"Allergy Season" Messages From The Pulpit

We have all seen Dandelions and many people confuse them with flowers. In fact they are weeds.

In general weeds choke out what else might have grown there including healthy grass.
Weeds appear in spring. Let me compare weeds to sin.
As with the Dandelions many weeds are pleasing to the eye. Other flowers are also attached to thorns.
Including roses.
And like these plants sin also catches our eyes. We get closer unaware to the dangers of sin. Sin can be very alluring. They draw us with the false beauty and empty promises or even benefits. Some plants actually produce deadly poison.
All sin when fully grown gives birth to death.
As with plants that produce pollen that can cause our eyes to become sticky, itchy, and fill our eyes
with tears. This can cause us trouble with our vision. Trying to wipe our eyes we become distracted.
Sin is our greatest distraction. We rub our eyes and hope to overcome the effects of sin. Nonetheless
we keep coming back to what we know to be bad for us and breathe deep the sweet smell of the sin that so easily ensnares us.
The Devil also comes to us in the disguise of a beautiful angel. In fact Satan was once the chief of all the angels, the most beautiful angel in Heaven. He was known as the Angel of Light. He is know the
the Angel of Darkness. He was tempted by power and vanity. He thought that he could rise above God.
He sought to set his throne at the pinnacle of the mount of Heaven.
Satan was cast out along with one third of the angels. Now he roams the earth seeking whom he may
devour.
The great thing is The Angels of The Lord outnumber all the wicked spirits 2 to 1. And if we run to
The Lord, He will give His angels charge over us.
Just as angels lead people to the crib of Jesus.
Jesus who wandered the the wilderness searching His lost sheep.
He who full of the knowledge that he was to die a brutal death to save all of mankind for sins that He
never committed. He went to a garden to ask The Father the strength needed to carry out His mission,
the mission of forgiveness and salvation.
Jesus was arrested, betrayed by his close friend Judas. His disciples abandoned Him as we nailed to
a execution devise constructed of wood, the tree of Calvary.
That very cross is the cure of all our temptations and the sin they produce. The cross leads us all to
eternal life spent in the glorious presence of our creator. A presence first felt in The Garden of Eden.
Eden which was earthy paradise we lost. But the paradise we share with God far surpasses anything
created here in out temporary home among the thorns. Our place in heaven secured by the savior who
was crowned with thorns.

"Are You Insane?" Messages From The Pulpit

Many people have asked many questions about Jesus.
Including "Who do you say that Jesus is?"
St. Peter answered "You are The Christ, The Messiah, The Son of God."
I recently  read a novel based on the life of Jesus.
It was a great novel. It got me to ask myself, "Would I have followed Jesus with all the claims that he made?"
One thing stood out to me. Jesus spoke of "eating his flesh and drinking his blood" at that point I scratched my head and can honestly say, I'm not so sure.
I have doubts once in a while and I can't see him. (I admit my doubts have nearly disappeared)
But what if I had been there walking with him?
In the heat of persecution would I have denied knowing him when things got rough?
Would I walk away in shame as I watched him die upon the cross?
Would I join in mocking him? Would I have said, "Physician heal thyself. Come down from that cross and show the world that you are indeed The Son of God."
Would I deny Christ?
At this point of my life I would deny Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior. Even unto torture or death.
Jesus said, "If you deny me before men I will deny you before The Father."
I hope that when my judgment comes God will say, "Well done good and faithful servant."
The Bible says, "The message of The Cross is foolishness to those who are dying."
Dying from the ravages of sin. A blindness of the reality of the sting of death that comes from an unwillingness to admit that we have done wrong and need to repent. We may say, "God loves everyone surely He won't bring me to eternal punishment." But what's the big deal?
Not admitting that you have sinned is like saying that you can do no wrong.
It's between you and God. No one else needs to know what wrong you have done. God knows and is not willing that any one should parish. Once God forgives ANY sin it is erased from his memory.
Another question is would you betray Jesus as Judas did?
You might say surely not. Are you sure?
People sell out every day.
Maybe you hang with friends that openly mock Christians. You not only deny Christ but you join in.
You point out the flaws of The Christian/ Catholic Church.
You claim contradictions found in The Bible.
You mock "Jesus Freaks."
Need I say more.
Will you choose popularity or truth?
No Christians aren't perfect. But The one who started it all is.
You would be insane for not following The Spirit of the one true and living God.

"Extreme Makeover" (Messages From The Pulpit)

Tobit 13:10

(Apocryphal Book of The Bible)

"Give thanks to the Lord with righteousness, and bless the King of the ages, so that your tabernacle may be rebuilt in you with joy."

