When someone does something great for us we say we "will never forget this!" We are eternally grateful. I want you to think about God and the revealing of Himself through the person of Jesus. You are worth so much to Him that He went to the cross and died for you to pay for your sins so that they would not keep you out of heaven when you die. Better news than this does not exist!
This past summer in one of my dealings with someone at work this person told me to save my prayers for someone who does not need them. They told me that after this life there is nothing and that they are fine with how their life is right now and are content to live that way till they die. Sadder news than this does not exist for if nothing changes for this person they will have an eternity of regret.
If there is no such thing as an eternity of hell or heaven then mission work doesn't matter nor does telling others of Jesus. But it does matter because they do exist. And the Good News is that no one has to go to hell. Jesus truly took our place. A book that I read this summer describes His death in ways I never understood before.
Picture Jesus on the cross. He is not there by chance. He wasn't at the wrong place at the wrong time. He knew all this would happen. It was planned. Along with the physical suffering of being nailed to a cross I want you to think of all the pain in the world. I mean all the pain- all the hurts and tears and suffering from the past, the present and the future of every individual ever. Imagine if all that pain could be put into one ball that could be hung around the Savior's neck. That is what He suffered also.
And there's one more thing- now picture a whole eternity's worth of hell. (can we even do that?) That also is all tied up in one ball! That is what He suffered as well!
Do you get it? And He did it all for you! Think about this the next time you say Jesus died for me.
Greater love has no man than this- that a man lay down His life for His friends.
In Christ,
Pastor John
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Monday, July 11, 2011
Come and Get It!
The other day at the youth center where I work there were some black children speaking in a different language to each other. Around staff they immediately switched to English. They were excited to be going outside to play. I heard one kid say to the other as they passed me, "come get your snack pak" I thought to myself how treats and playing are all the same for kids no matter what language, tribe or nation.
There are so many places in Scripture where God says, come get your snack pak. Come to Me you who are weary and tired....Come all who are thirsty....
We are told that in heaven around the throne will be gathered many tribes and nations. The need for all mankind is the same- we are lost in our sin and that means eternal death.
The solution is the same as well for all mankind- One Savior Jesus Christ who defeated death and paid the price for our sin.
He's asked us to share that Good News with others. We sometimes make this very difficult when it just might be as simple as one kid inviting another to come and get his snack pak!
In Christ,
Pastor John
There are so many places in Scripture where God says, come get your snack pak. Come to Me you who are weary and tired....Come all who are thirsty....
We are told that in heaven around the throne will be gathered many tribes and nations. The need for all mankind is the same- we are lost in our sin and that means eternal death.
The solution is the same as well for all mankind- One Savior Jesus Christ who defeated death and paid the price for our sin.
He's asked us to share that Good News with others. We sometimes make this very difficult when it just might be as simple as one kid inviting another to come and get his snack pak!
In Christ,
Pastor John
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Of Roots and Things
Ephesians 3:16-18 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,
I enjoy this time of the year when I can plant new perennials and other flowers. Its been a challenge however with the weather. It seems we are on our way to spring and the winds turn north and that lingering chill is still with us. I planted my purple fountain grass too early. It looked great when I put it in the pot. But after too much wind and cold it looked beaten and torn. The blades turned brown and I was about to throw it out and start over.
But then a few nice days came and the nights did not get so cold. I looked at the grass and I couldn't believe it. The blades were turning green and new growth was appearing. I was pretty excited and also relieved my $48.00 was not wasted. The root system is what saved it. The root system was in tact and strong.
Look at the above verse again. Paul's prayer was that the Ephesians would be rooted in Christ so deeply that they could have power! He doesn't say to have power to do great things but power to KNOW Christ! Power to know His love and just how big it is.
Once we know His love for us that is what changes things in our lives.
Do you feel worn out and tired? Do your "blades" look brown? Do you feel dead? Wish you could start over? Have the harsh winds of life taken their toll on you? Go back to your foundation! Go back to what Christ began in you- Phil 1:6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
By grace, you have roots that go deep and in time will produce the fruits of what God has planned for you. For now, bask in the warmth of His great love- love that sent Him to a cross so that you could live with Him forever.
Go and share this Good News for He paid too high a price for one soul to be lost!
In Christ,
Pastor John
I enjoy this time of the year when I can plant new perennials and other flowers. Its been a challenge however with the weather. It seems we are on our way to spring and the winds turn north and that lingering chill is still with us. I planted my purple fountain grass too early. It looked great when I put it in the pot. But after too much wind and cold it looked beaten and torn. The blades turned brown and I was about to throw it out and start over.
