12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, 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, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:12-14
Seems lately many people I speak with are nostalgic for days gone by... remember the good ol days kind of thing. I remember listening to "old" people (people over 25) when I was a kid. It depended on the message as to whether the "old" days were good or not. If I was being taught a lesson... like the value of walking to catch the school bus... then the old days were a horror. If I was being reprimanded... for not doing chores... I was told how much better kids were back then than I was...
Lesson... the "____ old days" could be either good or bad depending upon my mother's need. Actually, the real lesson was in how to "guide" my kids when they were old enough to be told about my "____ old days"!
This isn't what Paul is talking about though. He is encouraging the folks in the Philippian Church to not live on past victories or failures but to keep looking ahead to the promise of redemption in Jesus Christ. One of the OT prophets tell us that God drops our sins into the "sea of forgetfulness and remembers them no more." For those whose past might be as checkered as mine, that is good news. God has cleared the past so I can move into a bright future.
Paul says he "strains forward". He is putting effort to accomplish what God has put before him... there is a temptation to rest on past victories. Like good sports teams who figure they don't have to work as hard to win again find out... to win in the long run you have to keep moving ahead. You have to keep the vision always before you. Like a good race car driver will point out... You have a big front windshield and a small rear view mirror because what's in front of you is more important than what's behind you.
Here's to keeping your focus in the right place...
Grace and peace in Jesus
Pastor Bill
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Name Dropping...
All the prophets spoke about [Jesus Christ], saying that all who believe in him will have their sins forgiven through the power of his name. Acts 10:43
There is a great story in the books of Acts 19 there is a great story about the "sons of Sceva". If there is video replay in heaven... that is one I want to see! In the story some people realize that the Apostle Paul and other Christians are healing people and freeing people from demonic possession by the power of Jesus' name. These sons Sceva, a Jewish High Priest, decide to charge money for the service of casting out demons. These sons are not followers of Jesus, but they figure what the heck, it will work for us, too. The they command the demon to come out in the "name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches". The demon responds, "I know Jesus and I know Paul, but who are you?" Then the demon uses the body of the possessed one to attack these seven brothers, beating them up so badly that they run from the house naked and bleeding all over.
This points us not only to the power of Jesus' name, but more importantly, to the power of "believing" in Jesus himself. It is important that we who are followers of Jesus know that it is "in Jesus name" that our sins are forgiven. It is in Jesus' name that our prayers are answered. It is in Jesus' name that we are allowed to approach the "throne of grace" (Heb. 3).
I am able to use my Dad's name to receive help from those who know and respect him. There is a certain power in being able to trade on the reputation of a famous person, or a person of authority. American Ambassadors, those who represent our country to other countries are given the power to speak in the name of the President of the United States. We, who are followers of Jesus, are ambassadors for God in the name of Jesus Christ. We can speak on God's behalf, without fear. In fact we are told to pray, share the Gospel, heal, love... well, we are told to do everything we do in the "name of Jesus". We can do that without the fear of what happened to the sons of Sceva.
Our sins are forgiven, we receive and share grace...in the name of Jesus. There is power in that name for those who believe... We don't have to be apologetic, we need to be bold.
Be strong in the Lord... not yourself. Proclaim the forgiveness of sins, yours and others in Jesus name.
Amen!
There is a great story in the books of Acts 19 there is a great story about the "sons of Sceva". If there is video replay in heaven... that is one I want to see! In the story some people realize that the Apostle Paul and other Christians are healing people and freeing people from demonic possession by the power of Jesus' name. These sons Sceva, a Jewish High Priest, decide to charge money for the service of casting out demons. These sons are not followers of Jesus, but they figure what the heck, it will work for us, too. The they command the demon to come out in the "name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches". The demon responds, "I know Jesus and I know Paul, but who are you?" Then the demon uses the body of the possessed one to attack these seven brothers, beating them up so badly that they run from the house naked and bleeding all over.
