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Yes this is a Repeat…from Saturday. You Can’t Miss This

by Dave Snider

You sit down at a restaurant to order. The wait staff is shorthanded so it takes them a minute (or 10) to get to you. You finally place your order. It eventually it arrives, wrong. Your daughter decides to help wash clothes, she starts a load. The next morning, you realize that the soured smell coming from the laundry room is your wet clothes you planned to wear that day. You’re in line at Lowes to check out and someone just cuts directly in front of you. 

These are the small things that can absolutely get the best of us! We bite our tongues. How we respond in these situations is crucial! There are many aspects of the fruit of the Spirit that I could be addressing, but sometimes this can be a tough one for me.

Kindness. 

It’s mentioned in scripture over 200 times. Ironically, the same amount of times per week that I have to encourage it with my children! Like most of the fruit of the Spirit, it just doesn’t always come naturally. 

“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, KINDNESS, humility, meekness, and patience” 

colossians 3:12

Hmmm, I have to put it on? It’s not already on me if I’m a believer? Nope. 

That is what Paul says. I have to put it on. I have to choose to make it a part of who I am. Thats tough because sometimes I don’t want to. I want to be right, not compassionate. I want to have what I need quickly, not be inconvenienced, or just not be involved. To be kind or meek would mean that I would have to put someone before myself.       

Ouch. That stings a bit.

So many times we simply choose to leave the jacket that is kindness in the closet. We think if we just say nothing at all, or bite our tongues, then we are ok. We stay in neutral because thats safe and easy. Its not messy. That’s an issue though. We need each other. We need encouragement. We need to know we are valuable. We need to help one another. We need Christ! Gods Word says that His kindness is what leads us to repentance. Thats such good news for us! We need to share that kindness.

So how do we do it? Well, fruit grows best when we care for the plant and water it. Be in the Word and in prayer. Pray for a soft heart and thoughtful words and actions.

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave us. 

Ephesians 4:12

Who needs you to be tenderhearted today? Zechariah 7:9 says that we should show kindness and mercy to everyone.

Who needs your forgiveness today? Romans 2 says the Gods Kindness leads us to repentance. 

Who needs to hear about Christs kindness today? Maybe the waitress was the only one working and she was doing her best. Encourage her and tip her well. Your daughter meant well but forgot to load the dryer. Thank her anyway and tell her how proud you are that she took the initiative to help. The lady that cut you off in the checkout line has a story. Pray for her. There’s no telling what she’s been through this week.

Take it a step further. Who do you know that might be lonely and would appreciate a call this week? Did your neighbor have surgery? Do they need a meal? It’s not always having to respond to bad situations in a kind way. Sometimes its just thinking beyond ourselves and noticing those around us.

Pull that jacket out of the closet this morning and try in on. Don’t worry, kindness always fits. 🙂

Father thank you so much that Your kindness led me to repentance! Help me to never get over how kind and merciful You have been to me through Christ. Lord, please help me to put on a compassionate heart, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience today. Thank You that you call me holy and beloved because of Christ’s sacrifice. Help me to love others today like You do.

Amen.

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Could This Be the Most Misunderstood Verse

by Jerry Lewis

This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!

Psalm 118:24

Until recently I thought of this verse as applying to every single day, regardless of what comes our way. And indeed it does. But I only thought of this verse in that way. Until I read the two verses before it while working on a sermon.

The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This is the Lord’s doing, it is marvelous in our eyes.

Psalm 118:22-23

The day that the Lord made was the day the builders rejected the stone. Jesus quoted this verse in Matthew 21 to reference his own rejection by the Pharisees and his subsequent crucifixion. God made that day.

Let that sink in.

God made the day the Pharisees would shout “crucify him.”

God made that day.

I could write so much more but it’s Sunday. Can’t wait to see you in worship.

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Get that Coat Out

by Dave Snider

You sit down at a restaurant to order. The wait staff is shorthanded so it takes them a minute (or 10) to get to you. You finally place your order. It eventually it arrives, wrong. Your daughter decides to help wash clothes, she starts a load. The next morning, you realize that the soured smell coming from the laundry room is your wet clothes you planned to wear that day. You’re in line at Lowes to check out and someone just cuts directly in front of you. 

