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A Message from the Heart, Jeremy Stopford

“Faces of Calvary”

“Faces of Calvary,” A message based on Mark 15, by Rev. Jeremy B. Stopford

INTRODUCTION

It is Good Friday once again. And as is my custom on the Good Friday “sermonette”, the “Today’s Special” is reverently silent. Perhaps next week, and the coverage of the Resurrection, will bring two specials for our enjoyment.

Good Friday. The Apostle Paul wrote in Galatians 6:14: “But God forbid that I should glory except in the cross of my Lord Jesus Christ, by Whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” Profound thought in a verse – that the whole of eternity centers around just one moment in time: the cross of Calvary.

Throughout this series of messages from each chapter of the Gospel of Mark, it has been my desire to highlight one incident, one person, one theme from each chapter. But Mark 15 is unique. As lengthy as the narrative is over Chapters 14 and 15, Mark develops in the chapter before us today the special viewpoints of several people, several faces if you will. They are what I call “Faces of Calvary”. Let’s look at Calvary through their eyes today. Prayer.

1. BARABBAS (vs. 6ff)

For all of eternity, the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, and Barabbas will be connected. For it was Pilate who made the decision to release Barabbas and allow the Savior to be crucified. The Apostle John tells us of Jesus’ conversation with Pilate, ““You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above. Therefore the one who delivered Me to you has the greater sin.” The Savior’s life was not taken from Him. He gave it as a sacrifice for our sins.

Barabbas. The early church historian, Origen, stated that Barabbas’ full name was “Jesus Barabbas”. “Jesus”, Savior. “Bar”, “son”. “Abbas”, father. We’ve seen this before, when the Savior prayed in the garden of Gethsemane in Mark 14, “Abba, Father.” “Abba” is an intimate Aramaic term for “father”. And Barabbas’ true name meant, “Jesus, son of the father.” He represented all that the world has to offer, and all that it strives to gain by deceit or even murder. And the Savior? “Jesus, Son of The Father” [capital “T” and capital “F”]. He represents the love of God for the sins of the world. Both figures clashing at Calvary.

And Barabbas is released so that the Savior can willingly go to the cross for us.

2. SIMON (vs. 21ff)

He will always be known as “Simon the Cyrene”. The other gospels identify this fellow’s origins as being from North Africa. He was perhaps on his way to Jerusalem for the Passover, unaware of the goings on of the cross. Perhaps he had heard of the many executions that the Romans had on a regular basis. He would have paid no heed, except for one small detail.

“They forced him to carry the cross.” This is an amazing statement. The Savior was in the prime of his life. For many of us in our early thirties, we remember how strong we felt – and how we felt we would be this rugged forever. Perhaps not like Tom Brady at 41. But we felt like we could perform in top shape for a long time.

Our Savior was in His prime of life. So why couldn’t He carry His own cross all the way to the Hill of Golgotha? In verse 13, Mark gives us the insight: “Pilate had Jesus flogged, and handed Him over to be crucified.” Added to this were the crown of thorns, and the mockings, and the repeated striking on the head with a staff, and the spitting – all the humiliation.

But the floggings was the center of Roman punishment prior to their crucifixion. The flogging, or “scourging”, was the repeated lashing of a whip – a stick with leather straps which had attached to them pieces of glass or broken stones. The ones whipping the victim would lash across the back and then pull skin off with the pulling of the chards across whatever part of the body to which they happened to attach. Isaiah says that the bruised Messiah no longer would look like a man as a result of the entire process of the crucifixion.

In 2 Cor. 11:24, Paul writes “From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one.” For the Jew, the 40th lash was the death lash, the death blow. 5 times Paul received the 39 lashes, what the Jew realized was one lash shy of the death blow. But the Romans knew no such rule, no such courtesy of punishment. Who knows how many lashes our Savior received? The Romans did not care – for to them the Lord Jesus was just another criminal.

The One Who hours earlier was a picture of health and strength hours later could not carry His own cross.

But there is one further note that Mark makes. Simon is noted as “the father of Alexander and Rufus”. No other gospel gives this insight of the lineage of the cross bearer. No doubt Simon’s experience at the cross was passed on down to his children. It is not a light thing that the Scriptures have little mention of an “Alexander” or a “Rufus”. But the mentions are worthy of note. Alexander was noted by Paul in 1 Timothy 1:20 as having a faith which was shipwreck due to his willingness to blaspheme the only Name worthy of his trust. In 2 Tim. 4:14, Paul’s final words before his own death, he refers to Alexander as a coppersmith who had done him much harm. On the other hand, in Romans 16 Paul gives a detailed account of those dear saints who were of great help to him. Noteworthy among them is “Rufus, chosen in the Lord”. Simon had two known sons – one a blasphemer, and the other a precious saint. Eternity will record that each one of us has to make his own choice as to whether or not to follow the cross of Christ, which cross Simon no doubt followed for the rest of his life. His one son did as well, the other didn’t.

Choices. What is your choice?

3. THE CENTURION (v. 39; see also Matthew 8:5ff)

A Roman centurion is an officer over 100 soldiers. The unnamed officer of Mark’s account was an eyewitness to many crucifixions. They were all the same. The victim – whether innocent or not – would holler, scream, complain, curse, fight, fidget right to the death. Perhaps this centurion had heard much of this One called Jesus. And so he watched as the Savior endured the punishment, despising the shame. He did not holler, scream, complain, curse, fight, fidget. In fact, He even encouraged the arrangement of His mother’s care into John’s oversight, as shared in John’s gospel. He called out the agony of the separation from “My God.” And when He died, He simply “gave up the ghost.” He didn’t die a martyr – He gave His life. His death was different. And immediately, immediately, the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The centurion understood. And in his heart and from his lips he proclaimed his faith, “surely this man was the Son of God.”

There is one other centurion mentioned in the gospels, and it is a good possibility that he is the same one of Mark’s account at the cross. In Matthew 8 a centurion came to Jesus seeking His healing of the centurion’s servant. The centurion’s request was an unique one: he simply wanted the Savior to speak a word of healing without visiting the servant’s home. The Roman officer voiced his faith through these words, “I myself am a man under authority.” He recognized that his position as a soldier was the same as the Savior’s position of submission to His heavenly Father. And to that bold statement the Savior said to all who would hear, “I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.”

Could this not be the same centurion of our story in Mark? Could this man’s faith have become sight at the cross? Could this hardened soldier’s journey have taken him from trusting in the Savior being but a man into believing that He is the Son of God? Eternity will tell, but Mark’s gospel gives a fresh vision, a fresh hope, of the journey each one of us must take.

Is Jesus the Son of God, or just a man? Our eternity rests on the answer to that question.

4. JOSEPH (OF ARIMATHEA) (v. 43ff)

Our final face – of the many faces of Calvary – is that of Joseph who hailed from the region of Arimathea. He was a member of the Sanhedrin, the ruling authority of the Jerusalem. He had trusted in Jesus, but for fear of his fellow Jews he kept his faith to himself. He was “waiting for the kingdom of God” – an huge statement of faith in light of his current events. Many had thought that if Jesus was truly the Messiah, He would overcome the rule of Rome and put the Jews of Israel back in charge. But Joseph’s faith was such that he waited for the true kingdom, the one proclaimed by the prophets in which the Messiah will reign on David’s throne forever.

