Christ and Common Sense

Thoughts from a Central Valley Pastor

Category: Christ (Page 4 of 9)

Optimist, Pessimist, or Psalmist?

January 27, 2023 /

A couple weeks ago I saw a friend post an image with the following phrase, “Are you living like an optimist, a pessimist, or a Psalmist?” The accompanying image had two glasses of water. One had water filled to the middle of the glass. The other had water overflowing and splashing down the side. I smiled thinking about what a great illustration that was for the Christian life. The traditional outlook on life gives two options, either the glass is half full or half empty. The Bible reveals a third option that is infinitely better. It is a life that is overflowing with the goodness and faithfulness of God!

Psalm 23 is a great example of the overflowing life. The Psalmist describes the supernatural peace and goodness that come from having the Lord as your shepherd. “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me.” (ESV) The word used for comfort in the original Hebrew refers to being encouraged and consoled in grief. The idea is that God’s loving presence cancels the fear and difficulty of even the worst situation. This not only removes the negative feelings that come with trials. It makes it possible for the fear to be replaced with a deep-seated joy that comes from being in the presence of God.

The Psalmist wrote, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” My favorite image in this section is of the cup that is overflowing with the goodness of God. The word used for overflowing refers to satisfaction and abundance. Psalm 66:12 uses the same phrase, “We went through fire and through water; yet you have brought us out to a place of abundance.” The Psalmist’s experience of trials was not marked by the difficulty of the situation. His attitude was determined by his knowledge of God. He knew the Lord had brought the Jews out of Egypt. He knew God had brought them into the Promised land. His knowledge of God extended from human history to his own personal experience. He had seen the Lord bless him in abundance, even in the midst of hard times. He had discovered the marvelous secret of trusting in the sovereignty of God.

The apostle Paul also knew how to live the life of the overflowing cup. In Philippians 4:11-13 he wrote, “Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Paul’s strength did not come from “living his best life now.” It did not come from tricking himself into thinking things were better than they were. No, his joy was found outside of himself. His joy was hidden in the work of God.

This was masterfully displayed when Jesus Christ quoted from Psalm 22 while being tortured on the cross. It is hard to envision a more dramatic image of someone going through the valley of the shadow of death than the crucifixion. Yet in the midst of this excruciating pain, the gospel accounts describe how Jesus was able to speak to those around him and even quote from memory some of the passages that brought him supernatural hope and joy. One of the most profound passages that he quoted was from Psalm 22. I would encourage you to read this psalm in it’s entirety, but for now I want to focus on one section that mentions the idea of the abundance and overflowing goodness of God.

Psalm 22:26 says, “The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek him shall praise the LORD!” The idea of being satisfied is very similar to the abundance described in Psalm 23. These two psalms actually go together very well because they share this profound theme of having joy in the midst of trials. David experienced great pain in life, but Jesus even more so. He was able to endure the agonizing pain of crucifixion with joy because he was relying on the supernatural power of God. Hebrews 12:2 says, “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.” The Greek word used for joy is “charas.” It refers to the “experience of gladness.” It is supernatural joy that can only be experienced by those who have committed their lives to God.

The power of believing in God is immeasurable. The one who believes in the triune God is not limited to the physical world. He does not have to live a life that is bound by the laws of nature because he believes in the supernatural. He is living for eternity. This is why the believer should not settle for the analogy of the half glass of water. He knows that is not the whole story. He knows that a Christian worldview would not use such a limited and finite illustration. God does not fill a glass half full and tell people to use will-power to “look for good in a bad situation.” God is infinitely good and wise and full of joy! He tells humanity to “Taste and see that the Lord is good!” “Eat and be satisfied!” “My cup overflows, surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever!”

I think it is helpful for Christians to reflect on the analogy of the glass of water. There are many believers who think their lives are like a glass that is half full. They don’t have what others have. Or they think they have too many problems compared to others. The Christian doesn’t have to live like that. They can upgrade the analogy to a cup that is overflowing. This can not be done by your own power. This can only be done by repenting of living with a worldly mindset. The Christian needs to throw the old glass away. He must reject a selfish worldview for the selfless one that comes by serving God. Then God is able to remove a heart of stone and replace it with a heart of flesh. Then a person can confess with their mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in their heart that God raised him from the dead and be saved! Believing in Christ not only saves a person from their sin. It also saves them from a life that is limited to the confines of the materialistic world. My prayer is that you will upgrade the analogy of the glass to that of the overflowing cup. Jesus said, “I have come that you may have life and have it abundantly!” (John 10:10)

The Crux & the Conscience

January 21, 2023 /

What is the most difficult decision you have ever had to make? Were you placed in a crux because of your own actions or was the situation thrust upon you? Often the most difficult decisions in life come when there are only two choices available and neither of them seem very positive at the time. I have found that if a person has a sensitive conscience, which has been informed by God’s word, then they will usually be able to make the right decision because they are guided by their conscience. This is how the conscience is supposed to work, and I find it fascinating to see how God’s word impacts the conscience and helps people navigate the difficult decisions of life. 

