Pastor’s Blog

 
 

Spiritual Warfare for Dummies

Spiritual Warfare for Dummies

 

First off, “spiritual warfare” or power over the demonic, is reserved for those people who have taken the time to understand what this phrase means. I’m not talking about simply praying occasionally. I am talking about going to war spiritually against principalities, powers and the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual wickedness in high places (Ephesians 6). They study the manual on “Spiritual Warfare for Dummies” or the Bible. That is they are able to understand what Hebrews 5:12-14 is referring to that says, For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” Not everyone is in the place where they are comfortable dealing in areas that go beyond natural understanding. Maybe it is time that we start serving a little more Spiritual meat!

 

There was a time recorded in Scripture where the Apostles were not able to cast a demon out. After Jesus’ resurrection, they became masters of it. When asked why they lacked the ability, Jesus told them in Matthew 17:20 that it was because of their unbelief. In Mark 9:29-30, it was because they needed to pray and fast to cast out the entity. So what have we learned by these two Scriptures? That we need to have mature faith that has engaged in, not only ongoing prayer, but fasting by which we might grow spiritually through the practice of these Christian disciplines. And just as important, you must believe. If you lack faith in the practice, or faith in God’s power to do so through you, go no further…you will be unable to be used by God in this area.

 

Lack of faith and an anemic prayer life seems to be the primary reasons we fail in spiritual endeavors. When Jesus heard that the disciples failed to deliver the demon-possessed person, He lamented, “You stubborn, faithless [or, unbelieving] people! How long must I be with you until you believe?” (Matthew 17:17). Also, when the boy’s father asked Jesus to help him if He could, Jesus responded, “If I can?…Anything is possible if a person believes” (Mark 9:23). In James 5:16 we read, “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”

 

Do you believe? And more specifically, do you believe God’s Word? Do you have an ongoing prayer life that affords meeting with God regularly? Do you deny your fleshly self through Christian disciplines such as prayer and fasting? If you can answer these questions in the affirmative, you are a candidate to be used by God in these areas of spiritual warfare. If you desire God to use you fully in the things of the Spirit, remember what we found in Mark’s Gospel…”Anything is possible if a person believes.”

 

Be blessed even more!!

 

Pastor Chris


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Be Prepared

Be Prepared

  1. Hayden 6-25-17

 

People prepare for a lot of things in life. We save up money for a variety of foreseen needs from next year’s vacations to college expenses for our children to that wonderful day when we can retire from that regular 40-hour, or more, work week. It is natural to want to get ready for the possibility of future hardships or future blessings.   We can see natural events and/or ominous possibilities that we prepare for regularly. That is why whole industries are built on companies that sell such commodities as life, automobile, and health insurance. The wise person prepares for the possibilities!

Why is it that we go to great lengths to prepare for everything except spiritual things. The book of Proverbs gives us these wise words, “A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences” (Proverbs 22:3 NLT). Just as it is unwise to neglect prudent actions that avoid dangers involving our physical existence, it is extremely foolish to neglect our spiritual health and prepare for what God is doing in the earth and wants to do in our personal lives.

It is so important that we are preparing now for the things God has in store for the world and for us individually. Matthew 24:42-44 NLT says this, “So you, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming. 43 Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would keep watch and not permit his house to be broken into. 44 You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.” We need to prepare ourselves through pray, prepare ourselves through ongoing Biblical learning, and prepare ourselves through the sharing of the Gospel with our family and others. If we take seriously the warnings given to us in this passage, we will be well prepared for Christ’s coming as we see in the next two verses: 45 “A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants and feeding them. 46 If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward” (Matthew 24:45-46 NLT).

 

Be blessed even more!!

