June 3, 2011

"The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever."  Psalm 23

Even though things are getting very scary around the world and the US ecomony is tetering on the brink of collapse, the future is your friend if the Lord is your Shepherd. I showed you that is true because He is a personal Shepherd. He knows you intimately and loves you unconditionally.

Not only is He a personal shepherd, He is a powerful shepherd! When you think of a powerful superhero you think of a Batman, or a Spiderman or a Superman, you don't think of a shepherd. But you should! Jesus as the Shepherd is not just powerful, He is seven-fold powerful! What do I mean by that?

Our Father has many, many names in the Hebrew bible (some say as many as 144!), each describing a different aspect of His greatness and power — from Adonai (The Lord; mentioned 360 times) to Yahveh (“I am that I am”; mentioned 6,800 times). Jehovah is an Anglicized translation of Yahveh. In Psalm 23 we see seven of the names of God that show us that our Shepherd might just BE a superhero!

1. “The Lord is my Shepherd”

"Jehovah Rohi" (The Lord is my Shepherd and my Guide) – “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will GUIDE you into all truth” John 16:13.

2. “I shall not want”

"Jehovah Jireh" (The Lord is my Provider, so I do not want) - "He supplies all my need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus" Philippians 4:19

3. “He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters”

"Jehovah Shalom" (The Lord is my Peace — my calm in the midst of a storm) – “Now may the God of PEACE Himself sanctify you completely” 1 Thess. 5:23.

4. “He restores my soul”

"Jehovah Rapha" (He is my Healer) – “And by His stripes we are healed” 1 Peter 2:24 (and Isaiah 53:5)

5. “He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake”

"Jehovah Tsidkenu" (The Lord is my Righteousness; in Him I have right standing with God) “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the RIGHTEOUSNESS of God in Him” 1 Corinthians 5:21.

6. “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me”

"Jehovah Shammah" (“The Lord is There”; He is our Ever-Present God) - “For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you’” Hebrews 13:5.

7. “Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies”

"Jehovah Nissi" (“The Lord is my Banner,” my standard, He covers me) – “When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD will lift up a STANDARD against him” Isaiah 59:19.

“You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” Amen!

The future is your friend when this God is your Shepherd! He is powerful times seven! There is nothing that can come against you that will be more powerful than Him! When this Good Shepherd is for you, who can be against you!

Sure sounds like a superhero to me!

June 2, 2011

“The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”   Psalm 23

Reading this Psalm gives you an insight into a day in the life of a sheep. I am not sure you ever had a desire to see life through the eyes of a sheep. Personally, I have never paused in the middle of a busy day and wondered, “What would a sheep think of this?" You probably haven’t either, but when you consider that the Bible compares you to a sheep it might be of some interest to you.

From this moment forward, should a similar thought flash through your mind you will have an answer. According to this beloved Psalm a sheep faces each day concerned about: hunger, harm, harassment, and hereafter.

Incidentally, I have known a few humans who worry about the same things.

Fortunately, for this sheep, he has a shepherd who worries about those same things for him. Do you have a shepherd like that? If you are worried about those things, you probably don’t!

Sheep are grazers. Grazing is great as long as there is plenty of grass. But a flock of sheep will tend to overgraze an area until all the grass is gone. Because they are too timid to move far from where they have grazed, they would starve themselves within a matter of days. Hunger is a concern. No one wants to go hungry, even a sheep!

A good shepherd leads his sheep to green pastures each day and then stand guards over them as they graze on lush green grass. After a few days of learning they can trust their shepherd, they cease to worry about hunger anymore. That is a good day!

Do you have a shepherd like that? You could!

Sheep are defenseless. They have no way of protecting themselves against predators and they can’t run fast enough to get away. So, if they have no shepherd to guard them they will become lunch for a wolf or cougar. So, along with daily concerns about hunger, they worry about harm coming to them!

But if he has a good shepherd, that shepherd is on constant guard watching for predators. Should one attack, he is armed with a staff and a rod with which he can ward off the beast. After awhile the sheep learns he doesn’t have to worry about harm when he is with his shepherd.

The fact that the sheep lays down is significant. They are so timid and flighty that they will not lie down unless they feel completely safe from predators, parasites or pests. If flies or gnats or bees are buzzing around them they will not lie down. When you see a sheep lying down he is either dead or he is feeling completely secure! In that case, it would be evidence that he has a good shepherd who cares enough for his sheep to keep him free of harassment!

