Isaiah 1:18) "Come now and let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool."
Yesterday morning during our song service, God's people at PHBC were brought face to face with the fact, at one time they were alienated from God. Our song leader led the congregation in the hymn, "Jesus Paid It All." What a sober reminder for God's children to face the fact it was Jesus who "paid it all." As we sang this great hymn of the faith a chill ran all over my body...maybe a reaffirmation to me that I did nothing for my salvation. A reminder none of my goodness, none of my preaching, none of my studying, or praying has made me right with God. It was Jesus who paid the price for my redemption.
This afternoon as I am writing this post I look out my office window and see the fresh snow we received last night. The snow is a reminder, "Christ washed my sins as white as snow." Seeing the fresh, clean, and pure snow lying on the ground is a reminder from God Himself to His people what He has done with the sins of His people through His Son Jesus Christ. Christ was pure, clean, and without sin for He was God in the flesh (John 1:14).
"Jesus paid it all,
all to him I owe;
sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow."
Of all the people in the world why would God chose me to set His affections on and save me, forgive me, and cleanse my sins as white as snow? I read this great hymn of our faith and immediately I am overwhelmed with humility. But one thing it causes me to see now more than ever is, "therefore there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1)." I AM FORGIVEN, I AM FORGIVEN, I AM FORGIVEN...made free, no longer a slave to sin or Satan!
So, may we as God's people be reminded of God's grace, mercy, and forgiveness when we enjoy the snow during this winter season. It is also a great opener in sharing the gospel with others when they want to talk to you about the snow. You can say, "The snow it is nice... it is a reminder to me what Jesus has done for me...how about you." "Has your sins been washed as white as snow?"
Monday, January 10, 2011
Monday, January 3, 2011
"Time is Short and Tomorrow Is Not Promised"
James 4:14) "yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes."
This past week has proved itself a great benefit to me as a pastor. Prior to our planned week off for a time of rest and family get away, our church family experienced the loss of a sweet saint. It was a difficult time, she was one of my deacons wives. In the midst of trying to minister to his family and also preparing to teach and preach for Sunday seemed to be almost more than I could bear. I was thankful for God's grace which sustains us when we are unable to help ourselves.
For the last week my family and I have been blessed with the opportunity of leaving from our mission field for a time of rest and prayer. In the past I have felt guilty for taking a day off or even getting away for a few days for time with my family. But as I read the New Testament, I found on several occasions which Jesus Himself left the multitudes to get away by Himself. In the gospel of Mark 6:45-52, Jesus after ministering to the people He leaves the multitude to go to the other side. If God in the flesh was wearied and tired from ministering to the people, how much more should we as pastors look for time to rest from our labors, as well!
I have learned a couple of things in the last few weeks, I believe as pastors we would do well to take heed:
1. I am only one man and not able to do everything. Often as pastors we get busy in the mundane things and forget what we have been called to. I know my calling is one of a pastor and teacher. I am to give myself wholeheartedly to the Word of God. I am to handle the word of God correctly and divide the truth accurately (2 Tim.2:15). I am also to find faithful men who I can teach and entrust the truth to where they would be able to teach others (2 Tim.2:2). This is one area I am praying God would give me grace to do this upcoming year.
2. Life is short and children grow up fast. The Lord opened my eyes to see how fast my children are growing. My oldest son will be 12 years old Wednesday. This trip, I believe helped us as a family grow closer together. Life is a mist, we are not promised tomorrow. Therefore, we ought to give all we have today for the glory of God and putting all we have into disciplining our family in the Word of God.
I believe all pastors should be given by their church time to get away and focus on their family. If a man loses his family, the Bible says, "he is unfit to "manage" the household of God." I am thankful the Lord's church at PHBC gave their pastor the time to get away and spend time with his family. If churches would give their pastors more time off to focus on their families, I believe this would be greatly benefit the Lord's churches. Because time is short and are not promised tomorrow.
This past week has proved itself a great benefit to me as a pastor. Prior to our planned week off for a time of rest and family get away, our church family experienced the loss of a sweet saint. It was a difficult time, she was one of my deacons wives. In the midst of trying to minister to his family and also preparing to teach and preach for Sunday seemed to be almost more than I could bear. I was thankful for God's grace which sustains us when we are unable to help ourselves.
For the last week my family and I have been blessed with the opportunity of leaving from our mission field for a time of rest and prayer. In the past I have felt guilty for taking a day off or even getting away for a few days for time with my family. But as I read the New Testament, I found on several occasions which Jesus Himself left the multitudes to get away by Himself. In the gospel of Mark 6:45-52, Jesus after ministering to the people He leaves the multitude to go to the other side. If God in the flesh was wearied and tired from ministering to the people, how much more should we as pastors look for time to rest from our labors, as well!
I have learned a couple of things in the last few weeks, I believe as pastors we would do well to take heed:
1. I am only one man and not able to do everything. Often as pastors we get busy in the mundane things and forget what we have been called to. I know my calling is one of a pastor and teacher. I am to give myself wholeheartedly to the Word of God. I am to handle the word of God correctly and divide the truth accurately (2 Tim.2:15). I am also to find faithful men who I can teach and entrust the truth to where they would be able to teach others (2 Tim.2:2). This is one area I am praying God would give me grace to do this upcoming year.
2. Life is short and children grow up fast. The Lord opened my eyes to see how fast my children are growing. My oldest son will be 12 years old Wednesday. This trip, I believe helped us as a family grow closer together. Life is a mist, we are not promised tomorrow. Therefore, we ought to give all we have today for the glory of God and putting all we have into disciplining our family in the Word of God.
I believe all pastors should be given by their church time to get away and focus on their family. If a man loses his family, the Bible says, "he is unfit to "manage" the household of God." I am thankful the Lord's church at PHBC gave their pastor the time to get away and spend time with his family. If churches would give their pastors more time off to focus on their families, I believe this would be greatly benefit the Lord's churches. Because time is short and are not promised tomorrow.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)