10 Things Your Pastor Needs You to Know But is Not at Liberty to Tell You

1.  Although he may not be always able to visit you or acknowledge you at church every service - he still loves you.

2.  When you send a card or say an encouraging word - it really lifts his spirits.

3.  Ministry is very hard emotionally, spiritually, and physically.  It is really harder than anyone that has never done it can understand.  He fights discouragement and Satan's attacks every week.

4.  He really does need family time outside of the church and church family.  A pastor ministers non-stop.  His mind is always on ministry and most of the time at home he is dealing with some aspect of ministry.  Time alone, time away, and time with his family is one of the best gifts you can give him.

5.  He needs to care for his family and future financially just like you do.  He has no desire to be greedy, but he is commanded by God to care for his family and that takes the church providing adequately and appropriately for the servant of God's needs, and taking care of the pastor before advancing missions, facilities, ministries, etc."

6.  When you make critical remarks on the fly about things the Pastor and church staff have spent hours considering and deciding - it is frustrating to him.

7.  He needs friendship.  His family is not an island.  They don't often have close friends and family in the area, so YOU are it!  Be willing to be a friend to the pastor and his wife because they need personal fellowship outside of church services.

8.  He would rather see your life change than to hear "good sermon Preacher!"....however, both are good.

9.  He needs your support and participation when some direction of vision is being promoted.  Be wholehearted in following him in the belief that God has led him.

10.  Your prayers may be one of the only things that is keeping him in the ministry.  Pray hard, he needs you.

Why I didn't say "Mitt" on Pulpit Freedom Sunday

Last Sunday was declared "Pulpit Freedom Sunday" by several groups for religious freedoms in our country.  You can see the idea here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=pvwcfjAF5Pw#!

I wanted to give some brief statements about my perspective of this and why I went about my systematic preaching through Joshua and preached the Gospel as well as Biblical separation of believers, but did not publicly endorse a candidate from the pulpit.

First of all, I believe feverishly in the freedom and responsibility of every Pastor under God to speak the truth of the Word of God without limitation of fear, finances, respect, "separation of state", advantage of tax exemption, etc.  It is our duty to Preach the Word without respect to regulation because we know that we serve only one Master who we will stand before one day for account of our ministry.  Jehovah God and Jesus the Cornerstone and Head of the church must be our only "speech writer".

However, preaching from my pulpit to vote for Mitt Romney is not "Preaching the Word".  It is my responsibility as Pastor to exhort believers to be good stewards of their democratic process and to 1. Vote.  It is my responsibility as Pastor to preach to people to 2. Vote Biblically and Morally.  - I cannot express to you how far more important voting for Biblical Marriage and "life" are than voting trade and taxes.  There certainly are Biblical messages to be preached against socialism, welfare, etc. and the entitlement policies of the present Administration; but as believers, we are in the moment of a terrible attack on Christian belief, bias, immorality, etc. ---- I must preach for every believer to uphold these Biblical truths by their vote.  However, I do not feel though that I need to make the verbal application of "Mitt Romney" from the pulpit.  I care little for the power of the IRS - we must tithe despite tax exemption - but preachers must teach people "how to fish" by giving them solid Biblical teaching of how to structure their entire life and not only their vote.  If I tell people how to vote from year to year, they may do it because I am their pastor.  If I teach them Biblical principles of what is godly for a nation - they will vote Biblically because God told them to do it.

We have two candidates that are devoid of any fruit of being born again.  By their fruit, they are unbelievers.  I do not wish to vote for either of them personally...but I will.  I will vote for Mitt Romney because I have only two choices.  Believers today do not have the power or influence to put forth a "Biblical candidate".  I hate the cliche's of "a don't vote is an Obama vote", but I realize that one of these two men will win.  I can only vote for what is the closest to the Scriptural mandates for society in the Bible that is before me.

I don't remember anyone asking the "lesser of two evils" question about Reagan.  He spoke good "Christianize", but do the actions of his own morality and the practices of Mrs. Reagan show the fruit of salvation?  Until Christ returns is it not always a choice between the "lesser" of the evils?

I like what an acquaintance of mine (Joe Roof) posted last week:  "Every Sunday is Pulpit Freedom Sunday".  Pastors must keep "Preaching the Word".  Some will say that this blog accomplished the same as if I had declared who to vote for from the pulpit.  The vital difference is that I am telling you who I am PERSONALLY voting for and why from a laptop, not telling you who to vote for from the position of the sacred desk.

So, if you are among the folks of LBC, do not fear that your Pastor bows to the IRS.  I will keep preaching the Word as long as God's grace gives me courage and breath.  If we live that Word that I preach, we also will vote according to the will of God.  I will give you one thought beyond that to chew on.......God's will for who we should vote for in November may be different than who is His will to put into the USA as President. Figure that riddle out Biblically :)

pw

Historic Events

It has been a while since I have written because the church staff has been so consumed with finishing the details of our new auditorium.

We are so excited to be having the first services there this Sunday, August 5th.  The following Sunday we will have our Dedication Sunday complete with extended morning 9:15am service and dinner on the grounds.  I will be preaching the first section of the Dedication and Dr. Bob III (Chancellor of BJU) will be preaching the second portion of the service.  It should be awesome!

I am realizing now that this is a turning point for our church.  A landmark of sorts.  I do not exactly know what the future holds, but we want to depend heavily upon the Lord and be used to spread His excellencies in our community and around the world through missions.

Please pray that we will be used in a great way for the Lord's glory alone!

1Peter 2:9But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

Pastor Witmer

A New Broom Sweeps Clean

I was extremely encouraged this morning as Evangelist Jerry Sivnksty preached the Word. There have been many opinions that have come and gone about bringing in an Evangelist.

I cannot express to you enough the ministry benefits of evangelists in my personal life. These men were not in any wise perfect, but they were my heroes. As a boy in West Virginia, my pastor would bring in these Evangelists and they would light up the pulpit with the authoritative preaching of God's Word. To me they were like prophets of old walking straight from the desert sticking their bony fingers in our faces and saying "Thou art the man!"

The shepherding, consistent in-depth teaching of a pastor is irreplaceable, but it is so refreshing to hear a gifted man of integrity bellowing out the pointed Word. I was overwhelmed to see people under the influence of the Spirit coming to deal with God at the altar. One older woman passed by me and I could hear her sobs as God softened her heart to pliable clay.

You may wonder if I get jealous at such willing response when I tend the folds week in and week out and sometimes see little visible response: well, yes - I do wish to see people walk the aisle under God's influence in response to my preaching. But, I believe I have matured and learned after 20 years of preaching that the pastor's work is often the sanctification that works gently over time to transform the sheep into the image of Christ. It is not always pointed and powerful on the spot decisions. One thing I can truly say - my heart was thrilled this morning at the work of God in the people. May the Lord continue to work this week and may His power fall to His own glory alone and not to the glory of any pastor or evangelist.

Love to God and to you.

p.s. If you don't understand the title of this post, I will tell you it is a saying among pastors about the work of an evangelist coming into your church. Sometimes, it greatly helps the spirit of the church when a fresh preacher's voice is heard (a new broom). :)

Sanctify Yourselves

On Sunday, February 19th, I am preaching on Joshua 3 about "sanctifying yourselves."  Below are the 175 Verses where the Old Testament references the word "sanctify".  It is a very interesting command and truth that the Lord uses those things set apart as holy to Him.