Once he has been relieved of his concerns over hunger, harm and harassment, a sheep’s worry turns to the hereafter. What will happen tomorrow? Will he be hungry? Will he be harmed? Will he be harassed? Not having to worry about today will not keep him from worrying about tomorrow. Know the feeling?

But, once again, being under the care of a good shepherd over time, the sheep will come to trust his shepherd so much that he ceases to worry and is content and comfortable following his shepherd anywhere!

Life through the eyes of a sheep!

What does it have to do with you?

It IS you! That is, if you know the Good Shepherd. If not, you know hunger, harm, harassment and concerns about the hereafter.

When you follow the Good Shepherd – life is good and your future is your friend!

June 1, 2011

This Sunday I will begin my "Summer In the Psalms" sermon series. I am really looking forward to it! What a better place to begin a series on the Psalms that Psalm 23. It is perhaps the most beloved chapter in the Bible.

In truth, I could preach an entire Summer series just on Psalm 23! I have before!

But, I will hit the highlights in this message entitled "The Future Is You Friend". I am sure you will understand why I say that by the time I am finished with this message. When the Lord is your shepherd the future is your friend because He is a personal shepherd, and He is a powerful shepherd and He is a promising shepherd.

Let me show you what I mean when I say He is a personal shepherd. A good shepherd developed a strong personal attachment to and affection for his sheep. That is borne out by the fact that there are 17 personal pronouns in these six verses. Count them:

"The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever."  Psalm 23

See what I mean?

Let me make it even more personal:

"The LORD is BRAD'S shepherd, BRAD will lack nothing. He makes BRAD to lie down in green pastures, he leads BRAD beside quiet waters, he refreshes BRAD'S soul. He guides BRAD along the right paths for his name’s sake  Even though Brad walks through the darkest valley, BRAD will fear no evil, for you are with BRAD; your rod and your staff, they comfort BRAD. You prepare a table before BRAD in the presence of BRAD'S enemies. You anoint BRAD'S head with oil; BRAD'S cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow BRAD all the days of BRAD'S life and BRAD will dwell in the house of the LORD forever."

You can understand why I say God is a personal shepherd! Try plugging your name in those pronouns and see how that works for you.  I bet you will like it!
The future can be your friend if you know Jesus as your personal Savior. He is a GOOD shpherd! As the Apostle John affirmed:

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.  The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—  just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. John 10 \:11-15

We need a shepherd! We are hopeless and helpless without a shepherd. But, through the grace of God, you can have a wonderful a personal shepherd Who loves you and cares for you.

Are you unceratin about your future? Are you prone to wander off and become wolf food? There is a Shepherd Who knows your name! There is a shepherd Who laid down His life for your sins! He wants to be your Shepherd! Will you be his sheep? Will you join His flock? Will you follow Him?

May 31, 2011

"The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing." Psalm 23:1 

When the Psalmist identifies God as a Shepherd He is, at the same time, implying that we are sheep. In fact, He is and we are.

You don't have to know much about sheep to know you wouldn't want to be one. Sheep are dumb, dirty, and defenseless. The fate of a sheep depends upon his shepherd. If he has a good shepherd the future is his friend. If  not, his future is not so bright.

The 23rd Psalm is an amazing Psalm. It is the favorite of many many people. This Psalm is a sheep bragging about his shepherd. And it begins with the words, "The Lord is my Shepherd." In the Hebrew it is "Jehovah-Rohi." The Eternal God is my shepherd.

He is our guide. He leads us. He feeds us. He comforts us. No other name of God carries the tenderness and intimacy of "Jehovah-Rohi".

When we need to be reminded that the Lord is taking care of us, we can come to the 23rd Psalm and praise Him as "Jehovah-Rohi".

The second part of that verse should be translated, "I shall not have needs." Actually, you're wants aren't even discussed here, except in the translators' choice of words. The whole point is that taking care of our needs is God's responsibility. That's His job. He's volunteering for it. He's good at it. We need to let God do His job without needless harassment.

Herein is the inspiring point of this Psalm. If you are a sheep, and you are. And if a sheep is only as good as its shepherd, and he is. And if the Lord is your shepherd, which He is. Then you are one blessed sheep! And as long as you keep following "Jehovah-Rohi", your future is your friend!

