Christ and Common Sense

Thoughts from a Central Valley Pastor

Youth Sports: Four Questions to Ask

May 15, 2024 /

In the last two months, youth sports have surged back to life. Parents have started their yearly tradition of driving kids to and from practices, games, and meetings. They are constantly asking questions, “When is the next practice?” “Why isn’t my son getting more playing time?” “What field is my daughter’s game at?” These questions come fast and hard and many parents need to take the time to slow down and consider another group of questions that all Christian parents should ask when navigating the world of youth sports. 

Question #1) How will youth sports affect our family? It has become common for families to have multiple children in different sports, which means they are constantly on the go. If you find yourself driving frantically from practice to practice, eating fast food in the car, and microwaving pop-tarts to save time, then as the comedian Brian Reagan says, “You might need to loosen up your schedule!”

Ephesians 6:4 says, “Fathers do not provoke your children to anger.” It is very likely that your children will become tired, irritable, and be tempted to be disobedient if they are not getting time to sleep well, do their homework, and have one-on-one time with their parents. Parents can make the mistake of thinking their kids will be angry if they don’t constantly do sports, but the reality is they may become frustrated by doing too many sports. 

Question #2) Will this sport have any games or practices on Sundays? My wife and I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that the spiritual growth of our children is always more important than their athletic development. The Bible makes it clear that the purpose of parenting is to raise their children in the “discipline and instruction of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:4 ESV) This means Sunday mornings are reserved for spiritual training with our church family and we often find the rest of each Sunday is a great time to rest and reconnect with the family. 

Question #3) Will this sport become an idol for me, my wife, or my children? The apostle John’s closing words in his first letter are surprisingly simple, “My little children, keep yourself from idols.” An idol is anything that takes the place of worshipping God. Jesus told us the greatest commandment is to “Love the lord your God with all your heart, with all your might, and with all your strength and a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:38-39) This means that everything in life needs to be considered through the grid of whether it is adding to our love for God or distracting from it.

Question #4) What is motivating you as a parent to place your child in sports? Is it because all his friends are in sports? Is it because you want him to get a college scholarship? Is it because you want bragging rights with your friends? God’s word tells us, “Man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7) This is a good time for believers to think carefully about youth sports. We need to take a step back and realize that the rat race of the business world has infiltrated youth sports. There is money to be made in the world of sports and many of those pushing sports in the culture have motives and goals that are in opposition to glorifying God and living according to God’s word. 

Each family has to decide how to use the precious time given by God to raise their children. There is freedom to invest in different ways in youth sports, but each parent is responsible to ask Godly questions in order to raise their children in the “discipline and instruction of the Lord.” 

 Photo credit: Edward N. Johnson www.flickr.com/photos/usaghumphreys/6205493855

Christopher Amis

God’s Call for Discernment

April 27, 2024 /

Unity, Maturity, and Stability. Those were three stages of growth that pastor Scott Ardavanis encouraged believers to look for in local churches. Instead of getting on a cruise to nowhere, Ardavanis said believers need to be a part of putting God on display through the local church. He based his sermon on Ephesians 4:13, which says, “until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the full knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.” Pastor Scott’s message was a fitting way to begin a weekend full of encouraging hospitality and solid teaching from God’s word.

One of the highlights of the conference was listening to Dr. John MacArthur preach from God’s word on the topic of discernment. His more than fifty years of experience pastoring at the same church in Los Angeles has given him a unique vantage point to know how to effectively shepherd God’s people. 

His first session focused on the need for discernment in local churches. He emphasized how churches need to “examine all things; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil.” (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22) He said, “The culture is coming at us with a ferocity, in the media, that is unlike anything seen in history.” He mentioned that believers need to be like the apostle Paul who said, “Therefore we do not lose heart.” He explained that the original Greek term used for “do not lose heart” is actually one word which means “not giving into evil.” Christians today can resist evil by keeping their focus on the gospel of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 4:1-6). 

