Knowing "THE WORD" is Essential to Knowing Jesus

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning." John 1:1-2

In John 1:1-2 and 14, the Bible clearly declares, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. ... The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, full of grace and truth."

Proverbs for Lazy People (Part 4)

Last devotional on laziness or slothfulness. I think I want to close with three thought provoking comments that might help us face ourselves a little more objectively. I recently had a sobering conversation with a good friend over breakfast who helped me see with fresh eyes what I was turning a blind eye to and losing my objective perspective of my own stuckedness.

Proverbs for the Lazy (Part 3)

Excuses, excuses, excuses. I have used them myself, and have heard thousands of them. Usually referred to as reasons and explanations, they are still just excuses. Is there an excuse for everything? Sure seems like it. We have lowered expectations of our responsibility and raised expectations of our entitlements. How’s that working?

Proverbs for the Lazy (Part 2)

Solomon had a lot of workers and I am sure he saw every type of avoidance, sandbagging, stalling, distraction and diversion. I have made time and wasted time. I have produced and procrastinated; I have created the illusion of work and also worked my behind off. Laziness can be a hard job if you work hard enough at it.

Proverbs for the Lazy (Part 1)

Now for four devotionals for the lazy who most likely will never read them. The truly slothful, as the bible refers to them, are habitually so. There are a few character traits that I find particularly annoying and do not cope with very well. Laziness is one of them. O.K. I will tell you the others. Meanness is definitely one, divisiveness is another. I actually have far more compassion and tolerance for the lazy than I do the mean or divisive. Let me go ahead and be totally transparent and admit that those who are control freaks top my list. Now I have said it and I feel more honest. As I consider how much hurt and trouble the mean people, divisive (or troublemakers) and control freaks cause, I am feeling even more compassion for the lazy. Probably a good time to write these devotionals and share the proverbs about slothfulness. Just a few at a time. Wouldn’t want to wear out the lazy ones who might be reading them in a spurt of productivity.

Blessings in Disguise

I must say that when I was reading the following devotional as part of our morning routine, I had to read one sentence over again suggesting to us that we should "try to view difficulties as blessings in disguise". My first response was I must have not read it correctly because difficulties are just that - difficult and seemingly not at all a blessing. But, as with everything, one must read in context, and after doing that, it made perfect sense the point that the author (Sarah Young - who else because you know I love her writings) was attempting to get across. This struck such a chord in me because I can think of at least ten loved ones very close to our family who are facing incredible life struggles at this time in their lives.

Take Heart

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33

As we read the newspaper, watch the news on television, or get the update of the world on our PC’s and cell phones, one common thread is that there is a lot going on to make us feel anxious, concerned, and worried; whether it is the ongoing war in Iraq and Afghanistan, or the continuing struggle between Israel and Palestine, or all the various terrorist attacks throughout the world. And then of course, we watch as the stock market continues to take yet another major dive. Let us not forget our local news of the unemployment rate, layoffs, and violent crimes that we hear circling around us. It truly does seem bleak, or as Jesus told us, “we do live in a world full of trouble.”

The Purifier by Cecil Murphy

Malachi, the last of the writing prophets in the Old Testament, painted a double image of God in his third chapter. The "messenger of the covenant" in verse one refers to Jesus Christ and sets the context for his coming: "For he will be like a refiner's fire or a launderer's soap ..." (Mal 3:2 NIV). 

First, Jesus is revealed as a refiner of precious metals. The hot fire removes all impurities from silver and gold. The second picture is of Jesus as a fuller. That's a launderer whose soap makes garments white. 

The two metaphors illustrate the double thrust of the purpose of the coming of Jesus. Malachi stresses that it's time to get cleaned up. And we need to heed the message today as much as the people of Malachi's time did. 

He comes to purify the faithful and to eliminate the unfaithful. After the purification, the worship of the chosen people will once again be acceptable to God. 

As I think of those two images, my perception is that purification would be a painful ordeal, something I would rather avoid. 

