Weekly Devotional(s)

January 20 2012

Darkness, frustration and disappointment are often the songs that ring loudest after the brilliant Christmas lights and joyful carols have faded. The emotional highs of the holidays, can crash to the deepest lows in the long nights of winter. Missed expectations and selfish thoughts overwhelm the positive outlook on life. Negative talk fuels dark thoughts to become like a contagious cancer that eats at the very soul.
Getting caught in a negative train of thought is so easy, making long lists in the mind of all the bad things that are wrong in the world and counting all the problems that are weighing us down. We stand back and let the bright portrait of ourselves be painted over as victims instead of victors, one dark brush stroke at a time. Our problems root deeper into our minds and fuel more negative ideas until they grow so deep we find ourselves in a pit of despair. Our life becomes stuck in a rut full of waist deep mud and we’re sinking fast. I heard that “a rut is just a grave with the ends knocked out,” and I believe it.
Are you there? How do you get out?
First of all, turn off the TV and radio for a few weeks, especially the daily news and talk radio. Broadcasters “sell” the news with negative stories and disasters. Stop hanging around negative people and politely step away when their gossip fans the flames of the negative fires. Stay away from alcohol. Alcohol is a depressant and can fuel the dark thoughts in your mind. Find a way to quiet all the commotion in your life and your mind with exercise, reading and prayer.
In the hymn, Count Your Blessings, written by Johnson Oatman, Jr. in 1897, the blessings God gives can be rediscovered by examining life and the simple necessities:
When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
And you will keep singing as the days go by.
When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings—wealth can never buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.
So, amid the conflict whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.
Take up a pad of paper and a pencil. Make a list of blessings. I’ve taught for many years, that we only really NEED five things to survive in life:
1. Clean, disease free water
2. Nutritious food
3.A roof to cover us from the weather
4.Warmth to keep from freezing
5.Seasonably appropriate clothing
Anything else makes you rich, in the eyes of half the world.
Add your own “blessings” to the list. Here are some to consider:
You can read
Hugs and smiles
Sunshine AND rain
The breeze
The moon
God’s infinite creation
The wonder of how “the very hairs of your head are numbered” by God (Luke 12:7)
Prayer
Keep your list with you for a week and add to it. Tape it to your bathroom mirror. Meditate on it. Thank God for His blessings every day. It takes 21 days to make a bad habit. It takes the same amount of time to establish a new, good habit, so it may take that long to shake off negative feelings.
Do you have the five things needed to survive? Do you have extra blessings? Be content and count your blessings.
The Apostle Paul, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit reminds us:
“Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.” – 1 Timothy 6:6-8
He also said:
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.” – Philippians 4:6-8
Be blessed,
Pastor Jay Merritt
PastorJayMerritt@gmail.com

January 6 2012

Now that the New Year has begun, gyms and weight loss programs have begun their ads in hope that people will turn over a new leaf to get their bodies cleansed – but what about spiritual cleansing? Wouldn’t it be great to start the year with a fresh outlook on life?

There are several eye-opening realities I need to present first, so stay with me as I walk through what is required to have a right relationship with the Creator of the universe.

Reality #1 – God is perfect. Men and women are not.

I hate to break the bad news, but it is impossible for a man or woman to have a right relationship with God, unless they come to this understanding. God’s standards of perfection are so far from our best, it is like the distance from Earth to the nearest star other than our sun – it is impossible for mankind to reach that distance, outside of a miracle. The Bible puts it this way – we all “fall short of the glory of God.” – Romans 3:23. To have a close relationship with God, I must humble myself before Him.

Reality #2 – Just being exposed to this life makes us infected with imperfection.

Human beings have all been exposed to the deadly disease of imperfection. The Bible calls it “iniquity” or “sin.” This imperfection is what separates us from a perfect God. God cannot allow imperfection into His perfect environment. Imagine a scientist in a lab working with deadly viruses, not wearing a protective suit. Not wearing a protective suit would bring certain death. If we approach God’s heaven with sin, we will be expelled.

The good news is that God wants us to be pure so we can be with Him in heaven, and He created a cure. “…the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” – Romans 6:23b.

The Bible says that God has made a way for us to be perfect in His presence. I think of it as a protective suit like the scientists wear when they work with deadly viruses. The Bible says, “…let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.” – Romans 13:12b-14. By putting on the perfection of Jesus, God does not see our imperfection. This is what is meant by the idea that Jesus washes all our sins away.

Reality #3 – The righteousness found in Jesus is the cure for sin.

The only antidote for the disease of sin is to put on the purity of Jesus. It is a free gift from God to you! It is a gift that can’t be left under the tree. To have a relationship with God, this gift must be received, opened, and “put on.”

Reality #4 – No payment or good deeds are required to be saved from sin.

Jesus purchased this gift with His sacrifice on the cross. In church language, it is called being “redeemed by the blood.” Here’s the part that people miss: the punishment for your sins is already paid for, and there is nothing you have to do. The Bible says, “God demonstrates His own love for us, in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us!” – Romans 5:8. Notice the exclamation point? If I think I have to earn my way into God’s graces, why did Jesus have to die?

Religion, church membership, paying penance, your family – none of them can save you. Only the love of Jesus can save you.

Jesus said, “Behold I stand at the door and knock, if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him…” – Revelation 3:20a. Is Jesus knocking on your heart’s door? Believe in Him. Ask Him to come in to your heart by faith.

Begin your life anew TODAY:

Step #1 – Admit that you are a sinner.

Step #2 – Understand that sin will keep you from God’s presence for eternity.

Step #3 – Ask God to forgive you of your sins and save you from them.

Romans 10:9,10 “…If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, you shall be saved; for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.”

Romans 10:13 “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved!”

Step #4 – Stop sinning and live your life for God.

Step #5 – Find a good church.

God will help you. He loves you.

Pastor Jay Merritt

Pastor@MannaLeland.org

December 16 2011

Though Joseph worked hard as a carpenter all of his life, none of his handiwork survived—just his name, his reputation and his legacy: the child he raised that wasn’t even his. Why didn’t God choose another Joseph?

There was Joseph son of Antipater, the brother of Herod the Great and a high ranking soldier. If God chose him, Jesus would have been raised as a man of power, prestige, privilege—a leader, conqueror and warrior.

Or God could have chosen Joseph of Arimathea, a rich, high ranking council member of the Sanhedrin. With this Joseph as his father, Jesus might have been raised as a man without need or want, a man who could sway opinion and influence political compromise with just a glance.

Then there was Joseph Caiaphas, a high priest of the Jews, a man who could insight riots as well as worship. In his house, Jesus might have been raised to be a man in control of the Temple of God, and a man in control of Jerusalem itself.

But God chose Joseph of Nazareth, a man from a place of which was said, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?”—John 1:46. By choosing Joseph of Nazareth, Jesus was raised in a common town—a lowly place that lacked culture—with a rude dialect and an immoral, irreligious and unethical reputation.

God chose the poor carpenter, Joseph, whose offering at the Temple was just two doves. Through Mary, Joseph would father at least two daughters, four natural sons and one supernatural son—Jesus.

When we discuss the birth of Jesus, we cannot forget that no man, including Joseph, ever touched Mary. If Jesus was conceived of any means other than a virgin birth, Jesus’ blood would have lost its purity, and we would remain in our sins.

Can you image the difficult decisions Joseph had to make, even before Jesus was born? In today’s society, he may have insisted that Mary get an abortion, because they weren’t married and the baby wasn’t his. In Joseph’s society, he had a right to have Mary stoned to death for her presumed adultery.

C. S. Lewis wrote, “The grounds for belief and disbelief are the same today as they were two thousand or ten thousand years ago. If Joseph had lacked faith to trust God or humility to perceive the holiness of his spouse, he could have disbelieved in the miraculous origin of her Son as easily as any modern man; and any modern man who believes in God can accept the miracle as easily as Joseph did.”

Consider all that Joseph had to overcome: His fiancé became pregnant. The whole town wanted him to disown her. An angel came and revealed the whole truth. He had to make the arduous 80 mile trek of many days from Nazareth to Bethlehem, with a pregnant wife and a donkey. When he arrived, there was nowhere for them to stay, since family members had probably rejected them. They gave birth to their first child without a nurse, a hospital, or sterile facilities. Imagine how afraid they would be! Imagine the courage of Joseph, the man God chose.

Then the lowly shepherds came, describing how supernatural messengers had told them Joseph’s child was the Christ—the savior of the world. Later royal visitors would come, bearing fantastic gifts and describing a miraculous star that led them to Joseph’s child.

Their peaceful lives were broken when another holy messenger came to Joseph to warn him of Herod’s plot to kill Jesus. Joseph obeyed, packed up his family and fled to Egypt until Herod’s death, all the while, raising Jesus in the faith and loving him as his own son.

Joseph gives us a beautiful picture of adoption and is an example of how God the Father loves all who believe in Him. This is why God chose Joseph.

“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”—John 1:12-13

This year, as we think about Christmas, remember Joseph, whose example of adoption reflects the heavenly example of God, who desires to be our father—your father, through spiritual adoption.

“…you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God…” – Romans 8:15-16

This is why Jesus came.

December 2 2011

John the Baptist never did a miracle, never spoke in tongues, never fed 3000, never preached to thousands in a stadium, yet Jesus said of him, ”Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist;” – Matthew 11:11

John the Baptist said – “He must increase, but I must decrease.” – John 3:30

In this one verse I find what is so special about John the Baptist and I see a recurring theme of humility and selflessness running throughout the Bible.

As an American, this whole concept is foreign. We are taught to lift ourselves up by our own bootstraps, be all that we can be, climb higher, run faster, make more, exceed your goal, win at all costs.

While Americans are striving for the most, God is telling us to strive to be the least.

Jesus said – “But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” – Mark 10:31.

“…whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all.” – Mark 10:43b

As we die to our self-will, that is choose to do God’s will instead of our own, we will naturally become focused on others. Our focus will first be on Jesus, then on other people.

Yes the Bible says “I can do all things,” but it adds “through Christ who strengthens me.” – Philippians 4:13

Author David Chappel wrote, “Ask any Christian, ‘Do you want Christ to be glorified?’ and the answer will, of course, be “Yes!” But consider what this answer cost John the Baptist. Christ increasing meant that John’s influence and ministry was decreasing! It’s easy to say we want Christ to be exalted, but are we willing for His exaltation to come at our expense? We naturally rebel at losing anything we hold dear—including our pride, but death to self is the only way we can truly exalt Christ.”

Jesus says that we must die to our “self” – Matt 16:24-26 “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?”

It is not until we let our selfish ambitions die, will we truly live, flourish and multiply.

Jesus uses a kernel of grain as a an example: John 12:24- 26 “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.”

Be careful not to confuse “dying to self” with eastern mysticism’s idea of “emptying yourself”. All meditation leaves is an empty vessel – an “empty self”. Jesus is talking about death, which leads to life. Jesus calls it being “born again.”

The Apostle Paul captured this in Galatians 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”

Author John Gregory Mantle wrote, “There is a great difference between realizing, ‘On that Cross He was crucified for me,’ and ‘On that Cross I am crucified with Him.’ The one aspect brings us deliverance from sin’s condemnation, the other from sin’s power.”

Many have accepted Christ’s sacrifice on the cross and His shed blood for atonement of sins. But have they been “crucified with Him?”

As we look into the mirror of God’s Word and study ourselves, through the scripture, we recognize ourselves in the descriptions of sin. We see ourselves oh so plainly.

But if we let the mirror of God’s word teach us and cleanse us and mold us into His likeness – we will see the image of ourselves decrease, and the image of Christ in us, increase.

This is what John the Baptist did when he stated “He must increase and I must decrease.” John was an ordinary man, not unlike you and me, who gave himself to serving God and won the praise of Jesus himself.

We cannot call Him “Lord” if we are still in charge.

Pastor Jay Merritt

November 18 2011

Standing anxiously next to my mom, my 4 year old little feet fidgeted inside my red sneakers as the nice wrinkled lady standing across from me offered a cookie from a plate she was holding. I jumped forward, grabbed one, and ran back to my mother’s side, hiding behind her long blue plaid skirt. My mother nudged me, “What do you say?” With a mouthful of cookie I mumbled, “Thank you,” barely casting a glance at my benefactor, seeking out for where the toys were hiding instead.

While this is considered cute and childish, isn’t this what we do on Thanksgiving Day?

