Wednesday, July 30, 2014

GOD IS GOOD - ALL THE TIME

The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him. (‭Nahum‬ ‭1‬:‭7‬ ESV)

As I was reading the morning paper I was struck by how awful and evil the world is today. 3 people found stabbed in Victorville. Man found guilty of hit and run murder. Fighting in the Ukraine and in Gaza. The list goes on and on of how utterly wicked people are and can be.

The Book of Nahum is a Book that also describes the world in a very dark place. God-less-ness was rampant. War was prevalent. Lives were being lost - even babies.

Then, in the midst of this darkness God speaks and declares "The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble..."

One of God’s faithful missionaries, Allen Gardiner, experienced many physical difficulties and hardships throughout his service to the Savior. Despite his troubles, he said, "While God gives me strength, failure will not daunt me." In 1851, at the age of 57, he died of disease and starvation while serving on Picton Island at the southern tip of South America. When his body was found, his diary lay nearby. It bore the record of hunger, thirst, wounds, and loneliness. The last entry in his little book showed the struggle of his shaking hand as he tried to write legibly. It read, "I am overwhelmed with a sense of the goodness of God." Allen Gardiner.

Can you say - "GOD IS GOOD?"

For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations. (‭Psalm‬ ‭100‬:‭5‬ ESV)

You might say, "Well, how is God good?" Have you thought about some of the blessings you have right now?
- The gift of grace and your salvation
- The blessing of living in a free country
- The blessing of being a part of this church
- The blessing of free choice in your lives

Satan tries to cripple our witness and productivity in the work of God by attempting to get us to doubt God’s goodness.
How often do we stop from our busy schedules and take time to just praise God for His goodness?

Nahum reminds us that "God is good and a stronghold in times of trouble."

A little boy is telling his grandma how "everything" in his life is going wrong. He’s telling his grandma about his problems with school, family & friends, etc. Meanwhile, Grandma is baking a cake. She asks her grandson if he would like a snack, which of course he does. "Here, have some cooking oil," grandma offers. "Yuck" says the boy. "How about a couple raw eggs?" Grandma asks him. "That’s gross, Grandma!" he says. "Would you like some flour then? Or maybe baking soda?" "Grandma, those things are all yucky!" the boy says. To which Grandma replies: "Yes, all these things seem bad by themselves. But when they are put together in the right way, they make a wonderfully delicious cake! God works the same way. Many times we wonder why He would let us go through such bad and difficult times. But as we trust in Him despite the circumstances, Eventually, together all things will make something wonderful!"

One of my favorite verses in the Bible is Hebrews 13:5 which tells us that God will never leave us or forsake us.

Every day this world around us changes. Sometimes for the good. Sometimes for the bad. But we serve an unchanging God that loves us and embraces us in all times. 

I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you. (‭Jeremiah‬ ‭31‬:‭3‬ ESV)

God knows all about you. He knows our every weakness and yet He still loves us. He knows our every strength and yet He still wants to use us.

If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it. If He had a wallet, your photo would be in it. He sends you flowers every spring and a sunrise every morning. Whenever you want to talk, He’ll listen. He can live anywhere in the universe, and He chose your heart.

As you go through this day - remind yourself again and again...The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him. (‭Nahum‬ ‭1‬:‭7‬ ESV)

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

SECOND CHANCES IN LIFE

2 Kings 20:1 tell the story of King Hezekiah who was told to get his house in order for he was about to die.

Hezekiah, a good king, was at the pinnacle of success and the bottom dropped out of his life. He suddenly got deathly sick. His sickness was so bad the prophet came by to see him. And when the prophet comes to see you, it’s pretty serious. 

Prophets ought to be encouraging but Isaiah said, "You are going to die." Hezekiah was hesitant about dying. He didn’t want to die. He wanted to live. After all, who wants to die?

He had a tremendous reputation. He got rid of the Baal worship. He was a good king. He cleaned up the kingdom and was a welcome change from his wicked father Ahaz. And now was he gong to die? God was making a mistake here. You know, when you get somebody good, you need to keep him.

If you were to suddenly be diagnosed with cancer and told that it surrounded every organ and it is untreatable,

- How would you feel?
- What would you do?
- Would you need to set your house in order?
- Would there be some spiritual changes you would need to make?
- When the relatives come in to clean up and dispose of your things, what would they find under the bed and in the corner?  As they sit looking over your check book would they be startled at your giving records to the church and to charities?

How long does it take to put your house in order? I don’t know. But at that point - to have any time at all would be a good thing for most of us are not given that warning.

D. Getty gives us FOUR H's IN HEZEKIAH'S JOURNEY...

1 - HESITANT HEZEKIAH

Hezekiah was hesitant. He did not want to die. "I want to live." Maybe he should have submitted to God’s will which would have save him a lot of heartache later on in life.

Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, and said, “Please, O Lord, remember how I have walked before you in faithfulness and with a whole heart, and have done what is good in your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly. (‭Isaiah‬ ‭38‬:‭2-3‬ ESV)

He didn’t want to die. He did not want to accept God’s pronouncement upon him.

I imagine the people around wept as well. They didn’t want to see their good king die. Why would God let the best king in many, many years suddenly die? Obviously premature. Hezekiah was so good. Why him?

Hezekiah didn’t want to go. He did not submit to God’s will. He was a righteous man and he prayed fervently and when a righteous person prays fervently, what happens? DoeS prayer work? Yes!

When Isaiah told Hezekiah, "You’re going to die" he did not submit. Not at all. Hezekiah wept bitterly. And what happened? While Isaiah was still in the courtyard he received a message from God for Hezekiah. 

