Some of you may recognize that the title of this article was used in an old Willie Nelson song (although I didn’t know who wrote it until I just Googled it). Though I didn’t know Willie wrote both the music and the lyrics to the song, I do remember that the day Elvis died, the nightly news showed a video clip of him (Elvis) singing it during one of his shows in Las Vegas. Now anytime I hear that song, I can’t help but thinking how fitting that title is for every one of our lives.
Three thousand years before Willie was ever born, King David—under the Spirit’s inspiration—offered up this prayer about his own mortality: “Show me, O Lord, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life. You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Each man’s life is but a breath. Man is a mere phantom as he goes to and fro: He bustles about, but only in vain; he heaps up wealth, not knowing who will get it. But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in You.” (Psalm 39:4-7).
The older I get, the more I realize how important each day is and how I must use every day for those things that are of eternal value. One man wisely said: “Each new day is God’s gift to me, then what I do with that day is my gift to God.” I must admit, however, that in my case I have wasted many hours that have turned into many days that have turned into many weeks that have turned into many months and that, have sadly, turned into many years. Therefore, I’ve determined to focus on just two essentials that, by God’s grace, I would strive to achieve with each passing day:
First, I want to grow to love God more purely and more passionately with each new day. After all the greatest command is to love the Lord with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength (Mk.12:30). An ever increasing love for God must be my highest priority. This demands spending time with Him and listening for His voice so that I might quickly obey His commands and follow the promptings of His Spirit. But if at the end of the day I discover that loving and obeying God was pushed behind other pursuits, passions or pleasures, then I’ve not given back to God the gift that He most longs for—a more intimate relationship with me. Knowing God and discovering His will is always the by-product of this God-centered love.
Second, I want to then express that love for God to those He’s placed in my world. It is the second greatest command—to love my neighbor as myself—that makes this the next highest priority of my life. If in every day that God gives to me, I can touch just one person with His love, then this will be my gift that I offer back to God. Touching others with His love could come in the way of a prayer, an encouraging word, a helping hand, a testimony or a simple presentation of the Gospel. My part is to be available to however God would chose to use me.
If you haven’t yet come to realize how time slips away then might I suggest you make David’s prayer your own petition, for that’s why the Holy Spirit had it placed within the pages of Scripture: “Show me, O Lord, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life.”
Remembering Always: “Each new day is God’s gift to me, then what I do with that day is my gift to God.”
John
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
The Lions are Coming!!
Actually, it’s the Lyons that are coming—as in James and Wendy. On Wednesday, August 5th James will begin his service among us as our fulltime Children and Family Ministries’ Director. His passion is to come alongside our children, their families and our children’s workers to help strengthen, guide and support them through these perilous days that are a hallmark of our times.
Just before his martyrdom the Apostle Paul prophesied of these end time days when he wrote: “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God…” (2 Timothy 3:1-4).
Anyone with just a bit of spiritual discernment can see that this is the world that our kids and families are exposed to day in and day out. But even though it’s an undisputable fact that “the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8b), we’ve got a Lyon coming on board that will help our kids and their families know and embrace the truth that will fortify them to overcome their adversary. This liberating truth is best stated by the Apostle John in his first letter to the church when he writes: “…the One who is in you (God Himself) is greater than the one that is in the world (the devil)” (1 John 4:4b).
Not only does James want our kids and their families to walk in this life-giving truth that assures victory over the world and the devil, but it’s also his God-given desire to take this message into our community. He’s certain that if we’ll work together in singleness of mind, purpose and spirit, we can and will make a measurable difference in the kids and families of Lomita.
Immediately following our morning service on Sunday, August 9th, we’ll be having a pizza luncheon with the Lyons (no pun intended) for our kids, parents and children’s workers. If you fall into one of these three categories, please set aside this Sunday to join with us so that we can hear from them and they can hear from us.
I close by asking every member of our body to pray that the Lyon’s transition will continue to go smoothly and that they will be quickly assimilated into our fellowship.
In His Service,
John
Just before his martyrdom the Apostle Paul prophesied of these end time days when he wrote: “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God…” (2 Timothy 3:1-4).
Anyone with just a bit of spiritual discernment can see that this is the world that our kids and families are exposed to day in and day out. But even though it’s an undisputable fact that “the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8b), we’ve got a Lyon coming on board that will help our kids and their families know and embrace the truth that will fortify them to overcome their adversary. This liberating truth is best stated by the Apostle John in his first letter to the church when he writes: “…the One who is in you (God Himself) is greater than the one that is in the world (the devil)” (1 John 4:4b).