We hover around the kitchen as great aromas waft in the air, trying to avoid the evil glances from the cooks as they stress to get all of the traditional favorites made to perfection at the exact same time. We barely avoid the slap on the hand as we try to sample a little morsel dangling near the edge of a platter. To kill the time, we flip through the parades on TV- with their floats, balloons, bands, dancers, singers, clowns, and elves dressed in red. We sort through the paper to find out when the first football game will come on and memorize the channel listing. We check which stores are going to be open early on Friday and what the specials are- while calculating if the savings are worth fighting the crowds. We quickly prepare the table with napkins, plates, beverages, and utensils – getting more anxious with each minute that passes, hoping that dinner does not interfere with the kickoff.

Finally, the meal is ready. We grab a plateful and run back to our place at the table. We mumble a quick, “Thank you,” while in just a few minutes, we wolf down the delicacies that took hours to prepare. Then we run to the TV, just in time for the first whistle, leaving the mess behind.

If this is all we have to be thankful for, it is no wonder our country is in distress.

Abraham Lincoln, in the midst of national unrest, proclaimed a national day of thanksgiving. After recollecting the great many blessings bestowed on our nation, he wrote this:

“No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and voice by the whole American people. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to his tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility and Union.“ – Abraham Lincoln (Proclamation Establishing Thanksgiving Day, October 3, 1863).

Look at all the components Lincoln specified in his proclamation:

To set apart a day.
Humble ourselves before God and acknowledge Him.
Give Thanks to God.
Give Praise to God.
Seek forgiveness for personal/national perverseness and disobedience.
Think about the widows, orphans, mourners and those who are suffering.
Ask God to heal the wounds of our nation.
Ask God to restore our nation.

This is more than a mere “thank you” while we have our mouthful of goodies and our mind on other things.

It should be a day as spoken by God, “if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayer made in this place.” – 2 Chronicles 7:14-15

Will you share this with your family Thanksgiving Day?

Pastor Jay Merritt

(image is from http://www.watton.org/clipart/prayer/prayer.shtml and marked as “free”. Please crop, resize or omit as needed.)

November 4 2011

There’s an American tradition that was introduced in the late 1800’s that has many striving for the wrong goal – retirement. While some may find it appealing to quit the world and sit on the front porch in a rocking chair, or play golf for 20 years, I do not find any references in the Bible to support such goals.

The Bible speaks about this attitude, “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!” – 2 Timothy 3: 1-5

The Bible does not speak about people of faith retiring from service, in fact it says the opposite in James 2:20 “But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?”

When Jesus was born, Mary and Joseph found a wonderful woman named Anna, still serving the Lord well into her 80’s, “She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.” – Luke 2:36-37

Time is the most precious gift God has given us outside of salvation through Jesus Christ. If we are able to work all of our life to finally be able to spend each day free of the burden of a time clock, may I suggest that we all turn our efforts toward serving God and man with that free time as Anna did.

Consider several other “senior citizens” like Anna from Bible history:

Noah lived over half his life before he had kids. God called Noah to build the ark AFTER Noah’s kids were born. None of us would be here today if Noah had told God, “I’ve done my time, find someone else.” He was old, but he did not quit!

Moses was a great leader who did not get the call to rescue the slaves from Egypt until he was 80 years old. He worked another 40 years after parting the Red Sea, to lead God’s people to the shores of the Promised Land. When he died, “His eyes were not dim nor his natural vigor diminished.” – Deuteronomy 34:7

Caleb was 85 years old when he was among the few of the older generation to enter the Promised Land. He said of himself, “As yet I am as strong this day as on the day that Moses sent me; just as my strength was then, so now is my strength for war, both for going out and for coming in.” – Joshua 14:11. He not only reached his goal, but continued to fight for many years to defend what God had given them.

I am acquainted with an older gentleman who reminds me of Caleb. He is 84 years old, still has a business card and is ready to work in a moments notice. He volunteers at the local food pantry, is faithful to his church and he gives God all the glory for his long life. I find him to be very a great example of this teaching.

In churches across America I hear our great generation of seniors reciting from the same playbook, “I paid my dues. I’m not serving anymore.” After 40 years of Christian service, our seniors are quitting. I exhort you – DON’T QUIT SERVING GOD! The next generation needs your wisdom. Bite your tongue if the music, clothing and decoration is not your style, but speak loudly with your Godly and Biblical experience. Work alongside the pastor, not against him. After 40 years in Church you are old enough to feed rather than waiting to be fed.

Why did God put us through all the experiences and trials in our long lives? So “…that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” – 2 Corinthians 1:4. I know that I could not minister to someone who had lost their mother, until I had lost mine. I could not minister to someone who is jobless unless I had become suddenly without a job. Think of all the experiences and comfort you can share if you don’t quit!

Likewise, we cannot teach of the forgiveness of God, unless we ourselves have experienced it.

Be able to say “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” – 1 Timothy 4:7

Pastor Jay Merritt

October 28

The Bible does not speak about people of faith retiring from service, in fact it says the opposite in James 2:20 “But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?”

Consider several other “senior citizens” like Anna from Bible history:

Likewise, we cannot teach of the forgiveness of God, unless we ourselves have experienced it.

Be able to say “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” – 1 Timothy 4:7

Pastor Jay Merritt

October 21 2011

Compared to other countries, America has a great deal of choices available. In another land, if you can find a grocery store, it may only have bulk items in the open air. Brand names, plastic wrap and cardboard containers and FDA stickers are nowhere to be seen. Americans have multiple choices for everything from cell phones to trash services. It is in the challenge of making the right choice that we often fail to grasp the consequences of our actions.
On a mission trip to Paraguay, I saw an interesting consequence of the abundance of choices. Our small group took a boat up the Paraguay River to minister to the local Guaraní people with health care professionals and a local pastor. At the first village we found a meek group of families living in very modest quarters. Their sturdy homes were made of items they found in nature. Most had dirt floors and none had electricity, yet all of them were healthy and well fed from products found on the land and in the river. Their children were happy and all attended a school that was built by missionaries. We had a joyful time playing, eating, ministering and telling stories. In their secluded place in the world, there was very little influence from the outside world.
The second day, we travelled further up the river to visit another group living at a cattle ranch. Their homes were well built wooden structures left behind by the previous owners of the land, which was once a timber company, before the trees were all removed. There was electricity, running water, gas powered vehicles – and multiple choices of vices. There was no school for the children, yet there was greater opportunity for work and income, which gave them greater choices to pollute their bodies and the land. The health problems in this place were as diverse as the choices for a variety of vices.
Between the two villages, the simpler, less complicated life seemed to be healthier and happier, because there were fewer choices to sin.
Look at the complicated story of King David in the Bible. He had climbed to the top where others were fighting his battles for him. David chose to stay home and hang out on the balcony to watch the pretty ladies bathe on the rooftops on a warm summer evening. The consequences of this one choice led to other bad choices which triggered an unending chain of events.
1)David stayed home instead of going to battle (2 Samuel 11:1).
2)Watched Bathsheba bathe (2 Samuel 11:2).
3)Invited her to his home and slept with her, even though he knew she was married (2 Samuel 11:4).
4)Tried to cover up his sin (2 Samuel 11:13).
5)Murdered Bathsheba’s husband with the stroke of a pen (2 Samuel 11:14-15).
6)Bathsheba had to choose a coffin for her husband (2 Samuel 11:26).
7)David had to choose a coffin for their baby (2 Samuel 12:19).
8)David’s son Amnon slept with David’s daughter Tamar (2 Samuel 13:11-14).
9)Tamar’s life is ruined (2 Samuel 13:20).
10)David chose to do nothing about it (2 Samuel 13:21).
11)David’s son, Absalom, ordered the murder of Amnon because of Tamar (2 Samuel 13:22, 28-29)
12)David’s house was divided (2 Samuel 14:28 – 15:6).
13)Absalom tried to take over the kingdom (2 Samuel 15:10-13).
14)David chose to abandon Jerusalem (2 Samuel 15:23)
15)Ahitophel,Bathsheba’s grandfather/Absalom and David’s counselor, hanged himself in the confusion (2 Samuel 17:23).
16)Absalom died trying to dethrone David (2 Samuel 18:9-15).
17)David’s grandchildren warred among themselves and divided the kingdom (1 Kings 12:20).
David’s first choice to sin was against God. The consequences of his sin continued well beyond his death, even to today.
Are you following God’s plan or your own ill-conceived choices? How is that working for you?
I challenge you to make a choice today, with the same challenge Joshua gave - “And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” (Joshua 24:15)
Pastor Jay Merritt

October 7 2011

All of us have worked alongside complainers and encouragers. I prefer encouragers. The Bible has a record of a great encourager who was instrumental in getting the early church started: Joses.
The Bible does not say when Joses became a believer in Jesus, but he was well known by the apostles, for they nick-named him Barnabas, which means Son of Encouragement, (Acts 4:36). In Acts 4:37 we see that he was a generous man, for he sold some of his land and gave to the apostles, to further the cause of Christ. How encouraging it must have been to the apostles when they received this gift.
In my opinion, if Barnabas had not followed God’s call, much of Europe and Asia might not have heard the Gospel. He was instrumental in identifying, encouraging, and introducing perhaps the world’s greatest evangelist to the apostles: Paul.
Paul had had a tough time. Before Paul’s conversion, Paul had been a persecutor of the followers of Jesus. After Paul’s conversion, he preached in Damascus, to inform the Jews about Jesus being the Christ, but they wanted to kill him for saying such things. Paul escaped in the middle of the night with little more than the clothes on his back (Acts 9:23-25) and fled to Jerusalem.
Paul tried to join with the rest of the believers in Jerusalem, but they were all afraid of him and thought the whole story of his conversion was a lie (Acts 9:26). It was then, in Jerusalem, that Paul ran into Barnabas, the “Son of Encouragement,” who grabbed Paul by the arm and took him to meet Peter, James and the other apostles, where Barnabas encouraged the apostles to let Paul into their group (Acts 9:27).
Paul may have quit if it wasn’t for this chance meeting. The Jews wanted to kill him. The young Christian community didn’t believe him – except for Barnabas. Not only was Barnabas an encourager, but he also had courage to take Paul in, when no one else would.
How many of us have done the opposite of what Barnabas did? We hear of the miraculous conversion of a person whose soul we wrote off as lost long ago, and we scoff in disbelief. All we can think of is the old person and can’t focus on the possibilities that God can create for every new believer. As the Bible shows, through the example of Barnabas, it is better to err on the side of belief, than to let a new believer get lost in discouragement.
The Lord began doing great things in a place called Antioch in Syria. There was a group of Jewish believers in Jesus and a group of Greek believers. The apostles sent Barnabas to Antioch alone, without Paul, to encourage them in the Lord (Acts 11:23). If you look closely at the specific encouragement he gave, it was “with purpose of heart” to remain true to the Lord. I think he was telling the believers that their faith needed to be “on purpose” and not by happenstance. He could also have been thinking that discouraging people and circumstances would come one day, and if their faith was not in a place of priority in their hearts and minds, it could easily be toppled if it was not on a secure foundation.
Because Barnabas was “a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith,” “a great many people were added to the Lord.” – Acts 11:24.
Paul had been debating with the Greeks in Jerusalem so heatedly, that they tried to kill him there, too. Luckily the believers rescued him and sent him back to his home town of Tarsus where he would be safe. Paul was sent home because his preaching style was too disruptive. How discouraging! But here’s the beautiful thing: Barnabas went out of his way, 250 miles round trip, to pull Paul back into the ministry, in Antioch.
It seems that this second round of encouragement from Barnabas is what Paul needed. The two of them taught and preached together for a full year. In this place, where the evangelist and the encourager worked side by side, the followers of Jesus were first called Christians (Acts 11:26).
Barnabas was generous, full of “on purpose” faith, went out of his way to encourage, was a team player, and never gave up on people. Today’s followers of Christ will have a tough time living up to the same name he was given – Christian.
Who will you encourage today?

