Friday, November 29, 2013

11/25/13

Our government is in the process of implementing legislation that provides financial advantages, through the Affordable Care Act, to couples who live together; while, in effect, penalizing couples who choose to marry.  According to the Heritage Foundation, married couples could pay as much as $10,000 more per year than their unmarried counterparts.

Two people living together – but not married - could both qualify for thousands of dollars of subsidies provided each of their incomes is below $45,960.  But, if they are married, their combined salary would put them above the cap, and they would not qualify for subsidies.  Robert Rector sees what he calls ‘an ideological bent’ in the law, because married couples often lean Republican while those who are unmarried often lean Democrat.

So…can we just set aside the political rhetoric for a minute and ask… Should our morality ever be for sale at any price?  Would you, if you had to, sacrifice money to maintain your morality?  For several years I have observed that senior adults will often move in together, but not marry, because of the financial advantages of keeping their separate Social Security accounts.  Even as the law rewards immorality and penalizes morality, you and I are still free moral agents who can exercise our wills and do what is right in God’s sight, based on the solid foundation of Biblical revelation and the Lordship of Jesus.

Pray with me… Father God, we believe Your Word is in our best interest always.  I thank You that Your Word declares that You are the ‘Father of Lights in whom there is no variation, or shadow of change.’  I thank You that when we build our lives on the Rock of Jesus… by hearing and obeying His Word… at any cost… we will truly live now and forever.  In His name, amen.

Blessings,
Pastor Ken

Monday, November 18, 2013

11/18/13

A few years ago, Bill Hybels wrote the book, Too Busy Not to Pray.  It was a read that resonated with me then and still does today.  The message of his book is both condensed and revealed in the title.  I am thinking about a similarly titled book I want to write one day…Too Tapped Out Not to Give.  We are moving into the season of Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Opportunities to give abound at this season.  It is easy to feel ‘tapped out.’  But, in your better moments, don’t you think it is good that we are strongly challenged, at least once a year, to be generous?

James 5:1ff is one of the most sobering passages in the New Testament.  It warns against the sin of ‘hoarding’ rather than being big-hearted and open-handed with our resources: “Now listen, you rich people [That’s us!], weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you.  [Why?] Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes.  Your gold and silver are corroded…You have hoarded wealth…You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence.  You have fattened yourselves…

This series of indictments is because of the sin of selfishly withholding… being too concerned with our own interests and not concerned enough with advancing the Kingdom of God and meeting the needs of others in the name of Jesus.  This text even compares a hoarder to an oppressor.  We are the children of a giving Heavenly Father who tells us in Galatians 6:9 & 10, “Let us not become weary in doing good…As we have opportunity, let us do good.”  Yes… when we are too busy, that is the time to pray!  And when we feel ‘donor-fatigue,’ that is the time to give!

Pray with me…. Father, we humbly bow in Your presence.  We joyfully submit to the correction and admonition in Your Word! We know it will make us more generous, like You!  In the name of Jesus, amen.

Blessings,
Pastor Ken

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

11/11/13

It seems appropriate to me somehow that Veteran’s Day and Thanksgiving Day are in chronological proximity during the month of November each year… serving as a perpetual reminder for us all to be grateful to God for the freedoms secured by our military veterans, past and present, that we honor on this day.

My personal gratitude is deep and has been renewed every year since the summer I turned 18.  The military draft was in place at the time.  My high school graduating class was the most heavily recruited during the Viet Nam War.  At age 16, I had dedicated my life to fulltime Christian ministry.  I can remember thinking I might have to postpone fulfilling God’s call for a few years if Uncle Sam wanted me.  When I received my Selective Service Registration Card in the mail, it showed that I had been assigned a deferment of 4-d.  As a future theology student, I was considered a ‘conscientious objector.’  What?  I remember thinking, “Wait a minute!  I’m not a conscientious objector!”

Nevertheless, I have always considered that my Crossroads Christian Church brothers: Mike Burkdoll, Dan Oates, Joe Wilhite, Dave Sollars and others in our Pointman ministry, took my place so I could prepare to be a different kind of warrior, fighting a different battle.  And now, almost five decades later, we are all serving side by side as Christian soldiers, a spiritual ‘band of brothers.’  God is good.

Pray with me…. Father God, thank you most of all for your favor to preserve our nation.  And thank you today for the veterans who have sacrificed both life and limb to preserve our freedoms.  We do not take them for granted, but we receive their service with gratitude.  In Jesus’ strong name, amen.

Blessings,
Pastor Ken

Monday, November 4, 2013

11/4/13

On the day the community of Christ-followers was established in Jerusalem, after Peter’s convicting sermon, the assembly with one voice asked in desperation, “What shall we do?”  Peter’s answer was succinct, “Repent and be baptized every one of you.”  So, the question today is simply this...if you are a believer in Jesus and if you are committed to obey Him as Lord, have you taken both of these steps?  You, yes you.  Have you done this?   If not, why not?  This is not business that you want to put off or leave unfinished.  Is this God’s Word for you today?  Is it an accident you are reading this right now?

The origin of baptism:
         1] The example of Jesus                           Matthew 3:13
         2] The command of Jesus                         Matthew 28:19
         3] The command of Peter                         Acts 2:38, Acts 10:47
         4] The example of Paul                            Acts 9:18, Acts 22:16

The candidate for baptism:
         1] One who hears the Gospel                   Acts 18:8
         2] One who believes the Gospel               Mark 16:16
         3] One who repents of their sins               Acts 2:38
         4] One who confesses Christ                    Matthew 10:32

The form of baptism:
         1] It requires much water                         John 3:23
         2] It requires going to the water               Matthew 3:13
         3] It requires going into and coming        Acts 8:38-39
             out of the water                                 
         4] It requires birth, death, burial,              John 3:5, Romans 6:4
             and resurrection                         


The purpose of baptism:
         1] To start a new life                                 Romans 6:4
         2] To put on Christ                                    Galatians 3:27
         3] To enter the Kingdom                           John 3:5
         4] To apply the blood of Jesus                  Romans 6:3
         5] To receive forgiveness of sins              Acts 22:16
         6] To receive the indwelling Holy            Acts 2:38   
             Spirit                                  
         7] To provide salvation                             I Peter 3:21

I want to be used of God to help as many of our people as possible take the important step of baptism, to bring their obedience up to date.  Some churches have a low view of the sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s Supper which Jesus himself instituted.  Crossroads is not one of them.

Pray with me…You, O Lord, are the architect of the plan to reclaim Your lost creation and redeem Your lost people.  We thank You for giving us a way to respond to your grace, to humble our spirits, to express our faith, to be cleansed from sin, to mark the day of our wholehearted commitment.  And so we celebrate our baptism into Christ, and the assurance that you belong to us and we belong to You.  In Jesus’ name, amen.


Blessings,
Pastor Ken