Pastor Caroline - Run to The Lord

Pastor Caroline - Hold On To His Hand

 

Hold On To His Hand

 

A few years ago we did a Bible study on the book of Job. If you’re not familiar with the story, I encourage you to read it.

It’s about a good man who suffers total disaster however is restored to his former condition with even greater prosperity than before. The introduction to the book of Job tells you what I’ve just written and fills in between the lines so to speak.

 

I want to bring the story to your attention because I can see in this story that we are never to let go of God‘s hand. Hence, the title of my message today, Hold On To His Hand.  In sickness and in health, in poverty and in wealth, never let go of His hand.

 

I just recently spoke with a Christian friend who shared with me that cancer has become a reality within their household. Of course they are asking for prayers, believing for a miracle if it is the will of God, however; if God sees a home going for this person then so be it. This person knows Jesus, and also knows that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. They realize that the sting of death is lessened in the knowledge and acceptance of Jesus and the resurrection and eternal life provided through Him. One must go and leave the remainder of the family here for a time until they too are called home.

 

As we look at life, especially in our golden years we look back and realize how blessed we’ve been. Everything we have in life has been a blessing sent to us from above. Our birth, our youth through old age, every possession we have, and every special relationship we have, has all been gifted to us.  Love has been, and is, a wonderful gift, and the more we share love the more love we have. To be given a mate in life and to enjoy children, grandchildren and great - grandchildren possibly, and to have special blendships with friends along the way, all this is much to give thanks for.

 

As I look at my friends’ lives who now are facing cancer I realize that God has given them much over the years. They have been good stewards of their lives, giving and sharing with those in need and never once expecting or looking for any praise. They always give the glory to God for allowing them the privilege to serve and have been grateful for every blessing they have. It was not always an easy life, they endured hardships that were indeed a challenge, but they never let go of God‘s hand. Now this challenge has them holding on tightly knowing God will not let go. In Him they put their trust, hope and faith.

 

As time seemingly closes in and a separation becomes a close reality, they know as Job did in his story, to always hold on to the Father’s hand. Job said in Chapter 1 Verse 21 and we read;

(21) He said, “I was born with nothing and I will die with nothing. The Lord gave and now he has taken away. May his name be praised!”

 

You see Job realized that anything and everything he owned and enjoyed was given to him by God. We must all be reminded that every breath we breathe is given to us by our heavenly Father. Our family, friends, our home containing our possessions, our bank account and the moments of everyday life are God’s gift to us. Our sound mind, strong body, and ability to do our daily tasks and our profession, are all gifts, given to us by the Lord and may be taken away and yet we are to praise his name.

 

We came into the world with nothing and we shall leave with nothing. We came as a gift from God and hopefully we shall return as a gift to God.

 

I know that when the time comes and this family has to say goodbye to their loved one, heartache and sorrow will be their cross to bear for a time. God will comfort them as His word promises.

 

I feel certain God will greet my friend and will say, “Welcome home my good and faithful servant. You are now entering into the eternal life I promised you, there will be no more death, no more grief or crying or pain. The old things have disappeared. (Revelation Chapter 21 Verse 4).  I watched you over your lifetime and you never let go of My hand. You have left a legacy of love for your family and friends and a directive to never let go. Now come and enjoy the eternal life I have prepared for you.”

 

Hold on to His Hand, and one day we will all be together – forever. This is the message the Lord wants us to hear today.

Thank you Lord for reminding us of our future with You in heavenly places.

Dr. Barclay's Bible Study - The Book of Romans Part 18

Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - GOD or MAN

 GOD or MAN

When Jesus was on earth there were those who then, as now, seemed totally confused as to who really was this person. “…Once some of the scribes said within themselves, ‘This Man blasphemies!’” when He healed a paralytic (Matthew 9:3). When He was teaching people in a synagogue “…they were astonished and said ‘Where did this Man get this wisdom and these mighty works?’’ (Matthew 13:54).

Others were just as convinced that He was more than just a man. When Jesus asked His disciples: “‘Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?’” Simon Peter answered: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:13&16). In Jerusalem, in the temple, during the time of the early church, the apostles “…did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ” (Acts 5:42).

In the Bible, it seems to be often the religious leaders and learned people who considered Jesus as a man. It appears as though only His disciples and others close to Him actually felt Him to be the Christ and Son of the living God. This was in spite of the many things He did to show that He was from more than this world. Even demons seemed to know more than the Scribes and Pharisees, for when Jesus cast them out of people they came “…crying out and saying, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of God!’” (Luke 4:41).

