September 01, 2008

God’s Labor of Love

Samuel Gompers, the founder and long-time president of the American Federation of Labor, said “Labor Day differs in every essential way from the other holidays of the year in any country.”  While we set aside this weekend as a national tribute to the contributions that laborers have made to our country’s strength, for me it has always meant something much more profound—summer is now over! 

Isn’t it interesting that we celebrate work by taking a day off from work?  This doesn’t really help me however, because my day off is Monday!  I think I’ll start a campaign to have Labor Day moved to Tuesday.

The Bible speaks very positively about work and negatively about those who refuse to work.  Labor is good for us and we’re challenged to work hard.  The Book of Proverbs is full of cautions for slothful sluggards and the apostle Paul says, “If a man will not work don’t let him eat.”

While some people love their jobs, others can’t stand what they do for a living.  For some a career has become the altar on which they’ve sacrificed their lives.  Work can very easily become our new religion, where we bow down and give our time.  Someone has said that we worship our work, we work at our play, and we play at our worship.  This happens quite easily when our commitment to family, community and church heads south.  When lives lack meaning, many look to careers to provide identity and self-esteem.  This is not how God set it up.  Our work should never take first place in our lives and it’s a terrible determiner of our sense of worth.

Solomon, one of the wisest men to ever live, never wimped out on work.  And yet, he realized that our jobs were never designed to meet our deepest needs.  Here’s an excerpt from his diary: “What does a man get for all the toil and anxious striving with which he labors under the sun?  All his days his work is pain and grief; even at night his mind does not rest.  This too is meaningless” (see Ecclesiastes 2:22-23).

That doesn’t mean that work is a bad thing.  In fact, God Himself is a worker.  The opening lines of Genesis are filled with God’s work – He separates light from darkness, He makes the sky and heavenly bodies, He gathers the waters and forms man from the dust of the earth.  Instead of leaving the scene after His display of creative power, Psalm 121:4 declares that God never “sleeps or slumbers,” but is always guiding and reaching out to His people.

When Jesus came to earth, He came as a worker.  In fact, for most of His adult life He worked as a carpenter.  But, He had a much more significant job assignment.  His work was to do exactly what His Father wanted Him to do.  In John 5:17, Jesus declared, “My Father is always at His work to this very day, and I, too, am working.”  The primary work of Jesus was to come to earth and to die as our substitute on the cross.  Because He completed the work that He was given to do, you and I can now experience the full benefits of His labor. 

Labor Day provides a day off from work (for most of us).  Let it also be a reminder that we don’t have to work in order to please God.  Jesus did it all for us.  He paid the price.  He completed the job He was given to do.  Just before He died, He cried out in John 19:30, “It is Finished!”  This term was common in the world of finance and banking.  When someone would borrow some money and then pay it back, the banker would use this phrase to declare that the debt had been paid off.  Literally, it means, “Paid in Full.” 

When Jesus died on the cross, He paid the price for us.  Jesus took our moral liabilities and stamped “Paid in Full” across the ledger sheet of our lives.  Our sin debt has been forgiven.  Because of our moral failures and patterns of sin, we all deserve to be sentenced for our cosmic crimes against a holy God.  Someone needs to pay the price for our sin.  The Bible makes it clear that either we pay it—or someone else needs to.  We don’t have to work to gain God’s favor.  In fact, if we try to work our way into heaven, we’ll receive a paycheck that won’t make us very happy.  Romans 3:23 says that the wages of sin is death. 

Everyone has violated God’s standards.  Because He is a just God, a penalty has to be paid.  God sent His son Jesus to be that payment for each one of us.  Jesus died on the cross as our substitute.  He paid the price with His life and God accepted His death as full payment for all of our sins.  He completed His work and now we don’t have to labor to get to Heaven.  Salvation is a gift that we must receive by faith.  Ephesians 2:8-9 puts it succinctly: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”

Work hard at your job.  But don’t let it become your god.  Enjoy the results of God’s work on your behalf and put your faith and trust in the labor of love that was fully expressed on the Cross of Christ.  Make this a Labor Day to remember by focusing on the One who completed His work – so that you can experience forgiveness and freedom, and a benefit package that is out of this world!

