this week and let him know that someone cares. And more importantly that God loves him. I don't know how to keep Brian out of jail but our prayers are that the Holy Spirit would grab his heart and keep him out of hell.

David's Mighty Men

In First Chronicles 12 we read of David's Mighty Men. These were warriors described as "brave warriors, ready for battle and able to handle the shield and spear." They were "able to shoot arrows or to sling stones right-handed or left-handed" and had "the faces of lions, and they were as swift as gazelles in the mountains."

Aside from these abilities, David offered this warning, "If you have come to me in peace, to help me, I am ready to have you unite with me. But if you have come to betray me to my enemies when my hands are free from violence, may the God of our fathers see it and judge you."

So, are you a Mighty Man (or woman) of God? Do you rely upon your talents and skills only? Or are you joined with God, to be used by Him? Because if you are, God is with you. However if you are duplicitous, with evil on your heart, then God will judge you accordingly.

Two Crosses

In Luke 23, we see two criminals that were crucified with Jesus. The reason there are two is to show the grace of God and to demonstrate that there is a choice to be made. Grace is an unearned gift from God - the Gift of Salvation. Now, the first choice is refusal - denying Christ - not accepting the Gift. The second choice is acceptance - reaching out and grabbing the gift.

We are all guilty of sin. We are all deserving of punishment. Some will deny their guilt while others will acknowledge their guilt. Likewise, some will accept God's Gift of Salvation and others will refuse it.

There were two criminals that day - one on His left, the other on His right. In a very real way, each one of us is one of those two criminals. We are all guilty of something, some of us acknowledge our guilt, and others deny it. Some accept the gift of salvation, others refuse it. Each of those men eventually dies on their cross and stands before God to give an account of himself – alone. However, if there were only two crosses that day, who could be reconciled with God?

With Jesus in the middle, suddenly the responses of each of the men take on a new meaning. The first man denies his guilt, the other acknowledges it. Both die, but the second man joins Jesus in paradise. Standing in judgment before God, only the second man has Jesus as his substitute. The first man stands before God alone. Consider how close salvation was to the second man yet he died in unbelief. The first man only asked that Jesus remember him.

There were three crosses on the hill that day. Each of us takes our place on either side of Christ. The one that you identify with, the one that represents your view of Christ will indicate where you will spend eternity.

Both criminals die and both will appear before God. Those that refuse the gift will stand alone. Those that accept the gift will stand with Jesus.

Which of the two criminals are you?

Lord, Save Me

When we find our faith slipping, the first thing we need to do is run to the cross. When Peter stepped out of the boat he was doing okay until he stopped focusing on Christ. It was when he was sinking that he cried out, "Lord save me." May we all remember to cry out to Christ when we start sinking into sin.

The Roman Road

Today's message was the Roman Road.

A maze is a twisty puzzle that offers only one path of escape. In life, there is only one path to escape the wrath of God. That path is through Jesus Christ. The Roman Road provides us with directions.

1. Admit that you are a sinner.
Romans 3:23, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God"

2. Understand that you deserve death for your sin and ask God to forgive you and save you.
Romans 6:23, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

3. Ask Jesus to come into your heart.
Romans 10:13, "That if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."

Checking Our Motives

Sunday's message was from John 7:53-8:11, "The Adulterous Woman" - we should check our motives before condemning someone - remember God is our ultimate judge and He looks into our hearts.

The weather held off but the ground was very wet and muddy so we worshiped inside the Community Tent. About sixteen of us were dry and warm inside the tent.

New 'Community Tent'

We have a new 'Community Tent' - complete with wood stove, propane lighting, seating for about twenty, some donated Bibles and a pulpit. Perfect for preaching in inclement weather - which based upon weather reports is scheduled for this weekend.

'I Met Jesus at the Drink Table' by Joan Harmon

Some years ago our family belonged to a church in Freehold. We were involved with the Friday night suppers, a ministry outreach. On one particular Friday night I’m sure I MET JESUS AT THE DRINK TABLE.

We were helping with the community supper and I could see Harold, positioned at the steam tables ready to serve that evenings meal along with the other volunteers. Many of the faces that we would see had become familiar, even some of their names. I was at the back of the parish hall setting up the drink table, waiting for “Harry”, one of our regulars, to come and ask me for a cup of coffee before the meal got started. I had become so preoccupied with ‘icing’ the cups and filling them with tea and juice that I didn’t initially notice the gentleman standing directly in front of the table. When I did look up, a man probably in his thirties smiled at me. I asked him if he would like a drink (and as I tell you this story I really can’t remember his answer). However, I do recall him telling me that he had just been released from Monmouth County Jail (located not too far from the church). He said his name was Bob. In his hand was a plastic bag containing what few things he’d had at the jail-personal items, clothing and a Bible.