One of the most famous decisions of conscience can be seen in the case of King Solomon and the two women. By correlating ancient Assyrian accounts with the Biblical chronology we can place the fourth year of King Solomon’s reign to the year 966 BC. This gives us a very specific time-frame for when this event took place. 

The Bible describes King Solomon as the wisest man in the world. 1 Kings 3:16-28 tells us that two women were brought to King Solomon for what may have been the first true test of his wisdom. Each woman had given birth to a boy within a three day span. One of the babies had died in the night and the women wanted Solomon to decide who was the right mother of the child. The first woman claimed that the other woman’s baby boy had died because his mother had accidentally laid on him in her sleep. The first woman argued that the other woman switched the babies while she was asleep by taking the living baby and replacing him with the dead baby. 

The other woman denied this account and said, “‘No, the living child is mine, and the dead child is yours.’ The first said, ‘No, the dead child is yours, and the living child is mine.’ Thus they spoke before the king.” (ESV) You can imagine how difficult it would have been to judge between the two women. There was no DNA testing available three thousand years ago. King Solomon had to find a way to see who was the real mother and who was not. He made a decision that proved dramatically effective in the ancient context he lived in. 

King Solomon gave the order to have a sword brought to the courtroom. He said, “Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one and half to the other.” There is no indication that he was actually going to cut the child in two. He recognized each woman had a conscience, and he trusted that the threat of losing another child would elicit a powerful reaction from one of them.

Verses 26-28 tell us, “Then the woman whose son was alive said to the king, because her heart yearned for her son, ‘Oh, my lord, give her the living child, and by no means put him to death.’ But the other said, ‘He shall be neither mine nor yours; divide him.’ Then the king answered and said, ‘Give the living child to the first woman, and by no means put him to death; she is his mother.’ And all Israel heard of the judgment that the king had rendered, and they stood in awe of the king, because they perceived that the wisdom of God was in him to do justice.”

I find myself reacting to this account the same way the people of Israel did. I am amazed at Solomon’s wisdom, and I am also surprised by the response of the women. King Solomon’s wisdom is clearly seen because he recognized the powerful role of the human conscience. He recognized that mothers value the life of their children, and I believe he hoped that one of the women would be outraged by his solution and voluntarily provide a better one. His strategy proved effective, but not in the way some might think. 

I would think that the likely outcome of Solomon’s order would have been for the guilty woman to admit to switching the babies. You would think her guilt at taking her housemate’s baby would eat away at her conscience and she would want to come clean and make things right. But that is not what happened. Instead of admitting her guilt, the other woman cried out in support of another killing. She said, “He shall be neither mine nor yours; divide him.” Those are the words of a cold-hearted killer. Instead of having her conscience softened, she had actually hardened her heart to the point of justifying another death. 

This is a tragic reality of the human conscience. It can be hardened to the point of justifying murder. Jeremiah 17:9-10 says, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” As Christians we need to be aware of our propensity to self-deception, and we need to make sure our conscience stays keen and aligned with God’s word so that we will not find ourselves condoning sin or giving into temptation. 

The other surprising aspect of this account is the response of the true mother. She could have cried out in anguish and rebelled against the judge’s ruling. She didn’t. She said, “Oh, my lord, give her the living child, and by no means put him to death.” That is a surprisingly gracious response. Did she realize that she was giving permission for her child to be given to a woman who had kidnapped him just a few days before? How could she do that? I believe she was able to because she valued the life of her child over the rule of the law. She could live with injustice, but she could not live with condoning the death of her own child. 

One last thing to consider. Why didn’t the guilty woman keep her mouth shut? King Solomon might not have had clarity to see her crime if she had stayed quiet. But that is not what happened. The hatred and wickedness of the other woman was so strong that she could not help crying out for murder. That should be a powerful warning for us as well. A hardened conscience is deceitfully wicked, capable of doing much worse than the person might even recognize. 

I hope this story is a helpful reminder of the importance of keeping our conscience clean before the Lord. May we pray with the Psalmist, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10)

A Call for Self-Control

January 21, 2023 /

When was the last time you saw or heard our society encourage the need for self-control? Unfortunately, the call for people to control their impulses and base desires has been rejected by the world. The need to control immoral urges seems to have been replaced with a demand for environmental guidelines and rules. Were we not told just this week that we need to be self-controlled in our use of gas stoves and natural resources? This environmental brow-beating is misdirecting people from the true problems of society. Where is the demand to reign in corruption, pornography, illicit sex, greed, and gluttony? Where is the call for people to be morally self-controlled? 

It comes as no surprise that our society will not encourage this type of self-control. We have to look to a supernatural source for this type of guidance because the natural world is geared towards sin and corruption. 