Not only does James want our kids and their families to walk in this life-giving truth that assures victory over the world and the devil, but it’s also his God-given desire to take this message into our community. He’s certain that if we’ll work together in singleness of mind, purpose and spirit, we can and will make a measurable difference in the kids and families of Lomita.
Immediately following our morning service on Sunday, August 9th, we’ll be having a pizza luncheon with the Lyons (no pun intended) for our kids, parents and children’s workers. If you fall into one of these three categories, please set aside this Sunday to join with us so that we can hear from them and they can hear from us.
I close by asking every member of our body to pray that the Lyon’s transition will continue to go smoothly and that they will be quickly assimilated into our fellowship.
In His Service,
John
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
TWO MOTHERS WHO IMPACTED ETERNITY
“I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.” So wrote the Apostle Paul in his last letter to Timothy before He (Paul) was martyred for his faith (2 Timothy 1:5, 2).
As we approach Mother’s Day this scripture in particular reminds me of my rich spiritual heritage for I, too, can attribute my faith to a Godly grandmother, Adeline Dosier, and her daughter and my mother, Jessie. As a young boy one of my fondest and most vivid memories of my grandmother was when she would come to stay at our home. During these times she would share a bedroom with me. I believe this was all God-ordained, for I would often still be awake when she turned in for the night, and without exception—even though it was very difficult because of a painful back condition—she would kneel beside her bed and begin interceding for her family. This woman of faith believed in a God who was ever faithful to hear and answer her prayers. She was certain that the One to whom she prayed loved her offspring even more than she. The result was that all of her children would eventually come to faith in Christ. Yet it wasn’t just her prayers that spoke of her deep and abiding faith. It was also evidenced in her words and actions. She was a gentle soul with a caring heart, clearly displayed as she wisely and lovingly raised seven children of her own and afterwards four grandchildren as well—each one able to testify of her sincere faith and sacrificial life.
Her youngest daughter, Jessie, would become my mother—a mother who followed in her mother’s footsteps by raising both my sister and me in the House of the Lord. From my youngest years I remember being in Sunday School week after week where we were taught about a loving and faithful God who sent His Son as the Lamb of God to take away the sin of the world. This truth was implanted in my life and my sister’s life because of our mother’s unwavering commitment to raise her children in God’s House, even though my father was not fully on board.
My mother turned ninety-two this year and is still a part of our journey of faith—for just as her mother before her—she is faithfully praying for her son, her daughter, her four grandchildren and her six great grandchildren. Thanks be to God that not only did Timothy have a God-fearing grandmother and mother to which his faith could be traced back, but that I and my sister have also had the privilege of a God-fearing grandmother and mother to which we can also attribute our faith. This Mother’s Day I wish to honor not only my grandmother and my mother for their gift of faith which they passed down to their children, but I would also honor all those Mothers and Grandmothers who have likewise been that example to their families.
Happy Mother’s Day Mom…from an eternally grateful son!
John
As we approach Mother’s Day this scripture in particular reminds me of my rich spiritual heritage for I, too, can attribute my faith to a Godly grandmother, Adeline Dosier, and her daughter and my mother, Jessie. As a young boy one of my fondest and most vivid memories of my grandmother was when she would come to stay at our home. During these times she would share a bedroom with me. I believe this was all God-ordained, for I would often still be awake when she turned in for the night, and without exception—even though it was very difficult because of a painful back condition—she would kneel beside her bed and begin interceding for her family. This woman of faith believed in a God who was ever faithful to hear and answer her prayers. She was certain that the One to whom she prayed loved her offspring even more than she. The result was that all of her children would eventually come to faith in Christ. Yet it wasn’t just her prayers that spoke of her deep and abiding faith. It was also evidenced in her words and actions. She was a gentle soul with a caring heart, clearly displayed as she wisely and lovingly raised seven children of her own and afterwards four grandchildren as well—each one able to testify of her sincere faith and sacrificial life.
Her youngest daughter, Jessie, would become my mother—a mother who followed in her mother’s footsteps by raising both my sister and me in the House of the Lord. From my youngest years I remember being in Sunday School week after week where we were taught about a loving and faithful God who sent His Son as the Lamb of God to take away the sin of the world. This truth was implanted in my life and my sister’s life because of our mother’s unwavering commitment to raise her children in God’s House, even though my father was not fully on board.