Pastor MacArthur emphasized how Paul’s strategy of resisting evil can help believers keep the standards of discernment intact. He taught that believers need to remember five things: 1) The superiority of the gospel, 2) The great mercy of God using imperfect people to accomplish his will, 3) the need for a pure heart, 4) the need to handle Scripture accurately, and 5) to give the results to God and not men. 

Another highlight of the conference was listening to Pastor Costi Hinn’s message on discerning the voice of the Holy Spirit. Costi’s testimony provides ample evidence of someone who emphasized misguided approaches to hearing from God, instead of looking primarily to the word of God. His message included four examples of ways people lack discernment in discerning God’s will. All of these strategies were done by pastor Costi before he realized that the Spirit of God primarily speaks through Scripture. 

The first misguided approach is sitting in silence until God speaks audibly. Costi spoke from experience. He humorously said, “If you do this you may be sitting in silence for a very long time.” Another misguided approach is waiting for “a still, small voice of God.” This is when people wait for an inner feeling to guide their decision. Instead of a subjective approach to seeking God’s will, Costi would recommend searching Scripture and seeking wise counsel. A third approach is one he described as “reading the tea leaves.” This is when someone looks for a special sign from God to make a decision. 1 Peter 1:9 says, “And we have as more sure the prophetic word, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place.” Costi’s point was that God’s word provides greater clarity on issues than looking for a special event to take place. 

The last misguided approach that pastor Costi mentioned was one he calls the “thumb game.” This is when someone asks God to direct them by opening the Bible to a random page and claiming a promise or a blessing from God. This is not an approach that he recommends people take. Costi reminded those in attendance that the Spirit of God’s guidance will not be split from God’s word. So believers should carefully study God’s word to know the spirit’s leading. 

The goal of the conference was so “the Word of God might be magnified and God may be glorified.” Those who attended were moved towards this goal with invigorating times of worship, encouraging hospitality, and thought-provoking teaching from men whose lives have been changed by the love of God and by a careful study of Scripture. 

Friendship Needed

February 16, 2024 /

How many close friends do you have? How many people can you go to with your struggles and openly share things with? This can be a difficult question to ask because so many people in our individualistic society struggle to maintain deep, lasting friendships. This can also be true in the church because people are busy and they haven’t been convinced of the need to do the hard work of investing in meaningful relationships. 

Recently, the Central Valley Fellowship of pastors had a discussion about friendship. I found it incredibly helpful and I think you will benefit from it as well. 

Our group of pastors invited pastor Austin Duncan to talk about a podcast he produced entitled, “Friendship and the Finish Line.” In it he made a case that friendship should be a vital part of every pastor’s ministry. The podcast included interviews from John MacArthur, Steve Lawson, and a pastor named Drew Hunter.

Some of the most thought-provoking points of the podcast had to do with how much John MacArthur’s friendships have helped him in his fifty-five years of ministry. Pastor MacArthur mentioned how his father had warned him about making friends in ministry because it could potentially be seen as showing favoritism to some people in the church. While serving as a pastor, John realized that he disagreed. He knew he needed to make friends with everyone. In fact, he described how friendship in ministry has played “a vital part of his life and ministry.” 

One of MacArthur’s most helpful insights was when he discussed friendship in terms of what he can give to a relationship, not what he can get out of it. This is how he thought of his relationship with pastor R. C. Sproul, who came from a different church and denomination, but who nevertheless shared a deep friendship with John MacArthur (Sproul went home to be with the Lord in 2017). They both knew that they were ready to support each other, regardless of what kind of difficulty they experienced in life. 

Another highlight of the podcast was the interview with Drew Hunter. In 2018, pastor Hunter wrote a book called Made for Friendship: The Relationship That Halves Our Sorrows and Doubles Our Joys. He gave a Biblical basis for friendship, which I had never heard before. He talked about how friendship is an important theme in the Bible. The reason humans need friendship is because we are created in the image of God, who has a perfect relationship as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This idea introduced in Genesis 1:26 when God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” The point is strengthened in Genesis 2:18 when God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” Adam not only needed to have a relationship with Eve, he also needed a friendship with God and later with other people on the earth. 