175 O.T. verses relating to “Sanctify” Genesis 2:3 3 And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made. KJV Exodus 13:2 2 Sanctify unto me all the firstborn, whatsoever openeth the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and of beast: it is mine. INDI KJV Exodus 19:10 10 And the Lord said unto Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctify them to day and to morrow, and let them wash their clothes, KJV Exodus 19:14 14 And Moses went down from the mount unto the people, and sanctified the people; and they washed their clothes. KJV Exodus 19:22 22 And let the priests also, which come near to the Lord, sanctify themselves, lest the Lord break forth upon them. KJV Exodus 19:23 23 And Moses said unto the Lord, The people cannot come up to mount Sinai: for thou chargedst us, saying, Set bounds about the mount, and sanctify it. KJV Exodus 20:8 8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. KJV Exodus 20:11 11 For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it. KJV Exodus 28:3 3 And thou shalt speak unto all that are wise hearted, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aaron's garments to consecrate him, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office. KJV Exodus 28:38 38 And it shall be upon Aaron's forehead, that Aaron may bear the iniquity of the holy things, which the children of Israel shall hallow in all their holy gifts; and it shall be always upon his forehead, that they may be accepted before the Lord. KJV Exodus 28:41 41 And thou shalt put them upon Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him; and shalt anoint them, and consecrate them, and sanctify them, that they may minister unto me in the priest's office. KJV Exodus 29:1 29 And this is the thing that thou shalt do unto them to hallow them, to minister unto me in the priest's office: Take one young bullock, and two rams without blemish, KJV Exodus 29:21 21 And thou shalt take of the blood that is upon the altar, and of the anointing oil, and sprinkle it upon Aaron, and upon his garments, and upon his sons, and upon the garments of his sons with him: and he shall be hallowed, and his garments, and his sons, and his sons' garments with him. KJV Exodus 29:27 27 And thou shalt sanctify the breast of the wave offering, and the shoulder of the heave offering, which is waved, and which is heaved up, of the ram of the consecration, even of that which is for Aaron, and of that which is for his sons: TO DO SOME ACT OR SIGN TO SHOW THIS IS SET APART KJV Exodus 29:33 33 And they shall eat those things wherewith the atonement was made, to consecrate and to sanctify them: but a stranger shall not eat thereof, because they are holy. KJV Exodus 29:36 36 And thou shalt offer every day a bullock for a sin offering for atonement: and thou shalt cleanse the altar, when thou hast made an atonement for it, and thou shalt anoint it, to sanctify it. KJV Exodus 29:37 37 Seven days thou shalt make an atonement for the altar, and sanctify it; and it shall be an altar most holy: whatsoever toucheth the altar shall be holy. TO DETERMINE OR DISTINGUISH AS HOLY KJV Exodus 29:37 37 Seven days thou shalt make an atonement for the altar, and sanctify it; and it shall be an altar most holy: whatsoever toucheth the altar shall be holy. KJV Exodus 29:43 43 And there I will meet with the children of Israel, and the tabernacle shall be sanctified by my glory. KJV Exodus 29:44 44 And I will sanctify the tabernacle of the congregation, and the altar: I will sanctify also both Aaron and his sons, to minister to me in the priest's office. KJV Exodus 29:44 44 And I will sanctify the tabernacle of the congregation, and the altar: I will sanctify also both Aaron and his sons, to minister to me in the priest's office. KJV Exodus 30:29 29 And thou shalt sanctify them, that they may be most holy: whatsoever toucheth them shall be holy. KJV Exodus 30:29 29 And thou shalt sanctify them, that they may be most holy: whatsoever toucheth them shall be holy. KJV Exodus 30:30 30 And thou shalt anoint Aaron and his sons, and consecrate them, that they may minister unto me in the priest's office. KJV Exodus 31:13 13 Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the Lord that doth sanctify you. KJV Exodus 40:9 9 And thou shalt take the anointing oil, and anoint the tabernacle, and all that is therein, and shalt hallow it, and all the vessels thereof: and it shall be holy. KJV Exodus 40:10 10 And thou shalt anoint the altar of the burnt offering, and all his vessels, and sanctify the altar: and it shall be an altar most holy. KJV Exodus 40:11 11 And thou shalt anoint the laver and his foot, and sanctify it. KJV Exodus 40:13 13 And thou shalt put upon Aaron the holy garments, and anoint him, and sanctify him; that he may minister unto me in the priest's office. KJV Leviticus 6:18 18 All the males among the children of Aaron shall eat of it. It shall be a statute for ever in your generations concerning the offerings of the Lord made by fire: every one that toucheth them shall be holy. KJV Leviticus 6:27 27 Whatsoever shall touch the flesh thereof shall be holy: and when there is sprinkled of the blood thereof upon any garment, thou shalt wash that whereon it was sprinkled in the holy place. KJV Leviticus 8:10 10 And Moses took the anointing oil, and anointed the tabernacle and all that was therein, and sanctified them. KJV Leviticus 8:11 11 And he sprinkled thereof upon the altar seven times, and anointed the altar and all his vessels, both the laver and his foot, to sanctify them. KJV Leviticus 8:12 12 And he poured of the anointing oil upon Aaron's head, and anointed him, to sanctify him. KJV Leviticus 8:15 15 And he slew it; and Moses took the blood, and put it upon the horns of the altar round about with his finger, and purified the altar, and poured the blood at the bottom of the altar, and sanctified it, to make reconciliation upon it. KJV Leviticus 8:30 30 And Moses took of the anointing oil, and of the blood which was upon the altar, and sprinkled it upon Aaron, and upon his garments, and upon his sons, and upon his sons' garments with him; and sanctified Aaron, and his garments, and his sons, and his sons' garments with him. KJV Leviticus 10:3 3 Then Moses said unto Aaron, This is it that the Lord spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace. KJV Leviticus 11:44 44 For I am the Lord your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. KJV Leviticus 16:19 19 And he shall sprinkle of the blood upon it with his finger seven times, and cleanse it, and hallow it from the uncleanness of the children of Israel. KJV Leviticus 20:7 7 Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the Lord your God. KJV Leviticus 20:8 8 And ye shall keep my statutes, and do them: I am the Lord which sanctify you. KJV Leviticus 21:8 8 Thou shalt sanctify him therefore; for he offereth the bread of thy God: he shall be holy unto thee: for I the Lord, which sanctify you, am holy. KJV Leviticus 21:8 8 Thou shalt sanctify him therefore; for he offereth the bread of thy God: he shall be holy unto thee: for I the Lord, which sanctify you, am holy. KJV Leviticus 21:15 15 Neither shall he profane his seed among his people: for I the Lord do sanctify him. KJV Leviticus 21:23 23 Only he shall not go in unto the vail, nor come nigh unto the altar, because he hath a blemish; that he profane not my sanctuaries: for I the Lord do sanctify them. KJV Leviticus 22:2 2 Speak unto Aaron and to his sons, that they separate themselves from the holy things of the children of Israel, and that they profane not my holy name in those things which they hallow unto me: I am the Lord. KJV Leviticus 22:3 3 Say unto them, Whosoever he be of all your seed among your generations, that goeth unto the holy things, which the children of Israel hallow unto the Lord, having his uncleanness upon him, that soul shall be cut off from my presence: I am the Lord. KJV Leviticus 22:9 9 They shall therefore keep mine ordinance, lest they bear sin for it, and die therefore, if they profane it: I the Lord do sanctify them. KJV Leviticus 22:16 16 Or suffer them to bear the iniquity of trespass, when they eat their holy things: for I the Lord do sanctify them. KJV Leviticus 22:32 32 Neither shall ye profane my holy name; but I will be hallowed among the children of Israel: I am the Lord which hallow you, KJV Leviticus 22:32 32 Neither shall ye profane my holy name; but I will be hallowed among the children of Israel: I am the Lord which hallow you, KJV Leviticus 25:10 10 And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof: it shall be a jubilee unto you; and ye shall return every man unto his possession, and ye shall return every man unto his family. KJV Leviticus 27:14 14 And when a man shall sanctify his house to be holy unto the Lord, then the priest shall estimate it, whether it be good or bad: as the priest shall estimate it, so shall it stand. KJV Leviticus 27:15 15 And if he that sanctified it will redeem his house, then he shall add the fifth part of the money of thy estimation unto it, and it shall be his. KJV Leviticus 27:16 16 And if a man shall sanctify unto the Lord some part of a field of his possession, then thy estimation shall be according to the seed thereof: an homer of barley seed shall be valued at fifty shekels of silver. KJV Leviticus 27:17 17 If he sanctify his field from the year of jubilee, according to thy estimation it shall stand. KJV Leviticus 27:18 18 But if he sanctify his field after the jubilee, then the priest shall reckon unto him the money according to the years that remain, even unto the year of the jubilee, and it shall be abated from thy estimation. KJV Leviticus 27:19 19 And if he that sanctified the field will in any wise redeem it, then he shall add the fifth part of the money of thy estimation unto it, and it shall be assured to him. KJV Leviticus 27:22 22 And if a man sanctify unto the Lord a field which he hath bought, which is not of the fields of his possession; KJV Leviticus 27:26 26 Only the firstling of the beasts, which should be the Lord's firstling, no man shall sanctify it; whether it be ox, or sheep: it is the Lord's. KJV Numbers 3:13 13 Because all the firstborn are mine; for on the day that I smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt I hallowed unto me all the firstborn in Israel, both man and beast: mine shall they be: I am the Lord. KJV Numbers 6:11 11 And the priest shall offer the one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering, and make an atonement for him, for that he sinned by the dead, and shall hallow his head that same day. KJV Numbers 7:1 7 And it came to pass on the day that Moses had fully set up the tabernacle, and had anointed it, and sanctified it, and all the instruments thereof, both the altar and all the vessels thereof, and had anointed them, and sanctified them; KJV Numbers 7:1 7 And it came to pass on the day that Moses had fully set up the tabernacle, and had anointed it, and sanctified it, and all the instruments thereof, both the altar and all the vessels thereof, and had anointed them, and sanctified them; KJV Numbers 8:17 17 For all the firstborn of the children of Israel are mine, both man and beast: on the day that I smote every firstborn in the land of Egypt I sanctified them for myself. KJV Numbers 11:18 18 And say thou unto the people, Sanctify yourselves against to morrow, and ye shall eat flesh: for ye have wept in the ears of the Lord, saying, Who shall give us