Morning Thought

I Call Myself A Christian!

Pastor Tim — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 11:18:17 +0000

What is a Christian?
Some believe it’s a wedge to use against believers!
For example, I won’t hand church money over to a family for their electric bill. This is because both parents have cell phones on their sides, both have an automobile, and their home is equipped with Dish Network and Hughesnet.
When I refuse to give them anything the response is something like, “and y’all call yourselves Christians!”
Hmm, let’s see what the Handbook for Christians – Volume 1 says; you know it as the Bible.
Nowhere does it say “handeth over thy money to anyone that asketh thee!”
Let’s start with where the term “Christian” comes from?
Both the King James and New King James have only 3 references for the term and both start with Acts 11:26 – So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. NKJV
I understand that being a Christian is associated with several things just by this verse.
First, Christ, which is the root of Christian and derives from the Greek word Christianos (khris-tee-an-os’) which means a Christian, i.e. follower of Christ.
Now I said that the previous versions have 3 references for Christ. However the New Living Translation contains 34 but most are implied by the use of words like “believing” or “brother”.
Regardless, neither translation says “hand over money to others when they ask!”
Second, I understand from the verse that a Christian is associated with a church fellowship; an assembly of believers.
And third, a Christian is a disciple of Christ; a disciplined believer, which is someone that is being taught in the instruction of a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
I cannot find any place in scripture where Jesus handed out money or a commandment to do so.
The Book of Acts gives us this account; Acts 4:32-35 – All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had. The apostles testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God’s great blessing was upon them all. There were no needy people among them, because those who owned land or houses would sell them and bring the money to the apostles to give to those in need. NLT
Notice there were no needy people among them. They weren’t just handing their possessions or finances over to just anyone. They were taking care of fellow believers in their church fellowship.
I don’t have a problem with helping those in my church and have occasionally done so.
Also the Apostle rebuked those in the church that had come together for a feast by saying, “But if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home,” 1 Cor 11:34 NKJV
It was not the responsibility of the church to feed everyone.
The Handbook for Christians – Volume 1 also says this nifty little verse – “Those unwilling to work will not get to eat.” Yet we hear that some of you are living idle lives, refusing to work and meddling in other people’s business. We command such people and urge them in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and work to earn their own living. 2 Thess 3:10-13 NLT
So you really don’t have the right to throw my Christianity in my face just because I won’t hand over to you the finances of others that have been given to the church.
One other thought; several years ago someone stole $60 from me, right out of my wallet.
I won’t go into details but this was witnessed by another person.
But the day came when the same young man’s car broke down and he and a friend wandered up to my house in a downpour and wanted a ride to town.
I told him I would take him – for $60!
He was quite surprised.
I said to him, “You took $60 from me that time, didn’t you?”
He admitted that he did.
“So that is my price for taking you to town!”
They both walked off down my driveway, the whole time he was shouting back at me, “And you call yourself a Christian!”
Yes, I do. If I were not I would have hit him upside the head with a 2×4 years ago.
It is my Christianity that keeps me praying for others and not doing them harm; not that I am a violent person, mind you, but in my flesh I can understand why people go postal or have road rage.
Christ keeps us from following our sinful, fleshly impulses and frees us to follow Him.
I call myself a Christian!

God Loves Brokeness

Pastor Tim — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 07:00:11 +0000

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart — these, O God, You will not despise. Ps 51:17
I remember my grandpa telling me about breaking his arm when he was a young man.
It began to mend but not in the right way and would have caused him problems for the rest of his life.
The doctor said it needed to be re-broken and set to mend correctly.
Grandpa said they tied him to a door and several men held him while his arm was re-broken.
I cringe when I imagine the pain he went through but sometimes when something isn’t healing the right way it needs to be re-broken.
The same goes for your spirit and your relationships.
Too many are afraid of offending someone by telling them they hurt their feelings or offended them but it can’t be fixed until it is broken.
A relationship with the Lord will never reach full potential until there is a broken spirit and a broken and contrite heart.
This is when God is at His closest; Ps 34:18 – The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit.
I once read a quote once that said man is born broken and God’s grace is the glue.
I like that.
It says only God can put us back together and make us good as new.
Grandpa’s arm looked normal.
He could work with it and it seemed to never cause him any problem.
Still, an x-ray would reveal the sign of a break; and grandpa never forgot the horror of having his arm re-broken.
I am so thankful that God mends us completely; there is no evidence of damage or brokenness.
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Ps 147:3

YOU are the LAND!