Then the word of the Lord came to Isaiah: “Go and say to Hezekiah, Thus says the Lord, the God of David your father: I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold, I will add fifteen years to your life. I will deliver you and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria, and will defend this city. “This shall be the sign to you from the Lord, that the Lord will do this thing that he has promised: Behold, I will make the shadow cast by the declining sun on the dial of Ahaz turn back ten steps.” So the sun turned back on the dial the ten steps by which it had declined. (‭Isaiah‬ ‭38‬:‭4-8‬ ESV)

Hezekiah did not even have to ask for a sign. God volunteered to give him one.

2- HEALED HEZEKIAH

So, let’s talk about Healed Hezekiah. Let’s leave Hesitant Hezekiah and come over here to his healing. It wasn't instantaneous. It was the result of applying natural medicines.

Now Isaiah had said, “Let them take a cake of figs and apply it to the boil, that he may recover.” (‭Isaiah‬ ‭38‬:‭21‬ ESV)

God could have given him instant healing, but God chose to use natural means and it took 3 days. He gave Hezekiah 3 days before he was healed completely, 3 days in which to think while he stills on his bed, 3 days to plan what he would do with those extra 15 years. Did he do much planning? No…

Not fully trusting God - He asked for a sign. God gave him a phenomenal sign.

“This shall be the sign to you from the Lord, that the Lord will do this thing that he has promised: Behold, I will make the shadow cast by the declining sun on the dial of Ahaz turn back ten steps.” So the sun turned back on the dial the ten steps by which it had declined. (‭Isaiah‬ ‭38‬:‭7-8‬ ESV)

Wow...The shadow went backward, 10 degrees! That’s phenomenal. Have you ever seen that happen? Shadows do not have a reverse gear, do they? They don’t go backwards. How did God do it? Did God reverse the rotation of the earth?

This was a miracle that was felt around the world. The word got out. In 2 Kings 20:12 - word got what had happened to Hezekiah and convoys come from all over the world to see this man of whom a miracle had come.

They came on camels, apparently. They came bearing gifts to the king. Much like the forerunners, perhaps, of the days of Jesus Christ. And do you know why they came? They came to learn "More of the God who was able to perform so great a wonder," in reversing the direction of the sun. They beat a path to Hezekiah’s door.

Think of the witnessing opportunity here. These great heathen dignitaries from Babylon came to sit at Hezekiah’s feet to learn about his God. Babylon at that time was already becoming a super power. These dignitaries arrive at Hezekiah’s palace and Hezekiah has the opportunity to change the course of world history. He could tell them, "I want to tell you about God. I want to tell you what happened. God can do anything." And they could have gone home, and the entire nation of Babylon could have been converted, and the entire world could have become believers in the true God. That could have happened. It didn’t happen. It was not to be.

3. HAUGHTY HEZEKIAH

So, let’s not talk about Hesitant Hezekiah anymore. Let’s not talk about healed Hezekiah. Let’s talk about arrogant Hezekiah, proud Hezekiah. 

Babylon would be the next world Superpower. Here they come beating a path to Hezekiah’s door. He has just been healed. What a testimony, what an opportunity of a lifetime he has to tell. He has a once in a lifetime opportunity to give the credit to God. To tell about the true God in Heaven. And what does he do? He blows it.
These seekers of truth to seek God and what does he show them? Look at 2 Kings 20:13.

And Hezekiah welcomed them, and he showed them all his treasure house, the silver, the gold, the spices, the precious oil, his armory, all that was found in his storehouses. There was nothing in his house or in all his realm that Hezekiah did not show them. (‭2 Kings‬ ‭20‬:‭13‬ ESV)

Hezekiah received the messengers and showed them all that was in:
- HIS storehouses --the silver, the gold, the spices and the fine oil
- HIS armory and everything found among
- HIS treasures. There was nothing in his palace or in all
- HIS kingdom that Hezekiah did not show them.

So, what did he show them? He exalted himself instead of exalting God. These seekers of truth came to see God’s healthy healed prophet and instead he showed them his gold and his silver and his treasures and his defenses. He showed gold to the Babylonians superpower! I

Hezekiah was haughty. "Look at my shiny house of armor. Look at all this jewelry I’ve accumulated, this collection of stuff." And he told them all about himself, braging. "I did this, I did that." He got out his movies. He showed them his slides, his dazzling treasures. His wife put on a feast showing off her best. 


You might say... "I’m glad I'm not like Hezekiah!" Are we not like him? When company comes over, do you talk about yourself or about how God has blessed you? If God has rescued you from cancer, if God has rescued you from a fire in the home burning down, or bankruptcy, or sinful life or whatever it is… when company comes over, put the magnifying glass on God instead of yourself. Hezekiah’s house was in order but his heart was not in order.

As we read this story in the Bible we must realize how God felt about Hezekiah’s actions. This was a big time sin in God’s sight. Hezekiah sinned. Look at 2 Chronicles. Now again you may say, "Why are we going clear over here? Well, here’s another of the stories of this tremendous experience. 

So, let’s go to 2 Chronicles 32:25 But Hezekiah’s heart was proud and he did not respond to the kindness shown him, therefore the Lord’s wrath was on him and on Judah and Jerusalem.

In those days Hezekiah became sick and was at the point of death, and he prayed to the Lord, and he answered him and gave him a sign. But Hezekiah did not make return according to the benefit done to him, for his heart was proud. Therefore wrath came upon him and Judah and Jerusalem. (‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭32‬:‭24-25‬ ESV)

In Hezekiah's first prayer - God answered him and gave him a great miracle. God doesn't answer him here because of his pride.

