Category Archives: Blogs

Blogs, John Grant

“BE SHARP”

Week Thirty-One, 2021

If the axe is dull and he does not sharpen its edge, then he must exert more strength. Wisdom has the advantage of giving success. Ecclesiastes 10:10

In my younger days, I chopped firewood, I used an axe. Then, “God” invented the chain saw and I could cut more wood and cut it faster, but like the axe, with time it didn’t cut so well. I found out that even with all its power, even a chain saw became dull. A dull ax means harder work. Being wise will make it easier.

The lesson I learned is that no matter what cutting instrument one uses, with time it becomes dull and ineffective. Our Christian faith is like that. To be sharp, we have to stay sharp and the Bible tells us how.

God said to sharpen your sword by placing the Word of God in you! (Ephesians 6:17). To me there is nothing more sad than a powerless Christian with a dull sword.

The story is told of a newly hired lumberjack who felled more trees on his first day than anyone else. By the fourth day, however, his output had fallen so far that his supervisor asked him what was wrong.

The man said, “I don’t understand. I’m working even harder than before but cutting less timber.” The supervisor asked the lumberjack how often he sharpened his ax. He replied, “I have too many trees to cut — I don’t have time to sharpen my ax.”

As believer’s we seem to have a built-in God given ability to sharpen ourselves and each other as we utilize the tools and relationships that God has given us such as:

▪ A growing relationship with The Lord.

▪ Abiding in, reading, studying and living out God’s Word.

▪ Being active in prayer.

▪ Allowing The Holy Spirit to work in your life.

▪ Growing with The Body of Christ doing life together as each of us play our individual parts as part of The Body serving God and each other.

God has given us all the tools and resources we need and as we actively utilize these tools and people God has placed in our lives no matter through times of trial or times of peace, we will continue to be sharpened.

As we do life together, God allows friction to take place and with this friction we should become sharpened as the dull edges we have in our lives are smoothed away.

Are you keeping your axe sharp?

***

SOMETIMES TRUE STORIES

BE STILL:

Author, educator and theologian, Howard Thurman, once told a story about one of his university students, a deep-sea diver, who wrote about his experience on the ocean floor.

Discovering a coral rock garden, he sat down to look around. First, a single fish swam up to look at him. Then more and more fish were swimming around him. Soon, the garden became more intense. More vivid. More colorful. Plants opened revealing their blossoms.

After sitting there a long while, he began to swim away and suddenly the flowers and fish disappeared. They were living things that only emerged when there was stillness.

Glenn Pease who related Thurman’s story observed that the diver realized that if you come thrashing and splashing into such a garden you would never experience its full beauty. “He learned that there are marvelous things you will never see unless you sit in silence.”

We’re reminded of this truth in Psalm 46:10. “Be still, and know that I am God.”

In a culture of endless hustle and bustle. With 24-hour cable news being piped into our homes. With music blaring everywhere. With the sound of traffic and horns beeping. Cell phones ringing. Children yelling. And endless chatter all around us. Silence becomes a sweet respite.

This verse reminds us there is a time to tune out the noise and tune in to God. We all need periods of sanctified silence. Preacherman

— o —

Florida is second nationally for Alzheimer’s, and expected to grow 24 percent by 2025.

— o —

A 21st century Jewish Rabbi shared this striking statement about the power of words:

“Words are singularly the most powerful force available to humanity. We can choose to use this force constructively with words of encouragement, or destructively use words of despair. Words have energy and power with the ability to help, to heal, to hinder, to hurt, to harm, to humiliate and to humble.”

***

QUOTES YOU CAN USE

Give whatever you are doing and whoever you are with the gift of your attention.” JIM ROHN

The fraying of America’s fabric is fast becoming a national obsession. Adrian Rogers

Build a dream and the dream will build you.” ROBERT H. SCHULLER

God will never call you to do anything that He will not enable you to do. Dan Shock

Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year. He is rich who owns the day, and no one owns the day who allows it to be invaded with fret and anxiety.” RALPH WALDO EMERSON

Whatever we plant in our subconscious mind and nourish with repetition and emotion will one day become reality.” EARL NIGHTINGALE

Thank God we can’t escape His presence. Dan Shock

When you die you will spend eternity in heaven or hell and eternity is a long time. Ken Whitten

God doesn’t want you to worship or serve Him out of pressure or emotional frenzy. Dan Shock

Great achievement is usually born of great sacrifice, and is never the result of selfishness.” NAPOLEON HILL

Blogs, Jeremy Stopford

MY TESTIMONY – 50 YEARS “IN CHRIST”

Semi-Retired Pastor Jeremy Stopford

Shared at Smyrna Baptist Church Smyrna, NY

July 25, 2021 11am

STOP THE PRESSES! HOLD YOUR HORSES! GIVE A LISTEN! Just WHERE is this week’s edition of the “Sermon on the Mount” study? Sorry, dear people. The study in Matthew has been set aside for at least one week for a very important announcement: Yesterday in church, I had the privilege of sharing about an amazing event which will actually take place sometime tonight (July 26, 2021). Are you ready?

My life is divided into 2 sections: BC and AD. BEFORE Jesus and AFTER coming to Jesus. For me, that was BEFORE age 19 and AFTER.

Before age 19, I believed in God. I remember that when I was younger, I used to lay flat on my back on the grass. Then I would look up at the clouds – and do what? I would have conversations with my unknown God!

Dad retired when I was 13. At that time we moved from our home near New York City down to our new home in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. All that led up to that fateful day when I was 17. My best friend Jim and I were swimming in my parents’ pool when Jim said, “I got saved at the revival at church last week.” IMMEDIATELY I told Jim, “you keep that stuff to yourself.” But for the next 2 years I watched Jim. I watched his changing and changed life. Jim was going from “old things were passed away” to “behold, all things become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

When I was 18 years old, I worked as a counselor at a boys’ camp in New Hampshire, the same camp where I had been a camper for 3 summers in the 1960’s. One of the counselors, named George, asked me to watch his cabin of boys one night while he was taking one of his 2 nights off we were given per summer. When I walked into his cabin I saw a stack of brand new Bibles, individually wrapped in plastic, located on his bureau. When he came back from his night off, I asked, “George, can I buy a Bible?” He wisely said, “No, I’ll give you one in the morning.”

The next morning at breakfast, George gave me the Bible. Inside the front cover he wrote that he was giving me the Bible at the boys camp. With that summer’s date. THEN? Then he wrote on the cover page 2 verses: [read from that Bible:]

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness…” 2 Timothy 3:16

The September after I came home from camp, George sent me a 4 page letter explaining how I needed to know – and how I could know – Jesus as my personal Savior. [I still have that letter!]. Included in that packet was a book entitled, “Now That I Believe,” by Robert Cook – former president of Kings College in New York. I set both letter and book aside.

