faith
Haiti has been in the news a lot lately. President assassination, earthquake, Haitians on US southern boarder being deported, and the kidnapping of 17 missionaries. It is no wonder people were dismayed that a team from CC Perris Valley were scheduled to go to this seemingly forsaken country. But remarkably a group from my congregation felt called by God to join me
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Photo by Osman Rana on Unsplash
Mark 4:35-41 “On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”
Jesus made a simple command, "Let us cross over to the other side." The disciples were asked to perform what was a typical part of their life, to take a boat across the Galilee. But this trip became more challenging than others. A response was required to the increasingly threatening conditions. They did all that was within their abilities and knowledge, yet it was futile and the boat was further taking on water. But as they panicked Jesus lay asleep at the rear of the sinking vessel.
"Do You not care that we are perishing? There is a defining contrast of perceptions and responses between the disciples and the teacher. These men, who had already witnessed the miracles performed by their teacher, are anticipating their demise by the conditions surrounding them. Jesus can raise the dead, heal the sick, and cast out demons but not cannot change the conditions they now find themselves in.
"Peace, be still." Three words, one command and the sea ceased its disruption. But so did the disciples cease their panic. His command was as much for them to obey as it was for the storm. Jesus will speak the same to you today in whatever storm you are in if you would seek him. Rather than be in a panic over the conditions of your life or the world, rather than fearing for your life, look at your teacher, peaceful with his head on a pillow, at rest in your boat. Our seeking of the Lord's intervention is often an afterthought. A last ditch effort to respond to our storm. Why is this? We, like the disciples, don't grasp the totality of who Jesus is. In the eyes of the disciples he was a man, a rabbi, a teacher, a prophet, but short of who he truly was, the Christ and son of God. This can be our mistake as well. Cease your panic and ask the Lord to reveal himself to you. Look to him and learn from his restful disposition that he has the power to bring peace to your storm and peace to your heart.
Blessings
pBob
Ask yourself this question, “In what is your identity?”
Is it in an experience, a tragedy, an upbringing, a culture, the color of your skin or the community you are in? Is it in your achievements or your failures, your name or in your looks? Is your identity in a sports team or your school, a club or the car you drive? Is your identity in your hobby, your work, your friendships? Is your identity attached to your clothing or music style or if you are liked and accepted? Maybe it is one of these or many of these.
I ask the question because God wants us to see ourselves as he does and identify ourselves as he does. All these earthly identities will vanish when the Lord returns for us or if we were to die before that. When you and I stand before the lord in his glorious presence we will not be dressed in that identifying clothing we wear so proudly nor be attached any more to that group or club or team. We will not enter boasting of our earthly accomplishments or achievements nor our failures and weaknesses we once were labeled as by others.
No, none of these will be seen on us because none of them are who we are as believers and followers and disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ. So why are they so seriously held to while on the earth since they are as temporal as a passing cloud and hold no real value to life?
Through Peter God has communicated that those who come to him (1Pet 2 vs. 4), are royal, holy, and special. Not because of us but because of him.
Royal - as in kingly or regal because we have become the the adopted children of God
Holy - as in set apart as he, our holy God, is from all things and not attached to Him.
Special - here the Greek refers to that which is possessed or owned. Consider that which you own and how those things are special to you. We are God’s possessions therefore being special to Him.
These all speak of a new identity attached to Him who saved us. They speak of transformation that is intended by God for us to see and live out. But the verse also communicates purpose and direction. We are royal, holy and his special possession so to proclaim Him and that he has delivered us from darkness, a life absent of his presence, to light, a life eternal with Him.
So now ask the question again. What is your identity?
Blessings
pBob
Christian based movies are regularly hitting our theaters these days and often the producers send information and flyers to our church to support by encouraging the congregation to buy a ticket. Those I appreciate the most and am more likely to go see, are about real Christians living out their real faith. The first such film I saw was the Hiding Place, the story of Corrie and Betsie ten Boom, two women who with their father hide Jews during WW2, are caught by Nazis and sent to a death camp. Wonderfully filmed and acted this true story of faith and perseverance became the bench mark of Christian films for me and impacted me immensely as a young Christian.
