“Something is wrong with a philosophy that relegates God and His Word to a subordinate role in the church. It is clearly unbiblical to elevate entertainment over biblical preaching and worship in the church service. Sadly, some actually believe that their salesmanship can bring people into the kingdom more effectively than a sovereign God – a philosophy that has opened the door to worldliness in the church” (John MacArthur, from his book Ashamed of the Gospel).

If you are a pastor, teacher, or church leader, remember that for life change, the Word of God is more powerful than anything we can say or do.

Numbers 16:12-13, “Then Moses sent a summons to Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab; but they said, ‘We will not come up. Is it not enough that you have brought us up out of a land flowing with milk and honey to have us die in the wilderness, but you would also lord it over us?'”

It is a remarkable thing when people revise history to make the old days, ‘good old days.’ Here we have members of Korah’s rebellion fiercely rebelling against Moses, and in their zeal to be “right,” they change their past. In their misguided zeal, they are now claiming that EGYPT of all places, the land in which they were enslaved to, was a soft memory of their land of milk and honey! Forget the promises of the future, forget the memories of God’s miracles in the desert, it was Egypt that was home, and this Moses took them away from it!

Unbelievable, right? Yet, how is this different than what we do today? How often do you remember the good old days which were not, or that perfect leader who was not, or disparage the current state of affairs? Or even worse, how often do you dread every change, every moment, every future plan because it is as you feared?

The truth is that you cannot afford to long for the past, because your corrupt mind has colored it rosy. No, instead, long for the future, a future in Christ. Christ is the future. He is the land flowing with milk and honey. He chooses His leaders, leads His people, guides His sheep to paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.

Spend time praying for your own condition, that you seek the future in Him rather than recreating what never was. May He victoriously lead you in a way that glorifies Him!

Pastor Fran

In honor of one of the finest days of the year, Opening Day, I want to share a wonderful lesson of how a tragic mistake was turned into a triumph: 

In 1908, a Rookie with the NY Giants by the name of Fred Merkle was on first base with another runner at third in the ninth inning of an important game with the Chicago Cubs. Shortstop Al Bridwell, was up to bat with two outs, and quickly hit a game ending single to center field, allowing the runner on third to score the winning run. Merkle, however, was supposed to run to second base so as to avoid being forced out. As was the practice of that day, he saw the run scored, turned toward his dugout without touching second, and headed out of the stadium to avoid the mob of cheering fans who had now flooded the field. Meanwhile, the umpire saw a Cubs player retrieve the ball, touch second base, and now declared Merkle out, and that the run did not score.

Merkle was now the victim of what another umpire called “the rottenest decision in the history of baseball.” He was derided and demonized by the New York press. Fans and newspapers called the play “Merkle’s Boner” and Merkle a bonehead. Disgraced, Merkle’s team wound up tying the Cubs at the end of the season, then would lose to the Cubs in a rematch game to decide the National League winner. The Cubs would go on to win the World Series (this was their last championship win).

But what happened to Fred Merkle? Apparently, his bonehead label never went away. Throughout his life, he was dogged by fans who were angry even decades later. Admirably, Merkle moved beyond his tragic mistake and went on to a wonderful baseball career, eventually playing in five World Series over the next twenty year years. After he retired, he lived a peaceful life as a family man, devoted husband, and a successful businessman.

Merkle could have bitterly quit baseball his first year, or become frozen with fear and fail to play to his potential. Instead, he pressed on, he played hard, and he earned the admiration of his fellow players, manager, and eventually the majority of the fans. In fact, he received a standing ovation many years later from the Giants fans in an old timer’s game. He died at peace with his family, being looked on as successful in the eyes of those who loved him the most.