We need to advance to when I was 19 years old, just over a month removed from my high school graduation. One night I couldn’t sleep. Ever have one of those nights? So for whatever strange reason, I was led to re-read that letter I hadn’t looked at for 10 months! And then I started reading that book, “Now That I Believe.” It wasn’t too long before I came to an HUGE conclusion: I DIDN’T believe in Jesus as my Savior.

I knew Jesus had died on a cross. That was HISTORY.

I DIDN’T know that He had died on a cross FOR ME!!! Now that was a MYSTERY!

That night, as best as I knew how, I asked Jesus to be my Savior.

THEN THE WHIRLWIND BEGAN!

Within 2 months, while a freshman at St. Lawrence University in upstate New York – REAL UPSTATE, like a few miles from the Canada border upstate – I started attending a Baptist church under the pastorate of Rev. Herman Underwood, who would soon become my spiritual mentor to the day he died some 40 years later!

Within one year I had transferred to a Bible College in Canada.

That first day of school, I met a girl from central NY. Let’s see if we have this straight. A guy from Ft. Lauderdale goes out of the country to Canada and meets a girl from central New York! The next story in my new adventures in Christ? Within 2 years of my receiving Jesus as Savior, Thuvia and I were married! And that counselor, George? He would be one of my ushers! He served with Tim, a fellow student at Bible School. AND he served with David, one of Pastor Underwood’s sons! Pastor Underwood’s daughter Kathy would be our organist. My best man, a fellow named Allen Carpenter, would go on to serve the Lord as pastor in about 5 different churches before he got called to be with the Lord at a very young age.

Within 15 years of my receiving Christ, I would begin serving as pastor of my first charge, a church “in the middle of nowhere”. How in the middle of nowhere? Several years later a friend asked for us to host her and her boyfriend’s wedding there BECAUSE: it was a plain colored church, built in the mid-1800’s, “in the middle of nowhere” – for her, a perfect setting for a Civl War themed wedding!

And as unbelievable to me, about that same time I began my 27 year career working as a parking enforcement officer with the City of Norwich (NY) Police Department.

Years later, a missionary friend who served for many years in Pakistan wrote a book with a title taken from many of the psalms: “WHAT GOD CAN DO”!

And that’s what God has done – and continues to do – for me! He faithfully works in me to draw fresh attention to Himself. Wow! What God can do!

OH! The date I came to know Jesus as Savior?

JULY 26, 1971

50 YEARS AGO THIS WEEK!

What God can do for me, He can do for everyone!

“…whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13)

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy burdened, and I will give you rest!”

(Matthew 11:28)

Close in prayer – and praise!

EPILOGUE After the service, my wife and I went to our car to prepare to go home for the day. As we got into the vehicle, the thought suddenly hit me. I said to her,

“Weren’t you saved at the Bible Camp when you were 8 years old?”

“Yes”

“That means you were saved during the summer of 1961…

“That means you received Jesus as Savior 60 years ago this summer!”

I know the date I received Jesus as Savior. My wife knows how old she was and where she was, but she doesn’t know the exact date.

But you know what? GOD KNOWS THE HEARTS!

WHAT GOD CAN DO!

Have YOU received Jesus as YOUR Savior?

Do you know anyone who needs to trust Him today?

Catch the eternal vision of men and women, boys and girls, in the “valley of decision” (Joel 3:14)

Blogs, John Grant

IT CREEPS

Week Thirty, 2021

The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced. Matthew 13:22

On a recent drive through the mountains in the Blue Ridge, I saw how much it had grown since the last time I was there, a lot. It is known as the plant that is eating the south. Kudzu was introduced from Japan to the United States at the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition in 1876 as an ornamental and a forage crop plant. The Civilian Conservation Corps and southern farmers planted kudzu to reduce soil erosion. Big mistake.

Kudzu has trailing and climbing, hairy stem that grow at speed of one foot per day. One root produces up to 30 vines that can reach length of 60 feet per season. It covers and smothers out underlying vegetation. It is truly an invasive species. It starts out small and gets bigger…. and bigger.

Kudzu—The invasive plant to ate the south

I am reminded of Genesis 4, the first time “sin” is mentioned in the Bible. God tells Cain: “Sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.” (Genesis 4:6-7). In essence, God is saying that He did not create us to sin, but from that time forward, sin has crept into our lives, like kudzu, smothering what lies below.

We believe that we are in control and have mastery over the dark impulses of our hearts. We see our sin as a little kitten that is easy to handle, rather than a man-eater.

This portrait of sin is taken up repeatedly through the Bible.

• Sin is compared to weeds that grow and choke the power of God’s word in our souls (Matt 13:22).

• Sin is compared to a little spark that can start a whole forest fire (James 3:5).

• It is compared to deadly gangrene that can spread through a whole church (2 Tim 2:17).

• Sin is compared to leaven, which is similar to our modern understanding of yeast. The smallest pinch of yeast will take over a lump of dough as big as the world, given enough time. “A little leaven, leavens the whole lump.” (I Cor. 5:6, Gal 5:9)

Don’t let sin be the “kudzu” of your life. Don’t let it choke out the God created goodness that lies below.

***

SOMETIMES TRUE STORIES

LESSONS ON LIGHT:

Travel light

Live the light

Be the light

Spread the light

— o —

In his book, Hell’s Best Kept Secret, Ray Comfort relates a tragic story about a woman who was once walking along a riverbank with her child. Suddenly the child slipped into the river. The mother screamed in terror. She couldn’t swim, plus she was in the latter stages of pregnancy. Finally, somebody heard her screaming and rushed down to the riverbank.

The utter tragedy was, when they stepped into those murky waters to retrieve that now dead child, they found that the water was only waist-deep! That mother could have easily saved her child but didn’t because of a lack of knowledge.

As heartbreaking as that story is, how much more tragic is it to see those drowning in sin when knowledge of God’s life-saving Truth is within their grasp.

— o —

Minimalism is the intentional promotion of the things we most value and the removal of anything that distracts us from it. It requires a conscious decision because it is a countercultural lifestyle that stands against the culture of overconsumption that surrounds us.

The world we live in is not friendly to the pursuit of minimalism. Its tendencies and relentless advertising campaigns call us to acquire more, better, faster, and newer. The journey of finding simplicity requires consistent inspiration.

— o —

Daniel Webster, the 19th-century statesman, and orator was known for his quick wit. The story’s told that his way with words was evidenced early in childhood.

One day Webster’s father, who was leaving on a short trip, left Daniel and his brother Ezekiel specific work instructions. But on his return, he found the task still undone, and questioned his sons about their idleness.

“What have you been doing, Ezekiel?” he asked. “Nothing, sir.” “Well, Daniel, what have you been doing?” “Helping Zeke, sir.”

Blogs, John Grant

THE SPIKE

Week Twenty-Nine, 2021

Trust in the Lord with all your heart… He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6

As I stood on the observation deck of the Miraflores Lock, I was amazed at the volume of cargo that passes through the Panama Canal. Stretched out in the Pacific as far as I could see were dozens of ships, each holding hundreds of containers.

