All That The Lord Said, He Did

“So Adonai gave Israel all the which He swore to give to their ancestors, and they took possession of it and lived in it. Then Adonai gave them rest all around, according to everything He had sworn to their ancestors. Not a man from all their enemies stood against them; Adonai handed all their enemies over to them. Not one good thing that Adonai had spoken of to the house of Israel failed to happen; it all took place.”

— Joshua 21:43-45

Does this raise the level of confidence that you have in God? Is He not watching over His promises? Are you not graven in His hand? (Is. 49:16) Does God promise anything He cannot fulfill? 

“See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands;”

— Isaiah 49:16a

All that we are in the midst of is just a stop, not a destination? Can you tell me something you were concerned about before this mess began that has vanished by the wayside because this has taken it's place? 

All of the Israelites who complained that God was not big enough to handle their situation fell in the wilderness before seeing God hand them exactly what He had promised. You and I will also see God catapult those who trust in Him into a different realm of faith; one that gives God the leeway to do things His way (which are better and more productive). Settle it in your mind! God is in control! He is on the throne! Heaven is not shaken! Our God reigns!

I love the last line in the above scripture, "Not one good thing that Adonai had spoken of to the house of Israel failed to happen; it all took place. ALL. All that God says will come to pass; the more unlikely, the more that God can get the glory. Wouldn't it be awesome if we could have Easter service together? Pray that just as the plagues of Egypt were swept away in one night, that this Plague would be swept from the earth and cast back to wherever it came from. 

Remember this phrase, "All that the Lord has done , we will say." Because He has done great things. Amen?

Pastor Brent

When Do We Move?

“In all the travels of the Israelites, whenever the cloud lifted from above the tabernacle, they would set out; but if the cloud did not lift, they did not set out-until the day it lifted.”

— Exodus 40:36,37

These words literally came to me as I was talking with someone about the season we are in as a people, and as a nation. We don't know when the Lord will lift His hand from the world and this plague. Just as the people of Israel did not know when the cloud would lift and they would have to pack up their tents and the tabernacle until the Lord set the pillar of fire or of cloud down again.

But they had to be ready for the move. They had to be watching and waiting for the sign. Even from a place they might like, it would be possible they would have to move the very next day. Even from a place they despised, they could be there for months. But God always knows when to move. The question I need to ask myself is....am I praying for God to heal this nation?

Because it is not about my comfort level, or the changes and inconveniences we have to endure; it is about the soul of our nation. Will we turn and seek the Lord, and His forgiveness for our hard hearts, and our slackness concerning the vulnerable of this land? May I encourage you to pray more? We now have the time we say we never have. Could you pick someone out and lift them up in prayer? Will you pray for the wisdom of our leaders and leave your own opinions aside for the good of our people? Where do we start? Myself I will be taking some extra time for those who are going to be in real need of more than a prayer. Expect calls and visits if necessary, to encourage you to stand for those who are faltering. We serve a God who splits seas, and raise the dead. We shall not be afraid! Be warriors from your chair, or bed, or couch.

You are the solution, children of God,

Pastor Brent

Our World, Or Is It?

“They all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed they were strangers and pilgrims on this earth.”

— Hebrews 11:13

We are in the most interesting time I have ever been in. I was not alive for world war 2 and the devastating affect it had on our country and the world. Not around for the Victory gardens that people were told to plant so the soldiers could be sent the food the farmers were growing. Not around when gas was rationed, tires were rationed and sugar and flour were rationed, but my parents were, and they continued to grow and can their own fruits and vegetables from then on, remembering what had happened.

Now, we, are in the beginning of what looks like a time of almost isolationism. But, if we are sensitive to what God is trying to do, this could be one of the greatest evangelical times in America. Allowing the church to reach beyond their walls and into the lives of the most vulnerable of our community.

Of course I want you to be responsible when carrying out these acts, but don't be afraid to take somebody food or supplies and leave it on their front door with a note or scripture of encouragement and blessing.

Be proactive and don't let an idle mind take over your thoughts and lead you down a path that focuses on this world which, you know, you're only in temporary occupancy.

Pastor Brent

Whatsoever Things are Pure

James 3:17 “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure,….”

             Another translation of pure is clear thinking, another chaste, but the focus is plain.  It is certainly apart from the world.

If the world is anything, it is first sensual. All of the advertising is a temptation for the lust of the eyes or the lust of the flesh.  The meals are the most scrumptious looking, all of the people in the ads for fast food are fit and trim, and all of the people in the clothing or perfume/aftershave commercials look like models. (oh wait, they are)

But we should be focused on what the Lord is thinking behind this world’s view.

Can I keep my mind stayed on the Lord and treat men like my brothers and all women like my sisters?

Is there thinking beyond what will affect my body?

In Phil 3:19, we get a picture of what God thinks of people who’s mind is only for themselves.  He frames it this way:  “Whose God is their belly and whose glory is their shame.”

We may have been led by our eyes and bellies for a while, but God has called us to a higher calling.

Purity in thought, followed by clarity in action.

Pastor Brent

Children or Grown Ups?

For the Law, while we were children was necessary to teach us our responsibilities as well as our limitations; as it says in Galatians chapter 4. 