So if demons and His disciples recognized Jesus for whom He really was, it was because they knew Him and were associated with Him. Other people did not as readily realize His true nature in spite of the feats He did while His ministry was on earth. Perhaps this is because many of His miracles were done independent of His circumstance, such as magic tricks might be done today. But there were times when His miracles were done along with His humanity and not independently of it, and these truly showed that He was both Man and God.

  One day, He was exhausted after teaching many, healing some, rebuking Pharisees and even confronting His relatives. His followers took Him then “…along in the boat as He was…” and soon He fell “… asleep on a pillow…”(Mark 4:36&38) How more human can one be, falling asleep after a long day? He continued to sleep even after a severe storm arose, filling His followers with fear and threatening to swamp the boat. They awoke Him and said to Him: “‘Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?’ Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, ‘Peace, be still!’ And the wind ceased and there was a great calm” (Mark 4:38-39). It was a time of illustrating both His humanity and divinity.

On another occasion, when they had come to Capernaum, Peter was asked: “Does your Teacher not pay the temple tax?” (Matthew 17:24). Now Jesus did not work as we consider work, but was still expected to pay a tax. Nothing more human than paying taxes, so Jesus said: “…[L]est we offend them, go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first. And when you have opened its mouth, you will find a piece of money; take that and give it to them for Me and you” (Matthew 17:27). A supernatural way to obtain the money to pay a totally human tax.

Jesus often did miraculous things independent of His other activities; events which some apparently believed to be tricks or magic. However, He did other miraculous happenings in association with His totally human activities showing without doubt both sides of His being.

Was He God or a man? No. He was both God and Man; a big difference and certainly something to think about.

Pastor Caroline - The Goodness of God

Pastor Caroline - What the Lord Requires

 

What the Lord Requires

 

The message today is from the book of Micah.

I am writing from Chapter 6 Verses 6 to 8 and it is in fact entitled in the Good News Bible; What the Lord Requires.

 

(6) What shall I bring to the Lord, the God of heaven, when I come to worship him? Shall I bring the best calves to burn as offerings to him?

(7) Will the Lord be pleased if I bring him thousands of sheep or endless streams of olive oil? Shall I offer him my first born child to pay for my sins?

(8) No, the Lord has told us what is good. What he requires of us is this: to do what is just, to show constant love, and to live in humble fellowship with our God.

 

This instruction is so simply put you cannot possibly miss the message of what God requires. He requires us;

(1) to do what is just

(2) to show constant love

(3) to live in humble fellowship with our God.

 

Now I ask you, if the world and all the people followed this instruction to the letter, what do you suppose our world would look like today? I suspect we would have better living conditions for all people regardless of status. God doesn’t want our sacrifices, He wants our commitment to live peacefully with others, love as He loves, and be humble in our ways and attitude towards others, resembling the character of Jesus. When we accomplish this on a daily basis people will see Christ in us, and therefore want to be a Christian. God wants us to be more like His Son, Jesus.

 

When we live as God requires us to do – we will see the benefit of leaning on Him at all times. We must become dependent on Him, pray and ask Him to direct us every day in the things He requires of us. It will not always be easy to be just and fair, show constant love, and be humble in fellowship with God and our fellowman. We will need God to bring us up a level, especially when we fall below His expectations of our behavior. Sometimes we will certainly not measure up and when we need discipline and direction to bring us back on track, He provides.

 

We should be ever thankful for the people God puts in our life to keep us accountable. When we look back hopefully we can see our journey was not always of our own doing. People helped us along the way, just as God intended. He puts us in the lives of others to do the same, help them along the way. Help your fellowman, family, friend or stranger, to become more than they see themselves being, just as someone has done for you. Remember we are all in this life together, and together we can make life better when Jesus is our leader and we follow His examples of what God requires of us.

 

I would say Micah was a wise prophet, with wise instruction for us. It certainly would be good for us to pay close attention to the message the Lord is sharing with us today. And please remember to give thanks for all the blessings God gives us which include the best instruction for us to have a fruitful life.

 

So let’s all do our best to do what the Lord requires of us. May we do what is just, show constant love, and live humbly in the fellowship with our God.

 

Have a blessed day in our Lord, and enjoy the people who are in your company.