Pastor Hunter also mentioned that Jesus had some profound teaching on friendship. In John 15:15 Jesus told his disciples, “No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.” This is significant because Jesus took his relationship with his disciples deeper than expected. He expressed a desire to have a deep friendship with the disciples and he proved this by living out the ultimate expression of friendship when he died on the cross. He said, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13) 

Towards the end of the pastor’s meeting I asked Austin about whether a pastor’s wife is sufficient for the kind of deep friendship that he was encouraging pastors to have. He told us that he knows that he needs male friends to share things with so that he doesn’t burden his wife. She has many responsibilities as a mother and wife and so he finds a benefit in having close friends to help him share the burdens of life. I thought that was a helpful point that once again can motivate pastors to seek friendships with other godly men. 

I first listened to the podcast in November of last year. Since then I have spent some time thinking about friendship and it’s vital importance in the life of a believer. Friendship truly is a common grace of God in our lives and I hope that this article will encourage believers to do the hard work of investing in others and growing in ever deepening relationships with God and man. 

Five Ways to Protect Prayer

January 26, 2024 /

People often forget that prayer is mentioned in Paul’s famous description of the armor of God in Ephesians chapter six. Prayer is not illustrated with a piece of armor or a weapon, but it is certainly emphasized as one of the most important ways for a Christian to withstand the attack of the enemy. This makes sense because prayer is communicating with God. How can a soldier know what the general wants him to do if he does not keep an open line of communication?

The English pastor, John Bunyan, spent many years in prison because of his commitment to preach the gospel. He is known for writing The Pilgrims Progress, but he should also be known for being a man of prayer. He wrote, “Prayer is a sincere, sensible, affectionate pouring out of the heart or soul to God, through Christ, in the strength and assistance of the Holy Spirit, for such things as God has promised, or according to his Word, for the good of the church, with submission in faith to the will of God.” Pastor Bunyan understood the indispensable need for believers to pray. 

In this article I want to show you five ways you can make sure you are protecting your prayer life. The first protection comes from Ephesians 6:18 where Paul wrote, “Praying at all times with all prayer and petition in the Spirit.” (Legacy Standard Bible) Along with putting on the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, and the shoes of the gospel, believers are to always stay connected with God in prayer. This is easier said than done. The Christian life is full of distractions and responsibilities that often make it difficult to keep alert in prayer, but the believer must learn to create a habit of prayer. Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

The second prayer protection is also found in Ephesians 6:18. Believers are to pray in the Spirit. This is important because it is easy for believers to be focused on themselves. The apostle Paul corrects against this by commanding Christians to communicate with God the way the Spirit wants them to. If you want to know how to do this, you can use the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6:9-13 as a guide. From the very first line, “Our Father who is in heaven,” the prayer is focused on God the Father, not our own personal pains and pleasures. There is a time for bringing our own requests to God, but it should be done in a spirit-filled way, not a flesh-filled way. 

The third way to protect the supply line of prayer is to pray while fully alert. The apostle Paul wrote in Ephesians 6:18, “and to this end, being on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints.” Anyone who has tried praying right before going to bed has learned how difficult it is to pray when you are tired. It is good to pray at all times, but it is good to pray with a watchful attitude. This means making sure that our minds are engaged. This means praying for specific concerns and praising God when he answers our prayers. 

The fourth way to stay focused in prayer is to make sure that we are praying for other believers.  Paul mentioned this when he said making “petition for all the saints.” Once again, it is important for believers to be focused on others in prayer. This does not mean we are to only pray for Christians (1 Timothy 2:1-2), but it is important to keep our prayers focused on those in our families and churches. This is a very practical way to guard against selfish prayer. 