flesh to eat? for it was well with us in Egypt: therefore the Lord will give you flesh, and ye shall eat. KJV Numbers 16:37 37 Speak unto Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, that he take up the censers out of the burning, and scatter thou the fire yonder; for they are hallowed. KJV Numbers 16:38 38 The censers of these sinners against their own souls, let them make them broad plates for a covering of the altar: for they offered them before the Lord, therefore they are hallowed: and they shall be a sign unto the children of Israel. KJV Numbers 20:12 12 And the Lord spake unto Moses and Aaron, Because ye believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them. KJV Numbers 20:13 13 This is the water of Meribah; because the children of Israel strove with the Lord, and he was sanctified in them. KJV Numbers 27:14 14 For ye rebelled against my commandment in the desert of Zin, in the strife of the congregation, to sanctify me at the water before their eyes: that is the water of Meribah in Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin. KJV Deuteronomy 5:12 12 Keep the sabbath day to sanctify it, as the Lord thy God hath commanded thee. KJV Deuteronomy 15:19 19 All the firstling males that come of thy herd and of thy flock thou shalt sanctify unto the Lord thy God: thou shalt do no work with the firstling of thy bullock, nor shear the firstling of thy sheep. KJV Deuteronomy 22:9 9 Thou shalt not sow thy vineyard with divers seeds: lest the fruit of thy seed which thou hast sown, and the fruit of thy vineyard, be defiled. KJV Deuteronomy 32:51 51 Because ye trespassed against me among the children of Israel at the waters of Meribah-Kadesh, in the wilderness of Zin; because ye sanctified me not in the midst of the children of Israel. KJV Joshua 3:5 5 And Joshua said unto the people, Sanctify yourselves: for to morrow the Lord will do wonders among you. KJV Joshua 7:13 13 Up, sanctify the people, and say, Sanctify yourselves against to morrow: for thus saith the Lord God of Israel, There is an accursed thing in the midst of thee, O Israel: thou canst not stand before thine enemies, until ye take away the accursed thing from among you. KJV Joshua 7:13 13 Up, sanctify the people, and say, Sanctify yourselves against to morrow: for thus saith the Lord God of Israel, There is an accursed thing in the midst of thee, O Israel: thou canst not stand before thine enemies, until ye take away the accursed thing from among you. KJV Joshua 20:7 7 And they appointed Kedesh in Galilee in mount Naphtali, and Shechem in mount Ephraim, and Kirjath-arba, which is Hebron, in the mountain of Judah. KJV Judges 17:3 3 And when he had restored the eleven hundred shekels of silver to his mother, his mother said, I had wholly dedicated the silver unto the Lord from my hand for my son, to make a graven image and a molten image: now therefore I will restore it unto thee. KJV Judges 17:3 3 And when he had restored the eleven hundred shekels of silver to his mother, his mother said, I had wholly dedicated the silver unto the Lord from my hand for my son, to make a graven image and a molten image: now therefore I will restore it unto thee. KJV 1 Samuel 7:1 7 And the men of Kirjath-jearim came, and fetched up the ark of the Lord, and brought it into the house of Abinadab in the hill, and sanctified Eleazar his son to keep the ark of the Lord. KJV 1 Samuel 16:5 5 And he said, Peaceably: I am come to sacrifice unto the Lord: sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice. And he sanctified Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice. KJV 1 Samuel 16:5 5 And he said, Peaceably: I am come to sacrifice unto the Lord: sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice. And he sanctified Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice. KJV 1 Samuel 21:5 5 And David answered the priest, and said unto him, Of a truth women have been kept from us about these three days, since I came out, and the vessels of the young men are holy, and the bread is in a manner common, yea, though it were sanctified this day in the vessel. KJV 2 Samuel 8:11 11 Which also king David did dedicate unto the Lord, with the silver and gold that he had dedicated of all nations which he subdued; KJV 2 Samuel 8:11 11 Which also king David did dedicate unto the Lord, with the silver and gold that he had dedicated of all nations which he subdued; KJV 2 Samuel 11:4 4 And David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in unto him, and he lay with her; for she was purified from her uncleanness: and she returned unto her house. KJV 1 Kings 8:64 64 The same day did the king hallow the middle of the court that was before the house of the Lord: for there he offered burnt offerings, and meat offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings: because the brasen altar that was before the Lord was too little to receive the burnt offerings, and meat offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings. KJV 1 Kings 9:3 3 And the Lord said unto him, I have heard thy prayer and thy supplication, that thou hast made before me: I have hallowed this house, which thou hast built, to put my name there for ever; and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually. KJV 1 Kings 9:7 7 Then will I cut off Israel out of the land which I have given them; and this house, which I have hallowed for my name, will I cast out of my sight; and Israel shall be a proverb and a byword among all people: KJV 2 Kings 10:20 20 And Jehu said, Proclaim a solemn assembly for Baal. And they proclaimed it. KJV 2 Kings 12:18 18 And Jehoash king of Judah took all the hallowed things that Jehoshaphat, and Jehoram, and Ahaziah, his fathers, kings of Judah, had dedicated, and his own hallowed things, and all the gold that was found in the treasures of the house of the Lord, and in the king's house, and sent it to Hazael king of Syria: and he went away from Jerusalem. KJV 1 Chronicles 15:12 12 And said unto them, Ye are the chief of the fathers of the Levites: sanctify yourselves, both ye and your brethren, that ye may bring up the ark of the Lord God of Israel unto the place that I have prepared for it. KJV 1 Chronicles 15:14 14 So the priests and the Levites sanctified themselves to bring up the ark of the Lord God of Israel. KJV 1 Chronicles 18:11 11 Them also king David dedicated unto the Lord, with the silver and the gold that he brought from all these nations; from Edom, and from Moab, and from the children of Ammon, and from the Philistines, and from Amalek. KJV 1 Chronicles 23:13 13 The sons of Amram; Aaron and Moses: and Aaron was separated, that he should sanctify the most holy things, he and his sons for ever, to burn incense before the Lord, to minister unto him, and to bless in his name for ever. KJV 1 Chronicles 26:26 26 Which Shelomith and his brethren were over all the treasures of the dedicated things, which David the king, and the chief fathers, the captains over thousands and hundreds, and the captains of the host, had dedicated. KJV 1 Chronicles 26:27 27 Out of the spoils won in battles did they dedicate to maintain the house of the Lord. KJV 1 Chronicles 26:28 28 And all that Samuel the seer, and Saul the son of Kish, and Abner the son of Ner, and Joab the son of Zeruiah, had dedicated; and whosoever had dedicated any thing, it was under the hand of Shelomith, and of his brethren. KJV 1 Chronicles 26:28 28 And all that Samuel the seer, and Saul the son of Kish, and Abner the son of Ner, and Joab the son of Zeruiah, had dedicated; and whosoever had dedicated any thing, it was under the hand of Shelomith, and of his brethren. KJV 2 Chronicles 2:4 4 Behold, I build an house to the name of the Lord my God, to dedicate it to him, and to burn before him sweet incense, and for the continual shewbread, and for the burnt offerings morning and evening, on the sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the solemn feasts of the Lord our God. This is an ordinance for ever to Israel. KJV 2 Chronicles 5:11 11 And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place: (for all the priests that were present were sanctified, and did not then wait by course: KJV 2 Chronicles 7:7 7 Moreover Solomon hallowed the middle of the court that was before the house of the Lord: for there he offered burnt offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings, because the brasen altar which Solomon had made was not able to receive the burnt offerings, and the meat offerings, and the fat. KJV 2 Chronicles 7:16 16 For now have I chosen and sanctified this house, that my name may be there for ever: and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually. KJV 2 Chronicles 7:20 20 Then will I pluck them up by the roots out of my land which I have given them; and this house, which I have sanctified for my name, will I cast out of my sight, and will make it to be a proverb and a byword among all nations. KJV 2 Chronicles 15:18 18 And he brought into the house of God the things that his father had dedicated, and that he himself had dedicated, silver, and gold, and vessels. KJV 2 Chronicles 26:18 18 And they withstood Uzziah the king, and said unto him, It appertaineth not unto thee, Uzziah, to burn incense unto the Lord, but to the priests the sons of Aaron, that are consecrated to burn incense: go out of the sanctuary; for thou hast trespassed; neither shall it be for thine honour from the Lord God. KJV 2 Chronicles 29:5 5 And said unto them, Hear me, ye Levites, sanctify now yourselves, and sanctify the house of the Lord God of your fathers, and carry forth the filthiness out of the holy place. KJV 2 Chronicles 29:5 5 And said unto them, Hear me, ye Levites, sanctify now yourselves, and sanctify the house of the Lord God of your fathers, and carry forth the filthiness out of the holy place. KJV 2 Chronicles 29:15 15 And they gathered their brethren, and sanctified themselves, and came, according to the commandment of the king, by the words of the Lord, to cleanse the house of the Lord. KJV 2 Chronicles 29:17 17 Now they began on the first day of the first month to sanctify, and on the eighth day of the month came they to the porch of the Lord: so they sanctified the house of the Lord in eight days; and in the sixteenth day of the first month they made an end. KJV 2 Chronicles 29:17 17 Now they began on the first day of the first month to sanctify, and on the eighth day of the month came they to the porch of the Lord: so they sanctified the house of the Lord in eight days; and in the sixteenth day of the first month they made an end. KJV 2 Chronicles 29:19 19 Moreover all the vessels, which king Ahaz in his reign did cast away in his transgression, have we prepared and sanctified, and, behold, they are before the altar of the Lord. KJV 2 Chronicles 29:33 33 And the consecrated things were six hundred oxen and three thousand sheep. KJV 2 Chronicles 29:34 34 But the priests were too few, so that they could not flay all the burnt offerings: wherefore their brethren the Levites did help them, till the work was ended, and until the other priests had sanctified themselves: for the Levites were more upright in heart to sanctify themselves than the priests. KJV 2 Chronicles 29:34 34 But the priests were too few, so that they could not flay all the burnt offerings: wherefore their brethren the Levites did help them, till the work was ended, and until the other priests had sanctified themselves: for the Levites were more upright in heart to sanctify