Pastor Tim — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 07:00:30 +0000

I want to cover one other thing in my conversation with Bob.
He went on to say that he didn’t come to know the Lord as his Savior until he was 27 years old when a Church of Christ minister began to speak with him about it.
“Daddy told us to never trust a preacher so it took a good while for that Church of Christ minister to build up my trust in him.”
I’m glad that the minister did build that trust and Bob accepted Jesus as Savior.
This is where my story has to end as Linda came around the corner saying Braeden was lost somewhere in the bookstore. Bob and I parted ways.
I thought of how this conversation started; 2 Chronicles 7:14 - if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
While we look upon this scripture with some national intent, it is actually for each and every individual Christian.
It is written you are God’s field (1 Cor 3:9), more specifically, you are His farm; and what is a farm but land!
The healing of the “land” is not so much on a national level but on the individual level.
God wants you to humble yourself.
God wants you to pray.
God wants you to seek Him.
God wants you to repent.
God wants to forgive you!
God wants to heal you!

Pompous & Permissive

Pastor Tim — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 07:00:35 +0000

In my last Morning Thought, I somewhat introduced you to Bob.
Yet as I left the story I had not been properly introduced to him.
Let’s pick up from there.
While I’m standing in the reference book section, specifically looking at some photography books, this elderly gentleman makes it to that dead end aisle and says again, “Yes, sir! I sure like your shirt”, meaning my “Pray” shirt with 2 Chronicles 7:14 on it.
Again I reply with “Thank you” and the conversation begins.
He tells me that his name is Bob and we need more prayer; “I believe in that word – pray!” he says.
Bob is Church of Christ but could have easily missed salvation altogether.
It seems he wasn’t raised in church.
“Dad didn’t have much use for Baptists. Don’t get me wrong – there are some truly good Baptists and all.” Bob told me.
But it seems that his mom had been deathly ill when he was a young boy. No “religious” person came over to visit during that time. When she was on the mend, a couple of ladies from the local Baptist church visited.
“They told momma that they were glad she didn’t pass on because she’d be in hell right now!” recounted Bob. “That’s something you just don’t ever say to someone. It’s not up to us to judge who goes to hell and who doesn’t!”
He went on to tell me that sometime later one of those “church women” was kicked out of church for adultery; “And they say they believe in ‘once saved always saved’ and that they can do anything they please with no consequence!”
The actions of these ladies could have easily prevented the whole family from seeking God; no doubt that some members of Bob’s family were turned away from salvation.
It struck me that a great many Christian’s are somewhere between pompous and permissive.
It is that arrogant chip that some carry on their shoulder that pushes people away from Christ – the “holier than thou” attitude.
Jesus said in Mark 9:42, “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea.”
Sometimes we don’t give someone a chance to be a believer; we start offending them right off the bat.
Are there going to be people in eternal punishment? The Bible seems to indicate that idea.
Who are they? It is those whose names are not written in the Book of Life.
And if the names are not written in the book, how is it we are so familiar with each one that we can positively determine who goes to hell?
Then there is the other side of the pendulum; that side of Christianity that we see so much of today – the permissive side.
It’s become taboo in many churches to breach many subjects like being gay, a woman’s right to choose, sexual intimacy between two unmarried people, or even talk about hell, much less preach about it.
There is a middle ground between pompous and permissive; it is contained in the words of the Bible.
When we remove our thoughts and desires out of the equation, the Bible gives us God’s truth on how to live and relate to Him and to each other.

What message are you giving?