Dr. Barclay's Bible Study - The Book of Romans Part 17

Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - THREE DAYS

 THREE DAYS

It has been said that every detail and mention in the Bible is of significance. This is probably why, at least in part, we have been advised not to change any part of the Scripture. For example, Matthew 5:18, NIV, states that: “until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the law until everything is accomplished”

For this reason, it is important to look at some of the smaller details which can be easily overlooked when reading Scripture. For instance, at the time of the Passover, the Hebrew people were told that: “…‘On the tenth of this month every man shall take…a lamb for a household…Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year…Now you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of the same month…’” (Exodus 12:3,5-6).

By this instruction, the Hebrew families were to take in this year-old lamb three full days before it was to be sacrificed. This was long enough for the family to bond with it, to come to enjoy it being around, and for any children to play with it. They were to just become attached to it in so many ways that there would likely have been considerable difficulty in parting with this animal at the time of sacrifice. Yet, either the animal had to die or the eldest son and so a decision had to be made.

So why the three days of bonding followed by the agony of separation instead of just obtaining a perfect lamb and sacrificing it right away? If that had been the case, it would not have been allegorical in so far as the New Testament is concerned, because this event has an allegory as a reference to Christ.

Jesus had to be born and grow to a young man, just as the lamb had to develop for the first year of its’ life, and it had to be without blemish as was Christ.  When John saw Jesus coming toward him, he said: “…‘Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world’” (John 1:29). Hebrews 4:14-15 goes on to say: 

Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens,

Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.

For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, 

but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.

Christ has been referred to as “our Passover” (1 Corinthians 5:7) because He was without sin as the Passover lamb was without blemish. And the three days mentioned above? Well, three days were long enough for the family to become accustomed to the lamb being around corresponding to the three years that Christ had a ministry on earth and for the Israelites to become familiar with Him, as well as the three days that He spent in Hades between His death and resurrection. 

In Exodus 12, the Hebrew people were to put the blood of the lamb on the doorposts to ward off the Angel of Death. They were also told to eat the roasted meat of the Passover Lamb to sustain themselves over night. This parallels with how we are to take communion, the symbolic blood and body of Christ, to help protect and sustain us in this life.

It’s all there. The unblemished lamb corresponding to the sinless life of Christ: the three days of bonding with the lamb as with Christ being three years in ministry, “three days and three nights in the heart of the earth” (Matthew 12:40), and then the use of the blood of the lamb for protection and sustentation as communion is symbolic for the Christian believer.

The allegorical aspect of the Bible is always something to think about. 

Pastor Caroline - Victory Over The World

Pastor Caroline - Make Me a Channel of Your Peace

 

Make Me a Channel of Your Peace

 

The following is composed by Sebastian Temple.

 

Make me a channel of Your peace

Where there is hatred let me bring Your love

Where there is injury, Your pardon Lord

And where there is doubt true faith in you.

 

Make me a channel of Your peace

Where there is despair in life let me bring hope

Where there is darkness only light

And where their sadness ever joy.

 

Oh, Master grant that I may never seek

So much to be consoled as to console

To be understood as to understand

To be loved as to love with all my soul.

 

Make me a channel of Your peace

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned

It is in giving to all men that we receive

And in dying that we are born to eternal life.

 

Oh, Master grant that I may never seek

So much to be console as to console

To be understood as to understand

To be loved as to love with all my soul.

 

Make me a channel of your peace

Where there’s despair in life let me bring hope

Where there is darkness only light

And where there’s sadness ever joy.

 

Read the lyrics over and over today and you will feel the very comfort and peace of God.

 

This writing is often referred to as the Prayer of Saint Francis – often associated with the Italian Saint Francis of Assisi (c1182-1226), but entirely absent from his writings, the prayer in its present form has not been traced back further than 1912. This is info given on Wikipedia.

 

I chose this writing today because over the years I’ve often heard this as a spoken prayer and also have heard it sung. It has always given me a sense of compassion and comfort. I feel sure this was the intention of the writer.

 

Imagine being a channel (think of a funnel you pour water through), a way in which God pours through you, so you can pour out over others. God’s message given to you so you can give/share with others. In our verbal and nonverbal methods of communication we are able to convey God‘s message as He sees fit. A tender word, a peaceful song, a shared poem, a gentle hug or the holding of one’s hand, are ways we can be verbal and/or nonverbal.

 

This writer asks to be a channel of God’s peace, love, pardon, faith, hope, light, joy, compassion and offer the gift of salvation. There is so much to be found in this writing and it reminds me of 2 Corinthians Chapter 1 Verses 3-4, where the apostle Paul gives thanks to God. We read in this scripture, the following from the Good News Bible;

(3) Let us give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the merciful Father, the God from whom all help comes!