But then a few nice days came and the nights did not get so cold. I looked at the grass and I couldn't believe it. The blades were turning green and new growth was appearing. I was pretty excited and also relieved my $48.00 was not wasted. The root system is what saved it. The root system was in tact and strong.
Look at the above verse again. Paul's prayer was that the Ephesians would be rooted in Christ so deeply that they could have power! He doesn't say to have power to do great things but power to KNOW Christ! Power to know His love and just how big it is.
Once we know His love for us that is what changes things in our lives.
Do you feel worn out and tired? Do your "blades" look brown? Do you feel dead? Wish you could start over? Have the harsh winds of life taken their toll on you? Go back to your foundation! Go back to what Christ began in you- Phil 1:6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
By grace, you have roots that go deep and in time will produce the fruits of what God has planned for you. For now, bask in the warmth of His great love- love that sent Him to a cross so that you could live with Him forever.
Go and share this Good News for He paid too high a price for one soul to be lost!
In Christ,
Pastor John
Monday, May 9, 2011
Strong Enough But Scared!
1 John 4:18 says that perfect love drives out fear! A friend and I were talking about how great it would be to be free from fear. What great things we could do in the name of Jesus.
We have a little dog that weighs about 13 lbs. We keep her in the laundry room during the day when we are gone. A little gate keeps her from roaming the house. The gate is meant to be wedged in between the door frame. Sometimes it is a hassle to set up but now we have learned that all we have to do is lean it up against the frame and that is enough to keep her in. She's strong enough to knock it over but she is afraid of it. To her its noisy especially when it falls over. When its across the door she knows she is trapped until we set her free. Sometimes in the morning when I leave I look at her and tell her she could knock it over and be free but she doesn't listen. Fear, not the gate, keeps her in the laundry room.
I'm sure you have figured out where I am going with this. Aren't we just as silly as our dog? So much power is within us through the grace of Jesus. So how do we get rid of this fear? Actually we let God do that for us. The selected verse says that perfect love drives out fear! Scripture tells us that God is love and since He is perfect that makes Him the perfect love which is driving fear from your life even at this very moment!
And that includes the fear of death. Isn't it wonderful that the risen Jesus proclaims to us that He is the resurrection and the life! If He conquered death there is nothing in your life that He cannot overcome.
Don't let fear keep you from living up to your potential. Hear the voice of Jesus tell you are free to do whatever He has planned for you! Trust Him and you will see no gate can contain you!
In Christ,
Pastor John
We have a little dog that weighs about 13 lbs. We keep her in the laundry room during the day when we are gone. A little gate keeps her from roaming the house. The gate is meant to be wedged in between the door frame. Sometimes it is a hassle to set up but now we have learned that all we have to do is lean it up against the frame and that is enough to keep her in. She's strong enough to knock it over but she is afraid of it. To her its noisy especially when it falls over. When its across the door she knows she is trapped until we set her free. Sometimes in the morning when I leave I look at her and tell her she could knock it over and be free but she doesn't listen. Fear, not the gate, keeps her in the laundry room.
I'm sure you have figured out where I am going with this. Aren't we just as silly as our dog? So much power is within us through the grace of Jesus. So how do we get rid of this fear? Actually we let God do that for us. The selected verse says that perfect love drives out fear! Scripture tells us that God is love and since He is perfect that makes Him the perfect love which is driving fear from your life even at this very moment!
And that includes the fear of death. Isn't it wonderful that the risen Jesus proclaims to us that He is the resurrection and the life! If He conquered death there is nothing in your life that He cannot overcome.
Don't let fear keep you from living up to your potential. Hear the voice of Jesus tell you are free to do whatever He has planned for you! Trust Him and you will see no gate can contain you!
In Christ,
Pastor John
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Jesus, Remember Me
Some powerful words were spoken from the cross that first Good Friday. When a thief who was hanging next to Jesus asked the Lord if He would remember him, Jesus answered, "today you will be with Me in paradise." Our God remembers us and forgets our sin! We Christians cherish that Good News! And we celebrate it again with joy this Easter season.
Back in 1986 one beautiful morning in spring, a bird flies right toward my office window. It would be the last time it would fly. God remembers! A thousand years ago on the planet Venus a tiny meteorite landed near a medium-sized crater, dislodging 3 marble-sized rocks. God remembers! He remembers any bird that falls. He remembers everything He ever created. He knows how many hairs are on your head. He remembers every tear that has ever slipped from the corner of your eye. You may have wiped it when no one was looking but He took note and put it in a bottle for safekeeping. Listen to David in Psalm 56:8, Thou has taken account of my wanderings; put my tears in Thy bottle; are they not in Your book?