Pastor Tim — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 07:00:31 +0000

Over the past weekend I found myself in a used bookstore in the Lewisville, Tx area.
While wondering up and down the aisles of shelves, I come upon an elderly gentleman, who looked to be in his 80’s. (I later found out he’d been married for 61 years.)
He’s one of those slow-moving types that need a cane to walk.
He looks up at me as I’m passing and says, “I like your shirt!”
I respond with, “Thank you, sir!” and moved on.
The shirt I’m wearing has “PRAY” written across the top and reference to 2 Chronicles 7:14 - if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
I’ve used that verse in sermons, Bible studies, teachings, Sunday school, and on several Morning Thought’s.
It’s been quoted by so many others that this verse should be known to just about every person in the USA.
Back to the bookstore; a few minutes later I saw this woman and noticed she was carrying the elderly gentleman’s things. (It was quite a bundle to carry for someone with a cane.)
She carried the items to the front desk and informed the cashier that she was leaving them there for a elderly man that needed some help.
The clerk went to find him.
I overheard part of the conversation between the gentleman and a store clerk; enough to know that his name is Bob and he’s thrilled to see so many people with an interest in reading.
This is not the end of the story; my shirt and Bob will meet again and I’ll share that encounter in the next Morning Thought.
2 Chronicles 7:14 will gain a new meaning for me, as I’ll explain later.
Regardless to say, people will read what is written; whether in a book, on your shirt or hat, bumper sticker, or tattoo.
They can read your facial expressions and body language.
They’ll read-between-the-lines in what you say too!
So what message are you giving?

How to find out what it means!

Pastor Tim — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 07:00:06 +0000

Heb 6:4-6 – For it is impossible to bring back to repentance those who were once enlightened—those who have experienced the good things of heaven and shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the power of the age to come— and who then turn away from God. It is impossible to bring such people back to repentance; by rejecting the Son of God, they themselves are nailing him to the cross once again and holding him up to public shame.
What does that mean?
James 5:19-20 – My dear brothers and sisters, if someone among you wanders away from the truth and is brought back, you can be sure that whoever brings the sinner back will save that person from death and bring about the forgiveness of many sins.
What does that mean?
John 6:53-58 – So Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you cannot have eternal life within you. But anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise that person at the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. I live because of the living Father who sent me; in the same way, anyone who feeds on me will live because of me. I am the true bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will not die as your ancestors did (even though they ate the manna) but will live forever.”
What does that mean?
The Bible is full of some difficult-to-understand scripture.
Scripture like this cannot be just explained with logic but must be explained by the Spirit.
The key to understanding the Bible is having the mind of Christ; 1 Cor 2:13-16 – These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. For “who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.
Understanding the Bible is enhanced by knowing the events surrounding what is being said or what is taking place.
The key to understanding the Bible is prayer, humility, and listening to God.
Get into the fellowship of Bible believers and discuss what may confuse you; talk about it and learn.

Just Doing My Part

Pastor Tim — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 11:40:43 +0000

While watching the news there is a story of a car crash.
The car catches on fire and bystanders brave the heat and danger of explosion to free the occupant.
In the midst of disaster we see a great need and are willing to set aside any emotions and any safety for ourselves to do our part.
Look at the firemen and policemen that rushed into the World Trade Center on 9/11.
No thought of personal safety, just doing their part.
Our brave men and women in the armed forces, when called upon, will go into war without a thought of being killed.
They’re just doing their part.
Any one of us might rush into a burning building, to save a child whose cries we hear, without thought of what might happen.
Many years ago there was a disaster that has affected us all and it stills continues to affect and decay all of us.
This tragic event did not take place in space, on the Titanic or Hindenburg.
It isn’t the great plague of Europe, or the epidemic of AIDS.
It wasn’t the dropping of the atomic bomb on Japan, or the terrorist destruction of the twin towers.
No, this great disaster took place over a piece of fruit that was absolutely forbidden to consumed and one bite completely changed and decimated the entire planet and its population for all generations.
Years later, a Man came and without any thought of fear or pain, took it upon Himself to die for us and undo what had been done with the bite of a piece of fruit.
For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:7-8
Why did He do this?
Knowing that the people He loved would turn against Him and desert Him; knowing the pain and indignation that He would suffer.
Knowing that nails would be driven into His hands and feet and a crown of thorns placed on His head; knowing that death would overtake Him and lay Him down in the grave.
Knowing that God Himself would turn His back on Him and forsake Him in His greatest hour of need.
While firefighters rush into burning buildings without knowledge of what will happen, and soldiers go into battle without knowing what will happen, Jesus knew exactly what would happen to Him.
So, why did Jesus do what He did?
He might say, “Just doing My part!”