The cross made the difference in Joseph’s life. Mark details that Joseph came “boldly” to Pilate to ask for Jesus’ body. Mark also shares Pilate’s thoughts, startled that the Savior was dead without the help of further Roman cruelty. The soldiers would often break the legs of the ones hanging on the cross. This would then keep them from being able to lift themselves up to get one more breath of air, one more breath of hope. The Savior gave Himself. He had no bones broken.

And Joseph gave of himself for the Savior. He was a rich man whose riches did not own him. He bought valuable linen cloth. He himself lovingly, tenderly took the Savior’s body down from the cross. He wrapped the Savior in the cloth and placed Him in Joseph’s own expensive tomb. This tomb had a purposefully placed rock, sitting in a trench which rolled down a short incline so that the front of the tomb would be sealed.

Joseph’s faith, once secret, was now public. He would ask us, “is your faith a secret faith? Or are you not ashamed of the gospel of Christ?”.

CONCLUSION

The central eyewitness of the events of the cross, of course, is the Lord Jesus Himself. There was His agonizing cry, a fulfillment of Psalm 22, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”. Paul wrote in 2 Cor. 5:21, “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” For the first time in eternity, the Father turned from His Son when His Son became my sin – our sin.

“With a loud cry, He breathed His last.” The simplicity of the Son becoming sin.

And then “the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.” Again, Paul comments, in Heb. 9:12, “Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.” The high priest needed to enter the holiest of holies once a year, to make atonement for his own sin as well as for the sin of the nation. The Savior went into the heavenly temple with His own blood, thus enabling all who love Him to enter into the Holiest of Holies boldly through Him.

More comment is made on the details of the cross than are made of any details of the resurrection. We are given NONE other than “He is risen; the stone is rolled away”.

He bore our sins on Calvary’s tree. Are you a Barabbas – a rebel to the cross? Are you a Simon, whose children may be influenced by your following the Savior? Are you like the centurion, an eyewitness to the Savior who finally declares your faith in the Son of God? Or are you a Joseph of Arimathea – a disciple who comes forth and outwardly shows to the rest of the world that you do not belong to yourself but to the King of kings?

Close in prayer

November 11, 2018

First Baptist Church, Earlville, NY, Rev. Jeremy B. Stopford, Pastor

A Message from the Heart, Jeremy Stopford

“THE HOUR HAS COME”

“THE HOUR HAS COME” (Mark 14:32-42)

November 4, 2018 10:30 AM

First Baptist Church, Earlville, NY

Rev. Jeremy B. Stopford, Pastor

TODAY’S “SPECIAL”: A Big Fall Dance Funny

It was approaching the big Fall Dance at John’s school. He decided that he wanted to try his luck and ask out the most popular girl in his school. So he got in line to ask her, and he waited, and he waited, and he waited. When he finally got to the front of the line, he was amazed because the girl said yes! She also handed him a long list of criteria he would have to meet for her to go with him.

The first criterion was a limousine. So he went to the limousine shop and, as it was near the time of the dance, he waited and waited and waited to get to the front of the line and hired a limousine. The second criterion was a suit from the most prestigious clothes maker in the city. So John went to that shop and waited and waited and waited to be fitted. Once he got his suit he looked at the list and chased up the next criteria on the list (roses, tickets, chauffeur, etc.) and at each one he had to wait for a very long line.

Finally it was the night of the Fall Dance! John went and picked up the girl in his limousine, had the chauffeur drive them to the dance, picked up his roses, and arrived at the dance venue. To get in to the dance they waited and waited to get in. When they finally got to their seats, John’s girl asked him to get her a glass of punch.

When John got to the punch table, he was surprised, because there was no punch line.

INTRODUCTION

Sometimes personal illustrations are helpful; often not. So let me take a try: when you were growing up, did you know what you wanted to be in life, what you wanted to do with your life? My one brother was sure he was going to be a doctor – and he did become one. My middle brother didn’t know until his senior year in college that he had a strong desire to become a lawyer – and he did become one. Their youngest brother, at age 5, wrote in the class essay, “when I grow up I want to be a copper”. And 26 years later, he was one – with a catch. His desire was fulfilled by being a non-gun toting parking enforcement officer. And they paid him for writing parking tickets. Wow.

Our text is fascinating. It relates that the Savior knew His calling in life, even from before He came to earth! And what was that calling? PRAYER

MARK 14 (& 15): THE FULFILLMENT OF THE SAVIOR’S MISSION!

This chapter is loaded, and I encourage you to read chapter 14 coupled with chapter 15 which give the entire passion of the Christ unfurled. In the scene before us this morning, the disciples (minus Judas, who has left to get a “gang” to arrest Jesus) went to a familiar spot. The spot was very familiar to Judas, and he knew to go there. With one last lesson, as it were, the Savior takes Peter, James, and John with Him to a place of prayer. They, of course, did not so much praying as they did sleeping, overwhelmed with the thinking that they were coming here to die themselves!

In this passage are at least two classic lines which even the world uses at times. The first is found in v. 36, “not what I will, but what You will” (or as in our KJV, “not My will but Thy will be done.”). This simple line shows us two profound truths. First, we must ask ourselves: was the Savior “chickening out”? He had just asked the Father, “everything is possible for You – please take this cup from Me.” What? The Savior relinquishing what He came to earth to do? Yet here we have, not a cowardice, but an identity. He was identifying with the human spirit. The book of Hebrews emphasizes over and over that “though He was weak, He became strong”. He became weak for us – so that He could identify with us. So when He encourages us to come to Him just as we are, we can – because He really does know how we feel. Great empathy. Great line for the ages.

But the second is as powerful as the first. He returns to the disciples three times – and each time finds them sleeping. They are overwhelmed. And what does He say here? V. 38 says, “the spirit is willing, but the body (flesh/KJV) is weak.” The world uses this line all the time! And so should we, for it identifies us with our disciple friends who were right there. Just when we can say, “well, if I were there, I’d be really strong”, the Savior and the disciples know that is not so. Their spirit was indeed willing – in fact, they said they were willing to die for their Savior. Of course, at this time, they had not grasped by faith that His mission was not to start His kingdom on earth. Rather, His mission was to die for the sins of the world. The flesh, the body was weak. And yet Paul reminds us, “when I am weak, then I am strong.” We can do all things through Christ Who strengthens us! When we are weak, we need to see our weakness in light of the strength of the One standing before the disciples. That’s quite a line, “the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”

But note please the 3 times that the word “hour” is used in a few passages. V. 35 our Savior prayed that “the hour” might pass from Him. This is the hour of surrender of the will, the resignation to His Father’s eternal plan. The Father answered that prayer. The hour passed with His line, “not My will but Thine.”

But the second usage is also interesting! In verse 37, He returns and sees His disciples not praying but sleeping. What were His choice words? “Could you not keep watch for one hour?” Isn’t that something? The Savior, Who is eternal, has limited Himself to human time! And because of that limitation, so that He could be one of us, He knew that our world is measured by units of time – and here, one hour. One hour is probably figurative for “a few moments”. But the point is huge! He understood His limitation. And He understood and grieved for their hurt and weakness.

And the last usage is found in v. 41, “the hour has come”. Note, it wasn’t intended to be a series of 60 minutes put together in one unit of time. No, no! It was His purpose, His mission, which, according to Revelation 13:8, was decided before the foundation of the earth! In eternity past, the Savior knew His mission: the cross, to die for the sins of the whole world for all eternity!