themselves than the priests. KJV 2 Chronicles 30:3 3 For they could not keep it at that time, because the priests had not sanctified themselves sufficiently, neither had the people gathered themselves together to Jerusalem. KJV 2 Chronicles 30:8 8 Now be ye not stiffnecked, as your fathers were, but yield yourselves unto the Lord, and enter into his sanctuary, which he hath sanctified for ever: and serve the Lord your God, that the fierceness of his wrath may turn away from you. KJV 2 Chronicles 30:15 15 Then they killed the passover on the fourteenth day of the second month: and the priests and the Levites were ashamed, and sanctified themselves, and brought in the burnt offerings into the house of the Lord. KJV 2 Chronicles 30:17 17 For there were many in the congregation that were not sanctified: therefore the Levites had the charge of the killing of the passovers for every one that was not clean, to sanctify them unto the Lord. KJV 2 Chronicles 30:17 17 For there were many in the congregation that were not sanctified: therefore the Levites had the charge of the killing of the passovers for every one that was not clean, to sanctify them unto the Lord. KJV 2 Chronicles 30:24 24 For Hezekiah king of Judah did give to the congregation a thousand bullocks and seven thousand sheep; and the princes gave to the congregation a thousand bullocks and ten thousand sheep: and a great number of priests sanctified themselves. KJV 2 Chronicles 31:6 6 And concerning the children of Israel and Judah, that dwelt in the cities of Judah, they also brought in the tithe of oxen and sheep, and the tithe of holy things which were consecrated unto the Lord their God, and laid them by heaps. KJV 2 Chronicles 31:14 14 And Kore the son of Imnah the Levite, the porter toward the east, was over the freewill offerings of God, to distribute the oblations of the Lord, and the most holy things. KJV 2 Chronicles 31:18 18 And to the genealogy of all their little ones, their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, through all the congregation: for in their set office they sanctified themselves in holiness: KJV 2 Chronicles 35:6 6 So kill the passover, and sanctify yourselves, and prepare your brethren, that they may do according to the word of the Lord by the hand of Moses. KJV 2 Chronicles 36:14 14 Moreover all the chief of the priests, and the people, transgressed very much after all the abominations of the heathen; and polluted the house of the Lord which he had hallowed in Jerusalem. KJV Ezra 3:5 5 And afterward offered the continual burnt offering, both of the new moons, and of all the set feasts of the Lord that were consecrated, and of every one that willingly offered a freewill offering unto the Lord. KJV Nehemiah 3:1 3 Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brethren the priests, and they builded the sheep gate; they sanctified it, and set up the doors of it; even unto the tower of Meah they sanctified it, unto the tower of Hananeel. KJV Nehemiah 3:1 3 Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brethren the priests, and they builded the sheep gate; they sanctified it, and set up the doors of it; even unto the tower of Meah they sanctified it, unto the tower of Hananeel. KJV Nehemiah 12:47 47 And all Israel in the days of Zerubbabel, and in the days of Nehemiah, gave the portions of the singers and the porters, every day his portion: and they sanctified holy things unto the Levites; and the Levites sanctified them unto the children of Aaron. KJV Nehemiah 12:47 47 And all Israel in the days of Zerubbabel, and in the days of Nehemiah, gave the portions of the singers and the porters, every day his portion: and they sanctified holy things unto the Levites; and the Levites sanctified them unto the children of Aaron. KJV Nehemiah 13:22 22 And I commanded the Levites that they should cleanse themselves, and that they should come and keep the gates, to sanctify the sabbath day. Remember me, O my God, concerning this also, and spare me according to the greatness of thy mercy. KJV Job 1:5 5 And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually. KJV Isaiah 5:16 16 But the Lord of hosts shall be exalted in judgment, and God that is holy shall be sanctified in righteousness. KJV Isaiah 8:13 13 Sanctify the Lord of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. KJV Isaiah 13:3 3 I have commanded my sanctified ones, I have also called my mighty ones for mine anger, even them that rejoice in my highness. KJV Isaiah 29:23 23 But when he seeth his children, the work of mine hands, in the midst of him, they shall sanctify my name, and sanctify the Holy One of Jacob, and shall fear the God of Israel. KJV Isaiah 29:23 23 But when he seeth his children, the work of mine hands, in the midst of him, they shall sanctify my name, and sanctify the Holy One of Jacob, and shall fear the God of Israel. KJV Isaiah 30:29 29 Ye shall have a song, as in the night when a holy solemnity is kept; and gladness of heart, as when one goeth with a pipe to come into the mountain of the Lord, to the mighty One of Israel. KJV Isaiah 65:5 5 Which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou. These are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day. KJV Isaiah 66:17 17 They that sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in the gardens behind one tree in the midst, eating swine's flesh, and the abomination, and the mouse, shall be consumed together, saith the Lord. KJV Jeremiah 1:5 5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. KJV Jeremiah 6:4 4 Prepare ye war against her; arise, and let us go up at noon. Woe unto us! for the day goeth away, for the shadows of the evening are stretched out. KJV Jeremiah 12:3 3 But thou, O Lord, knowest me: thou hast seen me, and tried mine heart toward thee: pull them out like sheep for the slaughter, and prepare them for the day of slaughter. KJV Jeremiah 17:22 22 Neither carry forth a burden out of your houses on the sabbath day, neither do ye any work, but hallow ye the sabbath day, as I commanded your fathers. KJV Jeremiah 17:24 24 And it shall come to pass, if ye diligently hearken unto me, saith the Lord, to bring in no burden through the gates of this city on the sabbath day, but hallow the sabbath day, to do no work therein; KJV Jeremiah 17:27 27 But if ye will not hearken unto me to hallow the sabbath day, and not to bear a burden, even entering in at the gates of Jerusalem on the sabbath day; then will I kindle a fire in the gates thereof, and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem, and it shall not be quenched. KJV Jeremiah 22:7 7 And I will prepare destroyers against thee, every one with his weapons: and they shall cut down thy choice cedars, and cast them into the fire. KJV Jeremiah 51:27 27 Set ye up a standard in the land, blow the trumpet among the nations, prepare the nations against her, call together against her the kingdoms of Ararat, Minni, and Ashchenaz; appoint a captain against her; cause the horses to come up as the rough caterpillers. KJV Jeremiah 51:28 28 Prepare against her the nations with the kings of the Medes, the captains thereof, and all the rulers thereof, and all the land of his dominion. KJV Ezekiel 7:24 24 Wherefore I will bring the worst of the heathen, and they shall possess their houses: I will also make the pomp of the strong to cease; and their holy places shall be defiled. KJV Ezekiel 20:12 12 Moreover also I gave them my sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the Lord that sanctify them. KJV Ezekiel 20:20 20 And hallow my sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between me and you, that ye may know that I am the Lord your God. KJV Ezekiel 20:41 41 I will accept you with your sweet savour, when I bring you out from the people, and gather you out of the countries wherein ye have been scattered; and I will be sanctified in you before the heathen. KJV Ezekiel 28:22 22 And say, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I am against thee, O Zidon; and I will be glorified in the midst of thee: and they shall know that I am the Lord, when I shall have executed judgments in her, and shall be sanctified in her. KJV Ezekiel 28:25 25 Thus saith the Lord God; When I shall have gathered the house of Israel from the people among whom they are scattered, and shall be sanctified in them in the sight of the heathen, then shall they dwell in their land that I have given to my servant Jacob. KJV Ezekiel 36:23 23 And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the Lord, saith the Lord God, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes. KJV Ezekiel 36:23 23 And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the Lord, saith the Lord God, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes. KJV Ezekiel 37:28 28 And the heathen shall know that I the Lord do sanctify Israel, when my sanctuary shall be in the midst of them for evermore. KJV Ezekiel 38:16 16 And thou shalt come up against my people of Israel, as a cloud to cover the land; it shall be in the latter days, and I will bring thee against my land, that the heathen may know me, when I shall be sanctified in thee, O Gog, before their eyes. KJV Ezekiel 38:23 23 Thus will I magnify myself, and sanctify myself; and I will be known in the eyes of many nations, and they shall know that I am the Lord. KJV Ezekiel 39:27 27 When I have brought them again from the people, and gathered them out of their enemies' lands, and am sanctified in them in the sight of many nations; KJV Ezekiel 44:19 19 And when they go forth into the utter court, even into the utter court to the people, they shall put off their garments wherein they ministered, and lay them in the holy chambers, and they shall put on other garments; and they shall not sanctify the people with their garments. KJV Ezekiel 44:24 24 And in controversy they shall stand in judgment; and they shall judge it according to my judgments: and they shall keep my laws and my statutes in all mine assemblies; and they shall hallow my sabbaths. KJV Ezekiel 46:20 20 Then said he unto me, This is the place where the priests shall boil the trespass offering and the sin offering, where they shall bake the meat offering; that they bear them not out into the utter court, to sanctify the people. KJV Ezekiel 48:11 11 It shall be for the priests that are sanctified of the sons of Zadok; which have kept my charge, which went not astray when the children of Israel went astray, as the Levites went astray. KJV Joel 1:14 14 Sanctify ye a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land into the house of the Lord your God, and cry unto the Lord, KJV Joel 2:15 15 Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly: KJV Joel 2:16 16 Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet. KJV Joel 3:9 9 Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles; Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up: KJV Micah 3:5 5 Thus saith the Lord concerning the prophets that make my people err, that bite with their teeth, and cry, Peace; and he that putteth not into their mouths, they even prepare war against him. KJV Zephaniah 1:7 7 Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord God: for the day of the Lord is at hand: for the Lord hath prepared a sacrifice, he hath bid his guests. KJV Haggai 2:12 12 If one bear holy flesh in the skirt of his garment, and with his skirt do touch bread, or pottage, or wine, or oil, or any meat, shall it be holy? And the priests answered and said, No. KJV

