avoiding the traps

It is now the end of Samuel’s life.
Things had not gone well, and that promising young man Saul had disappointed all of God’s people.
As Samuel entered his last years, he fell into the same traps that many seniors fall into.
Grieving for the past and mourning the good old days.
Fearing those whom he never feared before?
Judging people by their appearance?

Do we fall into the same traps that Sam did?
These are common responses for those of advanced years.

Sam had these feelings and fears. Yet he did not give in to them he obeyed the Lord and successfully completed his life’s work.
May we overcome these traps, just as Samuel did.
Don’t lose it now that you are so close to the finish line.

Pastor Wayne

filling in the blanks

To obey is better than sacrifice,
and to heed is better than the fat of rams.

It was time for Saul to expand the kingdom of God.
It was time to put an end to the evil raiding of the Amalekites
And Saul was glad to do this for the Lord.

Saul obeyed the Lord
he destroyed the Amalekites
he defeated Agag.
He asked for forgiveness for his sins.
He worshipped the Lord at Gilgal.
Yet, the Lord was grieved that he had made Saul king over Israel.


Saul obeyed, but for his own glory.
Saul worshiped the Lord
but Sam had to finish Saul’s uncompleted deeds.
Samuel was faithful to God
in his rebuke of Saul
in his oversight of God’s command
in the putting to death of Agag

Will we be faithful when those around us put their comfort and glory ahead of God’s kingdom.

Or will we say I have done my share. I will not pick up the slack of others?
It may bring sadness
it may bring depression and grief.
But will we listen and obey?

Pastor Wayne

The art of waiting

There are times when God says “wait”
we may not know the reason why.
Perhaps it is to reveal that our faith has limits.
Perhaps it reveals a resentment of relying on God.
Perhaps someone else must learn to deal with suspense.

Saul did not wait for Samuel, or the Lord
He forgot Gideon – where God reduced the numbers to 300.
He did not need the help of mercenaries if God was with him.

Saul did not seek the heart of God but he chose to protect himself, and in doing so, he lost.

Who is your king? You or the Lord?
The threats are real - even sometimes by our own hand.
But it is God who chooses the number of defenders and the timing.

Will you trust your king?
If the Lord has promised victory, then wait for him.

Pastor Wayne

Anointing God's Replacement

The people had rejected Samuel and God. They demanded a king -- someone to lead them into battle and fight their battles for them.

Now Samuel is asked to facilitate their sin. To anoint a king.

Sometimes in life God asks us to let, or even help someone choose a different king. What do we do? How much do we protest, and how can we stop them?

The real question ends up -- Is He my king, and will I obey him, even tho I disagree?

God bless,

Pastor Wayne

living with bad decisions

the people had rejected Samuel and God. Even tho Samuel had done nothing wrong, and been faithful in his ministry, yet the people did not want another judge.

Was this the end for Israel? with the new king Saul, did the old true King and Samuel reject them and leave them to their own devices?

Adding a king to our lives only makes our lives more difficult. It does not change reality. We, and our new king, must still live in subjection to Christ. the rules for prosperity are still the same, we have just added a new layer for things to go wrong.

But what about Samuel? the people rejected his entire life's work, and him personally. In his pain, did he walk away?

"far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you and to continue to teach you the way that is good and right. Just because the people we love reject us and hurt us does not mean that we can walk away and not pray.

There is hope for those who have found a new king. There is still a need to care and minister to those who have hurt and rejected us.

What will we do?

Pastor Wayne

looking for a leader

When Samuel was old, the people decided that they wanted a real leader to lead them. Someone who would fight their battles for them, or at least tell them which way to go.

Of course, God was their king and their leader, but that was not the same, not like other people had.

It is easy for us to see where they were wrong in rejecting the kingship of God, but how often do we seek someone else to fight our battle for us?

We come to think that it would be so much better if we relied on someone else, but we never know, or count what it costs us in the long term. Are we guilty of the same things that they were?

Let us continue to make sure the Lord is our King.

Pastor Wayne

With your whole Heart

Twenty years after the Ark returned to Israel, the people finally got tired of serving the Philistines. Why did it take so long before they sought true victory?

It is amazing that we also wait a long time before we are willing to turn to the Lord with our whole heart. We don't like paying the old gods and things that bind us, but we also don't want to empty it all out to the Lord.