While buzzing around Netflix I came across the movie Greater (2016), the story of Brandon Burlsworth, an Arkansas Razorback walk-on who trusted God as he filled his dream to attend and play for the University of Arkansas. He earned a scholarship and became an All-America offensive lineman during the late 1990s. His Christian faith not only filled his life but impacted many fellow players and coaches until his life was taken in a car accident before he started his first year in the NFL. Although it did not rise to the story and quality of Hiding Place it was very inspiring and moving.
While Greater was a surprise find what was even a greater surprise was discovering the faith of actor Neal McDonough. Holding major roles in many Hollywood films you will know him as the partner of Tom Cruise in Minority Report and as Lieutenant Lynn "Buck" Compton in the HBO miniseries Band of Brothers. I have always admired his acting and was happy to find him playing Marty Burlsworth, Brandon Burlsworth's older brother who is Brandon's biggest fan and has filled the gap where their alcoholic father has failed. But what even more rocked my boots was to learn of Neal McDonough's personal faith and his honest conviction "not to use God's name in vain or kiss another woman on screen." His true commitment to God with his quality of acting caries the movie as a man struggling and questioning God after the tragic death of his brother. In fact, though the movie was centered on the life of Brandon Burlsworth I'd say McDonough's character nearly takes the spotlight and fills the movie with emotion every believer can relate to.
Greater is a great find and worth watching with your family. Be sue to have your tissue ready.
Blessings
Pastor Bob
Me - I heard someone say you are Armenian? ( I had an Armenian professor in college I really liked).
Dr - Oh no (chuckled), I'm Iranian
Me - I'm sorry (spoken nervously for the mistake). I heard someone speaking to another commenting you were Armenian. There are differences.
Dr - Oh, but there are really similarities, in features
Me - Yes, but big differences in cultures.
Dr - That is true. Did you know that there is a very large population of Armenians in Iran?
Me - I didn't realize that.
Dr - Yes, centuries ago they migrated south to Iran and today there are over 150,000 in Iran. They are Christian and are a happy people. They follow the Muslim requirements publicly, their women cover with the hijab. But when they are together or have their own events they don't. Their events, likeweddings, are so wonderful, so happy. You know, young Iranian people always want to know the Armenians because they enjoy life and are so happy.
Our discussion was then interrupted and I was not able to continue my inquiry or to interject my faith. But consider the simple witness of these Armenian Christians. "They are happy people." Even in Iran.
Reminds me of the words of the psalmist, "Happy are the people who are in such a state; Happy are the people whose God is the Lord!" Psalms 144:15
Jesus also said: "These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full." John 15:11
Be happy, be joyful, for your God is the LORD! You just don't know who is watching.
pastor Bob
Photo credited to Charlie Kellog https://www.flickr.com/photos/papa_charliegeorge/
When hearing this proverb what may be envisioned are two swords clashing with sparks flying. But the author likely was imagining the local farmer sharpening his tools. It didn't cause sparks as that would heat the metal to much but there would be friction as the sharpening wheel turns and the tool is methodically and purposefully held against the sharpening wheel.
Why the need to be sharpened? The tool has become dull, the edge is uneven or worse damaged. This hinders the tool's ability to do its job well. So the sharpening is favorable and for the benefit of the tool. It is a slow caring process meant to improve the tool to be its best. The final result is a tool ready for service and to fulfill its purpose.
So how does this pertain to you and I as believers, as members of the Body of Christ, as disciples of Christ? When we engage with one another, get close to one another, joining arms in service with one another, it is inevitable that we will have opportunity and circumstances that will cause friction between one another. Sound uncomfortable? of course. Is this a bad thing? Not at all. It is an needed thing? Yes it is. But is it for the better? You bet ya. For end result is a stronger character, a spiritual maturing, an improved servant and a more perfected tool for the Lord.
The sad thing I find is that many are afraid of experiencing sharpening. It's actually seen as a negative, something to avoid, even an offense. The love of the friend is somehow forgotten and an adverse response follows. The result? No strengthening of character, no growth in maturity and the servant goes no further in his service for the Lord. There may occur a ending of the friendship. Maybe even a resentment and turning from the faith. I believe you can not strengthen, mature or better what isn't there in the first place. Just like the tool being flawed beyond repair or sharpening because the metal wasn't well made in the first place. So it is that the person who's life does not rest on the Lord, or his truth, or his spirit, will not respond well to the sharpening.