But the hour was more than that. It was a fulfillment of all those moments that were not “the hour”. Seven times in the Gospel of John the Lord Jesus uses this words, “My hour has not yet come.” To His own mother at Cana, before He changed the water to wine, His words perhaps reminded her very abruptly of those words He said at age 12 in the temple, “don’t you know I must be about My Father’s business?”. She knew! And so she responds, “whatever He says, do it.”

And in John 12:23,27, 13:1, and 17:1 – all passages surrounding Gethsemane – the Savior reminds those that were there, as well as His Father, in essence, that “for this very hour I have come to earth.”

In that John 17:1 verse, believed to be the very passage He prayed at Gethsemane, the Lord Jesus prays, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son may glorify You.”

All this is before one blow is struck, one thorn is piercing His brow, one broken chard is whipped into His back, one nail is pierced into His hands and feet. His hour has come.

CONCLUSION

And in that hour, He was condemned to death for blasphemy by His Jewish peers. Next week, we’ll see the Roman condemnation that allowed Him to go to the cross.

I don’t think it would be belittling the theme of the cross to make another application. We, too, who love the Lord Jesus as Savior have our own “hour.” Perhaps we have many hours!

* The hour of decision to trust Jesus as Savior and Lord of our lives.

* The hour when we hungered to read His word and pray on a daily basis

* The hour when we realize His calling upon our lives.

* The hour when we prayed with our Savior, “not my will but Thine be done.”

* The hour when He called us Home to Himself, and we hear those words, “well done, My good and faithful servant.”

Have you surrendered to the cross? Have you surrendered to His hour in your life?

Close in prayer

Rev Jeremy with wife Thuvia Stopford

Blogs, John Grant

“THE SPARK”

Week Forty-Two, 2018

THE SPARK

By John Grant

Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark (James 3:5).

This year has been a tough one for people in California and elsewhere in the west. The Mendocino Complex fire was the largest in the state’s history, burning more than 300,000 acres, burning more than a hundred homes and costing several lives. It was nearly double the size of Chicano.

The Carr fire destroyed nearly two thousand structures and claimed seven lives. The fire started when a tire failed on a trailer, causing its rim to scrape the asphalt. With the heat and extreme drought in the area, that’s all it took to start a tragic inferno.

It is like that with sin where a small spark can get out of control. God’s Word notes: How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire. (James 3:5) Does that sound familiar? Just look at the current news. Look at the myth of “small sins”… the ones we think don’t really matter… the kind we believe we can commit while remaining “good Christians.”

This is one of Satan’s most effective strategies against committed believers. “Small” sins never stay small. Cancer starts with a single cell among the 37.2 trillion in our body. The reward it promises is far eclipsed by the suffering it produces. That’s why Jesus warned us so severely about anger and lust (Matthew 5:21-30) He knows that murder starts with anger and adultery begins with lust.

Jesus knows that “small sins” injure our relationship with God. When we face our next temptation to commit a “small sin”, we should ask ourselves if we would choose to ingest a “small” cancer into our bodies. The first step in refusing “small” sins.” Is to realize they are not small. The second is realizing that we cannot refuse them in our strength.

Here is the bottom line: every sin we are tempted to commit is large enough to please Satan and alluring enough to require God’s strength. I simply cannot do it with my own ability. We will face temptations to sin as long as we are on this earth, but God’s greatest power is found where we need it most.

The strain and temptation of life is what builds our strength. If there is no strain, there will be no strength.

Where do you need God’s strength today?

***

SOMETIMES TRUE STORIES

ELDER PLANNING:

Scams and elder abuse cost Americans more than $36 billion a year. Children and their parents should talk with each other about how to spot and avoid scams that can wipe out their life savings. Scammers might come in the form of phone calls, direct mail or that new neighbor, who seems just a little too friendly. By having a conversation, families can develop steps to take to avoid being defrauded and what to do.

According to USA Today, nearly one-third of parents older than 60 say they’ve never discussed later-life needs with their family. These issues include end-of-life directives and funeral plans, inheritance and beneficiaries, power of attorney, and even where important documents are kept.

— o —

HACKERS:

In the first half of 2018, hackers attacked more than three hundred American universities; 340 million personal records were exposed on a publicly accessible server; an Under Armour app was breached, compromising records for roughly 150 million users; and a Russian hacking campaign impacted more than 500,000 routers worldwide.

David, the warrior king famous for slaying Goliath and defeating the Philistines, testified: “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God” (Psalm 20:7).

— o —

RUNNING:

Statistics show that 87% of Americans who own running shoes don’t run.

***

QUOTES YOU CAN USE

God doesn’t love your future self more than your present self. He loves you just as you are. David Crowder

Love is not about how we feel for others; love is about what we do for others. David Jeremiah

It has been said that in spiritual things, when you are being attacked on both sides, you are probably positioned right. Billy Graham

Hating people is like burning your house down to get rid of a rat. Harry Emerson Fosdick

Life’s challenges are not supposed to paralyze you, they’re supposed to help you discover who you are. Bernice Johnson Reagon

A person, who never made a mistake, never tried anything new. Albert Einstein

Change the changeable, accept the unchangeable, and remove yourself from the unacceptable. Denis Waitley

***

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

Your feedback is welcome and if you want to be taken off the mailing list a simple e-mail will do it. 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 2018

©2018 John Grant | Florida State Senator (Ret.) | 10025 Orange Grove Drive | Tampa, FL 33618

Almon Bartholomew, Blogs

“Quality Is More Important Than Quantity”

“Quality Is More Important Than Quantity”

By Almon Bartholomew

“And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury.

“And he saw a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites.

“And he said, of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all:

“For these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had” (Luke 21:1-4).

Somewhere along the way much of the world has focused its attention on volume; “bigger is better.” We want bigger homes, bigger income, bigger social standing, bigger cars, bigger names, and the list goes on and on. This is not new. Then and now, Jesus is scorching those who give for show. It was common for the religious leaders then to trumpet their good deeds. Even their giving into the treasury was done with fanfare. This has not changed. Yesterday, and today, Jesus was, and is, observing.

An unknown woman, held captive by poverty gave also. She gave two copper pennies, a pittance, just two mites. Her name would not be recorded and heralded among the well known donors. But Jesus saw! He evaluated her gift and announced she was the biggest giver of the day. She was poor and should have been receiving from the treasury. Instead, she was contributing to it. Weighed in the eternal scales of the divine, she gave more than all of the rest of them put together. Why? It was because she gave everything she had in her account. Her next month’s bank statement would be a string of zeroes! The others gave from their abundance. She gave out of her poverty and want.

She didn’t do her alms for public notice. But the eternal observer and judge of man’s motives bore witness. He said she had given more than the rest. This is literally true. That upper crust crowd never inspired any one to give a dime. Yet, this unknown woman has inspired millions to give incalculable treasure over the last 2000 years. Poverty could not paralyze her extended hand to help. Her demonstration of quality far exceeded the measure of quantity.

God’s standard and he world’s standards are miles ad miles apart. Many about us, and perhaps we ourselves, are chasing that indefinable thing called success. The world defines success by the three S’s; size, speed and sound. Size; whoever does it the biggest; speed, whoever does it the fastest; sound; whoever makes the most noise about, is called a success.