I watched as ships entered the locks before being lifted fifty-four feet. Once in the lock there is but a couple of feet on each side and at each end. The ships don’t enter on their own power, but rather at each end on each side a steel rope is dropped to a small engine and attached. The small engines are referred to as “mules” and together they pull the ship into the lock. Each runs on a railroad track held down by spikes.

A typical ship fully loaded transiting the canal weighs up to 220,000 tons, so you can imagine the strength needed for the pull and the importance of the spikes that hold the tracks in place.

In my office I have an old spike from the original Panama Canal Railway. I keep it there to remind me how important it is to keep my tracks on the right path.

There is a parallel with living our life. Each day there are powers, strong powers, that attempt to pull us off of the path God intends up to be on. Proverbs (3:5-6) gives us a simple formula…. Trust in the Lord with all your heart. So, as you begin each day and put your feet on the floor, imagine you are on the path for the day, knowing there are many forces prepared to pull you off track. Know that it is God’s Word that holds you on course.

What holds your tracks down?

***

SOMETIMES TRUE STORIES

SEX SINCE THE SIXTIES:

Tragically, our culture is rejecting God’s intention for sex more than ever before. Adultery is celebrated in popular television shows, music, and movies. Sex before marriage and cohabitation are assumed. Abortion is viewed as birth control. Pornography is at epidemic levels. Not to mention the escalation and promotion of LGBTQ ideology beginning with our children.

This culture-wide normalization of immorality is working:

• 69 percent of Americans say sex between an unmarried man and woman is morally acceptable, up 16 points since 2002.

• 42 percent believe sex between teenagers is morally acceptable.

• 43 percent say pornography is morally acceptable.

• 19 percent view polygamy as morally acceptable (up from 5 percent in 2006).

• A record 47 percent of Americans think abortion is morally acceptable.

• 70 percent support same-sex marriage.

Now let’s ask Dr. Phil’s question: “How’s that working for us?”

Since the sexual revolution began in the 1960s:

• The youth suicide rate is the highest it has been since the government began collecting such data in 1960.

• The percentage of children born out of wedlock has escalated from 8 percent in 1962 to 40 percent today. The odds that children in single-parent homes will live in poverty are high.

• Studies show that as many as half of all divorces involve one party using pornography. Even for those who stay married, pornography sabotages their ability to enjoy normal sexual relations.

• More than 62 million babies have been killed by abortion since Roe v. Wade. Abortion is the leading cause of death in America, surpassing heart disease, cancer, and all other cause.

Jim Denison

— o —

Work is hectic. Schedules are hectic. The kids are hectic… almost all of life can be very hectic. Your home shouldn’t be.

Your home should be the antidote to stress. It ought to be a place of rest, respite, and relaxation.

Home is a place of rest and peace and acceptance so we can live our best lives out in the world making the biggest difference that we possibly can. That is why having a calm and rejuvenating home is so important.

***

QUOTES YOU CAN USE

Some people come into your life as blessings. Other people come into your life as lessons. MOTHER TERESA

There is a destiny which makes us brothers; none goes his way alone. All that we send into the lives of others comes back into our own. EDWIN MARKHAM

If we become stronger thru adversity, why do we fight so hard to avoid it? I guess that’s what it means to be human. Dwight Short

I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestionable ability of man to elevate his life by conscious endeavor. HENRY DAVID THOREAU

Nothing is so strong as gentleness, nothing so gentle as real strength.”

SAINT FRANCIS DE SALES

If you submit to Him, you will gradually begin to see the shape God is forming in you. Dan Shock

Your mind will take the shape of what you frequently hold in thought, for the human spirit is colored by such impressions.”

MARCUS AURELIUS

A stranger is someone we have not taken the time to meet and get to know; a friend is a former stranger that we somehow met and got to know them despite the fact that we now know they have foibles just like we do. Dwight Short

May we think of freedom not as the right to do as we please, but the opportunity to do what is right. Peter Marshall

When things aren’t adding up in your life, start subtracting.” —Anonymous

Successful people are simply those with successful habits. BRIAN TRACY

Blogs, Jeremy Stopford

“Not Me!

THE MISUNDERSTOOD ART OF FASTING”

From the “SERMON ON THE MOUNT – AND BEYOND !!!”

Jeremy Stopford, Semi-Retired Pastor

“Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 17 But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly” (Matthew 6:16-18).

If you were ever to visit quaint little (under 8 thousand residents) Norwich, NY, you would immediately be drawn to the little red caboose in the business section on East Main Street, not very far from our local post office. For decades this caboose housed “Millie’s Diner”, with Millie herself as its chef! The food was good (serving breakfast and lunch Monday-Saturday), and the company even greater.

I remember the day as if it were yesterday. One of my privileges back then was to go to Millie’s each day just before noon to find out what the day’s special was for the employees at City Hall, located just across the street from the restaurant. That day I relayed to the front office folks that “Today’s special at Millie’s is chicken and biscuits.” Immediately I was told, “LEAVE RIGHT AWAY! Don’t you remember that this is the first day of the office diet?”.

FASTING. Today we would simply interpret that as “not eating for a certain season.” But what did it mean in Jesus’ day? Why was it so important to include in His valuable Sermon on the Mount? There are at least 3 good definitions of “to fast”:

1. To be without food or hungry; to suffer hunger

2. The temporary refraining from food for religious purposes

3. To be empty

Remember definitions #2 and #3, as they will be quite helpful in this study!

TOO FAST OR NOT TOO FAST Now THAT’s funny, especially to a car driver! Let’s try again.

TO FAST OR NOT TO FAST Funny how two added “o’s change the entire intent! How was this an important part of Jesus’ day, so important that His listeners knew right away what people to whom He was referring?

They knew there was a wrong way (verse 16) whereby the religious leaders had an outward show to give an appearance of spirituality. The Savior then taught (verse 17) “but when YE fast”, showing the true intention of this art which was thus most misunderstood. And then? It is to be done BEFORE GOD ALONE and not as before men or for their favor. It was A DENYING OF SELF. Hence comes the title, “NOT ME” (verse 18).

There are many Biblical helps or usages of “fasting” which give us the how and why of fasting. I like to refer to them as our “SEVEN SOUND SUPPORTS FOR THE SERVANT SEEKING FOR SUSTENANCE FOR THE SOUL”. (Honestly, Dr. Becker pays me WAY too much!)

1. Esther 4:16 A mourning for national sin through the avenue of faith

“Go, gather all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me; neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will fast likewise. And so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!”

Esther was in a position of political importance, the queen for the king. I would encourage you to read the entire book of Esther in one sitting. In the face of extreme political (and spiritual!) opposition, Queen Esther called for a season of fasting. This would be a national turning to true faith in the Living God!