Power to Forgive

I have been reading the story of Joseph and have grieved with him as he was so wrongfully mistreated -  yet, when all is said and done, here is what he says to his brothers that caused him such harm:

Gen 45:5-7 Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life. (6) For these two years hath the famine been in the land: and yet there are five years, in the which there shall neither be earing nor harvest. (7) And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. 


Gen 50:20-21 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. (21) Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them.

As I have read this, I have been impressed with a key that can help me to forgive when I am mistreated.  I need to understand that the sovereignty of God has been working right alongside the "meanness" of others toward me.  What I mean is:  God never causes people to sin against me and you, but He does orchestrate that conflict to work good in me, and perhaps even good in them.  This sovereign control of our God is something that gives us strength then to forgive others.  Joseph was able to forgive and even comfort his brothers because he knew that God's hand was even in their attack of him. 

If you and I can believe and remember this, we can find strength to forgive and even thankfulness for people being mean to us!

pw

Is Christ Divided?

1Corinthians 1:11-13  For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.  (12)  Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.  (13)  Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?

Here was a struggle in the church of Corinth.  There were divisions because members were worshiping a certain man and his particular style of preaching.  Paul greatly rebukes this in the next several chapters making the point that we don't worship MEN.   We are not "OF" men.   Men who are spiritually gifted are to be imitated, listened to, learned from, respected, and even obeyed - but not to cause factions or groups to themselves.

Frankly, this is always a temptation within the body of Christ.  It comes from Preachers who may struggle with the temptation of pride that comes when people listen to them and value them over other fellow Ministers.  Also, there is a tendency that we all have to want to exalt and rally around those who make an impact on us.  There is a loyalty that starts with good motives, but may grow to a faction that pulls the attention away from Jesus Christ and places it on men who are supposed to be His slaves!  It is often easier to focus on men who we can follow physically than Christ whom we must pursue spiritually.

By inspiration, the writer simply says "Is Christ divided?" - the answer to that is "NO!"  When there are divisions within the church following certain leaders or even laymen, we have taken our eyes off of the Goal.  That Goal is Christ.

Is your pastor REALLY preaching God's Word to you?

Is your pastor REALLY preaching God's Word to you?

That may seem like a silly question.  I mean, you go to the church service, open your Bible, listen for 30-45 minutes, have an invitation and then go home - of course he is preaching God's Word isn't he?

I would like to explore that question by giving you an illustration that Pastor Mark Minnick used while instructing a room full of preachers what it is to preach God's Word.  He said if you were studying topography and were sent to a certain mountain to bring back a report on that mountain, you would go and study the mountain and write the report on things like size, height, mass, number of trees, texture, type of rocks, etc.  You would DISCOVER and write the report.  What you would not do is CREATE.  There is no creation to be done.  The mountain is already there, you just need to discover what is there are present it in a report.  This is preaching.

Unfortunately, there are many sermons that are created instead of being discovered in the Bible text itself.  God has already presented the thought patterns, context, points, structure, flow, argumentation, etc.  A Pastor's sermons should mirror the exact thought patterns and argumentation of a certain passage or paragraph of Scripture or he is not really preaching God's Word.  He is preaching a Dr. Frankenstein experiment of his own creation.  He is combining cliche's and folk truth that he has heard to present 35 minutes of a so called sermon that everyone leaves saying "that was acceptable, or he really got going, or that was really good (creation)".  This is not preaching God's Word.

Sermons that truly mirror the argument of each paragraph of Scripture sometimes are shocking and even tough to ingest because they are Divine Argument.  God often does not go to the cliche' Sunday School answer in the next verse.  He goes where His divine heart would go.  That is tough for some pastors because it doesn't sound like "3 points and a poem" like happens in most pulpits.

But when we preach this way, something incredible happens:  people change.  Cliche' preaching of repeating "ear candy" sayings and rhymes does not change people because it is man's word.  God's thinking changes people.

I am not saying there is no place for Topical sermons - but those topical sermons had better be preached with contextual understanding.  That means the preacher doesn't just string together rapid fire verses to support his point - he carefully searches out scripture that connects to the subject he is preaching and DISCOVERS God's mind on it and then preaches it carefully using the key passages of Scripture using the verses in such a way as to perfectly preserve the verse in the meaning God meant for it to mean in the context it was plucked from.  Frankly, even Topical preaching is best done by going to the key passages and preaching them in their own contexts.

Here are some telling questions to answer the original question of if your pastor is REALLY preaching God's Word to you:

1.  Does he take you to the passage he is preaching in your Bible and explain the context?

2.  Does he get the "points" of his sermon from the points God makes in the Bible paragraph?

3.  Is the argument flow of his sermon the same as you can read right there in the Bible on your lap?

4.  Does he often refer to phrases/words in the passage as he preaches (this indicates he is following the passage as he preaches...this is very good)

5.  Is he skipping verses as he preaches?  (this is not good.  Why is he skipping what God wrote?  Why is he not following the flow God did in the verses?)

6.  Are you hearing the same popular verses over and over?  (this is bad...he needs to preach the whole Scripture.  There are 66 books, why are you hearing the same verses?)

7.  Is he explaining the modern meaning of words?  (this is essential - the Hebrew and Greek are not always played out by our translations.  The preacher definitely needs to clearly define words that God gave originally by inspiration.)

8.  If you read the same Bible passage later, can you recall the sermon.  It should "mirror", so the sermon should be easy to recall.  If it is DISCOVERY, it will look the same as the passage.  If it is "Creation", there is no telling what monster may emerge. 

I do hope this helps challenge pastors to do their job and congregants to seek a church that preaches the very Word of God.

pw

Today is the End of the World

This is October 21st, the postponed or redefined date of the End of the World by Harold Camping.

I will not waste your time talking about this heretic - I have written an earlier blog entry on him.  I will however challenge you with the question "Are you ready for the end?"  We do know that it is coming, whether Oct. 21, Dec. 5th, or ten years from now......

To put that in Biblical thinking, are you ready for the Lord to come today.  If you are a recipient of the grace that is in Jesus Christ, that would mean what we call "the rapture".  At first you may jump to the rehearsed answer "of course I am ready!" - however, are you ready to give account of the "things done in your body, whether they be good or bad?" as the Scripture says.

There is no condemnation to those in Christ and this cannot be answering for any/all/part of our sin.  This means the quality of the good works done in our body since we have received Jesus.  Those works, words, sacrifices to God are either good or bad.  Period.

I think about this and I am not so sure that I am ready to stand before that trial of fire.  I know that I have done many things in the name of the Lord, love, etc., but I am left with the strong impression and reality that many of them were done with motives that were prideful, selfish, and even self serving.  It is a struggle to do these works that will be tried with pure motives.  I think we have to have supernatural grace to do any works purely.

I have scripturally stained thoughts also about "the crowns" or rewards that we will receive.  We quickly quote the Revelation 4 passage about these being cast at Jesus feet, and He certainly is worthy of that - but the passage we quote is not the passage of the saint's crowning, but of the "24 elders of heaven".  Sometimes this "casting crowns" is a scapegoat for believers not to realize that what they are doing right now will have eternal impact on their standing in heaven.  It is not like we will cast the crowns and then we all will be equal.  As in Rev. 4 with the elders, there is ranking in heaven.  We see that discussed with James and John's mother in the gospels who wants her sons to sit on the left and right of Jesus when He comes to power. 

What I am saying is that your works as a believer do matter and will be rewarded accurate to your service, love, sacrifice, faithfulness.  This reward will be played out in your Millennium and perhaps heavenly ranking.  This is also illustrated by the parables of the talents when the managers are rewarded according to what they have done with the money entrusted them.

So, I return to Judgement Day today.  Are you ready?  Understanding that what you have done on this earth continues into eternity, are you ready to meet the Lord?

pw

Love Lasts

I am sitting here this morning thinking about the passage in I Corinthians that I will be preaching tomorrow morning.  The last phrase we will see before the invitation is "Charity (love) never faileth".  It is like the Lord is saying that the validity of all he has taught us about loving people for the last several verses should be our goal because of the nobility and eternality of love.

So, what does that mean?  "love never fails?"  If you keep reading it becomes clear that many of the things that we think are tremendous spiritual virtues and abilities (prophecy,tongues, knowledge) will be gone at some point in history.  Those supernatural revelations will be no more - but love "lasts".  It will be a high and noble virtue supported by the Lord on through all of eternity.

I think about that in my love to people.  For instance, in my love to my children, some of the things that cause friction between us and I make a big deal of simply will not last.  I allow things like their lack of performance in school, chores, etc.  to interrupt the fellowship of my love to them when the truth is whether they earned a "B" or a "C" in Chemistry is not going to matter in the grander scheme of things that really matter.  Love does matter.  Love lasts.  We certainly must push our kids, but not to the point of causing anger and deep scars from our words and scoldings.

We have but a few fleeting years with friends, family, coworkers, spouses, etc.  We need to concentrate our relationships with others on what matters: Love.  Love lasts and so we must make it the highest priority with others right now.

pw

The Sin of President Obama

Luke 3:18-20 And many other things in his exhortation preached he unto the people. (19) But Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias his brother Philip's wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done, (20) Added yet this above all, that he shut up John in prison.


As I was reading this today, I was reminded of the responsibility of preachers of God to call out the sin of government leaders.  There is a careful balance between the respect that we owe our leadership (Romans 12) and the responsibility for the mouthpieces of God to declare sin and repentance to those who are over our land.


