PLANS

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

PLANS

(James 4:13-16) Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; 14whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. 15Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.” 16But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.

Plans. I love making plans. I like something to look forward to and an aim to shoot at. If that is missing from my life I tend to get bored and unmotivated. But when I have a goal I have something to strive for and that makes me live purposeful. But are our plans from God or are we making them up ourselves? Have we sought the Lord on His will for our lives? Or are we assuming that what looks good and attractive is from God? Let’s see what scripture says about making plans in the will of God.

James is referring to the ambitious type who are very idea oriented. Something pops into their head and they run with it. Ideas are great but how important it is to submit them back to the Lord and wait on Him. We must give God the veto rights over our ideas. Perhaps it is from the Lord and He will give us the green light. Maybe the idea is good but for a future time. Or maybe God will say no. Sometimes we don’t wait on the Lord because we are afraid He will say no. But we must remember Father knows best. Perhaps He is trying to save us from some kind of harm or painful results we don’t see. Or maybe He has something better for us!

James tells us our life is short like a vapor that comes and goes so quickly. Isn’t that true? Look how fast your life has gone already. And the older you get the faster time flies! So why would we take the precious time we have here on earth and run our ship off course and hit the rocks? We need to put our life into God’s hands so he can direct our life where He wants it to go. And how do we do that? By always submitting our plans to the will of God. “…not My will, but Yours, be done.” (Luke 22:42) “And this will we do, if God permit.” (Heb 6:3) Anything outside of that is boasting, says James, and this matches the wisdom of the wise: Do not boast about tomorrow, For you do not know what a day may bring forth. (Pro 27:1)

Do you remember how people came together in the ancient world to build the tower of Babel? God didn’t like them planning outside of Him. He came down and destroyed the tower and confused their languages. (Gen 11) Do you remember David wanting to build a Temple for the Lord and how even Nathan said to go for it? God told Nathan to go back and say it wasn’t for David to build the Temple. It would be for his son (Solomon) to build it. (2 Sam 7) But God did let David at least plan for the Temple which he did by the direction of the Lord: (1 Chr 28:12) and the plans for all that he had by the Spirit…

I like how God instructed Moses about how to build the Tabernacle. He said: And see to it that you make them according to the pattern which was shown you on the mountain. (Exo 25:40) God, in a sense, gave Moses a blueprint to follow and He followed it all the way down the line. The Tabernacle turned out beautiful and functional and lasted many years because Moses obeyed God as to the details.

I don’t have a master plan for my life. But I do have the Master’s plan. What a great way to live! I’m an idea person and I used to run with any notions that entered my head. Sometimes I wouldn’t wait for God and I would fall flat on my face. How much better to make Jesus the Head of all! (Eph 4:15) There are many plans in a man’s heart, nevertheless the Lord’s counsel—that will stand. (Pro 19:21)

Louie

+++

CHRISTMAS EVE 2010 CHILDREN'S PROGRAM

Tonight was a very special time together. The children led us through their play about the real meaning of CHRISTmas. God's people responded and the glow of the Spirit was in the room. We trust there were some who said the sinner's prayer to receive Christ in their life. May we learn from the children about true and humble faith in the Lord!

(Luke 18:16) 16But Jesus called them to Him and said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.

+++

+++

BOXING DAY

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

BOXING DAY

(Neh 8:10) Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Boxing Day is December 26th of each year. The holiday is celebrated in Australia, Britain, New Zealand, and Canada. The holiday began in England, in the middle of the nineteenth century, under Queen Victoria. Boxing Day (also known as St. Stephen's Day) was a way for the upper class to give gifts of cash, or other goods, to those of the lower classes.

There seems to be two theories on the origin of Boxing Day and why it is celebrated. The first is that centuries ago, on the day after Christmas, members of the merchant class would give boxes containing food and fruit, clothing, and/or money to trades people and servants. The gifts were an expression of gratitude much like when people receive bonuses today from their employer for a job well done. These gifts, given in boxes, gave the holiday its name, "Boxing Day".

The second thought is that Boxing Day comes from the tradition of opening the alms boxes placed in churches over the Christmas season. The contents were distributed amongst the poor by the clergy the day after Christmas.

Today, Boxing Day is spent with family and friends with lots of food and sharing of friendship and love. Government buildings and small businesses are closed but the malls are open and filled with people exchanging gifts or buying reduced priced Christmas gifts, cards, and decorations. Some compare this day to our Black Friday (day after Thanksgiving) where retail discounts are plentiful.

To keep the tradition of Boxing Day alive, many businesses, organizations, and families donate their time, services, and money to aid Food Banks and provide gifts for the poor. Or they may choose to help an individual family that is in need.

Personally I had never heard about Boxing Day until I saw it on one of those universal calendars that include holidays from other countries. Don’t tell anyone, but my first thought was that it was a day perhaps in Scotland where they had boxing matches. Later my friend’s wife told me about Boxing Day and what it was and how she celebrated it when she was growing up in England. They probably later laughed their heads off!