My prayer is that we will not continue to hold out like Israel did, but rather let God be our champion and fight for us.

Pastor Wayne

Who can stand?

The Philistines won. They beat Israel, and they captured the God of Israel.

But then they discovered that winning can sometimes mean losing. They brought the Ark home, and then discovered what Emmanuel truly meant.

They had heard the stories about God's greatness over the Egyptians. Now, they discovered it for themselves, and He was too much for them.

So, they sent Him away.

The Ark returned to Beth Shemesh and the people rejoiced. But they also did not truly know the greatness of their God. So they looked into the Ark, and 70 men died.

So they sent God away,
for who can stand in the presence of the LORD, this holy God?

But then we have the people of Kiriath Jearim. They came and brought this holy God into their town, and he dwelt there 20 years, and God blessed them.

They brought him close.

What do we do when confronted with the holy?

do we submit and honor him,
or do we send him off to a distant place so we can continue our less-than-holy lives?

do we change our ways and hearts,
or do we hold him at a distance?

Just how do I stand in the presence of the LORD, this holy God?

Talismans and the Lord

Israel was losing to the Philistines. This was not supposed to be. God was to help them win.

Because of the loss that occurred in I Sam 4, the Israelites came to the conclusion that God was not with them. The only solution was to bring God into the camp. They had the mistaken idea that God was somehow tied to His Ark.

We find ourselves doing the same thing at times. When we are losing, we feel the need to bring God into the camp so that we can win. We do this by a bit more reading of the Bible, longer prayers, more repetitions of the chorus, and perhaps even a bit of fasting. By doing so, we can guarantee ourselves the same success as Israel did. then we proclaim the Glory has departed, when in fact, it left a long time ago.

Has the Glory departed from our lives, and we didn't notice?

consider why you pray and read your Bible, and then do it for the right reasons.

Pastor Wayne

Growing up in the Lord

Sending your children off to Christian boarding schools can be very difficult. Hannah sent Samuel off to the Tabernacle to learn about God.

But just as in Christian schools, or even home schools, there are good boys and bad boys. Phineas and Hophni were bad boys, but Samuel remained true to God.

Chapter 2 and 3 contrast these two responses to the word of the Lord. In spite of a bad context, Samuel grew in stature and in the presence of God and man.

The message of chapter three was not for Eli, but for Samuel. Eli already knew what God had to say, but Samuel needed to learn the answers to the following questions.

What does the voice of God sound like?
What does speaking the truth cost?
Is family more important than God's message?

Do we know the answer to these questions? Can it be said of us that we are growing in the Lord, or are we beginning to look a little like the bad boys?

God bless,
Pastor Wayne

Who is Samuel

In I Samuel we are introduced to Samuel by reviewing his birth and family situation.
If we are going to understand Samuel the man, then we need to see the family dynamics that he grew up in.

As we look at the conflict that Hannah had with Peninnah, and her extreme shame, we see the foundation of how Samuel came to believe that there is only one King.

The effects of his birth and early years in the Tabernacle greatly impacted and prepared him for a lifetime of ministry. He saw how the Lordship of God ruled in all relationships.

Who is your Lord and King? What is the foundation for your life?

Pastor Wayne

A Glorous Response

After all is said and done, what was Paul really trying to say in the book of Ephesians?

It seems that there is simply one great message in the book. That our God is glorious. In His Glory, he has blessed us. In His Glory and love, he has adopted us. In His mercy, he has redeemed us. In his Grace, he has revealed His mystery to us. When all is said and done, all will be brought under Christ. This is glorious for those who love Him, and dreadful for those who reject Him.

Who can grasp the Love of Him who includes us in His Glory?

The real question then is what will our response be to His mercy?
Will we live in unity now?
Will we live as Children of light?
Will we keep guard of ourselves so that we can keep and uphold our brother?

What motivates us?
We have an undying Savior. Do we have an undying love in response?

To Him be glory in the Church, and in Christ Jesus, throughout all generations. Forever and ever.
Amen.

Pastor Wayne

Stand and Pray

Finally Brothers, be strong in the Lord, and in His mighty power, put on the whole armor of God, and stand still.