Yes they are. The details of your life are all in a book and He constantly reviews it as He guides and directs your life. I'm not going to forget He says. I was there when your fat little fingers were pulling yourself up in your crib as you cried for your mother because you thought you were forgotten. I was there when you stood at the grave and cried for your mother because you knew you wouldn't see her again until that wonderful reunion in Heaven. I am here He cries. I'm here for every broken promise and every shattered dream. I remember you and I love you. Just look at Me on the cross. The only thing I don't remember is your sin.
This is why Jesus could look at the thief and say, today you will be with Me in paradise. Today the thief was going to heaven! Such beautiful words. We are not forgotten by God. Jesus was on the cross for us. He was forsaken but we are not. When we die it will be the beginning of a new life we can't even imagine!
A Blessed Easter to you all!
In Christ,
Pastor John
Back in 1986 one beautiful morning in spring, a bird flies right toward my office window. It would be the last time it would fly. God remembers! A thousand years ago on the planet Venus a tiny meteorite landed near a medium-sized crater, dislodging 3 marble-sized rocks. God remembers! He remembers any bird that falls. He remembers everything He ever created. He knows how many hairs are on your head. He remembers every tear that has ever slipped from the corner of your eye. You may have wiped it when no one was looking but He took note and put it in a bottle for safekeeping. Listen to David in Psalm 56:8, Thou has taken account of my wanderings; put my tears in Thy bottle; are they not in Your book?
Yes they are. The details of your life are all in a book and He constantly reviews it as He guides and directs your life. I'm not going to forget He says. I was there when your fat little fingers were pulling yourself up in your crib as you cried for your mother because you thought you were forgotten. I was there when you stood at the grave and cried for your mother because you knew you wouldn't see her again until that wonderful reunion in Heaven. I am here He cries. I'm here for every broken promise and every shattered dream. I remember you and I love you. Just look at Me on the cross. The only thing I don't remember is your sin.
This is why Jesus could look at the thief and say, today you will be with Me in paradise. Today the thief was going to heaven! Such beautiful words. We are not forgotten by God. Jesus was on the cross for us. He was forsaken but we are not. When we die it will be the beginning of a new life we can't even imagine!
A Blessed Easter to you all!
In Christ,
Pastor John
Sunday, March 13, 2011
No Where to Lay His Head
Matt 8:20 Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.
Interesting verse! Sometimes I hear people say that God doesn't understand them, that He doesn't really know what they are going through. Sounds like Jesus can understand homelessness.
My team and I were reaching out to a girl who had become despondent. She didn't know where she was going to live because rent was due and funds were short. She opened up to us how she had been on her own her whole teen life. I found out her parents are in prison.
I starting thinking about the dream of Bill, Dustin, and I to have a Project 52 Retreat Center someday. Wouldn't it have been cool to say to this young woman, "hey, come to our retreat center and you can stay here for awhile while we help you with a game plan."
Im sharing this with you because I believe there are readers out there who share the same passion we do. I sense God doing some awesome things with all three of us, with the ministry, and with you.
God has called us to reach out to people including the ones who are wondering where they will lay their head.
Please pray about this dream of ours to give people hope and to help them rest in the arms of Jesus who understands them and loves them beyond our comprehension.
In Christ,
Pastor John
Interesting verse! Sometimes I hear people say that God doesn't understand them, that He doesn't really know what they are going through. Sounds like Jesus can understand homelessness.
My team and I were reaching out to a girl who had become despondent. She didn't know where she was going to live because rent was due and funds were short. She opened up to us how she had been on her own her whole teen life. I found out her parents are in prison.
I starting thinking about the dream of Bill, Dustin, and I to have a Project 52 Retreat Center someday. Wouldn't it have been cool to say to this young woman, "hey, come to our retreat center and you can stay here for awhile while we help you with a game plan."
Im sharing this with you because I believe there are readers out there who share the same passion we do. I sense God doing some awesome things with all three of us, with the ministry, and with you.
God has called us to reach out to people including the ones who are wondering where they will lay their head.
Please pray about this dream of ours to give people hope and to help them rest in the arms of Jesus who understands them and loves them beyond our comprehension.