But I think the real origin of Boxing Day goes back to Nehemiah’s Day. God’s people were celebrating their return from exile and the rebuilding of the walls around Jerusalem. Nehemiah and the leaders encouraged them to not mourn or weep after they heard the reading of the law. They were told to have the joy of the Lord and to enjoy God’s blessings He had bestowed on them. They were also reminded to “…send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared…”

When Christmas is over and we see how God has blessed us, let’s remember the poor and share our wealth (Gal 2:10; 1 Tim 6:17-19). Times are tough but there are people out there who are hurting more than we are. And let’s do this not just on Boxing Day but all through the year. It’s not a fight…it’s the right!

Louie

+++

MARY, MOTHER OF JESUS

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

MARY, MOTHER OF JESUS

(Luke 1:48) For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.

In the Christian church Mary spans the gap of veneration to indifference. Christians have been known to either exalt her or ignore her. Amongst fellow believers she has been left out of discussion for fear of dispute. But why set her high or leave her low when the Bible says she was chosen by God to bear the Savior of mankind? Let’s study about Mary and get a proper perspective of her life and calling.

Little is known of Mary’s personal history. Her genealogy is given in Luke 3. She was of the tribe of Judah and the lineage of David (Luke 1:32). She resided at Nazareth. It was there the angel Gabriel announced to her that she was to be the mother of the promised Messiah (Luke 1:35). After this she went to visit her relative Elisabeth where she spoke the “Magnificat” (Luke 1:39-56). After three months Mary returned to Nazareth where Joseph was made aware of her divinely ordained condition (Matt. 1:18-25). Soon after this the decree of Augustus (Luke 2:1) required that they should make their way to Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). While there she brought forth her firstborn son, who they named Jesus (Matt. 1:25). This was followed by the presentation in the temple, the flight into Egypt, and the family’s eventual return to Nazareth (Matt. 2). During the next thirty years the only recorded event is the family going up to Jerusalem when Jesus twelve years old (Luke 2:41-52).

After the beginning of our Lord’s public ministry not much is recorded of Mary. She was present at the marriage in Cana (John 2). After this we find her at Capernaum (Matt. 12:46-50). The next place we find her is at the cross (John 19:26). From that point John looked after her. She was with the disciples in the upper room after the ascension (Acts 1:14). Some have said John took her to Asia Minor where she died and was buried.

The attributes of Mary are commendable. She was a humble woman who never expected to be chosen for such a role in history. She is seen as a godly woman of character, submissive and serving in the background. She is found praising and pondering. She is a model for women today of humility and obedience to the will of God.

So how did Mary get elevated from her humble position to one of reverence and even worship? Beginning with the adoption of the term 'Mother of God' in the fifth century there were several steps in the development of present-day veneration of Mary (Mariolatry). It was not until 451 A.D. that the dogma of the "perpetual virginity" of Mary (the idea that Mary remained a virgin throughout her life) was made binding upon all Roman Catholics. Then in 1854 A.D. Pope Pius IX declared the Immaculate Conception of Mary (the doctrine that Mary was born completely free from original sin). Then in 1954 Pope Pius XII declared the doctrine of the Assumption of Mary (the bodily taking up of the Virgin Mary into heaven at the end of her life). Today many Christians pray to Mary and ask favors of her. She is given titles of Mediatrix and Co-Redemtrix.

No doubt Mary today would be appalled in regards to her elevation. She would point to the fact that Jesus is the only Mediator between God and man (1 Tim 2:5) and that Christ is the only one who lives to make intercession for us (Heb 7:25). Only God is to be worshipped and served (Mat 4:10). She is not the mother of God, she is the mother of Jesus. We call her blessed because she was chosen by God from all the other Hebrew young women. Just like we are blessed when we realize we are chosen by God to bring forth Jesus to a lost world.

Louie

+++

CORONA CARE CHRISTMAS OUTREACH 2010

Today was the GO! Team outreach to Corona Care Convalesent Hospital. This faithful team shares every Friday morning but this was their special Christmas outreach. There was lots of special music from lots of talented people. Lives were touched with the Christmas story about Jesus and His love for all.

(1 Cor 13:13) ...the greatest of these is love.

+++

+++

WOMEN'S CHRISTMAS BRUNCH 2010

This years theme was "Joyful Service" with the emphasis from Psalms 100:2 "Serve the Lord with gladness..."

+++

Kelsey Monteith and her fellow students from the School of Worship lead worship.

+++

There was a sweet and gentle presence of the Spirit during worship. The women were absorbing the love of the Lord like a warm wave over their souls.

+++

Cheryl teaching and lifting praise to the Lord. Her emphasis was to reach out beyond yourself to serve the Lord and others in the coming year.

+++

Each woman received a bulb with a personalized scripture reference painted on it.

+++




Women sharing Christ's love with each other.