What would it take, I wonder, for God to make me "white like snow"? I'm not talking about the usual meaning we attach, giving us salvation and cleansing our hearts. This passage refers to what we experience after coming to Christ. It's what we theologically call sanctification, or setting apart. 

The refining image sounds terrible to me. It's a picture Peter uses in his first letter. Although he writes out of his experiences of being persecuted, he doesn't lay the blame on outside forces. This is God at work in us, he says, and if we follow Jesus Christ, we're going to be refined. That's part of the preparation for eternity. 

It reminds me of a devotional message I read many years ago by long-ago missionary to India, Amy Carmichael. She wrote about Nazirites, men in the Old Testament who vowed to live ascetic lives. One of their restrictions was that they could not eat grapes or drink wine. Carmichael asked, "What, no raisins?" They were denied even the simple pleasures of life. As Nazirites they were in a special relationship of total commitment to God and lived by strict laws. 

I wonder if God has called us to be spiritual Nazirites. By that, I mean it becomes a matter of "others may, you may not." It's not that we set legalistic demands for others or ourselves. But it does mean that we voluntarily allow God to treat us more strictly than people around us. If we're truly spiritual Nazirites, we are living in the ongoing refining fire. 

It's such a strange paradox. God gradually restricts our lives and shuts out what others might accept as ordinary pleasures. Yet the restrictive life is richer, fuller, and more enjoyable. 

Most of the refining happens in silence and out of the public view. The people I consider the most spiritual-that is, the most purified-don't speak of their trials or their purifying. They submit to God's cleansing, but it happens in such a private way that only two people know about it: God and the person involved.

Something about that appeals to me, that is, until I'm the person involved. Then I hear myself ask, "Why can't I have a handful of raisins?"

The God who wants to sanctify or set us apart for specific divine purposes doesn't demand or lay heavy laws on us. We voluntarily assume the load. 

As we listen for the divine whisper of guidance, our lives change. It comes as a challenge, maybe as a suggestion, but always to purify us. I think of it as a whisper, and when we respond, we change.

As we ask God for the purifying fire in our lives, we acknowledge that it's a highly individual matter. If God takes away our raisins, it doesn't mean that no one else can eat them. It's simply a choice made by us in obedience to the Spirit of Purification. 

I've read about people who've welcomed purification, persecution, and hardships because they believe that they are living the way the Lord lived. I'm not quite there, and I don't know if I'll ever have that kind of therapeutic outlook on suffering. But still-with trepidation-I ask God to continue to purify my life. 

Many of us have no sense of nearing the station of Full Spirituality. In fact, when we look back at our progress, it's as if we've scarcely moved forward. "All these years, Lord, and this is all the progress I've made?"

Maybe it's because we can't see ourselves objectively. But we can see the refining fire. Even if we could see our progress, the Messenger of the Covenant is cleansing us in dozens of little ways. Maybe we're more sensitive about the words we speak and the tone of voice we use. Or maybe Jesus is softening the anger that lurks within us. 

Because our needs are so different, and our impurities so diverse, who can set up a formula for anyone else? The secret-if there is one-is in listening to that soft whisper and saying, "Lord Jesus, it hurts when you scrub away at me, but thank you for caring enough to do it." On one of my long prayer walks, after I had complained about the purifying process going on in my life, I realized that I was blessed by God. Right! Blessed! It means God cares enough to keep working with me. It reminds me that God still isn't through with me. 

As I meditated along that line, a quiet joy filled my soul. "Yes, it's all right," I said to God. "Do it."