It seems strange that we have all this armor, and yet Paul commands us to stand, and having done all, everything there is to do, to stand.

We want to use God's armor to challenge, and attack, and move out, but Paul commands us to stand. If this is true, then why do we desperately need the armor of God?

Satan wants to distract us, and destroy us so we are not able to focus in on the real spiritual battle, and that battle is fought with prayer. Because of his attacks we need all of this armor so that we are able to remain standing and fight for God's kingdom.

Are you fighting the wrong way, and thus falling into Satan's trap?

Stand your ground, and having done all, stand your ground so that you can fight.

Pastor Wayne

Authority and Mystery

Submit, submit submit. These seem to be the words that most people get out of Eph. 5:22 and forward. But, there seems to be something more significant here than just submission.

Paul seems to think that that glorious mystery is important. Even in the passage of husbands and wives, he goes back to it. Perhaps this mystery of two becoming one has some bearing on his presentation.

In this passage, we find three sets of permanent relationships. Wife/husband, Child/father, and slave/master.

How can two become one, even when they are so far removed as slave and master, or even farther, such as wise father and oh so foolish children?

Paul lays out principles for dealing with those who are in authority over us.
Paul lays out principles for dealing with those whom we have authority over.

There are differences that can not be changed. These are permanent relationships. There is however a common principle - whatever we do, we do for the Lord.

Remember that he who is both their Master, and yours, is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with Him.

Pastor Wayne

We are Light

For you were once darkness, but now you are light.

The world of self-help tells us to envision what we want to be.
Paul tells us that we are light. Do we envision this truth, or do we live by worm theology?

Light is positive, not negative, so we should be known for what we do not what we don't do.

Light also lights up dark corners and reveals what is hidden - and it is usually trash. Because we live in a dark world that wants to stay hidden, it is difficult to remain shining brightly. There are many temptations and reasons for covering our light, so how do we shine?

Paul gives three very good suggestions for victory.
be filled with the Holy Spirit
set a context for good speech and encouragement
submit to one another so they can help us separate righteousness from self-righteousness.

Do we focus our vision on what we are -- light?

May the Holy Spirit help us keep our light shining.

Pastor Wayne

the use of words

Ephesians 4:25-5:7 emphasizes the use of words.

Paul begins by commanding us to speak truthfully with our neighbor. Paul also tells us to let no unwholesome talk come from our mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up.

What do we do when the truth and positive words are complete opposites?

When our truth is defined by angry, critical, bitter and greedy words, then we have a problem.

The work of the Holy Spirit is to bring people and God together in perfect harmony. When our words and actions are harsh, then we grieve the Holy Spirit.

Jesus loved God so much that he was willing to do everything so that he could present us as a gift to the Father. How much do we love our Lord? How far will we go to present our neighbor as a gift to him?

When our words reveal our heart, may our love for Jesus cause us to change.

Pastor Wayne

the path to knowing Christ

So I insist - Paul says.

stop living like the Gentiles. (Eph. 4:17-24)

Good idea Paul, Of course we don't do that. We're Christians.

But then, why did Paul insist, and just how do the gentiles live?

Their thinking is futile
because they are darkened in understanding and are separated from God.

they are darkened and separated because they are ignorant.

they are ignorant because they have hardened their hearts.

the result is they are insensitive, but desperately want to sense, to feel.
so they go to the extremes to feel something.

As Christians, we also often harden our hearts because we are not willing to go down the path that Christ lays out for us. We want security and comfort, and don't want it messed up with extreme Christian living.

the result is that we become ignorant, and separated from the only true source of security and comfort. So we pursue it in the wrong way - vigorously.

Let us not live like the gentiles, but put on righteousness and the new self, for only in doing so do we truly attain what we long for.

God Bless, Pastor Wayne

the grace of gifts

Christ the King came down from heaven because others were taking up His space. When he came, he conquered. When he returned to heaven, he had captives following him. He he former leaders who had switched allegiance to him. He also acquired much treasure.

Now, as the returning King who is setting up his kingdom, he is the one who appoints leaders, teachers who will build His Church. With these spoils of war, he is able to lavish gifts on us who claim him as our King.

But, these gifts are to be used for His kingdom, not our own fiefdoms. Let us not be like the servants who hide his gifts, or use them for our own glory.

