Category: Spiritual Foundation

Politics and Misplaced Hope

11/10/2024

Recently we have just walked through an election, and survived. Elections are time consuming, trying, and tiresome. The difficulty is that in an election process we have a way of looking at our life and seeing all the things that need to be fixed. In our mind they are things that only a political candidate can fix. We just need to choose the correct one, support the correct one and vote for the correct one. In the process we elevate an individual and place our hope in a candidate as the answer to our problems. So what is the solution? First, we need to remember that all people are broken and do not measure up to God’s standard (Romans 3:23). Second, we need to realign our hope. It is easy to trust in the things of power in this life. However, the psalmist David writes that some may trust in military powers, “but we trust in the name of the LORD our God” (Psalm 20:7). Third, we need a consistent message of real hope. If we are a believer in Jesus Christ as our savior, He is to be the source of our hope, and He is to be the source of hope that we declare to others. The winds of cultural change and the ebb and flow of political tides will cause insecurity, questions and even hopelessness. Jesus tells us in Matthew 7:24-27 that when we build our life on Him and His word we will have a secure foundation. There are many people who have incorrectly placed their hope in politics, ideologies, and the things of this life. Our message must not be one of political hope, but of hope in Jesus. Will we be the ones who faithfully carry the message of hope in Christ to those who have built their hope on the wrong foundation?

For More See DANIEL

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Ministry of Character

10/13/2024

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1 Timothy 5:17-25
I have a very quiet old dog. She can be a real character at times. For example when she wants a treat she walks over to me, puts her nose on my hand and just stares at me. Her funny little quirks just make me laugh. However, character goes beyond the external actions to the motivations of the heart. Our character is much like the foundation of a house. It is silently below the surface supporting all that is seen above ground. Character can be described as the individual qualities of a person that are formed deep within the moral fabric of ones life. Our character can be good or bad and that can lead to a good or bad reputation based on our actions. As we open the letter of 1 Timothy, again we hear the wise words of the spiritual elder Paul, instructing Timothy on how to form a ministry based on character. First, Paul notes that dedicated servants of God build dedicated people for God (17-18). Timothy is reminded that the teaching elder is dedicated to serving God and building people for God. Second, the reputation of Godly character is highly treasured otherwise it’s hastily tarnished (19-20). Godly leaders in the church are essential examples of faith and practice for the church. Third, Godly character formed by being faithful to God is a continual practice not an irregular event (21-25). Timothy needed to select and develop faithful Godly leaders who would provide stability for the church. We can be characters or live a life of God honoring character. Are we dedicated to God’s way, building a reputation for living God’s way, and continuing in God’s way? There is an old saying that says, you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. However, God can reshape our character no matter how old we are using His Word, His Spirit and His church if we let Him.

For More See 1 TIMOTHY

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Walk in Spiritual Victory

6/9/2024

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Ephesians 6:10-20
Growing up in the country of snow and ice there was a simple process that was repeated in the fall and spring of each year. That project was changing car tires from summer tires to winter tires. Summer tires were good for dry or perhaps even wet roads, but winter tires were essential for traction in snow, and especially grip on ice. The main difference between winter and summer tires were the steel studs that are installed in the tread that provided control in slippery, ice covered road conditions. In Ephesians 6:10-20 Paul closes out his practical emphasis to the Ephesian church by challenging them to walk in spiritual victory and use the spiritual armor that God provides. Throughout this section of verses Paul describes the battle armor of the Roman soldiers that was known by his audience. Paul uses that that picture of armor to illustrate spiritual truth when dealing with the real enemy, Satan (12). In verse 15 Paul address the feet of the soldier that provide a foundation, direction and stability. Each soldier would strap a sandal to their foot that would have small nails in the soles. These prepared sandals would guard against slipping in battle. Likewise, Paul reminds the Ephesian believers that their security in life and stability in spiritual battle are found only in the gospel of peace (15). The schemes of the devil may be difficult and distracting. However, the one who believes in Jesus as savior finds the ability to remain calm even when under attack. Do we use what God has given to us when facing spiritual battles? We are in a real battle with a real enemy who seeks to destroy us. We need real protection and real power to stand in opposition to the enemy. The good news is that stability is found through trusting Jesus as savior. In Him we find peace in conflict, a firm foundation of grace, and the ability to stand without slipping when under attack.