The Bible speaks very strongly about the need for self-control. Proverbs 25:28 says, “A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.” In other words, without self-control a person has no defense against the temptations of the world. Without discernment the Christian can quickly give in to a myriad of temptations that will have permanent and painful results. Proverbs 13:15 puts it like this, “Good sense wins favor, but the way of the treacherous is their ruin.” 

One of the most famous illustrations in the Bible about self-control is found in the book of Proverbs. Proverbs 5:1-6 says, “My son, be attentive to my wisdom; incline your ear to my understanding, that you may keep discretion, and your lips may guard knowledge. For the lips of a forbidden woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil, but in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword. Her feet go down to death; her steps follow the path to Sheol; she does not ponder the path of life her ways wander, and she does not know it.”

Proverbs 7 goes on to tell a dramatic story about a foolish young man who meets a prostitute on the city streets and follows her to her lair. It says, “With much seductive speech she persuades him; with her smooth talk she compels him. All at once he follows her, as an ox goes to the slaughter, or as a stag is caught fast till an arrow pierces its liver, as a bird rushes into a snare; he does not know that it will cost him his life.” (Proverbs 7:21-23) 

Taken together these two passages create a strong argument for self-control. They appeal to the human instinct for self-protection. Why would anyone willingly follow a path that leads to death? The reason, according to Proverbs, is that they were unaware of the danger. If the young man is shown the danger of sin, he will be motivated to turn away from it. 

This is one reason the Bible is so valuable today. It is the only place where the reader can find divine warnings about the reality of sin and the need for repentance. It is the only place where morality is defined by the holiness of God. Leviticus 19:2 says, “You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.” God’s holiness is perfect. He is a God of truth, righteousness, purity, and goodness. He can not allow wickedness to dwell in his presence. He created the world to be pure and sinless, but when Adam and Eve sinned, the world was plunged into perpetual wickedness. This is why God had to provide a solution for sin. This is why Jesus Christ came to the earth. He lived a perfect life and died on the cross so that he could make the payment for our sins (Romans 10:9-10). He did so in order to fulfill God the Father’s need for sin to be paid. He did so to bring glory to God. 

This last point is important to bring up in relation to living a life of self-control. The Christian should be motivated to live a holy life because of his or her desire to glorify God. The Christian should resist temptation because he wants to do the will of the Father. The will of the Father is for us to do good works. Jesus said, “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16) If a Christian recognizes the joy and peace that comes from living for God then he will be willing to resist temptation for he knows that path brings pain and death, but the narrow path of God brings joy and life eternal! 

Reading Challenge for 2023

January 7, 2023 /

Have you ever read through the Bible In a ear? Many people have attempted it, but only a few have actually entered the BIY club. The reasons for this are many, but I believe with a focused plan and the right motivation, we could see the percentage of BIYers increase in our churches this year. First we have to choose the right plan. 

One of the benefits of living in the modern English speaking world is the amazing access we have to the Bible. It is possible to find dozens of plans to read the Bible. Ligonier ministries has a helpful list of updated plans to choose from at www.ligonier.org/posts/bible-reading-plans. These range from Robert Murray M’Cheyne’s classic reading plan, which has been used since 1842, to the ESV’s online plans that will actually let you listen to the Bible for free. Personally, I find it helpful to read God’s word chronologically and with a realistic reading schedule. That is  why I am recommending the Five Day Bible Reading plan. 

This plan can be downloaded for free at fivedaybiblereading.com Once you download it you will see that it allows the reader to finish the Bible with only five days of reading a week. I have found this to be a reasonable schedule because it is not always possible to read several chapters every day of the week. If you miss a day in the middle of the week, you can still reach your goal by catching up the next day. 

I also appreciate how this plan places the Psalms and poetry books in tandem with the historical books of the Old Testament. For instance, Psalm 19 is read the same day as the creation account in Genesis 1-2. The plan also includes reading the New Testament chronologically at the same time, which is also helpful because it is easy to overlook the historical order of the books if you read the Bible from cover to cover. There is some disagreement over the exact timing of the books of the Bible, but I have found this reading plan is quite accurate. I discovered that Job is placed at the end of the plan because the person who developed the plan believes it is one of the earliest books, but it “is hard to fit elsewhere.” 

When it comes to being motivated to read God’s word I think the reader can do no better than to see what Scripture says for itself. Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (ESV) Our hearts are so prone to deception (Jeremiah 17:9) that we are able to easily become complacent and sinful. We must constantly look at ourselves in the mirror of God’s word (James 1:22-25). We must seek to be like the man who “looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, (for) he will be blessed in his doing.” (25) 

Psalm 119 is a beautiful call for God’s people to recognize the value of His word. It says, “How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Blessed are you, O Lord; teach me your statutes! With my lips I declare all the rules of your mouth. In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches. I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.”

I appreciate the Psalmist’s commitment to not forget the word of God. This takes time and it takes focus. We are forgetful creatures, so we have to constantly fill our minds with the truth of God’s word or we will forget. Having a bible reading plan is just one way we can seek to have our minds transformed by God’s word. As Romans 12:12 says, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” May this year be full of God’s word in our lives so that we may live in a way that is pleasing to Him. 