So what can we learn from this? Though I don’t know where Fred Merkle was spiritually, I am reminded from his life and career that there are principles we can follow when we, too, make bonehead mistakes: 

• All of us face adversity, pain, and suffering. All of us blow it at times, mistakes are made, and we can all be “boneheads” at times. However, this doesn’t mean that you should feel defeated. Psalm 49:5 says, “Why should I fear in days of adversity, when the iniquity of my foes surrounds me?”
• Your past does not need to define you. Whatever was in the past, is in the past. Accidents and blunders and even intentional trespasses can be forgiven and renewed (1 John 1:9).
• Christ loved you, chose you, and died for you. Your identity shouldn’t depend on people, career, or fame. It should always depend on the Creator who loves you and died for you (1 Cor 15:1-3). Never forget that!
• Jesus renews you for a greater purpose. He gives you a spirit of soberness, and strength, and a sound mind (2 Tim 1:7). Our fallen world is a world of tragedy, true, yet we have a God who is sovereign even over these tragedies. He takes your mess and brings out of it a message. He turns the hurt into help for others.

Whether you make a mistake, are convicted of sin, or feel weighed down by the world, remember these principles. No one is a bonehead, especially considering that we have a God who loves, encourages, and indwells every Christian to worship Him!

Pastor Fran

 

It was a time of great silence, for God was not heard;
He was dead, it had seemed, not a whisper, not a Word.
To many around, life had been such a chore;
Roman conquerors, constant hatred, violence, and more.
For years had gone by, 400 about;
Not a prophet, nor a miracle, nor a sign that went out.

But then a young virgin was expectant with child,
A miraculous baby, so meek and so mild.
He was the answer! He was the Word!
He was the fulfillment of all we heard!
This babe, born in the worst of all places,
This babe, this King, held with sweet embraces.

The Word made flesh, God and man in One,
This babe who would redeem, God’s one and only Son,
He’s Jesus the Chosen, Jesus the Lamb,
Jesus Messiah, the Great I AM.

So as you reflect on this special night once again,
With family and neighbor and family friend,
Remember the reason, remember the Son,
Hold on to the gospel of Christ that begun,
In a humble stable, with the angels above,
With the hand of the Father, with the Spirit of love.

Therefore praise Him, for His gospel for man,
Look back and thank Him, and praise His great plan:

May the season be His and that God gets praised,
May His Light shine eternal and His worship is raised;
May we praise God for His working, for His mercy and grace,
May we thank God for His plan in saving our race;
May we wish Merry Christmas, to all that we see,
May Christ’s peace be shown,
May Christ’s joy ever be.

Yesterday (11/11) was indeed a high day for ministry. We had more people yesterday at church studying the Word, more children memorizing and applying Scripture, and more opportunities to listen and follow the Spirit as He led us in our church. Our staff meeting was amazing and uplifting as we continue to bond together, and I am now more excited about the awakening spirit existing among the believers in the church than ever before! Wow!

This is a great journey for me personally. Last winter, due to some difficult circumstances, attacks, even Satan’s best efforts, I felt inadequate, empty, even lonely at times. It’s easy to respond by saying that I wasn’t inadequate because I had Jesus, and I knew that in my mind, but my heart ached and the mild depression became more serious and even overtook me. To be frank, it at times consumed me for a period of time in early 2015, even while I wore the mask that all was well with my soul. Truth is, it was a dark time for me. However, I can tell you that as I worked through it, Christ prevailed and God reigned as I looked to the hills and my help came from Him.

So what changed? I will tell you that my response to allowing the Lord to work changed. I have struggled with what Spurgeon once called “melancholy” for years, but I know the triggers. When I begin to feel the darkness coming, and it often comes on Mondays or other days when I come off of a ministry high day, I would usually change up the routine. I would take more time than usual to pray, read, worship, even exercise as I meditated on God’s goodness and grace. I read encouragement cards from people, and I reflected on God’s blessings in my life. Basically, I would take time to drink in the goodness of God and His eternal life in me.

But this was different. The darkness overcame even those techniques, and the reason was because that’s exactly what these things were- techniques. There was nothing really supernatural about it. No, something truly supernatural had to be done, and the work of the Spirit had to have a place in me to cleanse and change me. I had to get out of the way and allow Christ to prevail in me. This is where I went, and through my submission to Him and by letting the Spirit lead in me, I’ve been changed. My ministry philosophy has changed, my approach has changed. Praise God, there’s no therapy, no medication, and no technique that could ever be greater than the power of the Spirit of God!