I remember that 50 years ago, in my freshman year (and only year, before transferring to Bible School) at a liberal arts college in upstate New York, the student body was invited to give up an evening meal. In exchange, the school would donate the cost of that meal toward a ministry which was providing food for the poor, starving people of Bangladesh. It was my first exposure to true Biblical fasting. I spent the entire night in God’s word. And whenever I felt the hunger urge, I immediately bowed my head in prayer for the people of Bangladesh (and for those ministries there with which I was familiar).

2/3. (Read Dan. 6:16-18 where fasting [by the king] was for the purpose of overturning seemingly impossible circumstances [Daniel thrown into the lion’s den]

Daniel 9:1-3 When confronted with God’s Word

“In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the lineage of the Medes, who was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans— 2 in the first year of his reign I, Daniel, understood by the books the number of the years specified by the word of the Lord through Jeremiah the prophet, that He would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem. 3 Then I set my face toward the Lord God to make request by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes.”

This is a most fascinating piece of Scripture! The prophet Daniel – note the words: THE. PROPHET. DANIEL. The one and only. Servant of the Lord who both forthtells and foretells God’s Word. Daniel himself, most well known servant. Daniel was reading the Bible for himself! In particular, he was reading the scroll of Jeremiah in what we call today Jeremiah 25:10 [you may not realize that chapter and verse divisions are not considered inspired but added by spiritual men of God for the intent of making Bible reading much easier]. Daniel was a Jewish captive in Gentile – and idol worshiping – Babylon. By reading the Word of God, he learned God’s plan for Israel was to be in captivity for a total of 70 YEARS! When confronted in both his heart and mind with this truth, he immediately resorted to FASTING for his nation. Would we?

4. Jonah 3:5 A purging of personal, and thus national, sin

“So the people of Nineveh believed God, proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least of them.”

Jonah had preached the Word of God to the wicked people of Nineveh [not long after Jonah’s side trip in the belly of the great fish]. Jonah knew the Word of God would be effective, yet it bothered him that the enemies of Israel would be given the grace of God. In response to the Word of God, the people of Nineveh called for a personal season of fasting. And as a result, a personal fasting brought a purging of national sin.

What would happen in the nation where you readers live IF you spent a personal season of fasting? What would happen to you? Your family? Your community? Your nation? Nineveh repented. They knew, they just KNEW, that the God of Israel IS the true God. He ALONE is worthy to be worshipped! Do we understand that for OUR nation?

5. Luke 18:9-14 True fasting

“9 Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ 13 And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Do you remember our important 2 definitions of fasting? It is the temporary refraining from food for religious purposes AND it is evidenced by being empty. In Jesus’ wonderful and most familiar parable, He illustrated fasting in a most tangible way. Fasting is NOT to be an outward religious observance (as shown by the Pharisee). Rather it IS a dying to self, [as wonderfully displayed by the tax collector].

There are many other uses of “FAST” or “FASTING” in the Scriptures. I would encourage you to check out:

Matthew 17:14-21: a seeking of God’s power, thus blessing the prayer life

1 Cor. 7:1-5: a seeking of God’s holiness, thus blessing the home

NOT ME! As we close, let’s ask ourselves: what is the underlying theme in God’s purposes for fasting?

A GRIEF FOR SIN !

Do you believe this?

Then set aside time a time of fasting for God alone:

– for the nation

– for the need (and the needy)

– for the family

– for the individual heart

For what? THAT GOD WILL HAVE FIRST PLACE!

Blogs, Frank Becker

Are You “Free Indeed?”

A message delivered by Frank Becker, Faith Temple Baptist Church, on July 11, 2021

Which came first, the chicken or the egg? More to the point, which came first, “A nation conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal, or a group of re-created and born-again men and women who were free indeed?

This morning, I will argue that a great nation can only be born when a significant portion of its citizens have become “free indeed.”

During his passion week, Christ made a number of claims about himself that shocked both the Jews and their Roman masters. Among our Lord’s claims was one that John recorded in his gospel, chapter 8, verse 31-36:

Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. 33 They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

I. FIRST, we’ll examine what makes a person “free.”

II. SECOND, we’ll examine what makes a nation free.

I. FIRST, then, what makes a person “free.”

“Ye shall know the TRUTH, and the truth shall make you free.”

This was readily misinterpreted by the unhappy and rebellious Jews of that day. They expected a political Messiah who would crush their enemies — both Romans and the Parthians — and would be enthroned as their earthly king. That’s why, on Palm Sunday, they shouted things like, “Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord;” but a week later they cried out, “Crucify him! We have no king but Caesar!” Take care that you do not change your loyalty!

Pontius Pilate asked, “What is Truth?” whenTruth was standing right there in front of him.

The Jews looked for a political solution to their national problem rather than a divine sacrifice for their sin problem. They looked for a conquering king rather than a suffering servant. They looked for a political deliverer rather than a Living Sacrifice. Proud and self-righteous, trusting in their hereditary link to Father Abraham, they did not identify “The Lamb of God who taketh away the sins of the world.”

They hung Jesus upon a cross, and continued in their quest for political freedom. Their intransigence resulted in their ultimately losing a war to Rome and having their holy temple destroyed.

“What kind of people does it take to create and sustain a free country?” The answer is, a significant number of people who have already become “free indeed.” Do you know that the Bolsheviks took over Russia with the avid support of just 3% of the people?

“Where do we find people who are “free indeed?” They are people who know and obey the Truth. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but by Me.”

Therefore, freedom comes to those who have been saved by faith in Jesus Christ. That’s freedom from sin and its penalties, and an assurance of eternal happiness in the presence of God. It doesn’t free us completely from problems in this life, but it does assure us that we can seek God’s help in every situation, as I mentioned in our message on I Corinthians 10:13.

What is this freedom? It is, of course, trusting Jesus for your salvation, knowing that the Holy Spirit dwells within you, and that your destiny is eternal life. But it’s more! It’s a holy boldness, a fearlessness that recognizes that we are not of this world, and that we are virtually indestructible, honestly believing that to be absent from the flesh is to be present with the Lord, and knowing that we had ought to fear what God may do, God rather than what man may do to us.

Freedom in Christ is a one-on-one individual matter, but a nations political freedom comes only after many citizens finally believe the “Truth.” So, whatever happens to America, whether there is a Christian majority or not, whether it remains free or not, you are an individual who must make your own peace with God. “Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

II. SECOND, what makes a nation free?

Did you ever wonder what really made America great?

Americans, too, looks for deliverance via political means. They might, like the Jews who slew Jesus, cry out, “We have no king but Caesar!” Or Trump. Or Biden. Even many Christians devote their time, energy, and money to electing people they hope they can trust to keep their word, rather than crying out to God for forgiveness and blessing and supporting His work.

We claim that America was founded as a Christian nation, but America’s enemies, foreign and domestic, mock this idea. They insist that America was never a Christian nation, and they do all they can to “cancel” the character and credibility of our founding Fathers.