Someways to restore a structure is to start from scratch. Especially when the structure has been burned down or severely damaged in a raging storm. Their may be a shell but repairs need to be done.

Often we need to reinvent ourselves. Sometimes all new designs for our lives are needed. All new, stronger materials are needed. But if we try to do the work ourselves our lives will crumble just as fast as what we started with. 

We should look to the master craftsman. The one who created the best materials from his own imagination. 

Psalm 127: 1

"Unless the Lord build the house they labor in vain who build. Unless the Lord guard the city, in vain

does the guard keep watch."

  Isaiah 28:16

" Therefore, thus says the Lord God: See, I am laying a stone [ in Zion], a stone that has been tested,

A precious cornerstone as a sure foundation; whoever puts faith in it will not waver."

In Matthew 21:42 Jesus refers to himself as " the stone that builders rejected that became the cornerstone."

So if we have destroyed our lives, for example drug abuse can do untold damage to our bodies, minds, and spirits. We may not know who to turn to to get the help and healing we need. One plea will always be heard. When we cry out to God. He is faithful and just to begin the work He begun in us.

Jesus was rejected. Jesus was destroyed. He was resurrected and his body transformed and glorified.

He promises that all who believe in him will one day be made brand new.

Cry out to the Lord and he will hear you. He alone wipes away the stains of sin created by our past.

Maybe you are someone who has gone through the floods and fires of life and know someone who's life is in utter ruin. You can call upon your new found strength to help bind up the fractures caused by life when you partner who got you through your darkest days. 

From Tobit we see that our tabernacle can be rebuilt with joy. The joy of the Lord is our strength. God is our rock, our high tower and our fortress. God is the ultimate security force. When we focus on the Lord we can see what's coming. Together you can prepare for what the enemy of our souls is sooner or later going to throw our way. 

Ephesians 6: 13-17 Tells us about the weapons of our warfare which we are to use against the kingdom of evil. A spiritual battle, not one fought in flesh and blood. Here is a list of the pieces of armor given to us by God.

Helmet of Salvation

Breastplate of Righteousness

Belt of Truth

Our feet shod with the Preparation of The Gospel of Peace

The Shield of Faith

The Sword of the Spirit. (the word of the Lord)

Trust in God. Allow renewal. Remember when we are weak He is strong.

"Picking Up and Dusting Off" (Messages From The Pulpit)

Mark 1: 30-31

"Simon's mother-in law lay sick with a fever. They immediately told him ( Jesus) about her. He

approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up. Then the fever broke and she waited on them."

This is an interesting passage. Here we have a woman who had been sick. Then Jesus comes along and

she is healed. He helps her up and she goes to work. 

  Sometimes we need a "pick me up."

We may be sick, depressed, addicted, angry, or a number of different issues may be hanging around

unwanted.

When we get in such states we often sit in our misery and at best muddle through life half dead.

We may get used to being depressed and the thought of moving forward may frighten us so much that

the safety of being "in a rut" isn't as bad as trying and failing.

We get so caught up with the idea of failure we unwillingly brush aside the idea that we may indeed

discover our greatest success.

We need to seek help. No one, not even Jesus could go it alone. 

Mark 1: 35

"Rising very early before dawn, he (Jesus) left and went off to a deserted place where he prayed."

This is just one of many times we see that Jesus going off alone to pray. 

Without God nothing , not even things we may take for granted including every breath would be possible.

    In times of need we must call upon our creator who loves us beyond human measure. He who healed the sick, walked on water, calmed storms with a simple command, multiplied food enough to feed 5,000 people, drove out demons, died and rose from the dead, defeating the devil forever. He was God in human form. He gave himself up to death, even death on a cross, numbered among sinners to be a ransom for sins he never committed. 

Yes even Jesus needed to pray. As a child he had to know the law and the prophets and he confounded the wisdom of men. 

We too need to pray. St. Paul said we are to pray without ceasing. That may seem impossible but it

gets easier with practice. Admitting weakness also gets easier in time.

So call upon Jesus. Don't be too prideful to ask for help. Pride goes before a fall. 

And like Simon's mother-in-law in weakness Jesus will come, lift us up, and then it's up to us to get back to work. Whether our weakness is physical, emotional, and/or spiritual Jesus has the cure. 

His touch heals us. And then the healing mission God has given each and every one of us can continue or in some cases, begin.

