Repent or Perish

In Luke 13, Jesus tells us about the Tower at Siloam which fell and killed 18 people. Jesus asks the question, "do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem?" Jesus then answers His question, "I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish."

There are some who believe that disaster is the result of sin. Consider Job and his three friends. When disaster struck Job, his friends were certain it was due to some sin that Job had committed.

Jesus, in His response, tells us that no one is mo of a sinner than any other. We are all sinners and Jesus calls us to repent - otherwise we will perish, just like the people at Siloam. However this is not just a physical death. This is a spiritual death - complete separation from God for eternity.

We are all facing death and what we learn from the people at Siloam, is that you may not have time to repent. So you must repent now. To delay will mean to perish.

Our Redeemer Lives

The Book of Job is perhaps one of the oldest books in the Bible. Now Job, is a wealthy farmer with thousands of sheep and cattle. Job is an upright and blameless man who prays for his family continuously.

Satan however is unimpressed accusing God of blessing Job to obtain Job's worship. A contest ensues and Satan attacks Job's possessions and then Job's health. Throughout this ordeal, Job refuses to "curse God and die." Even Job's so-called "friends" accuse Job of sinning.

Eventually Job inquires of God as to why these things have happened, but God turns the table, submitting Job to a series of questions. In the end, Job realizes the answer - we must learn to trust God. His purposes are beyond our understanding. God allows human suffering for His own purposes. In all things, we must know, as Job states, that "Our redeemer lives."

God Can Use Anyone

The Book of Ruth is one of only two books in the Bible named for women (the other is Esther). Also, when you read through Jesus' genealogy, you will find Ruth mentioned along with four other women (Tamar, Rahab, Bathsheba, and Mary are the others). Women were not usually mentioned in the genealogies at that time. But this only shows how God does the unexpected and chooses the unlikely to fulfill His plans.

So, why is Ruth mentioned in Jesus' genealogy? After all, Ruth is a Moabite. Now, a Moabite is a descendant of Moab. When Lot and his family escaped the destruction of Sodom, Lot's wife turned to look back and was turned into a pillar of salt. After the destruction, there were no men around, so Lot's daughters devised a scheme. They each got their father drunk and 'lay with him.' The resulting pregnancies and births of sons resulted in Moab and Benammi. The Moabites and the Ammonites respectively. These two groups of people, the result of incest were cursed by God.

Which brings back to Ruth. Ruth is the daughter-in-law of Naomi. Naomi is becomes a widow. The Naomi's two sons die. This leaves Ruth and Orpah also widows. Orpah moves on to look for a husband while Ruth stays with Naomi saying, 'Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.'

Ruth eventually meets and marries Boaz. They have a son named Obed. Obed then becomes the father of Jesse, who is the father of David.

In Ruth we find that we can trust God to provide what we need, when we need it. In Ruth we find that God can use anyone - no matter who they are or their situation.

Straining Towards the Goal

Jimmy Johnson was the coach of the Dallas Cowboys and in 1989, his first year of coaching the team, they had a record of 1 win and 15 losses making them the worst team in the NFL.

Philippians 3:13 tells us, "Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead..." And that is exactly what Jimmy Johnson coached. Learn from mistakes - but don't dwell on them and when you lose, plan for the next win.

As we strain toward the goal of living like Christ, we must cast off the old self and put on the new person. Forgetting what is behind, and strain toward what lies ahead.

Eventually the Cowboys won the Super Bowl in 1993 and 1994, 4 years after going 1-15.

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Facing the Giants

In First Samuel 17:1-54 we read about David and Goliath. Now to set up the story, the people of Israel are facing off with their dreaded enemy the Philistines. The two armies are on opposite sides of a valley. Then, the Philistine army steps apart and out comes Goliath. A huge man, nearly 10 feet tall carry 200 pounds of armament - a sword, spear, shield and armor. As Goliath approaches, he taunts the army of Israel.

Enter David, the youngest of his brothers, he is carrying supplies. David does not understand why the other soldiers are just standing around. He knows that God is with him and so, decides to confront Goliath. Goliath laughs but David is not intimidated.

David loads his slingshot, takes aim and hits Goliath right between the eyes. David then takes Goliath's sword and beheads the giant. The Philistines flee with the army of Israel in pursuit.

We face our own Goliaths everyday. So what can we learn from David?

1. Facing giants is an intimidating experience - remember, Goliath towered over David.

2. Doing battle is a lonely experience. Your Goliaths are your Goliaths. They may not be gigantic to anyone else, but they are gigantic to you. The battle is for you and God to fight - together. Friends can stand with you , but you must cross the battle line yourself.

3. Trust in God - David was calm knowing that God was with him.

4. Remember your victories- when the next battle comes, you will remember how God was with you.

Thanks to Chuck Swindoll's book titled, David: A Man of Passion and Destiny.

Lessons from Nehemiah

When the Babylonians sacked Jerusalem and took many of the people captive, Nehemiah was among the captives. Nehemiah became "Cupbearer to the king" which really meant he was the king's food tester. But God gave Nehemiah another task - go back to Jerusalem and rebuild the wall.

The task was enormous - not only were the walls destroyed, but the volunteers were unskilled in repairing stone walls, Nehemiah's enemies were all around and there was no shortage of criticism.

But Nehemiah persevered - he established some guidelines. Everyone was responsible for the section of wall directly in front of them. They made sure that they help each other. To combat the enemies, the workers held their tools in one hand and there sword in the other. Finally, they focused on their goal - to rebuild the wall. Eventually the wall was completed - to which God got all the glory.

Here are some lessons we could learn from Nehemiah (From Chuck Swindell - Nehemiah: A Model of Pioneer Determination):

1. Never let life's difficulties surprise you - problems will come.

2. Be positive - remember God is in control - focus on building the wall.

3. Fight your battles in prayer.

4. Don't do this alone - a cord of three strands is not easily broken.

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.

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.

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.

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.