(4) He helps us in all our troubles, so that we are able to help others who have all kinds of troubles, using the same help that we ourselves have received from God.

 

As we give thanks to God it reminds us that God gives generously to us, all His gifts; especially forgiveness, pardon, love, peace, salvation, and He wants us to be a channel for Him – to others. We bring comfort as we are lead with a compassionate heart for others. When we feel deeply for the hurt, pain or sorrow of another we are sharing God’s comfort with them. When we sit and listen, lift a prayer for them, and offer to do whatever we can to help alleviate their suffering, we are being a compassionate servant of Christ.

 

We are the instrument, (God’s funnel if you will), He works through. How beautiful is it to be considered a channel of His peace? When we listen in love, speak in love, give a gentle touch in love, may that love come from deep within our reservoir, our supply, which comes from God. We will never run dry because God continues to pour into our reservoir.

 

He wants us to be a channel of His Peace.

 

May this be our mission today and everyday Lord and may we be reminded of how wonderful it is to be a servant of our Lord Most High.

Make us a channel of Your Peace.

We thank you Lord for our many blessings.

Dr. Barclay's Bible Study - The Book of Romans Part 16

Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - CANNOT

 CANNOT

Bill Gates is apparently credited with saying: “Life’s not fair. Get used to it.” But society, at least in theory, continues to state that equality and fairness is what is strived for. However, we continue to have multiple problems with multiple aspects of life: race, gender orientation, wealth distribution, wages, religion, politics, you name it. As time passes, it seems that we just may have to accept the fact that: “Life just isn’t fair.”

A number of these divisive factors which plague us on earth are summarized, and apparently resolved, with this scripture from Galatians 3:28: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” What this is saying, essentially, is that many of the things that divide us disappear when we are in Christ. At the same time, many other factors aren’t even mentioned.

There is, however, one dividing factor mentioned in the Bible: that being what divides those who have accepted Christ from those who have not. It is clearly stated that those who have accepted Christ have certain experiences which those who have not yielded to Him cannot have.

  When Nicodemus met with Jesus, he asked about the second birth. Jesus answered saying ‘…unless one is born again [born of the spirit], he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3) and that “…unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God” (John 3:5). John seems to be clearly saying that unless there is a spiritual rebirth, heaven is not attainable.

But why does this spiritual change not appear to take place for many people? Perhaps it’s due to a question Jesus asks further in John - “Why do [you] not understand My speech? even because [you] cannot hear My word” (John 8:43, KJV) He was speaking to the Pharisees who were so religious in nature, and yet so spiritually void in understanding, that they rejected what Christ was saying. Christ went further on and talked about sending another Helper, who would be “the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees nor knows Him…” (John 14:17). This, however, also fell on the ears that cannot hear because of man’s trespasses and sin.

So if one is so out of tune with God that they cannot see, cannot hear, and cannot receive His Spirit, then it follows that: “…those who are in the flesh cannot please God” (Romans 8:8). This is because “…the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:14).

So most of the features that divide us here come from either one person demanding more power or one group wanting more rights or one nation just trying to obtain more. And none of this seems fair. The Bible, however, makes really only one distinction: between those who have the Spirit and those who do not. It makes it quite clear that there is a definite dividing line because “No servant can serve two masters…You cannot serve both God and mammon” (Luke 16:13).

In order to serve God, one must believe in Him and accept His promises “…which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began…” (Titus 1:2). Only by believing Him, and thereby having the faith to do so, can one ever receive those promises. This is because “…without faith it is impossible to [cannot] please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6). 

  Being part of the cannot group is not the best place to be for then you “cannot enter the kingdom of God” (John 3:5). It’s much better to belong to the “can” group and receive the promises God has available.

Just something to think about.

 

Pastor Caroline - Our Good Deeds - His Glory

Pastor Caroline - A Prayer for Safety

 

A Prayer for Safety

 

In the Good News Bible Psalm 59 is entitled, A Prayer for Safety. The Psalmist David wrote it when Saul was arranging to kill him. David cried out to the Lord in verse one and asked the Lord to protect him from those who attack him. He proclaims to the Lord these men are murderers and are waiting to kill him. He is desperate for protection.

 

Then in verse 16 we read;

(16) But I will sing about your strength; every morning I will sing aloud of your constant love. You have been a refuge for me, a shelter in my time of trouble.

 

In his desperation what does David do? He sings!!!