Pastor Jay Merritt

September 23 2011

Tongue in cheek, I’ve often said that “change is a constant” in this world. But something that will never change, are the attributes of God. God does not change.
Many in the world today only believe in a loving and benevolent grandfather image of God, who wants to bounce us on His knee and grant every wish we can conjure up. There are others who only preach that God hates sinners and is punishing America at this moment for those sins that do not match God’s high standards.
In review of the facts in the Bible – these are both distortions of the true attributes of the God I know, love and defend.
While studying Paul’s writings in Romans 1:16-2:11, I recently found a distinct and balanced description of God’s attributes that we must all grasp. God is a righteous and impartial judge. In the image portrayed by the scripture, an all loving and benevolent God sits at a seat of judgment, assuring that all who sin must pay the penalty of their actions.
“[God] will render to each one according to his deeds: eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil.” – Romans 2:6-9
In this study, I saw a righteous judge, leveling the playing field and coming down on three specific human behaviors.
The first human behavior God abhors is “suppressing the truth” (Romans 1:18). The implication is that mankind knows what is expected, yet chooses to redefine God’s standards, even to the point of redefining God. As I interpret verse 19, God has written His standards into our internal design, as well as His creation. He has put His attributes on the inside and the outside so we are without excuse. “For since the creation of the world,” the Bible says, “His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.” – Romans 1:20
The scripture continues, “although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools.” – Romans 1:21-22. Arrogant mankind willfully slides into sin when we think we are smarter than God.
The second behavior God abhors is unbridled sin. Once mankind “[exchanges] the truth of God for the lie” (Romans 1:25), God “gives us up” to a spiral of sin which ultimately leads to God’s judgment and wrath. In the nearly “X-rated” portrait of sin that is described in verses 26-31, I see a picture of twenty-first century America. Virtually every deep dark secret harbored in the minds and actions of our citizens is described in living color. Many of these sins are celebrated in parades, pumped into our living rooms on TV and internet cables, and defended in our courts as a “right” for all who live here. This land that I love and call home has adopted the Bill of Rights as a higher standard than the Holy Word of God.
The third behavior God abhors is the judgmental attitude of His followers. He says in Romans 2:1-2 “You are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things.” I see this as a warning to believers, and those who feel they are immune to these teachings and look down on those who have strayed.
Finally, the Bible reinforces God’s loving and forgiving attributes which we should also know: “His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering,” which “leads you to repentance” (Romans 2:4). This is the good news of the Bible. While we all fall short of God’s expectations and all deserve His righteous judgment, He has made a way for us to have eternal fellowship with Him. This “good news” is, according to Romans 1:16, “the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes.”
All of us have sinned. We all deserve God’s wrath. None of us has, or can ever, earn our way into His favor. Salvation is being reconciled back to God’s favor. Paul reminds us, “… the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, ‘The just shall live by faith.’” – Romans 1:17
God will not change His attributes. We must a make a decision to change direction and meet God where He stands, through faith in His son.

By Jay Merritt

comments please email us at mail@theLNR.com

Sept 9 2011

I remember September 11th, 2001 receiving a news bulletin from CNN saying that a small airplane may have crashed into the World Trade Center in New York. It was one of those “I’m sorry for thinking that” moments when I recall all the cynical things going through my mind at the time.
My dad was visiting and we were going to the flea market, 20 minutes from home. During our drive to the market, I mentioned the news about the “idiot who crashed into the tower” earlier that morning. The gravity of the day did not hit, even when we started hearing more about the towers from people at the market. We continued to walk around, until we saw a crowd gathered at one of the booths. Someone had a TV playing a live news broadcast. We stood at the fringe of the small crowd, watching the towers burn and crash to the ground.
Someone said that they were going to close the schools. We had to quickly get back to the house, to be there for the kids when they got off the bus. I still see the horror on everyone’s faces at the market as we all dropped what we were doing to tend to our highest priorities. All day the phone lines were overloaded as we all tried to get a dial tone to call loved ones.
I was not comfortable seeing and feeling the fighter jets screaming up and down the coast and the A10 Warthogs and Apache helicopters continue the patrols for weeks later. We made a plan to leave if the action got too close. I remember my fear, the silence on the streets, tending to priorities, not knowing, not understanding – just waiting.
We watched the news all night and saw firsthand the tragedy – the dust, the faces, and cries of “Oh my God!”
I was crushed, hearing the stories of the first responders who rushed in while others were rushing out. Entire squads were lost – my heart broke as I imagined the grief of their families.
Loved ones of the lost taped pictures to walls and windows around ground zero, unwilling to give up hope. Within hours, crowds of fearless, determined people gathered to rescue those buried alive in that massive pile of smoldering rubble. Truckloads of donated food and water lined the streets as the entire nation fought for the cause. Crowds cheered the brave heroes along the way, encouraging the rescue workers, hoping and praying for one more to be found alive. America wept and cheered.
And then the work suddenly stopped. Every worker from every trade froze in place. The jack hammers – silent. The welders and torches – silent. Every engine, every voice paused, as each flag draped body made its way from the debris onto the street.
The president grabbed a bullhorn, shouting, “We will find those who are responsible!”
The places of worship were overwhelmed with people yearning to seek the truth and change their priorities.
I remember a nation united.
The first attacks on Afghanistan brought with them the new words Taliban and al-Qaeda. This was a new kind of war. We were not fighting a country with borders, but an idea. Their idea is that sinners must be eradicated and killing them deserves reward. That’s what brought about the attack on 9/11.
On that day, 19 terrorists selfishly committed suicide in hate for something they believed in, and changed the world in a negative way. 2000 years ago, Jesus chose 12 men who unselfishly gave their lives in love, and changed the world in a dramatic and positive way. Which way is right?
I have concluded that this is a spiritual battle, one that has already been fought and won. Remember what Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” – John 15:13. Jesus did just that. He laid down His life on the cross in love, for a world full of sinners. He died for those who believe in Him, but He also died for his enemies, those who drove the nails into His hands and feet and Yes, He even died for the sins of the terrorists, so that they might believe. Jesus preached to “love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.” – Matthew 5:44
Remember, 100 years from now when we have passed into infinity- “now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” – 1 Corinthians 13:13
Now, more than ever, we must unite in love.

August 19 2011

I grew up without a lot of church knowledge, or unique church language. When I came into the church, I found that there are a lot of terms that are used only in church. One word in particular has a completely different meaning inside the church. In my experience outside of church the term “grace” or “graceful” was a term for how a dancer performed or how a horse moved. When I would dine with some of the neighbors, they would often “say grace” before we would be allowed to eat. It wasn’t until I started attending church that I began to hear of “amazing grace.”
So what is it that makes grace so amazing?
When I lived in Arizona, I met a retired cowboy named Dave Long who said, “Once I got a lasso around that grace, I just climbed aboard and hung on!”
In his song “How He Loves”, John Mark McMillion describes God’s grace this way – “If grace is an ocean, we’re all sinking.”
I believe that grace is probably the most important term in the Bible. It surpasses all the rules and regulations. It is greater than all the parables and proverbs. Simply, without grace, there is no salvation.
The first time the word grace is used in the Bible, is to describe Noah (Genesis 6:8) “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.”
God was upset with all of creation after Adam and Eve were expelled from the garden. God wanted to completely start over, except for Noah and his family. If you read the 5th and 6th chapters of Genesis, you will see that Noah did not do anything special. He just got older and had three sons. But still, he “found grace in the eyes of the Lord.” It wasn’t until later that Noah was called on by God to build the ark and gather all the animals on board, and save the human race.
God spoke similar words to another man who had been raised up in the house of God’s enemy. He was a murderer, a fugitive of justice. Yet God told him (Exodus 33:17), “… you have found grace in my sight.” Who was this man? God spoke these words to Moses, just after Moses broke the two tablets on which God had written the 10 commandments. It wasn’t until later, that Moses showed his people the promised land.
To Paul, who was an enemy of all Christianity, who condoned the death of Stephen, who chased down believers and imprisoned them, God said (2 Corinthians 12:9) “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”
Imperfect people, living in an imperfect world, need God’s perfect grace. As I understand it, God’s grace is the measure of His love He gives and continues to give. But more than just love, grace is the gift of forgiveness wrapped in love.
It is by this grace we are pulled back to God. Ephesians 2:8 says “For by grace you have been saved…”
OK. Let’s get this straight. Noah did not do anything special and got grace. Moses did all kinds of bad things and got grace. Paul was an enemy of Christ and got grace. Can anyone receive grace? Since it says grace is what saves us, I think we all could use a heaping helping of it!
Ephesians 2:8 continues with two words, “For by grace you have been saved, THROUGH FAITH…”
Through faith? Faith in what? Faith in who?
Romans 10:9 if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
Simply, when you have faith in Jesus Christ, God’s Amazing Grace will be poured out upon you! Grace is God’s mercy. Grace is God’s undeserved favor.
Look at Ephesians 2:8 again: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God”

August 5

As I travel, I have a bad habit of driving by church buildings and commenting “that’s a pretty church,” “that’s a huge church, ”or “that’s a tiny church.” I say it’s a bad habit, because the brick and mortar building is not “the church.” The people who attend church services are the “living stones” that make up the house of worship.

Peter said, in 1 Peter 2:5 “you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house.”

As I let my imagination run wild, I wonder what I would see when I drive by a church if I could see the spiritual condition instead of the physical walls. I know Jesus had a similar experience in Matthew 23:27, when he shouted down the leaders of God’s Temple and called them clean on the outside but dead and filthy on the inside.

If I could see their spiritual condition, I wonder how many churches I drive by would have a smoking section, or a bar in the back.

I wonder how many would have choirs that sing about sleeping around, going fishing instead of working, and hanging around with their best drinking buddies.

I wonder how many would be spray painted with profanity, curse at the children in Sunday School, display pornography on their big screen projectors, or have extra-marital affairs portrayed on stage?

I wonder how many would have a library of romance novels and books with non-biblical, self-help teaching in their libraries?

I wonder how many would be paying for and playing cable television to run 24 hours a day in their nursery and children’s church and give the kids the remote?

I wonder how many would preach from the pulpit that they really don’t believe in God but that they are just there for the networking and business opportunities?

You may say my thinking is a bit off key, but do you ever wonder what God sees?

I think many churches would have to rename themselves “Ichabod,” meaning: “the glory has departed.” (1 Samuel 4:21)

YOU ARE GOD’S BUILDING!

1 Corinthians 3:9 For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building.

When I look at a Christian walking or driving down the street, or working in a shop, I should be able to make my comments about the church being strong or not because the PEOPLE ARE THE CHURCH. “That church allows smoking.” “That church does not treat children fair.” “That church is not open on Sunday.” “That church does not use the Bible.” Would people want to attend you?

THE HOLY SPIRIT LIVES IN YOU!

1 Corinthians 3:16 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?

I consider the Holy Spirit to be a house guest, dwelling in me, who needs to be treated as royalty. I have been a guest in some houses where I have been welcomed, well cared for and loved. I am sorry to leave because of the love that is given and I feel better for having visited.

I have been in some houses, however, where the owners go about their lives as if I was not even there, choking me out with their bad habits, filthy environment, loud behavior, rude comments and un-holy entertainment. After awhile, I find an excuse to leave so I don’t have to endure the discomfort anymore.

I personally believe the Holy Spirit is the same way. I think a person may ask Him into his or her life, but if certain changes are not made, what the Bible calls “repentance,” the Spirit may choose to leave the house empty and the person is worse off than before (Matthew 12:43-45).

YOU NEED TO BE HOLY!

1 Corinthians 3:17 If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.

There are certain things we do not allow in church buildings: cursing, profane images, ungodly teaching, sexual temptation, smoking and drinking. We do this because, for at least one hour a week, people can come for a haven of rest.

Ephesians 5:18-20 – And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

We should to treat every hour of every day as “church service”

Ro 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

July 22 2011

Wouldn’t it be cool to receive a text message from God everyday to give you insights on how you are doing and what He would like you to do? I recently downloaded an “app” for my phone that has the complete Bible on it, in 25 different English versions. I found several services online that will text or e-mail a new Bible verse to me every day. I also have a “gadget” on my computer that gives me a fresh Bible verse right on my screen. I have at least 5 different print Bibles on the shelf in my study and another 5 computer programs from which I can read and study God’s Word. I can bring up Bible web pages from all over the world to see what it says and what people have written about it. On the radio, I can tune to several stations that preach the Word 24 hours a day. Even with all these resources available, the reality is that people have stopped reading their Bibles and seeking guidance from God’s Word.

I see truth in the words of the Old Testament prophet Amos who wrote (Amos 8:11-12), “Behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord GOD, “That I will send a famine on the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD. They shall wander from sea to sea, and from north to east; they shall run to and fro, seeking the word of the LORD, But shall not find it.”

How can this be true? The Bible is still a best seller and is available in thousands of languages. From experience, people are just not getting into the Bible and letting the Word get into them. They are reading every other “self-help” book on the market and let their Bible collect dust. There is a big difference between praying to receive God’s insights and actually seeing God’s insights in print.

I’ve spoke with many people who believe that they are praying, meditating and contemplating to a “god” who gives them comfort and peace. I don’t have a problem with this discipline, as long as reading a passage of the Holy Bible is part of it. Seeking God and His everlasting Peace through prayer alone is like leading yourself on a path without a map or compass.

Jesus spoke about a wide path that leads to destruction and there are many who travel on it (Matthew 7:13). He implies in later passages that there are leaders who contradict God’s Word, but they stand and proclaim themselves to be God’s spokesperson.

Jesus says in Matthew 7:21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.”

The key here is to DO the will of the Father. But how does one know God’s will if His Word isn’t read?