Dear friends, don't be surprised that you are going through testing that is like walking through fire. Be glad for the chance to suffer as Christ suffered. It will prepare you for even greater happiness when he makes his glorious return. --1 Peter 4:12-13, CEV

Do Not Worry

"Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more that food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?....Therefore do not worry, saying, "What shall we eat? Or "What shall we wear?" For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." Matthew 6:25-27,31-33

Wow! What a beautiful Saturday morning! It’s 9:00 am and it’s sunny and there’s a warm breeze blowing through the windows of my room. In the distance I can hear the familiar sounds of the infamous flock of wild parrots that inhabit the Tustin area. As I begin to sort through the stack of monthly bills, and not knowing how or which one I was going to be able to pay, all of a sudden, my black cat, Samson, came diving through the open window and running across my stack of bills. His eyes were as big as saucers and his heart was racing a mile a minute. As I held him to calm him down, I looked out the window and saw what had caused poor Samson’s trauma. The infamous flock of parrots were in my backyard eating the fruit off of our lemon and tangerine trees. They were under the trees just squawking up a storm and enjoying their breakfast of fresh fruits. As I sat staring in awe of this site, the Holy Spirit put this morning’s passage Scripture to mind. I have to tell you that I began to laugh and say “God You truly are awesome! In front of me was a stack of bills and I had no idea how I was going to pay them and truthfully I was stressed to the max, I mean I was at my breaking point, then what does God do? He brings in a flock of birds who are not native to California and He is using the fruit trees in my yard to feed His parrots. What an awesome lesson to be able to see and experience!

My Command, by Pastor Rick Ballester

John 15:12-13 “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.  Greater love has no one than this, that he lays down his life for his friends.”

The other night I was watching a television program called “Suits”.  In this episode, one of the main character’s friends called him from jail and asked him if he could come and bail him out.    Now mind you, the main character was totally and completely blown away because he had done this.  Because they had a huge blow out argument, in his mind he thought he had completely and totally destroyed and ruined their relationship of twenty years.  When the main character asked his friend why did you call me to bail you out of jail, his  response was that he knew and believed that out of all the people he knew, and out of all of his so-called friends that he knew that he would be the only one who would come and get him.  Because he was the only true friend that he has ever had.

Friendships are the greatest relationships that we need to grow and nurture.  Just like any given relationship, it takes time and effort to grow, and cultivate.  These relationships are beautiful and amazing and can also be very time consuming and even can be classified a ‘high maintenance’.  But, just like any other relationship, it is totally worth any and all of the effort needed to grow it into maturity.

We have the ability to grow and nurture healthy, loving  friendships if we follow the commands that Jesus has given us concerning them.  It’s quite simple – “Love each other as I have loved you.”  Wow!  What a great formula for developing solid friendships!  So, what are we to do?  We are to love our friends the way that Christ loved us.  Christ’s love for us is unconditional, and His love is given to us sacrificially.  What does this  sacrificial love mean?  It means that Jesus put the needs and desires of others before His.  Even if it meant that He would lose things that were important to Him.   Christ also exhibited awesome character qualities of compassion, kindness, forgiveness, caring and giving.  And, let’s not forget that He willingly gave His life for ours.

So as we develop new friendships, or as we continue to build and nurture our existing friendships, let us take to heart what Jesus desires us to do in this area of our lives.  Let’s love sacrificially, develop listening skills, give of ourselves and be encouraging.  If you do that with the other character qualities of Jesus we talked about, you are on the road to being a true friend.

Proverbs About the Poor (Part 5)

This is the last of the 25 proverbs that address the poor. I hope your heart has been quickened and your spirit blessed by their truth. We live in interesting times with the ability to see the oppressed in a click. Yet we feel hamstrung to respond and overwhelmed by our own greed, selfishness and tendency to pretend it isn’t there or that we don’t have to care. Today I feel like being blunt. So please know that if my commentary seems harsh that some of my points were learned in a mirror, not by looking at you.

1. Be compassionate to other poor. (Pro. 28:3)

(Often the poor are the most compassionate)

2. Understand that rich people can be pretentious, not wise. (Pro. 28:19)

(Ya think? Don’t suck up to the rich, it’s pitiful when you do.)

3. Follow vain people and become poor. (Pro. 28:19)

(Because they can’t get enough or spend enough or have enough)

4. Avoid the deceitful. (Pro. 11:4)

(Habitual liars and cons need a miracle from Jesus not you)

5. Be patient and do your work. (Pro. 11:16)

(Deferred gratification is not an outdated concept, try it.)