 

Pastor Chris


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Beautiful Harmony

Beautiful Harmony
C. Hayden 6-05-17

I love music.  I really “loooooove” music!! I love the old hymns for their intricate arrangements and deep doctrinal word-smithing.  I love contemporary songs for their simplicity, ease of directing worship to this culture and their ability to connect worshippers to God on an ever-increasingly emotional, heart-felt level.   I love playing worship music and have led congregational singing from my guitar.  I have recently taken up learning to play songs on the piano.  Someday I hope to be able to lead worship from the piano as well.  There is something about the guitar and piano, that when played well, can bring people into a new place of love, peace, and joy.  That is why worship music is so vital in bringing us into the very presence of God.  We can be down and depressed, but let us begin to worship God to one of our favorite hymns or songs and we can find ourselves transported into the very throne room of God’s grace.
One thing about playing the piano is that if you do not have a basic understanding of music structure, one can easily get off into sounds that are unpleasant and un-worshipful!  There are rules and patterns to music.  There are also rules and patterns to the piano’s keyboard that, if you follow them, can make beautiful harmonies come forth.  If you do not, it just does not sound right.  Music has patterns and intervals that harmonize and compliment each other.  Chord progressions, thirds, fifths, octave intervals, scales and alternative scales lend themselves to diverse yet unified harmonic patterns that are able to inspire.  But the notes must work together to provide wonderful music to inspire; lone notes do not (at least not for long).
The Body of Christ is similar.  If we recognize our need to work together, and act on this knowledge, we can produce fruit (or music) that is beautiful and glorious to all who choose to partake.  But if we are only concerned with our own desires and preferences, we begin to play sour notes that do not harmonize when played together.  1 Corinthians 12:4-6, 12-14 says, “4 There are diversities of gifts (notes and tones), but the same Spirit (piano). 5 There are differences of ministries (chords and keys), but the same Lord (instrument). 6 And there are diversities of activities (music), but it is the same God (Music Director) who works all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:… 12 For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. 14 For in fact the body is not one member but many.”  Together, we can make beautiful music for the Lord…apart, we sound like an out of tune piano!

Be blessed even more!!

Pastor Chris


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In Loving Memory

This morning I received word that Linda Hall’s father has gone on to be with the Lord. Her message to us was an uplifting one, honoring his life and realizing the blessing of his opportunity to go home to where the glories of heaven are ever present. Our prayers and condolences go out to Linda and several of our members and their families as they have said goodbye to a parent, grandparent or other loved one who has passed away in the last couple of weeks. Along with Linda, we want to pray for Mike Gregerson, Bob Harlan, Rob Jones and their families (and others) who have lost a parent, grandparent, or other relative recently. I, myself, said goodbye to a well-loved aunt of mine who went home to be with Jesus two weeks ago. While I know my Aunt Norma is now at home with Jesus, there is still that sense of loss we feel knowing that we are separated from those we love while living on this planet.

 

In light of the recent passing of these loved ones and as we remember loved ones we remember this Memorial Day, I want to send an encouraging word to all who have lost family and friends in Christ. I Thessalonians 4 says this, 13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. 15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.”

 

While we sorrow and grieve when we experience the passing of those we love, we need not do so as people who have no hope. We have the hope of eternal life and know that we will be together once again with those who have died in Christ. Our prayers go out to all those who continue to grieve and sorrow over the recent loss of that special person in your life. We know that death has no hold on us, for Jesus died on the cross and rose again that all those in Christ shall never die! Hallelujah! As Paul reminds us, “…comfort one another with these words.”

 

Be blessed even more!

 

Pastor Chris


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New Life Anyone

New Life Anyone?

  1. Hayden 4-25=17

 

God has called us to new life. Jesus Christ rose from the day around this time of the year and each year we gear up to celebrate His resurrection. The kids get an Easter basket full of chocolate and baby peeps (and some adults too!), many have a barbecue cookout with family, and we lounge for most of the day watching a game or good movie (or at least sleeping on the couch while one is playing).   A nice day of rest. I certainly enjoyed it. But let me encourage all of us to be sure and take the time to go deeper as we remember the resurrection of our Lord. It was not so that another holiday could be added to our calendar in the spring. It was done so that we might experience resurrection for ourselves.

 

Jesus rose from the dead so that we might, along with our own bodily resurrection when God calls us home, experience the resurrection of our own soul and spirit today. We can know what it means when Paul says this in First Thessalonians 5:23-24, “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.” When we were born again, God provided us a new spirit made alive to Him through the power of His Spirit so that we might live redeemed, resurrected lives in Christ. Our Lord’s death and resurrection paved the way so that we may have a new life, free from the bondage of sin, free from our past failures and mistakes and free to live from Jesus Christ, our Lord, our Savior, our Friend.

