Proverbs for Neighbors (Part 1)

Solomon also has wise advice for neighbors. It seems over recent decades that we have become less and less connected with our neighbors, and our neighborhoods. This may be truer in bigger towns than smaller. We always get closer during emergencies or crises, but we may be missing out on something day to day by not developing friendships with our neighbors. Solomon shares how to make sure you have good neighbors.

Proverbs for Youth (Part Six)

The last 10 Proverbs directed at youth are perhaps the most poignant, to the point and convicting. What to do and what not to do. What to say, what not to say. Remember, we love lists of direction, but we also avoid correction. Let these sink into your spirit.

Proverbs for Youth (Part 5)

Many proverbs deal with the relationship of respect and honor with parents and children. A lot can be learned about how children should act towards their parents. The other counsel is wise also, many things my parents instructed me about.

Proverbs for Youth (Part 4)

We continue with Solomon’s writings directed at youth. For any of us that did not get these teachings when we were young, we still can learn them before our poor choices teach us the hard way.

Proverbs for Youth (Part 3)

This is Part 3 of Proverbs for Youth. All of the graduates of Grace Harbor Church 2014 received copies of Florence Brownfield’s new book simply entitled The Wisdom of Solomon and I am sharing from her edited compilation directed at specific audiences, but applicable to us all. Some of us got a poor foundation of these kinds of teachings and need to be reminded.

Proverbs for Youth (Part 2)

We continue with 10 more gems of wise counsel from Solomon, compiled by intended audience by Florence Brownfield. I pray we will all receive the Holy Spirit’s understanding of the application of God’s truth through Solomon’s proverbs.

Proverbs for Youth (Part 1)

There is something about us humans that whether we like it or not, we do love to be told the truth. I think that is why I love short and to the point lists, that are not full of so many illustrations, sub-points or fluff that you forget the point by the time you finished reading. Recently, Florence Brownfield, a (95?) year old sister in Christ from Grace Harbor church, published a compilation of quotes from Solomon according to their intended audience. She did a brilliant job and I encourage everyone to get a copy of “The Wisdom of Solomon”, edited by Florence Brownfield. I will share about 10 at a time, which is a meaty portion if you take the time to chew them enough. If you receive and apply these truths from God you can also avoid unnecessary suffering, embarrassment, failure and trouble. Thank you Florence, Solomon and God for what you have shared with us. (Selections are from KJV)

My Comforting God

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God." 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

I am living in this verse today. Praising my God who is so compassionate and full of mercy and who does comfort us so we can comfort others. Whatever our trouble is the scripture here says “any” trouble. Nothing is too big or too complicated, too small or too insignificant. He cares and He is there. If He is there for me, He is there for you. And… if He is there for you, He is there for me. We must share His comfort when we receive it. What is particularly beautiful about my most recent experience is that His comfort came before I had an answer to my trouble. I was praying fervently as many others were that my mom would have a successful and simple heart surgery this morning. She did praise God, but before I knew that, my God gave me compassion with peace that passes understanding. He poured His Spirit through my heart with those most comforting words… “Everything is going to be okay…. No matter what.” For an inexplicable reason I was suddenly okay with whatever the outcome might be. Not the first time I have experienced this. So whatever the trouble you have today, whether it be fear or stress, health or the weight of someone else’s trouble, whether it be financial or emotional, petty or life threatening, God has got it. He has got it. He has got us. His compassions do not fail. His grace is sufficient. His mercies are renewed every morning. Maybe you face family turmoil, work pressure, or personal stuff that can’t be spoken. Give it to Him. He will either intervene or give you the grace to accept whatever. Today He did both for me. He intervened and He gave me His grace to accept whatever. I had peace with all the possibilities. I must say there was a moment of faithful surrender that preceded my experience. I am assuredly immeasurably thankful for Him and He gave me peace before I had an answer. This is what encourages me to encourage you. Our mighty loving God will see us through. No matter what may come or the outcome, I think surrender is the key. Let go and let God. I wholeheartedly believe I would be writing the same words if this had gone a totally different direction. At this moment I am still more overwhelmed by the peace than I am the blessing.