While I couldn’t tell you the color of his eyes, they were bright and joy filled. He told me that he saw the sign out front and came in for something to eat and drink before moving on. Particulars, he did not share. I was however, so moved by this man’s attitude. He spoke about God’s presence in his life and while he didn’t have a concrete plan, he knew that God was in control. Bob ate and drank and then left. I couldn’t help but wonder if he would be back the next week for dinner. I was anxious to see him and how things were going, but I never saw him there again.

I am convinced though that the Lord stood in front of me that evening and I was humbled. Not by the man, but by the Savior who would make Himself known to me in the faces of His children. I have experienced this on other occasions and in other faces. Some of them right here at the “Chapel in the Woods“.

Yes, I met Jesus at the drink table. He said his name was Bob, but I know better.

Trading a Tent for a Mansion

One by one, some of the residents of the homeless camp came up to the table for a hot dog, a snack and a drink. After a time, it seemed that everyone was satisfied so we turned off the grill and began to clean up.

But then this fellow, Mike approached. We had seen Mike on occasion and knew that he had a drinking problem. Today was no exception. Mike was really struggling and we knew he needed something to eat and cup of coffee. He was angry, but he took the food. Holding a conversation was difficult and sprinkled with profanity. Eventually he settled down and opened up about his life.

I recognize that he was impaired, but there was something about the pain in his voice that he genuinely knew that he had made a mess of his life and that God must be angry with him. I heard God speaking to me and that God wanted me to tell Mike about Jesus and God's plan of salvation. We went down the Roman Road. And although it was a bump ride with a some detours, I managed to keep Mike on the Road.

Considering Mike's condition, I'm not completely sure he got it completely. But I think so. Perhaps I gave him enough to think about. Perhaps the angels are rejoicing in Heaven tonight.

And as I left the camp I thought, if something were to happen to Mike tonight I am comforted that Mike would be welcomed into God's Heaven.

A Thousand Reasons

Over the past two years, we have been ministering to a group of homeless individuals living in tents in the woods in a neighboring town. Recently, God has given us a mission to share the Gospel on Sundays with the people who live out there.

On this Sunday, it had rained all night and into the morning. We were planning to do what is now our regular church service at around noon. Our regular service is usually a Scripture selection, a short message and then we prepare a meal for about 15-20 homeless men and women who we are pleased to call friends.

But as I said, it was raining - pretty hard actually. I could given many reasons for not going - first, it was raining and perhaps no one would want to come out of their tent (there is a community tent for everyone to use). Another reason was that the path leading back to the camp would be muddy and our car wouldn't make it (a prayer request is a donation of a truck). Still another reason would be that because of the rain, we wouldn't be able to cook. Perhaps the biggest excuse would be that it was just too inconvenient.

But then I thought of Jesus, praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, "Take this cup from me." Perhaps Jesus could have given a thousand reasons for not going to the cross. Given our sins, He perhaps had millions (billions, trillions?) of reasons. But He had one major reason for doing it - it was God's will and His love for us.

Delivering God's message of salvation to a group of homeless is a pretty easy task after all.

Angels Among Us

Last Sunday after our service in the woods, we received a prayer request from one of the people living out in the camps. The request was for God to send an angel to help her through a difficult time. The author of Hebrews tells us, 'Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.' (Hebrews 13:2) and Jesus reminds us, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' (Matthew 25:40)

We may never know who the person we are ministering to is really is. Could that person be Jesus? Could the person stopping to offer help be an angel? What if we did walk by and refuse comfort or pushed someone aside that offered a helping hand?

In our prayer that morning we asked God to send an angel not really knowing if there was an angel already in our midst and we did not know.

What is God asking you to do?

Sunday, September 20, 2009 - In Scripture, Mark shows us that we all can have a part to play in God's plan. After spending time in ministry with Paul, Mark returns to Jerusalem. Perhaps he wasn't sure of his duties, but God had another plan for Mark, writing the Gospel account that bears his name, The Gospel of Mark. What is God asking you to do?

Houses for the Houseless

Our little Chapel in the Woods is getting a little smaller. Some who are currently homeless are now finding housing and moving out of their tents. Praise God! This is one time when a shrinking church is a good thing. Actually we are encouraging those that move out to come back and strengthened their brothers (and sisters).

Where do you go to church?

Our message from Sunday, September 13th was from James 2:1, "My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory." It is sometimes easier to hold "church" in a nice clean building. God however calls us to share the Gospel everywhere.