My mother turned ninety-two this year and is still a part of our journey of faith—for just as her mother before her—she is faithfully praying for her son, her daughter, her four grandchildren and her six great grandchildren. Thanks be to God that not only did Timothy have a God-fearing grandmother and mother to which his faith could be traced back, but that I and my sister have also had the privilege of a God-fearing grandmother and mother to which we can also attribute our faith. This Mother’s Day I wish to honor not only my grandmother and my mother for their gift of faith which they passed down to their children, but I would also honor all those Mothers and Grandmothers who have likewise been that example to their families.
Happy Mother’s Day Mom…from an eternally grateful son!
John
Friday, January 30, 2009
How Big is Your Wall??
A few days ago Natalie Martin e-mailed these thoughts to me
concerning the conquering of Jericho (Joshua 6). I believe they’re
well worth passing on to you. –Pastor John
Joshua and the Israelites faced walls, and we face walls too. Walls
of debt, walls of sickness, walls of despair. How many of us are waiting
on God to knock down our walls? But He is waiting on us.
In Joshua 6:2 the Lord said, “I have given you Jericho and it's
king.” God was speaking those things that are not as though they
were. It didn't look like they could possess Jericho. Those walls were
big! But God gave Joshua instructions on what to do. When we ask
God for a miracle, God will always give an instruction.
At the end of verse five God said, “…and it shall come to pass.”
That means it's a done deal. “After you follow My instructions,
after you follow My word, after you shout and praise, those walls
are coming down!” Notice Joshua tells them that they are not to let
any noise or any word come out of their mouths except on the seventh
day when he would tell them to shout! You know why? Because
he didn't need any complaining,any murmuring, any doubt being
spoken. If we don't speak what God has declared, if we don't
speak words of faith, then we’ll never shout any walls down!
Joshua told the people, "God has given us this city." Though it
didn't look that way, Joshua ignored what was seen by the natural
eye and spoke by faith what God’s word had promised. And on
the seventh day the trumpets blew, the people shouted and
praised, and those walls fell flat! If you are facing cancer and the
doctors don't give you much hope, you have to believe God and what He
says more than the doctors.
You must agree with His word. Psalms 91:16 says: “With long life I will
satisfy him and show him my salvation.” Shout those walls
down! Hebrews 11:30 says: “By faith the walls of Jericho fell down
after they walked around seven times.” They fell because Joshua
mixed faith with seven days of obedience and a victory shout!
Now as they marched around those walls for that entire week,
their faith became bigger than the walls. When we are in God’s word
long enough, then our faith in God becomes bigger than any problems
we might be facing. After conquering death, hell and the grave, Jesus
sat down at the right hand of the Father. And from
this position of power and authority, He poured out His Spirit upon
His Body, the Church, through which we are given nine gifts of
the Spirit so that we might continue Christ’s work and nine fruits
of the Spirit so that we might gain Christ’s character (1Corinthians
12:7-11; Galatians 5:22-23). Jesus has also given us both the authority
to use His Name—the Name that’s above all others—and the
promises of His Word that shall never fail. With such blessings He
expects us to be nothing less than overcomers —”SHOUT DOWN
YOUR WALLS!”
Now, how big do your walls seem? –NM
concerning the conquering of Jericho (Joshua 6). I believe they’re
well worth passing on to you. –Pastor John
Joshua and the Israelites faced walls, and we face walls too. Walls
of debt, walls of sickness, walls of despair. How many of us are waiting
on God to knock down our walls? But He is waiting on us.
In Joshua 6:2 the Lord said, “I have given you Jericho and it's
king.” God was speaking those things that are not as though they
were. It didn't look like they could possess Jericho. Those walls were
big! But God gave Joshua instructions on what to do. When we ask
God for a miracle, God will always give an instruction.
At the end of verse five God said, “…and it shall come to pass.”
That means it's a done deal. “After you follow My instructions,
after you follow My word, after you shout and praise, those walls
are coming down!” Notice Joshua tells them that they are not to let
any noise or any word come out of their mouths except on the seventh
day when he would tell them to shout! You know why? Because
he didn't need any complaining,any murmuring, any doubt being
spoken. If we don't speak what God has declared, if we don't
speak words of faith, then we’ll never shout any walls down!
Joshua told the people, "God has given us this city." Though it
didn't look that way, Joshua ignored what was seen by the natural
eye and spoke by faith what God’s word had promised. And on
the seventh day the trumpets blew, the people shouted and
praised, and those walls fell flat! If you are facing cancer and the
doctors don't give you much hope, you have to believe God and what He
says more than the doctors.