Joshua wrote (Joshua 1:8), “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”

There’s that word DO again: “observe and DO all that is written” in God’s Word. Not what the guy on the radio says. Not what the best-selling author says. Not what the guy who speaks at the big mega-church on TV says. “DO WHAT IS WRITTEN.”

I like what happened in the book of Acts where Paul and Silas were teaching. After they taught it says (Acts 17:11), “they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” They did not trust the messenger. They searched God’s Word DAILY to make sure what was being taught by Paul and Silas was true.

Here lies the problem. We are so eager for some new and fresh teaching, that we wander off the path in our search, and get caught up in a snare of a believable leader who tickles our ears with fancy talk which is not based on God’s Word. I spoke to a former follower of cult leader Jimmy Jones who told me the first thing Jones did to control the flock in the 1960’s, was to throw out the Bible.

People are, as Paul says in 2 Timothy 3:7 “always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

A good leader should be pointing his or her flock to the Truth of God’s Word. A good leader should be pointing to a saving knowledge of God’s Grace. A good leader should be pointing to Jesus and then get out of the way.

July 5 2011

The cool mountain rain drums against the taught nylon tent above my head as I lay on my dry sleeping bag inside, waiting for the storm to pass. The lightning plays a psychedelic light show on the fabric dome as the thunder rolls from the top of the mountain to the valley below. I half imagine myself as an early settler to the area, wondering what it is that is making the frightening noises and disturbing my peaceful slumber.

As I lay quietly, a tiny ant nibbles at my ankle.

My mind is set spinning by the science of God’s great creation. I wonder how I can hear the thunder and the rush of the wind and rain in the trees. What is it that allows me to see the flashes of light in the darkness? Why can I feel the ant? How can I even think about the things that I think about? Yes, I have faith that the neurons, synapses and endocrine systems are all working in symphony, because of the science, but that simple faith gives way to the deeper faith of the order created out of chaos.

The thought smashes through my brain that My God and Creator, with the stroke of His hand, encoded the very spiral strands of DNA within EVERY CELL inside me to see, feel, hear and do! The precise and delicate program He has written makes me who I am, instead of being a mindless ant.

In 1637, the French philosopher René Descartes wrote, “I think, therefore I am.” God said, “I Am that I Am” (Exodus 3:14), which I like to read as, “I AM God and you are not.” All the thinking and reasoning will not make a person exist, unless God made it so.

Here is a brief description of our Creator from the words of the Bible:

John 1:1-4 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.

Colossians 1:15-17 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.

When the weather clears and the storm clouds fade away into the darkness, I leave the fabric dome of my shelter to witness the dome of the night sky. The magnificence of His artwork is splashed upon the darkness. I imagine myself launching out into His great universe, away from the problems of this world to seek His face in the infinity of space. While I cannot fathom the infinite size of the universe, as big as that is, I know God is not only its creator, but He is bigger. I look backwards to my home, but realize even the star around which the Earth revolves is engulfed in a sea of stars.

It makes me feel so small. How is it that the One who is capable of this kind of work can still know me in the smallest detail? It is Jesus, the One described in John 1 and Colossians 1, who said in Matthew 10:30, “The very hairs of your head are all numbered.”

Recently a local preacher reminded me that believers in Jesus will inherit all that belongs to God. Then the preacher opened my eyes by reminding me that this includes the moon, planets and the stars, too! Heaven is not going to be a boring time. I’m going to visit ALL of God’s creation, even to galaxies that have never been seen by the very best of man’s creations – even if it takes a billion years!

Psalm 8:3-5 When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained, What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him? For You have made him a little lower than the angels, And You have crowned him with glory and honor.

Thank you Lord, for coming to this little speck of a planet to tell us of your gift of salvation through Your sacrifice.

Thank you Lord, for giving me a mind that can understand and a humbling faith that allows me to see.

Thank you Lord, for dying on the cross to allow me to enter into your presence and inherit your infinite creation.

To God be the Glory!

Pastor Jay Merritt

June 18 2011

The month of June traditionally brings celebrations for Father’s Day, Graduation and Marriage. Of these three, only marriage is an institution created by God. It has always amazed me, as I read the account of Adam in the first chapter of Genesis, that he had everything: trees filled with fruit, gold, precious stone, fresh water, even the whole world. Adam could walk in the garden with God all day and talk about the wonder of His creation. Yet God said in Genesis 1:18, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.”

We not only need a strong relationship with God, but we also need a strong relationship with other people. God describes this as a relationship that is needed to make us whole.

Personally, it took me awhile to understand that my wife is a gift from God, made especially for me, and I for her. Each time I wrap my loving arms around her, I can unwrap and reveal the wonderful gift He gave to complete me. Each day I choose to remember this truth brings a new and exciting day where I can serve her and bring joy into her life.

Our adversary, the Devil, wants to destroy God’s precious gift of marriage. He knows that if he can break up a marriage, he is destroying what God has created, as well as adversely affecting all those in the household. This cascading effect flows out of broken homes into schools, the workplace, places of worship and the government. For Christians whose homes are destroyed, the damage affects how people see God through His broken children.

Here are some things to understand about marital relationships:

The relationship is not about the individual, it’s about “us”. When God makes a marriage, He makes two into one. Jesus emphasized this in Matthew 19:6 when He said “So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.” What happens to one, affects the other. If one chooses to hurt the other, he/she is only hurting himself/herself. A marriage relationship is not a 50/50 performance based partnership. This becomes a stumbling block for many, especially when one person in the relationship does not meet the other’s expectations. A marriage becomes strong, when both parties give and serve. Marriage is about love without conditions.

The Devil will continue to try to drive a wedge between the married couple for the rest of their lives. The wedge can be a conflict that is something serious or something trivial. The wedge, no matter how small, can affect the relationship in a substantial way, but only if the couple allows it. Conflicts in marriage do not have to cause disastrous problems. These conflicts can actually make a marriage stronger. When the wedge presents itself, the couple should step aside and let the wedge push the two closer to God.

Marriage works best when the couple has a goal that is shared and they choose to work together toward that goal. There is an image that is painted in 2 Corinthians 6:14 of a yoke used by a pair of farm animals. A wise farmer would never put a donkey and an ox side by side to pull his plow. He would never get a straight line out of them. I’ve seen many believers marry unbelievers, who are clueless as to why they continue to have conflict.

When raising children, the marriage is more important than parenting. Raising children is an important responsibility of a marriage, but it should not be the focus of the relationship. The children are a wonderful and exciting part of the relationship, but the focus should always be the man and the wife. I’ve seen many marriages become dominated by the children, to the point where the children become a wedge. There is an old child’s tune that goes “<boy> plus <girl>, sittin’ in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g. First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes <boy/girl> with the baby carriage.” There is a profound moral order here that is getting messed up. It’s what I call “ready, fire, aim.” Marriage should come before children, not as a result. If we get the order right, children become a blessing to the marriage, not a mistake.

Jesus put an exclamation point on the importance of marriage, when he revealed His miracle working power at the wedding in Cana. No matter where you are pre-married, married, un-married, divorced – Jesus can be the miracle you need in your life. He can turn a bitter or tasteless relationship into a sweet and joyful one.

Seek Jesus’ words. Seek His heart. Seek His forgiveness. Receive His miracle of a new life and marriage.

Pastor Jay Merritt

PastorJayMerritt@gmail.com

June 3

I remember my three boys when they were little, getting into disagreements with friends and vowing to never play with them again. Of course, about a week later, they were enjoying each other’s company as if nothing had ever happened. What changes in adulthood to make us so inflexible?

I once met a young man who believed that if he gathering all the hurts and anger inside, the memories would make him stronger. From personal experience, holding on to bitterness only makes a person hard and bitter. If left to fester, the darkness inside will consume the warm and loving personality that once flourished.

There is a cure: forgiveness.

In the Bible, Jesus teaches a model prayer that includes the phrase “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” – Matthew 6:12

Whether you learned this as debts or trespasses, forgiving is difficult.

- Forgiving money that is owed.

- Forgiving some words that were spoken or unspoken.

- Forgiving physical pain.

- Forgiving horrific personal violation.

Don’t misunderstand this important fact: Forgiveness is NOT the same as forgetting. Forgiving is also NOT the same as allowing yourself to be walked on and hurt over and over again. Forgiving IS the beginning of healing.

I have heard many examples of parents making the difficult decision to forgive someone who took the life of their child. One example that stands out is that of Sam Riddall, who was struck and killed by a hit and run driver as he walked home from church.

Sam’s father, Mark Riddall, spoke outside courthouse after the accused was sentenced, “In four days we will celebrate Christmas for the first time without Sam,” he said. “It is going to be very hard for us indeed because we still miss him very much.”

“At Christmas we remember God sending Jesus into the world to bring peace,” he added. “It is this same God that is giving us the strength and helping us to forgive Hannah for the terrible thing she’s done to us by killing our son.

“It’s not easy, it’s not going to be easy, but with God’s help we know that it is possible.” – The Christian Post, Tue, Dec. 22 2009

For Godly people, forgiving is important. Why? Forgiveness is important to God. Many people have never read the Lord’s Prayer in the Bible. In Matthew 6, the prayer concludes in verse 13, but Jesus continues in verse 14, saying “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

Jesus also teaches in Luke 17: 3-4 “Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.”

In Matthew 18:21-22, Jesus went beyond this: Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?”

Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.

Jesus continues in Matthew 18:23-35 with a parable about a man who begged the king to forgive a huge debt. The king had compassion on him and the man’s debt was forgiven. The man immediately went out and demanded payment from his debtors. The king found out about his lack of compassion and demanded he be thrown into prison until his original debt was paid.

Jesus concludes the parable with these condemning words, “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.”

Let me remind you of another son who was killed by a bunch of bullies. They gathered up a bunch of their friends and even their enemies and teamed up against him. They beat him up and tortured him. They paraded him through the streets, broken and bleeding. They finally ended up hanging him until he died, on hill just outside of town.

Just before his death on that hill far away, God’s only begotten son said “Father, forgive them…”

Jesus died for our trespasses and our un-payable debt of sin. It is by His example that we are to forgive one another.

Pastor Jay Merritt

Week of May 16 2011

In Galatians 5:22-23, the Bible says “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…” Who wouldn’t want love, joy, peace and all these attributes in their lives?

According to Galatians chapter 5, there are two things which keep us from reaching our full potential and obtaining the fruit of the Spirit.

The first thing we do incorrectly to obtain Spiritual fruit is to try to make it ourselves. Fruit comes from a seed. The seed is planted. Roots form. The little plant grows and matures. After many years of continual growth, flowers appear and when the season is right, fruit pops out on the branch.

Spiritual Fruit is similar. The seed comes from a relationship with God. We cannot get it on our own.

In John chapter 3, Jesus says that “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. “Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’”

Without a Spiritual rebirth, the Spiritual fruit cannot begin to grow.

In Galatians chapter 4, Paul reminds us of the story of Sarah and Hagar. If you recall, God promised Abraham and Sarah a child in the old age. Sarah laughed at the idea, because she believed she was too old to bear a child. After years of waiting, Sarah persuaded Abraham to father a child with his servant Hagar. After Hagar’s son Ishmael was born, Sarah became pregnant with Isaac, fulfilling God’s Promise. I have often reflected my work and ask God to remind me if my work is in His will or my own effort. There are many times I think I have “pulled an Ishmael” when I should have “waited for Isaac.” Spiritual fruit will not grow without God.

Along the same idea, Galatians 5:1-2 reminds us that performing rituals and following man-made laws will not grow fruit either. I have to be careful to catch myself when I get the idea in my head that I am better than other people because of all the good things I have done for God. Isaiah 64:6 reminds me “…all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags…” Having a tighter necktie and shinier shoes than my brother will not make fruit. Intentionally suffering more than my brother, will not make me bear greater fruit. Keeping score and comparing my work to others will not make my fruit sweeter than my brothers’ fruit.

The second thing that keeps my spiritual fruit from growing is when I poison it with poor decisions and behavior. Galatians 5:19 calls these self destructive actions “the works of the flesh.” When I do these things, I am intentionally dripping poison onto my precious fruit and the fruit begins to shrivel away. The devil doesn’t make me do these things. It’s my choice to shoot myself in the foot.

Galatians 5:19-21 reads, “Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like;”

These actions are “evident”, the text says. You know, I know, God knows.

Let me emphasize one of these to give it more meaning – sorcery. This word was translated from the original Greek word “pharmakeia” from which our English word “pharmacy” was derived. In Paul’s day, sorcery was another word for drug user. When we use drugs without a prescription, we lose control. We are also locking the doors to letting God have control.

Ephesians 5: 18 says, “And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit.” I like to read this as “do not be filled with the spirits (booze) but with the Holy Spirit.”

When we allow ourselves to lose control with chemicals, the Spirit is not in control either and our fruit will not grow. Galatians 5:16 “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.”