This is not God’s standard of measurement. He measures success by humility and service; whoever does it not out of pride and for show, but one who becomes the servant of all becomes the greatest in His Kingdom. God’s measures on the basis of who is the greatest giver, not on the biggest takers. Let us learn the joy of giving, not getting, and we will win God’s approval!

This principle is multiplied throughout Scripture. At the border of Canaan Moses sent 12 men as spies into the promised land, All of them brought back a glowing report of the wealth, the beauty and productivity in the land of their inheritance. But, there was a split, a dividing line separating the spies. Ten said it can’t be done. There were giants and armies to conquer. Two men, Joshua and Caleb, acknowledged the presence of obstacles and seemingly impossible challenges as well. Yet, they declared “we are well able to go up and take the country”. The great majority elected to believe the ten. The positive report of the two spies was ignored.

That rejection became detrimental to all to of the people. It led to 38 years of delay and wandering through a wilderness. Which ones were guided by fear? Which ones were guided by faith? The answer is abundantly evident. Ten, the majority, the greater number, carried the day. But it was the two, the minority, who had the quality as measured by faith. Bigger was not better.

In the 14th chapter of I Samuel Jonathan, the son of King Saul, and his armor bearer confronted a garrison of Philistine enemies entrenched atop a high rocky crag. Jonathan felt to challenge them saying, “It may be that the Lord will work for us today. There is no restraint for the Lord to save by the many or by the few”. After climbing up to the heights these two young man completely destroyed the enemy. Quantity, the overwhelming numbers, did not save the enemy. The quality of faith triumphed over those with superior weapons, position and numbers. Again quality trumped quantity.

The record continues. In a time of drought and famine the prophet Elijah was preserved beside a brook named Cherith. Its waters flowed long after all the others ran dry. A raven delivered meals every day. The raven is a scavenger bird. Yet, when he brought a kosher corned beef sandwich on Jewish rye, there was not even a print of the bird’s beak in the bread! When Cheroth went dry God told Elijah it was time to challenge the evil King Ahab and his blasphemous wife Jezebel. The time of judgment had come.

Living in fear of the king, Israel as a nation had compromised its faith. It seems like history is repeating itself today! Baal had taken over much like militant Islam has today. Elijah laid down the gauntlet. He demanded a decision. “If the Lord be God serve him. If Baal be God serve him”. The contest would be between 250 prophets of Baal, and the lone prophet of God, Elijah. A God, who could answer by fire, let him be God.

The contest took place on Mt. Carmel. Two altars were built, one for God and one for Baal. A bullock was laid upon each altar. Kindling wood was laid in place, but no fire could be struck to burn the sacrifice. For one whole day Baal’s prophets danced, jumped, shouted, cut themselves and finally collapsed out of utter exhaustion. Elijah mocked them out. Your God may be sleeping. He may be on vacation. He may be talking (perhaps on his smart phone).

Then it was Elijah’s turn. To assure the people there was no funny business going on, he called for twelve barrels of water to be poured over the sacrifice, the altar of stone and the firewood. He then offered a simple prayer of but sixty seven words. A fire ball from heaven came down on the whole prepared altar built for God Almighty, consuming everything including the dust in the trenches. The mountain side rang with the shout of the people “The Lord, he is God!” The Lord, he is God!” Again the minority of one overcame the majority of 250. Multitudes witnessed this stellar event. Bigger was not better.

We move on to yet another scene. Elisha, successor prophet to Elijah, revealed the battle plans of the Syrian high command. The prophet informed the Israelite generals. When the Syrian army proceeded into battle the Israelites met them in ambush and defeated them. This happened so frequently the Syrian King suspected defection from within his own ranks. Then someone informed him that a prophet in Israel named Elisha, who got the inside track from God; he was responsible. Elisha became public enemy number one. The story is told in II Kings chapter six. A Syrian cavalry regiment surrounded the home of Elisha in Dothan. Gehazi, Elisha’s servant, was scared silly by the sight. “Master, Master, what shall we do?” The prophet rolled over in bed lifted one elbow, and simply said, “Lord, open the young man’s eyes. They that are for us are more than they that are against us”. Suddenly the hills and mountains were filled with the chariots of the Lord and the horsemen thereof.

God smote the regiment with blindness. Elisha led them away, and at Elisha’s word God healed them, Elisha gave them a good breakfast and sent them on their way. You can be sure this was one regiment that never re-enlisted to be part of Syria’s foreign legion. The great truth of Romans 8:31 emerges, “If the God be for us who can be against us”. One with God is a majority. Keep those connections. Bigger is not always better.

God always places a premium on quality. Isn’t it interesting to find out where and when believers were first called Christians? It didn’t happen in Acts chapter one, nor on the day of Pentecost in Acts chapter two, nor in chapter 3 when a crippled man was instantly healed. It didn’t happen in the Acts chapter 4. Holy Spirit led prayer meeting, nor chapter five where judgment was spilled out upon two fraudulent church members, nor when deacons were first chosen in Act 6, nor 7, 8, 9, and 10. It happened in Antioch in Acts 11, an integrated church of gentiles and Jewish people. Imagine, 11 chapters before these words, “The believers were first called Christians in Antioch”. Why so long? Could it be because, “The quality goes in before the name goes on?” Hey, that could be a good commercial for some brand of appliances. Suffice it to say. God places greater emphasis upon quality rather than on quantity! Never trade real gold for fool’s gold !!!

In the gold rush days many fought and died to get some of those gold nuggets. They had no value until they were proven by an assayer. He determined whether those nuggets were real gold or if they were real gold. God spoke to the Church at laodecia in the book of Revelation and said, “By of me gold tried in the fire.” God is the assayer of men’s souls. He determines what is true and what is false. We must make sure that the assayer from Heaven will approve the spiritual values we hold in life are real gold or fool’s gold. Let’s be found among the people who get the real. Quality will count for more than quantity.

We must ask “What is our priority what do you want to do about it?

Blogs, John Grant

Memories

“Memories, by John Grant, is one of the most profound devotionals I have ever read.” —Frank Becker

Week Forty-One, 2018

MEMORIES

By Senator John Grant, FL (Ret)

See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind (Isaiah 65:17).

It was something we had talked about many times, but finally we decided to do it. After living fifty years in the same house, we had piled up closets full of memorabilia, photos and many scrapbooks full of days gone by. After spending many years in the political world, we had twenty-one scrapbooks of just newspaper articles and photos.

My bride and I sat down together over several days and went through them one by one, reliving each event for one last time, as we created many trash bound bags. These articles went back for more than forty years.

The one thing that struck me about many items is that they were of paramount importance when they happened, but now looking back many are almost insignificant. Back then, I am sad to say, that everything was about me. Now I have changed my priorities. Then, power, possession and prosperity mattered. Now they are almost insignificant.

While it was good to review the past, it was also a time to regret many things I did and did not do. We also went through knick-knacks which we lugged home from all over the world thinking they were either valuable or memorable or both. Now they are just more things to dust and clean.

God wants us to learn from the past but to live in the present, with our eyes fixed on him, not on the future. Human understanding will never bring us peace. That’s why He instructed us to trust in Him. We humans have a voracious appetite to try to figure out things in order to gain a sense of mastery over our lives. But the world presents us with an endless sense of problems. As soon as we master one, another pops up to challenge us.