These are the small things that can absolutely get the best of us! We bite our tongues. How we respond in these situations is crucial! There are many aspects of the fruit of the Spirit that I could be addressing, but sometimes this can be a tough one for me.

Kindness. 

It’s mentioned in scripture over 200 times. Ironically, the same amount of times per week that I have to encourage it with my children! Like most of the fruit of the Spirit, it just doesn’t always come naturally. 

“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, KINDNESS, humility, meekness, and patience” 

colossians 3:12

Hmmm, I have to put it on? It’s not already on me if I’m a believer? Nope. 

That is what Paul says. I have to put it on. I have to choose to make it a part of who I am. Thats tough because sometimes I don’t want to. I want to be right, not compassionate. I want to have what I need quickly, not be inconvenienced, or just not be involved. To be kind or meek would mean that I would have to put someone before myself.       

Ouch. That stings a bit.

So many times we simply choose to leave the jacket that is kindness in the closet. We think if we just say nothing at all, or bite our tongues, then we are ok. We stay in neutral because thats safe and easy. Its not messy. That’s an issue though. We need each other. We need encouragement. We need to know we are valuable. We need to help one another. We need Christ! Gods Word says that His kindness is what leads us to repentance. Thats such good news for us! We need to share that kindness.

So how do we do it? Well, fruit grows best when we care for the plant and water it. Be in the Word and in prayer. Pray for a soft heart and thoughtful words and actions.

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave us. 

Ephesians 4:12

Who needs you to be tenderhearted today? Zechariah 7:9 says that we should show kindness and mercy to everyone.

Who needs your forgiveness today? Romans 2 says the Gods Kindness leads us to repentance. 

Who needs to hear about Christs kindness today? Maybe the waitress was the only one working and she was doing her best. Encourage her and tip her well. Your daughter meant well but forgot to load the dryer. Thank her anyway and tell her how proud you are that she took the initiative to help. The lady that cut you off in the checkout line has a story. Pray for her. There’s no telling what she’s been through this week.

Take it a step further. Who do you know that might be lonely and would appreciate a call this week? Did your neighbor have surgery? Do they need a meal? It’s not always having to respond to bad situations in a kind way. Sometimes its just thinking beyond ourselves and noticing those around us.

Pull that jacket out of the closet this morning and try in on. Don’t worry, kindness always fits. 🙂

Father thank you so much that Your kindness led me to repentance! Help me to never get over how kind and merciful You have been to me through Christ. Lord, please help me to put on a compassionate heart, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience today. Thank You that you call me holy and beloved because of Christ’s sacrifice. Help me to love others today like You do.

Amen.

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It’s Not Easy!

by Jerry Lewis

For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin. For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. (Romans 7:14-15 ESV)

The flesh is the earthly part of man, representing lusts and desires. The flesh is contrary to the Spirit (Galatians 5:17). Those who are in the flesh cannot please God (Romans 8:8). Galatians 5:19-23 contrasts the works of the flesh with the fruit of the Spirit.

Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 

Galatians 5:19-23, ESV

The flesh is a dangerous enemy within. For some of you this is the starting place. You need to say: I am of flesh. I have lusts. I have desires. I want to do things that are ungodly. I want to sin.

In Victor Hugo’s Ninety-Three, his novel about the French Revolutionary War, a ship is caught in a terrible storm. The crew’s problems worsen by the realization that a cannon is loose below deck. Every wave turns the unchained cannon into an internal hazard. Two brave sailors risk their lives to go below and secure the loose cannon. On their descent into the ship, they discuss the fact that the cannon within is more dangerous than the storm without. Although there is much to fear in life, our greatest danger is the sinful nature within us.

Sold under sin is a phrase is borrowed from the practice of selling captives taken in war as slaves. The slave, in this situation, has no choice. He is a casualty of war.

