Tag: Deliverance

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All In

1 A Psalm of David. Contend, O LORD, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me!

2 Take hold of shield and buckler, and rise for my help!

Psalm 35:1,2

I’ve never been much of a gambler, at last not the gaming kind. However, on the golf course I was always a risk taker. If the shot was difficult, or seemingly impossible I’d go for it, just like Arnold Palmer wrote in his book, “Go for Broke”. Of course I usually missed the shot. I was only 12 years old. On the course I was a gambler, but not so much in card games.

However, there was one time when my neighborhood friends and I were playing high-stakes poker. This was nickel ante poker, not that penny ante stuff most kids play. These were the kind of stakes where a kid could lose his whole life savings. I was about ten years old and I was in the game of my life. Things were not looking very good though. All the chips were down, so to speak.

If I lost one more hand, I’d not only be out of the game, I’d be out of my life savings, which wasn’t much but it was a lot to me. But if I won that last hand things would be different. You see I was all in. That’s right. I bet everything I had left on that last hand. The stakes were high as everyone around the table went all in too. Whoever won that hand was walking away with a bundle. There must have been at least $20 in that pot when the last boy called.

There are two things in life we can count on. One, Jesus said that because the world hated Him it will hate those who believe in Him also; they will be persecuted for His sake (John 15: 20). And two, if you’re a ten-year old with a great hand in poker who goes all in, you will be persecuted whether you win or lose.

In this life, anyone who follows Christ can count on suffering persecution in some form. In Psalm 35, David speaks in the prophetic voice of Jesus as suffers at the hands of His persecutors before the cross. Verse 7 speaks of Jesus’ innocence before His persecutors…

“7 For without cause they hid their net for me; without cause they dug a pit for my life.” (Psalm 35:7)

The suffering of Jesus was unjust, but He trusted His Father to vindicate Him…

24 Vindicate me, O LORD, my God, according to thy righteousness; and let them not rejoice over me! (Psalm 35:24)

We can count on the LORD to vindicate us as well. Our suffering is only for a time, and then He promises to restore us. St. Peter speaks of the coming persecution of believers, but reminds them that God hears their cries and will answer…

8 Be sober, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking some one to devour.

9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experience of suffering is required of your brotherhood throughout the world.

10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, establish, and strengthen you. (1 Peter 5:8-10)

Suffering can by just or unjust. When we sin, we suffer for it. Are you in the middle of suffering? Look around and ask if your suffering is just or unjust. Jesus suffered unjustly. He did nothing wrong. Is your suffering just? If you know it’s not, the Father is calling you to repent. Our sins cause us to suffer. But if your suffering seems unjust, know your Heavenly Father sees it all. You too can pray the words of Psalm 35 crying out for deliverance. He will one day restore, establish, and strengthen you.

As for me, I don’t think I deserved deliverance from the ridicule I was taking for thinking I could pull out a last hand victory by causing all my friends to go all in and risk losing big. Gambling is a game of chance, and the chances tell us we will lose, most likely sooner than later.

I had a great hand, 3 Jacks and 2 Tens – a Full House. Not much beats a Full House so I bet it all. All the chips were down. I was all in, and so was everyone else. They knew I wasn’t that good at poker. They thought I was bluffing – but I wasn’t. I had the cards…but Frank had better ones.

My loss taught me a great lesson that day…gambling doesn’t pay off in the long run. My youthful prayer for deliverance that day went something like, “Lord, please don’t let me lose all my money in this game, my mother’s going to be really mad at me.” There’s only one sure bet in life that is worth going “all in” – faith in Jesus Christ.

Shalom,

Pastor Brad

image credit: http://bssb.be/politics-2/geopolitics/all-in-on-ukraine/

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Deliverance

30 This God–his way is perfect; the promise of the LORD proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.

31 For who is God, but the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God?

Psalm 18:30-31

It was dusk as I pulled into my driveway. In fact, darkness was falling by the seconds. There were no lights on in our house. All the curtains were still open, my first clue that something was wrong. My wife, Rhonda, was seven months pregnant with our first child and the house was full of moving boxes, which were in plain view from the uncovered windows. Rhonda never left the curtains open as night fell.

