Tag: salvation

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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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Whose Words Will You Believe?

7 Do thou, O LORD, protect us, guard us ever from this generation.

8 On every side the wicked prowl, as vileness is exalted among the sons of men.

Psalm 12:7,8

The feeling of living in a vile generation has been common to all ages, for sin is common to all. However, having said that, it still feels as though things are headed in the wrong direction in today’s modern culture. The psalmist felt as if there was no truth left among the people in his day; the godly seemed to have vanished and it seemed everyone was full of lies (v 2).

Words have always been important because in them the truth is spoken. However, it can be very challenging to a society when the culture decides to change the meaning of words in order to fit a new agenda that is counter to timeless truths. Today, we are living in an age that is not only changing the meaning of words but is rejecting the very truths at the heart of the words. When a society loses all sense of objective truth, then what is considered truth becomes relative to the whims of those who can command the most attention.

The psalmist says the wicked seem to be on every side (v 8). The breakdown of truth we are experiencing in our culture today is not a new thing – it’s just new to us. The psalmist felt it in his day. Jesus felt it in His day too. But, the good news is found in verse 6; the promises of the Lord are as pure as silver that’s been purified seven times.

The righteous have not been forsaken, though it may appear so at times. The Lord will arise (v 5). He will rescue the righteous with His salvation. God will always rescue those who stand with Him and the truth of His Word.

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away”

So, whose words will you believe? The culture around you that is saying wrong is right, that there is no sin? Or will you stand with God and His words? Before you decide, be sure you hear the words of the prophet Isaiah on this very subject…

“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and shrewd in their own sight!… Therefore, as the tongue of fire devours the stubble, and as dry grass sinks down in the flame, so their root will be as rottenness, and their blossom go up like dust; for they have rejected the law of the LORD of hosts, and have despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.” (Isa. 5:21,22,24)

Rather than be discouraged about the way things seem to be headed in a culture that wants to re-define words at every turn, be strong in the Lord, and in His words. Don’t let go of His words…His truth. He has promised to protect the righteous in every generation.

Shalom,

Pastor Brad

image credit: http://victoryoutreachwhittier.org/the-truth-about-fasting/crossing-out-lies-and-writing-truth-on-a-blackboard/

 

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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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Little Letters Make a Big Difference

Waves of Mercy pentecost-1024x493For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.

Titus 2:11-12

Isn’t it amazing to think of the difference one little word can make? Over and over the scriptures make the point that God loves everyone, not just some. Jesus told his disciples to go into “all” the world to teach the gospel, the good news that salvation has come. And, just as the love of God extends to every person in every place, so does His grace.

God’s grace offers everyone an opportunity to receive His waves of mercy, to jump into the flow of His river of love. His grace is completely free. There’s no way to earn or merit it by what we do or say; it has “appeared” in the form of Jesus Christ and His death, burial, and resurrection offering salvation to all who will receive it.

Those three little letters, a-l-l, make the difference for everyone. No one can claim they were excluded from the greatest act of love the world has ever seen or will ever see. But, that’s not all. There are two little letters that make a big difference also; N-O. “No” is a word that we can all say when it comes to temptation. Because of God’s mercy given through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, and the gift of His Holy Spirit power, we can just say “No” to sin.

And here’s three more little letters that are very important today, Y-o-u. It’s for “you” this great love, mercy and grace was given. Stop and breathe that good news in for a moment…can you feel the waves of His mercy?

Grace and Peace,

+Pastor Brad

Prayer

Gracious Heavenly Father, thank you for sending your only son to die for even me. And thank you for His resurrection life and power that flow out to even me in your waves of mercy. Amen.

Image credit: https://ajathewriter.com/2013/05/03/word-challenges/

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Work, Work, Work

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

Philippians 2:12-13

My dad used to say, “If it’s worth having, it’s worth working for”. He would often say those words to me when I would talk about the things I wish I had when I was a boy. Back then, I thought it was a convenient excuse for why he wasn’t going to spend the money to get me what I wanted. But now, I see the wisdom in the “working”.

What my dad was trying to teach me was,  if I had everything I wanted given to me, I would not only not appreciate the items, I wouldn’t appreciate what it took to get them. Part of the reward of a job well done is the satisfaction of knowing you’ve accomplished something. Sometimes, that reward is to obtain something you’ve always wanted, knowing now you can now afford it.

Salvation, is the greatest gift anyone can receive. God gives salvation generously to all who ask, but do we appreciate it? St. Paul didn’t teach the Philippians they had to “work” for their salvation…but, he did teach them they had to work to keep it. And, not only that, but to work it out with, “fear and trembling”. If we don’t do something with this great gift, we won’t appreciate what it took God to give it to us – the death of His son.

What are you doing with your salvation? Have you sat it on a shelf like a trophy…maybe even dust it off once in a while? I hope not. But, just how do we work out our own salvation? By serving God as a “Thank You”, and serving each other as a proof that it’s real. Real salvation is a working thing; it proves itself. We obtain it through faith, but keep it through good works. St. James said it like this, “Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.” (Jas. 2:17)

Paul wants us to know that, we too must work to keep our faith alive. And, we work out our faith with fear and trembling because we respect what it took for God to give it to us. But, notice it’s God’s will at work in us through which we actually accomplish this great work. To do the will of God takes resurrection power, so even in our working we can say, “to God be the glory!”

So, what do you want? Then go work for it. But remember, Christ is risen…and so are you!

Grace & Peace,

+Pastor Brad

 

Prayer

Father God, I help me to realize your resurrection power at work within me, and help me to work for your will to be accomplished in my life. Let me do only what you would have me do. Let your thoughts be my thoughts, and your work my work. Amen. Alleluia!

Image credit: https://www.td.org/Publications/Blogs/Science-of-Learning-Blog/2015/02/Work-Life-Fusion