So what is our goal? To walk in the Spirit – Galatians 5:22-23: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…”

We start with love. Without receiving the love of Jesus, it is impossible to grow the love of the Spirit. Without the love, we cannot receive true joy. The fruit of love and joy must grow before we can have the fruit of peace. Each of the fruit grows upon the others, like layers of an onion, until we get to self-control, which is really Spirit controlled.

It all starts with the true Love of Jesus, breaking the stony ground in our heart and making us into a new creation.

Pastor Jay Merritt

Seven reasons I believe the resurrection of Jesus is true

1) His disciples put their lives on the line

Acts 2:32 “This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses.” One at a time, each of Jesus’ disciples spoke of Jesus and the resurrection as eye witnesses. One at a time (except for John), they were put to death. If you knew a story were not true, if the body was stolen, would you continue to tell the lie if you would be killed for telling it?

2) The Roman soldiers story

Chief priests went to the governor, Pilate, and requested a guard on the tomb. Pilate put Jesus’ enemies in charge of the Roman guard. They sealed the stone with wax, to assure the tomb was not opened (Matthew 27:64-65). In Matthew 28:4, it says the guard, on the morning of the resurrection “shook with fear” and “became like dead men.” The guard reported back to chief priest what they saw. In Matthew 28:11, it says the priests bribed the soldiers to keep quiet and to lie about what they saw. The priests promised to speak to the governor if he received news of their dereliction of duty. If a Roman soldier fell asleep on duty, or failed in their duty, he and his entire company would be put to death.

3) Women were first to tell the story

In the 21^st century, it is an insult for me to think that a woman’s word is less than that of a man. In the time of Jesus, a woman’s word, sad to say, was the same as a barking dog. It was a problem for the disciples to exclaim, as proof their story was true, that women came forward as the first witnesses. If the story was made up, the first to see Jesus would have been a man. In saying that the women came forward first (Matthew 28:1, Mark 16:9, Luke 24:10, John 20:18), elevated the credibility of the story, because of the social status of the women.

4) His enemies

His enemies had the tomb sealed, because Jesus said he would rise from the grave (Matthew 27:64-65). They also tried to cover up the statement of the guards by bribing them and making amends with the governor (Matthew 28:11). They also did not produce a body. If Jesus body was stolen and they were able to produce the body, they would have put it in a wagon and showed the whole world.

After hearing the story of the resurrection, the Jewish teacher Gamaliel, an opponent of Jesus, compared the new movement to fly by night leaders saying in Acts 5:38-39, “And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found to fight against God.”

5) His death

Crucifixion was a serious business for the Romans. The guard pierced Jesus’ body with a spear, to make sure he was dead. Because the blood and water spilled out separately, the blood was no longer circulating (John 19:34). Governor Pilate verified Jesus’ death with the Centurion (Mark 15:44) before allowing Joseph of Arimathaea to take the body.

The life and crucifixion of Jesus is also mentioned in many non-Christian sources: the Babylonian Talmud, Josephus’ Jewish Antiquities, Lucian of Samosta, Tacitus , The Acts of Pilate (referenced by Justin Martyr).

Jesus lived and died.

6) Witnesses

Jesus walked the earth after the resurrection for 40 days. On at least 5 occurrences, Jesus appeared to 7 or more witnesses. 1 Corinthians 15:8 says that “He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once,” and emphasizes that at the time it was written, most of them were still alive to tell the tale.

In the Bible (Acts 2:32) the word “witness” was translated from the Greek word “martus,” which means “martyr.” Is your faith and witness for Jesus strong enough to die for? Have you given your life to Jesus?

7) Jesus said he would rise again

“Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” See Psalms 16:10, Matthew 16:21, 20:19, 26:32, Mark 9:9, 14:28, John 2:19, Acts 26:22,23

Buddha, Mohammed, Confucius and Sathya Sai Baba all have tombs. I choose to follow a living savior.

Paul says (1 Corinthians 15:17) “And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins!”

Pastor Jay Merritt

April 22 2011

Imagine sitting in prison, on death row. You are accused of insurrection and murder. Your trial was swift and complete. Guilty as charged. You had hoped that there would be a few friends who would stand in your defense, but no one came. So you wait, listening to your own chains rattle as you fight to keep the insects off of the one piece of stale bread that was tossed into your cold, damp cell.

On this cool spring morning, the Friday of Passover, something is different. A crowd is gathering outside. A crowd of your people!

“At last, they have come in my defense,” you think to yourself. You can see the chief priests moving to the front of the crowd to address the governor sitting in the judgment seat. You can’t quite see the platform where they are conversing, but you have seen it before, many times.

After many uneasy minutes, the crowd stirs and shouts as if in one voice. They are shouting your name! Over and over they shout as your name echoes through the dark, dank cavern of your captivity.

“BARABBAS!” The square reverberates with the cry of your name. You are suddenly filled with hope and joy as the echoes subside.

You think to yourself, “With this many here for me, how can the governor refuse their plea?”

Then, just as quickly as the echoes fade, a new cry erupts. It is a bone chilling cry, crushing even the faintest hope in your soul.

With the same fervor as the first, the shout of “CRUCIFY HIM!” echoes again and again through the halls.

“No! Not that!” You think, “Crucifixion is the most horrific of all methods of execution. How could my people turn on me like that? The Romans had done thousands of crucifixions and they were quite good at it. I really don’t want to die, but to die of suffocation, on a cross, was not what I was expecting.”

The echoes of those damning words fade and are replaced by the heavy footsteps of Roman guards, marching toward your cell. In a matter of moments, you are chained between two of the biggest soldiers you have ever seen in your life, walking quickly toward the judgment seat you were straining to see just a few moments ago.

As you approach, you recognize the governor and his wife, and the chief priests, but who is that man with the red face on the platform with them? He is unrecognizable as a man, but you can’t take your eyes off of him. Most of the hair of his beard has been plucked out at the roots, leaving open sores of raw skin. His face is purple and swollen from a very recent beating.

Your eyes catch his for an instant. He blinks, and the chains that once held you, fall, crashing to the stone floor. The guards that had watched your every move step quickly away. As the governor washes his hands, other hands grab your shoulders and pull you into the crowd, past the priests and away from the judgment seat.

“What happened?” you ask, moving through the crowd.

“You are free,” someone answers. “He will die in your place!”

As the crowd inches its way along stone streets in the cool morning air of Jerusalem, you spot the man with the bloody face, carrying a large wooden beam. On his head is a crown made of thorn branches. The sharp thorns have broken the skin and blood is streaming down his neck and into his eyes. The skin of his back is so beaten and bruised, shredded by the Roman whips, it’s as if he is wearing a purple robe of royalty.

“Who is this man who bears the cross?” you ask.

“Some say he is the Messiah,” someone in the crowd replies.

Your eyes meet again for a brief moment. He blinks and tears well up in your eyes.

“This man is innocent!” you cry out, “I am the one…” You lose focus, tears streaming down your neck, leaving stripes in the grime left over from your prison stay.

You look up and realize you are standing on a hilltop looking at a man hanging on a Roman cross, silhouetted against a darkening sky. His blood is streaming down into the dirt at your feet.

In a brief moment of silence, you hear the man on the cross speak.

“Father, forgive them.”

Your eyes meet once last time. He blinks, gasps, and is gone.

With his last breath, the ground begins to shake and everyone collapses to their knees. As you lay in the dirt with your face to the ground, you hear the Roman centurion guard cry out, “Truly this was the Son of God.”

Pastor Jay Merritt

April 8-2011

Matthew 18 1 (NKJV) At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”

When I read verses like this in the Bible, I tend to rest my head on one hand and think, “why would you ask Jesus such a ridiculous question?” I look at the constant battle Jesus had with the Pharisees and their nose in the air, holier than thou, front-sliding, confrontational behavior, and here, Jesus’ own disciples are infected with the same disease!

But then, isn’t this the position many of Jesus’ followers revert to? Comparing importance and performance and jostling for position at the front of the line to heaven? Rather than back-sliding, I call it “front-sliding.”

We could also change the question to “who then is greatest in…” the church, the office, the school, the government, your marriage? Amen or ouch?

“Your Jesus is ideal and wonderful,” Bara Dada, of India, is to have said to a missionary before adding “but you Christians – you are not like him” (Jones, E. Stanley. The Christ of the Indian Road, New York: The Abingdon Press,1925. (Page 114))

All around the world, Christians have missed the whole idea that we are to BE LIKE CHRIST. That’s what the word CHRISTIAN means. Are we like Christ? If not, we are a stumbling block to others.

In contrast to the Pharisees, we have Jesus, humble, servant of all, who came to serve. Jesus: who chose to wear a cross on his back, not a crown on his head.

What is equally amazing, is Jesus’ response to the question “who is the greatest?”:

Matthew 18 2-5 (NKJV) Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me. ”

Notice the child in this drama and how the child came. Simple obedience.

I can imagine the child sitting on the lap of Jesus and resting the back of his head in the warm cleft between Jesus’ chest and shoulder. Simple trust.

And then the child did something we have all forgotten how to do. He listened.

And then Jesus spoke these piercing words:

Matthew 18 6-7 (NKJV) But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!

I’m listening. Are you?

While residing in South Africa, Mahatma Gandhi desired to hear his friend preach at a local church. He was refused to enter because he was not of European decent. His companion W. W. Pearson pleaded with the greeter to let Gandhi enter the church, given Gandhi’s prominent name and position. He still refused to let Gandhi in. (C.F. Andrews, Mahatma Gandhi’s Ideas pp. 177-178)

Later, Gandhi wrote ‘Hate the sin and not the sinner’ is a precept which, though easy enough to understand, is rarely practiced, and that is why the poison of hatred spreads in the world. (A Tussle With Power, Part IV, Chapter 9)

I’ve always wondered what would have happened if Gandhi had accepted Jesus as the Christ. I wonder what would have happened in India where the population is 1.21 billion souls – souls that are walking far from Jesus.

Woe to the man who refused to let Gandhi in.

We are all God’s creation. Red, brown, black, yellow, white, we are ALL precious in His sight. The precious blood of Jesus, is the same color as the blood of each of His children.

I pray that those whom I have offended will forgive me, and will find their way back to Jesus, through a kinder, gentler soul than I. I pray, even more, that God will forgive me.

When is the last time you paused in your busy schedule to come, with simple obedience, to hear the words of Jesus.

Have you allowed yourself to trust His words, unfiltered and unstained, straight from the red letters of His Word?

Have you come close to Him in your prayers and allowed yourself to lay yourself on His powerful chest and say “Rock of Ages, cleft for me!”

Are you listening child?

Pastor Jay Merritt

e-mail: pastor@vfwbc.org

March 18 2011

What is something that can be measured, but never ends; can be spent, but not saved; watched but never seen; wasted but never held? We all have this same thing in common with Billy Graham, Bill Gates, Barack Obama, and the guy collecting cans along the side of the road.

Maybe this Bible verse will answer the riddle for you – “… walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” Ephesians 5:15-17

Each of us has the same amount of TIME every day. It is a gift from God. The Bible talks about time in a number of ways. Often it talks about time in terms of seasons that pass by regularly and predictably. Here in Ephesians, it is talking about time in terms of opportunity – “capture the opportunity” or “seize the day!” It’s about that fraction of a second between the time you see something, and a thought registers in your brain.

I have to say, I feel a bit hypocritical about telling people how to spend time wisely, because I feel I waste a lot of time. I really get convicted when I roll the verses from Ephesians over and over in my mind – “…do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” If each tick of the clock is a gift from God himself, what am I doing with that gift?

Often I will look back and dwell on missed opportunities, what I should have said, what I should have done, what I was inspired to do. For me, these quick inspirations come in short flashes. If I don’t write them down, or act on them in that split second, they’re gone. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been speaking with someone and I get an inspiration in my head that prompts me to say something which turns out to be divinely important. Other times, I just walk away quietly, indifferently – another missed opportunity.

One Saturday at a men’s cleanup day, I was walking across the yard of the church with a friend of mine. We were picking up trash, straightening things up and talking while we worked.

My friend said, “Someone should really do something about those bagworms.”

I said, “Bagworms? What bagworms?”

“Don’t you see them? They are all over that tree over there.”

I couldn’t see them. For those of you that are not familiar with bagworms, they live in evergreen trees and chew up the tree to make their cocoons. Since they use part of the tree in the construction, the cocoons look like part of the tree. Plus, they hide underneath where the sun does not shine. The bad part about bagworms is that they will destroy a tree, or a whole yard full of trees, in just a few seasons. They basically suck the life out of them.

My simple philosophy about time (and bagworms) is this: Sometimes God uses you to see something that no one else can see. When He does that, He is telling YOU to take care of it, not someone else. It is flash of inspiration from God: “redeem the time, for the days are evil.”