I don’t know why, but instead of entering the house from the back as usual, I went to the front door. I guess I just wanted to look around to see if Rhonda was outside by the neighbor’s. I didn’t see her anywhere. As I stepped up onto the porch, I caught the glimpse of a large man crouched down beside me, just inside the brick wall that wrapped around the porch. What happened next seemed almost like an outer body experience as I look back on it.

Standing there in my designer suit (I was a clothing salesman), and in my meanest, gruffest voice (not very mean, I’m sure), I called out, “Hey! What are you doing on my porch?” Much to my surprise the man answered, “I think I’m going to be sick”. He then acted as if he was going to throw up. In one of those moments that had to be God inspired I said (still as gruff as I could), “If you’re sick, I’ll go get help”. I then backed down the steps, never taking my eye off the man, and proceeded to walk backward toward my neighbor’s house. As I reached the neighbors yard the man on my porch got up and ran away – he was about twice my size!

I nearly collapsed from the rush of adrenaline my system must have used over those last few seconds. As I collected my thoughts and immediately praised God for His deliverance from what could have been a very ugly, perhaps deadly situation, my sweet, pregnant wife came out of the neighbor’s house across the street to return home – in the dark! She’d lost track of time.

In Psalm 18 we read of David’s praise to God for delivering him from his enemies, even King Saul and his armies. In verses 8-18, David, recounts the miraculous deliverance of God as he sings about the cataclysmic nature of God’s power and might to protect those who are blameless. In verse 21 he proclaims the Lord will reward those who are righteous. Prophetically, the Church hears the voice of Jesus in praise to His Father for delivering Him from His enemies, even death.

What do you need deliverance from today? Like David and Jesus, perhaps you feel like your enemies surround you on every side? Things may even seem impossible, but I have good news for you. With God all things are possible. Our God brings deliverance for the blameless, for those who trust in Him. The word used in scripture as deliverance is the same word for salvation in the original language. Salvation is assured for those serve God, for those who trust in Him, no matter what. Won’t your trust Him today?

“And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.” (Psalm 9:10)

Shalom,

Pastor Brad

image credit: http://www.goldenglobes.com/film/deliverance

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The Remnant

The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds, there is none that does good.

Psalm 14:1

I remember as a young boy my mother taught me to never call anyone a ‘fool’. I didn’t understand then. I just thought anyone who acted like a fool deserved to be called one. But after many years of studying scripture I learned why. To this day, I try never to use the word fool in describing someone, though it seems they are plentiful in our world. Why is ‘fool’ such a bad thing to call someone? Because the Bible tells us that a fool is basically an atheist. An Atheist says there is no God. Yet, scripture teaches us the fact of God is self-evident in creation.

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and wickedness of men who by their wickedness suppress the truth.

19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.

20 Ever since the creation of the world his invisible nature, namely, his eternal power and deity, has been clearly perceived in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse;

The Psalmist speaks of a time when it seems no one believes in God anymore. In verse two he says of the Lord that He looks down from Heaven to see if there are any that, “act wisely” and “seek after God”. Verse three brings the answer, “…there is none that does good, no, not one.”

The problem of most of the world seeking after other gods and turning their backs on the Lord is not a new one; it has been common to every generation in varying degrees. But God has always had a remnant. It may seem like no one believes but there is a remnant of the righteous as the Lord told to Elijah (1 Kings 19:18).

So is everyone who turns from God to worship other gods a fool? No, not really. We shouldn’t confuse the idolaters with atheists. Idolaters are lost people seeking something or someone in which to believe. However, an atheist is one who says there is no God, and only a fool would say that. To be a fool is to be the most lost of all people. We have a chance to show the lost the true light of Christ, by the way we live as true followers of Christ. But, an atheist has hardened his heart. We can’t show him anything because he does not have eyes to see or ears to hear what the Spirit is saying.

The Psalmist ends in hope. With God there’s always hope. He knows deliverance will come for God’s people. You and I must live in that same hope. No matter how bad it looks out there in our world, God always has a remnant. The true church is His remnant, and that remnant is the hope of Christ to a lost world  Let’s be sure we’re a part of that remnant. Let’s be sure we’re not fools.