Seek Wisdom!

January 2, 2023 /

Raise your hand if you could use more wisdom in your life! I know I could. Life is difficult. Every day brings different challenges and concerns that require guidance and skill to complete successfully. Every new year brings an opportunity to recalibrate our hearts and minds to the truth of God’s word so we will are able to handle the trials that are bound to come.

The type of wisdom I am writing about is biblical wisdom. In the original Hebrew of the Old Testament the term often used for wisdom was “hakam.” It refers to skill in living. This type of wisdom is not just understanding knowledge and facts. It is learning to put truth into practice. The Greek word that is often used in the Bible for wisdom is “sofia” and it refers to “the capacity to understand and function accordingly.” (BDAG) The measure of a wise person is not in how much information they know. It is found in how well they can put the truth of God’s word into practice.

There are many passages that talk about this kind of wisdom, but I want to focus on one verse that I will be preaching on this Sunday. James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”

I like to think of this verse as rungs on a ladder. The first step to seeking wisdom is to humble yourself. If you are going to seek Godly wisdom, you have to first admit that you are lacking in wisdom. This is an important step because it makes sure that each person is seeking wisdom with the right attitude. If you read James 1:5 and think, “I’m not lacking in wisdom” then you don’t understand this kind of wisdom. This kind of wisdom can never be fully attained in this lifetime because every situation is different. Every trial presents another opportunity to put God’s word into action. Every year will bring difficulties that will take time and truth to discern. We have to stay humble before the Lord in order to seek wisdom with the right attitude.

The second rung of God’s wisdom is the command “Ask God.” It is important to notice that James does not say “seek wise counsel.” He goes right to the source and says, “Ask God.” This is a clear command for all Christians to ask God for wisdom.

This is similar to Proverbs 2:2 where Solomon encourages the reader to “Make your ear pay attention to wisdom, Incline your heart to discernment… Then you will understand the fear of Yahweh and find the knowledge of God.” (Legacy Standard Bible)

The Christian life is not one of seeking a life that is passive and pain-free. No, the Christian life is one of passion and the pursuit of God. It is spent asking God for wisdom. Jesus said, “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be added unto you.” (Mt. 6:33)

The third rung emphasizes the character of God. Verse five says, “Ask God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” The reason the believer should be motivated to ask God for wisdom is because God is a generous God. He pours out his wisdom upon those who seek after him.

James may have had Matthew 7:7 in mind where Jesus said, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!”

The Father is generous and he gives without reproach. The Greek word used here means that God gives wisdom without looking for fault. He doesn’t look for reasons to withhold wisdom from people. He is not capricious or vindictive. He is just and He is generous.

This leads into the fourth rung, which is also the last rung of the wisdom ladder. James 1:5 says, “and it will be given to him.” Aren’t you glad this is a short ladder? There is no red-tape or bureaucracy to pursuing the wisdom of God. God doesn’t tell wisdom seekers to “Go on a pilgrimage first.” Christianity can not be confined as a traditional religion that requires certain rituals be performed in order to reach a higher level of devotion. No, Christianity is a relationship with the God who created the universe. It is a life-long pursuit of knowing God and living the way he created us to be.

Psalm 34 sets the tone for seeking Godly wisdom. The Psalmist writes, “Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! Oh, fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack! The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.”

May this coming year be one of seeking the wisdom of God. May our lives be guided by His word and may they be full of the richness and pleasure and joy that comes from living the way God intended.

Benefits of Meditating on God’s Word

December 11, 2022 /

How good is your company’s benefits package? What kind of perks does your gym membership offer? Do your online subscriptions offer any special discounts that I need to know about? We have been trained to think about work and life in terms of immediate benefits. As Christians we need to make sure our minds are being trained to think in terms of spiritual benefits. We need to ask “Is this helping me store up heavenly treasure?” “How will this job affect my relationship with God and my church family?” “Is this helping me redeem the time for the glory of God?” 

David Saxton’s book God’s Battle Plan for the Mind has an entire chapter entitled “The Benefits of Meditation.” It is focused on encouraging Christians to meditate on God’s word. Instead of trying to empty our mind of thoughts, this type of meditation seeks to fill the mind and soul with the priceless truth of God’s word. The men’s group at Grace Bible Church just finished discussing this chapter and since there was such a good response from our study I thought it would be helpful to include the most salient points from the chapter. Here are eight benefits of biblical meditation. 

Deepens Repentance – Haggai 1:5 tells us to, “Consider your ways!” (English Standard Version) As Christians it is important to remind ourselves that we need to be always growing in our love of God and others. We need to make sure we do not become complacent. Contemplating verses like Psalm 90:12 will help us stay humble and repentant for our sins, “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” 

Increases Resolve to Fight Sin – 2 Corinthians 7:10 says, “For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.” The world and human nature rebel against the idea of admitting blame for our actions. The Bible reminds us that admitting our sin is the only way to be healed from it. If we don’t admit our sin then the work of Jesus Christ dying on the cross for us would be pointless. But if we recognize our sin then there is no greater freedom that can be experienced then knowing our sin has been paid for. 