For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. (Romans 7:15 ESV)

If it was ok for Paul to say, “I do not understand,” then it’s ok for you too. Paul did not understand. Paul, who trained under Gamaliel, the esteemed scholar of his day, did not understand. Paul, who started churches in virtually every place he traveled, did not understand. Paul, who wrote the majority of the New Testament, did not understand. And if Paul did not understand, it’s ok if you don’t understand. Get used to saying, “I don’t understand.”

What does Paul not understand? He does not do what he wants to do. He sins when he wants to do the right thing. In verse 17 Paul identifies the problem: For the longest time I thought this verse sounded like a cop-out. So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. (Romans 7:17 ESV) But it is not. In the original language, there is a word that is not rendered in the translation. It should read: “So now it is no longer I who do it, but the sin that dwells in me.” Paul is referring to the sinful nature. When he sins, he (the new Paul after Christ) is no longer the one doing it, but the sinful nature (the old Paul before Christ). For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. (Romans 7:18)

Let’s pray. Father, I think you that you saved me out of my bondage to sin. Yet, as you well know, my sinful nature still longs to dominate. Right now, I acknowledge that apart from you I can do nothing, but through you I can do all things. I surrender (yet again) to your Spirit to have full control in my life. I long for the fruit of the Spirit to be produce. So today I die to myself and live for you, and watch your Spirit do his work in me. Thank you so much for putting up with me! In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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Joy!

by Alex Marsh

There are many different sayings and cliches about happiness (happy as a clam, don’t worry, be happy, live everyday as if it were your last, etc), and many of them tell you that you can find happiness in all sorts of people and things. But what about joy? We always hear that happiness can be found in money, a relationship, even a certain place, but can we find joy too? Do these things produce joy? The surface level answer is no. Why? Happiness is temporary and is easily tainted, easily robbed, and easily forgotten, but joy lasts forever and is found in One person and in One alone, Jesus. 

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.”

Philippians 4:4, esv

Paul gives us two instructions here: the first is that we are to ALWAYS rejoice. Not when we want to, not when we are going by the green pastures and still waters, but in the valley as well. This is a whole lot easier said than done, but when you do the second step, it’s much easier. The second step Paul gives here is to rejoice not in the world or other things, but in the Lord. We rejoice in the good news of what Jesus has done for us. This good news is not the diving board, rather it is the swimming pool that we should immerse ourselves in day and night. 

Let’s try this. Give thanks for one thing the Lord has done for you today, and pray to find the fruit of seeking joy in the Lord. Pray this with me:

Lord, I thank you today for ____________. I pray that I would find joy in you and in you alone. Lord you are all I need for everlasting joy, and I pray that you would remind me of the joy of the gospel. Thank you for all you do, thank you for the gospel, and thank you for free joy. 

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Faithfulness

by David Grindstaff

We serve an amazing, faithful God! But there is one thing that our God cannot do and that is fail. Let’s take a look at Joshua 6:1-7. In this passage we discover that the Israelites were up against a battle they couldn’t even begin to fight, much less win. The impassable wall that surrounded the city of Jericho prohibited the Israelites from even having a chance. However, God NEVER losses a battle! Just as this passage goes on to tell us, the Israelites followed God’s instructions and once again God proved faithful.

Not only does God never lose a battle, God never wastes a battle.

When I say God doesn’t waste a battle, I’m talking all the way down to how the walls of Jericho fell to the ground on the seventh day. Some scholars believe the walls would have fallen in such a way that the walls themselves would have become ramps into the city of Jericho. The very thing that was constructed to keep people out of the city of Jericho was the very thing that God broke down in such a way that it helped the Israelites into the city of Jericho! Talk about not wasting! 

We all deal with battles daily in one way or another. Remember when you are faced with battles of your own remain faithful to the one that is always faithful to you! If God chooses to see you through the battle you are facing, he is not only seeing you through it, he is also equipping you for future battles. In some instances, the battle that you are facing today, may be what you need to help someone else through a similar battle tomorrow. 

As you go through the rest of this week, remember, God never loses the battle, and God never wastes a battle. Whatever you may be facing, belongs to Him, so remain faithful and call on Him…He will be faithfully waiting!