Conspirators, foreign governments, dirty politicians, spies, and ignorant idealists are tearing this country apart, setting people of every race, religion, socio-economic group—even the sexes—against one another.

On July 4th, while I lay ill at home, I looked in vain for programming on TV that would be patriotic and godly, and all I found was a travesty of a musical that mocked the character, godly motives and incredible personal sacrifices of our Founding Fathers.

When we used to observe Independence Day, it was to celebrate our freedoms, and to remember the courage, self-sacrifice, and heroism it took to achieve and sustain those freedoms. More than that, we spoke of the Creator without whom we would not have these freedoms.

We called ourselves a Christian nation. Now that title is disputed and spurned.

So, I ask, what did it take to take to give birth to this nation dedicated to freedom? It took a nation of Christians.

In his famed Gettysburg Address, Abraham Lincoln began, “Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure.

Well, Mr. Lincoln, America was 245 years old last week, and thanks to men like George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and you, we are still hanging on, but barely by a thread, because in a very real sense, America is again involved in a civil war. It’s a war for the minds and hearts of the people, and sadly, it may already be lost, for too few individuals have been made free through the knowledge of the Truth. They instead think with their bellies and follow their lusts.

It’s ironic that the descendants of those slaves who were set free by Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation are being told that they should “cancel” him.

The lies, the obfuscation, the claims and counter claims, all the planned confusion of those who would destroy America, are not new. As a child — over 70 years ago — I learned of these methods being promulgated by the Communist Party USA. But now communism is glorified by many “educators,” preachers, and politicians.

One of their pet arguments is that the founding Fathers did not believe in God, and that America was never a Christian nation.

Why do our enemies use that argument? Why did they take prayer out of the schools? Why mock preachers and attack churches? Why attempt to laugh away the morality of God’s people and the truth of God’s Book? Why indeed? Because without the moral fiber produced by faith in God and fear of God, a nation turns to sin. And people given over to lust and pride and greed and murder cannot comprehend higher values like freedom, much less consider dying for them.

I agree that all our Founding Fathers were not Christians, but many were, and virtually all were Deists who believed in a Supreme Being, a Creator.

I can prove it!Consider our first and most treasured historical document. Hopefully you were given a copy of a portion of that document when you entered the auditorium this morning. We call it “The Declaration of Independence,” but please note that our founding Fathers entitled it, “THE Unanimous Declaration.” UNANIMOUS!!! The representatives from all thirteen colonies signed it! Like the disciples on the day of Pentecost, they were in one place and of one mind and one accord.

And what does this Unanimous Declaration speaks of?I quote:

We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness….”

Freedom does not ultimately come from political or military action. Political and military action came only because god-fearing people had already—individually—secured individual “freedom” through faith in Jesus Christ. Those people, the kind who suffered through a freezing winter at Valley Forge — who wouldn’t surrender even though they were dressed in rags, shoeless and starving — these people gave us our nation, and only as long as godly people hold influence, will it endure.

Alexis DE Tocqueille, a contemporary of George Washington, said:

“I sought for the greatness of America in her commodious harbors and her ample rivers and it was not there, in her rich mines and her vast world commerce, and it was not there.

Not until I went into the churches of America and heard their pulpits aflame with righteousness, did I understand the secret of the genius and power. America is great because she is good and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great.”

Well, it’s pretty clear that much of America has ceased to be good. Some labor to make America great again, but each day, multitudes who do no share our values sneak across our borders and increase the imbalance. But I warn you, every political gain can be reversed by the next party in power. You cannot legislate morality!

Jesus gave you your marching orders. Your job and mine is to “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” No matter the condition of your health, your age, or the size of your bank account, all God asks of you is that you let your light shine. But He demands that!

Jesus warned of these end times in which we live as being “the beginning” of birth pangs and times of “great tribulation” (Mt. 24:8;21; 29).

America’s salvationbegins with YOU! You can impact someone. Reach out to your family, friends, care givers, your doctors, and the merchants who serve you. Begin in your own Jerusalem, then your Judea, your Samaria, and reach out to the uttermost parts of the earth! Use telephone, texts, email, and snail mail.

Perhaps that person you influence will become a great evangelist, missionary, or pastor.

But you won’t succeed if you are not “free indeed.” So, I’ll ask the question: “Are you free indeed?”

Have you — in your heart of hearts — backslidden? Are you part of the problem or part of the solution?

Settle this matter this morning, or leave here with the almost certain truth that you are not truly free. As Jesus said, “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” Otherwise, you are still an unwitting dupe, enslaved by the Enemy.

What does the Word suggest? “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

INVITATION…

Chorus:  “Je—sus. use me, and O lord, don’t refuse me, for surely there’s a work that I can do. and even tho’ it’s humble, Lord help my will to crumble, and tho’ the cost be great, I’ll work for you.”

Blogs, John Grant

“THE CANDLE”

Week Twenty-Eight, 2021

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16

You can’t emerge with dry eyes. It is an awesome experience. I have done it about a dozen times and each experience is like a new one. It’s located on Mount Herzi near Jerusalem and is next to the World Holocaust Remembrance Center.

The Monument to the Children. It was erected in 1987 in remembrance of children killed during the reign of the Nazi Party in the German Reich.

In the memorial’s entrance area, there are several white, broken-off stelae of different heights as a symbol for the lives broken off by the Nazis.

The main room of the memorial is completely mirrored and reflects the light of five candles. The reflection of these lights produces the illusion of space, which symbolizes the approximately 1.5 million children and young people who died during the Holocaust. As spectators move through the room in the sparse light of the candles, as names of the deceased children and adolescents, with their age and place of death, are recited by a looped tape recording. The recording takes about three months to list all the casualties.

The placement of the candles and the prisms creates thousands of reproductions and from those five candles, when you stand in the memorial you see endless blazes of light, each a memorial to a fallen child. It is an awesome experience.

Jesus spoke of light in the Sermon on the Mount where he admonished his followers to let their light shine before others that they could see good works and in turn shine for others.

In the same way, that light should not be hidden, but should light up the room, or city on a hill cannot be hidden, we are to let our light shine. There is no reason that anyone should not be able to tell that you are a Christian.

Jesus says that what should be seen are the good deeds that we perform. Jesus’ instruction is to take on His identity in His Father in Heaven. God intends for the world to be able to see Him by His reflection in His people.

Does the light of your life and living shine for Christ?

SOMETIMES TRUE STORIES

Several news outlets reported this week about a Belgian farmer, apparently annoyed by a stone that had been in his tractor’s way, decided to move it 7-8 feet away from his field.

No big deal? Not newsworthy? Well, that stone was a 200-year-old border marker between Belgium and France. In addition to slightly enlarging his own property, “he made Belgium bigger and France smaller; it’s not a good idea,” said David Lavaux, mayor of the Belgian village of Erquelinnes.