Inflames the Heart for God – Psalm 112:7 has a wonderful promise, “(The righteous) is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord.” If a Christian has meditated on the faithfulness and sovereignty of God, then his heart will be ready for the difficulties of life. The fire in his heart will not be put out. It will continue to burn brightly for the Lord, even in trials. The Puritan pastor Thomas Watson wrote, “Meditation is the bellows of the affections.” In other words, the passion in a Christian’s life will be enlivened and enflamed by studying God’s word. 

Increases Growth in Grace – The apostle Peter commanded Christians to “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 3:18) The most effective way to do this is to spend regular, prolonged time reading and thinking about the truth of who God is and how he wants us to live. 

Provides Comfort and Assurance – “This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life.The insolent utterly deride me, but I do not turn away from your law. When I think of your rules from of old, I take comfort, O LORD.” Psalm 119:50-52 These ancient verses still hold true because God’s promises are still in effect today. If you commit your life to Christ then God’s word tells us that you will not lose your salvation (John 10:28). That truth is like a strong tower that can withstand the onslaught of any storm or difficulty.  

Creates Joy, Thankfulness, and Contentment. I am often surprised how effective God’s word is at changing my attitude. I might be having a bad day, but as soon as I read a Psalm or listen to a hymn, my mood changes and I realize everything is going to be alright. God’s word is not only a manual for living life the way God wants. It is also a hymnal that gives words that our souls long to sing. “I will sing to the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have being.  May my meditation be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the LORD.” Psalm 104:33-34 

Deepens a Christian’s Experience – Thomas Watson has another poignant quote regarding the importance of meditation, “Shallow Christianity has become the blight of the modern church. Success no longer is measured by Christian maturity and discernment. Rather, it is judged by the quality of praise music, the comfort of the building, and the increased size of the congregation.” David Saxton shows that meditating on God’s word is a guaranteed antidote to shallow Christianity. 

Improves Knowledge & Retention of God’s Word – Psalm 119 is famous for describing dozens of benefits for studying God’s word. One of the most practical benefits is that constant meditation on God’s word results in remembering the truth. Psalm 119:15-16 reads, “I will meditate on your precepts, and fix my eyes on your ways. I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.” 

Hopefully by reading through these benefits of meditation, the Christian will be motivated to carve out more time to give to the Lord. In a world of distraction we need to constantly be looking to renew our minds with the truth of God’s word. 

We Celebrate Reformation Day!

November 3, 2022 /

Ephesians 5:8-11 says, “Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.” (English Standard Version) The longer I meditate on this passage the more convinced I am of the need to call Christians to rethink the ways we have let Halloween influence our homes and families. 

One reason I know this is a needed reminder is because a few years ago I had to change my mindset about the holiday. My wife and I had just returned from working in Europe. We had been living in Albania and North Macedonia and we noticed that the people did not celebrate Halloween the way Americans do. People’s home’s were not covered in spiderwebs and spiders, witches and warlocks, tombstones and skeletons. We came back to the states in 2018 and we were shocked to see how much the culture had become infatuated with this holiday of death. 

Before coming back, I was somewhat ambivalent about the holiday. I thought Christians could dress up and enjoy trick-or-treating as a fun, American tradition. Once we came back I began rethinking the holiday in light of Scripture. As Christians we are to “walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true).” It doesn’t take long to realize that the foundations of Halloween do not fit that criteria. All you need to do is to go into a local Halloween costume store and look for how many of the costumes are focused on dark themes of death and horror. 

So what are Christians to do on Halloween? When I was young my parents turning the porch lights off and carving pumpkins and making candied apples. It was a fun way to pass the time, but it always felt like we were missing out. I started thinking about this and it became clear that my family needed something positive to replace the negative aspects of Halloween. That is one reason I was so glad to learn that there is a profound Christian event that is celebrated on the same day, October 31st. 

Reformation Day is celebrated on October 31st to commemorate the day in the year 1517, when Martin Luther, a German priest, reportedly nailed a list of religious concerns to the door of the Wittenberg Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany. One reason we believe he posted the list on October 31st was because he knew many people would be coming to the church the next day, which was All-Saints Day. Martin Luther knew the list, called the 95 Theses, would cause a stir, but he had no idea it would lead to a wide-spread religious movement referred to as the Protestant Reformation. 

The Protestant Reformation started from a desire for Christians to see the Roman Catholic Church (RCC) reformed. At the time, the church allowed funds to be raised by selling something called an indulgence. In his book A Modern Guide to Indulgences, Edward Peters describes an indulgence as “a way to reduce the amount of punishment one has to undergo for sins.” The RCC taught that an individual could reduce the punishment for a specific sin by doing certain things, such as reciting a prayer, visiting a holy place, or performing an action the church declared could pay for sin. These indulgences were official documents that attested to the punishment for sins being reduced. 