4. HEZEKIAH’S HERITAGE

Let’s leave hesitant Hezekiah and healed Hezekiah and haughty Hezekiah and let’s go to Hezekiah’s heritage, his future. Let’s fast-forward this story 100 years. 

Nebuchadnezzar was the king of the world. The makers and shakers of the world now lived in Babylon. And, Babylon did indeed remember what they had seen so many years. They remember all that gold and silver things. And, what did they do?

-They invaded Judah and Jerusalem.
-They invaded the temple.
-They invaded the palace.
And they took all of the gold and all of the silver and all those things and hauled them all the way back to Babylon.

You know, if you are given a second chance at life, if you were doomed to death in some accident, fire or wreck or some bad circumstance and God saved you from it, don’t blow the extra bonus years. If God healed you from your heart attack, if He delivered you from your stroke, you use those bonus years in the proper way. If your life was spent in sin and now you regret and you are here praising Him for His salvation, be careful. Don’t spoil your relationship with Him. Don’t use your resources to curse God, but to honor Him. Be a blessing to God. Advance His work. Use your time, use your resources to do something special for God wherever you’re at. You can do it. Wherever you are, put God first in your life.

The wrath did not come in Hezekiah’s day. But the evil seed had been sown. Hezekiah died and was buried. His children and grandchildren did not walk in the ways of The Lord. In fact, we are told that there was 55 years of idolatrous worship in Israel. Not until we read of Josiah later on do we find anything to do with God.

Here is something to think about... Had Hezekiah submitted to God in the first place - Manasseh (his son) would have never been born and Israel would never have had to go through heartache and trial.

The reason he was born was because Hezekiah refused to submit to God’s will. It is a lesson here…

Do we dare, ever, to pray for our own will to be done? Is it ever appropriate for us to pray for our will to be done? Well, yes, it is. Did Jesus ever do that? Oh, yes He did. How did He pray? He said, "Father, if possible, I don’t want to drink this cup. But, if not, go ahead and give it to me. I will drink it." "Father, I don’t want this cancer. I don’t want this problem. But if You don’t remove it, it’s okay. I’ll submit to it. That’s the position of strength. That’s the position where we need to be. We trust the sovereignty of God. We pray. We believe. We put it in the hands of God who knows what is best for our lives.

Monday, July 28, 2014

A VISIT TO THE POTTER'S HOUSE

But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand. (‭Isaiah‬ ‭64‬:‭8‬ ESV)


I'm not by nature a creative person like many of you reading this. I've tried to artsy things but it's just not in my genes to do so. On the other hand, my daughter Erin can draw things free-hand and create beautiful pottery with intricate details. Denise and I are not quite sure where she got that talent because it didn't come from either of us.


Having said that - I do like art and I do enjoy looking at what other people create. I love to visit different places of the world and see the different artifacts that they have produced.


The potters art has been practiced since ancient times. The Egyptian monuments give evidence that it was known in Egypt before the entrance of the Hebrews into that country. Pottery is the number one most popular find of Archaeologists who study the Ancient World. They have found the remains of potter’s shops at Lachish 1200B.C. and Megiddo, Gezer, Hazor. The remains included nearby clay fields, potter’s wheels and kilns, and the dump for unusable pottery.


In this blog today I would like to begin by taking you with me to the Potter’s House.  

SIX THINGS TO TAKE PLACE IN THE POTTER'S HOUSE

The first thing we will notice is that God Put His Thoughts On You - before you were even created.

Everyday, the potter leaves early with bags in hand to visit the fields and the hills to gather clay.

Jeremiah1 tells us "Before you came forth from the womb He knew you!

Before you even graced this earth God knew all about you - the ups and downs - the victories and the struggles. Before you were even born - God was preparing the clay.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.


When He looked on you and thought of you, He could not use you as you were. You were lumpy, rocky, stiff-necked, you had hard spots in you. You did not have consistency. So He took you down and...

Secondly, He Puts His Eyes on You.


He began to look at you without seeing you for what you are, but for what He knows you can be!

Psalm 17:8 Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings,

Psalm 33:18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;

Thirdly - He Puts His Feet On You.


Clay in its natural state was seldom fit for use. Several stages of preparation were usually necessary. 

The Clay must be softened before it can be fashioned. The clay was mixed with water and sifted to remove any stones or foreign objects that did not need to be there. There were several settling basins where the sifting took place, each basin with smaller holes than the one before.

This was the process of refining the clay in order to make the very best vessel.

Once refined, the potter would place the clay on a clean floor and begin walking on it, back and forth, over and over until all the air pockets were removed.


Once the right consistency is obtained, He will pick you up off the floor and place you on the potter’s wheel. There He will:


Fourthly - He Will Put His Hands On You


While you’re on the wheel, He will begin molding you. This involves applying pressure in certain areas that He needs to change. You may not like these pressures, but understand, He is the one making the vessel, and He knows what is best for you!!


He will form you into the vessel that He desires to make.

But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?” (‭Romans‬ ‭9‬:‭20‬ ESV)


Once His hands have formed you into the beautiful vessel you are still worthless and without function until He puts you in the fire.


There were two ways of doing this: In the old days they would “Sun Dry” the vessels. However, they had limitations, they could only store dry goods, because liquids would break them down. Later the “Kiln Fire” the vessels.

A fine vessel that will harden and hold liquids and maintain its shape had to be exposed to a minimum temperature of 500 degrees.