In Christ,
Pastor John
Sunday, February 27, 2011
I Heard the Bells
Sights and smells can trigger memories. When I took a part time job at Hy-Vee this past fall, I immediately went back in time when I walked into the back stock room. The smell reminded me of another super-market job when I was in high school. It was one of my favorite jobs so it was a good memory. It was a time of dreams and goals. I was finishing high school and about to enter college to pursue my dream of being a pastor. I worked hard and saved money for school. I was young, excited and full of hope.
Sights and smells. The smell of fresh fallen leaves, the sight of a tree standing tall in the woods; praise God for sights and smells!
And then there are sounds that do the same. I recently took a full time job working with youth who are at risk. At the center where I work I saw a library book lying on a table in the main office. You know, the ones covered with wrap so little fingers don’t get them smudgy. I opened the book and the crinkling noise whisked me back to a time when the teacher opened such a book and read to me. I don’t know what it was but it was a pleasant sound and a sweet memory. One of being safe and learning things that would take me into a world of exploring my dreams! The power of a teacher is amazing.
I still think about my world of being a pastor. I have been one for over 22 years. Right now I don’t have a church and I miss things about that very much. But for now I am content to wait and see what God has planned for me. I don’t think He is finished with me yet. I knew that when the other day I was going into the Bowden Youth Center and I heard some church bells ring. It was as if the bells were calling me to something that I could not explain. I longed to be in a church at that precise moment. As I walked into work I began to wonder if for now this was my church. Perhaps the bells were calling me to make a difference in the lives of young people and to give them hope.
Perhaps one day they will see or smell or hear something that will remind them of the encouragement they received to pursue the dreams anyone can achieve if given the chance.
I look forward to hearing the bells ring again.
In Christ,
Pastor John
Sights and smells. The smell of fresh fallen leaves, the sight of a tree standing tall in the woods; praise God for sights and smells!
And then there are sounds that do the same. I recently took a full time job working with youth who are at risk. At the center where I work I saw a library book lying on a table in the main office. You know, the ones covered with wrap so little fingers don’t get them smudgy. I opened the book and the crinkling noise whisked me back to a time when the teacher opened such a book and read to me. I don’t know what it was but it was a pleasant sound and a sweet memory. One of being safe and learning things that would take me into a world of exploring my dreams! The power of a teacher is amazing.
I still think about my world of being a pastor. I have been one for over 22 years. Right now I don’t have a church and I miss things about that very much. But for now I am content to wait and see what God has planned for me. I don’t think He is finished with me yet. I knew that when the other day I was going into the Bowden Youth Center and I heard some church bells ring. It was as if the bells were calling me to something that I could not explain. I longed to be in a church at that precise moment. As I walked into work I began to wonder if for now this was my church. Perhaps the bells were calling me to make a difference in the lives of young people and to give them hope.
Perhaps one day they will see or smell or hear something that will remind them of the encouragement they received to pursue the dreams anyone can achieve if given the chance.
I look forward to hearing the bells ring again.
In Christ,
Pastor John
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Mysteries
1Cor 13:12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
I’ve always enjoyed watching and reading mysteries. Why is it then that the mysteries of God’s ways sometimes annoy me? Probably because I’m a sinful human. No doubt because I’m impatient. A mystery movie will be over in a couple of hours. A mystery book in a few days. But the mysteries that my life is made up of can take years to unfold. Feel that way too?
Picture a foggy morning. Hard to drive in isn’t? In the above verse Paul is telling us that life is sometimes like that fog. Now we see dimly, now we know in part. You can’t know the whole thing if Scripture tells us we only know in part! Life is like driving in a fog at times but God has promised someday that the weather will break and the sun will shine. We will see Jesus face to face and all will become clear. The mysteries of this life solved!!!
I'm learning to make peace with the fact that I don’t have the answers for everything. As a Pastor I stand in awe along with you as we experience the mysteries of God’s ways. (Pastors don't know it all!) Some things are just plain beyond my understanding too. I am not always sure what He is doing in my life or yours but one thing is for sure...God is good and He loves you! Trust Him and get excited about seeing how the mystery will turn out!
In Christ,
Pastor John
I’ve always enjoyed watching and reading mysteries. Why is it then that the mysteries of God’s ways sometimes annoy me? Probably because I’m a sinful human. No doubt because I’m impatient. A mystery movie will be over in a couple of hours. A mystery book in a few days. But the mysteries that my life is made up of can take years to unfold. Feel that way too?