May 30, 2011

"After Nathan had gone home, the LORD struck the child that Uriah’s wife had borne to David, and he became ill. David pleaded with God for the child. He fasted and spent the nights lying in sackcloth on the ground. The elders of his household stood beside him to get him up from the ground, but he refused, and he would not eat any food with them.  On the seventh day the child died. David’s attendants were afraid to tell him that the child was dead, for they thought, “While the child was still living, he wouldn’t listen to us when we spoke to him. How can we now tell him the child is dead? He may do something desperate.” David noticed that his attendants were whispering among themselves, and he realized the child was dead. “Is the child dead?” he asked. “Yes,” they replied, “he is dead.” Then David got up from the ground. After he had washed, put on lotions and changed his clothes, he went into the house of the LORD and worshiped. Then he went to his own house, and at his request they served him food, and he ate. His attendants asked him, “Why are you acting this way? While the child was alive, you fasted and wept, but now that the child is dead, you get up and eat!” He answered, “While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept. I thought, ‘Who knows? The LORD may be gracious to me and let the child live.’ But now that he is dead, why should I go on fasting? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me.”  II Samuel 12:15-23

The Psalms have been a source of comfort and strength for countless believers for thousands of years and there is a good reason. In the Psalms you have the total gamut of emotions from unbearable pain to unbelievable pleasure. No matter what life circumstance you are experiencing you can find a Psalm or two that will identify with your pain and offer real comfort and wisdom. In otherwords, the Psalms are filled with hope!

King David was able to identify so well with all these emotions because had known everything that life can bring to a king with all its privilege and perks but also  the struggles of being a shepherd - and everything in between.

Here, though he has to bear the most unthinkable agony any parent can imagine. The loss of a child. In this case it is the loss of a newborn son just a week old. His reaction to the loss of his child is quite interesting and insightful. For nearly a week, King David fasted and poured out his heart to God interceeding for the life of his child. But, the child did not survive. The illness he had contracted proved to be fatal.

David's servants were afraid to bear the dreadful news to the King that his child had died. However, he surmised from their behavior that the news was bad. Once he realized his son was gone, he reacted in a curious manner. He ended his fast, ceased his praying, cleaned himself up and ate a good meal.

Why did David do this? What was he thinking?

Prior to the death of his child, David was hoping that his child would survive this illness and be restored to health. David was aware that the child had become ill because God had stricken the child to punish David for his grievous sins of adultery and murder. He had hoped the child would have to bear the judgment for his sins. But despite his desparate petitons to God, the child passed away. So, David shifted into a new mode. He went from hoping to having hope. His hope was in the Lord's grace and goodness. David knew the child was with the Lord and there was nothing more he could do. So, the prayers ceased and the praising began! He stopped hoping and clung to hope.

Later today I will be holding a memorial service for a couple who just lost their newborn twin sons. The little guys were born late last at twenty-weeks into their development. They lived for about 20 minutes and died in their parent's arms. This had been a troubled pregnancy for the whole period leading up to their premature bithday. These precious young people, like David, had been hoping their babies would defy the odds and survive. But they did not. And now they have to switch from hoping to hope. I will hope to help them with that process. I am asking God to direct me to Scriptures and give me words that will help them grab ahold of hope again. They have the hope that David had that they will see their boys again.

In the meantime they can rejoice in the hope that their little boys will never know anything other than the face of Jesus! These tiny fellows will never behold anything other than the glory of God! The only home they will ever know is the mansion Jesus has prepared for them! They will know nothing of pain or pollution or political corruption or poverty or plagues - only peace and perfection in the presence of God!

Do you possess that hope that sustains you even when what you are hoping doesn't happen? Can you trust the heart of God even when you cannot trace His hand?

David did! You can! I pray these parents will.

May 29, 2011

“The Foundations of Freedom”

Psalms 11:3 -  "If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?"

These are but three stories of the more than 2.5 millions who have died in wars. What motivates these brave men and women to put themselves in harms way? What is there about America that young people volunteer to go to foreign land to fight for their nation?

ONE WORD – FREEDOM!

The American spirit is portrayed in Patrick Henry declaring, “Give me liberty or give me death!