The beauty of properly fired clay is that it will not breakdown and disintegrate, even if buried for thousands of years. Metal or wood would have long since disappeared.

The clay had to stay in the fire long enough for the chemical process in the clay to start working.


Once removed from the fire the vessel must be scoured and scrubbed to remove any lingering signs of air bubbles that surfaced in the fire. The nicks and bumps had to be smoothed out.


Once the smoothing process has been accomplished, you are now ready to be painted, glazed. These words and synonymous with the word anointed.

A vessel that has not been glazed could only be used once, because of bacteria and fungi being able to hide in its pours. However, when a glazed vessel is washed with soap and water you can use it over and over again, because the bugs have no place to hide.


Fifthly - He Will Put His Anointing On You


1. This is the painting of the vessel
2. The Glazing of the vessel
3. This is what makes the vessel attractive


Finally He Will Put His Name On You


Every good artist puts his name on his work

Rev. 22:4 And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.

The quality must go in, before the name goes on.


Where are you in regards to the potter's wheel today? Are you an observer - looking from the windows in or are are you actually on the potter's wheel allowing God to form and shape and mold you into his image? Have you allowed the master's hands and feet to press you in places that are sensitive and weak? Have you allowed his anointing to come on you? Most important - if I was to turn you upside down - would His name be displayed as an original from God Almighty?

Friday, July 25, 2014

WHY PARENTS DRINK

“O afflicted one, storm-tossed and not comforted, behold, I will set your stones in antimony, and lay your foundations with sapphires. I will make your pinnacles of agate, your gates of carbuncles, and all your wall of precious stones. All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children. In righteousness you shall be established; you shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear; and from terror, for it shall not come near you. (‭Isaiah‬ ‭54‬:‭11-14‬ ESV)

I read a post of Facebook this morning from a parent who was about to pull her hair out over her children's lack of appreciation and their stinky attitudes. She wrote, "I go to work for "them", I clean the house for "them," I do everything for "them", and what do I get - disrespect. What do I do?"

I think we all feel that way on some days. Lest we think we are the only ones who feel that way and to help us on those days that you want to pull your hair out - I offer some humorous thoughts about parenting.

Recently I read the following on "Why parents drink...?"
 
A father passing by his son's bedroom was astonished to see that his bed was nicely made and everything was picked up. Then he saw an envelope, propped up prominently on the pillow that was addressed to "Dad." With the worst premonition he opened the envelope with trembling hands and read the letter.
  
Dear Dad:

It is with great regret and sorrow that I'm writing you I had to elope with my new girlfriend because I wanted to avoid a scene with mom and you. I have been finding real passion with Stacy and she is so nice. But I knew you would not approve of her because of all her piercing, tattoos, tight motorcycle clothes and the fact that she is much older than I am. But it's not only the passion...Dad she's pregnant. Stacy said that we will be very happy. She owns a trailer in the woods and has a stack of firewood for the whole winter. We share a dream of having many more children. Stacy has opened my eyes to the fact that marijuana  doesn't really hurt anyone. We'll be growing it for ourselves and trading it with the other people that live nearby for cocaine and ecstasy. In the meantime we will pray that science will find a cure for AIDS so Stacy can get better. She deserves it. Don't worry Dad. I'm 15 and I know how to take care of myself. Someday I'm sure that we will be back to visit so that you can get to know your grandchildren.
  
Love Your Son,  
John
  
PS. Dad, none of the above is true. I'm over at Tommy's house. I just wanted to remind you that there are worse things in life than the report card that's in my center desk drawer. I love you. Call me when it's safe to come home.

Here's another humorous way of looking at the issue of raising kids from an article called "The REAL Cost of Raising Kids."

I have seen repeatedly the breakdown of the cost of raising a child (personally I think it is more, MUCH more) but this is the first time I have seen the rewards listed this way. It's nice, really nice!! (Actually... CNN in 2012 estimates that it is now 241,000.00 to raise a child).

The government recently calculated the cost of raising a child from birth to 18 and came up with $160,140 for a middle-income family. Talk about sticker shock! That doesn't even touch college tuition. But $160,140 isn't so bad if you break it down. It translates into: $8,896.66 a year, $741.38 a month, or $171.08 a week. That's a mere $24.44 a day! Just over a dollar an hour.

Still, you might think the best financial advice says don't have children if you want to be "rich." It is just the opposite. What do you get for your $160,140?

Naming rights. First, middle, and last!

Glimpses of God every day.

Giggles under the covers every night.

More love than your heart can hold.

Butterfly kisses and Velcro hugs.

Endless wonder over rocks, ants, clouds, and warm cookies.

A hand to hold, usually covered with jam.

A partner for blowing bubbles, flying kites, building sand castles, and skipping down the sidewalk in the pouring rain.

Someone to laugh yourself silly with no matter what the boss said or how your stocks performed that day.

For $160,140, you never have to grow up.

You get to finger-paint, carve pumpkins, play hide-and-seek, catch lightning bugs, and never stop believing in Santa Claus.

You have an excuse to keep: reading the Adventures of Piglet and Pooh, watching Saturday morning cartoons, going to Disney movies, and wishing on stars.

You get to frame rainbows, hearts, and flowers under refrigerator magnets and collect spray painted noodle wreaths for Christmas, hand prints set in clay for Mother's Day, and cards with backward letters for Father's Day.

For $160,140, there is no greater bang for your buck.