Shalom,

Pastor Brad

image credit: http://iamremnantbook.com/

 

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Libera Me, Domine

O LORD my God, in thee do I take refuge; save me from all my pursuers, and deliver me,

Psalm 7:1

As we read and pray the Psalms, it often feels as if we are looking in a mirror. They so often reflect the various emotional states of our being, like fear, anger, and desperation. However, they also reflect the positive side of our emotions, things like hope and joy. The emotions of the Psalmist are much like our own. Every day we can and do exhibit such a roller coaster of feelings.

Seeing ourselves in the Psalms is important. The prayers for protection and deliverance balanced with praise, thanksgiving, and hope are spiritually forming ones, that lead us into righteous living. In Psalm 7, David is writing his feelings in response to a Benjamite, named Cush, who is most likely a servant of King Saul (from the tribe of Benjamin). Cush has apparently been persecuting David for things from which he feels innocent. David thus cries out to the Lord for deliverance.

While it is good for us to see ourselves in the Psalms, their real gift to us is to see Jesus Christ exalted in them. In Psalm 7, David’s claim of righteousness in verse 8 should make us feel uncomfortable. “8 The LORD judges the peoples; judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness and according to the integrity that is in me.” Who of us cries out to God to judge us according to our righteousness? Not me. Rather we cry out to the Lord to judge us with mercy for our sinfulness. Yet, there is one who is Righteous in all his ways. One who did not deserve the persecution that befell him – Jesus Christ.

Christ is the true voice of Psalm 7. When we read it, we should remember the many ways Jesus’ enemies hunted Him like a lion, until they finally struck Him down. Even from the cross, Jesus knew his Father would be faithful to save him. We can hear the echo of verse 10, “My shield is with God, who saves the upright in heart.”, in Jesus final words as he gave up His spirit into the hands of His Father.

Where are you today in your journey of life? Are there enemies pursuing you? Are you feeling depressed from a shroud of darkness in the way things seem to be going. All these things were common to David as he wrote, and we can take comfort that they were felt by Jesus as well. But we need not fall to our dark feelings, for Christ is our shield. He will save those who hide themselves in Him and His righteousness. Our prayer in faith should always be, “Libera me, Domine”, deliver me, O Lord!

Shalom,

Pastor Brad

image credit: http://www.allmusic.com/album/franz-josef-haydn-stabat-mater-libera-me-domine-mw0001413632

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The Great Escape

Waves of Mercy pentecost-1024x493No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

1 Corinthians 10:13

Could there be a greater love than to give those whom you love perfect freedom? You know, freedom to love or hate, to embrace or reject. It’s been said that love is free or it isn’t love. Love that isn’t free is really just another form of slavery. We can’t, or rather shouldn’t force people to love us, and you can be sure God doesn’t either.

Such a perfect love leaves us open to many dangers. One of those dangers is that it hurts when those we love don’t love us in return. Still, I think Lord Tennyson was right when he said, “Tis better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all.” That’s our Heavenly Father’s position. He to the risk of creating us knowing many wouldn’t love Him back – and I’m so glad He did.

But, the hurt of lost love isn’t our greatest danger. Perhaps the greatest danger we face is the power of temptation. The devil is a master of deception and can make any sinful activity look appealing. What he doesn’t show is the consequences of those sins. Let’s face it, sin can look fun or no one would want to do it. But, God doesn’t leave us with no chance of overcoming the devil’s wily schemes. He always there with a great escape.

In His great love God lets loose a flood of mercy to protect us when we’re tempted. His waves of mercy come to us as perfect escape hatches when the temptations of life are about to overwhelm us. We can rest in knowing He’s promised us a way out of every temptation. When you’re tempted, always keep a lookout for God’s escape hatches; they’re as close as the mention of His name.

Grace and Peace,

+Pastor Brad

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank you for your great love and mercy that never lets us go. You’re always there to help us out of every temptation if we will only call upon your holy name. Amen.

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Raised from the Ashes: Lent – Good Friday

“14 Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me; O Lord, make haste to help me.”

