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The Best is Yet to Come, 1 Cor.13:9-13

Read 1 Corinthians 1:8-13 

Yesterday we stopped with Joyce's folks to see a B.C. wonder.  Takakkaw Fall can be seen by taking a side road near Field B.C.  It is 294m of spraying water wonder!  As all of us would be, they were struck with awe, taking pictures right away from near the car. It took a lot of convincing to get them to leave the sight they were seeing to see what was yet to come.  By walking a couple hundred meters you can enjoy the sight (and get wet) from near the base of the fall.

The Corinthian Christians were awestruck over the spiritual gifts they had been given by the Holy Spirit and perhaps got a little over zealous with the apparent wonder and perhaps power they felt was theirs. This consequently brought Paul's corrective teaching in this passage as well as those preceding and following the passage.

It seems to me from reading 1 Cor.13:8-13 we need to recognize that Paul is saying that the proper use of spiritual gifts in the church will give us a taste of heaven.  Reread these verses.  Perhaps Paul's referring to these gifts as 'passing away' has more to do with the fact that in heaven what we will see in relation to godly character is the degree of love that is there. Love is the only gift that never fails or ceases.

The emphasis on their passing away (the gifts) has more to do with their limited use in the church prior to Christ's coming than anything else.  But their proper use brings great joy and blessing- 'a little bit of heaven.'  "For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes , the partial will pass away."  "For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known."  Just as we had to walk further to see and feel the full beauty of the falls.

We are "fully known" because God has known us from before the foundation of the world, yet our visual understanding of our salvation, of Jesus, and the Father are limited to what we see in His word, and I dare say in the church.  It is no wonder that the writer of Hebrews encouraged the meeting together of the saints. Hebrews 10:23-25  

Pastor Paul

John 14:1-6 My Father's House

Read John 14:1-6 

John alone records Jesus' words about his Father's house. They are words of comfort to a group of people troubled by the announcement of Jesus' departure. He assured them of the future and his care for them. The last days are not intended to cause worry.  "Believe in God, believe also in me." If we are people of faith our hope is anchored in the Solid Rock.  'My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness.' A settled calm heart is the result of faith in Jesus words.

Matthew 24:12 Lawlessness

 Matthew 24:1 says, "And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold."

This a phenomenon Jesus said would prevail in the last days.   Immorality, licence, undisciplined responses, no absolutes, selfishness.  We are witnessing an unprecedented move away from biblical morality, not only outside the church but also within the church.  The lure of what is biblically condemned seems to grow each day. 

 The age of free thinkers who opposed the establishment didn't correct what was they perceived to be a problem, nor does the continued anarchy and brutality we hear of so often.  We  witness lawlessness among law givers as well as the general public. Abuse in the name of the law or by the power that is vested in it is seen to often.  Anarchy and mob violence are becoming more prevalent as  injustice is pushed back against or process is regarded as worthless.

What was once termed the sexual revolution has certainly revolutionized society, but not for the better.

Let's think of it's outcomes: high divorce rates, promiscuous living, adultery, rape, abortion, no commitment, broken children with an incomplete or skewed view of family.

Jesus warned that this would come. Do you ever feel like throwing up your hands in despair? 

In vs.13 Jesus said, "But the one who endures to the end will be saved."  That is an extremely important phrase.  It suggests salvation is much more than a simple profession of faith.  There is an enduring quality to genuine faith that pushes through all the difficulties and separates itself from what the crowds are doing.  Press on!

Pastor Paul

Luke 21:25-28 Climate Change?

 Climate change is a sign of the coming of the end of the age.  Jesus said so himself.

To a degree many of us mock the idea of climate change.  I do myself, but the reason for my feeling is not because I don't see the things that are taking place, but it is the foolishness or inconsistency of many who 'ring the alarm bell.'  We need to be sure we don't land on the proverbial wrong side of the fence when we fall off. Although there is good reason for alarm bells to ring they should be followed by standing up, taking notice, and acting.  This falls directly inline with our God given responsibility to be stewards of the earth and to master it.  Where we need to take care is with regard to the inconsistent politically motivated agenda of some.

Back to what Jesus said.  In Luke 21:25-28 a sign of his soon return is climate change- strange things in the heavens and climatic extremes.  He said that nations will be perplexed because of the roaring of the seas and the waves.  Let's think about it. In recent years we have heard of super tides, the glacial ice melt worries low lying island nations who fear being submerged by rising ocean waters,  the great waves that come as a result of earthquakes flooding small islands and coastal areas, the destruction caused by hurricanes and cyclones, extreme hail storms and who knows what else.

Jesus said that people will faint with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. Our community has witnessed unprecedented, albeit small on the grand scale, catastrophes which cause great fear as well.

He said, "When these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.' We need to ready ourselves and prepare for his coming! That begins by making sure our hearts are right with Him.  Are you prepared to meet him?

Pastor Paul

Luke 21:10-28 The last days?