Listen to our President on Homosexual rights:
"We've got more work ahead of us. But we can also be proud of the progress we've made these past two and a half years. Think about it," he said, mentioning the repeal of DADT, new hospital visitation rights for same-sex couples and hate crimes legislation protecting LGBT individuals.

"I need your help to fight for equality, to pass a repeal of DOMA, to pass an inclusive employment non-discrimination bill, so that being gay is never again a fireable offensive in America," said Obama. "And I don't have to tell you, there are those who don't want to just stand in our way, but want to turn the clock back, who want to return to the days when gay people couldn't serve their country openly. Who reject the progress we've made. Who ... want to enshrine discrimination in state laws and constitutions -- efforts that we've got to work hard to oppose, because that's not what America should be about. We're not about restricting rights and restricting opportunity."

President Obama's Administration has made wicked progress on Civil Unions and Gay Marriage. This is a terrible and sinful responsibility that he bears and will give account for to Almighty God. His position as the most powerful man in the world carries with it the mandate to lead the world to righteousness and obedience to the laws of God. This is not a minor thing that should be ignored by Bible-believing Christians. We must use our rights and opportunities at the voting booth to remove this wicked man from leadership.

President Obama on Abortion: Obama, in a brief statement marking the 1973 Supreme Court opinion, said he also remains committed "to policies, initiatives and programs that help prevent unintended pregnancies, support pregnant women and mothers, encourage healthy relationships, and promote adoption..."on this anniversary, I hope that we will recommit ourselves more broadly to ensuring that our daughters have the same rights, the same freedoms, and the same opportunities as our sons to fulfill their dreams."

Again, our President serves wickedly by supporting the deaths of millions of innocent babies. This is murder and he is the loudest voice to stop this abomination in our country...yet, when given a chance, he supports the "rights" of women to support their own selfishness and murder their unborn babies. The blood of the innocent cries out for justice against you Mr. President.

President Obama on False Religion: "That experience guides my conviction that partnership between America and Islam must be based on what Islam is, not what it isn't. And I consider it part of my responsibility as president of the United States to fight against negative stereotypes of Islam wherever they appear."

Our President is an Idolator. We must not be the "frog in the pot" of the gospel of tolerance. It is not acceptable that President Obama panders to Islam. It is not expected or understood that an American president should be neutral on religion. There is only one true religion and all kings and presidents are under the authority of God to bow to it: The Worship of Jehovah and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Have we listened to the sweet words of Satan's media so long that we actually believe that there is some sort of "right" in America to subdue Christianity and promote Islam? Is this what our forefathers practiced? Absolutely not. "In God we trust" had only one Person in mind: Jehovah, the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ.

As John the Baptizer, I call out our President's sin and expose his wickedness. The responsibility of born again believers is to above all vote BIBLICALLY AND MORALLY. Government system's and Parties come and go, but the Word of the Lord endureth forever."

pw

The Grounds of Unity

We have been preaching through Philippians and 2:1 is not an easy verse to interpret. 

If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,
After studying it for a while, I concluded that the "consolation in Christ" mentioned here as well as the "comfort of love" were not speaking of something we could do for other believers, but rather something that Christ did and does to believers.  The consolation and comfort of love comes FROM Christ directly.

I know you may have heard it preached that we give the consolation and comfort of love because or by encouraging people about Christ.....but I don't believe this is what the verse means.  Verse 1 is the "grounds of Unity" - it is speaking of two People and what they do to give a foundation for unity:  Christ, and the Holy Spirit.

Listen to John MacArthur's commentary on the verse:  "Consolation" can also be translated "encouragement,"...which our beloved Lord does for His own.  comfort of love...portrays the Lord coming close and wihispering words of gentle cheer or tender counsel in a believer's ear."

I agree with this understanding and I think that is very clear when we understand that the "ifs" of the verse are assumptions of why we can always have unity in a local church.  Christ and the Holy Spirit's are always present in a true church.  These are non-variables and the "grounds" of unity.

pw

Construction and More

I wanted to give a quick update on how Construction was coming along on the church.

We are very excited that the Lord has answered the prayers to hold back the rain this week so far.  We have had full workdays with Nowland's crew.  The back of the property is amazingly ripped up with storm water management trenches, swills, etc.  They are laying pipe and other mechanisms to control water run-off of the site.

The construction entrance is/has going in and the various garages should be demolished in the next several days.  The crews are working hard toward the pouring of our building pad before the winter sets in.

In the meantime, final color/texture choices are being made for the building.  We have chosen a brick that was used in the New Visitor Center at the University of Delaware on South College Ave. across from the Morris Library.  It is a timeless deep red brick with variegated "flashing" that will be beautiful and available for time to come.  The roof will be "slate gray" metal and will match our existing building.  The exterior of the main building will be a neutral color with gritty texture similar to many "Dryvit" buildings you see in this area.

It is an exciting time and the best thing is that we are seeing now with our eyes thousands of prayers raised to the Lord over many years.  Amen, thank you Lord!!

pw

Happy In the Lord

Today I am happy in the Lord and I just wanted to tell someone.

We had such a good Lord's Day yesterday and that encourages my soul a good deal.  It is wonderful to see people of all ages fellowshipping in true Christian love.  I love to see pockets of people before and after the service just loving on each other and spending time building friendships that are sharpening each other in the Lord.  It is exciting when that happens naturally and is a sign of a healthy, Biblical church.

I also rejoice about the spiritual growth we have seen lately.  People's hearts are tender to the preaching of the Word.  We have had several saved lately, people waiting to be baptized, and a surge of church membership.  Amen.  Beyond this, there is growth spiritually in individuals that is not so public - People who are hungering and thirsting after righteousness (and by the way, being filled!)

Amy and I walked the construction site on Saturday and praised the Lord that the faith and patience of many years is becoming site.  Before long, Lord willing, we will see the steel arive for the frame of our building, the footers poured, and the site taking shape.  Wow....Amen. (Steel arrives in 7 weeks :)

There are many sorrows and hardships in our church right now and it is a joyful thing to see other believers responding to them in selfless ministry.  Hardship and joy rest side by side in the Christian life.

I just needed to praise the Lord today.  He is patiently teaching me about Himself in the Gospel of Mark.  I am very slowly letting go of my preconceptions of Jesus and seeing Him for who He really is in the phrases, actions, and chapters of God's Word.  I am trying to no longer stuff Jesus into the pretty boxes of my thinking, but rather allow Him to be who He really is and for me to admire and learn.

"I praise you this day Lord, I want to use my day for your glory.  Help me to remember today that I am dead with Christ on the cross, I am alive to righteousness because I was in/with Christ at the resurrection.  Let this Biblical Truth be my power for pleasing you this day.  In the name of Jesus, Amen."

Fourth of July Congressional Prayers

I thought that it would be good to see on this day that we celebrate the birth and greatness of our country the progression of spirituality and prayers to God that have been made over the years in our great countries Legislature.  I hope you enjoy and pray for the United States that first of all, the Gospel of Jesus Christ might continue to convert men and women to the will of Almighty God who birthed our nation.

Prayers in Congress

1861 (July 4), Senate Prayer

The following prayer was offered by Rev. Byron Sunderland, D.D.Almighty and everlasting God, be not angry with us for our sins, which we only confess and deplore; but pardon our offenses and extend to us Thy favor. We thank Thee for Thy goodness on this anniversary of the nation a day tenfold more precious by reason of our present troubles, and sacred to the heart for the ever memorable Declaration of our fathers, in which Thou didst begin more openly to give us a name among the nations of the earth. We thank Thee for all Thy manifold and abundant mercies hitherto to make our nation exceedingly great and glorious; but now disasters have befallen us and darkness broods in the land. And now we ask Thy mercy as the Senate is convening at a most momentous crisis of our history. Give to Thy servants all needed help. Add to their deliberations wisdom and unanimity, and profit and speed to their conclusion. Bless Thy servant, the President of the United States, our veteran Commander-in- Chief, and all that have functions in the civil and military power. May the angel of Thy presence walk in the Cabinet and in the Congress and in the camp, to go before, to purify, and to direct the now greatly and universally-awakened love of country. And we beseech Thee to guide us, to overrule and order all things, and so to cause that nothing shall fail, that the disorders of the land may be speedily healed, that peace and concord may prevail, that truth and righteousness may be established, and that Thy Church and Kingdom may flourish in a larger peace and prosperity, for Thy Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ's sake. Amen. (Source: Congressional Globe, 37th Congress, first session, new series, 1, 4 July 1861.)

1918 (July 4), House Prayer

The Chaplain, Rev. Henry N. Couden, D.D., offered the following prayer:Our Father in Heaven, the inspiration of every generous impulse, every high and noble aspiration, we thank Thee from our heart of hearts for the "Spirit of '76," which gave to us the immortal Declaration of Independence, which led on to victory and the formation of our Glorious Republic, which has not only been the wonder but the admiration of the world. We thank Thee for the day which will be celebrated with more than usual interest throughout the length and breadth of the land. The native born and the naturalized citizen will vie with each other in making it memorable.
For the first time in its history it will be celebrated by our sister nations, who are engaged with us in fighting for the same principles for which our forefather fought, in a world-wide war for humanity, liberty, justice, and equal rights for all mankind.
May it furnish new inspiration to us and our allies, which will bring victory to their arms; then an everlasting peace; to the glory and honor of Thy Holy Name. Amen. (Source: Congressional Record-House,65th Congress, second session, 56/9, July 4, 1918, 8668.)