By the time Martin Luther served as a priest, there was wide-spread abuse of indulgences. They were being sold to the ignorant masses who were taught salvation came by works, not by faith. The indulges raised funds that helped build massive cathedrals. Martin Luther was keenly aware of these abuses and so in 1517 he decided to voice his concerns. While reading the 95 Theses, it becomes clear that Luther’s main concern was to show that the Bible did not teach salvation through buying indulgences. He wrote, “Those who believe that they can be certain of their salvation because they have indulgence letters will be eternally damned, together with their teachers.” 

Martin Luther’s actions on October 31, 1517, are remembered today largely because of the printing press. Someone took Luther’s 95 Theses and began printing it on a press that was likely modeled after the Guttenberg press. Luther’s writing was circulated far and wide, and the Roman Catholic Church was compelled to address his complaints. The situation became more and more concerned with Martin Luther’s belief’s about salvation being by faith alone. This all culminated in a dramatic court case, called the Diet of Worms (a gathering that took place in the German city called Worms), where Luther was ordered to renounce all his writings. He refused, and as a result he was excommunicated by the Roman Catholic Church. 

The story goes on to have a happy ending for Martin Luther. He realized the Bible does not forbid clergy to marry, and so in 1523 he married Katharina von Bora, a former nun, and had six children with her. He went on to do groundbreaking work in translating the New Testament from Greek into German, and with the help of the printing press distributed God’s word to the masses. 

Our family has been celebrating Reformation Day for the last five years and it has come to be a fun, cherished family tradition. We usually recount the story of the Reformation and read some passages in the Bible that emphasize that salvation is by faith and not by works (Ephesians 2:8-10). We always include some games and the big finale is when we make a dessert called “Luther’s Rose”. It is a delicious snack that illustrates some of the most important parts of Luther’s beliefs in the Bible. 

We always start with a strawberry shortcake shell that reveals a yellow ring, which symbolizes the joy of eternity with God in heaven. Next we fill the shell with white whipped cream, which symbolizes the purity of the angels and heaven. Then we use blueberries to make a ring that represents the sky and the future hope of heaven. A strawberry is sliced in half and placed in the middle of the dessert to represent a heart. We usually use chocolate syrup to draw a cross on the heart to show that faith is in the work of Christ alone.

As our kids grow and mature their understanding of the significance of the Reformation grows as well. Initially they just think about the fun games and the sweet dessert, but as time goes by their appreciation for God’s work in human history grows as well. I hope you will consider adding a Reformation Day celebration to your family traditions. Soli Deo Gloria! For the Glory of God Alone! 

Praising God for Our Pastors

October 7, 2022 /

The Bible encourages believers to honor the leaders of the local church. The apostle Paul encouraged the church in Ephesus by writing, “Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.” (1 Timothy 5:17 ESV) And in his letter to the church in Thessalonica Paul wrote, “We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.” (1 Thess. 5:12-13) It is important to note that showing your appreciation for a pastor should never detract from a believer giving praise and glory to God for providing leadership for the church. 

One way modern church families can show their gratitude to God for their pastors is by celebrating Pastor Appreciation Month. Starting in 1994, churches have been using the second Sunday in October as a special day to show their love and appreciation for members of the clergy. Focus on the Family is credited with initiating the tradition of celebrating pastors in a special way. Their goal was “that every pastor (including staff ministers) and his or her family would feel appreciated by those they serve.” Ideally, churches should be finding ways to show their appreciation to their leaders throughout the year. 

Focus on the Family developed a guide to Pastor Appreciation Month that can be downloaded in English and Spanish at their website, https://www.focusonthefamily.com/church/celebrating-pastor-appreciation-month/. The guide includes some great ways to thoughtfully show your appreciation for those who serve the local church. I will use the rest of this article to mention some of the best ways to encourage your church leaders. 

Praise God for good leadership

The main goal of pastor appreciation month should be to bring glory to God. He is the one who has created the church and he is the one who is guiding the leadership of the church to appoint pastors and elders. If a church chooses to announce pastor appreciation month, they should make sure that their praise is being directed to God. One way to maintain focus on God while thanking your pastors and elders is to say it in the context of giving glory to God. You can say, “We are grateful to God for calling you to serve our church family” or “We praise God for all the work that you do.” This will be a healthy safeguard against taking the focus away from God. James 1:17 says, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” Praising God should be the primary aim of showing appreciation for pastors.

Communicate with your pastor

This is a basic point, but since we live in such a busy, fast-paced society, it is important to slow down long enough to think about your church leaders and find a way to tell them how much you appreciate the way they serve your community. A great way to do this is by praising God for using your pastor in the life of the church. Writing a personal note or sending a Thank You card is a great way to show your appreciation. If you don’t have time for that then a quick email, text message or phone call will go a long way. Some pastors save their encouraging text messages and look at them throughout the year. 