Picture a foggy morning. Hard to drive in isn’t? In the above verse Paul is telling us that life is sometimes like that fog. Now we see dimly, now we know in part. You can’t know the whole thing if Scripture tells us we only know in part! Life is like driving in a fog at times but God has promised someday that the weather will break and the sun will shine. We will see Jesus face to face and all will become clear. The mysteries of this life solved!!!
I'm learning to make peace with the fact that I don’t have the answers for everything. As a Pastor I stand in awe along with you as we experience the mysteries of God’s ways. (Pastors don't know it all!) Some things are just plain beyond my understanding too. I am not always sure what He is doing in my life or yours but one thing is for sure...God is good and He loves you! Trust Him and get excited about seeing how the mystery will turn out!
In Christ,
Pastor John
Monday, January 31, 2011
The Lord Will Provide
How do you trust God? Let's say you just found out some horrible news regarding your health. You're told, "trust God" If I'm told that I'm thinking, so how do you trust Him in this situation? What does it look like?
This past week in my devotions I was studying Abraham with a friend of mine. We were talking about the bone-chilling story of Abraham being asked to offer up his son Isaac as a sacrifice to the Lord. Can you imagine? But Abraham loved nothing or no one more than God, so he took his son up the mountain along with the firewood. On their way up Isaac asked his dad, "where is the sacrifice?" Just think what Abraham must have felt like. What would you say in response to your precious son?
What Abraham says is what trusting in God looks like for me. "The Lord will provide" Amazing words! The Lord will provide....I don't know how or what it will look like or what it will take but HE WILL PROVIDE. I love those words because it makes it very real for me. I don't have to wonder if I'm trusting Him enough. I don't have to put any pressure on myself. I simply say (even if it is hard to believe at times) "The Lord will provide"
The story of Abraham and Isaac turns out fine. (You can read about it in Genesis 22) Trust that your story will turn out fine too. And when you want to know how to trust more or what it looks like just simply say the words, "The Lord will provide" Let Him do the rest- its what He's best at!
In Christ,
Pastor John
This past week in my devotions I was studying Abraham with a friend of mine. We were talking about the bone-chilling story of Abraham being asked to offer up his son Isaac as a sacrifice to the Lord. Can you imagine? But Abraham loved nothing or no one more than God, so he took his son up the mountain along with the firewood. On their way up Isaac asked his dad, "where is the sacrifice?" Just think what Abraham must have felt like. What would you say in response to your precious son?
What Abraham says is what trusting in God looks like for me. "The Lord will provide" Amazing words! The Lord will provide....I don't know how or what it will look like or what it will take but HE WILL PROVIDE. I love those words because it makes it very real for me. I don't have to wonder if I'm trusting Him enough. I don't have to put any pressure on myself. I simply say (even if it is hard to believe at times) "The Lord will provide"
The story of Abraham and Isaac turns out fine. (You can read about it in Genesis 22) Trust that your story will turn out fine too. And when you want to know how to trust more or what it looks like just simply say the words, "The Lord will provide" Let Him do the rest- its what He's best at!
In Christ,
Pastor John
Monday, January 17, 2011
No Period!
Heard a neat sermon yesterday in which the Pastor explained how in Ephesians 1 there is a bunch of run on sentences in the Greek version of this text. Paul, the writer of Ephesians is going on and on about the blessings of God and its like there was no time to even put a period.
I like English grammar so I looked into this more. A period is used to end a sentence. Interesting how Paul is talking about how we have been blessed by God. He says we were chosen by God, that He has given us a purpose, that we are included in His plan, that we were marked with Him, and that our inheritance is guaranteed! Do you realize all that is yours when you believe that Jesus is your Savior?!!!
No wonder in the Greek this is a run on sentence. A period ends a sentence and maybe Paul was using this as one more way to show us that our praise to God should never end!
I pray you know these blessings personally. And I pray that when it comes to thanking God for all He has done that we use run on sentences over and over.
(sorry grammar teachers!)
In Christ,
Pastor John
I like English grammar so I looked into this more. A period is used to end a sentence. Interesting how Paul is talking about how we have been blessed by God. He says we were chosen by God, that He has given us a purpose, that we are included in His plan, that we were marked with Him, and that our inheritance is guaranteed! Do you realize all that is yours when you believe that Jesus is your Savior?!!!
No wonder in the Greek this is a run on sentence. A period ends a sentence and maybe Paul was using this as one more way to show us that our praise to God should never end!
I pray you know these blessings personally. And I pray that when it comes to thanking God for all He has done that we use run on sentences over and over.
(sorry grammar teachers!)
In Christ,
Pastor John
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