Father, I thank you for this day and all your many blessings. God, we know your faithfulness is never ending. All throughout scripture, we see undeniable evidence of just how faithful you are to your children. There is such sweet peace in holding to the promise that you will never change.  Even in the midst of a storm, there you will be, faithfully waiting for us with open arms. God, forgive me when I lose sight of this. Thank you so much for being the one thing in life that never changes, thank you for being a faithful loving father…In your holy name I pray, Amen!

Take time to worship Him with the words of these songs

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The Unending Road to Self-Control

by Doug Gouge

The last of the fruit of the Spirit is both a pinnacle and unending goal for the Christian. Christ’s perfect human example demonstrates self-control for us as believers. His ability to empty himself of his deity and suffer for our sins upon a cross is both redemptive and challenging. Self-control, or the lack of it, reveals itself in life’s most challenging situations. Let’s look at what self-control is and some attributes and strategies to harness this most powerful fruit of the Spirit. 

Self-control is learning how to control one’s own sinful self. In order to control our sin nature, we first must admit that we are in fact sinful. The world would question whether we have a sin nature. It would also tell us that we need only to look inside ourselves in order to control our thoughts and behaviors. It is that very inward look that reveals that we alone are incapable of controlling ourselves. “We all have fallen and come short of God’s glory.” An internal look prompts the believer to look upward for help with our sin nature. 

Looking upward reveals our hope for glory. This is a wonderful hope and such a great promise especially in times when life presses in. However, our hope for glory is available each day. As we intently try to walk in God’s will, we are being transformed from one glory to the next. What is our part in this transformation? Paul says we must die daily and pick up our cross and follow Christ. As we wake each morning, our initial pray should be that we die that day to the sinful nature that still resides within us. Self-control begins with dying before we can live in His power and strength. 

All this is easier said than done. The blaring horn, the unexpected diagnosis, the curt word or unfaithful friend all awaken our sin nature, with its desire for revenge, for a fearful reaction and other self-gratifying behaviors.

We are easily mired in past behaviors and emotions that are tied to who were and not to whose we are. We must consciously give our lives over to Christ, knowing that He is more than capable to handle all of problems. He is faithful and gracious to dig into the crud of our lives and carry us through if we will only trust him. We must learn to respond rather than react. Taking every thought captive and choosing to think through our options before respond should be our deliberate, biblical process. So many times I am guilty of reacting rather than pausing, thinking and praying through what God might have me do, and acting as God would lead me.

What does this road toward self-control look like? Being a diabetic, I recently had a high A1C result which both shocked and spurred me to action. I saw my mother give herself insulin shots for the final years of her life, something I have vowed I would avoid at all costs. Before making severe changes in my eating habits, I asked the Lord to lead me in this effort to change my behavior because I had failed at this so many times in the past. I am a month into my new eating regimen and life has changed. I am logging my meals, watching my carbs, and exercising almost every day. Some days are better than others but I don’t wallow in my failures because His Spirit is helping me to fight the battle of controlling my eating. I have lost over 10 pounds and my glucose levels are 40 points below my prior levels. I have come off one of my three diabetic medicines and feel so much better. My self-control depends on God’s faithfulness and grace because I know what I want; three or four yeast rolls! This is a battle that I must rely upon Christ and His strength until He returns or calls me home. It is a comfort that He is in control rather than my sinful self!

Maybe you could join me in praying like this:  Lord God, thank you for your Son Jesus Christ who laid aside his power and authority and trusted you completely as He fulfilled the perfection required to wipe away my sin. Help me to turn to you in all things that challenge me as I walk through this world filled with sin and selfishness. Guard my heart which is prone to sin, so that I might be light and salt in a world full of self-serving, prideful and pleasure-seeking behaviors. You know me better than I know myself and I ask that You direct my thoughts and actions. Transform me through the power of your Holy Spirit and hold me captive until I am able to worship You before Your throne in heaven. In Jesus Name. 

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It’s Monday

by Jerry Lewis

Mondays are Mondays. The first day of the work week. Kids coming back to school having experienced all kinds of weekends. Some of you face the week ahead with dread, others with anticipation. It’s Monday.