I have come to appreciate those who have been instruments of the Lord to sharpen me. Those dear friends that have shown me grace like an ocean breeze but have also played the sharpening wheel in my life to produce a better me. Because I know their love an commitment to the Lord and to me I assured they intend good and not evil and know they are God's instrument. May we receive the sharpening wheel of the Lord as easily and openly as we receive his generous blessings and kind touch. May we see its benefits and respond with anticipation of being better than we were and ready for service.
Blessings
pBob
You may or may not know that I am an auto racing enthusiast. Primarily open wheel like Formula 1 or Indy Car. Emerson Fittapaldi is a 2 times Formula 1 champion and a 2 time Indy 500 winner. Incredible driver to watch. But what I love and admire about the man is not his being a winner on the race track or his having what it takes to drive all out but more his sincere faith in Jesus Christ. Here is a wonderful video and encouraging words to believe and follow Jesus.
Be encourage.
pBob
I have heard many make the statement, “I believe in God.” I have also been told by many, "We believe in the same god." As nice of a view as this may seem it is far from the truth. You may believe in a god but is he the same God I believe in?
Let me present a short list of questions for you to consider regarding your god and so to determine if we believe in the same GOD.
To make the claim, "I believe in God," actually tells me nothing. To make a general statement "We believe in the same God" cannot be true if your god did not do all that I listed above and more.
Now please understand that these questions are not presented to prove that my God is real, but to merely give a clear perspective of who my God is so that you may conclude whether we believe in the same God.
Blessings
pastor Bob
There is a common view that Xmas is an attempt by secular critiques of the Christian faith to remove Christ from the Christmas holiday. I have personally heard many Christians express this view over the years and then be surprised at the truth of the Christmas abreviation.
Xmas is an accepted abreviation of Christmas with 'X' coming from the Greek latter "chi," that happens to be the first letter of the Greek word "Χριστός" that is translated "Christ. "Mas" comes from the Old English word Mass. So Christ-mas.
There are simlar uses as in XP or Chi-Rho that was another sympol for Christ and one of the most early symbols used by Christians.
XP or Chi-Rho
So don't be offended by the use of Xmas but instead use it as a topic to witness you faith in Christ this Christmas.
pBob
I received an email from a friend who was led of the Lord to send out an exhortation to the men he knows, to pursure a love for God. I was so blessed by it and asked if I could post his email on my blog. So here it is.
pBob
Hello Men,
If you could give me a few seconds of your time, I'd like to share with you a positive exhortation I received from the Lord this morning.
There is a song written and played by Warren Barfield named "Love Is Not a Fight, But It's Something Worth Fighting For" made popular by the movie Fireproof. The premise of the song is both beautiful and assertive in it's challenge to us all to fight for our relationships with our wives or future wives in an active manner.
The context suggests that we must actively pursue a right relationship with our spouse; we must conscientiously make a continuous effort to love her, cherish her, and please her daily. This takes a selfless attitude; we must sacrifice our own wants and desires daily and replace them with the desire to take care of her needs, encourage her, and put her first. This also means that we must be on guard in an active form; we must be aware of the incoming attacks that come in on a daily basis from external sources that wish to destroy our love for one another and from internal sources, lust, envy, pride etc that threaten our relationship with our spouse.
As I pondered this, the Lord asked me another question.
Do I fight for my love and relationship I have with Jesus? I know that He fights for me this way. I realized that I do not.
The application from this song also challenges us to love Christ in this way as well. We [believers] are the bride of Christ and have a relationship with Him. We must actively pursue a right relationship with Him and make a conscientious effort to love Him, cherish Him, and please Him daily. Our one purpose in life is to glorify Him. We must put Him first and be on guard of the attacks, both external and internal, that threaten our love and relationship with Jesus.
The last chorus of the song is as follows:
"I will fight for you, Would you fight for me? It's worth fighting for."
My challenge to all of us is that we would hear those words coming from the mouth of Jesus and except the challenge.
Brother in Christ
Chris Whaley
"For if we died with Him, we will also live with Him; 12 If we endure, we will
also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He also will deny us; 13 If we are faithless,
He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself." Tim 2:11-13