Bless your pastor

This is what many people think of when they think about pastor appreciation month. This is a nice way to show you appreciate your pastor, but it should not be an expectation. Your love for those who serve in the church should not be measured by the amount of gift cards or financial gifts he or she receives. If the church gives a financial gift, they should not announce the dollar amount when it is given because the amount is not as important as the purpose of the gift. If more than one person preaches at your church then you should consider giving a gift to everyone who teaches so that extra pressure is not placed on one individual. If there is a team of elders, you might want to consider finding a way to show your appreciation to all the elders and the staff. 

These are just a few of the ways that you can praise God and show appreciation for our church leaders. 

John MacArthur’s Letter to the Governor

October 1, 2022 /

I have never heard of a pastor writing an open letter to the sitting governor of a state. I am sure it has happened in the past, but for a letter of this magnitude to be written is a historically significant event, if only because of how rarely it occurs. As such, I think it is important to make my readers aware of what has happened so they can be informed and pray accordingly. 

The letter was published on September 29, 2022 at www.gracechurch.org/news/posts/3592. The following is a portion of an open letter from Pastor John MacArthur to Governor Gavin Newsom. The letter was written in “response to billboard advertisements placed across the country by Newsom’s campaign shamelessly misquoting Mark 12:31 in support of abortion.” 

Almighty God says in His Word, “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people” (Proverbs 14:34). Scripture also teaches that it is the chief duty of any civic leader to reward those who do well and to punish evildoers (Romans 13:1–7). You have not only failed in that responsibility; you routinely turn it on its head, rewarding evildoers and punishing the righteous.

The Word of God pronounces judgment on those who call evil good and good evil (Isaiah 5:20), and yet many of your policies reflect this unholy, upside-down view of honor and morality. The diabolical effects of your worldview are evident in the statistics of California’s epidemics of crime, homelessness, sexual perversions (like homosexuality and transgenderism), and other malignant expressions of human misery that stem directly from corrupt public policy. I don’t need to itemize or elaborate on the many immoral decisions you have perpetrated against God and the people of our state, which have only exacerbated these problems. Nevertheless, my goal in writing is not to contend with your politics, but rather to plead with you to hear and heed what the Word of God says to men in your position.

“Let all kings bow down before Him, all nations serve Him” (Psalm 72:11).

“He who rules over men righteously, who rules in the fear of God, is as the light of the morning when the sun rises” (2 Samuel 23:3–4).

“It is an abomination for kings to commit wicked acts, for a throne is established on righteousness” (Proverbs 16:12).

What God said to Cyrus is a truth you should take to heart: “I am the Lord, and there is no other; besides Me there is no God. I will gird you, though you have not known Me; that men may know from the rising to the setting of the sun that there is no one besides Me. I am the Lord, and there is no other” (Isaiah 45:5–6).

“In mid-September, you revealed to the entire nation how thoroughly rebellious against God you are when you sponsored billboards across America promoting the slaughter of children, whom He creates in the womb (Psalm 139:13–16; Isaiah 45:9–12). You further compounded the wickedness of that murderous campaign with a reprehensible act of gross blasphemy, quoting the very words of Jesus from Mark 12:31 as if you could somehow twist His meaning and arrogate His name in favor of butchering unborn infants. 

You used the name and the words of Christ to promote the credo of Molech (Leviticus 20:1–5). It would be hard to imagine a greater sacrilege.Furthermore, you chose words from the lips of Jesus without admitting that in the same moment He gave the greatest commandment: “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength” (Mark 12:30). You cannot love God as He commands while aiding in the murder of His image-bearers.Psalm 50:16–19 speaks to people who pervert the Word of God for their own sinful ends: But to the wicked God says, “What right have you to recount My statutes And to take My covenant in your mouth? For you hate discipline, And you cast My words behind you. When you see a thief, you are pleased with him, And you associate with adulterers. You let your mouth loose in evil And you harness your tongue for deceit.”

My concern, Governor Newsom, is that your own soul lies in grave, eternal peril. “Each one of us will give an account of himself to God” (Romans 14:12). One day, not very long from now, you will face that reality. Nothing is more certain. “It is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). You will stand in the presence of the Holy God who created you, who is your Judge, and He will demand that you give an account for how you have flouted His authority in your governing, and how you have twisted His own Holy Word to rationalize it. As you look over the precipice of eternity, what will your answer be? When you look ahead of you and see that nothing awaits you but eternal misery—the just punishment for your sins—what will all the clever rationalizations and political talking points avail for you then? And by then it will be too late for any remedy or redemption. “It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31).