For More See EPHESIANS

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The Unifying Bond

4/7/2024

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Ephesians 4:1-6
Have you ever glued your fingers together? You may have been working on a project and accidentally gotten some on your fingers. That, is a problem! Glue is not the normal unifying factor for our fingers. Glue on our fingers is a false form of unity. In reality, our fingers are held together and supported by muscles, bones and skin. But, our fingers are not isolated. They are an essential part of our greater body. They must be properly united to the rest of our body for the health and proper functioning of the body. Glue on your fingers is a false form of unity that will not allow proper function. The same is true in the church. In the book of Ephesians, Paul leads the church to understand that unity comes through belief in Christ and what he as done for them on the cross. In writing Ephesians 4:1-6 Paul addresses three important factors of unity. First, our unity to Christ will influence our personal life (1). Paul was writing from prison. He was placed there because of his beliefs and teaching about Jesus. Second, our mutual unity with other believers is practical (2-3). A true believer is Jesus will live a life of faith in Christ through the practice of humility, gentleness and patience with others. Finally, our unity as believers has one foundation, Jesus Christ (4-6). Here, Paul lists seven foundational requirements for unity. Our world will seek unity based on human standards and arbitrary preferences. However, unity within the church, God’s body, is based solely on His work and His standards. Problems in the church arise when we as people decide that our unifying connection is something other than Jesus Christ. By using the glue of false unity we find that our faith has lost its true unifying connection to Christ and the ability to live using His strength and power in our life. May Christ alone be the one that connects and empowers us for His service.

FOR MORE SEE EPHESIANS

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Tolerating Corruption in the Church

3/13/2022

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Revelation 2:18-29
When it was built the old shed was fine, but over the years it gradually fell into decay because it lacked a solid foundation. Having been built right on the ground the floor supports began to rot. I needed a shed, and this building was on the property. I would save a lot of time if I could salvage the foundation. So I went to work and jacked up the building and placed concrete blocks on the ground and good wood on top of the concrete to support the shed. The end result was a revitalized building that is still in use today all because it has a solid foundation. In many ways, I believe that our life can be illustrated by that shed. We need to understand the solid foundation of God’s word so the corruption of the world will not cause our spiritual life to slowly rot away. This was the problem of the church in Thaytira. They did not practice spiritual discernment and slowly fell into decay. Simply put, they tolerated the moral compromise of a sinful woman as leader in the church (20-23). Jesus encouraged those who were faithful (19) to persuade them to continue being faithful (25). Like Thyatira, we need to be discerning about spiritual authority. We need to discern that what is taught follows the authority of scripture. We need to be discerning in our own lives and follow God’s authority. Finally, we need to discern that God is the sole authority in the church. A title and a position that lack the support of God and His word will not provide an example of God’s transformative power or teaching for spiritual change. A church that lacks discernment and discerning people will be a place ripe for the rottenness of sin and decay. Our foundation must be based on Christ and nothing else.

For more see REVELATION

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What is the Church?

7/11/2021

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Matthew 16:13-20
A while ago I was in church setting up for Sunday morning. As I walked into the kitchen a squirrel raced across the counter to the window, down to the floor and under a cabinet. The remainder of the day was spent trying to find him, catch him or at least contain him. The last time that I saw him was when he ran out from under a bench, jumped up on the piano and then raced under the organ. From my perspective and analysis I think he is very interested in music. You see, some churches may have a church mouse, some may have bats in the attic, but we seem to have upgraded to a squirrel in the sanctuary. When we think of church we often define the church by where the church building is located and what happens inside the building. Buildings are a place for the church to meet, but the people are the ones who make up the church. In Matthew 16:13-20 Jesus questions His followers regarding who He is. They responded with the common answers that they heard in society. As we read verse 15 we see that Jesus pushed back and asked, “Who do you say that I am?” Peter answered by stating his belief that Jesus is God sent to be the promised one sent to be the Savior (16). That belief, Jesus says, forms the foundation of the church (18). The church is not a building, though buildings are helpful as places to meet. The church is a place where people are taught and encouraged to live their faith in Christ as they look forward to the day when Christ will return (Hebrews 10:20).

For more see QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

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Politics and Misplaced Hope

Ministry of Character

Walk in Spiritual Victory

The Unifying Bond

Tolerating Corruption in the Church

What is the Church?

Pastor Ken

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