August 30, 2008

Getting Ready for Gustav

I called Pastor Gerry from Trinity Bible Church in Biloxi tonight to find out how the approaching hurricane is affecting the church and community.  He told me that he doesn’t see a lot of panic yet because no one knows for sure where the hurricane will hit.

I told him that we love Trinity Bible Church and that we’re with them.

August 30, 2008

Forgiveness Facts

In the message tomorrow, we’ll be looking at that amazing statement from the lips of Stephen right before he was martyred: “Lord, do not hold this charge against them.”  I don’t know how he did this except that it’s only possible when we fully understand the level of our own forgiveness. Stephen is being just like His Savior when He prayed these words in Luke 23:34: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”  At his point of death, Stephen is demonstrating the type of forgiveness that can only come from the Great Forgiver.  Romans 5:5: “God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit.”  It’s only through the outpouring of His love that we can ever hope to pour out forgiveness to those who have wronged us.

Do you have any bitterness in your heart right now?  Don’t take it to the grave with you.  It’s time to forgive, right now, today.  Don’t put it off.  Let it go.  Instead of being filled with rage, release that person from ever having to pay you back.

Ray Pritchard has listed 25 Affirmations About Forgiveness.

Here are some that really jumped out at me.

-If you wait to forgive until you feel like forgiving, you will never forgive.
-Without God’s grace, we will never forgive.
-There is coming a day when every dispute will be resolved. When you understand this, you are freed from feeling like you have to personally solve every issue here on this earth.
-Forgiveness is a gift I give to someone who doesn’t deserve it. If they deserved forgiveness, they wouldn’t need it.
-True forgiveness costs a great deal, but unforgiveness costs much more.
-Bitterness poisons everything. 
-I don’t see myself the way I really am.
-I am more like my enemies than I like to admit.
-If I have trouble loving my enemies, I should remember that I am someone else’s enemy.

August 29, 2008

What Busy People Really Want

I resonated with this today.

August 28, 2008

Persecution Persists

I came across this story and wanted to pass it along in the hopes that you’ll pray.  This Sunday we’ll be concluding our “God Uses Ordinary People” series as we focus on Stephen, the first Christian martyr.  Read Acts 6-7 to prepare.

Authorities locked up eight high school students at a military training school in metal shipping containers for objecting to the burning of hundreds of Bibles, sources told Compass Direct News..

The eight male students from the Sawa Defense Training Centre in Sawa, near Eritrea’s border with Sudan, were incarcerated after military authorities confiscated more than 1,500 personal Bibles from new students arriving for the 2008-2009 academic year.

The eight students objected when military officials began burning the Bibles.

August 26, 2008

39 Lessons, 20 Tips and 10 “Don’ts” For Parenting

This list for parents by Matt and Elizabeth Schmucker is worth reading and then printing and then posting and then reviewing every day.

August 26, 2008

Giving Humor

A crumbling old church building needed remodeling. After the sermon, the preacher made an impassioned appeal looking directly at the richest man in town. At the end of the appeal, the rich man stood up and announced, “Pastor, I will contribute $1,000.”

Just then, plaster fell from the ceiling and struck the rich man on the shoulder. He promptly stood back up and said, “Pastor, on second thought I will increase my donation to $5,000.”

Before he could sit back down, plaster fell on him again. This time he cried out, “Pastor, I meant to say $10,000.”

He sat down, and a larger chunk of plaster fell on his head. He stood up once more and proclaimed, “Pastor, I will give $20,000!”

This prompted a deacon to shout, “Hit him again, Lord! Hit him again!”

August 24, 2008

Life is Love Leigh

It was good to see so many people at Praise in the Park today.  Katie Vietti is back from her trip to South Korea and China.  A number of students are back to college and a few more are leaving this week.  I talked to Leigh Sullan today and realized I hadn’t read her blog in awhile.  I just did and so should you because she’s such a good writer.

August 23, 2008

Two Perspectives on the Prison Situation

During the message tomorrow (we’ll be at Chautauqua Park at 10:00 a.m.) I plan to apply the passage in Numbers 13 to our community situation.  I pass this along in the hopes that you will find it helpful.