The fifth and last way to protect our prayer lives is to pray with boldness. This can be seen in the last two verses of this section (v. 19-20) which say, “as well as on my behalf, that words may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel—for which I am an ambassador in chains—so that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.” It is always important to make note of repetition in Scripture. Paul was clearly emphasizing the need for him to be bold in sharing the gospel because he mentioned it twice in this passage. There is a natural tendency for believers to be timid in battle. The apostle Paul is commanding believers to pray that he will be bold in sharing the gospel. This prayer can also be applied to all believers. Any soldier of Christ needs to pray for boldness in sharing the gospel. We need to be bold in putting on the helmet of salvation and taking up the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 

I appreciate how Paul included prayer in his description of the armor of God. Instead of being overlooked by believers, it needs to be thought of as a vital part of the arsenal of God’s army. May all believers be motivated to keep the communication line always open with God so they will be able to stand firm against the enemy and his attacks. 

Suiting Up for Spiritual Battle pt. 2

January 9, 2024 /

“Failing to prepare is preparing to fail.” John Wooden’s famous quote was backed up by decades of success coaching the UCLA basketball team. From 1948 to 1975 coach Wooden prepared his team for whatever difficulties came their way. That is one reason he was able to lead the team to ten national championships over a twelve year period. His team was able to set a NCAA record for most consecutive wins with a total of 88 games played without a loss. 

Reading coach Wooden’s quote about preparation makes me think of the need for Christians to prepare for spiritual battles. The enemy would love to attack unprepared soldiers. He would love to see unprepared believers overwhelmed by temptation and trials. As Christians, we need to make sure we are preparing to stand firm against the schemes of the enemy. If we are prepared we will be able to resist him and he will flee (James 4:7). 

The apostle Paul understood the need for Christians to be prepared. That is one reason he wrote about the armor of God in Ephesians 6:11-20. Several weeks ago I wrote about the importance of putting on the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, shoes of the gospel, and the shield of faith. This week I want to write about the last two pieces of the armor, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit. 

One reason I separated the last two parts of the armor is because the apostle Paul sets them apart grammatically in the original passage. He does this by using a different verb when he wrote, “take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” The verb “take” in the original Greek has the idea of taking up something quickly, “to grasp.” Harold Hoehner believes this verb was used because there was a sense of urgency with the helmet and the sword. These were the final pieces of the armor that the soldier would need as the enemy approached. 

The helmet was not a comfortable part of the uniform. It was made of a leather cap interior and a metal covering, which was sometimes made of iron with a bronze exterior. The helmet was most likely hot and heavy to wear. Some scholars believe this type of helmet would have included a large neck guard and chin guards that were tightened around the face. This would have helped protect the soldier from near and distant threats. 

The sword that is described is a makaira, which was the famous Roman short sword that was used for hand-to-hand combat. Thousands of these swords are still in existence today. They often had a two-inch thick blade, which was sharpened on both sides. The blade was about two feet long, with a hilt that was made to use with one hand. This was a defensive sword, which was only used when the enemy was close enough to attack from behind the shield. It was a deadly weapon when used in close proximity. 

Paul saved these two pieces of the soldier’s uniform to the end for a reason. I believe he did so because he wanted to emphasize the importance of the helmet and the sword during the heat of a spiritual battle. The helmet of salvation plays a vital role because the enemy often tries to make Christian’s doubt their salvation. If he can tempt a believer to doubt their relationship with God, then he has already started winning the spiritual battle. But, if the Christian remembers verses such as John 10:29 then he will have confidence in the outcome of his salvation. John 10:29 is a quote from Jesus Christ, “My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.”

The sword of the Spirit is easy to understand because the apostle Paul explained it “is the word of God.” The word of God refers to the sixty-six books of the Bible. 2 Timothy 3:16 describes God’s word as “breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” God’s word is especially useful for resisting the temptations and attacks of the Devil. James 4:7 says, “Resist the Devil, and he will flee from you.”

When Jesus Christ was being tempted by Satan in the desert he used the word of God like a defensive sword. When the Devil commanded Jesus to turn a rock into bread so he could eat after fasting for forty days and nights. Jesus pulled quoted Scripture, “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone.” (Deuteronomy 8:3) Then Satan promised to give Jesus authority over kingdoms of the earth. Jesus quoted an answer from Deuteronomy 6:13, “It is written, ’You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.’” The Devil’s final temptation involved tempting Jesus to start his earthly reign before the appointed time. Jesus replied, “It is said, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” (Deuteronomy 6:16). 