Salvation is Healing

Pastor Tim — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 12:00:30 +0000

It’s no fun being sick but I don’t have to tell you that.
Whether its cancer, the flu, a toothache, headache, or an infection in a cut on a finger, you want to be healed.
Why? So that you can feel better and do things.
In the Old Testament, God said, “If you diligently heed the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the LORD who heals you.” (Jehovah-Rapha) Ex 15:26
I believe that many diseases are a result of sin; many but not all.
It is written bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Ps 103:2-3
Forgiveness of sin and healing of diseases are given in the same verse.
Sins like envy the rottenness of the bones. Prov 14:30
This is the reason it is so important to confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. James 5:16
So why is it someone who has been saved for years and very faithful to the Lord gets a disease.
We live in a sinful world and though someone may be saved, the result of sin still has its affect on all.
Just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned. Rom 5:12
Hanging onto sin can make you sick.
The road to healing is the forgiveness of sin.
As Jesus said, “Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise, take up your bed and walk’?” Mark 2:9
It just seems to me that doing what God has asked of us, diligently heed the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes is healing to us.
Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; Save me, and I shall be saved, For You are my praise. Jer 17:14
Salvation is healing!

Be Like Noah, Daniel, and Job

Pastor Tim — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 12:00:18 +0000

The last three Morning Thoughts have been focusing on Ezekiel 14:14 – Even if Noah, Daniel, and Job were there, their righteousness would save no one but themselves, says the Sovereign Lord.
These men are an example for all as to the type of life to live.
Accept God’s grace and salvation; Eph 2:8 – For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,
Live a just life; Rom 1:17 – For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”
Live a perfect life; Matt 5:48 – Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.
Walk with God; 1 Thess 4:1 – we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God;
Obey God and do what He says; 2 Cor 10:5 – bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,
Purity; 1 Tim 5:22 – Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor share in other people’s sins; keep yourself pure.
Keep an excellent spirit; 1 Thess 5:23 – Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Use the skills, talents, knowledge and gifts God has given; Rom 12:6 – Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them
Bless God; Ps 145:1-3 – And I will bless Your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless You, And I will praise Your name forever and ever. Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;
Be faultless; Phil 2:14-15 – Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,
Do not stop worshipping and praising God; 1 Thess 1:2-3 – We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father,
Humility with fasting and prayer; Ps 35:13 – I humbled myself with fasting;
And my prayer would return to my own heart.
Be someone with integrity; Prov 10:9 – He who walks with integrity walks securely
Do not curse; Rom 12:14 – Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
Pray for others; James 5:16 – pray for one another, that you may be healed.

Noah, Daniel, & Job – Part 3

Pastor Tim — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 12:00:42 +0000

Even if Noah, Daniel, and Job were there, their righteousness would save no one but themselves, declares the Sovereign LORD.” Ezek 14:14 NLT
Job is the final person mentioned in this verse.
You know the story of Job; he suffered greatly while three friends tried to convince him that he had sinned.
But there is more to Job’s story.
There once was a man named Job who lived in the land of Uz. He was blameless—a man of complete integrity. He feared God and stayed away from evil. Job 1:1
Job would purify his children. He would get up early in the morning and offer a burnt offering for each of them. For Job said to himself, “Perhaps my children have sinned and have cursed God in their hearts.” This was Job’s regular practice. Job 1:5
Job was another blameless man of integrity and, like Daniel, would purify not only himself but his children.
God had this to say about Job; then the Lord asked Satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless—a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil.” Job 1:8
Job lost his family, his animals, and his servants; still Job did not sin by blaming God. Job 1:22
He was finally struck physically with pain and sores.
His wife told him to just curse God and die.
His response was, “You talk like a foolish woman. Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?” So in all this, Job said nothing wrong. Job 2:10
He had friends that tried to convince him of some unknown sin, which Job refuted.
When Job prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes. In fact, the Lord gave him twice as much as before! Job 42:10
There is only one reference to Job from the New Testament writers; James 5:11 – We give great honor to those who endure under suffering. For instance, you know about Job, a man of great endurance. You can see how the Lord was kind to him at the end, for the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy.
So why is Job mentioned along with Noah and Daniel in Ezekiel 14:14?
He was blameless; a man of integrity that stayed away from evil and feared God.
He sought purity in his life and that of his family.
He did not curse or do any foolish blaming.
He prayed for his friends, though they condemned him.