There’s a lot of fear and anxiety in our county right now due to the possibility of the prison closing.  The concern was palpable at the hearing on Wednesday night.  I’m thankful for how we’ve all came together and did what we could do humanly speaking.  But now I want to call us to prayer.  Proverbs 21:1 says: “The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord; He directs it like a watercourse.”  Even when things look bleak, God can change the heart of our governor. 

Let’s also remember that God is sovereign and that whatever happens He will weave His ways and will in a way that will give Him the most glory.  God is good and through this community-shaking time, I’m praying that He will send revival and that people will turn to God.  We might all feel like little grasshoppers, but God is great!

Joe Myzia has also shared his perspective in a comment to a previous post.  I’m going to repost it here so more people will see it.

Hey Brian & readers of blogging w/Pastor Brian,

I really hope the prison doesn’t close.  I’ve been through a similar spot in life when I worked for the Zion nuclear plant and it closed.  900 or so jobs gone, including mine.

It disrupts a lot of lives and is difficult.

We as a church, and I personally as a Christian who has gone through this, can encourage people.

Psalm 62 tells us . . .

1Truly my soul finds rest in God;
my salvation comes from him.
2Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.

The Holy Bible : Today’s New International Version. 2005 (Ps 62:1-2). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

Jesus is our rock.  Jesus is our salvation.  Jesus is our fortress.  Jesus is where our soul finds rest.

We cannot replace Jesus in those equations with our jobs or with the government or with our union The Bible is God’s Word.  The evidence for this is off the charts and thus we can trust these words.  And I’ve experienced this at the closing of Zion Station as Jesus brought me, my wife and daughter down here through that event.

To the Christians, don’t be shaken.  All things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to his purpose.  If Pontiac Prison closes, this falls into the category of “all things.”

Regardless, we can still hope and pray it doesn’t close.  Either way, Jesus has great potential to be glorified through his saints.

Of course, I know you know all this.

What thoughts do you have?  Simply leave a comment below.

August 23, 2008

Love Casts Out Fear

“When you are absolutely convinced how much God loves you, it will drive out every fear you have.”

- Wayne Jacobsen, He Loves Me! Learning to Live in the Father’s Affections (Windblown Media, 2007)

August 22, 2008

Times Have Changed

Each August for the past 11 years, Beloit College in Beloit, Wis., has released the Beloit College Mindset List. It provides a look at the cultural touchstones that shape the lives of students entering college. The class of 2012 has grown up in an era where computers and rapid communication are the norm, and colleges no longer trumpet the fact that residence halls are “wired” and equipped with the latest hardware. These students will hardly recognize the availability of telephones in their rooms since they have seldom utilized landlines during their adolescence. They will continue to live on their cell phones and communicate via texting. Roommates, few of whom have ever shared a bedroom, have already checked out each other on Facebook where they have shared their most personal thoughts with the whole world.

Click here to read the list of 60 items.

I picked a few that jumped out at me…

GPS satellite navigation systems have always been available.
Coke and Pepsi have always used recycled plastic bottles.
Shampoo and conditioner have always been available in the same bottle.
Gas stations have never fixed flats, but most serve cappuccino.
IBM has never made typewriters.
The Green Bay Packers (almost) always had the same starting quarterback.

August 21, 2008

PAMA Presentation

I asked my friend Lon Alderman for permission to post the comments he made at the hearing last night.  Lon is the president of the Pontiac Area Ministerial Association…

——

This evening I represent the pastors and priests from the following area churches:

First United Methodist church – Pontiac
St. Mary’s Catholic church – Pontiac
First Baptist church – Pontiac
Assembly of God church – Pontiac
Pontiac Bible church
Chenoa Baptist church
First Lutheran church – Pontiac
New Wine Fellowship - Pontiac
Grace Episcopal Church – Pontiac
United Methodist church – Long Point
United Methodist church – Streator
First Presbyterian Church – Pontiac
First Christian church – Pontiac

What follows is the consensus of these spiritual leaders.

God says in Jeremiah 29:7,  “…seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you… Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.”

As spiritual leaders in the Pontiac area we have committed to praying that the prison will remain open.  We are also praying for you, and other governmental leaders involved in this decision, that God will guide your decisions related to this matter.