It was resident in the hearts and minds of the Founding Fathers who pledged to one another “their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor in order to create a nation God could bless its inhabitants with freedom. And they won freedom but most of them lost their fortunes and died penniless – But Free!

True freedom never comes apart from God. Our Forefathers understood and acknowledged that vital truth. That is why when they establish this land they made sure that America was build on solid foundations from the Word of God.

As you read through these principles I want you to do a couple of things. First, try to capture the heart and mind of the Founding Fathers and ask yourself where we might be as a nation if we still had leaders like them. Second, compare this standard of excellence and prescription for greatness to the standards and expectations of our day.

I. THE FOUNDATIONS OF OUR FREEDOM.
John 8:32 - "And ye shall know the Truth, and the truth shall make you free."

It is important to know that we are living for the same principles that millions of brave Americans have and are – dying for. And what better day to do that than Memorial Day?

A clear understanding of the truths of life, morality, honesty and social order are best found in the Holy Bible. The teachings of no other document more plainly describe the principles upon which nations build a civilized society.

These Biblical principles have come to be known as the Judeo-Christian Ethic. And although they are numerous and found throughout the Bible, we will look at seven of the most basic ones that have undoubtedly served as foundations for our great nation.

SEVEN PRINCIPLES:


1. THE DIGNITY OF HUMAN LIFE.

Genesis 2:7 - “The LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.”

Exodus 20:13 - "You shall not murder"

Matthew 22:39 - "...You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

Our very Founding Document guarantees every person: "the right to life liberty and the pursuit of happiness..."

2. THE TRADITIONAL FAMILY.

Genesis 2:23-24 - The man said, “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman,’ for she was taken out of man.” For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.”

God instituted the traditional family defined as one man and one woman. If this marriage is blessed with children, those children have the rights to a godly and secure home with a Dad and Mom.

3. THE NATIONAL WORK ETHIC.

2 Thessalonians 3:10 - “For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “Anyone who is unwilling to work shall not eat.”

Meaning that people should work for their own livelihood and the welfare of others. We are not to be dependant upon the government for our livelihood.

 4. THE RIGHT TO A GOD-CENTERED EDUCATION.

Ephesians 6:4 – “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.”

Our forefathers knew this was right so they established institutions like Harvard...Princeton....Yale as religious schools of learning. This does not mean that all school should be Christian, but it does mean the recognition of the Creator God.

5. THE ABRAHAMIC COVENANT.

Genesis 12:1-3 – “The LORD had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”

Meaning that a Nation under God was a nation which was especially blessed above all the nations of the world. The Founders believed that God would bless the nation that would serve and obey Him.


6. THE PRINCIPLE OF COMMON DECENCY.

Matthew 22:39 - "And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

Americans have been known as a people who do the decent thing. Our Statue of Liberty has upon it the Words of Emma Lazarus:

"Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free. The wretched refuse of your teeming shore, send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

7. OUR PERSONAL ACCOUNTABILITY TO GOD.

Hebrews 9:27 – “Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment”

The Bible clearly teaches that people and nations are accountable to God! He Who blesses also judges!

It is said that the brilliant statesman Daniel Webster was once asked,

"Mr. Webster what greatest thought ever passed your mind?" To which he replied, "My personal accountability to God."

The Founding Fathers knew that these and other principles of Scripture are essential for the preservation of our national freedom. Ask yourself where we would be today as a nation if we still honored and observed these prinicples.

II. THE FATHER OF FREEDOM

“Consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you; each one of you is to return to his family property and each to his own clan.” Leviticus 25:10

This phrase, “proclaim liberty throughout the land” is inscribed on the Liberty Bell at Freedom Hall in Philadelphia.

Upon our coinage is stamped these words: "E PLURIBUS UNUM" It is Latin meaning: "From Many -- One" America is nation of ones. For the Land to be free, the people must be free!

Our Constitution declares we were established:

"To secure the blessing of liberty to ourselves and those who would follow."

Abraham Lincoln in his Gettysburg address declared our nation to have been, "conceived in liberty".

“Liberty cannot be established without morality, nor morality without faith.” Alexis de Tocqueville. He also said, “America is great because America is good. When America ceases to be good she will cease to be great.”

I would substitute the word “godly” for the word “good” and whole-heartedly agree.

When Francis Scott Key wrote the second verse to the Star-Spangled Banner, he knew what he was writing.