He is the King. May we delight in building His kingdom.

Pastor Wayne

Live Worthy

There is a logical flow to Paul's letter to the Ephesians. Because this mystery has been made known to us, and we are the recipients of such a great gift of God. Because we are able to know God better and have Jesus live in our hearts. Because we are able to be one with God, we can live worthy of his calling.

Humbleness, gentleness and patience do not come because they are simply a good idea, but because we have already received so much from God.

We don't need to push to the front of the line, because we are already filled to overflowing because of Jesus.
If, on the other hand, we feel the need to exalt ourselves, rage against the night and against loss, and rush to find something, then we are looking in the wrong direction for peace.

May the joy of living in God's blessings enable us to live gently, humbly and patiently.

Pastor Wayne

filled to the measure

technical difficulties resulted in two weeks being missed.

Paul prays that Christ may dwell in our hearts. This is something that we know when we accept Jesus into our hearts. And yet, do we know it?

Paul knows that this is not an easy thing -- to let Jesus love us completely. So, he prays that we will be strengthened by the Holy Spirit.

We need to know that Love is always corporate, and because of our love for each other, we can grasp God's love for us. We need to understand how great God's love is. then we have a chance of knowing God's love as personal and real. Then comes the difficult part of being filled with His love, not just a bit.

This is difficult, even beyond our thots or imaginations. That is why Paul prays this incredible prayer of praise to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than we can ask or even imagine. we can actually understand, know and be filled with His love.

To Him be glory for ever and ever.

Pastor Wayne

He is Risen, We are Risen

Easter. Resurrection Sunday. We proclaim that He is risen, that He is risen indeed.

This is not only a day of celebrating the resurrection of Jesus, but also our resurrection.

Ephesians 2 talks about how dead we were. Dead like a zombie. Consumed with the cravings of the flesh, with no hope of life.

But because of the resurrection of Jesus, we also will be resurrected and seated with Christ in the heavenly realm.

For it is only by Grace that we could ever hope to become alive, and that is exactly what God, in His mercy, bestowed upon us.

Praise His glorious Name

Pastor Wayne

Knowing God, Knowing his gifts

On Palm Sunday, the crowd celebrated the coming of the Messiah. They knew a lot about Jesus, but they did not know enough, so their celebration lasted for a day.

In Eph. 1:15-23 Paul commends the Ephesians for their faith and love, yet he desires so much more for them. While we may appear fine, yet there is always a need for more. More in the realm of knowledge, and more in the realm of faith.

May Paul's prayer be ours, both for ourselves, and for the people around us.

Pastor Wayne

According to the will of God

Paul, an apostle, by the will of God.

It was only by the will of God that Paul ever became an apostle. Paul's will was otherwise, and it took a divine act of God to break thru to him.

God, by his will chose us to be holy and blameless - we would never achieve this on our own.

God, by his will, adopted us as sons and daughters, even tho this came at great cost.

But what was the plan? Why was this his will? And why is the pleasure of God so tied into these actions of God?

God's greatest joy will be when all things are brought together, and we will all truly be one, so that our enjoyment of each other, and our enjoyment of our Savior will be complete.

Let us praise Him for his will in our lives

Pastor Wayne

Go and rest

In this last of Daniel's visions, He sees a great war, and it greatly disturbs him.

Normally, when Daniel has a vision, the meaning and the answer come to him quickly, but in this case, he remains in the dark for 3 weeks. That is a long time.

Why does Satan not want Daniel to know the meaning of this vision?

What makes this vision so much different than the rest? Do they not all have wars and horrible things happening? This one does not even have dreadful beasts. So why does this vision warrant such a fierce heavenly battle, just to bring the meaning to us?

Perhaps because it focuses in on the eternal consequences of man's decisions, the eternal destiny of both the wicked and the righteous.

Perhaps also because it tells us how we should live, in light of the current world situation.

May God give you rest and peace as the chaos approaches.

Pastor Wayne

How Long?

Daniel is expecting change. It is very close to the 70 years that Jeremiah prophesied.

It is time for God to restore Jerusalem to glory!

But the people are not ready. they have not repented, nor do they put the things of God first in their lives.

So Daniel prays -- for Your sake and glory, restore Jerusalem.