In past years, I thought I had it all figured out and how wrong I was. Reviewing the past collection of “stuff” helped me to figure out how wrong I was. How often I trusted in my brain to figure the right course and that was wrong.

We are to trust the Lord with all our hearts and not lean on our own understanding. But to follow him and allow Him to make our paths straight. Live the new, throw away the past and trudge on with our eyes on Him as we carry out the plans He has for our life.

***

SOMETIMES TRUE STORIES

Looking Back:

Rear view mirrors will start to disappear within the next few years, according to Jaguar’s design boss Ian Callum. The Brit claimed cameras displaying images inside the cabin will replace traditional mirrors soon, bringing improvements in safety as well as fuel economy through better aerodynamics.

That’s expected to herald a new era in car design, dictated by advanced electronics and new powertrain solutions, such as fully-electric vehicles that forego conventional front-mounted engines for battery packs in the floor, like that used in the Tesla Model S.

“We’re going to get electronic rear view mirrors soon, which will make a big difference to design,” Callum said, even to the point of potentially deleting rear windscreens on future cars for better occupant protection and structural integrity.

— o —

Who is a Christian?

A person is not a Christian because his parents were godly people. Christian parents are wonderful, but they can’t make the decision for a child. He must do it himself.

A person is not a Christian just because he is sincere. My mother thought she was giving me cough medicine once, but she had unknowingly poured out some poison. She was sincere, but she was sincerely wrong.

A person isn’t a Christian just because he follows his conscience. His conscience may be dead. You aren’t a Christian because of your feelings. Feelings change.

Then who is a Christian? I’ll tell you. A Christian is a person in whom Christ dwells. The Scripture says, “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1: 27). A Christian is a person who believes that his sins have been forgiven through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. The devil will try to make you doubt this. How can you know your sins have been forgiven? Because God said so, and God can’t lie. —Billy Graham.

***

QUOTES YOU CAN USE

“I had a Hindu student say to me in Madras, I would become a Christian if I could see one. And when he said that to me, he was looking at me. That was one of the greatest sermons ever preached to me.” —Billy Graham.

A man never discloses his own character so clearly as when he describes another’s.

Being human is a given, but keeping our humanity is a choice.

“Resentment is the cocaine of emotions. It causes our blood to pump and our energy level to rise. But it also demands higher and more frequent doses.” —Max Lucado.

“Our Father wants us to remember that heaven and hell are forever. Imagine a hummingbird that made a trip from the moon to the earth once every thousand years, bringing back in its beak a tiny piece of our planet. When the bird has moved the earth to the moon, eternity will have only begun.” —Jim Dennison.

“We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil” (2 Corinthians 5:10). Are you ready?” Jim Dennison.

Focus: The ability to block out the unnecessary brings the goal within reach

***

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

Your feedback is welcome and if you want to be taken off the mailing list a simple e-mail will do it. 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 2018

©2018 John Grant | Florida State Senator (Ret.) | 10025 Orange Grove Drive | Tampa, FL 33618

Blogs, Jeremy Stopford

“WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO FOR YOU?”

“WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO FOR YOU?” (Mark 10:35-52)
September 30, 2018 10:30 AM
Rev. Jeremy B. Stopford, Pastor

TODAY’S “SPECIAL”: “The Long-Winded Visiting Preacher”
A visiting minister was very long-winded. Worse, every time he would make a good point during his sermon and a member of the congregation responded with “Amen” or “That’s right, preacher” he would get wound up even more and launch into another lengthy discourse.
Finally, the host pastor started responding to every few sentences with “Amen, Pharaoh!” The guest minister wasn’t sure what that meant, but after several more “Amen, Pharaoh!’s” he finally concluded his very lengthy sermon.
After the service concluded and the congregation had left, the visiting minister turned to his host and asked, “What exactly did you mean when you said “Amen, Pharaoh?”
His host replied, “I was telling you to let my people go!”

INTRODUCTION
Since Mark 9, we have been in the section where our Savior is really focused on going to Jerusalem and the cross. He knows what lies ahead. And it seems that no matter how much He tells His disciples, they don’t understand what lies ahead.
Twice in this chapter, He asks “What do you want Me to do for you?”. The phrase appears only 5 times in all of the Scriptures, and 4/5 refer to the same incidents we have in this chapter.
What will amazingly govern our understanding of this question is the people to whom it is directed! Let’s ask Him for His blessing on today’s lesson. PRAYER

# 1 THE DISCIPLES ARE BLIND (vs. 35-45)
James and John (v. 35) – we first met them in Mark 3:17. They were to be 2 of His first apostles from all the disciples. Yet even then He called them “Boanerges”, i.e., “sons of thunder”. He knew their personalities were, well, thunderous! Highly unstable, perhaps! And they are the center of attention here.

How do we get from v. 35 to v. 45? “We want you to do…” to “the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve…”? They were asking Jesus what? In essence, “here is what we want You to do. We’ve got the plan. Listen to our plan. It’s a good one. You might get some instruction from our plan.”

So…in what tone of voice did Jesus respond to them? “What do you want Me to do for you?”. You’ve heard that question before many times. Usually it is in this form: “what do you WANT????”. In other words, when someone asks us that question, it is usually because we have become an interruption to their lives, to the plans of their day. Note that nothing is an interruption to Jesus’ life, to His day. Interruptions ARE His life, His day. Are they ours? Are interruptions true ministry, or are they interruptions?

What DID they want? To sit on either side of His throne in His glory. Wow. They were thinking, rightly so, “kingdom of God.” Jesus had said much about His kingdom. And now they wanted a place in it. That was a good desire, but…

What was missing was that this kingdom, HIS kingdom, is based upon one principle and one principle only, submission to the King of kings and Lord of lords, Who was standing right before them! And that His kingdom isn’t necessarily FUTURE, although it is. It is also PRESENT! Jesus said, “the kingdom of God is among you.” When we have a submission to the Lord Jesus as King of our lives, His kingdom – and He – are ever present in all we do!

V. 38 is a challenging verse, for it introduces us to what might be a foreign phrase to most of us: “be baptized with the baptism”. Jesus was asking if they were willing to be baptized by water? No, that would be too simple. This baptism was a surrender to death, a dying to self’s motives, self’s desires, to self – and a surrender to life in Christ and to His glory…alone.

V. 39 is an interesting verse. They said, “we can.” Jesus said, “you will.” What was happening here? You and I cannot know the future, neither did James and John.

What did “we can” mean for them? Let’s look and see: what was James’ “I can” to involve? Look at Acts 12:1-3. On a whim, Herod was to have him killed with a sword. There is no questioning which James this is, as he is identified as John’s brother. Well, what about John? Let’s check out Revelation 1:9. John suffered a different kind of martyrdom: a banishment to an island with NO ONE THERE. Or so thought his enemies. They didn’t know Jesus was there. The risen Christ. Wow. And so we have Revelation.

Needless to say, the other 10 weren’t happy with the seeming privilege that James and John desired. And into that picture comes Mark 10:45: “to serve, to give His life as a ransom for many.” The Lord Jesus showed what true servanthood is. He showed what true surrender to the Kingship of the Lord is. Both in life and in the cross, He was a servant.

The disciples are blind. What they wanted was their own kingdom. What Jesus wanted was surrender to His kingdom.

Are we willing to have that surrender?