1943 (July 5), Senate Prayer

The Chaplain, Rev. Frederick Brown Harris, D.D., offered the following prayer:Our fathers' God and ours, on the birthday of national independence we confess our dependence upon Thee. Without Thee we are lost in spite of the overwhelming might of our national arms.
We thank Thee for those pilgrims of faith who came hither in their frail barque across mountainous seas and who stepped upon strange shores with the salutation to a new world, "In the Name of God. Amen." The Nation here established, conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal has acknowledged that Name above every name and reverenced it, has built its altars, reared its temples, and raised its steeples, emblems of a faith that points to the skies and wings its sure and certain way to God. Make that faith of the fathers, we pray, real to us in these tempestuous days. Save us from a freedom of speech so empty that we have nothing worth saying, from a freedom of worship so futile that we have no God to adore, from freedom from want and fear with no creative idea as to how to use our plenty or our security for the redemption of our social order and for the salvation of our own souls. Let all that is low and unworthy in us sink to the depths. Let all that is high and fine in us rise to greet the morn of a new day confident that the best is yet to be. Amen. (Source: Congressional Record-Senate, 78th Congress, first session, 89/5, July 5, 1943, 7160.)

1962 (July 5), House Prayer

The Chaplain, Rev. Bernard Braskamp, D.D., offered the following prayer: Psalm 11: 3: If the foundations be destroyed what can the righteous do?O Thou Eternal God, may our minds and hearts be stirred with a deepening sense of patriotism and gratitude as we continue to think of that day of high and holy memory in our national history when a company of God-fearing men were guided by Thy divine wisdom to sign the Declaration of Independence
Grant that the blessings of freedom, which were purchased at a tremendous cost and which we prize so highly and are privileged to enjoy in such an abundant measure, may always be coordinated with the spirit of self-discipline.
Help us to cling with increasing tenacity of faith and fortitude to the great truth proclaimed by George Washington in his Farewell Address that religion and morality are indispensable and our national greatness if we allow them to be subverted and obliterated by secularism.
Hear us in the name of our blessed Lord. Amen. (Source: Congressional Record- House, 87th Congress, second session, 108/9, Thursday, July 5, 1962, 12703.)

1969 (July 2), Senate Prayer

The Chaplain, the Reverend Edward L. R. Elson, D.D., offered the following prayer:We thank Thee, O God, that the freedom we celebrate in coming days is not an attainment, but an obtainment that it is Thy precious gift to man as part of his createdness. We thank Thee for the daring of our forefathers in reclaiming their "ancient rights." We thank Thee, too, for the heroes' valor, the patriots' devotion, the prophets' vision, and for all the blood and sweat and toil by which our freedom was purchased. As we commemorate our national independence accept again the declaration of our everlasting dependence upon Thee. In all our joy and thanksgiving enable us to remain a nation "under God," and give us grace and goodness to minister to mankind in His name. Amen. (Source: Congressional Record-Senate, 91st Congress, first session, 115/14, Wednesday, July 2, 1969, 18185.)

1974 (July 3), House Prayer

The Chaplain, Rev. Edward G. Latch, D.D., offered the following prayer:Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord. Psalms 33: 12.
Eternal God, stir Thou our minds and stimulate our hearts with a high sense of patriotism as we approach the Fourth of July. May all that this day symbolizes renew our faith in freedom, our devotion to democracy, and redouble our efforts to keep a government of the people, by the people, and for the people truly alive in our world.
Grant that we may highly resolve on this great day to dedicate ourselves anew to the task of ushering in an era when good will shall live in the hearts of a free people, justice shall be the light to guide their feet, and peace shall be the goal of humankind: to the glory of Thy holy name and the good of our Nation and of all mankind. Amen. (Source: Congressional Record- House, 93d Congress, second session, 120/17, Wednesday July 3, 1974, 22130.)

1992 (July 7), House Prayer

The Reverend Norman A. Hjelm, director of faith and order, National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States, New York, NY, offered the following prayer:
Lord God of hosts, God of the nations: By your grace and in Your patience You have allowed this our land once again to celebrate its birth, its primal guest for liberty, justice, and equity. And we are grateful.
And once again by Your grace and in Your patience You have called this House-- responsible men and women who are equally faithful and unfaithful, righteous and unrighteous before You, each other, and the people-- You have called this House to the exercise of its solemn task of the legislation of law and the formation of the Nation.
Remind these Your servants that liberty, justice, and equity remain ahead of this Nation as tasks yet to be fulfilled and not as goals already reached.
Maintain before us a clear dedication to the needs of those in our midst who are on the outside because of age, ill health, race, sex, poverty, and urban or rural degredation.
And consecrate anew this Nation to the exercise of imaginative and sacrificial leadership in a restless and violent world which still struggles for authentic justice, peace, and a safe home in Your creation.
Accept now, O God, the labors of this day and the frail lives of Your servants in this House. To You be all honor and glory, world without end. Amen. (Source: Congressional Record-House, 102d Congress, second session, 138/99, Wednesday July 7, 1992, H5981.)

Courageous Parenting

I have been reminded this week through conversations and experience how much courage it takes to be a parent. It is one thing to know what God wants for our own lives and quite another to teach and enforce those things to our children.

We know the Scriptures that teach us to "command our children after us,” to diligently place the Great Command of Loving the Lord our God before their eyes always (Deut. 6). We know we must rear them in the "nurture and admonition" of the Lord, not "provoke them to wrath." But the practical application of "God's parenting curriculum" is very hard at times to carry out in everyday situations.

Some of the reasons and solutions for this difficulty need to be discussed:

1. As our children grow, their future isn't only a matter of our "bring up a child", but also a matter of their choice to follow the fear of the Lord, or reject it. In the early, mid, and late teen years, each child faces the personal choice of whether to follow the Lord. I most fear for our children who have made early professions of salvation in Christ and show no evidence of that regeneration in their life. It is very hard to know what to say to a child like this: "Are you really saved?" "You show no fruit?" "If you love the Lord, why do you rebel from His commands?” I confess that I don't know how to articulate the right question to open their eyes to the obvious conflict between their profession and their lifestyle.
   
   Each person individually comes to the choice of whether they will follow Christ. All the desire, prayer, and intent of the parents cannot change that one sobering truth. I do believe the aforementioned things are a factor in their decision, but in the end, your child must choose to accept or reject the way of the Lord. It is this truth that chills my inner man more than anything else about my family.
   
   
2. Another reason that it is hard to practically teach and enforce God's teaching is the changes that are occurring in our children. There is something very fearful about what happens between ages 12-15. I have had parents comment things like: "someone has taken my child and replaced him with this ‘Attitude.’” Suddenly, our 12 year old doesn't just do things because we say to. They question and actually care “why” they are doing things. They often have "better" ways to do them. Unfortunately, as they grow older and wiser, sometimes their ways are better. Now, how do we handle this? Do we give them free reign to be an arrogant teeny-bopper and say things like adults would say them? Absolutely not.
   
   We need to understand that God is developing them within and that naturally comes with a desire of independence. There is nothing wrong with that - in fact, we need to begin giving them more responsibility and even more say in things that are functional (not moral). It is good in a very controlled conversation situation to hear out your (pre)teen’s thoughts even if they are absurd. I find that I struggle to wait until it is my turn to talk because I want to "blow away" every crazy thought. Please understand with me that what comes out the mouth in preteen and teen years is like a baby bird attempting to fly for the first time. His posture is absurd. His technique is crazy. There is no possibility of successful flying given the continued approach. Gently, lovingly – parents, you and I need to listen and then speak God's truth in love. I confess, I need to work on this a lot.
   
   Within these exchanges however, is a magic line of respect. It is the authority that God has given you as parent that must be honored. You must not allow your child to cross this line by personal disrespect, rebellion, or usurping your authority. Hold the line with determined, unfaltering resilience.
   
   
3. The last think I will mention is the difficulty of teaching and enforcing God's ways because of the "energy crisis.” Let's face it - we cannot maintain enough energy in our 30's, 40's, and 50's to stand toe to toe with a mouthy teenager that has a seemingly endless supply of foolish reasons why they cannot simply obey or do right. It takes a huge amount of energy to parent. We need strength from God to meet the need. But, first I want to say that we must conserve our energy for battles that really matter. For instance, it may not be worth the fight to insist that your son change the color of his socks because his "fashion statement" doesn't match. Who cares - let him look like a bozo :)
   
   On the other hand, it is not wrong for you to make the decision your way even if it isn't a Bible command. You are the parent and God has given you the right to choose for that child. You must avoid provoking for no reason, but there are times when you just prefer something different than the choice of that child and it is OK to insist on your way. In Tripp's book "Shepherding a Child's Heart" he points out that there are times to say "no" simply to shape your child's will into realizing he cannot always have what he wants. I agree with this perspective.
   
   Another point concerning energy is this: don't "talk it all out" every time. You cannot keep up with the insistent adrenaline flowing in your teen. You do not have to. Understand their perspective, consider in your own heart what is best from God's perspective, make the decision, hold to it, and lay it out to your teen in about a 5 minute discussion. Don't argue back and forth, back and forth. Don't give your teen that liberty. You are the parent; you must make the decision. Do not fret your child holding a grudge or not liking you. You are there to represent both loving and just God and you must do that no matter how they take it. They don't have to like it. They just have to do it with a respectful and submissive spirit. End the "discussion" and do not allow them to spout at you.