I love meditating on Jesus’ response to that temptation. He made it seem easy because he was using the word of God as his weapon. Satan did not argue with Jesus. He accepted his response and then tried a different temptation. Once Jesus responded correctly, the temptation came to an end. I believe that is what is possible for believers dealing with temptation as well. If a Christian is tempted to worry or be anxious he should draw the sword of God’s word and quote Matthew 6:34, “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” If a Christian is dealing with inappropriate thoughts or temptations he can quote from 2 Timothy 2:22, “So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.”

In order to defend against the enemy, believers must be prepared. They can be prepared by putting on the full armor of God, which includes armor and a sword, which is the word of God. Armed with the armor of God, the Christian will be able to obey the command of Ephesians 6:11, “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.” 

Biblical Sea Creature Discovered in England? 

December 22, 2023 /

I am going to surprise some people this week because my Christmas weekend article is not about Christmas! In fact, it is about a possible discovery of a Biblical Leviathan (If you missed my Christmas article, just look for last week’s post). 

I am always intrigued when people find ancient evidence that is connected to the Biblical account. Sometimes a unique archeological site is uncovered that refers to a specific person or place that is recorded in Scripture (i.e. Tel Dan stele). In other instances, an ancient manuscript is uncovered that confirms one of the authors of Scripture (i.e. Dead Sea Scrolls). Rarely is something discovered from the ancient animal world that is tied to the Bible, but that is exactly what I read about last week! 

The article I read mentioned the discovery of the remains of a huge sea creature in the cliffs of southern England (https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-67650247). The animal is being referred to as a pliosaur, which was a massive marine reptile that used its 130 dagger-like teeth to demolish its prey. In the spring of 2022, the skull of the sea monster was discovered and later removed intact from the black cliffs that line the coast near Dorset, England. 

This particular skull measures 2 meters (6.5 ft) in length and it is believed to have had a biting force of 33,000 newtons which is comparable to that of a Tyrannosaurus Rex (45,000 newtons). Just to put that in context, a crocodile has 16,000 newtons of force and a dog has 1,000 newtons. One of the reasons given for such a strong biting force comes from a paleobiologist named Emily Rayfield. She examined the large circular openings at the back of the skull, which she determined reveal the size of the muscles which were used for “operating the jaws of the pliosaur.” 

Answers in Genesis, the organization that is connected with the Ark Encounter in Williamstown, Kentucky also wrote an article about the discovery of this marine creature (https://answersingenesis.org/dinosaurs/types/meet-leviathan/). The title of the article is “Meet Leviathan – Was the Skull of an Ancient Leviathan Found in Dorset?” The article draws attention to different aspects of the discovery that link it with the Biblical account of Leviathan. 

The Bible describes a Leviathan in five different places, including the book of Job (3:8, 41:1), Psalms (74:14, 104:26), and Isaiah 27:1. The book of Job contains the most famous description of Leviathan because it includes an entire chapter about the sea creature. Job 41 says, “Can you draw out Leviathan with a fishhook or press down his tongue with a cord? Can you put a rope in his nose or pierce his jaw with a hook?” The chapter describes the creatures incredibly tough skin, his terrifying teeth and mouth, and strong neck (18-21). Job 41:22 reads, “In his neck abides strength, and terror dances before him.” Every article I read about the sea creature made reference to its incredible biting force, which would have required massive neck muscles. That is one reason I thought it was interesting that all the research about this creature mentions its incredible neck. The biting force of this creature made it untouchable! 

That is one reason God used the Leviathan as an example when he wanted to humble Job. God used the example of the Leviathan to prove that Job was a weak, finite creature. Job was not to question God. He needed to submit to God and recognize God’s power extended from physical strength to sovereign strength as well. Job’s response to God is a helpful reminder of how we should respond to Him. Job said, “I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes.” (Job 42:5-6)

I am not sure if the pliosaur found in Dorset is the Leviathan of the Bible, but it certainly has characteristics that make me think of the Bible’s account. That is one reason I wanted to write about it today. As Christians, we should not be surprised when discoveries are made that confirm the Biblical account. The Bible is history and thus we will continue to learn of discoveries that line up with what was accurately recorded in God’s holy word. 