Unintentional Sin

"If the whole Israelite community sins unintentionally and does what is forbidden in any of the Lord’s commands, even though the community is unaware of the matter, they are guilty."
Leviticus 4:13

Though we are under grace and not under the law, we have much to learn from the Law of Moses. The Ten Commandments for starters; Most of us couldn’t name 7 or 8 of them. This passage is talking about sin offerings. You see, before Jesus paid the price on the cross for our sin, sacrificial offerings were made in order to raise the consciousness of God’s people about their sins. Not just individual sin, but community sin. Not just intentional sin, but unintentional sin. In this verse specifically, unintentional community sin. What could this be today? When we become aware of unintentional community sin we should be reminded of Christ’s sacrifice for it and that we should have our consciousness raised and respond by correcting what is wrong. We have a hard enough time admitting and owning up for our personal sin, much less our group sin for which we love to pass the blame or responsibility. Let me name some unintentional community sins and then you can consider Jesus and what He might advise the members of the community to do about it.

More Yes!

"But as surely as God is faithful, our message to you is not “Yes” and “No”. For the Son of God Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by me and Silas and Timothy, was not “Yes” and “No”, but in Him it has always been “Yes”.  For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through Him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the Glory of God." 2 Corinthians 1:18-20

Paul wanted to visit Corinth more than he could. He tried to stay true to his promises. Just as our Lord is always faithful and keeps His promises. We live in a culture of both permissiveness and of restrictedness. We tend to be permissive and restrictive to a fault. How can we be Good News “Yes” people with positive attitude without being overly tolerant of the creeping decadence that is so prevalent today? I think it is as simple as this. We need to accentuate the positive and eliminate the negative and don’t mess with Mr. Inbetween. Let our “Yes” be “Yes” and focus on that… and let our “No” be No”. We want to promote liberty without licentiousness and discipline without legalism. Bible says for example that there is no law against the trait of the spirit. So why not promote love, joy, peace, hope, goodness, kindness, faithfulness, patience, and self-control. Promote good works instead of focusing on bad behavior. Our entertainment industry thrives on misbehavior and that must be offset with much reinforcement of good behavior. Gotta feel ya though. Some folks just love the “No” attitude. We sure teach it to our kids young. “No” “No” “No”, we wonder why they say it so much? Yes we do. So I say let’s spread that which we are free to do without limitations. The light will overtake the darkness before we beat the darkness into submission light is the answer. Yes to the light. Yes to Jesus. Yes to the Good News. Rather than rush hell with a squirt gun, lets lead people to the fountain where they will find living water.

He is the Great Shepherd

"Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of my pasture!’ declares the Lord. Therefore this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says to the shepherds who tend my people: ‘because you have scattered my flock and driven them away and have not bestowed care on them, I will bestow punishment on you for the evil you have done,’ declares the Lord. ‘I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them and bring them back to their pasture: where they will be fruitful and increase in number. I will place shepherds over them who will tend them, and they will no longer be afraid or terrified, nor will any be missing,’ declares the Lord."
Jeremiah 23:1-4

Recently I preached that the whole Word of God is applicable to us all, maybe not all the specific indictments, judgments and condemnations, but at least the warnings should be appropriated and applied. This is a warning to shepherds (parents, teachers, ministry leaders take heed also). He is the Great Shepherd, they are His sheep not ours. We should not chase away, harm or discourage His flock. We must tend and gather and care as He does. The promise to Israel in the midst of this passage is undeniable, but it doesn’t diminish the exhortation about how sheep should be fed and nurtured and loved. Sheep should never feel threat or fear or terror from their caregivers, shepherds or overseers. We must tend, tenderly, with deep concern for every sheep’s well being. I know there is accountability and guidance and protection involved, but the primary motive should always be love. My favorite or most convicting part of this verse is the last and the phrase, “nor will any be missing.” I am not as concerned about trying to be the perfect pastor or church for every single sheep who comes to or through Grace Harbor as I am for the ones He wants to Stay. How many of those are missing, or have fallen through the cracks or not been tended to or welcomed or assimilated. I pray that we will find our missing ones and bring them back into the fold. May I, may we be aware and care appropriately for all those He has given us.