Two Frenchmen who regularly walk the border checking boundary markers against a map showing their exact location discovered the displaced stone last month. “All the markers are typically placed in a very precise manner, but this one was raised up on higher ground. It just looked strange,” said Jean-Pierre Chopin, one of the two men who walk the border checking the markers against a map showing their location.

Although the stone had 1819 carved into its face, it’s not clear if the farmer knew the significance of the stone. Regardless, he will be receiving a letter to move the stone back to its original location or face criminal charges.

The story reminds me of an Old Testament command in Proverbs 22:28. “Do not move the ancient landmark that your fathers have set.”

God gave ancient Israel specific instructions regarding boundaries when they entered the promised land. Canaan was divided into tribal territories. Their boundaries were usually identified by a stone marker. Also, individual properties were identified similarly.

Moses issued this edict to Israel just before they entered Canaan. “You shall not remove your neighbor’s landmark, which the men of old have set, in your inheritance which you will inherit in the land that the Lord your God is giving you to possess” (Deut. 19:14).

It was later followed up with this warning and the people’s response. “Cursed is the one who moves his neighbor’s landmark.’ “And all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’ (Deut. 27:17)

Succeeding generations were to respect these landmarks and leave them undisturbed. They were established by divine decree and were not to be encroached upon or moved.

The New Testament serves as our map today revealing God’s landmarks and boundaries. Jesus was sent not only as a sacrifice for our sins, but to point us to God’s Divine Decrees. He said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (Jn 14:6).

The very existence of sin suggests that God has issued boundaries that we are forbidden to cross. Sin is defined in John 3:4 as a transgression of the law. To transgress means to go beyond. To commit lawlessness. It is removing one of God’s boundary markers.

The Bible says that God has given to us “all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue” (2 Pet. 1:3). Our responsibilities to both God and man have been revealed. God has provided the markers and drawn the boundaries that will result in a life that both glorifies him and elevates us in moral excellence.

The means and method of our salvation in Christ have been divinely identified. The nature of the church that Jesus promised to build, of which He is the head, and its ministry, message, and mission is clearly identified in Scripture. Our spiritual responsibilities within the Family of God are also outlined in easy-to-understand terms.

In addition, our personal, community, and domestic duties are also described. God has set boundaries between the three great entities that He ordained. The home. The church. And the government. Too often these are confused and conflated with one another. They are distinct. Each has a purpose and a role in our lives.

When churches get involved in the political arena, thinking they can legislate morality and change our culture by enacting laws, they’ve forgotten the church’s mission and removed one of God’s boundaries.

When men and women commit fornication and adultery, believing they have a right to be happy and live as they please, they’ve removed God’s boundary of sexual purity.

When marriage is no longer the union of one man and one woman for life, we have redefined and removed a boundary God set up long ago.

When religious organizations, change the terms of salvation as taught by Christ and His apostles, to fit their theology, they’ve moved a Divinely ordained landmark.

As a note to our Christian readers, our corrupt culture has long ago removed the ancient landmarks. So rather than cursing the darkness, let’s light a candle. Let’s look within our own lives. Our own hearts. Our own homes. And our own churches.

Have you moved a divine landmark in your life? If so, then return it to its proper place before it’s everlastingly too late.

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman

QUOTES YOU CAN USE

The more you invest in a set of beliefs—the greater the sacrifice you make in the service of that conviction—the more resistant you will be to evidence that suggests that you are mistaken. You don’t give up. You double down. Malcolm Gladwell

Morality may keep you out of jail, but it takes the blood of Jesus Christ to keep you out of hell. Charles H. Spurgeon.

That best portion of a good man’s life, His little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and of love.” William Wadsworth

When you have exhausted all possibilities, remember this: you haven’t.”
Thomas Edison

I have no desire to be God, but I do want to be like God. Dan Shock

Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.” George Bernard Shaw

Revival always begins with repentance. Decision Magazine

How you treat the one reveals how you regard the many, because everyone is ultimately a one. Stephen Covey

When you see a person without a smile, give them one of yours.”
Zig Ziglar

Selected portions of Thoughts on Life can also be read at TheLife.com.

Your feedback is welcome. Feel free to pass this along to others and to contribute your ideas and thoughts. Address all items and comments to [email protected]. © Thoughts on Life Copyright 2021

Blogs, Jeremy Stopford

“Teach Me to Pray, Lord!”

From the Series, “THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT – AND BEYOND !!!”

Jeremy Stopford, Semi-Retired Pastor, July 6, 2021

5 “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 6 But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. 7 And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.

8 “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.

9 In this manner, therefore, pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name.

10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

13 And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.’

14 “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15  But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

—Matthew 6:5-15

If you grew up in the US from 1984-1999, you knew – you just KNEW – that THE man to watch in the National Basketball Association was none other than Michael Jordan. In fact, the footwear (and other stuff!) maker used him as an advertising icon with the catch phrase, “Be Like Mike!”.

Well, I just want to tell you, I know just how he feels. All 5 foot one inch of me! In my first pastorate in Beaver Meadow (NY), on Fridays during the winter our youth group joined a group from a church in nearby Georgetown in their elementary school gym – to do what? Why, play basketball, of course!

One night I got a brainy idea! I had the kids stack all the gym mats one on top of another. Then they hoisted me to the top of the stack. There, I found myself at eye level with the gym’s basketball rim! I had the youths “feed me” one ball after another. Then I shot them toward the eye level hoop. And guess where EACH ONE all went? You bet! Swish – nothing but net! Mikey would have been so proud. Why be like Mike when you could be like ME! (I better give up while I can).

It shouldn’t be too surprising when Jesus’ disciples approached him and observed, “John the Baptist teaches his disciples how to pray. Would you teach us?” (Stopford paraphrase of Luke 11:1). AND, it is from a major scene of Season 2, Episode 7 of “The Chosen”. Have you watched “The Chosen” yet? Check out for yourself “www.thechosentv.com”! Dr. Becker – end of commercial. Thank you!)

Like the first disciples, we, too, need to have a teachable spirit. And we also need to be wise! A long-term missionary once quoted in his missionary letter, “nothing of eternal value is ever accomplished without prayer.” [does anyone know the original source of that amazing saying? Let Pastor Becker know!] We can have all the right programs, but without prayer, they amount to NOTHING. Prayer is HARD WORK. Even Martin Luther, father of the Reformation, once said, “I have an extremely busy day ahead. So I better spend at least 4 hours in prayer!”

Into this introduction, our Savior wonderfully gives us His “model prayer”. Of course, He NEVER prayed this prayer! He NEVER suggested to His disciples that this prayer, word for word, should be prayed at every church service, or even as a means of penance in any denomination. And, of course, there have been MANY great books and treatises written on this prayer. May this simply be a guide as well as an impetus to pray as Jesus taught His disciples.