Don’t Forget the Second Advent!

December 15, 2023 /

The Christmas season is known as the Advent season because it celebrates the coming of Christ. The word “advent” is from the Latin word adventus and it means “coming, approach, arrival.” Many churches use the four advent Sundays leading up to Christmas to focus on the remarkable events that surround the incarnation, when God took on human flesh in the person of Jesus Christ in order to save us from our sins (John 3:16). 

Many Christians place such a strong emphasis on the first coming of Christ that they neglect to reflect on His second coming. This is an honest mistake that this article will hopefully remedy. By looking at some key passages, we will be able to see that the celebration of the first advent is not complete without remembering the importance of the second advent. 

If you read the prophecies about Christ’s first coming you will quickly realize that they emphasize a time when the Messiah will reign on the earth. This was foreshadowed with Christ’s first coming, but it will actually be realized when he returns. This is incredibly important for us to consider as Christians because it helps ensure that we don’t forget the reason for the Christmas season. We are supposed to be amazed that God’s plan is not over. We are supposed to be amazed that Jesus Christ is coming back, and we need to make sure we are ready for his return! 

The books of Isaiah and Micah contain two of the most famous prophecies about the coming of Christ. We often focus on how they predict his first coming, but it is important to see that the context actually emphasizes his second coming. Isaiah 9:6-7 says, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.” (English Standard Version)

Did you notice that only the beginning of Isaiah’s prophecy relates to Christ’s birth? Most of the prophecy predicts a future fulfillment. Isaiah promised that this child would grow up to become a king who would have a physical kingdom. This government will have no end. This king will sit on the throne of David and he will reign forever! Isaiah was referring to the Millennial reign of Christ, which he will establish once the church age has come to an end. It is easy to emphasize the birth of Christ so much that we forget that Christ’s birth is a stepping stone to his future reign. 

Micah’s Christmas prophecy is fascinating because it actually predicts the birthplace of Jesus seven hundred years before the event occurred. Micah 5:2 reads, “But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.” Once again, the prophecy of Christ’s birth is placed in the context of his reign. It is so easy to think of Christmas out of context. The birth of Christ points to the cross, but it also points past that to a throne! This is what Micah’s prophecy emphasizes. Jesus Christ is going to be a ruler in Israel. We never saw this fulfilled during his ministry on the earth because God is waiting to fulfill this prophecy when Christ returns! 

And what a return it will be. Paul wrote about it in 1 Thessalonians, “For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.” (1 Th. 4:16-18) These words are supposed to be an encouragement to believers. We are not supposed to spend Christmas only looking back at what God did two-thousand years ago. We are supposed to spend Christmas looking forward to his glorious return! 

Understanding Christmas in the context of Scripture will force us to look past all the distractions that our society has added in its never-ending commercialization campaign. We must remember that the first advent of Christ points us to the second advent. We must remember that Christ’s spiritual reign in the hearts of the redeemed will be fulfilled in a physical reign in the future. We need to ask ourselves “Are we living in light of Christ’s return?” He could come back today, are we ready? He could come back today, are your friends and family ready?

The book of Revelation ends with these words, “He who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming soon.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.” May that be our focus this Christmas season. Merry Christmas & Maranatha! 

Amazed by Christmas

December 9, 2023 /

Do you find yourself distracted by all the lights and decorations of the modern Christmas season? I know I do. It takes a concerted effort to cut through the barrage of jingling bells and roasting chestnuts to get to the Biblical account of the virgin birth and the incarnation. Our family has had to come up with different ways to make sure that we remember the true reason for the season. 

One of my favorite Christmas traditions is reading through our customized advent calendar. Sixteen years ago, Lydia and I bought an advent calendar with little boxes that are pulled out and turned around to complete a Christmas picture. The picture has nothing to do with the Biblical account, but the verses inside the boxes certainly do. 