"Just One Word" (Messages From The Pulpit)

2 Timothy 1: 6-8(a)

"For this reason, I remind you to stir into flame the gift of God that you that you have through the

imposition of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love

and self control. So do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord,"

God has given each of us a message to share with the world.

For Christians it's the message of the good news of the saving, healing power that God brings through His word and inspiration of The Holy Spirit.

But like me maybe you've been fearful to share the power of God that resides in your heart.

Maybe you're afraid that what God has put in your heart will fall on deaf ears or that you'll be laughed

at. 

Those are legit fears. But as the scripture tells us that God hasn't given us the spirit of fear but that of

power and love and self control. 

All of these things go well together.

Without fear you will have power to share God's love. Having self control we have what we need to

share His healing words without putting our personal twist on His truth. That you won't taint what the

spirit is speaking through you without prejudice about that person or group of people. 

After all life and death is in the power of the tongue. With the love and zeal of the spirit you can open

prison doors. You can reach the unreachable. You can touch the untouchable. You can share love with

people who believe that their unlovable. After all when God is in us love is in us and God is love.

"All things are possible through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13

   Sometimes all it takes is for us to start with "Hello." It starts with small talk. How's the weather..How about such and such a team..Did you hear about...? It can begin just that simply.

Sometimes strangers feel more comfortable opening up their hearts to strangers than opening up to friends and family. All that may be needed is for you to lend a sympathetic ear if only for a few moments. God may then open the door for you to witness to that stranger. Maybe not the "full blown" word of God but maybe a word that comes from the Spirit. Maybe a word of prayer. Or perhaps leading that person to the forgiveness and eternal life that God offers all those who are open to God's plan of salvation.

Maybe speaking one on one with someone just doesn't seem possible no matter how much you have prayed for courage.

When you see a person in need you can pray for them. It may be silent but God hears all our prayers. He will never push you beyond your limits. God will send the right person to that person He always has a plan.

  Maybe you have witnessed to people about the saving grace of God but they haven't responded. Maybe

they have. You cannot see the work God is doing in a person. Don't be discouraged. 

   Even with this very blog, I don't know who may be reading it. But I have hope that all who do read it will walk away with at the spark they need to contemplate what God may be saying to them through the words He has given me to share in a way that can reach many more people than I thought possible.

 

Together we can save the world. One soul at a time.

"Your Servant Is Listening" (Messages From The Pulpit)

1 Samuel 3: 1-10

"The Lord came and stood there, calling out as before: 'Samuel, Samuel !' Samuel answered,

"Speak Lord, your servant is listening."

Do you hear The Lord calling you? Or are you like Samuel in verse 7 of the text?

Verse 7 says, "Samuel did not recognize the Lord, since the word of the Lord had not yet been

revealed to him."

  So maybe the Lord is speaking to you and you do not yet know His voice.

Samuel had been speaking to the prophet Eli. Eli knew the Lord. He guided Samuel.

Jeremiah 23: 4

" I will raise up shepherds for them who will shepherd them ( the lost and scattered sheep) so they need

no longer fear or be terrified; none shall be missing."

  Maybe you came from a church that wasn't a place of nurturing. Maybe you're parents made you go to

church but never felt at home. In the long run you made a decision that church wasn't for you.

I can identify with that situation. Lucky enough for me I had come to know the voice of the Lord. He kept calling me. He never gave up on me. 

He hasn't given up on you. He is speaking but maybe you're not sure it's God that is speaking to you.

I recommend sitting alone and just listening. 

  Revelation 3:20

" Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will enter his

house and dine with him, and he with me."

God wants to spend time with you. He wants to teach His ways and His will. The resources available to guide us to know what God is saying are virtually endless. For Christians the most obvious is The Bible. There are even books which contain just The Psalms and The Gospel of John. The Gospel of John is one of the most effective tools used to help people know the Lord better.

You may also want to read The Book of Romans. At least to begin with.

After all in the first chapter of The Gospel of John we learn that we learn that Jesus The Living Word of God came into the world. And that through Him all things were made. Including every man woman and child that ever was, is, and is to come. That means you!

Jeremiah 1: 4-5

"The word of the Lord came to me. Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you."

  He knows and loves you. God didn't drop you on the earth just to leave you to wander aimlessly. He is speaking to you. But what will you do with what He tells you? Will you be like Samuel looking for guidance? Eli, who was filled with many gifts as a prophet knew the Lord. By knowing the Lord he was able to direct Samuel to hear from God. 

So maybe you are to be like Eli. Maybe the more time you spend with God the more you'll know His word and thus get to know His will and maybe you can help someone answer the call of the Lord in their lives.