This points us not only to the power of Jesus' name, but more importantly, to the power of "believing" in Jesus himself. It is important that we who are followers of Jesus know that it is "in Jesus name" that our sins are forgiven. It is in Jesus' name that our prayers are answered. It is in Jesus' name that we are allowed to approach the "throne of grace" (Heb. 3).
I am able to use my Dad's name to receive help from those who know and respect him. There is a certain power in being able to trade on the reputation of a famous person, or a person of authority. American Ambassadors, those who represent our country to other countries are given the power to speak in the name of the President of the United States. We, who are followers of Jesus, are ambassadors for God in the name of Jesus Christ. We can speak on God's behalf, without fear. In fact we are told to pray, share the Gospel, heal, love... well, we are told to do everything we do in the "name of Jesus". We can do that without the fear of what happened to the sons of Sceva.
Our sins are forgiven, we receive and share grace...in the name of Jesus. There is power in that name for those who believe... We don't have to be apologetic, we need to be bold.
Be strong in the Lord... not yourself. Proclaim the forgiveness of sins, yours and others in Jesus name.
Amen!
Monday, March 21, 2011
Light Living
Your yourselves used to be in the darkness, but since you have become the Lord's people, you are in the light. So you must live like people who belong to the light. Ephesians 5:8 (GNT)
I didn't wear glasses until just before seventh grade started. Junior High is not the optimal time to start wearing glasses! However, for being able to see... it was a miracle! I still remember coming out of the optometrist's office, standing on Sherman Avenue of Coeur D' Alene Idaho. I could look up one side of the street and down the other and see colors and shapes that I hadn't know where there. I was between 2nd and 3rd Streets but could read the signs clear up on 7th Street. WOW! I couldn't believe it. Things were so vividly clear that I was stunned by what I hadn't been able to see. As we drove home I noticed how green the fir trees were and how black the highway was...
I hadn't really known that I needed glasses. I squinted at the black board in school. Playing baseball, the batter was blurry image when I pitched. I didn't realize how muted the colors around me were. I just assumed that was normal. I figured that was the way everyone saw things, because that was the only way I had ever seen things. I couldn't imagine any other vision.
After getting glasses I won't go anywhere without them. I can't see well enough to drive, or walk for that matter. I can distinguish some people by the way they move or by hearing their voice. I am truly blind as a bat without my glasses.
But, having been made able to see, why would I want to go back to not seeing? It wouldn't make any sense to live as blind man when I don't have to.... So, why would I want to live as one who hasn't experienced the light of Jesus? Way back when, when I first experience Jesus in my life, it was like walking from the pitch black darkness to the wonder of living in bright light. Things had color. Things had shape. The light of Christ brought a clarity to my life that I had never had before. As one who "belongs to the light", why would I want to go back? Having been called by God (as all Christians are) why would I want to give that up or deny it. The metaphor of my glasses is not even powerful enough to express the foolishness of going back to what I was before the miracle Jesus has wrought in my life. Having experienced Jesus I can't pretend that I haven't. Having experience Jesus, I don't want to take Him off. I want to live like "one who belongs to the light". How about you?
Lord Jesus, help me to live in your light... Let me live as one who sees.
In the Light,
Pastor Bill
I didn't wear glasses until just before seventh grade started. Junior High is not the optimal time to start wearing glasses! However, for being able to see... it was a miracle! I still remember coming out of the optometrist's office, standing on Sherman Avenue of Coeur D' Alene Idaho. I could look up one side of the street and down the other and see colors and shapes that I hadn't know where there. I was between 2nd and 3rd Streets but could read the signs clear up on 7th Street. WOW! I couldn't believe it. Things were so vividly clear that I was stunned by what I hadn't been able to see. As we drove home I noticed how green the fir trees were and how black the highway was...