"Oh, thus be it ever, when free men shall stand,

Between their loved homes and wars desolation;

Blest with victory and peace, may the heav’n rescued land,

Praise the power that hath made and preserved us a nation.

Then conquer we must, when because it is just;

And this be our motto: "In God is our Trust."

And the Star Spangled Banner in triumph shall wave.

O’re the land of the free and the home of the brave."

That is the message of the Gospel. Jesus told us the reason He had come into the world to set men free. Certainly Christ is greatest Freedom Fighter this world has ever known!

Galatians 5:1 - "Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free..."


Romans 8:2  - "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from law of sin and death."

Have you been set free by Christ? You can make your eternal proclamation of Freedom today. Give your heart to Jesus and let him become your Savior and Lord. Allow Him to Set You Free!


FREE FROM SIN

Have you been saved from your sins? Have you been sanctified and delivered from sin?

FREE IN THE SPIRIT

Live, love and lavish in the power and freedom of being Spriti-controlled.

FREE FROM SELF

The worst sort of bondage is the self-inflicted bondage from our sinful deception and desires.


Do You Know Freedom From Sin?


Do You Know Freedon In the Spirit?


The Foundations of Freedom Are From God’s Word Because Freedom Is From God


Freedom Is Worth Dying For Because It Is Worth Living For

"If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?"

It is obvious by now that the timeless foundations upon which our beloved freedom has been built is now under direct attack by the very institutions that the Founding Fathers intended to protect them. Our rights and freedoms are eroding on nearly a daily basis. Is it too lake to stop the disintigration of these principles before the foundation crumbles under our feet?

There ARE some things that you can do to firm up the foundation of your freedoms, but they must soon and they must be done daily. Will you join me in the task of restoring our moral values that made us the greatest nations on the face of the earth!

HERE’S WHAT TO DO:


FIND FREEDOM


FOSTER FREEDOM


FIGHT FOR FREEDOM

HOW?
Develop a Strong Faith  - Live these principles every day!

Develop a Strong Family - Instill these truths in your children.

Strengthen Your Finances - Work to get debt-free and save so you can be financially free - able to help others.

Strengthen Your Fellowship - Serve, pray, and support your local church so the Spirit has freedom there.

Freedom is fragile and it isn't free. It is rooted and grounded in divine truth! Love His truth! Live in His truth. Lobby for His truth. And, if necessary, die defending it!

May 28, 2011

"For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.  If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed. Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly."  I Timothy 4:4-7

This Sunday I will be sharing the seven principles that formed the foundation for our freedom as Americans. In a later post I will be commenting on those "big seven". But this morning I am wanting to focus on the idea of principles. In my thinking, the words "foundation" and "principle" are pretty much synonymous. Principles are bedrock truths upon which you can build - a life, a family, a church, a nation, a business, or an eternity. Principles will translate into eternity because they ARE timeless and unchanging.

The greatness of America is directly attributable to the greatness of its principles. But those principles are only helpful when they are implemented. When they are disregarded they lose their impact.

If you love freedom you would do well to understand and appreciate the importance of principles because freedom is built on truth (Jesus said, "You will know the truth and the truth will set you free") and principles define those truths.

Several years ago when Rick Warren wrote his best-selling book (30 million copies) "The Purpose Driven Life" he illustrated the power of purpose in your life and no one can dispute how important it is to have a compelling purpose. But purpose will lose its power in short order if it is not paired with proper principles. Your purpose declares why you live but your principles will determine how you pursue that purpose. A purpose without principles becomes pragmatic.

Purpose is the "what" for your life while principles are the "why". Purpose is the force of your life while principles are the course for your life. Purpose is the reason for living and principles are the rules for life.

When someone asked Jesus about the purpose for life, He answered by linking a principle with the purpose when He said, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your mind and all your strength. And the second is like it, love your neighbor as yourself."

According to Jesus, the purpose for life is pleasing God and the principle by which to fulfill it is love. So, if you are going to live a life that is pleasing to God you must make sure your principles match that purpose.

Here is the bottom line: When your principles match your purpose the result can be holiness but when your principles don't support your purpose you have hypocrisy.

Do you know the purpose for your life?

Can you articulate the principles you live by?

How well do they match up?

When they match two powerful things result: true faith and true freedom!