I used this tact on my friend and suggested he, not “someone,” take care of the bagworm problem on the church grounds. He didn’t. The trees died. Then there wasn’t a bagworm problem anymore, there was a tree problem.

Too often, I hear people talking about how “someone should take care of” something. Maybe you are the only one who can see the problem, and maybe you are the only one inspired to take ownership of the problem. Maybe, if you don’t take care of it, no one else will, and the problem will grow into something more severe.

Many of the problems I tell others about, God gave to me to work on. Others may not get excited enough to help out. I used to get frustrated until I figured out the inspirations were specifically designed for me. It was up to me to “redeem the time.”

So… If there’s too much litter on the road, don’t complain about it, clean it up. If you think there is a problem in our government, run for office. If you think there is a problem in our schools, volunteer, be a mentor! If the taxes are too high, form a lobby to get them lowered. You may be the only one inspired to take on the job.

His servant, Pastor Jay

March 4

Lately, I have seen our lives being driven by a “new version” mindset. Don’t like your phone? No problem. There’s a new version. Don’t like your car? Trade it in. Don’t like your church? There’s a new one down the street. Don’t like your marriage? Get a divorce and start over.

I think we are seeing “relationship” being redefined. Marketing people want us to have a relationship with our grocer, with our bank, with our cars and with our soft drink brands. Did you know that if a soft drink company can get you convinced at a young age that their brand is best, you will stick with that brand for the rest of your life? I can attest to that. I still prefer the brand that was in tall glass bottles sitting in the wooden case on the floor of my grandfather’s kitchen.

On the internet, social media sites also focus on “relationship.” But unlike our favorite soda brand, I see people going in and out of relationships as often as the seasons change.

Whatever happened to commitment? I’m not talking about favorite soda brands. What about life changing commitment that includes accountability? When we get a job, if we don’t perform, we are called to accountability. There are certain standards and rules we must follow or we get fired. It is a balance of commitment and accountability. We’re all used to that concept.

When we get married we promise to love and cherish, until death do us part. It’s a commitment. Yes, there should also be accountability. That’s why we have all of our friends and relatives come and witness our wedding. We become committed to the whole family. And when we start our own families, we are committed to our children. Whether we like it or not, our spouses and our children hold us accountable. We’re also accountable to God, especially if we are married in a church. In Ephesians 5:21 it says we are to be “Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.” That’s commitment with accountability!

Did you know that the Bible describes our relationship with God as a marriage? It continues in Ephesians 5: 25 saying “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her.” Now that’s commitment in the picture of sacrificial love. This is not love based on performance. It is love, based on commitment, based on a promise.

How did Jesus love us? He committed Himself 100%.

How much are we to love God? Jesus said, “And you shall love the LORD your God with ALL your heart, with ALL your soul, with ALL your mind, and with ALL your strength.’ This is the first commandment,”- Mark 12:30. Notice FOUR TIMES the use of the word ALL. It means 100%. Not holding back. Not compromising.

Compare that “ALL” command to the institution of marriage. If I were asked what percentage of the day I am married, would I say 85%, 90%? My wife would not appreciate that! If I were to ask if you were a committed follower of Jesus Christ, would you say 85%, 90%? It’s hard to find people who are even committed one hour a week on Sunday!

Being partially committed to your spouse is like being partially married. You either are or you’re not. We used to call it being a “two-timer.” God calls it adultery. Being partially committed to the faith is the same thing. God, through the Old Testament prophets, would often speak of His followers as an adulterous nation, but not in a sexual way. They sought other gods, other distractions, in addition to the one true God.

Why does that matter?

Jesus talks about it in Matthew 7: 21, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven…” Jesus goes on to explain what happens to those who don’t have a committed relationship with God. “I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’”

I never knew you! That’s a relationship problem! What will happen to your marriage if you only hang out with one another an hour per week? It’s going to fade from hot to lukewarm, isn’t it?

In His letter to the church at Laodicea, Jesus says “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’ —and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—“

Is this where America is today? How is your commitment? Are you hot or cold?

Pastor Jay Merritt

Feb 14

This time of year, Valentine’s Day stirs up the often misunderstood concept of “love.” The English language is kind of silly when it comes to the word “love.” We love baseball, apple pie, the flag and our mother. I’m sure people who are trying to learn the English language find that awfully confusing.

Other languages like Greek, the original language of the New Testament of the Bible, use several different words for love: eros, phileo, and agape are just a few. In 1 Corinthians 13, the King James Bible of 1611 translated one of the Greek words for love, to be “charity.” At the end of the book of John, two different Greek words are translated into the same word “love.” It’s a shame the Bible translators were limited in their ability to communicate the depth of the original Greek. They were handicapped by our English language.

English speaking people have lost the depth of the meaning love. Emotion fueled, sexual passion and lust are the words I describe what others might call “love.” But I dare not think that way about apple pie. I can have a preference for apple pie over cherry pie and a particular enjoyment when the sweet taste tickles my tongue, but it really isn’t emotional love.

What kind of love should we be striving toward then? Jesus said to love God and love people (Matthew 22:37-39). When Jesus spoke these words, He tied two commands together into one statement, drawing a picture of our vertical relationship with God and our horizontal relationships with others. In doing so, Jesus tied our ability to have meaningful relationships with people, to the strength of our relationship with God. They are interchangeable. You can’t have one without the other.

Here’s where we can miss the boat, if we don’t think the way Jesus commands. Many relationships are built upon an idea of a 50/50 partnership. If one person performs certain actions, then the other person in the relationship should perform an equal action. The same holds true, when one stops performing, the other gets upset and stops as well. I think this is why many people change relationships as often as they change jobs. Whenever their expectations are not met, they quit their “partnership.” This is also why many people fall out of relationship with God. I hate to be the one to tell you, God is not our “partner.”

If you are like me, I often find it hard to love certain people. If I choose to step outside of my own emotions and see people the way God sees them, I can at least stay civilized around them. When I feel my love for someone waning, I sometimes remember the powerful verse from John 13:34, where Jesus said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” And what is the love that Jesus speaks about? Jesus said in John 15:13, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.”

What if you saw someone running into the street, into the path of a speeding truck? Would you push them out of the way, save their life and take the hit? I may do that for a family member, but for a stranger? What if they were carrying your TV? Would you still die to save them? Jesus did.

Here’s the short and swift answer: we should love others the way Jesus loves us – sacrificially.

Recently I helped someone in a special way. They did not do anything to deserve my favor and I did not ask for anything in return. I just did it. The question came out “why are you doing this?” The answer, “I want you to succeed.”

This kind of love is often described as “grace” or “undeserved favor.” This is what sets Christians apart. Soak up this statement from Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Even though I was (and still am) a messed up human being, God still loves me – unconditionally. Even before I wandered from the path of righteousness, God had made a new path of reconciliation, a path bathed in the blood of sacrificial love, a path in the shape of a cross.

Love the way God loves. Amen (or ouch)?

Pastor Jay Merritt

On the web: http://vfwbc.org

Jan 17, 2011

It is hard to imagine being three feet tall, but many years ago, I was half my size. I used to stand on my tiptoes and strain to reach inside the top drawers of my clothes dresser, groping blindly with my short little arms to feel around in the dark corners for my belongings. I specifically remember the day when I realized I could see the dust on the top of my dresser without assistance. I thought I had been cleaning everything, but I missed a few spots. Even today, I clean the top of the refrigerator myself, because I’m the only one in the house who has the perspective to see when it needs cleaning.

There are some perspectives that I don’t think I will ever grow to visualize, at least with my earthly vision. In the “love” chapter of the Bible, the writer says “When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.” (ESV 1 Corinthians 13:11). Like a child on our tiptoes, groping in the dark, we are expected to have a limited perspective. Maybe this is why we still have difficulty seeing the way God sees. We are looking at life from our perspective and not His.

The front door of our home has a glass that is difficult to see through. I can see movement through the glass, but the prism effect of the light passing through often confuses my senses. Sometimes I “see” a car in the driveway, but it is just a car driving by. Sometimes I “see” someone on my front lawn, but it turns out to be a couple of leaves falling from the trees. God’s Word continues where it left off with a similar picture of perspective: “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.” (ESV 1 Corinthians 13:12). The picture being drawn uses the fuzzy image of our own face, as seen in a piece of the best polished glass of the day – 2000 years ago – and comparing it to the clarity of seeing the flesh of a real person face to face. The perspective of our earthly knowledge is only giving us a fuzzy image, like that of an inexperienced child, but in the future “I shall know fully.” The writer is trying to get us to see life through the eyes and maturity of the knower of all things, who stands on the other side of the blurry prism glass called time. We also need to know that we cannot know all things.

When we ask questions like “why does God let people go to hell?” or “why does God allow suffering in the world?” we are seeing things from the wrong side of the glass. We live our lives as a child with selfish and pleasure seeking minds, wondering “how could God do this to me?” Questions like these do not have significance when we understand who God is. We need to stand up on a stool and look down on the dust, which is our life.

I know a number of people who claim that they do not need God. I don’t think they ever considered that God does not need us. Why would an omnipresent, omniscient, omnipotent being want anything to do with us? He is perfect and demands perfection. Human kind has made a mess of His creation and then turned their backs on the Creator for letting their sin happen. Why would God still want us?

He loves us.

Like a teenager who curses at their parents, we get angry at God for the life we are dealt. And like a rebellious teenager, we dishonor and deny our creator, even though He is the one who gave and sustains our life. But like a parent who never quits loving their child, God came to earth himself, as the Christ, to show us the truth of His love. He stepped out of infinity into our finite world to tell us what is on the other side of that fuzzy glass.

Yes, God does not need us. This is why our perspective needs to change to HIM and not US; pleasing HIM and not seeking our own pleasures; being SELFLESS instead of SELFISH. Do you see? God did not have to come to earth and be nailed to a cross. He did it so that we could be with Him. We always picture it the other way around – that the message of the cross is all about us, when in fact, the message of the cross is all about God.

Pastor Jay Merritt

Email: pastor@vfwbc.org

Jan 7 2011

Getting caught in a negative train of thought is so easy, making long lists in the mind of all the bad things that are wrong in the world and counting all the problems that are weighing us down. We stand back and let the bright portrait of ourselves be painted over as victims instead of victors, one dark brush stroke at a time. Our problems root deeper into our minds and fuel more negative ideas until they grow so deep we find ourselves in a pit of despair. Our life becomes stuck in a rut full of waist deep mud and we’re sinking fast. I heard that “a rut is just a grave with the ends knocked out,” and I believe it.

Are you there? How do you get out?

First of all, turn off the TV and radio for a few weeks, especially the daily news and talk radio. Broadcasters “sell” the news with negative stories and disasters. Stop hanging around negative people and politely step away when their gossip fans the flames of the negative fires. Stay away from alcohol. Alcohol is a depressant and can fuel the dark thoughts in your mind. Find a way to quiet all the commotion in your life and your mind with exercise, reading and prayer.

In the hymn, Count Your Blessings, written by Johnson Oatman, Jr. in 1897, the blessings God gives can be rediscovered by examining life and the simple necessities:

When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,

When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,

Count your many blessings, name them one by one,

And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?

Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?

Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,

And you will keep singing as the days go by.

When you look at others with their lands and gold,

Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;

Count your many blessings—wealth can never buy

Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.

So, amid the conflict whether great or small,

Do not be discouraged, God is over all;

Count your many blessings, angels will attend,

Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.

Take up a pad of paper and a pencil. Make a list of blessings. I’ve taught for many years, that we only really NEED five things to survive in life:

1. Clean, disease free water

2. Nutritious food

3. A roof to cover us from the weather

4. Warmth to keep from freezing

5. Seasonably appropriate clothing

Anything else makes you rich, in the eyes of half the world.

Add your own “blessings” to the list. Here are some to consider:

You can read
Hugs and smiles
Sunshine AND rain
The breeze
The moon
God’s infinite creation
The wonder of how “the very hairs of your head are numbered” by God (Luke 12:7)
Prayer

Keep your list with you for a week and add to it. Tape it to your bathroom mirror. Meditate on it. Thank God for His blessings every day. It takes 21 days to make a bad habit. It takes the same amount of time to establish a new, good habit, so it may take that long to shake off negative feelings.

Do you have the five things needed to survive? Do you have extra blessings? Be content and count your blessings.

The Apostle Paul, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit reminds us:

“Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.” – 1 Timothy 6:6-8

He also said:

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.” – Philippians 4:6-8

Be blessed,

Pastor Jay Merritt

PastorJayMerritt@gmail.com

November 15, 2010

There was a young man who was tired of living at home under the thumb of his parents. He ran off to join the Marines, because he said, “I was tired of being told what to do!” I hope you see the irony of this. In life, it seems that we move from one set of boundaries to another. While we despise being told what to do, and covet our freedom, boundaries actually allow us to reach our potential as human beings.