You get to be a hero just for retrieving a Frisbee off the garage roof, taking the training wheels off the bike, removing a splinter, filling the wading pool, coaxing a wad of gum out of bangs, and coaching a baseball team that never wins but always gets treated to ice cream regardless.

You get a front row seat to history to witness the first step, first word, first bra, first date, and first time behind the wheel.

You get to be immortal.

You get another branch added to your family tree, and if you're lucky, a long list of limbs in your obituary called grandchildren.

You get an education in psychology, nursing, criminal justice, communications and human sexuality that no college can match.

In the eyes of a child, you rank right up there with God. You have all the power to heal a boo-boo, scare away the monsters under the bed, patch a broken heart, police a slumber party, ground them forever, and love them without limits, so one day they will, like you, love without counting the cost.
So... amidst the pain and struggle of raising kids and grandkids - let's remember to ENJOY YOUR KIDS AND GRANDKIDS WHILE YOU CAN FOR THEY WILL SOON BE GROWN UP AND OUT OF YOUR HAIR.

May God give you strength today to find the joy of doing what you do.

BTW - today is my day off and I "GET" to go watch a dumb movie with my grandkids. I wouldn't have it any other way.

Thursday, July 24, 2014

YOU ARE IMPORTANT TO GOD

Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me. (‭Isaiah‬ ‭49‬:‭16‬ ESV)

One of the problems that most of encounter on a daily basis is that of comparing ourselves to others. Sometimes we value our worth based upon:

· Our appearance
· Our achievements
· Our being approved by others
· Our wealth or power

Do I look good enough? Have I done enough? What will others think of me? Am I important enough or powerful enough?

And every one of these areas is based primarily upon one thing; where we rate ourselves in comparison to other people. We need to be loved; we need to be accepted; and we need to feel self-worth.

The problem with these four standards is that none of them are stable. They will all change depending on moment-to-moment circumstances. Appearances change with time. There will always be somebody who can do more than us and do it better than we can; how well others like you can change in the blink of an eye; and your affluence can change with one bad choice.

The trouble with letting things like these dictate your self-worth is that your self-worth will always be changing and you will never know from one moment to the next where you stand. And, what do you think your self-worth will be when those things change?

A gem dealer was strolling through a gem & mineral show in Tucson, Arizona when he noticed a large bluish colored stone the size of a potato. He looked it over, and asked the vendor how much he wanted for it. The man said he was trying to get $15.00 for it, but since it wasn’t that pretty, he let it go for $10.00.

The stone has since been certified as a 1,905-carat natural star sapphire. It is larger than any stone of its kind. And, it is appraised at $2.28 million.

It took a lover of stones to recognize the sapphire’s worth. It took the Lover of Souls to recognize the true value of people like you and me. If you want to build your self-image, build it on something that will last; build it on what God think of you, not on what the world thinks of you. When we understand what God thinks of us, it changes the way we see ourselves, and that starts changing our hearts to be Christ-like.

There is a very good example of that in the New Testament. It involves a man named Zacchaeus, and we are going to talk about him this morning.

Zacchaeus was a man who lived in the city of Jericho. One day Jesus came to Jericho and Zacchaeus had an encounter with Jesus that changed his life.
LUKE 19:1-4 tells us about that encounter.

“Jesus entered Jericho and made His way through the town. There was a man there named Zacchaeus. He was one of the most influential Jews in the Roman tax collecting business; and he had become very rich. He tried to get a look at Jesus, but he was too short to see over the crowds. So, he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree beside the road, so he could watch from there.”
Zacchaeus was hoping to see this Jesus; the man everyone was talking about. He didn’t know this, but he needed Jesus in the worst of ways. If there was ever a man who needed a stronger sense of self worth, it was Zacchaeus, because in the four ways we evaluate ourselves, he struck out in the first three.

His appearance was not the most beautiful to look at because of his very short stature; the only real achievements he ever had was overcharging people and cheating them for his own financial gain; and his approval rating was in the sewer because he collected taxes from the Jews and gave them to the Roman government. But, he was wealthy.

First of all, to become a tax collector you had to bribe an official. Secondly, Rome told you how much to collect, and if you were able to collect more, you could keep the extra. Similar to what it seems like the IRS does to us today. Zacchaeus was pretty good at gouging his fellow Jews, so he ended up being quite wealthy.
For a Jewish man to become a Roman tax collector was unthinkable. This was high treason. It was like going over to Iraq and joining the terrorists who are fighting against us today. You would be hated for being a traitor. If you became a Roman tax collector as a Jew it meant three things.

· your family would disown you
· you would never be allowed to worship in the synagogue
· and you’d be looked at as bad as a murderer

As a result, Zacchaeus was miserable on the inside. How do I know that? It’s very simple. I know because you can’t have a guilty conscious and feel good about yourself at the same time. He knew that he was ripping people off, and that would have caused him to lose most of his self-respect over a period of time. What we have here is a guy who has a lot of money but doesn’t like himself. But one day, a brief encounter with Jesus, changed his life. Why? Because he learned how much he mattered to God.
The story about Zacchaeus illustrates three truths. If you will remember these, you’ll never again have problems with how you feel about your self worth.
1. JESUS NOTICES YOU!
No matter how badly I feel when nobody else seems to notice me; I know that Jesus Christ notices me.

Zacchaeus wanted to get a glimpse but he was so short he couldn’t see above the crowd. So Zacchaeus did two things that no wealthy Middle Eastern man would do. He ran through a crowd, and he climbed a tree. These were things little boys might do in crowds but not well-known businessmen.

That was shocking but what Jesus did was even more shocking. Jesus walks straight through the city, past thousands of people and walks right up to that tree where Zacchaeus was and stops. Notice what happens.