He worships God the Father. He knows that God loves to hear our worship especially when we have struggles because it is easy to worship in the good times, the times of safety.  But, ( and this is a big but) it is difficult to calm ourselves enough to come to a place of worship when we are hard up against the tough times. Let God be the only One you worship. In our struggles the first and best thing we can do; is worship!!

 

Worship in spite of the hardships you are going through. David knew what was before him, but; he sang – of the strength of the Lord. He knew God could and would take down the enemy. He even asked God not to kill them because people may forget that God can scatter them by his strength and defeat them. (Verse 11).  He asked God to strike them down so that everyone knows God rules in Israel and that his rule extends over all the earth. (Verse13)

 

As David prayed for safety he had confidence in God‘s strength, (Verse 9) and he knew God loved him and would show him that his enemies were defeated. (Verse 10)

Praise the Lord. How was it David had this confidence? It was because God had proven himself faithful to David in the past; and David even called the Lord, “my defender “. (Verse 16)

 

When we come to God for protection and safety He hears the cry of our heart. We must learn to trust Him, defeating our doubt; and praising God in our belief. We must learn to worship first, giving our praise to God who loves us. We then can stand in the assurance of the power of the Lord to fight our battles. Then we can rest in the safety of His arms as David did.

 

Thank God in advance before you see the answer to prayer or the solution to your problem. Do as David did and sing – sing about the strength of the Lord, morning and night; sing of the constant love of the Lord.

 

Let God be the only One you worship!!

Dr. Barclay's Bible Study - The Book of Romans Part 15

Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - THE LAMB

 THE LAMB

In the Bible, the lamb has always been a symbolized of a type of relationship and contact with God. At the same time, it’s important to see how this symbolism and relationship changed and progressed with time.

The lamb was first recorded in the Bible as a sacrifice for only one person. It states in Genesis that “…Abel was a keeper of sheep…” (4:2) and that he “…brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat [to the Lord]…” (4:4). The Lord was apparently pleased with this offering and “respected Abel” (Genesis 4:4). This was the first recorded sacrifice of a lamb in the Bible and was on behalf of one person, Abel.

In Exodus, God told the Hebrew people to take “…a lamb for a household…[or] if the household is too small for the lamb, let him and his neighbour next to his house take it…according to each man’s need you shall make your count for the lamb” (12:3-4). Exodus goes on to explain Passover, where the lamb is sacrificed and the blood is placed on the lintel and doorposts, and the flesh of the lamb consumed. This description of the Passover sacrifice is more detailed than that in Genesis and encompasses an entire family instead just one person. More detailed and greater impact.

God also states in Exodus 12:5 that: “Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year. You may take it from the sheep or from the goats.” As is evident, a lamb can also be a young goat without blemish and so in Leviticus the instruction is given to sacrifice a lamb or a goat or even a bull to cover the sins not only of a family but of the entire nation. The details of this are spread out over a number of chapters but I want to bring attention to Leviticus 16 in particular. Here, the High Priest makes “…atonement for himself, and for his household, and for the congregation of Israel.” (Leviticus 16:17, KJV)

“This shall be a statute forever for you: 

In the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month,…

the priest shall make atonement for you, to cleanse you, 

that you may be clean from all your sins before the Lord.

It is a sabbath of solemn rest for you, 

and you shall afflict your souls, 

It is a statute forever.

And the priest…shall make atonement…

[and] then he shall make atonement for the Holy Sanctuary, 

and he shall make atonement for the tabernacle of meeting 

and for the altar, and he shall make atonement for the priests 

and for all the people of the assembly.” 

(Leviticus 16:29-33)

   

All of this to cover the sin of mankind. It has become more simplified since Christ, the last lamb of sacrifice, came because His death not only covered our sins (like the sacrificial lamb of the past) but also took them away as per the scapegoat in the book of Leviticus. This is just as John said when he saw Jesus coming toward him: “Behold the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (1:29)

Unlike the previous sacrifices which were for a person or a family or even a national congregation, this sacrifice was for the entire world and “…was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you”(1 Peter 1:20). The process, instituted by God in the beginning for one man, has now come to encompass all of mankind and the lamb sacrificed to cover the sin of Abel has become “…the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Peter 1:19).

“…The Lord respected Abel and his offering…” (Genesis 4:4) and He likewise accepts the offering made by Christ on our behalf. It’s comforting to know that this was planned from the beginning as a free gift and that God respects us through Christ’s offering. All we have to do is receive and utilize the gift that God has put forth. 

It really is something to think about.

Pastor Caroline - Good Managers of God's Gifts