Rather, the Lord Jesus’ “model prayer” can be easily divided into 4 sections. First is “INVOCATION”. In verses 4, 6, and 8 the Savior talked with the disciples in general terms about “your Father”. But the model prayer is addressed to “Our Father Who is in heaven,” or simply, “our heavenly Father.” The disciple is entering into the tenderness which Jesus has with His Father. With that brief statement, Jesus is inviting His disciples to BE STILL (Psalm 46:10). To DRAW AWAY (1 Sam. 14:36; James 4:8) from the hullabaloo of the day. In fact, He desires to be sought FIRST (Matthew 6:33). We are to come to God as a child (John 1:12). As such, we are to enjoy God as in a Father/child relationship.

I had a GREAT Dad! And we had a GREAT father/son relationship. So when I enter into my Heavenly Father/child of God relationship, I envision the tenderness and closeness which I enjoyed with my dad for almost 45 years before he passed away. But many don’t have that! For some, their dad might have been a drunk or an abuser of some other kind. What happens when that son or daughter comes to the cross, trusts Jesus as Savior, and is invited to come to “our Father”? It is a new experience, and in the big picture a cautious yet ultimately most amazing experience! Perhaps for the first time in their lives, that child has a Father Who loves them unreservedly. Can you sense that breath of fresh air in worshiping the LIVING God?

Secondly, the model prayer exhibits ADORATION! Don’t jump into petition. Remember, we are to visualize an intimate stillness. Such adoration includes “hallowed be Your Name”. “Hallowed” means “holy, excellent, sin apart.” And “Name” immediately would bring into the Jewish disciple of Jesus’ day the instruction that he would have been taught about the work of the scribe, the one who would make copies of the original scriptures. When the scribe would come to the Name of God, he would STOP! He would SAY PRAYERS. And he would CHANGE PENS. He would use the new pen to write God’s Name. He would throw that pen away. And then he would reverse the order: CHANGE PENS again; SAY PRAYERS again; and then START OVER his copy. In such a way God’s Name was revered. The disciple of the Lord should have that same reverence in prayer.

This is not a lesson on the extent of what God’s Name is. But the good Jew and the subsequent disciple of Jesus would learn His Father’s Name: “JEHOVAH” or “JHWH” (the self-existent One). “I AM THAT I AM” (the eternally self-existent One). “JEHOVAH-JIREH” (the Lord will provide). “JEHOVAH-RAPHA” (the Lord that heals). “JEHOVAH-NISSI” (the Lord our banner). “JEHOVAH-SHALOM” (the Lord our peace). “JEHOVAH-REAH” (the Lord our Shepherd). “JEHOVAH-TSIDKENU” (the Lord our righteousness). “JEHOVAH-SHAMMAH” (the Lord is present). You can understand just how powerful an impression was made when the disciple was taught “hallowed be Your Name.”

Adoration also includes “Thy Kingdom come”. “Thy Kingdom” reminds us that there is an earthly kingdom which is in opposition to His. This also marks the hope of a future settling of all world events into His good plan, HIS KINGDOM.

And adoration involves “Thy will be done – on earth as it is in heaven.” Jesus’ heavenly pattern is…perfect! Do we remember when Moses was to build the tabernacle. It was an earthly building based upon a plan, a pattern. A pattern of what? Of the HEAVENLY TEMPLE! Thus God’s will IS done in heaven. The adoration here means that the disciple hungers for God’s will to be done on earth as well.

Thirdly, the model prayer is now PETITION. After the invocation and the adoration THEN comes the petition. A simple definition of “godly petition” would be “perfect all around care.” Under that heading, that umbrella come the desire for “daily bread” (physical), “forgiveness” (mental), and “lead us” (spiritual).

Fourth and final, the model prayer is BENEDICTION. Benediction links with Invocation. “Yours is the glory” links easily with “Our Father Who is in Heaven.” And in between – Adoration and Petition – are the meat of the model prayer. Amazingly simple. Yet amazingly profound!

Let’s close with some reminders:

* D. L. Moody said that the blessings of praying the heart of this prayer were more than his physical frame could bear. Often he would say, “STOP, LORD!”. Oh to have that kind of intimacy!

* The very abrupt prayer – “Lord, HELP!” – includes all 4 above points of the model prayer. It is not length of words that is needed!

* Above all remember: “nothing of eternal value is ever accomplished apart from prayer”.

Are you teachable?

Would you pray, “Lord, teach ME to pray!”?

Blogs, John Grant

EVERY PART COUNTS

Week Twenty-Seven, 2021

But in fact, God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 1 Corinthians 12:18

I enjoy reading World War II books and just finished one about the Allied bombing in Europe. The war was not going well and attempts to wipe out the enemy were not going well. The targets were mainly airfields and aircraft manufacturing plants.

Then someone had a better idea…. knock out the ball bearing facilities. How important are ball bearings? But on second thought if something is mechanical and moves, it is probably because of ball bearings. Without ball bearings planes couldn’t fly and trucks couldn’t roll.

The military commanders suddenly realized that if they wiped out the ball bearing manufacturing they could bring the enemy to their knees… and they did just that and without ball bearings the war would grind to a halt… and it did.

The church is like that. It has many parts and there is a place and role for every person. There are many different instruments in an orchestra, and they all have different sounds. How boring it would be if the orchestra consisted of one instrument playing the same part. First violin gets all the credit, but without second violin there would be no harmony.

Just as our bodies are made up of many wonderful parts, so is a well-run church and not one, not one, is more important than the other. In my church there is a mid-life special needs lady, very limited in what she can do, but with enthusiasm she faithfully serves as a greeter with a big smile for all who enter, and they love her and in turn she shows her love for them.

In writing to the church at Corinth, Paul compares the church body with the human body and asks what would happen if some parts decided to quit because they couldn’t do the work of another part. People were wanting to leave the church because they didn’t want to do the role they were given to serve.

Paul drives home the point. Our body parts don’t choose their jobs, God does, and the church is no different. Each part is given a part for which it is designed, and all parts of the body have to work in harmony with all other parts.

His point is that the church is the same. The Holy Spirit matches each member with their gifts and goals to be used to serve the church as a whole. We don’t decide which role to play in the church, but that which we were given needs to serve not as we want but as does, none being more important than the other.

What role has God given you to serve in the church?

SOMETIMES TRUE STORIES

7 Times Not To Speak

  1. Don’t speak too much (Prov. 19:19).
  2. Don’t speak when angry (Prov. 12:16).
  3. Don’t speak harshly (Prov. 14:15).
  4. Don’t speak before thinking (Prov 15:28).
  5. Don’t speak boastfully (Prov. 17:19).
  6. Don’t speak until you hear both sides (Prov. 18:17).
  7. Don’t speak of things said in confidence (Prov. 20:19).

— o —
birds

“Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!
Serve the Lord with gladness!
Come into his presence with singing!
Know that the Lord, he is God!
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him; bless his name!
For the Lord is good;
his steadfast love endures forever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.” – Psalm 100 ESV

QUOTES YOU CAN USE

Never give up, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn. Harriet Beecher Stowe

My worth is not in what I own.