In addition, as spiritual leaders in the Pontiac community we voice the following specific concerns:

First.  Regarding the prosperity of this city, we are deeply concerned about the economic impact that closing the prison will have on our church families, our community, and the Pontiac region.  Closing the prison will have a deeply negative impact on the “prosperity” of this city and beyond.

Second.  Regarding the peace of this city, we are deeply concerned about the potential hardships imposed on prison employees and their families as a result of the proposed closure.  Closing the prison will have a deeply negative impact on the “peace” of these families, the city, and beyond.

Third.  Regarding the prisoners.  There has been very little said about the inmates tonight.  Jesus instructed us to visit people in prison.  We are concerned about the impact that the proposed prison closure would have on the prisoners and their families.  Relocating the inmates will cause families to change their visitation patterns.  Families may be required to travel much farther to visit their loved ones, which will create additional hardships on the families.

Finally, as spiritual leaders we offer a brief word regarding hope.  While we join this community in a common hope that the prison will remain open, we must remember that there is only one real and lasting source of hope in the world and that is found in Jesus Christ.

Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Thank you for listening and may God bless you with amazing powers of discernment so you may see the right path in this matter so God’s will may be done.

We, the members of the Pontiac Area Ministerial Association, believe that the peace and prosperity of this city will be disrupted if the Pontiac Correctional Center closes.  We pray that God will keep the prison open.

August 21, 2008

Prison Hearing

It was incredible to be part of around 2,000 people at the high school last night showing our support for the employees and families of the PCC.  It was good to see our community come together in this way. Much of the testimony was moving, especially the section when Lon Alderman got up and spoke on behalf of area churches.

The Pantagraph has a story on the hearing, including a video and pictures.

One friend commented that we need to pray.  Let’s do that right now.

August 21, 2008

Praise in the Park and Picnic

Don’t forget that we will have one combined service at Chautauqua Park this Sunday at 10:00 a.m. to be followed by our church picnic.

August 20, 2008

PCC Hearing Tonight

If you live in Livingston County, I hope you’re planning to attend the hearing for the Pontiac Correctional Center at 5:00 p.m. at the PTHS auditorium.  To read more, see here.

August 20, 2008

More on Open and Closed Doors

In the days since the sermon on Sunday several people have contacted me with questions related to knowing God’s will.  Here are some outstanding sermons from Ray Pritchard that will shed more light on this topic.

Sense and Nonsense About God’s Will
Deciding the Big Ones
Seven Reflections on God’s Will
Good, Pleasing, Perfect
25 Affirmations About God’s Will

August 18, 2008

A Good Day

While I felt a bit rusty it was good to get back to preaching yesterday.  At the end of both services Emily shared about her experiences in the DR.  It was very moving.

The baptism service was amazing—21people took the plunge and many of them shared their testimonies.  It was cool to hear from so many who have come to Christ just since January.

Emily and I went to hear a band called Asher last night.  Dan Ucherek is the drummer in this group—they did a great job musically and with the message.  In fact, 8 people came forward when the lead singer gave an altar call.  I’m hoping we can have them at PBC in the coming months.

In light of the message from yesterday, what doors are going to close for you today?  What doors will God open today?  Will you go through them when He does?

August 05, 2008

Blogation

I’ll be on a blogging break for a week or so. 

August 05, 2008

Roof Day in Mexico

This looks like very hard work.

August 05, 2008

The Wheels on the Bus Go Round and Round

Pastor Jeff called this morning to report that the Nashville team is homeward bound.  Click here to read about their adventures while white water rafting.

August 04, 2008

How to Make a Cement Roof in Mexico

Our tasks in Mexico were easy compared to this one.

August 03, 2008

Mexico Mission Memories

Here’s an article I wrote for next Saturday’s Daily Leader…

Having recently returned from a ten-day mission trip to Mexico, I want to share ten lessons that I learned. 

1.  Mexicans are amazing people.  Sometimes people in our country look down on Mexicans and label them inaccurately, but we were impressed with how hard they work, we loved their culture, and the food was fantastic. One student on our trip commented that the work ethic of Mexicans kept him working when he wanted to take a break. 