Then the vision and the angel come and answer this question of how long will it be.
The answer is that there is an end game - 6 goals that must be accomplished before the restoration is complete.

This of course will only take 70 sevens (plus a few years of interlude) to accomplish.

The true answer for Daniel, and for us is the same. Trust God, for He has a plan and an endgame. He will bring it about when the task is done.

How long is a good question, but the best answer is to trust our Lord.

God Bless,
Pastor Wayne

The Forever Kingdom

Kingdoms come and go.

In our world today, we are seeing the rise and fall of many kingdoms. The fall of the Soviet Union, the struggles of Europe fiscally, the unsustainable direction of the US, the fall of a number of middle east kingdoms like Egypt, Libya, Yemen among others. We see the rise of China, and Iran, and perhaps Canada. What will our world look like in a year?

Daniel was semi-retired and close to 70 years old. His world was changing, and he remembered the statue from 50 years previous. When would the change come? When would the golden head change to the silver chest and arms? What would his world look like in a year?

Then he received the vision of Chapter 7 and it troubled him. Some of the vision was understandable, but some just did not make sense. It seems like he struggled with the message of the vision, just as we continue to struggle with our world today.

What was the true message, and why should it bring comfort instead of a troubled spirit?

May we take heart and be encouraged in our changing world.

Pastor Wayne

Unjust Death

What happens when one is innocent, yet found guilty and condemned to die? Sometimes this happens physically, and sometimes relationally.

In Daniel chapter 14, we have the story of Susanna as an illustration of how wise Daniel was. As a young man, Daniel already was able to see thru the subterfuge of the old elders who judged in the name of the Lord, yet did all for their own desires.

Susanna was delivered, just as Daniel was delivered from the lions and Jeremiah was given strength to endure to the end. These three contemporaries were each delivered in their own way, just as God will deliver us when we are unjustly condemned.

God provides people of wisdom to stand with those in need. Perhaps we might be a Daniel to someone who is condemned.

May God make us Daniels.

Pastor Wayne

Daniel and retirement

Daniel was around 85 years old, and had faded into the background. Belshazzar did not know who he was, and the queen had to point him out. Because of Belshazzar's partying and disrespect, Daniel was again thrust into the limelight.

Perhaps he would have preferred staying back, drinking coffee and writing his memoirs, but this was not to be. Darius was confronted with Danie's wisdom, so he put him right to work. And, Daniel did his work in his usual manner - neither corrupt nor negligent.

This of course did not set well with the other leaders and so they attacked Daniel's faith.

Why would God not allow Daniel to retire, but again get him into deep trouble? When have we done enough for God? sacrificed enough, or forgiven enough?

God Bless,
Pastor Wayne

Daniel and forgetting the past

Belshazzar should have known better.

As the grandson of Nebuchadnezzar, and claiming Nebuchadnezzar as his father, Belshazzar should have known what happens to those who mess with the God of Israel.

But he did not remember the past. His focus was on his own enjoyment and security as the enemy was blocked out by the walls that his fathers had built. He was safe, and foolish.

So many of our church people today are in trouble because they do not know the past works of God, and therefore can not learn from their mistakes and victories. The Holiness of God is exchanged for the moral definitions of the present, and so we become blind to the enemy that is creeping under the walls to destroy us.

Look to the old stories - not for amusement, but to learn of our God.

Pastor Wayne

A Proud Heart

We know that we should share our glory with God -- oops, I think that is reversed.

Nebuchadnezzar was told that his glory and kingdom came from God.

Nebuchadnezzar was warned that his pride, and claiming the honor that belonged to God for his own was not good.

Yet, he still exalted himself above God.

When the crash came, it still took him 7 years to accept that which he knew in theory for many years.

It is a good thing that we are not like him. We stand guard over our pride so that we will not voice the same sentiment that he did.

Are we standing guard against letting our attitude out, or do we truly believe that our glorious (or almost glorious) little kingdom is completely a result of God's grace, not our own skills and wisdom.

May we learn from Nebuchadnezzar's experience rather than having to repeat it for ourselves.

God Bless,

Pastor Wayne

Daniel's Friends

Another impossible situation.

And this time God started it.

God gave Nebuchadnezzar the idea that he was the greatest king of the greatest empire that would ever be, until the very end. This of course was good news for Nebuchadnezzar. Even the gods thot that he was the greatest.