Yesterday was a great day. The adrenaline feels like it’s still pumping. The mind is traveling a hundred miles a minute. The thrill is there, yet this is the time to drink it in. Let the Spirit speak. Enjoy life. Enjoy Christ in me and my church. And whatever the temporary circumstances of the day, I pray that you will do the same!

Ps 34:8- “O taste and see that the Lord is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!”

Last night, I ran my first ever half marathon with my wife here in Disney World. Just at the start of the race at 10 pm, it began to sprinkle. The sprinkles turned into full out rain drops, and puddles began to form. What began with smiles and happy running (I had my usual Jack Johnson playing in my headphones), began to get a little less, eh,  happy. The temperature dropped. I stepped in puddles multiple times, soaking my shoes and socks. Yet, I pushed on.

My wife, Teresa, called me as I was running. Though an experienced runner, she was feeling the pain from the poor conditions and was cramping up. She had started in a corral ahead of me so as she slowed down, I began to catch up. Finally, around mile 9, I caught up with her and motivated her to finish the run. We crossed the finish line holding hands. We both got finishing medals, being soaked from head to toe and exhausted after running close to 1:30 am. However, we finished!

My point is this: don’t quit running the race. You might have a goal in life, work, family, etc., but don’t stop. Hebrews 12:1-2 says, “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Remember who is really important in your life and run it together. Run with purity, endurance, and a focus on the eternal. Most of all, run this race with your eyes focused on Christ and His goodness, who ran ahead of you and is encouraging you e en today. Last, know that life is a marathon, not a sprint, so enjoy the run through life. Run hard, run fast, and run happy.

Pastor Fran

An excellent article on the truth behind world religions…

Galatians 6:9 (ESV)

9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

Last night, I saw love in action. As 18 people filled up our living room and over-sized couch, it was nothing short of amazing. One person, a woman in her late 80s, shared the blessings of people a part of the family that is in Christ. Another person shared how she overcame her own hard feelings toward another member and sacrificially dispensed grace to that woman, who had “smiled for the first time” to the woman as a response. We heard how we are brothers and sisters bound by blood, affirming one another, praying for one another, and caring for one another. We were definitely the church last night!

Two main points came out of our evening. First, being members of one another is based on love. We love because God first loved us. God wants us to follow His example, and our love toward each other is a love that comes from Him.

Second, we express this love through serving. Our love is best shown as a living, loving object lesson as we dispense grace to the world. This means that your love expressed is not dependent on another’s thankfulness, or that they “deserve” it, or that they are a “nice” person- in fact, the opposite is true! Jesus said in Matthew 5:46, “For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?” People, all people need a love that God wants you to give- an unselfish, humble love that does not need to be reciprocated.

That said, what are you doing to show God’s love? Are you loving those who only love you, or are you willing to love the hard to love ones? Live it, express it, be the church!

Pastor Fran

1 Peter 1:10–12 –10 As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful searches and inquiries, 11 seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow. 12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things into which angels long to look.

This was the moment that eternity had been waiting for. The prophets spoke of it, the patriarchs lived for it, and the Words of God promised it. What was it? None other than the arrival of the Messiah, Jesus.

From the very beginning of the arrival of sin and its bondage, God has been working throughout time and space to usher in the Kingdom with no end. He has used the history of Israel, the imperfections of kings and kingdoms, and the consequences of disobedience to show all that self-righteousness is a trap. The wisdom from the Word tells us that “there is no one righteous” (Isaiah 64:10).

Peter reminds us that we are indeed blessed. We have what the prophets long ago sought to see with their own eyes. He boldly tells us that these prophets were not serving themselves, but us! We have the full revelation of the Word of God. We have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. We have the complete gospel, the wisdom of the cross, and the hope of all mankind. We have the gospel, the truth and the glory of Christ, the “things into which angels long to look!”

Be encouraged, our Christ is coming again! When we look at the whole of God’s timeline and how He worked throughout the history of man, we will give Him the glory! In the meantime, we serve, we share, and we rejoice that the gospel can be a daily part of our lives!