At a newly built school, the playground did not have any equipment or boundaries. The principal noticed the behavior of the children was a little odd. They all chose to cluster in the middle of the play yard, in small groups. He did not think anything about it, until the school installed a fence around the playground. The children immediately began to explore the whole playground, because they knew where they belonged, and where they did not.

Think about it:

If you don’t tie up a tomato plant, it falls over and bears no fruit.
If you throw a kite up into the air, it flops clumsily to the ground. If you tie a string to it, it soars high into the sky in the wind.

In Proverbs 3, the wise writer says – “My son, do not forget my law, But let your heart keep my commands; For length of days and long life And peace they will add to you.”

It’s amazing to think that God puts a limit on our behavior so that we will grow and have peace!

I remember when I was young, I had an expired driver’s license AND expired plates on my car. Whenever I drove, I spent more time looking in the rearview mirror than through the windshield. I chose not to go out or to drive down side streets. I chose not to do things I wish I could have, for fear of being caught. On Valentines’ Day, I nearly missed an important date because of my failure to stay within the boundaries. I was pulled over on my way to ask for my girl’s hand in marriage. The officer gave me more grace than I deserved, and sent me on my way. My lack of judgment could have changed my wife’s and my future!

Jesus says in John 14:15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” He also says in verse 24, “He who does NOT love Me does NOT keep My words;”

I think people have forgotten that we need to continue to live in God’s boundaries. Jesus did not abolish the 10 commandments. Remember what Jesus said in Matthew 5:17, “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.” Even in the last few paragraphs of the Bible it says, in Revelation 22:14, “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.”

When our country was founded, the Bible was used in schools to teach children how to read. Harvard, Yale, and other fine institutions were started by ministers to train men of God. Everyone applied the Law of God first in their lives. The law of the land was considered when God’s Law was not specific. I picture it in my mind as sifting dirt through a window screen (the Bible) and then catching what falls through with a fishnet (the US Constitution). Today, the Law of God in the Bible has been taken away, and we are left with only the US Constitution, which can’t catch all the dirt, just the big chunks. What is happening? We live in fear, because of people abusing our freedom. We are losing our freedoms, because we don’t know our boundaries. Ironic isn’t it?

What are God’s Ten Commandments again?

1. Love God

Jesus said, “‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment.”

2. Have no other gods or idols (or things or lifestyle that distract from serving God)

3. Don’t use God’s name foolishly (see #1)

4. One day a week is God’s (go to church)

5. Honor your mother and father

6. Do not murder (or say hateful things about people to destroy their character)

7. Do not commit adultery (or think lustful thoughts about someone)

8. Do not steal

9. Do not lie – not even a little, and especially when speaking about others

10. Do not look at things others have and compare your life to them, to the point where you’re obsessed (don’t covet)

Get the first one and the rest come easy.

Pastor Jay Merritt

October 13, 2010

Get rich quick! Pay off all your bills! Scratch off and win! Big payoffs every hour! Sweepstakes!

You’ve seen the ads. We’ve all been tempted.

Is it really possible to get rich quick? I was brought up with simple logic: hard work will pay off, and there are no short-cuts in life. Did you know that the odds of lottery payoffs are worse than getting struck by lightning – multiple times? I also know that the large percentage of people who buy lottery tickets really can’t afford to and should be buying milk for their family instead.

I think the folks selling the get rich quick schemes are the ones who are getting rich, not their customers. Proverbs 1:10 says “My son, if sinners entice you, Do not consent.” There are many out in the world preying on people who don’t know any better. They are counting on finding people who do not know how to protect themselves. They are also trying to find people who will help them in their scheming. Proverbs 1:11 “If they say, “Come with us, Let us lie in wait to shed blood; Let us lurk secretly for the innocent without cause;” – DO NOT CONSENT – Proverbs 1:15 says “My son, do not walk in the way with them, Keep your foot from their path;”

In the olden days, people used to carry their own sets of weights to the market, so when they bought a pound of grain, they knew it was a pound of grain, because they tested the scales with their own true weights. Sellers would often hollow out the weights and fill them with wax, so they could cheat people who didn’t know any better. If a smart person came along, with their own weights, the seller would switch his good set of weights for the hollow ones. This practice was called “carrying two sets of weights” – one for the smart people, and one for the ignorant. Deuteronomy 25:13 says “You shall not have in your bag differing weights, a heavy and a light.”

Today, folks call it “just good business” when they charge two sets of prices for the same item. In some industries, bargaining is expected, and the smarter bargainer may be able to get a lower price, especially if he is a friend. I still call this “carrying two sets of weights”. I look negatively on a person, or a company, who charges different prices for things, depending on who the customer is. I think one of the reasons the car company Saturn was so popular, is that they had a “one price” policy. Today, I get very confused by some of the grocery stores, who charge three different prices for the same item, depending on if you have a card or if you have points! I guess they don’t want me to shop there.

Let me add a twist to this. How often do we judge people with two sets of weights in our mind? There’s the “preferred” and then there’s everyone else. People who are “like me” get treated with favor, but people who aren’t, get treated differently, or even taken advantage of. Is that right?

While patriots are preaching about who is an American, and what rights do we have, who stands up for the human being you see walking along the side of the road? Does he have a soul created by God? Does he also have the same value in God’s eyes that you do, even though he doesn’t walk with your “crowd” or may not speak your language? God speaks their language. I try to think about how people may be dealing with some extreme circumstances, and they are just trying to help their family survive. Remember, Jesus did not come to give us “rights”; he died to take our “wrongs.”

When Jesus looked at people, he looked at the inside, and not the outside. I think he had the advantage of knowing the whole story about a person. He walked with sinners. He dined with thieves. He forgave prostitutes. I’ve often wondered if the woman he forgave in John chapter 8, was dealing with some extreme circumstances, and what she did was the only thing she could do to help her family survive.

Jesus chastised the leaders and the religious authorities, because they were so driven by rules, they did not see the hurting people.

I sometimes wonder if Jesus came and visited, if we would even let him into our church buildings. As song writer Todd Agnew said in his song “My Jesus” – “my Jesus would never be accepted in my church. The blood and dirt on His feet might stain the carpet.”

It is in times like these, the God’s people should be opening doors for strangers, not slamming them.

Pastor Jay Merritt

Oct 1 2010

I don’t like to make mistakes. I’m not a perfectionist or anything, but I don’t like the foolish feeling I get after doing or saying something wrong. Sometimes I feel that way when I DON’T do something that I should have. Frankly, I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who likes feeling foolish. I feel like I learn from my mistakes, so that I won’t have to repeat them and feel doubly foolish.

Wouldn’t it be great if we could learn all the lessons we need to learn without having to make the mistake in the first place? Maybe someone could come out with a video game that would teach everyone all the lessons they need to know in life. I wonder if anyone would play it? I suppose the game would have to be programmed to create the foolish feelings, or else it would not have a lasting teaching effect.

Until the game comes out, I’ve figured out that I can learn from other people’s foolish mistakes, so I don’t have to suffer the same way. I can even learn by watching people who do crazy things on TV and hurt themselves in the process. That’s one reason I don’t grind skateboards down stair railings. I don’t have to experience it to know it can be painful.

Something else I don’t want to learn is how to destroy my life with crack cocaine. I’ve travelled to many parts of the world and found that there are only a few words that are the same in any language – “crack” is one of them. I was just in Central America over the summer and met a young man in a substance abuse rehab center, who is going through the trauma caused by crack. He had met an American woman, fell in love, married her and they had a child together. He got messed up on crack and deported. His wife fell ill and their child was taken by the U.S. authorities. After accepting that the mother was not going to get well enough to take care of the child, it was put up for adoption, while the father was in rehab. The poor man was distraught. He lost his home, his family, his child – all for a moment of worldly pleasure.

The man who ran the rehab center had a similar story about his life with alcohol. He had come clean many years before and opened this center for men who needed a place to get free of addictions and get fed God’s Word. Often, we learn best from people who have experienced the same thing we are going through.

I have a profound respect of people who have suffered, recovered, and then reach back and help someone else through the same problem. I’ve even come to respect some of the people I’ve learned from, who have taught me to not even look down certain roads that lead to disaster.

In many of our lives there are a couple of people we can look to and even need to honor for showing us the correct way – Mom and Dad. The Fifth Commandment says “Honor your father and mother.” The wise man Solomon said “My son, hear the instruction of your father, And do not forsake the law of your mother;” (Proverbs 1:8).

How many things did they teach you about right and wrong? Sometimes, I think I learned more from the things they did, than the things they said. If you are a parent, are you behaving in a manner that is worthy of honor, or are your children learning things from you that may destroy their future, or lead them into temptation.

None of us have perfect parents, so consider these words “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God…” (1John 3:1).

We all have a Father in Heaven who is worthy of all honor and glory and praise. Hear His instructions. Do not forsake His commands. He has given us much to learn and meditate on.

Pastor Jay Merritt

September 10

There are many assets a person can obtain, if they are rich enough. Many assets though, can become liabilities – actually costing more in the long run. Example: A car is something that many people think is an asset, but really is liability.

Consider a young person still in high school. They believe they need a car, so they can experience the freedom of going out on Friday and Saturday nights. Without realizing it, their decision to get a car, requires that they get a job to pay for monthly loan payments, insurance, gasoline, repairs and don’t forget tags and taxes.

When do most teens get scheduled to work? -Friday and Saturday nights, when all their friends are free to go out and about. To pay the bills, they must also work most school nights, which affects their ability to get homework done, and affects the amount of sleep they may get. Their fatigue causes problems staying awake and paying attention in class. This slow leak of energy and attention, shows up in their grades, which impacts their ability land a good job or to further their education in college, and to obtain scholarships. In the long run, the impulsive decision to get the car, could impact their entire life – for the worse. A car is not an asset, it is a liability.

There is one asset we can obtain, which is “better than rubies” (Proverbs 8:11), “better than the profits of silver, And her gain than fine gold” (Proverbs 3:14). Yet, it cannot be purchased, valued or exchanged (Job 28:15-19).

We can learn about this special asset from a young man named Solomon. This young man was given the keys to the kingdoms of Israel and Judah when he was still in his 20’s. He held assets of over 10,000 horses, and over 1,000 chariots. He built palaces and a temple. He composed 3000 proverbs and over 1000 songs. He also knew all about nature and the world around us. His kingdom was strategically placed along a flourishing trade route between Egypt and the east so that his riches compounded exponentially. He had the world by the horns, but he was still MISSING SOMETHING.

Then, in a dream, God came to him and offered to give him anything he wanted – ANYTHING! I don’t know about you, but my mind can really get to swimming at just the thought of an opportunity like this. Imagine, the Creator of all things, saying to you: “Ask! What shall I give you?” (1 Kings 3:5).

How many young people, musicians, artists, actors, brilliant minds, have we seen rise to the top only to fall into a crumpled heap in an ash bin. They had everything, yet they were MISSING SOMETHING.

The first thing Solomon did, was to reflect on the blessings he had already received (1 Kings 3:6). If we just look around, each of us could make a list of ten things we have been blessed with.

The second thing I see in Solomon is that he humbled himself. He said, “I am just a child. I don’t know how to go out or come in (1 Kings 3:7).” Too many times, we get full of ourselves and forget that pride can destroy us. It is OK to admit when we can’t go it alone, especially when you are talking to God, because He already knows.

Lastly, Solomon asked the Creator of the Universe for the one asset, the most valuable thing a person can possess, short of salvation in Jesus Christ. Solomon asked for an understanding heart for people and the ability to discern between good and evil (1 Kings 3:9).

In one word, Solomon asked for WISDOM.

What a great model for prayer: count your blessings, humble yourself, and ask for wisdom from God.

And God blessed Solomon to be wiser than any man in his day. This great, young and wise king, wrote this simple statement for people the world over and for all time:

Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Meditate on THAT!

Pastor Jay Merritt

http://vfwbc.org

The Transforming Power of Love

Lately, I have had a new challenge. I have had to love… a Beast.

I’ve really been struggling with this because it is no easy feat to love someone who makes themselves unlovable, simply by being resistant, hard to get along with, cranky, and just plain ugly and contrary in their day to day dealings. So, I went to the LORD with this.

Jesus led me to the story of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. Here was a young, sweet, intelligent, and charming girl named Belle, who fell into the hands of a mean, ugly old beast who ended up taking Belle prisoner.

Ever felt like that? Like you are not someone’s relative, but a Hostage?

All Belle wanted was sweet release from this strange creature and his dark abode, and to be reunited with her eccentric, but wonderful dad. It wasn’t going to happen for a long, long time.