# 2 THE BLIND MAN CAN SEE (vs. 46-52)
Amazingly, in Mark the incident with this blind man, Bart, son of Tim, is given. This name distinguishes him from all the other blind men who are healed in Scripture.

* What does his tale teach us?
A. He knew his theology (v. 47). He knew the Savior’s name, “Jesus” – “Savior, Joshua”, “God in the flesh”. He knew His heritage – “Son of David” – even though He by earthly measure is hundreds of years younger than David. And he knew what only Jesus could give, “mercy” – a kindness which the blind man could not earn nor purchase, that only the Lord Jesus could give, pointing to His cross.

B. Look ahead to v. 51. To blind Bart the Savior asks a now familiar question, “what do you want Me to do for you?”. IN WHAT TONE DO YOU THINK HE ASKS THIS? THE SAME AS TO JAMES OR JOHN – with a little disdain in His voice? OR IN LOVE? I would guess in love, because blind Bart came to Jesus as a surrender to His kingship, His Lordship, His service. He had no where else to go but to the mercy seat of the Lord Jesus.

C. Bart knew what he needed: “I want to see”. He didn’t want a seat on either side of Jesus’ throne! He wanted sight.

D. But we know from what Jesus replied in v. 52 that blind Bart was asking for more than just physical sight. Jesus said, “your faith has healed you.” Where did Blind Bart exhibit his faith? In his surrender to Jesus – something that James and John didn’t understand now, but would.

E. And what did the now Sightful Bart do with his newfound sight? Go shout it to the world? Go set up in a tent and make money off of people who knew what he was like before: “come see the Blind Bart made sighted!”
No, Sighted Bart followed Jesus along the road. Don’t you wish you could follow Jesus along the road? Sighted Bart did – and so can we through His Word.
The blind man can see.

CONCLUSION: What makes the difference?
The disciples – in particular James and John – were blind to the kingdom, and in particular to the King. The nature of this kingdom was that it is built on surrender and servanthood. And its Chief Servant was right before them – for the better part of 3 years – and they just didn’t get it. Then. But one day they would. Aren’t you glad God doesn’t give up on you and me? He didn’t give up on James and John, nor on the other 10.
Blind Bart could see! He could see because, by faith, he trusted that true faith was found in the Servant of servants Who, too, was standing right before him. Bart didn’t know Jesus for 3 years. He knew Him for but a moment. And in that moment, the blind could see.
How about you? What are you today? The blind disciples who should have been surrendered to the kingship of Christ in their daily lives. Or Blind Bart, who was not only surrendered to His servanthood. He followed Jesus, for all we know, for the rest of his life.
How about you?
Close in prayer

Blogs, John Grant

WHEN GOD ANSWERS DO WE HEAR?

Week Thirty-Forty, 2018

WHEN GOD ANSWERS DO WE HEAR?

By John Grant

Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known. Jeremiah 33:3

As the man, late for an appointment, drove around the packed office parking lot he could find not one parking space. He kept driving and increased his fuming. Suddenly he thought to pray, saying, “Lord, you know how important this meeting is and if you will find me a parking space, I will attend church every Sunday for the next year.”

Suddenly a space miraculously opened up right in front of him and he pulled right in. He thought and suddenly began to pray, “Oh God, never mind. I found a space right in front of me.”

God hears and answers prayer, sometimes, yes, sometimes no and sometimes wait.

Sometimes we get frustrated as we want immediate answers and we want what we prayed for. But God is God and not a celestial order taker.

I have asked God for a lot of things, but in retrospect, I am glad He didn’t give me what I asked for, as it would have been a disaster for me. He knows much better than I do what is best for me and what is His plan for my life. Prayer is not an exercise in asking for what we want but praising Him and asking what He wants for our lives.

Sometimes God answers our prayers in strange ways and we need to focus on. we are often unprepared for the answers we receive from God. His answers frequently do not look at first like answers. They look like problems. They look like trouble. They look like loss, disappointment, affliction, conflict, sorrow, and increased selfishness. They cause deep soul wrestling and expose sins and doubts and fears. They are not what we expect, and we often do not see how they correspond to our prayers.

The Lord of the universe isn’t under obligation to say “yes” to every prayer. That’s a good thing, considering some of the things we request. But sometimes God says “no” to our most heartfelt requests. Have you discovered this to be true in your own life? I certainly have.

When we pray we should look carefully for a response. It may be disguised even though it is right before our eyes. And when God answers our prayers we should rejoice, give thanks and give Him all the glory.

***

SOMETIMES TRUE STORIES

Why are parents hiring “Fortnite” coaches for their kids?

Fortnite is an astounding cultural phenomenon. More than 125 million people play the online video game worldwide.

Are parents worried about the violence of the game or its addictive nature? For many, the answer is no. They’re worried that their kids are losing.

So, according to the Wall Street Journal, they’re hiring Fortnite coaches for their children One contracting site has hired out more than 1,400 Fortnite coaches since last March.

One mother explains: “There’s pressure not to just play it but to be really good at it. You can imagine what that was like for him at school.”

— o —

CHARACTER:

Character is built slowly over a lifetime. It is the sum of every right decision, honest word, noble thought, and every heartfelt prayer. Honorable work, generosity and humility build character. Character is a precious thing . . . difficult to build and easy to tear down. We must live each day with discipline, honesty, and faith. When we do, integrity becomes a habit. Donna Reidy

For many of us, church has become a country club to showcase our best selves rather than a community that gathers to honestly share our struggles and failures, secure in the grace of our brothers and sisters and, ultimately God. Jordan Raynor

— o —

DID NOAH FISH?

A Sunday school teacher asked, “Johnny, do you think Noah did a lot of fishing when he was on the Ark ?” “No,” replied Johnny. “How could he, with just two worms.”

***

QUOTES YOU CAN USE

Men do not quit playing because they grow old; they grow old because they quit playing. Oliver Wendell Holmes

The higher we climb a ladder, the farther we have to fall. Jim Denison

Question: Am I around Christ, far from Christ, or in Christ? Ron Upton

Question: Has my preference become greater than God’s presence? Ron Upton

Augustine, “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, our heart is restless for you until it rests in you.”

C.S. Lewis, “If I find in myself desires which nothing in this world can satisfy, the only logical explanation, is that I was made for another world.”

***

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

Your feedback is welcome and if you want to be taken off the mailing list a simple e-mail will do it. 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 2018

©2018 John Grant | Florida State Senator (Ret.) | 10025 Orange Grove Drive | Tampa, FL 33618

A.W. Salay, Blogs

“COMFORT”

THINK

On These

Things

Comfort

Philippians 4:8

By Brother Al Salay

TURMOIL! – (It’s a fact of life . . .)

World news, national politics, local issues, family and personal situations, finances, overflowing sinks, air conditioner antics, even the weather with its rapid and sometimes fearsome excursions, all bring challenges to our daily lives. It can feel like a never-ending stream.

Stress is the result. Seasons of distress and grief face us often. We can praise God that the remedy for these attacks of stress has been provided for us. It is written for our instruction –

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of god, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Phil.4:6-7 KJV)

Yes, we can have peace in the midst of turmoil.

  • It is that special peace that comes from God.

  • It is the peace that passes all understanding.

  • It shall keep not only our minds but also our hearts.

  • It is ours, through the power and love of Jesus.

But, we must ask.