And while you slept last night, God was working. Remember our paradigm shift in thinking of the fruit of the Spirit. God is at work in the silent, hidden spaces. Where no one can see, God sees best. Where nothing can impact, God can.

Have you ever seen a tree growing through a sidewalk? At some point, underneath the concrete in the dark soil, an acorn split open and an oak tree began to grow. Oh it didn’t look like an oak tree. It actually didn’t look like anything to anyone because no one could see it. Yet all the time it was growing. On this Monday, be reminded that the Father is working though you may not feel it or see it. That’s why Paul used the metaphor or fruit. Remember that spiritual growth is gradual, but thankfully inevitable. After all, how could someone as great as the Spirit live in you and not cause you to grow! It is also internal and symmetrical. You won’t be kind and lack self-control. You won’t have peace and also be impatient.

Here’s a prayer to start your Monday…and your week.

Father, I thank you that you see what I can’t see. You know me better than I know myself, understand my thoughts from afar. As your word says in Psalm 139, before a word is on my tongue you know it all. I cannot hide from your presence nor do I want to. Today I run to you and wait for you to do what you alone can do. I celebrate your work in me, yes, Christ in me the hope of glory! In the name of the one who died, resurrected and ascended, making this kind of life possible. Amen.

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Good Habits for Hard Times

by Jerry Lewis

It’s Sunday. The Lord’s Day. The first day of the Christian week. I’m not sure if you realize that the resurrection of Christ, for Christians, pushed Sunday from the last day of the week to the first. But it did. And with good reason. Jesus is alive! Alive and very well! Seated at the right hand of the Father. Interceding for us!

So today we get to worship him. The very word means to ascribe worth. We don’t come to be seen but to see. We don’t come to receive, but to give.

And the funny thing is this. In coming to see and not be seen, we will be seen…by the creator of the universe, the author and finisher of our faith. And in coming to give and not to receive, we will receive. Blessing. Joy. Peace. Comfort. Conviction. Rest.

I can’t wait to see you. We have two services. 9 and 11 am. Come, now is the time to worship!

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Goodness

by Caleb Jones

“Good”. A word we are very familiar with. It is such an interesting word because it gets used a lot of different ways in our vocabulary. We use it to encourage others: Good work or Good job! We use it to describe things or events–like a meal, That was some good food. We use it at as a curse when we get frustrated: good grief. Likewise, we can use the word to contradict other people. 

Others can deem something good that is contrary to someone else’s definition of good. For example, one may find lying to be a good quality. Especially if they are trying to hide. Others may find the use of falsehoods to be destructive and harmful to themselves and everyone around them. So, if my definition of good is different than your definition of good, then how do we know what is actually good? I am so glad you asked. 

We can know what is good because it is possible to know the only one who is good. Jesus is, in himself, completely, totally, and wholly good. 

“For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.”

Psalm 100:5

Everything that is right, true, complete, whole, and pleasant is found in the person of Jesus Christ. When you pray and ask the Lord to give you the fruit of the spirit, pray and ask him to give you more knowledge of who he is, more understating of his nature, and a deeper sense of awareness of what he has done for you and me. Cody Carnes, in his song, Good reminds us of our good God.

Here’s a prayer prompt. You can continue and pray as the Lord leads you.

Jesus, I was born with a distorted view of good and evil. Ever since Adam ate the fruit from that tree, we as mankind, have been redefining good and evil in our own image. God, I lay down my definition of good at your feet in hopes that you would teach me what goodness actually is. In the midst of my anxiety, teach me what is good. In the midst of my pain, teach me what is good. In the midst of my doubts, teach me what is good. I ask that your mercy would fill my mind and my heart as I reflect on what you did for me on that splintered tree. As I humble myself seeking you with my whole heart, let your goodness saturate my soul. Teach me to understand the depths of your steadfast love which endures through my unfaithfulness, my children’s unfaithfulness, and my grandchildren’s unfaithfulness. Oh Lord, you are good. You will always be good. And I praise you for your goodness. In Jesus’ name,  Amen.