With all of the distractions of the outside world removed, Belle began to study her captor. There was nothing else to do there but try and understand who and what he was about.

She began to see him through new eyes and felt compassion for his pitiful state. Soon, she began to see even more…into his heart. When the Beast in turn saw her beauty.. not just external beauty, but her heart of GOLD… he relented and felt ashamed of his ways.

Something began to happen… a change in them both, a kind of transformation that snowballed into LOVE. Love soon broke the darkness and the ugliness, and the Prince within.. came shining through.

Okay.. some of you may be feeling something in the pit of your stomach and it’s more like nausea than Love.. but.. give it a try.. give it a chance….

If you have a Beast in your life… try forgetting their actions and try to understand them… Try seeing the good in them and choosing to be a part of their transformation instead of their darkness and pain.

Real Love Transforms.

Phoenix

Angel on the Street ~

lease contact Janet “Phoenix” Russo

@ Sheltering Tree Biblical and Crisis Counseling

Phoenix@localnewsreview.com

980-622-9268

August 9 2010

Five months until I turn the big 5 – 0…50… wow! Never before has a birthday bothered me.
I guess the thing is, I am the youngest in our family. It seems for years I have watched everyone else getting older…(because they are so much older than I)…and now.. wow.. Here I am as well, everyone above me now is a senior citizen.

I always see this picture in my mind of that quarters game at the carnival. You know the one where you put one quarter in at a time and this wedge keeps pushing all the quarters that are in there closer to the EDGE?! Sooner or later, they ‘fall off.’ It seems that is what I am waiting for in the natural… for people to ‘fall off.’

Old Mr. Regret is beginning to be a pain in the butt by knocking on my door. He doesn’t just knock for my sake, but for all of the garbage over the years, that well, was just garbage, stupid things that divided or separated us, that at this place in life, and in Christ, does not have any weight. And, perhaps we will never see one another again. (sigh). I find there are streams of words that I want to say to them.. but what can you say to ones who will not hear?!

I also find myself re-evaluating my life now. Almost like I am standing at a crossroad and briefly looking back to see where I was and what took place… only to look forward and am determined to make a new resolve.. to finish this race strong… and that God would grant me the grace to run this portion even better than the last!

For the first time in my ‘birthday life’ I am beginning to feel older too. My hair is changing color, my skin is thinning, I just cannot read the fine print on the aspirin bottle without my glasses, and my strength is not so, well, strong. I get achy if I push myself, and Advil is not as strange to me as it once was.

Inside of me however… even amongst those things that still need to be ousted… I see some incredible beauty… something that no one who just looks at this ol’ gal can see on the exterior.
I see a golden heart… full of love, joy, peace, patience, and the like. I don’t know how God got it all in there, but I am forever grateful He did!

Today, I will remember my Creator, while I am still young, for the days of trouble are more ahead… and the years are coming soon when I will say: “I have no pleasure in them.” When I may begin to stoop, and tremble at the sound of a bird rushing from a blossoming tree, as I peer through my window. When my desires are no longer stirred, and I go to my Eternal Home. (Ecclesiastes 12).

Yes.. it is time to ‘count the days’ and make them…count!

Amen.

Please contact Janet “Phoenix” Russo

@ Sheltering Tree Biblical and Crisis Counseling

Phoenix@localnewsreview.com

980-622-9268

August 3

How Can We trust?

Last night I watched an intense movie. I was captivated by the way the story was constructed. There were evil-hearted people pursuing a doctor who was bulldog inquisitive about the disappearance of a body from the E.R. This doctor put every effort into saving the patient, but could not, and now would not let go of the case until he had the answers he sought! This was almost his undoing.

What got me is that most times, in a story there are allies, friends within the center of the plot or just outside that come along side to help the good guy. Not this time. This poor doctor was alone, and the only two that did side with him really didn’t emerge until almost the very end.

When the end did come it was amazing how everything worked out for his good and was made right. The doctor was honored and favored once more. The Holy Spirit said to me…. “Can YOU trust me even when all hell breaks loose against you, when the winds of adversity are blowing at you from every corner, and when it seems as if no one is on your side or even cares? Can you TRUST me and ride it out to the end when I show up and turn it all for your good?”

I took a deep breath, considered, and said… “Yes!”

The more I thought about the small issues I face that really don’t even amount to much, I said.. “GOD… I don’t think I trust You like I need to.” I began to ask myself why I have trouble trusting and the answers became clear.

Normally, humans are the first we come to know and trust. What happens if the closest, most significant people in your life, at times, pull the rug out from under your feet, or when they show themselves to have a selfish agenda behind even their kindnesses? How can we trust? What if I have done the same to others?

In my intimate relationship with Jesus, I become disturbed at times.
I know that when something means so much to my Savior, I want to be there for Him. Sometimes, I ask something from Him that means SO MUCH to me, and He seems to withhold even that which causes me the MOST pain. For that reason I find it hard to trust Him as well.
I find myself asking Him “Don’t You care about me and my feelings?

I have to remind myself that I am not dealing with another human, but GOD. That I know His Character and HE knows BEST. Real love doesn’t always make us happy, but does what it best..ultimately.. for us.

So, I will trust in Him with all my heart, even when nothing makes sense and it seems if I’ll be undone. I’ll lean not on my own understanding, reasoning, cunning or wit, but in ALL my ways acknowledge Him, and HE will DIRECT my paths. Prov. 3:5&6

Phoenix

Angel on the Street ~

lease contact Janet “Phoenix” Russo

@ Sheltering Tree Biblical and Crisis Counseling

Phoenix@localnewsreview.com

980-622-9268

July 30

The Peril of Crossing Lines

We have four happy, loving, and just plain incredibly fun dogs! I’m thinking of getting them their own comedy channel so that others can enjoy them as well! Two of them sing to “Happy Birthday” in an all out, give-it-all-you’ve-got howl…and also… to “How much is that kitty in the window”… (I kid you not, and we changed from doggie to ‘kitty’ to avoid trauma.)

A few times a week we head to the park, and while this motley crew would like nothing better than to do a tongue-licking take over…we have to abide by the rules. The rules are for ours, theirs and others protection. We make sure all are on leashes, we have the necessary poo bags..(sigh)…a ball that we can throw and run after while holding them, bowls and water, we stay where we are allowed to be in the park, and respect park property. However, nothing was mentioned about….the Bird.

As we walked along the path, our two smaller dogs maneuvered over near a tree sniffing and playing. In a flash, a not so happy bird made a war cry and came down in the middle of one of their backs! She just swooped down so light and fast to let them know this was HER territory and THEY crossed a line! Without hesitation they moved along as surprised as we about the event. As they moved on, she appeared again out of nowhere repeating the same surprise attack on the other! This time, we knew she was protecting a nest and we quickly respected her request to avoid a more serious situation and harm.

While the dogs recovered quickly at the sights and smells of good things ahead, I took some time to reflect. Do I obey the rules of the Kingdom? Am I making sure I read them daily, so that I’m familiar with them and they become second nature? If I do cross a boundary line and hear someone’s war cry… am I quick to apologize, give them room, and move out of harm’s way…or am I just not respecting God’s Garden and those He loving placed in it?

My aim is to be at peace with Him and all around me…and… well… to chase a ball or two with my friends!

ree counseling is offered to those in need.

Please contact Janet “Phoenix” Russo

@ Sheltering Tree Biblical and Crisis Counseling

Phoenix@localnewsreview.com

980-622-9268

July 15

Many years ago I had a vision as we were driving along the road. I saw a man standing on top of a mountain. The focus was on his face. The clouds and weather were in fast motion, ever changing behind him, and as they changed, his face changed. I understood it to mean that time and circumstances are what shape and mold us by God’s Hand. We are transformed!

I don’t know about you, but some days, I get up feeling and seeing someone very different in the mirror. It’s like the seasons almost. I see who I am, and after awhile begin to get ‘comfortable’ with the reflection then it changes! Sometimes, whatever is going on at the time brings out the best in me at other times, the worst!

But, no matter which season it is, I can never get comfortable when the ‘reflection’ of my soul is undesirable, I hate it!

This morning, Daddy took me into 1 Samuel 16. He reminded me that even when my reflection is in one of those ‘ugly’ periods, He “looks at my heart.” He knows I hate seeing the ‘junk’ in me floating to the surface. I want to skim it off and burn it! I’m glad he roots it out instead, but it takes time. (another word us impatient people dislike.)

He then led me to 1 Samuel 23, and went through quite a few verses there. Out of it all He asked me: “Is anything too hard for me? The enemy will attack you with ALL of his forces, and will plot your destruction and where you dwell. Trust in Me, not in people to help you. I will keep you in a Desert Stronghold, where I, Myself will protect you. The enemy will search for you always, but I will turn him back, and not give you into his hand. My promises to you are SURE!”

I don’t understand this kind of Love. The kind that sees who He is making me to be and loves the transformations He makes as He re-creates me into Christ’s image and likeness. What matters most is not how I see myself, though it is important! What matters most is how God sees me, and as I can learn to just let go and rest and trust in His LOVE that NEVER fails me.. I can tolerate the times of ‘ugly reflections’.

Thanks for never, ever giving up on me.. Daddy! I love you, and You love me.

Climbing A Ladder To Heaven

July 7

I’ve been considering, before tackling my first real mountain climb that this earthly realm we live in is so much different than the Heavenly one, but at the same time there are still a lot of similarities they share.

Climbing is one of them.

In this earthly realm there are many ladders, and we climb the rungs every day, whether at home, school, or work as we try to get ahead, or make progress in our growth, value, and earnings. We are given a ‘chance’ and we put our nose to the grindstone to become successful. We are rewarded with another step up on the Ladder, and we repeat the process over and over again.

Visions and challenges are great, exciting, and tiring, but what, on earth, are we climbing for? What is the end reward of it all? Is it wealth, power, social status? Maybe our retirement, travel, our children’s education? What?

I find many times people start out with dreams, but lose sight of them in the long term day to day. When that happens we can forget what we are climbing for, and if we don’t pay close attention, when troubles come, we can even find that our ladder has been moved against the wrong wall.

Personally, I find that I am weak and in need.

If I were just living for myself, then I would chart my own course, make my own rules, and do whatever it took to win…regardless.

I decided years ago that the truth is, this is Christ’s Story, of which I am a part of. I don’t know the plan He has for me, the way to make it happen, or the provision and grace it takes for Him to get me to His goal for His Glory. I am completely dependent on Him for all! At the end of each day when I reflect on things, I find that His vision for me remains solid, the challenges are met and always overcome with His help, and most of all my Ladder stays in the right place because He is holding it.

I am blessed.

Wake UP!

July 1

When I was little, my mom had a real knack for getting me out of bed. It was kind of like fingernails on a blackboard…very irritating! She would stand in the kitchen and say my name over and over again, adding:”it’s time to get up for school!”

How I often wished she would have come quietly and sat down on the edge of my bed, perhaps rubbing my back and whispering me into the new day. Would this have been more effective? I don’t know, but at least much more pleasant! Her ways made me irritable!

Ever had an alarm clock with an annoying ring or buzz to it? You place it far enough away so that it made you get up to shut it off?

My dad cut right to the chase. On days he woke me he would simply march into the room, flip the lights on, open the shades, pull the pillow put from under my head, throw the blankets off of me and say… “get up.” His way didn’t appeal to me either.
I love my parents but they were hard sometimes.

Daddy God? He comes into my room and simply waits. I have awakened many times with Him in the room.. just waiting for me. On days I have needed to get up, I have asked Him what time would be best, and set my alarm. Other days, I simply ask Him to wake me when He desires, and He does. He’ll send the dog, a dream, Or I just wake up feeling the heaviness of His Presence. No rudeness or hardness, and when He comes in the room, I am full of Joy!

This morning though, God was not happy and took me into the book of Amos. (3:2,3 &6)

Perhaps my memory does not serve me entirely well! Perhaps my parents DID try and wake me up nicely first. I don’t remember…exactly…but the point the Holy Spirit is making here, is plain. He’s really getting tired of calling to us to ‘wake up.’

Now, those that remain asleep are going to experience a ‘rude awakening’ from the Lord!

It’s just like any parent you know… There’s a limit to their patience. Check your clock, view the ‘hour’ and get moving!

Categories

Links of interest

Weekly Devotional(s)

January 20 2012

January 6 2012

December 16 2011

December 2 2011

November 18 2011

November 4 2011

October 28

October 21 2011

October 7 2011

September 23 2011

Sept 9 2011

August 19 2011

August 5

June 3

Week of May 16 2011

September 10

The Transforming Power of Love

August 9 2010

August 3

How Can We trust?

July 15

Climbing A Ladder To Heaven

July 7

Wake UP!