My plea to you, Sir, is that you would not let it come to that—that you would not go to that day of judgment apart from receiving forgiveness and righteousness through faith in Christ alone. In Psalm 50, after rebuking the wicked for uttering God’s words in a profane way, Scripture makes this promise: “Now consider this, you who forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there will be none to deliver. He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving glorifies Me; and he who orders his way, I shall show the salvation of God” (Psalm 50:22–23).So there is salvation for those who repent. Christ purchased full redemption for all who will turn from wickedness, forsake their evil thoughts and actions, and trust fully in Him as Lord and Savior.Our church, and countless Christians nationwide, are praying for your full repentance. 

Please respond to the gospel, forsake the path of wickedness you have pursued all your life, turn to Christ, ask for forgiveness, and use your office to advance the cause of righteousness (as is your duty) instead of undermining it (as has been your pattern). “Seek the LORD while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return to the LORD, and He will have compassion on him, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.” (Isaiah 55:6–7)Governor Newsom, “now is the acceptable time, behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2). For the Master, John MacArthur Pastor-Teacher 

As I wrote earlier, this is a significant event. John MacArthur is not one to waste time pursuing political messages for personal gain. He is driven by his conviction and his belief in the sufficiency of Scripture. He is sounding the alarm and graciously calling the governor to repentance. 

From my perspective this is a case of stolen valor. The governor has tried to drape himself and his campaign in a religious uniform by quoting scripture to support his view of abortion. This is an affront to God’s holy word and to the Catholic beliefs that the governor claims to support. Kathleen Domingo, the executive director of the California Catholic Conference said, “It is unconscionable that these ads distort Scripture to support abortion, specifically in states that have already dramatically limited abortion in favor of supporting life,” (https://www.catholicworldreport.com/2022/09/23/unconscionable-california-gov-newsom-cites-jesus-on-billboards-promoting-abortion/) 

I will not be surprised if the governor does not reply to pastor John’s letter because technically the campaign posters he authorized only pertain to his reelection campaign, not his current role as governor. That is what I was told by the governor’s office when I called last week. The person who took my call ended the call abruptly after saying, “This conversation is no longer constructive.” Clearly she was referring to the governor’s office’s perspective. I disagree with her viewpoint. I believe the need to hold a sitting governor accountable is an important role for every citizen, especially if the governor has made the mistake of misquoting a religious document that many of his constituents hold in a higher regard than any civic document. 

The Need for Repentance

July 22, 2022 /

One of the most important teachings in the Bible is that people need to repent of their sin. If we deny that someone is living in sin, then we deny the power of the gospel to save the person from their sin. Do you remember when the Pharisees became upset at Jesus for attending a meal with tax collectors? They asked him, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” And Jesus answered them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.” (Luke 5:30-32). 

What would you say to a physician who never told his patients the truth about their physical problems? Would you say the doctor was helping the situation or making it worse? Common sense tells us that there is great danger in withholding information from a patient. The patient is required to know the truth of the situation so they can understand the problem and look for a solution. 

The same principle is true regarding someone’s spiritual health. If their soul is in danger of serious, eternal consequences for their sin, then they should be able to learn the truth of the situation and seek a solution. Hiding the reality of sin from people would put them in a serious disadvantage. The Bible lovingly communicates the reality of sin in the context of God’s holiness. The bible teaches that God is holy and just and thus he must judge all sin. Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” It only takes one sin for someone to become sinful. It doesn’t matter if it is lying or stealing or lustful thoughts. It is all sin in God’s sight and must be dealt with. 

There has been a lot of discussion about homosexuality and I have noticed there is confusion about whether it is a sin. The Bible addresses the issue at the thought level (Matthew 5:27-28). It doesn’t matter if someone is having lustful thoughts in a heterosexual or homosexual way. If they are indulging in thoughts and actions that only belong inside of marriage between a husband and wife, then the person is in sin and needs to repent. 

A person struggling with homosexual thoughts might convince himself or herself that everything is fine because they heard someone say the Bible allows for that behavior. Aside from that being a misunderstanding of the Bible, I would have to ask “How could the person be washed clean of their sin if they never admitted they are in sin?” Paul wrote, “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” (1 Corinthians 6:9-11) 

Jesus is referred to as the Great Physician because he is able to save people from their sin. One of the vital aspects of His saving work is that He requires that people acknowledge their sin and come to repentance. The word repentance is incredibly powerful! It means to feel a deep sense of remorse and to acknowledge you have done wrong and that you need to be saved from your sin. If you deny that you have sinned then you cannot be saved. It would be like a patient who is not willing to acknowledge the presence of a sickness. The patient cannot be helped until they admit there is a problem that needs to be cured. 

Admitting that we have sinned is an important part of understanding the Gospel, the Good News, that Jesus Christ came to save sinners like you and me. If we deny that certain thoughts and actions are sinful, then we are denying the power of the gospel to save people from their sin. In fact, Scripture says “If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” (1 John 1:10) Those who reject the clear teaching of Scripture, will be punished for their folly. They will lose the moral foundation needed to navigate the trials and difficulties of this life and more importantly, they will be in danger of sealing their fate for eternal life as well. 

May God give us the humility and honesty to recognize our sin so that we may cry out to God to be saved! 

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