LUKE 19:5 When Jesus came by, He looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. “ Zacchaeus!” he said. “Quick, come down! For I must be a guest in your home today.”
Why do you think Jesus did that? I think it was because Jesus knew Zacchaeus’ heart, just like He knows your heart today.

You might be up a tree today, or maybe even out on a limb. And you may think God has forgotten you, but in reality, there’s never been a time when God took His eyes off you. He’s seen every breath you’ve ever taken, He’s felt every thought you ever had, and He’s seen every thing you’ve ever done. God has always had His loving eyes upon your life – because God really does care about you.

2. JESUS LIFTS YOU UP
All of his life Zacchaeus had been ridiculed and rejected. We know that because the word used in LUKE for “short” actually means, “a child’s body that has not fully grown.”

And it would be safe to assume that he was the target of ridicule all of his life. And, this may have something to do with the fact that he was corrupt and didn’t care if he collected from the Jews and gave it to the Romans.

Jesus looked up at Zacchaeus in front of this huge crowd and called him by name, which shocked everybody because Jesus knew the name of the biggest scoundrel in town. But, in spite of Zacchaeus’ sin, Jesus lifts him up while everybody else is putting him down.

In EPHESIANS 2:10 we find out that we are God’s masterpiece. There are two types of artwork. There are prints, which are mass-produced on a large scale, all being identical, and there are masterpieces where it may have taken months for an artist to complete.

We are not mass-produced by God, to be just like other people. By His own Word, we are masterpieces; made unique and made for good purposes - God’s purposes.

I have heard people say that God loves us so much, that if He had a wallet, He would carry our pictures in it.

In ISAIAH 49:16 God says “See, I have written your name on My hand….”


3. JESUS WANTS YOU

I think the hardest thing for us to understand is that no matter what we have ever done in our lives, God still wants to have a personal relationship with us because he loves us.

People made Zacchaeus feel their hatred because he was a cheat and they hated him. So Jesus Christ did something. He didn’t just walk up to the tree and look up and notice him. And He didn’t just call him by name and affirm him in front of those who hated him. He invited Himself to Zacchaeus’ home for dinner.

Verse 7 says, “But the crowds were displeased” they said, “He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner,” they grumbled."
The truth is we are a lot like Zacchaeus was. We have all done things that have hurt others. But Jesus is far more interested in changing us than He is in condemning us. So He looks at you and He says, “I know you, I love you and I want you in spite of all that you’ve done. And I want you to love Me and have a relationship with Me.”

No matter what has ever happened in your life, no matter how badly you have ever been hurt, or how badly you have hurt others, Jesus wants to love you and have you love Him.

Jesus says, "Those the Father has given Me, will come to Me, and I will never, ever reject them.”

God notices everything in your life, His eyes of love are constantly watching you, and He knows your value no matter what anyone else around you is saying about you. He knows the truth, they don’t.

God has a plan and purpose for your life, He made you and He wants you in spite of the fact that you’ve rejected Him in the past. How should you respond to that kind of God? The way Zacchaeus did.

Verse 6 says, “Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house with great excitement and joy.”
With a God that offers us so much love and eternal happiness, I think we should react in the same way as Zacchaeus did - with great excitement and joy! I cannot comprehend why anyone would refuse God when He is standing there with His arms open.

Zacchaeus took Jesus up on His offer for a relationship, and he was changed instantly. There was no waiting for the slow change to take place either; it was instantaneous.

Verses 8-9 say, “Meanwhile, Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, ‘I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have overcharged people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much.” Jesus responded, “Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a son of Abraham.”
Something had happened in his heart because the most selfish man in the city all of a sudden became the most generous man in the city.

What happened? Jesus Christ and the love of God changed him - that’s what happened.

How do you know if you’ve really met Jesus Christ? Your attitudes change. You become a more generous person. All of a sudden you start thinking about other people. You realize how much you’ve been given and you want to give back.
Too many people forget that everything they have is from God and they want to hold onto everything they have. But, when Jesus touches them, they start thinking about what they can do to help others.

We were made in God’s image, and when we receive Jesus, we start changing to reflect that image. It’s an image of true love.

Jesus knows you have been terribly hurt in the past. He knows that hurt is still with you even today. And He wants you to know that He loves you enough to take that hurt away. He loves you enough to set you free from it.

There was a little girl whose mother was going to take her shopping. The father couldn’t go, so he gave his daughter $5.00 to buy whatever she wanted. In one of the stores, she was a necklace. It looked like real pearls, so she bought it.

For the next week, she wore those pearls everywhere, even when she took a bath. And she would tell everyone it was the necklace her daddy bought because he loved her.

After that first week, her daddy would come in and tuck her into bed every night. He would tell her he loved her and she would tell him she loved him. Then he would ask if she would give him the necklace. Each night she would say, “No.”

This went on for several nights, and then one night as he told her he loved her, she said she loved him too, but this time when he asked her if she would give him the necklace, she said, “I love that necklace, Daddy, but I love you more.” And she gave him the necklace.

Then he reached into his shirt pocket and brought out a little box and gave it to her. When she opened it, she found a real pearl necklace. He had wanted to give her that gift, but had to wait until she loved him and trusted him enough to give him the fake necklace.
God is like that. When we give him all the focus we have been giving to the world, He will give us something of far greater value in return. When we love Him enough to give Him all the hurts we have bundled up inside our hearts, He will replace it with His uplifting and grace-filled love; the love that soothes our souls.