We must acknowledge the power and authority and the majesty of God.

We must come to Him by prayer and supplication.

We must come with thanksgiving and make our requests known.

His peace is available to us. We must appropriate it. We must seek it. We must grasp it and cling to it.

Notice that the issue here is PEACE. Peace for our hearts and peace for our minds. This is not about subduing the turmoil. That is a different issue.

Sometimes the turmoil in our world is not subdued.

Sometimes it is actually in the service of God. Wars and floods and even pestilence are tools God uses to get the attention of wanton men.

Sometimes the great plans of God, being worked out on Earth, require the presence and participation of His faithful children.

No, this is not about freedom from turmoil. This is about finding peace and serenity in the midst of the turmoil. It is a peace that becomes available to us when we pass the responsibility and the burden to Him by making our requests known.

There is another scripture that ministers to us in turmoil.

I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever. (John 14:16)

Of course, that Comforter is the Holy Spirit. There are many and varied ministries of the Holy Spirit. We tend to focus on the more dynamic ones, such as wisdom, knowledge and prophecy. Here, Jesus called Him “Comforter.” Could we be missing some benefits by not calling upon Him in that role? Perhaps!

One day, as I was in prayer, contemplating the comforting role of the Holy Spirit, an image formed in my mind. I saw a kind of cape, a covering a person might wear to protect from the gusts and gales of a stormy day.

This cape, or shawl, covered the top of my head, blocking the gusts and giving a sense of warm comfort.

It draped down the sides of my head and neck, giving a sense of security and separation from the roiling elements surrounding me.

From there it fell comfortably across my back and shoulders, enveloping me in its ministering folds.

It was comforting and pleasant. I pulled it tight about myself. I was grateful for the solace it provided.

Peace, warmth, comfort were mine. Yes,

COMFORT!

It was:

  • A Shawl of Serenity,

  • A covering of peace,

  • A manifestation of the presence of the Comforter,

  • The ministry of the Holy Spirit of God.

What joy and satisfaction I felt! I now had a visual image to bring life to my understanding. I now had a private place of refuge to which I could retreat at any moment, just by remembering this very special scene. I could retrieve the sense of serenity simply by remembering the full, enveloping power of the special Comforter sent by the Father.

Is the world around me now at peace?

No! It’s the same old undisciplined and dynamic world. But, I am at peace within it.

It churns and flails about me, but the presence of the Comforter of God provides to me a sense of serenity in the midst of it all.

The Shawl of Serenity envelopes me!

I have made my requests known to God

And He has sent His Comforter

To give me His peace.

His presence surrounds me

as a comforting shawl.

Blogs

“WORDS”

Week Thirty-Nine, 2018

“WORDS”

By John Grant

“Evil words destroy one’s friends; wise discernment rescues the godly” (Proverbs 11:9).

Words can be miraculous. Emily Dickinson said: “I know nothing in the world that has as much power as a word.”

Words dominate our culture. From the president’s speeches and tweets to congressional laws to judicial rulings, words define and govern our democracy. Not a day goes by when someone’s words do not make headlines, for good or for bad.

Words can be miraculous. God used them to create the universe (Genesis 1). Jesus is “the Word” of God (John 1:1). The Bible contains “…the word of our God” (Isaiah 40:8).

You were affected by words today. All words are powerful. St. Augustine: “When I think about what I am going to say, the word or message is already in my heart. So that the word already in my heart may find its place also in yours, I use my voice to speak to you. The sound of my voice brings the meaning of the word to you and then the voice passes away. The word which the voice has brought to you is now in your heart, yet it still is also in mine.”

God’s words are especially powerful. Jesus assured us that “…heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away” (Matthew 24:35). Scripture testifies “…every word of God proves true” (Proverbs 30:5).

Words are important. Words are one of the essential tools individuals use to communicate. … Well-timed words mean the difference between being hopeful and supportive or judgmental and condescending. Think about your own experiences in your work life.

We not only speak words, but our facial expressions and tone of speech communicate them as well. All the more reason to be careful in this technological age, where the written word alone can so easily be misinterpreted.

But, there is no more important words than those that come from the Scriptures. Read them prayerfully and use them carefully.

Now the same Spirit who inspired the word of God (2 Peter 1:21) is ready to speak through us today. We need his guidance for our words. Seek God’s advice first and speak second.

***

SOMETIMES TRUE STORIES

WHO IS IN YOUR PEW?

An American author and minister, Marshall Hayden, wrote an article several years ago with the intriguing title, “Would Every Non-Hurter Please Stand Up?”

Hayden observed that people come to church services and seem fine. They put on their best smile. Wear their best clothes. And look happy. Yet, he pointed out that we need to look beyond the facade and below the surface to realize that our pews are full of hurting people.

He wrote, “Over here is a family with an income of $550 a week & expenses of nearly $800. Over there is a family with two children who, according to their dad, are failures. ‘You’re stupid. You never do anything right,’ he is constantly telling them that. The lady over there found a lump that tested positive.

“There’s a couple who just had a nasty fight. Each is thinking of divorce. Last Monday one man learned that he was being laid off. And there is a wife who has tried her best to cover the bruises her drunken husband inflicted when he came home Friday night.

“Then there are those of us with lesser hurts, but they don’t seem so small to us: a boring job, a poor grade, a friend or parent who is unresponsive …on & on the stories go. The lonely, the dying, the discouraged, they’re all here.

“It reminds us that the problems of fear, fatigue, frustration, and failure are the common lot of all people. Christians are not exempt. Add to that the burden of guilt. Shame. Regret. And remorse. What a heavy burden to bear!

“Do this for Jesus who is crazy about you. He loves you and is cheering you on. He is leaning in to see how you are going to respond to this challenge. You are his child. He wants you to win. No doubt he will bless and reward you as you step out, but I challenge you to do this for Jesus simply because you love him. Do this not because of what he will do for you, (and he will) but because he is the Lord of your life, the Master of your soul, the strength when you are weak, the hope when you feel hopeless, the rock when you feel unstable, and the shield when difficulty surrounds you. Do it simply because of who he is, not because of what he can and will do.” Chris Sonksen from his great book, “Quit Church.”

***

QUOTES YOU CAN USE

“Rather than rehearse the chaos of the world, rejoice in the Lord’s Sovereignty, as Paul did.” —Max Lucado

“Christians are to ‘resist the devil’ in our personal lives, but also in our public witness. We are called to stand for biblical truth, not because we are moral policemen, but because we care about those who are victimized by our fallen culture.” —Jim Denison

“What you have in Christ is greater than anything you don’t have in life.” —Max Lucado

“Jesus’ invitation is for you. Regardless of where you are spiritually or emotionally. Hear and heed His compassionate call, “Come unto Me.” —Ken Weliever

“Psychologists have long known that the way we talk to ourselves is a crucial component of our emotional well-being. Self-affirmation helps us stand up to outside threats, persevere in difficult times, and face health problems more positively. By contrast, negative self-talk is significantly correlated with depression.” —Jim Denison

***

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

Your feedback is welcome and if you want to be taken off the mailing list a simple e-mail will do it. 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 2018

©2018 John Grant | Florida State Senator (Ret.) | 10025 Orange Grove Drive | Tampa, FL 33618

 

Blogs, Frank Becker, Uncategorized

“Rescued At Sea: Who is in Your Boat?“

“Rescued At Sea: Who is in Your Boat?“

By Rev. Almon Bartholomew

Scripture text: On that day, when evening came, He said to them, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd, they took Him along with them in the boat, just as He was; and other boats were with Him. And there arose a fierce gale of wind, and the waves were breaking over the boat so much that the boat was already filling up. Jesus Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” And He got up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Hush, be still.” And the wind died down and it became perfectly calm. And He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” They became very much afraid and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?” (Mark 4: 35-41 NKJV)

We don’t want you to miss the boat as you listen to today’s message. There is something in it for every age.