Video of praise band singing Joy to the World.

+++

THE INCARNATION

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

THE INCARNATION

(John 1:14) And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

During the Christmas season the doctrine of the Incarnation comes alive to us as Christians. We hear afresh the Christmas story and are in awe that Jesus came as a little babe in Bethlehem. Then we sing carols that speak about His coming in the flesh: “Veiled in flesh the Godhead see, Hail th' incarnate Deity”… “Hail, hail the Word made flesh”… “Word of the Father now in flesh appearing.” So what is the Incarnation and why is it so important to us as believers in Christ?

COMMUNICATION: Incarnation is from the Latin in carne and means “in the flesh.” Christ came in the flesh. In other words He took on a human body through the virgin birth and dwelt among us. He was 100% God and 100% man. He was “God in a bod.” The God-man. Son of God and Son of man. The divine nature of the Son of God was perfectly united with human nature in one divine Person, Jesus, making him both truly God and truly man (what theologians call the “hypostatic union”). And what better way to communicate with man than for God to become a man Himself? And what did God try to communicate with us through His Son? (John 3:16) For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

REDEMPTION: Because Jesus came in the body He could physically die for our sins and pass on the benefit to us sinful and condemned creatures. (Rom 8:3-4) For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, {4} that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. Jesus was sinless and by virtue of what He did on the cross we are now forgiven by faith in Him and declared righteous on His merit. (2 Cor 5:21) For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. His spotless blood can make the sinner clean and is the only source of forgiveness before a righteous and holy God and Father. (Eph 1:7) In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.

RESURRECTION: When Jesus rose from the dead He rose physically and therefore became the firstfruits of all who would rise in the future resurrection. (1 Cor 15:20) But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. We can be confident in the Biblical declaration that Christ’s resurrection guarantees ours. (The Jehovah’s Witnesses deny the physical resurrection of Jesus)

It’s interesting how Satan has always attacked the Incarnation. In ancient days the heresy of Gnosticism made the thought of God being in the flesh an offense. Matter was evil so God could not dwell incarnate. Today, thanks to secular humanism, it is intellectual sacrilege to say anyone in a body could be divine! Isn’t it interesting how the spectrum has deviated from one side to the other?! (1 John 4:2-3) By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, {3} and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.

Because of the Incarnation our great High Priest can sympathize with our weaknesses! Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Heb 4:15-16)

Louie

+++

BOOK OF LIFE

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

BOOK OF LIFE

(Heb 12:23) to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven…

It was always interesting the first day of school when the teacher would call out the roll and you had to answer that you were present. You would hear other names but you waited anxiously for your personal name to be called. Then there seemed to be a relief that it was over. Your name was acknowledged and you were registered that you were part of the class. But did you know God has a list of names? It’s in a register called the Book of Life. It contains all the names of those who have trusted in Christ as their Savior. Will your name be listed? Will you hear your name be called and will you therefore be forever settled in heaven?

Jesus is the first person in the New Testament who talks about names being written in God’s presence. (Luke 10:20)…rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” Then Paul came along and called that list the Book of Life. (Phil 4:3) And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life. In the book of Revelation the term is used seven times. It sounds like as we get closer to the end the more important this book will be. Let’s look at some features of the Book of Life:

(Rev 3:5) He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the BOOK OF LIFE; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels…(Rev 13:8) All who dwell on the earth will worship him (the Antichrist), whose names have not been written in the BOOK OF LIFE of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world…(Rev 17:8) The beast that you saw was, and is not, and will ascend out of the bottomless pit and go to perdition. And those who dwell on the earth will marvel, whose names are not written in the BOOK OF LIFE from the foundation of the world, when they see the beast that was, and is not, and yet is…(Rev 20:12) And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the BOOK OF LIFE. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books…(Rev 20:15) And anyone not found written in the BOOK OF LIFE was cast into the lake of fire…(Rev 21:27) But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s BOOK OF LIFE…(Rev 22:19) and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the BOOK OF LIFE, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

From these verses it looks like the righteous only are written in the Book of Life. Those whose names have not been written there will be deceived and follow the deception of the last days. At the judgment the Book of Life will be opened. Those not found recorded will be thrown into the fires of hell. This insures that heaven will have no defilement and those written in the Book of Life will enjoy eternal happiness in God’s presence.

The question has been that if your name can be added in then perhaps it can be blotted out? The scriptures do speak of the possibility of being blotted out but remember our salvation is not by merit (Eph 2:8-9; Titus 3:5). Perhaps a better way to view this is to say the Book of Life is a list of names for whom Christ has died. If you don’t accept the Lord your name will be erased from it (Exo 32:32; Psa. 69:28). At the final judgment it then becomes the Lamb’s book of life (Rev. 21:27).

Will your name be on that list? When you are born you are put into a genealogy. When you are born again you are listed as a member of God’s family. “When the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there” because of Jesus!

Louie

+++