I hadn't really known that I needed glasses. I squinted at the black board in school. Playing baseball, the batter was blurry image when I pitched. I didn't realize how muted the colors around me were. I just assumed that was normal. I figured that was the way everyone saw things, because that was the only way I had ever seen things. I couldn't imagine any other vision.
After getting glasses I won't go anywhere without them. I can't see well enough to drive, or walk for that matter. I can distinguish some people by the way they move or by hearing their voice. I am truly blind as a bat without my glasses.
But, having been made able to see, why would I want to go back to not seeing? It wouldn't make any sense to live as blind man when I don't have to.... So, why would I want to live as one who hasn't experienced the light of Jesus? Way back when, when I first experience Jesus in my life, it was like walking from the pitch black darkness to the wonder of living in bright light. Things had color. Things had shape. The light of Christ brought a clarity to my life that I had never had before. As one who "belongs to the light", why would I want to go back? Having been called by God (as all Christians are) why would I want to give that up or deny it. The metaphor of my glasses is not even powerful enough to express the foolishness of going back to what I was before the miracle Jesus has wrought in my life. Having experienced Jesus I can't pretend that I haven't. Having experience Jesus, I don't want to take Him off. I want to live like "one who belongs to the light". How about you?
Lord Jesus, help me to live in your light... Let me live as one who sees.
In the Light,
Pastor Bill
Thursday, March 3, 2011
What Is Your Credit Score?
I have been watching the ads and receiving e-mails about the importance of knowing my credit score. I wont be able to buy another house (like I can live in more than one at a time!), I wont be able buy a car with credit, I wont be able to charge a cruise to the Bahamas... all if my credit score isn't good enough. That is kind of scary. To think that a little piece of plastic and my mis-use of it could have such consequences!
But, what about our spiritual credit? Do I (or you) have enough on the account to be admitted into the presence of God? Have I been righteous enough? Have I been good enough to have the plus side of my life out weigh the negative side of my life?
At first glance I might be inclined to say yes... but, really? When I look at even most of the good things I have done... I have to admit that I have done them too often from selfish motives. So then they fall into the negative category, too.
Here's what the Bible says..."Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness." (Romans 4:3) Wow! By believing that God's provision of righteousness (given to us in Jesus' death and resurrection) God posts to our "account" His own righteousness. My plus' now out number my negatives because of what Jesus has done. I am considered by God as holy... not because of what I have done. That would be reason for me to boast. As the Apostle Paul wrote to the Ephesians (2:8-10) "You are saved by grace though faith and that is a gift from God!"
You can begin to know about and experience God's love and grace by reading about it in the Bible. If you have never done this before, start with the Gospel of John. As you read, ask this question..."who is this Jesus, and what does He mean to me?" The answer's may surprise you... Here is to surprises!
Grace and Joy in Jesus.
Pastor Bill... by the way let me know you were here by commenting on the various blog postings. Thanks
But, what about our spiritual credit? Do I (or you) have enough on the account to be admitted into the presence of God? Have I been righteous enough? Have I been good enough to have the plus side of my life out weigh the negative side of my life?
At first glance I might be inclined to say yes... but, really? When I look at even most of the good things I have done... I have to admit that I have done them too often from selfish motives. So then they fall into the negative category, too.
Here's what the Bible says..."Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness." (Romans 4:3) Wow! By believing that God's provision of righteousness (given to us in Jesus' death and resurrection) God posts to our "account" His own righteousness. My plus' now out number my negatives because of what Jesus has done. I am considered by God as holy... not because of what I have done. That would be reason for me to boast. As the Apostle Paul wrote to the Ephesians (2:8-10) "You are saved by grace though faith and that is a gift from God!"
You can begin to know about and experience God's love and grace by reading about it in the Bible. If you have never done this before, start with the Gospel of John. As you read, ask this question..."who is this Jesus, and what does He mean to me?" The answer's may surprise you... Here is to surprises!
Grace and Joy in Jesus.
Pastor Bill... by the way let me know you were here by commenting on the various blog postings. Thanks
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