  Maybe we'll be like Moses who was afraid to speak to Pharaoh to demand he set God's people out of slavery. Moses was afraid. He was afraid because in a sense he couldn't speak with grace and authority. So guess what? God provided Moses with a companion and spokesperson. That man's name was Aaron. God will provide every tool we need to accomplish the work he set before us. 

Perhaps through us we can be people sent to set people free from slavery. From the sin that so easily ensnares us.

We can be a voice crying in the desert, "Prepare ye the way of the Lord."

After all we often go through times of dryness and famine. We all go through times we feel alone and thirsty as if wandering in the desert. And as a deer thirsts for water so our souls seeks after the living water which flows from the heart of God Himself. Unlike natural water when we partake of the refreshing water that God provides we are satisfied. 

The Bible if full of warnings about being careful what we say. Because power of life and death are in the tongue. Another well know saying tells us that what we speak or how we speak reveals what's in our hearts. 

One harsh word can lead to destruction. But if we speak healing and grace then healing and grace will abound in our lives. So if you have nothing nice to say then say nothing at all. Antone who speaks evil against his brother or sister is in darkness. You can't speak evil and be a servant of God because there is no darkness in God. 

So open your heart to God. Don't judge Him based on hurts of the past that may have come from the mouths of parents, siblings, teachers, friends, or even men and women "of the cloth." If a person who is meant to represent God as a minister, pastor, or priest remind yourself that people aren't perfect. However, God is perfect and He alone is Holy without blemish.

  We are to rejoice with each other when we go to The House of the Lord also known as Church. We aren't to follow a religion but we're to follow after the Lord. He will guide to a place of communion. Even if you're confined to your home there are great resources on TV and the Internet such as church services being televised or perhaps streaming on websites.

So open yourself to what God has to say about what you're called to do. Keep an open mind. God is everywhere and you may find him in a place that you least expect.

Even in church.

 

"Gaudy or godly?" (Messages From The Pulpit)

1 Chronicles 29: 1-14

This passage of scripture talks about elaborate price and plans for a new temple set up by King David.

When you read through the passage and read of the sacrifices people made to build such a place was

quite high in relation to the cost of materials. 

The tail end of verse one says, " the work however, is great, for this palace is not meant for human beings, but for God."

Look at verse 9. " The people rejoiced over these free-will offerings, for they had been contributed to The Lord wholeheartedly. King David also rejoiced greatly."

Maybe you attend a church that has great marble pillars. Great statues of saints. Dramatic wood carvings which may include elaborate depictions of the Crucifixion of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

  Maybe your go to a "Mega-Church" with seating for at least 1,000 people. Maybe you use PowerPoint

to put the words of the worship songs on towering screens. Some Mega-Churches even house coffee shops as well as gift shops.

Maybe your church takes place in a small former store front. You may be reminded not to despise small beginnings. 

Maybe you have church in your living room and you cram as many people as possible in the space just to be in the presence of God with other believers.

And in places like China where religion is banned a small space might not be the only issue. You may be risking your life to share your faith.

Here's the important question, what is the spirit of the place you go to worship?

What is the leadership dedicated to? Are you in a place that despite you're best intentions is a "den of thieves." The message is what can your money do for me instead of what does your attendance mean to the Kingdom of God?

Where do tithes and offerings go?

Do you give out of obligation or are you a cheerful giver who expects that your donation to go to the spreading of The Good News of The Gospel of Jesus Christ?

The most important question that goes along with this question is your reasons for going to church in the first place.

Are you someone who goes to church on Christmas and Easter which is a miracle in itself?

Maybe you make donations for tax refunds or to get your name on a pew. I hope not.

After all our bodies are to be the Temple of The Holy Spirit.

Is your outward appearance all for show? Or is your entire being a place that represents the one true and living God? 

Maybe you should look at your lease and see if your keeping your temporary residence clean and welcoming for our creator.

God made us from dust and brought to life with his breath.

Is this temple filthy and filled with false idols?

Is the foundation solid or is crumbling?

Is your temple being destroyed by drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, pornography, or decay from other addictions that eat away at your soul like termites? 

I challenge you to allow the ultimate health inspector to take a look at you body, soul, and mind. God can repair any damage done.

We must be transformed by the renewing of our minds.

You were be built to be beautiful in the eyes of The Lord.

The bill for bringing us up to code was paid for by the blood, sweat, and tears of Jesus Christ. The cornerstone the builders rejected.