Each box has a piece of paper with a verse written on it. The first day is titled “Light – #1” and it has Isaiah 9:2, “The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” Inside the box there is also a little object that connects with the verse. The first box has a little light bulb from a string of Christmas lights. The kids always enjoy passing around the object as we discuss what the verse means. 

Every day our family reads from the advent calendar it helps us turn our minds to the fascinating details of Jesus’ birth. We read about the Roman census that forced Mary and Joseph to travel to Bethlehem (Luke 2:1). We talk about the prophecy of Isaiah that predicted the coming of Christ (Isaiah 9:6). We also read passages that point to the reason why Jesus Christ came to earth. One of my favorites is day twenty-three because it describes Jesus as the Good Shepherd who “lays down his life for the sheep.” (John 10:11). We have found it is important to always talk about the cross when we talk about Christmas because if Jesus had not died on the cross and risen from the dead, then there would be no reason to celebrate Christmas.

This year I added a few verses to one of the days. I added Luke 2:8-20 which describes the shepherds seeing the host of angels outside of Bethlehem. After they rushed to the city, they found Joseph and Mary and they told them what they had heard from the angels. Verse eighteen says, “And all who heard it marveled at the things which were told them by the shepherds.” I looked up the original Greek word for “marveled” and I discovered that it means “to give careful thought to, consider, ponder.” 

As I think about how our family celebrates Christmas I want to make sure we take the time to marvel at the Christmas story. We need to reflect on the Biblical account so that we understand what took place, but we also need to meditate on it so that we realize how it has impacted our lives. My prayer for our family is that we would take the time to marvel at Christmas and I hope you and your family will do the same. 

Suiting up for Spiritual Battle pt. 1

December 1, 2023 /

Imagine a fireman rushing off to fight a fire without his suit and helmet. Imagine a policeman going on duty without a bulletproof vest or a fighter pilot taking off without any weapons. You would call them back. You would tell them, “You forgot something! You can’t leave without being ready to defend yourself!” 

We can all understand the need for these people to defend themselves, but how often do Christians forget the need to defend themselves against our enemy? How often do believers start the day without reading God’s word? How often do followers of Christ forget to put on the spiritual armor of God? 

There are many reasons Christians live without adequate spiritual protection. Some don’t realize how strong the enemy is. Others think they can get by without being burned. Many Christians are living life so fast, they forget to suit up each and every day. In reality, the believer who doesn’t put on the armor of God is asking for trouble. He or she is heading off to battle without realizing how much they have left behind. 

The book of Ephesians has a powerful chapter on spiritual warfare. It starts by calling the Christian to find their strength in the Lord and not themselves, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the might of His strength.” (Ephesians 6:10, Legacy Standard Bible) The next command is to put on the full armor of God, “So that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.” The next verse gives a sobering explanation of the enemy. He is not limited to the physical realm, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood.” The Christian’s battle is a spiritual one. It is against, “The rulers, against the authorities, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” 

The spiritual reality of the Christian’s battle is one of the reasons it is so difficult to fight. As humans we are used to looking for cause and effect in the physical world. We are not used to looking out for spiritual cause and effect. We have to learn to look for how the world and the system of the world is being used by the enemy as a spiritual battlefield. The devil wants to tempt Christians to sin in any way possible. He wants them to question their faith (Gen. 3:1). He wants them to give into physical and spiritual temptation (Mt. 4:1-11). He wants them to forget that they are being tempted (2 Cor. 11:14).

Once a Christian realizes how dangerous the enemy is, he or she will be motivated to put on the armor of God. Ephesians 6:13 says, “Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.” (LSB) The idea of standing firm is taken from the Roman military. Before I explain the pieces of armor, it is important to remember that the soldier was never supposed to go into battle alone. Imagine a regiment of soldiers standing next to each other in a rectangular pattern, with shields guarding them on all sides. The Christian is not to think of themselves as a lone soldier, taking on the enemy themselves. No, that would be foolish because the enemy is so large. The wise Christian recognizes their own weakness and stands firm with other believers. 