Government’s view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it –Ronald Reagan (1986)

If you think health care is expensive now, wait until you see what it costs when it’s free! — P. J. O’Rourke

Nothing + Nothing = Nothing. Dan Shock

Love Tells the Truth Even When the Other Person Doesn’t Want to Hear It. Ken Whitten

Every strike brings me closer to the next home run. Babe Ruth

Peace comes when we turn those overwhelming issues over to God and cease trying to dictate the outcome. Dan Shock

You have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you. St. Augustine

Commerce is a game of skill, which every man cannot play, which few men can play well. RALPH WALDO EMERSON

Blogs, Jeremy Stopford

“No Ostentations”

FROM THE SERIES: “SERMON ON THE MOUNT – AND BEYOND !!!”

Jeremy Stopford, Semi-Retired Pastor

 “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 3 But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.“

5 “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 6 But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. 7 And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.

8 “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. (Matthew 6:1-8).

As our Savior is delivering His “Sermon on the Mount”, He has arrived at the point in His message that involves what true religion should look like. The world of Jesus’ day had the Pharisees, Scribes, and Sadducees along with other religious leaders. For all intents and purposes, they were the example to the rest of the world of Israel what a “true Biblical lifestyle” was thought to look like.

Lord willing, next week we will dive into what the world calls “The Lord’s Prayer.” Today we are looking at some of our Savior’s thoughts leading up to that teaching.

As we enter the REAL world of Biblical Christianity, we need to define two words. One is not in the Bible, the other is. The first word, NOT in the Scriptures, is “OSTENTATION”. According to the dictionary, an “ostentation” is “the act of displaying vainly or pretentiously, as in order to excite admiration. It is an excessive or un-called for exhibition.” To show this word in action, the Savior uses the term “alms” or “almsgiving” – with which both of these the casual Bible reader of 2021 may not be familiar. Again, the dictionary: an “alms” or “almsgiving” has what might be called a good intent. It means “to help people; giving a helping hand in case of need; giving money, time, anything you like which is going to help people.” And the dictionary’s final description: “it tends to be a PUBLIC DISPLAY”. In the Old Testament, in its place, the Lord uses the term “righteousnesses”.

How is the fundamental, Bible believing, Gospel preaching, Spirit led Christian supposed to live? How is he to live in a culture which is filled with public displays of so-called love, what Jesus called “alms” or “almsgiving”, but which have no Biblical content?

FIRST, he is TO LIVE IN GOD’S PRESENCE (see verses 4, 6, 18). The key line here is “the Father Who sees in secret”.

When I first got the “love bug” for the young girl who would one day become my bride, I couldn’t get her out of my sight! Why, I had the bug so bad (HOW BAD WAS IT?). It was so bad that one of our classmates asked my love, “Hey – WHO is your new little “puppy dog”?”. I had – and hopefully still do! – a closeness with this young lady with whom I knew, I just KNEW, the Lord Himself was inviting me to have a long-term relationship with her as my wife.

Now doesn’t that describe how our relationship with the Lord is to be? We are to live in His Presence! We can’t get Him out of our sight – for in reality, we aren’t out of HIS sight!. We are to have the “love bug” for Him so bad (sorry about the English, Professor Becker) that angels could ask the Lord Himself, “who is Your new little ‘puppy dog’?”. Perhaps the analogy is a poor one, but the love is real. We are to live in His Presence!

The New Testament Scriptural term for living in His Presence is the phrase “at hand”. It has a two-fold meaning. First, it can mean “soon”. For example, “the Lord’s return is ‘at hand’” means “He’s coming SOON.”. But it also means “close”. To illustrate, let’s look at a number of Biblical examples:

“In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” Matthew 3:1-2

“For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand.” 2 Timothy 4:6

“Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.” Phil. 4:5

“Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.” Rev. 1:3, KJV

Please allow me to give an extended quotation, from the book “Studies in the Sermon on the Mount” by Dr. Martin Lloyd-Jones:

“When we wake up in the morning we should immediately remind ourselves and recollect that we are in the PRESENCE OF GOD. It is not a bad thing to say to ourselves before we go any further: ‘Throughout the whole of this day, everything I do, and say, and attempt, and think, and imagine, is going to be done under the eye of God. He is going to be with me; He sees everything; He knows everything. There is nothing I can do or attempt but God is fully aware of it all. “Thou God seest me.”’ It would revolutionize our lives if we always did that!” [my emphasis]

SECOND, the God pleasing born again believer is TO LIVE FOR GOD’S GLORY (see verses 1,2,5). The contrast is displayed in the phrases “to be seen of them” and “to sound a trumpet.”

We all WANT to be seen, don’t we? “Aw come on,” you say. “I don’t have that kind of attitude, that kind of character!” OK, let’s try a little experiment. Get a pen and a notepad, one which is small enough to fit in a pocket so it cannot be seen by those with whom you walk and talk. You are going to create a living ledger! And what are you going to write in your “little note pad living ledger”? You are to make a note of EVERY TIME you say, “How did I do?”, or “How do I look?”.

Simple enough. But what’s the point? The point is this: WE ALL WANT TO BE SEEN! And the Lord Jesus is saying, that His Father HUNGERS for His children to live for HIS glory and not for OURS.

So we should be doing things for His glory. We are to be doing things as moved by God’s Spirit. And then? And then FORGET THEM! We really don’t keep ledgers – let God keep them!

And remind yourself of Paul’s amazing words in 1 Corinthians 15:31: “I die daily.”

THIRD, we are TO LIVE TO SEE GOD’S REWARD (see verses 4 and 6).

Did you catch the phrase, “the Father will reward you”? A good study for us would be to see the times in the New Testament when the Spirit of God has included in the holy writ the REWARDS which will be given when we stand before our Father one day. Here is a reasonably full list, perhaps there are others. A good study for us:

#1. For Faithful Pastors: “the crown of glory” (1 Pet. 5:4)

#2. For souls won: “the crown of rejoicing” (1 Thess. 2:19)

#3. For those who love God through trials: “the crown of life” (Jas. 1:12; Rev. 2:10)

#4. For those who love Christ’s appearing: the crown of righteousness (2 Tim. 4:8)

#5. For those who seek mastery of Christ over the cares of each day:

“the incorruptible crown” (1 Cor. 9:25).

How do we do that NOW? We do that by living BY FAITH. Once again, let’s look at some Biblical examples:

Abraham was looking for a city whose builder and maker is God (Heb. 11:9, 10)

Moses considered the reproaches of Christ greater reward than the riches of Egypt (Heb. 11:24-26)

All those throughout this side of eternity who choose to live by faith and not by sight, “of whom the world was not worthy” (Heb. 11:36-38)

So you ask, how do we begin to live such a powerful, overcoming life? Well, haven’t we learned already? We begin by LIVING IN GOD’S PRESENCE!!!

With no ostentations!

“YOUR FATHER WHO SEES IN SECRET”