Posted by Pastor Pat on December 15, 2008
Ten times in Genesis 1 the biblical text records for the reader the statement, “And God said” (1:3, 6, 9, 11, 14, 20, 24, 26, 28, and 29).
God said, “Let there be light” and there was light (Gen. 1:3). There was no hesitancy or delay in the response to “Let there be light.” Immediately, light “popped” into existence. In the absence of nothingness came matter.
God said, “Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear” and it was so (1:9, 11, 24). There was no flicker of doubt as to what would be once God spoke. He said . . . and it was so.
God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion [and] be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it (1:26, 28).” Mankind’s continued triumph inside of the created order argues for the ongoing fulfillment of this divine directive.
God said and it was so. There is no moment of delay between what God wills to do and what is done. We make promises we cannot keep. We have desires that go unfulfilled and hopes that lie dashed on the shores of failed expectations. None of this exists in God. What He wills to do He does.
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Posted by Pastor Pat on December 14, 2008
Do we really understand what we have in Christ? I know we are Christians, but do we really know what that means? To be sure we are not Buddhists or Muslims or Hindus, but do we know what it means to be Christian?
Unfortunately, Christianity is more noted for what we do or not do than for who He is, what He has done, and who His people now are because of it. Do we openly and regularly celebrate the nature of His cross-work and confirming resurrection?
Christians are different than non-Christians for the simple reason that we are forgiven of all our transgressions (Col. 2:13). As Christians we no longer carry the burden of guilt that daily and habitually grind the non-Christian into fine dust fragments of what it means to be made in His image. We no longer live with fear of the unknown or of God. We have a peace that passes all human understanding (Phil. 4:7). Christians are different because we live contented lives and die with hope (1 Thess. 4:13).
Christians do not live with the burden of trying to please their God and somehow in ways unknown they try to stumble into His favor and blessing (Eph. 1:3, 1 Thess. 5:23, 24). Christians do not carry grudges or judge people ruthlessly or live intolerant lives toward those who are different in culture, worship, or belief (Rom. 14). Christians love their enemies and do good to those who despitefully use them (Luke 6:27). Christians forgive even as they have been forgiven (Eph. 4:32).
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Posted by Pastor Pat on December 12, 2008
“As the deer pants for the water brooks, So my soul pants for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God; When shall I come and appear before God? My tears have been my food day and night, While they say to me all day long, “Where is your God?” Ps. 42:1-3
Every believer has gone through periods when they simply do not have the motivation to read their Bible, pray, or even want to attend church.
For those of us in the Midwest we are very much accustomed to the 4 seasons of the year.
Winter is that season of the year where everything lies dormant and appears dead and unyielding. The two bookends to winter’s tenure are the seasons of transitions; fall and spring. Fall leads us into winter and spring leads us out of winter. Summer is somewhat enigmatic. Because of our present schooling year, summer becomes a time of family vacations, cookouts and visitation.
I enjoy the seasons. Each one makes me glad for the other three. In the summer I look forward to winter and in the winter I look forward to the summer. One of the tremendous beauties in our seasons is the changing of the leaves. Many in the Mid-West take time out to run up North for the changing of the colors. Even here in our own communities we find the color of the leaves breathtaking.
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