One thing that our Sunday school class has discussed is the confidence of understanding as a parent that parenting is a "God-matter". When your child resists you point them assuredly to their rebellion against God. That is really the matter. Stand confidently with God as you parent.

I pray that God give you the great grace and great wisdom that I am also seeking to parent courageously.

pw

Good Friday or Earth Day?

We remember on this holy day that our Lord Jesus willingly carried the guilt of our original and life-sin to the cross.  Though He was the Just One, He suffered for the unjust.  Though He never committed even one of your angry deeds, selfish motives, secret lusts - He lovingly accepted the verdict of God's wrath for them all.

With grateful hearts we remember this day and the nobility of Jesus Christ sacrificing His royalty, deserved pride, innocence, reputation, painfulness, etc. to win your soul for eternity.  There has never been a greater love.

This year, very unfortunately, Good Friday and Earth Day are on the same day.  It was not intended that way and Christians need not think it was purposeful.  It is a terrible reminder however, that men worship themselves and creation rather than coming to the cross.  They bow to the religion of "Green" rather than the payment of "Red".  Oh, that men would come to Christ as Savior and Lord!  I have included the Wikipedia article exerpt below on "Earth Day" for your education.

May your mind be on the Cross today.  I am first including a wonderful Good Friday Song - The Power of the Cross  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KdYE0pkCu-Y&feature=related

pw




Significance of April 22 - Senator Nelson chose the date in order to maximize participation on college campuses for what he conceived as an "environmental teach-in". He determined the week of April 19–25 was the best bet as it did not fall during exams or spring breaks.[51] Moreover, it did not conflict with religious holidays such as Easter or Passover, and was late enough in spring to have decent weather. More students were likely to be in class, and there would be less competition with other mid-week events—so he chose Wednesday, April 22. (wikipedia.com ; Earth Day selection)

The Burden of our Families

I have lately been burdened by families who are doing their best...yes, you did read that correctly.

Many families struggle and eventually throw up their hands in defeat as their preteens and teens begin pursuing attitudes and interests of this world that dishonors God.

There are many Biblical principles that deserve meditation by parents, but I would like to share simply two:

1.  Parents who "Really" love God.

By "Really", I mean "Real".  Real love for God is not only on Sundays or Wednesdays at church.  There are many well intentioned believers that have two standards for their home:  A Church standard and a Home standard.  They live in the dichotomy of conservative, holy Christianity for their church choice and attendance, but the lifestyle of pursuing a world without God's holiness and presence at their home.

Children need to see their parents loving God with their heart, soul, mind, and strength.

I was thinking this morning about the hundred's of Christian families that I have come into contact with in our years of ministry and how their children turned out.  I believe the single most important factor other than the calling Grace of God is having Parents that "really" loved God.  Their home life was like their church life.  Their children saw them seeking God in the Word and prayer.  Their media, talk, discipline, etc. was based on following the Bible, it wasn't only "church stuff".  "Real Godly parents" mostly reared "Real Godly children" in the long run.

I notice in many of these "real" families that sometimes there was a stint of rebellion where an older teen would seemingly pursue the world, but then would return to living for God later.  Of course, this isn't always true and their are many "real families" that lose one or two of their children totally to the world to return no more.  "Train up a child" is a directional promise, not an "every time" promise.

2.  Friendships that are allowed

Many of the hearts of our children are stolen by the Evil One through what seems to be a "nice friend".  I will never forget the nice church friend who showed me a condom when visiting his house one day.  His Dad was a deacon and good friends of my family, but it was clearly obvious that this son was very worldly minded.  My parents could have seen that.  I knew that.

We need to be kindly discerning and discriminatory about who we allow our children to spend their time with.  This can get embarrassing and a struggle when you have to explain this to other parents.....however, we are talking about our very precious children - we must over come fear of other parents when we say "no".  We must talk to our children about their friendships and know who children at school are.  What happened to the old time "have the friends over for supper" routine? 

I would also recommend you to be careful when allowing your children to spend the night somewhere.  We cannot keep our children in a bubble, but we must know all the possible dangers of allowing them to go somewhere.  Sometimes, just asking the questions can reveal some issue.  Scripture says: 1Co 15:33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.  We must not allow evil communications in the form of friendships to corrupt the good manners we are instilling in our children.

A childhood of righteousness can be corrupted by one bad friend.  It is heart breaking when a teen will side with the counsel and direction of an evil friend and forsake the Bible counsel of their parents.  Be strong to control who your preteen or teen "hangs with".  Insist on helping them choose their friends.  If you have built a relationship with your child, after some resistance, you will greatly influence their choices.


We cannot afford simply to do our best in parenting - we need to parent God's way.

pw

Seasonal Discouragement

There are many Believers that struggle with seasonal discouragement or depressions.  There are many reasons why you may battle with discouragement at certain times of the year.  Your body may react to the changes of weather, you may have bad memories associated with some crisis or negative event that happens in the Winter or Spring.  Whatever the cause, there have been quite a few people especially in Fall-Winter or Winter-Spring over the years that have confided that they struggle every year near the same time. 

I do not have a "magic wand" solution for you, but you will do well to take heed to the progression of the Psalmist Asaph as he works through his own thoughts of depression to praise to the Lord in Psalm 77.  Please join me for a short little study of this:

Psa 77:1-20 To the chief Musician, to Jeduthun, A Psalm of Asaph. I cried unto God with my voice, even unto God with my voice; and he gave ear unto me. (2) In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord: my sore ran in the night, and ceased not: my soul refused to be comforted. (3) I remembered God, and was troubled: I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah. (4) Thou holdest mine eyes waking: I am so troubled that I cannot speak.

Asaph came to a point where he was very discouraged.  "In the day of his trouble" he was praying, trying to seek the Lord, crying out to the Lord, but his heart would not be comforted.  In fact, when he remembered God, it caused him to be more troubled.  You can hear his frustration and complaint in these first four verses as he became overwhelmed within himself with trouble.  He could not sleep at night.  He became so troubled, he did not even want to speak.  His thoughts became all "inward".  He had no interest in others, in reaching out to others, in talking things through - he only thought about his own trouble.

This is tempting isn't it when we get overwhelmed inside?  We just replay our own troubled thoughts over and over and over in our mind.  We may clam up and not even want to converse with others.

(5) I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times. (6) I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search. (7) Will the Lord cast off for ever? and will he be favourable no more? (8) Is his mercy clean gone for ever? doth his promise fail for evermore? (9) Hath God forgotten to be gracious? hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? Selah.

Asaph considered the ancient times and how God had been gracious to those before him.  He remembered his own "song in the night" when he went to bed joyfully and perhaps literally sang a song of joy to the Lord on his bed before sleeping.  He begins to question himself about his depression.  He does something he should not do.  He begins to accuse the Lord in ways that disagree with the promises God had clearly made to him in the Scripture.

Here is a revelation of our own minds in depressions and discouragements.  We begin to play "negative" questions or accusations over and over.  Asaph asks "will the Lord cast off for ever? ... Is his mercy clean gone for ever? ... doth his promise fail? etc.  These are poisounous accusatory thoughts that bring the Believer very low and take the hope right out of you.  Proverbs 13:12 says -  Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.  When we allow negative thoughts to brew and brew within us, we are taking away the "hopes" of God that He has clearly told us in the Bible.  We are allowing lies of the Evil One to poison us against God and the joy of living in Him.




(10) And I said, This is my infirmity: but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High. (11) I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old. (12) I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings.

Asaph says "This kind of bad thinking is my problem (infirmity)"  God is not the problem in my discouragement.  He has not left or forgotten to be merciful to me.  His promise has not failed me - the poison is my own thinking!

Asaph then changes his thinking.  Three times he uses the word "remember" and once the word "meditate".  The begins practicing good thinking and that leads to the victory seen in the end of the chapter.

Notice He remembers the "years" that the Lord has been faithful.  He rememebers all the LORDS works in the past chronicled for us in Scripture.  He remembers all the miracles told us in Scripture as "wonders of old".  Then, he begins to replace the poison thoughts with meditations of God's working and doings.  This is thought replacement that brings hope back again.

Notice also in v. 12b, he takes another step at replacement and begins "talking" of God's doings.  So often when we are overcome with discouragments, our trouble is all we can talk about.  Asaph controlled and changed his thoughts and then he changed his talk.  I'm sure at first it was hard for him to intentionally "talk" of the Lord's doings.  He probably had to make himself forceably - but this is the nature of taking steps out of depressions.  You must take the baby steps of changing your thoughts, then changing your talk.  You cannot allow yourself to remain in the place that you are all "inward" and "cannot speak" v. 4

For the rest of the chapter you see Asaph recovering from his discouragement and praising the Lord again.  There is a startling change in his spirit from the beginning of the chapter compared to the end.  May the Lord use the his thoughts to move you to the end of your chapter where you are saying "who is so great a God as our God?" v.13

 (13) Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God? (14) Thou art the God that doest wonders: thou hast declared thy strength among the people. (15) Thou hast with thine arm redeemed thy people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah. (16) The waters saw thee, O God, the waters saw thee; they were afraid: the depths also were troubled. (17) The clouds poured out water: the skies sent out a sound: thine arrows also went abroad. (18) The voice of thy thunder was in the heaven: the lightnings lightened the world: the earth trembled and shook. (19) Thy way is in the sea, and thy path in the great waters, and thy footsteps are not known. (20) Thou leddest thy people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.