 Sometimes we live in bubbles- a term we are being encouraged to adopt as we interact with people these days.  I wonder if we live in a little bit of an artificial bubble? There have been very few cases of the covid virus in our area, yet we hear of disastrous things taking place elsewhere. A conversation that seems to come into my circle quite often is with regard to the question-  Is this the end?  Are all the signs fulfilled for Jesus' return?  Perhaps. Although different scholars will interpret passages such as Lu.21:10-28 with different times, past or future, Jesus gives us some sound advice.  Although persecution will increase as ungodliness and godlessness increases among people, he says, "This will be your opportunity to bear witness.  Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate before how to answer, for I will give you a mouth and wisdom...." (13-15).  In other words, we are to be aware, to recognize, but rather than live in fear, live in readiness as opportunities come for us to speak.  Reminds me of Moses whose excuse was he could not speak well, yet God used him to speak great words. We are often fearful about what to say, but Jesus says, don't lose any sleep over that because he, himself, will give us exactly the right words. it is a great day to live!

Pastor Paul  

Good counsel

 Psalm 1 challenges us to consider from whom or what we receive counsel.  As you know, counsel can be sought and received for various reasons. But when it comes to how to live, the Psalm points out the folly of choosing wrong friends. The words "walks', 'stands', and 'sits' indicate that these people (wicked, sinners, scoffers) are the ones we take our ques about how to live life from. By implication we 'delight' in their advice.

In contrast to delight in God's word, meditating on it (thinking about and applying what it is saying/teaching) assures a fruitful life.

The analogy of the tree planted by the water (which is fruitful) and chaff (which is useless) is a stern warning. 

At the end of the day it is the counsel we have believed that matters.  The counsel of the wicked is bad counsel (like chaff)- it leads to separation and death while the counsel of scripture leads to life and righteousness.  Choose the right counsel!

Pastor Paul

Children and Grand grandchildren

This week we have had the privilege of having our grand children at our home for Grandma Grandpa camp.  Grandma generally feels about 20 or 30 years younger as a result! Grandpa enjoys it also.

Psalm 127 reminds us of the responsibility and privilege of home and family.  It focuses on the importance of giving the Lord proper place and focus in our homes.

It is fun and encouraging to interact with our grand children on a spiritual level.  They choose the topic to be discussed.  Last night was righteousness (interesting subject for 9-12 yr olds to ask about), the night before on faith. Our prayer for them is that they would be spiritually inquisitive and desire to know God.

Our one grandson in particular loves to ask me questions he has from the Bible. They are good questions that show me his mind is processing spiritual things.

Enough bragging!...the point is...

Parents, grandparents and other interested individuals, I would like to encourage you to pray with specific words, not just generalizations for the children in your life.  Two verses that I have prayed for our grand children are Psalm 119:103- "How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!" And Jeremiah 15:16- "Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart."

Our children and grandchildren, along with ourselves, face an increasing challenge to be uncompromising and to hold to the truth of God's word. Let's pray and be sure to let it form the direction of our lives.

Pastor Paul

Psalm 147 - Hallelujah

A key theme of the church music team over the past year and a bit has been the different words translated praise in the Psalms.  This one happens to be Hallelujah!

As I read it I was reminded of Jesus answer to the the disciples request, "Lord, teach us to pray,..." (Lu.11:1).  Jesus answer began with these words, "Father, hallowed be your name."

One of the definitions of 'hallowed' is "greatly revered and honored."  As we read the Psalms we see and hopefully learn the place of praise in hallowing God's name.

My challenge for you today is to use Psalm 147 in your prayer to hallow God's name.

The writer begins by saying praise is good, it is pleasant, and it is fitting. In other words, a day begun with praise will help set the course of your mind for the day.

Just a couple reasons we should praise God- (1) vs.3- He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. (2) vs.8,9- He cares for his creation. (3) vs.10,11- He takes particular pleasure in those who fear him and rest in his unfailing love rather than their own methods. 

I would encourage you to read the whole Psalm for the purpose of hallowing (revering, honoring) God's name.

Have a blessed day!

Pastor Paul

Psalm 146 The Pastor's Pen

Good evening everyone.  I hope you are enjoying your holidays if this finds you doing that or enjoying whatever else your day has brought to you.

A good thing to remember as we read the Psalms is that they were written by a real man, experiencing real life situations and they are his Holy Spirit inspired response to them.

Psalm 146 begins with simple but astoundingly important words- "Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord, O my soul! I will praise the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being."

But the next verse is much more challenging- (vs.3) "Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation.  When his breath departs, he returns to the earth; on that very day his plans perish."

In these days of Covid it has been pretty tempting to trust in princes. In saying that I' not attempting to criticize our governments, because they have responded quite well, but it is easy to focus on the wrong place for our help.

The challenge is for each of us to focus correctly- to God for help. Vs.5 says, "Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God." Vs.6-10 give us 12 reasons why we should trust God rather than princes.

My challenge to you is to identify them and see how they measure up against any world leader.

for a clue (#1) God created the heaven and earth and all that is in them.  A prince is limited to what he can dream up in a finite mind. (#12) The Lord will reign forever, versus a prince being limited at most to his lifetime.  In other words, God's plan is eternal rather than a mere lifetime.

Who should we look to for wisdom and help? I'm going with God!

Let's praise the Lord as long as we live- incidentally, our dependence on him is a form of praise. Hmm.

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Cloud Nine