2.  Teens are terrific.  Along with three other adults, our team was made up of five teenagers.  I was totally impressed with their willingness to work, their ability to embrace a new culture and their great attitudes.  In addition to our team, another Pontiac Bible Church group made up of several teenagers served in Mexico in June, a group of three teens served for six weeks in Five-Day Clubs throughout Livingston County, a college student served in the Dominican Republic for seven weeks, another student ministered in Belize for a week, another is in China right now, and Pastor Jeff led a team of 35 teens on a mission trip to Nashville this past week. 

3.  Worship is more than singing.  One of the things we learned is that when we serve the Savior with unselfish hearts, we are really worshipping.  What Jesus wants is a surrendered life that is wholeheartedly devoted to Him.  In fact, Romans 12:1 defines worship as the offering of our bodies as living sacrifices.  This realization helped us to persevere when the work became hard or when things were moving slowly.

4.  Lots of life can be wasted by worry.  One of my favorite Spanish phrases that I heard several times was “Ni modo,” which roughly translated means, “Whatever.  Don’t worry.  It will all work out.”  I experienced this first hand when I mentioned to the manager of our work site that I needed more paint to finish the steel doors.  He went out and bought two more gallons.  To my chagrin, when he returned an hour later I realized that I didn’t need the two extra gallons. When I asked him if he could return it, he said he wasn’t sure if the store would take the paint back and then he shrugged his shoulders, smiled and said, “Ni modo.”  I need to practice a bit more “Ni modo” in my own life.

5.  The American way of life is often easy but not always better.  Having traveled to several different countries, I always return a little more thankful for all that we have here and more humbled by how little others around the world have.  As one of our summer missionaries said, “People don’t need a lot to be happy.”

6.  Missionaries are real people making a real difference.  Our team got to see first-hand that the missionaries we support in Mexico are doing a super job.  They love the people they are serving, they have willingly sacrificed comfort and the closeness of their extended families, and yet they are real people.  This was refreshing and serves as a reminder that they need our encouragement and prayers.

7.  Hospitality is a lost art.  During our time in Mexico we stayed in the homes of two different missionary families.  The hospitality we were given was amazing.  Some of you may know Paul and Grace Becker because they lived for many years in Pontiac before moving to Mexico.  They are two of the most gracious and giving people I have ever met and I hope I can incorporate some of their skills into my own life.

8.  Sermons don’t have to be short.  During our last Sunday in Mexico, the preacher spoke for 75 minutes!  While I haven’t hit this milestone (yet), I told our team that they can’t complain when I go a bit long.  One of the teens replied, “We won’t complain; we’ll just fall asleep.”

9.  God is a global God.  God loves the whole world and wants us to think beyond our borders and boundaries.  It’s easy for us to become ethnocentric and to focus only on what we can see.  Look for ways to expand your view of what God is doing around the world.

10.  Jesus changes lives everywhere.  We loved seeing the excitement in the lives of Mexicans who had just become Christians.  They were filled with joy because of the freedom they have found in Christ.  As we listened to stories of how Jesus has changed them we were both encouraged and challenged to make sure we are open to God’s work in our lives.  Some of the final words of Jesus are to take the gospel to all the nations (see Matthew 28:19-20) and His message is for Livingston County as well.  Have you responded to Him and received Him as your Savior and Lord?  That’s a question you can’t answer with “Ni modo.”

August 02, 2008

Nashville News

Pastor Jeff has posted an update from Nashville.  Make sure and read it and then stop and pray that the students will capture these moments and be open to God’s work in their lives when they return.

August 01, 2008

Em’s Home!

Emily arrived home last night and has written again on her blog.

We’ve enjoyed listening to her adventures, seeing the joy on her face, and know that this summer will be used in her life in yet unknown ways. 

We’re having sopa de tortilla (tortilla soup) tonight to celebrate!

August 01, 2008

Nashville Update

Pastor Jeff just called to report that our students are filling boxes with food at Feed the Children.  Everyone is doing well and God is at work.

Continue to pray for the students as they serve.

Home | I'm New | About PBC | News | Blog | Media | Ministries | Sermons | Resources | Contact

This page has been viewed 350807 times | page rendered in 0.3350 seconds
This entire site is managed dynamically using ExpressionEngine
Copyright © 1999-2009 Pontiac Bible Church
Globe image | © Photographer: James Miller | Agency: Dreamstime.com