The wise Christian knows their armor and they know how to use it. Ephesians 6:14 starts the list of defensive armor with the belt of truth. This is a core piece of armor that is based upon the truth of God. The believer does not look to the world for truth, he or she looks to God and His word. The next piece of armor is the breastplate of righteousness. This is a reference to the actions of the believer. He or she can defend themselves against temptation by living a holy life. They should not place themselves in compromising situations, that would be going into battle without the breastplate. There are many Christians who think they can handle more than others. In reality, they have already started losing the battle because they have let their guard down. It is only a matter of time until they will be spiritually wounded. 

One reason we know this armor is supposed to be defensive is because of the next item in the list. Ephesians 6:15 says, “as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.” (ESV) The idea here is of the boots used by Roman soldiers. These shoes often had nails at the bottom to help the solider stand their ground. The spiritual meaning refers to the saving message of the gospel. A believer can not hope to resist the enemy if he has not committed his life to Christ. Once he has done so, the Christian will find immense strength knowing that his sins have been paid for. If the devil tries to make him doubt God, the Christian can be strengthened by trusting in the saving work of Christ! 

There are three other important parts of the armor of God, but they will have to wait until the next part of this series of articles. I trust that this short analysis of the armor of God will help believers be encouraged to get dressed for battle every day. Christians need to recognize that reading God’s word, prayer, and fellowship with other believers are all a necessary part of being prepared for each day. It would be foolish for a soldier to leave the barracks without armor. It would be even more foolish for a Christian to leave his home without being armed for spiritual battle. 

Who Are You Following?

November 4, 2023 /

That was the title of the message pastor Ken Rollans gave to a group of pastors and wives who attended the Central Valley Fellowship (CVF) Pastor Dinner last Friday night in Porterville. Pastor Ken’s speech was the highlight of an evening that included a delicious meal, worship, and an update for next year’s events. 

Pastor Ken’s sermon was an important reminder for the pastors to ask themselves about their motives in ministry. Ken mentioned some poignant passages from Paul’s letters to the Corinthians. He quoted from 1 Corinthians 1:11 where Paul wrote, “Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.” He also mentioned 2 Corinthians 3:5, which says, “Not that we are adequate in ourselves so as to consider anything as having come from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God.” 

Personally, I appreciated pastor Ken’s honesty because it is easy for spiritual leaders to be distracted by all the concerns of life. We must constantly ask ourselves “Who are you following?” We need to remember that our love for the Lord must come from the source of truth, which is God’s word. We must constantly set our gaze on Christ, as it says in Hebrews 12:2, “Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” (English Standard Version)

This year’s dinner was hosted at Living Word Fellowship in Porterville. It was the third time, in so many years, that the church has gone out of its way to encourage pastors and wives with this special event. The couples in attendance came from many different churches in the valley. The following cities were represented at the meeting: Porterville, Visalia, Kingsburg, Dinuba, Hanford and Lemoore. Next year’s dinner will be hosted in Kingsburg and the group anticipates having more pastors from the Fresno area in attendance. 

Central Valley Fellowship is affiliated with The Master’s Fellowship, which is “an association of pastors and missionaries bound together by love for the Living Word, the Master, our Lord Jesus, the church for which He died, and the bold proclamation of the exposited written word. The Fellowship’s purpose is to support the mission and leadership of the local church by connecting and networking like-minded pastors and missionaries who share core biblical convictions of doctrine and praxis.” CVF organizes several local events throughout the year, culminating in the pastors dinner in October or November. 

This next year, CVF will be hosting two all valley meetings in Visalia, along with several local events in Hanford, Visalia, and Porterville. There will be two conferences that the CVF Leadership team is encouraging people to attend. The first is the For the Valley conference, which will take place at Grace Church of the Valley on April 19-20th. The second is the Iron Sharpens Iron men’s conference, which will take place at Hickman Community Church on May 3-4th. Tickets are already available for purchase for the For the Valley conference (www.ftvbc.com)

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