But, when we receive Jesus we are no longer slaves but sons and therefore heirs with Christ. And as such, we have entered into a covenant with God whereby we take on the responsibility of the Kingdom of God, as a representative.

Which certainly entails the proper use of the handling of the Word of God. If we are still children, we use it for our own gain and to elevate ourselves above someone else. But, if we are truly sons and daughters of God, we use the Word to restore others and to keep ourselves humble, knowing from where our authority and salvation comes. 

It is easy to assume we are grown ups, but is it as easy for someone else to give you that title? For it is God's and those who we deal properly with that will be our final test.

Maturely,

Pastor Brent

Whatsoever Things Are Just

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

— Philippians 4:8

The third in the series is just.  The literal translation means righteous, observing divine laws.

The key word in that sentence is divine laws.  Not observing laws,  but the keeping of the divine law.

When Jesus was asked about the most important law He said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.  And, to love your neighbor as yourself.”

God’s divine law is about love.  Period.  His law contains grace and mercy which leads people to love.  If we are using God’s righteousness or justice for anything else we are wrong.

So, give God a chance to think justly in your mind.  Judge things with an eye toward the restoration of people in the long run.

In the short term, people may turn aside, rebuke you, or even cause you harm; but if you have delivered God’s message with an eye toward restoration and redemption you have done your service to Him.

God will continue to bless us with an abundance of revelation and love if we will simply serve His needs in every person’s life.  His needs, not your preferences.  God is abundantly merciful—you and I are living proof.

Justly,

Pastor Brent

The Smelting Furnace

“No, you Adonai has taken and brought out of the smelting furnace, out of Egypt, to be a people of inheritance for Him, as you are today.”

— Deuteronomy 4:20

God called the people out of the smelting furnace. What happens in a smelting furnace? We are melted into a mold-able liquid that will take the shape of whatever we are poured into. Or, we can be hammered into an object because now the furnace has caused our being to be more pure and have less of the impurities that we had before the smelting process,  that hindered our shaping because of their hardness.

We all have furnaces we need to be in. Unfortunately, sometimes we pull ourselves out before the process is completed, and God will have to put us in again.

Knives go through what is called tempering, where the knife is heated and then plunged into cold water a few times before it achieves the proper hardness for the job it has been made for. But still it is not the knife pulling itself out, but the knife-maker. God allows us to be rid of the dross of our lives; but only if we truly want it.

Don't be afraid of the fiery furnace, the three Hebrew children found that sometimes you find the best company in the furnace.

Pastor Brent

Boundaries

“Give this order to the people of Israel, ‘When you enter the land of Canaan, it will become your land to pass on as an inheritance, the land of Canaan as defined by these borders.’”

— Numbers 34:2

Before the nation of Israel entered the land of Canaan, the Lord was defining what their borders or boundaries would be. Have you defined your boundaries? Or do you feel as if the Lord has hired you to be His hit man or hit woman to say and/or do what you please?

Jesus told us plain; I only say what I hear the Father saying and do what I see the Father doing. Can I say I at least bat 50% on the same statement? For if not then we are mavericks just simply saying what we think and asking God to back it up.

May I tell you, God's not your backup plan, He is THE plan. Find it, cultivate it, and if you think you might be getting close to a boundary......run away from it. God does give us plenty of freedom, and the only caution is what? Don't use it as an occasion for the flesh. In other words, the flesh is outside of your boundary. Just because it makes you feel good is not a reason to do it. 

Find your boundaries and stay within them, there will still be more blessing than you can contain.

Pastor Brent

Whatsoever Things Are Noble

Noble—having or showing fine personal qualities, or high moral principles and ideals, having dignity or eminence.

Sounds wonderful. But do we give ourselves enough time and practice to become noble?

As with anything, you are not necessarily born noble, or to think nobly, or to act nobly in all situations.

We must go through what we have been learning about—a transformation, by renewing our mind.

If we look at most people’s mindset, it would be to enhance their lives anyway possible; even to the detriment of the people around them.

But this word implies that those who are noble are looked at by other people as having a certain character not common to all people.  One that is circumspect in its judgments and convictions, and does not leave it to written laws and codes. But rather relies on the inner man having been taught by the Holy Spirit.

Noble does not mean haughty or have anything to do with social standing.  But rather a standing achieved by walking with God, and having an understanding about who your neighbor is and what our responsibility is to them.

Pastor Brent

If I Lack Love

1 Cor. 13. I have read it in more weddings than I can count. And I try to listen every time and understand why the biggest sacrifices a human can make are in vain if we don't have love.

Oh, I understand that we need love, and that the motive for our actions must come from a higher place. But, seriously, if I give my body to be burned or sacrifice myself for someone else, don't I have the proper motive?

Short answer ...no. There must be an intentionality with the sacrifice beyond the motives we can see that actually accomplishes what we have set out to do. If we save a person's life but have not shared why we are doing this, then they get their life extended here on earth, but not for eternity. Love may propel us to give our life (greater love is not known than a man lay down his life for his friends) but, true love will have expressed the love we have received from Christ prior to every sacrifice.

Otherwise it is simply a note, played on a cymbal, that will fade with the passing of the breeze. But love, for the cause of Christ, will be sung throughout the ages, throughout the heavens, because of its pure motivation.

Pastor Brent