 

As Paul tells us in Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”

Paul applied the death and resurrection of Jesus to his own life and God calls us to do the same. We need to be able to say of ourselves, “We our crucified with Christ, but live as one raised from the dead and now live for the one who raised us up to new life.” Can you say that today? Look to Jesus for help in living out this new life in Christ that we have been given.

 

Be blessed even more!!

 

Pastor Chris


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Faithful To The Word

Faithful To The Word

  1. Hayden 4-10-17

 

The last decade has revealed an ever-growing apostasy that has attached itself to many in the Church. This apostasy has its support in the idea that “diversity” is the greatest benefit to society and so we need to embrace the belief systems of other religions so as to promote diversity. First of all, diversity that does not have “unity” as its foundation brings division and chaos. We see this in the news on a daily basis. But this idea that all religions are the same, only the names are different, is absolutely false at its very core. Focusing on the words of Jesus, it is clear that the Lord did not in anyway buy into this false concept.   While there may be many Christian denominations and non-denominational fellowships that are pathways to a relationship with Christ, there is only one pathway to God and that is through Christ alone. It is this apostate doctrine that all religions lead to God that has led many liberal leaders in organizations like The National Council of Churches and the World Council of Churches to label missionary efforts and proselytizing (witnessing for Jesus) for the Lord as being arrogant and intolerant of other people and their culture.

 

John 14:5-7 says this, “Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?” 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. 7 “If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.” Jesus is not one way to God, He is the only way to God! That does not mean we should be unkind with others of different religions or cannot be a friend to people of other faiths. On the contrary, we are told to love even our enemies, so loving those who believe differently than we do is a hallmark of our faith. But we should never join with them in accepting their faith apart from Christ as an acceptable pathway to God. We need to be faithful to God’s Word, realize that apart from faith in Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross for our sins, and continue to love others enough to tell them the truth of their need for The Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

 

Be blessed even more!

 

Pastor Chris

 


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Joy, Joy, Joy

 

Joy, Joy, Joy

  1. Hayden 3-25-17

 

Don’t let the devil steal your joy. Let me say that again. Don’t let the devil steal your joy. It never seems to fail that when we experience a victory in our lives, i.e. a wonderful time of worship, a soul being saved and baptized, or a step forward in our spiritual growth, an unexpected blessing, the devil can often be found trying to rob us of our new found joy.   This can happen through negative circumstances or negative people or our own personal negativity arising in the shadow of victory like a wall sent to block all the good things God has been doing. We end up focusing on the negativity and soon the victory we experienced is forgotten and our joy in the Lord has evaporated. Proverbs 4:23 reads thusly, “Guard your heart with all diligence, for out it flow the issues of life.” If we allow the devil to steal our joy, our whole life is affected and we end up becoming the vehicle of negativity that goes about stealing joy from others, affecting the whole Church.

So how do we combat those attacks on our joy? First, look upon negative incursions as an opportunity to be joyful anyway. Scripture says, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing” (James 1:2-4). Though the attack may have it’s origin in the devil, God will use it for our good if we let Him.

And second, take the advice of Philippians 4:6-9, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.” Let God’s peace be a guard over your heart. Remember, an attack from the enemy of our souls often means we have been and are doing something right! Don’t let the devil steal your joy!

 

Be blessed even more!

 

Pastor Chris


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When GOD Doesn’t Make Sense

An Encouraging Word

  1. Hayden 3-9-17

 

Our world can often be a very critical and cynical place to live in. It is so easy to see how many Christians see this generation in light of the scripture that says, “10 And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. 11 Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. 12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold” (Matthew 24:10-12). With record violence taking place in many of our major cities, ever increasing anxiety over the direction of world and online communications with one another becoming less and less civil due to our expansive differences in belief systems, it would appear that our love for one another, as the prophecy reveals, is certainly growing colder than ever before. While we may be witnessing this icy transformation take place in our nation and around the world, it does not have to be a characteristic of the Body of Christ.