Prior to the tempest at sea Jesus had been teaching using familiar parables. Parables are earthly stories with heavenly meanings. The last recorded teaching of Jesus focused on the small mustard seed, planted and growing into a great tree. He likened it to the exercise of faith, small at first, but growing to work miracles.

That lesson came from the farm, common to all and easily understood. That lesson was soon tested at sea. Today farming is pretty much left to large co-ops and high tech methods and machines. In Jesus day just about everyone was a farmer. If you didn’t raise it, you didn’t eat it. Of course there were merchants, government jobs, religious leaders, and yes, fishermen. Even with these diverse occupations, most had family gardens as an at home source of food.

The parable Jesus taught was one of planting seed. Among the seeds he referred to was the mustard seed. It was tiny, but, when it was sown it grew larger than any other of the herbs. The growth was so great it became a mustard tree. In later reference this seed is likened to faith. Faith is like this seed. Although it may be small at the beginning, it will, if planted, become a powerful factor in life. I remember when in early spring a green house and flower shop owner in our home town. He said “It takes a lot of faith to see the lilies and other flowers grow up healthy and on time. Without those Easter lilies I would be out of business”.

What does this seed business and faith have to do with fishermen? The answer is, a lot. Lox and bagel combine the product of the sea and the product of the seed. At the end of a long day of teaching about seed planting, Jesus said, “Let us go over to the other side of the Sea of Galilee.” This request was given to experienced fishermen. They had braved many storms at sea. I don’t doubt but what they saw the signs of an impending storm. It was not wise to put out from shore. Nonetheless, at Jesus command, they set sail. That took some faith. That faith was sorely tested midway of the journey.

The storm they saw forming hit them with a vengeance. They were in utter peril, as were other little boats carrying Jesus followers which were alongside them. They had begun to take on water. Where was Jesus? He was in the boat, but he was sleeping, his head resting on a pillow. Some master! He got them into this mess and he is asleep! I wouldn’t be sleeping in a boat bobbing like a cork on a raging sea. When Joyce and I pastored in New Hampshire, we drove along the Shore of Newcastle Island. We watched a freighter rising on the crest of billowing waves only to disappear in the slough, out of sight. It was awesome. I can only imagine what these disciples felt when they awakened Jesus from sleep and said to him, “We are all about to drown out here! Don’t you care?” Jesus was not very popular at that moment. They were driven by fear alone. I also hear anger in their voices.

Jesus arose and rebuked the tempest. With his command “Peace, be still!” the waters were calmed, the wind subsided to a gentle whisper, the lightning retreated into the heavens and the thunder didn’t mumble a word. Then, I’m sure with understanding he asked, “Why were you so afraid? Had you not heard my message on faith? As long as I am with you in your boat everything is going to be all right!” When all of this happened they were really shook up and exclaimed, “Who is this that speaks and the winds and the waves obey him?”

I recall well when I was a young boy when my father took me and my two older brothers out fishing at nighttime in the narrows of Lake Champlain. A terrible storm came up. We were nearly swamped. I can still see the grim determination on my father’s face as the lightning flashed. He was pulling with all of his might on the oars of that old wooden rowboat. He was going to get his boys home safe that night. And he did! We would never have made it without my father in the boat! Dad was just as determined that his four sons and four daughters would know the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and weather the storms of life, arriving safely on Heaven’s shore.

Storms in life are inevitable. Sometimes they come with warning and sometimes they come on the scene as a complete surprise. As we sail across the sea of life, who is with us in our boat? In our younger years it was always good to have an older experienced sailor with us. But even then, that would not be sufficient had not the Lord been with us. And surely, now in our senior years we need the Lord in our boat. I am sure you can look back across your life span and recall divine intervention in your lives when tempests beat upon your frail ship.

It was July 12, 1944, more than seventy years ago, our home burnt to the ground and we lost everything. Dad had no insurance. Yet out of that unintended move, the circumstances of my life changed dramatically. That stormy experience brought me into a vital relationship with the Lord. Aside from that and a divine call to the ministry I would not be here today. Jesus came on board my boat December 18th, 1944 and made my life altogether different. He became the pilot on my ship of life.

Storms may come from different directions. It can be the loss of a parent, a child, a brother or sister. It can be a catastrophic illness. It can be a broken relationship. It can be financial duress. It can be the onset of serious depression. It can be the loss of independent living. It may come in the glimmering light of a candle at the end of its wick. Beyond all of these, you may not be given 30 days notice that it is coming!

The apostle Peter, in both of his epistles, addresses the distress which may come to the servants of the Lord. In First Peter 4:12 he writes, “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you.”

He also wrote: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (I Peter 1:3-7).

God’s purpose for your life and mine is being worked out even when we think it may have been aborted.

If anyone ever knew how important it was to have the Lord in the boat with him it was Noah. He lived in a day of extreme wickedness. God had visited him and instructed him to build a seagoing vessel in the middle of a desert. There would be no maiden voyage, no shakedown cruise, no classy launching with public fanfare. Not only did the Lord order him to build a boat, he gave the blueprint to him. Upon completion and divine command Noah would fill the vessel with two animals of every kind.

The plan did not materialize over night. The carpenter/boat builder also became a preacher. For some 120 years he preached judgment was coming. A flood would engulf the earth. The only safe place to be would be the inside of this monstrosity he was building. That boisterous sinful society mocked him out. He did not gain one convert! I wonder if Noah did not at times think he had gotten the wrong message. In all things, the sweat of his brow, the rejection of his congregation, the extended period of waiting; through it all he persevered.

Then the day came. God said “Get on board”. Noah did exactly that and the Lord pulled up the gang plank and shut the door. It began to rain. That was something that had never happened before. It rained forty days and it rained forty nights. It rained ‘til there wasn’t no land in sight. Noah knew who was on board with him. God was the captain and the navigator. He guided it safely to an arranged landing site. Noah knew who was on board with him.

You and I can be just as sure as to who is on board with us. Jesus said, “Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the age.” Friend, do you know who is on your boat? You can be sure as you ask Jesus to captain your vessel and navigate your way to heaven.

I love the words of the old hymn, “Jesus Savior Pilot Me”

“Jesus, Savior, pilot me over life’s tempestuous sea.

Unknown waves before me roll, hidden rocks and treacherous shoals.

Chart and compass come from thee: Jesus, Savior, pilot me.”

Time to pray: “Lord Jesus, Come on board my boat of life. Be the captain of my ship. I will trust in you at all times. Guide me all the way to heaven, In Jesus Holy Name, Amen.”

Old Gospel Chorus “Just to have a touch, Lord, from you; Helps me in the hard trials I go through. Dark may be the night, It brings a ray of if light, when I get a touch Lord, from you”. (author unknown)

The Reverend Al, and wife Joyce, Bartholomew