So Watch Yourself

"So watch yourselves, if your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him." Luke 17:3

We live in a sinful, broken and fallen world. Humans are broken, sinful and fallen. Once saved, we are redeemed but still living in a broken, sinful and fallen world and are bound to sin. The previous verses to this one warn us not to contribute to each other’s tendencies to sin. For example, gossip tempts others to sin, one of the many reasons it is sinful. So we are admonished to “watch ourselves”, to be careful what we think, do and say. Sin is bound to happen, can’t avoid it, our own and the sin of others. So what we should do. We are instructed by Jesus to do two things. Rebuke sinners and forgive them. We tend to respond in extremes. We either ignore sin or we rip people’s heads off about it. Rebukes should be the truth spoken in love. We also tend to talk to anybody and everybody else without going with loving concern to the sinner. After all, we all sin and would want the same, right? But no, for too many of us, too often we make matters worse by not rebuking biblically. To ignore someone’s sin is not forgiveness either, by the way. So first we gossip, instead of rebuke, compounding the sin. Then we won’t forgive and we judge. Judging is more fun when done with others. So we both let people slide claiming to not want to cause trouble, then crucify people and refuse to forgive. We should lovingly rebuke and lovingly forgive. We must do it again and again. This is how Jesus treats us, why can’t we do it for each other. Why can I seemingly talk to everyone but you about you? Sometimes under the guise of prayer too. It is extremely difficult to rebuke appropriately and equally tough to forgive repeatedly. But, that is the Christian way, what Jesus instructs. So much easier to be smug and condescending. The enemy thrives on this kind of drama, disrupting spiritual growth, accountability and healthy relationships. No wonder Jesus said to watch ourselves. We should, and stop watching others and talking “about” them instead of “to” them. Lord, forgive us for how we are and what we do to each other. Help us treat one another like you treat us.

Ten Ways to Love Him More

"Grace to all of you who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love."  Ephesians 6:24

Grace should never be cheapened. It should always be held in the highest regard and appreciation. In the last verse to the Ephesians, Paul draws attention one more time to how precious all the brothers and sisters are who love Jesus completely and adore Him personally. That is how Jesus our Lord loves us and we should endeavor, with more effort, to return that love to Him. Of course we are no match for His perfect love, but we can do better. Let me share ten ways to love Him more deeply so you can receive the full measure of grace that happens when we totally love Him. It is not dissimilar to the way we should love anyone we love.

God's Hope

"And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, Whom He Has given us." Romans 5:5

Life has its disappointments. Most of us are disappointed by others and really more often than we easily admit to ourselves. We are disappointed when our expectations are not met. Too often we have unreasonable and inappropriate expectations, of others and ourselves, of the family, the job, the church, and the community. As sure as we trust God and he is our hope we should also relinquish our expectations to Him. When I completely trust God and put my hope in Him my expectations adjust accordingly. That is why hoping in God doesn’t disappoint! He has planted into our hearts with love this unquenchable hope, but it is a spiritual thing, monitored and sustained by the Holy Spirit. So we must get connected to the Holy Spirit. He was installed in us at salvation, but our up keep of that divine connection has been rather random and somewhat inconsistent. So we must open our hearts and let Him pour in us again and again through His love that hope producing sense of Him being right there. We so need to be flooded and saturated with His presence and power in our hearts. We know He loves us, but we must receive this poured out love like a well or fountain and not in Dixie cups for survival. Fill us up to overflowing God so we don’t run dry and consequently dry out everyone else too. May you receive a flood of hope from these truths.

For His Spirit,
Pastor Fred