John 13:34-35 says this, “34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” When the Lord tells us that we are to love one another, what He really means is…that’s right…we are to love one another. That means we should say encouraging words that lift each other up rather than finding ways to tear each other down. We are to seek the best for our brothers and sisters in Christ, not just for ourselves.

We read in Ephesians 4:29–32, “29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” When we communicate with each other, is our speech laced with kindness? Do we make every effort to speak edifying words to one another so that we are consistently imparting grace to those that hear us? When we allow the Spirit to be our guide, our conversation will be an encouragement to our fellow believers and the world will see the love of Christ flow through us and thereby know that we belong to Jesus.

 

Be blessed even more!

 

Pastor Chris


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This Too Shall Pass

Life can be like a roller coaster at times when in the middle of our peaceful world, sudden disappointments appear wrecking havoc and throwing us into turmoil. In one stretch of time we seem to be traveling along on a steady course that appears uneventful and peaceful and then…BAM…tragedy strikes and our world is turned upside down.   These are the moments that try our faith and can often lead us to question God and His purposes for us. The Bible gives us several reasons for why these things take place, but the most common reason that I see is revealed in this scripture. Matthew 5:44-45 says this. “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

Yes, we can blame the devil for many things that we see going wrong in the world. And yes, we at times need to lay the blame on our troubles at the feet of our own bad decisions. But more often then not, the sun shines as well as rains for all of us because we exist together on this giant ball called earth, living in a fallen world of sin that affects us in very real, tangible ways. And bad things happen to very good people just as they happen to those who have rejected God and blaspheme Him. There are instances in the scripture where we see God intervene and punish the unrighteous for their evil deeds as well as rewarding the righteous for their unbending faith in Him. We also see the devil at work trying to wreck havoc where he can. We have seen these examples in our study of Daniel on Wednesday evenings.   But if we continue digging in the Word, we will also see times when the unrighteous are seemingly ignored by God while His servants suffer.

Jesus encouraged His disciples during these times when He said that in Him we may have peace. In the world we experience tribulation; but be of good cheer, He has overcome the world (John 16). Just know this, and I hope this encourages you, God is watching and keeps an accounting of all He sees. For those following Him, He will never leave nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5). His blood cleanses you of all sin and we can rest in knowing that when difficulties arise…THIS TOO SHALL PASS. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 says, “Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

 

Be blessed even more!

 

Pastor Chris


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Doom, Despair, and Agony On Me!

We live in an imperfect world to say the least. Sometimes we start to feel like WE are CHARLIE BROWN! The gas prices drop but taxes are too high and our take home pay is often too low, so what’s the point? The moment we really begin to enjoy the beautiful fall weather, an ice storm hits and the air drops to freezing! Then it goes back up to warm weather again, but we’ve come down with the flu, respectively, and are not able to enjoy it…wonderful. We just get the hot water heater fixed but then the furnace goes out right about the time the weather drops below 20o F so you are cold…again, get the flu…again and can’t enjoy the holidays…again! And by the way, the car broke down so who cares about the low gas prices! Sometimes, the problems are even more severe! Sound familiar…

We end up living in an ever perpetual loop of the “doom and despair” syndrome. You know the old Hee-Haw bit: “Doom, despair, and agony on me. Deep dark depression, excessive misery. If it weren’t for bad luck, I’d have no luck at all. Doom, despair and agony on me.” Now Jesus said that we would have tribulation in this world (John 16:33), but that we should be of good cheer, never despairing from the misfortune that befalls all of us at one time or another.

It is in these times when despair would bring us down into a pit of constant complaining, that we need to have our “God inspired gratitude” kick in to remind us of the greatest blessing ever given to mankind. It was revealed to us in Luke chapter 2 and in “A Charlie Brown Christmas” when Linus gives a wonderful soliloquy to fellow cast members. It goes something like this: “8 That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. 9 Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, 10 but the angel reassured them. ‘Don’t be afraid!’ he said. ‘I bring you good tidings of joy that will be to all people. 11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! 12 And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.’ 13 Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, 14 ‘Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased’” (Luke 2:8-14).

This is a wonderful time of the year when it may be helpful to remind ourselves that God sent His son, Jesus, that we might be truly blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ (Ephesians 1:3).

Be blessed even more!!

Pastor Chris


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