I feel better. The truth shared in love. I hope you have taken to heart only what the Lord wants you to consider. Wise advice is only counsel. God is the only judge.

Be blessed my friends in Him, Pastor Fred

Proverbs About the Poor (Part 4)

Proverbs often point out some of the worst and most tragic things about us. None of us are exempt from being used as a proverbial illustration. Because of our old sin nature and our propensity for foolishness we are easy targets for the harsh truth. I am saddened not only by the many examples I know of those who have become repeat offenders, but by my own culpability in more than one of these points made by today’s 5 proverbs about the poor and poverty. Perhaps we have much to learn from those poorer than we. Maybe we are so quick to judge because we get nervous when the truth strikes so close.

1. Be honest and poor rather than a fool and rich. (Pro. 19:2)

(Rich fools are sad characters.)

2. The poor are often deserted by family and friends. (Pro. 19:7)

(Ouch, so easy to do)

3. Wish others well even if you cannot help them. (Pro. 19:22)

(So much easier to ignore them and avoid them)

4. Do not love pleasures and thus become poor. (Pro. 25:17)

(So hard to admit this)

5. Even the poor can do God’s work. (Pro. 22: 2)

(Poverty is never completely immobilizing or disempowering)

I know somebody reading this is convicted besides me. There is so much more we could do and be through Him.

In Him, Pastor Fred

Proverbs About the Poor (Part 3)

Being poor by anyone’s definition, brings with it a list of other attached issues.  Living week to week or day to day with loads of unknowns and insecurities can bring other problems to light, or at least to the forefront.  Poverty is sometimes an escape from abuse, or control, or stress.  I must admit at the height of my own frustration with people, processes, pettiness, and pressure, I can have some longing for the good old days; living in my van, scrimping to get by, living simple and well within m means.  I have offered the possibility to my wife and frankly it becomes way more tempting recently, and more often.  

These five Proverbs remind me what I have believed for years and years.  Pack light and be ready to go.  When you live simpler, become debt free, and minimize your obligations it allows you to consider what God might have in mind, if you were really open to it.  If you were free, what would God recommend?  Is poverty what you fear?  Are your things like anchors?  What do these 5 Proverbs open you up to consider?  Talk to God about it, I am.

1.  Little with love is better than a feast with hatred.  (Proverbs 15:17)

2.  Do not mock the poor.  (Proverbs 17:5)

3.  Do not offend a poor brother, reconciliation is difficult.  (Proverbs 18:19)

4.  Pray and be thankful.  (Proverbs 18:23

5.  A poor man is kept apart by his neighbors.  (Proverbs 19:4)

We resist change, we don’t like to have the status quo challenged.  

Trust God alone.  Let Him lead.  Follow, it is less frightening than fear itself.

Food for thought in Him,

Pastor Fred

Proverbs About the Poor (Part 2)

This is a sensitive subject for me.  I have always (even as a little boy) been very moved by poverty.  I somehow really struggle with the distance between the rich and poor, and extremely troubled by the politicization of the poor.  How is genocide still possible in the modern world?  How can a blind eye be turned toward human suffering?  I am dumbfounded by “help” agencies, including many non-profits that are so inefficient at delivering resources to meet real needs.  You know how it is, right?  TOO many hands in the till,  and too much administrative cost.  Poverty is often created, pondered to, and entrapped for gain.  We are so in need of wisdom about the poor and the who, what, why and how of it.  These truths can help us separate our frustrations, our judgements, and ignorance from the real issues.

Here are five more proverbs to help us think wisely with my commentary attached in parenthesis.

1.  Do not spend as if you are rich. – Proverbs 13:7  (Credit is basically of the devil and herein is

    a big part of the bigger problem.)

2.  The poor are not rebuked. – Proverbs 13:8  (Poverty is not sin in and of itself.  God cares

     especially for the poor.)

3.  Learn to manage your crops well. – Proverbs 13:23  (Or learn the hard way not to save and do

    not consume all your resources before you have more.)