Psalm 40:14

Read Psalm 40

Holy Week By Pastor Brad msc-1

The Goodness of Death

Is there anything more certain than death? It feels so certain because it comes to all people with no respect of person; young and old, rich and poor…no one escapes. Yet, such certainty is unfounded. 1983 years ago today (as best calendars can determine), death met its match. On that Good Friday, the hope of the world hung dying on a Roman Cross, and after six hours it appeared death had won. After hours of agony and untold torture, Jesus gave up his life, and surrendered to death.

However, we know the rest of the story. Death for Jesus was not final – but it was real. We have now come to the last two days of our 40-day journey through Lent. And while we know the rest of the story of Jesus, we must not rush to the cross too soon. Today is a day to consider death; a subject we admittedly try to avoid, but we must not.

Can Death Be Meant for Good?

Good Friday is a time for each of us to consider our own death, for it will come, and quite often far too soon. Today is a day we especially hear the line of the Lord’s Prayer, “…and deliver us from evil.” When Adam and Eve ate of the forbidden fruit and death entered our world, Satan meant it for evil, but God has turned it for our good. If you’ve recently lost a loved one to death (I recently lost my father to death), you may not hear my words about it today as meant for good; yet, that is what God has done.

It is good that God allows death, for it is in death that we are born to real life. To live in this world, as we know it now, would be reality and eternal death. His mercy comes to us by putting an end to our sufferings in this world, as those who through faith in Jesus Christ enter an eternal life, never to die again, never to be sick again, never to experience pain and suffering again. But, none of this would be true were it not for the death of Jesus on that Good Friday so long ago.

On that good day, for those who will believe, death changed from an eternal state, to a process of transformation. We see that process now, from only one side of the window. St. Paul says, “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.”

Knowing that death is God’s plan to deliver us from evil, we can pray with the Psalmist, “Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me; O Lord, make haste to help me.” In order to be raised, we must first fall…but do not fear, God is faithful to raise us from the ashes.

 

Grace & Peace for a Holy Week,

Pastor Brad

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.”

Matthew 5:6

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Raised from the Ashes: Holy Week Tuesday

18 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

1 Cor. 1:18

Read 1 Cor. 18-31

Holy Week By Pastor Brad msc-1

The Daily Cross

As we journey through Holy Week, we are drawing ever nearer the source of our power as believers. The cross of Christ was not only the instrument of Jesus’ death; it is the instrument of His saving grace. All salvation comes through death. Each day, as we read the scriptures of Holy Week, we see Jesus facing His impending death on the cross. Each day, we too want to face the reality of our own cross, so when Friday comes we too may be crucified with Christ.

About now you may be thinking you already faced your cross when you were “saved”. Yes, it is to be saved, in a moment of time, by placing our faith in Jesus and His cross. Yet, it remains for us to see that salvation is so much more than a past event in our life; it is a present and future deliverance as well. The English word, “saved” or “salvation” is best translated from the original Greek as “deliverance”. Scripture speaks to salvation in three tenses; past, present, and future. We are saved, we will be saved, and we are being saved (ex. Titus 3:4-5, 1 Cor. 1:18, Rom. 13:11).

From what are we delivered, still being delivered, and will be delivered? The trials and tribulations of this world. Just because we’re saved, (have placed our faith in Jesus), we’re not free from temptation and hard times. That’s why it’s important we hear what St. Paul is saying to those who believe in Christ…the cross is the power of God to deliver us, and oh how we need that deliverance!

The Daily Cross of Holy Week

Each day, as you rise to serve Christ and others in this world, remember that Jesus calls you to “take up your cross” (Matt. 16:24). Each day of Holy Week, as we see Jesus facing the horror of the cross, if we listen to the scriptures, we will also see Jesus gaining strength to take up the cross.

As we move ever nearer the cross, God will bring to our hearts and minds the things to which we must yet die. Today there is more of me to surrender, and from which to be delivered. And, tomorrow there will be even more. We must see the cross as more than a past event in our lives, but something we face every day. Paul went on to describe it to the Corinthians like this:

“…always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.” (2 Cor. 4:10-11)

If we wish to live with Christ in the next life, we must die with Him in this life, and not just once, but daily. To those who are being saved, the Cross IS the power of God…the power to raise us from the ashes.

Grace & Peace for a Holy Week,

Pastor Brad

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.”

Matthew 5:6