Do you love Him enough to give Him all of your hurts and disappointments? Do you trust him enough to open your heart to Him this morning? It does not matter whether you have ever responded to an invitation before. Jesus wants so desperately for you to respond to His invitation today. Will you do that for Him?

Sermon by Bruce Ball

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

TREASURES OUT OF DARKNESS

I will give you the treasures of darkness and the hoards in secret places, that you may know that it is I, the Lord, the God of Israel, who call you by your name. (‭Isaiah‬ ‭45‬:‭3‬ ESV)

In 1967 I was in church service on a Thursday morning in an Inter-Faith meeting in my home church in Lynwood California that reached hundreds and hundreds of people every week. It was a time when the baptism of the Holy Spirit was reaching over denominational walls and pouring into "non" pentecostal circles and touching many lives.  

The speaker that day was a man named "Dick Mills" who had a gift in giving scriptures of promise to those who were attending. I remember clearly where I was sitting, left side front row, as he asked a young Puerto Rican man to stand to be ministered to. As this young man stood up, Dick Mills gave the above scripture over him - "I will give you the treasures of darkness..."

This was a word from God to a young man who had lived in the dark places of the earth filled with drugs and much sin. This word to him on that day was a call for him to go back into the dark places and redeem men and women who were caught in the web of darkness and needed someone to help them out.

Little did I know at that time that this was the beginning of a ministry called Victory Outreach. The young man, Sonny Arguinzoni, would take that word as the clarion call of God upon his life to reach as many lost people as he could. He would literally start up hundreds of homes and churches in many cities of the United States and in many countries around the world that would be places of safety and deliverance for young men and women who were caught in the throes of darkness.

The theme of their ministry is basically "Treasures Out Of Darkness."

Recently, I did a funeral at their main church down the hill. I was in awe and amazed at the tremendous growth and blessing that this church has created worldwide. It truly was a "God-thing."

I felt honored that I was able to see the beginning roots of a great ministry and to remember also the many promises that God has placed and fulfilled over my own life. And... to be reminded that God still has things and ministries yet to be fulfilled in me.

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (‭John‬ ‭1‬:‭5‬ ESV)

But as for me, I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me. Rejoice not over me, O my enemy; when I fall, I shall rise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me. (‭Micah‬ ‭7‬:‭7-8‬ ESV)

I like what Dallas Willard says... "Almost all evil deeds and intents are begun with the thought that they can be hidden by deceit. The kingdom of evil is built on lies, secrets, and darkness. It requires the absence of light to survive. Thus, for all it's fearsome appearance, the kingdom of evil is structurally very weak. Turn on the light, and the cockroaches scramble to go under the refrigerator."

I remember as a child going with my parents down into Carlsbad Caverns to visit one summer. As we went into the depths of the cave - someone turned out the lights and we were in total darkness. It was eerie - especially as you could hear the bats flying nearby. Our guide then lit a match and with that little bit of light we began to see again.

The truth is - darkness doesn't want any light to shine for a little light could expose the truth of what was really there. You have been given the light and God has called you to find "treasures in darkness." Shine your light high so people can see it - for when they see your light - their own darkness will also be exposed

Our theme today should be "This little light of mine - I'm going to let it shine." Don't be afraid to show your light. People are searching for answers and for someone who can show them the way. Let God come into your life fully and begin to "fan the flame" of His Holy Spirit.

"There is not enough darkness in all the world to put out the light of even one small candle." --Robert Alden

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

HOPE FOR THE HOPELESS

He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young. (‭Isaiah‬ ‭40‬:‭11‬ ESV)

I grew up in a farming and agricultural community with many memories of fields and livestock.  Our High School had a Future Farmers Of America Association and many of my friends had sheep or cattle being raised right on their property.

Over the years - one of the things that has always drawn me is the relationship of the shepherd and the sheep.  With his protective nature over his sheep to his gentle nursing them in his arms to comfort them - I have always loved this.  

It is also very special in that it is the best picture of the relationship our Savior has with us.

The book of Isaiah is divided into two parts. The first 39 chapters deal with impending judgment, and the second part deals with forgiveness and deliverance. The first 39 chapters deal with sin, but the last 27 chapters deal with a Savior — 66 chapters in all. 

Many people see Isaiah as a small Bible, for there are 39 chapters in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament — 66 books in all. The Old Testament often deals with the sin of the people of Israel, and the New Testament deals with the Savior which came from Israel. 

There is a distinctly different tone and message beginning here in chapter 40. The first 39 chapters had warned of the destruction of the nation and the deportment of the people to foreign lands. The people had abandoned their God and he would now abandon them. The first part of the book is heavy and plodding, but beginning with this chapter the language soars with majestic eloquence and wondrous hope. 

As Isaiah wrote the first part of his book, disaster had not yet come to the nation. People had grown tired of Isaiah’s warnings and his constant talk of their need of repentance and a return to God. 

But Isaiah wrote the second half of his book to the people of Israel and Judah who would be in exile — they would be taken away to Babylon. He was prophesying about a time that was yet to come when the nation would be destroyed. Jerusalem and its beautiful temple would be laying in ruins, and the people would be in captivity. 

In captivity they would not need to hear about pending judgment, because they would be living it. They would not need to be reminded of their sins; they would be experiencing the consequences of them on a daily basis. 

THREE THINGS ISAIAH SPOKE TO THE PEOPLE:

1 - Isaiah Spoke Of An Everlasting Comfort

What they would need as captive slaves in Babylon was comfort. They did not need Isaiah to shake the finger at that point and say, “I told you so”; they needed to hear that God still cared for them and that there was hope. 

Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins. (‭Isaiah‬ ‭40‬:‭1-2‬ ESV)

It is interesting that the Hebrew word Isaiah uses for comfort is also a word which can be translated “repent.” The word is nĂ¢ham, and its root has the idea of breathing deeply. 

It can therefore mean to breathe deeply with sorrow for your sin, or to breathe deeply as you comfort and console someone. The idea is that God’s comfort comes as a result the people’s repentance. Because they have breathed deeply in repentance, God has breathed deeply as he consoled and comforted them. 

The idea of comfort comes from the two Latin words: com fortis – literally translated it means “with strength.” God’s way of giving comfort is to give us the strength to do what needs to be done. As his strength comes, grief and sorrow go. 

The situation may not have changed, but we have a new ability to face it and deal with it. The people to whom Isaiah was speaking needed strength to face the journey home, and once there they had the huge job of rebuilding the temple and the city. 

They were going to need a lot of strength and encouragement. 

The word encouragement has much the same idea: it means to be in courage. If you are encouraged you have the courage to do what needs to be done. God was comforting and encouraging the people so they would be able to carry out his will. Sometimes God’s comfort comes by forcing us to change and grow. 

Someone has said that the Spirit of God comes to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable. 

Someone once asked a paratrooper how many times he had jumped out of the plane while he was in the military. He said, “None.” His friend said, “What do you mean, ‘none,’ I thought you were a paratrooper?” He said, “I was, but I never jumped. I was pushed several times... but I never jumped.” That is what the military calls encouragement. 

Sometimes we need a little shove. But along with the shove, God gives us renewed courage and strength to do what he is calling us to do. In the end, it becomes something we want to do. 

2- Isaiah Spoke Of The Everlasting Word Of God.

A voice says, “Cry!” And I said, “What shall I cry?” All flesh is grass, and all its beauty is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades when the breath of the Lord blows on it; surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. (‭Isaiah‬ ‭40‬:‭6-8‬ ESV)

When all other claims to truth have had their say, the Word of God will stand alone in the end. Everything else changes. Philosophies come and go, but God’s Word remains the abiding Truth. 

It was God’s Word yesterday; it is God’s Word today, and it will be God’s Word 5000 years from now. Kingdoms will rise and fall. Ideas will come and go. The values of the world will change, but God’s Word will remain the one constant in a world of change and confusion. 

3. Isaiah Spoke Of The Everlasting Strength

Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. (‭Isaiah‬ ‭40‬:‭28-31‬ ESV)

Isaiah told of an everlasting comfort, and he told of the everlasting Word of God, but thirdly: Isaiah spoke of an everlasting strength. 

Those who were in exile lost hope, and because of that they lost their strength and desire to go on. Even the young were beaten down, weary and defeated. But those who placed their hope and trust in God did not lose heart, and they did not lose strength — regardless of their age. 

Their hearts and minds soared as they thought about what God was going to do. As new strength and courage entered their hearts it began to affect their bodies. They gained a new enthusiasm for life and a new strength to go on. But you never gain that strength unless you are willing to wait on the Lord. 

We would all like to mount up with wings like eagles, but as someone has said, “It’s hard to soar with the eagles when you are surrounded by turkeys.” 

I read about a young boy who spent the summer with his grandfather. As he and his grandfather were out in the field one day they found a small bird. It was strange looking and they didn’t know what it was at first. They named him Ernie and took him home to show to grandma. Grandma put him with a mother hen and her brood of chicks. As it turned out, Ernie was an Eaglet. It wasn’t long until Ernie was larger than the chickens, and it was apparent he was different — even though he had picked up some of the mannerisms of the chickens. But one sunny afternoon the father eagle saw Ernie eating corn down on the farm with some strange white birds. The father eagle began to soar in circles above the farm, and then began to spiral downward while calling out for Ernie. Ernie’s head lifted as he heard something that resonated deep within him. Instinctively he began to spread his wings. Suddenly he was flying, and he began to soar in response to his father’s call. Ernie had within him the spirit of an eagle. The chicks heard the father eagle’s call as well, but they only chirped in response and continued to eat their corn on the ground. But Ernie had a higher calling. He was destined to soar. 

Chickens and turkeys can fly, but they rarely do because they are most comfortable on the ground. Sparrows and other small birds fly, but they mostly use their wings to get from one tree to another. But eagles soar. They have great power and freedom. They are destined for the skies. 

Like them, we have a different Spirit in us than those who are content to be ground dwellers. We have a higher calling. We are destined for the skies. God’s Spirit is in us and he is calling to us to soar with him. 

Just because we are Christians does not mean we are using our wings. We may still be more comfortable on the ground than soaring in the sky. We may even flit from one place to another, but God is calling us to soar. We do so by waiting on him. Responding to his call. Trusting him. Spreading our wings and using the strength he has given us. 

Someone has said, “There are two lasting bequests we can give to our children. One is roots; the other is wings.” 

We can teach our children that there is a strength that comes from God that is greater than our own. We can teach them to wait on him and trust him, even when everything looks hopeless. 

We can teach them that Isaiah wrote about an everlasting strength, an everlasting hope, an everlasting comfort, an everlasting truth, an everlasting kingdom, and an everlasting God. But the best thing we can do is to show them the reality of God’s faithfulness as we model it in our lives. 

We can be living examples of hope. Living sources of comfort. Living proof of the reliability of God’s Word. Living examples of a strength that comes from God. We can mount up with wings like eagles. 

Outline inspired by Rodney J. Buchanan