Now, if only all the people of his world would agree with Daniel's God and recognize how great he was. So Nebu set up a statue for people to worship, and acknowledge his greatness.

Daniel's three friends Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were caught in this impossible situation, and they had to trust God with their death, or perhaps life.

Why would God set them up in this impossible situation? Why does God set us up in impossible situations?

I guess the real question is "Are we willing to let God set us up in similar impossible situations, and what will be do when we are there?"

May God bless, and encourage you during this week.

Pastor Wayne

Impossible Demands

Nebuchadnezzar had a bad night. Because of his disturbing dreams, he was in a bad mood, and so his long held suspicions were voiced. The magicians and wise men simply made up meanings to his dreams.

He was tired of the words of men. He wanted to hear from the gods, but apparently they did not live among men.

In this story we see how the wise men acted foolishly, while Daniel was given wisdom. This was an incredible beginning to a long relationship. Nebuchadnezzar, the best of the best, with a head of gold was being advised by the one man who had the ear of God.

At the beginning of the story, we see a man about to die. At the end of the story we see a man exalted.

Sometimes it helps to listen to the Almighty God and let Him speak to us.

God Bless,

Pastor Wayne

the threat of fame

Daniel and his friends were dragged off to Babylon -- in fancy carriages, to a life of luxury. This was not like the future exiles who were treated much worse.

Daniel and his friends were the cream of the crop, the best looking, the smartest, the healthiest. And they were on the way to help the King of the most powerful kingdom in the world. Young people leaving a conservative world to enter the world of fame, fortune, and perhaps even death. The stakes were high. Glory and fame, or the sword.

How would they fare as they entered Nebuchadnezzar's world? Would they strive to fit in and do their best, or would they stand firm on their faith?

How do we fare when we head of to a new world of college, or work? Will we fit in, or will we remain faithful?

The first days are the most important

God Bless,

Pastor Wayne

Josiah and Daniel

King Josiah was a righteous man on a mission. From a child he sought the Lord and fought for Him.

Josiah traveled his world destroying evil and the places where it was worshiped. Josiah sought to bring about revival and restoration to Judah, but was not very successful. Yes, there was a re-discovery of the Word of the Lord, and the Passover was celebrated for the first time in a long time, but the revival seemed to be for the most part an external return to the Lord.

At the height of his power, Josiah got involved in a battle that wasn't his, and he was mortally wounded. Why would God allow his faithful servant to die in such a manner when there was so much more to do?

There are many questions regarding the hand of God during these events, but one can easily see that Josiah's life and death would have a profound impact on Daniel and his friends, who were taken into exile just 4 years later.

The hand of God is powerful, even when we do not understand the path that he leads, or allows us to Go. Perhaps this story will also shape your life as you go forth into the big, bad world.

God bless,
Pastor Wayne

Now what?

Christmas is over..... It has come and gone. And everyone lived happily ever after.

Now what do we do?

Jesus came, lived and died. Now he has risen, like a present under the tree. He has thrown off the wrappings and now lives again. Is that the end?

He has finished phase 2. The nature and holiness of God was revealed in phase 1.
The salvation of the souls of men has been accomplished in phase 2.

Now begins phase 3 -- our part.
We are now part of a team that will build the church. Jesus could have done it alone, but he has given us the privilege of working with him in this glorious task of bringing the gentiles into relationship with him.

And so, the great commission of making disciples, baptizing and teaching.

Have a happy new year and a great time of team building

Pastor Wayne

Peace

The forth candle is the candle of peace.

Jesus brings peace into the world, but not always in the way that we expect. When Simeon saw Jesus, he knew that he could depart in peace. Yet, he told Mary that this child of peace would bring a sword to her soul.

Mary heard these things, and kept them in her heart. Even when Jesus was crucified, they brought peace to her because of Jesus. Jesus also went thru a time of struggle, but found peace in the garden.

The peace that Jesus brings is not the absence of conflict and pain, but the knowledge that He will make all things right. Often, our friends fail us, as they did Jesus in the garden, but yet he found peace.

In the end, peace comes simply from our personal relationship with Jesus, and no one else can bring us to this peace that lasts thru all of life.

May this year bring you peace thru it all.

Pastor Wayne