4.  Do not hate other poor people. – Proverbs 14:20  (This goes for “other gossips, “other fat

     people”, and “other loud people”, too – just a partial list)

5.  Better little with the fear of the Lord than the troubles of wealth. – Proverbs 15:16  (The rich

    are notoriously unhappy and some of our leaner times were better.)

Love these teachings.  Very inspiring and very revealing.  Hope you are inspired and a little exposed, too.

In His service,

Pastor Fred

Proverbs Addressed to the Poor (Part 1)

Before I share with you the 5 devotionals entitled the, “Proverbs Addressed to the Poor”, I must remind us that we are not as poor as we may think we are.  Poor could be said to mean those who do not have adequate food, shelter, water, or clothing.  Then you have to carefully define “adequate”.  Some folks believe they are poor because they are not “independently wealthy”.  Some define poverty as living below the government standard for the “poverty line”.  Some equate poverty with not having “enough”.  Some folks can’t get enough.  Some people associate happiness, success or meaningfulness with the level of income, or access to certain services.  Poverty may mean to you that you have to spend all of your resources on basic needs.  Some believe basic needs include an entertainment and “eating out” fund.  Does poverty mean less than middle-classed?  Poverty may mean not being independent, or being dependent on others.  We have seldom gone hungry for days or been orphaned or been refugees, or sold into slavery, or a victim of human trafficking.  Many people have much less than others and don’t consider themselves poor.  Regardless, we should all be compassionate, sensitive, generous and helpful without judging situations.

My family has know pretty “lean times”, but never considered ourselves poor.  I have rescued food from dumpsters, lived in my car, lived with friends and family for weeks, and not been able to pay my bills.  I have not needed government assistance, but understand there are those who do, who could not make it.  I have been unemployed but not received unemployment, but understand there are those who do.  I have held small yard sales to pay my utility bills.  My wife and I have “recycled” for extra money and have eaten our share of “Ramen”, “Mac & Cheese”, and “PB&J sandwiches.”  I have never been out of work for more than 3 weeks, but have had serious financial problems and recently become “debt free” for the third time.  I don’t own any property, or stocks, or bonds, or have any assets to speak of.  Yet, I have known distress and have seen real poverty close to me.  We have much to learn about being poor, caring for the poor, and being compassionate and wise about the poor.  

Having said that, I intend to read these Proverbs about the poor with fresh eyes, and an open heart.

1.  Grace is given the lowly.  (Proverbs 3:34)

2.  Being generous does not make one poor.  (Proverbs 10:4)

3.  Poverty destroys the poor.  (Proverbs 10:15)

4.  Keep a good conscience.  (Proverbs 10:15)

5.  Live in faith.  (Proverbs 10:15)

These humble me, convict me, and give me fresh perspective.  I have seen graciousness in the poor.  I have seen the poor be generous.  I have seen the destruction of the poor.  I know there are those whose consciences are weak, numb, or non-existent.  I have seen and heard the faith of the poor.  Don’t think you “get it” completely about the poor.  I don’t.  But I now the Word of God can make us wiser about poverty, certainly more than “the press”, “the internet”, our own thinking, or the opinions of others.  

God cares deeply for the poor.  Tread carefully with me as we spend some time in these Proverbs.

In His Service,

Pastor Fred

Proverbs about Friends (Part 3)

The final devotion on Proverbs that reference friends, are not easy to learn or share about. Sure, a couple of them are just sweet, but a few are very indicting.  How do they convict and/or encourage you?  Take them to heart and let them transform and deeper your friendships.

Proverbs about Friends (Part 2)

Friendship is precious.  I have friends that I have known more than 50 years, and friends I made last week.  Friendship is reciprocal, but we shouldn’t as true friends ever need to keep track of who was friends first or last.

Proverbs About Friends (Part 1)

I would like to reflect with you this summer about friends.  There are sixteen proverbs that are advice and counsel regarding friends and I will share them in the devotionals.  Friendship is a very special subject.  If you have many good friends or only a few or sadly maybe none, it is a tender topic.  Solomon has wonderful insights given by God, and we can learn to be better, wiser friends.