You must agree with His word. Psalms 91:16 says: “With long life I will
satisfy him and show him my salvation.” Shout those walls
down! Hebrews 11:30 says: “By faith the walls of Jericho fell down
after they walked around seven times.” They fell because Joshua
mixed faith with seven days of obedience and a victory shout!
Now as they marched around those walls for that entire week,
their faith became bigger than the walls. When we are in God’s word
long enough, then our faith in God becomes bigger than any problems
we might be facing. After conquering death, hell and the grave, Jesus
sat down at the right hand of the Father. And from
this position of power and authority, He poured out His Spirit upon
His Body, the Church, through which we are given nine gifts of
the Spirit so that we might continue Christ’s work and nine fruits
of the Spirit so that we might gain Christ’s character (1Corinthians
12:7-11; Galatians 5:22-23). Jesus has also given us both the authority
to use His Name—the Name that’s above all others—and the
promises of His Word that shall never fail. With such blessings He
expects us to be nothing less than overcomers —”SHOUT DOWN
YOUR WALLS!”
Now, how big do your walls seem? –NM
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
“YOU DO NOT HAVE BECAUSE YOU DO NOT ASK”
On Sunday night, January, 11th we’ll be starting the new year with
a week of prayer and fasting. The schedule will be as follows:
Sunday………6pm—Forgiveness and a Pure heart
Monday………7pm—Unity, Guidance & Holy Spirit Empowerment
Tuesday……7pm—Healing & Deliverance
Wednesday…7pm—Salvation for Friends & Relatives (Youth Meeting Separately)
Thursday……7pm—Situations that Seem Impossible
Friday…………7pm—Marriages &Families
Saturday………24hr. prayer begins at 6am—Leaders & Government Officials
*Sunday—Friday we will be meet in the Sanctuary
Jesus taught that “we should always pray and not give up” (Luke 18:1) for He knew that there would be times when either we would become discouraged in prayer or simply succumb to a life of prayerlessness. In this eighteenth chapter that begins with a parable on prayer, Jesus concludes with this question: “When the Son of Man comes (Jesus’ second coming) will He find faith on the earth?” (vs. 8b)
After reading this parable—one that has a widow coming back time and again to an unjust judge until he eventually grants her plea for justice—we see that Jesus
clearly links “faith on earth” with persistence in prayer. You cannot
say that you truly have faith if you fail to consistently and persistently
look to God for justice, strength,help, wisdom, healing, and every other facet of human need. If prayer is simply a last ditch effort you “try” when all else fails, then prayer will be quite low on your list of priorities. And if a day or
two passes without having set apart a time of meaningful communication with God, it won’t be anything that causes you great concern. Consequently, Satan will have cut you off from one of the greatest resources you have for living out your Christian faith and advancing God’s kingdom on earth.
Maybe you have an anemic prayer life for you assume that you have little influence with God. “Who am I,” you might reason, “that I should presume that God would
heed my prayers?” This is the very reason why Jesus begins the Lord’s Prayer with “Our Father”. All who have made Christ their Savior have become God’s children
in the truest sense of the word. They are full-fledged sons and daughters of their heavenly Father with all the rights and privileges that come with that relationship.
And so the Apostle John writes: “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! (1 John
3:1)
As the New Year approaches, I would encourage you to make every effort to join with your family at Calvary as we jointly come before our heavenly Father’s throne—knowing that because we can touch His heart, we will indeed move His hand!
In His Love,
John
a week of prayer and fasting. The schedule will be as follows:
Sunday………6pm—Forgiveness and a Pure heart
Monday………7pm—Unity, Guidance & Holy Spirit Empowerment
Tuesday……7pm—Healing & Deliverance
Wednesday…7pm—Salvation for Friends & Relatives (Youth Meeting Separately)
Thursday……7pm—Situations that Seem Impossible
Friday…………7pm—Marriages &Families
Saturday………24hr. prayer begins at 6am—Leaders & Government Officials
*Sunday—Friday we will be meet in the Sanctuary
Jesus taught that “we should always pray and not give up” (Luke 18:1) for He knew that there would be times when either we would become discouraged in prayer or simply succumb to a life of prayerlessness. In this eighteenth chapter that begins with a parable on prayer, Jesus concludes with this question: “When the Son of Man comes (Jesus’ second coming) will He find faith on the earth?” (vs. 8b)
After reading this parable—one that has a widow coming back time and again to an unjust judge until he eventually grants her plea for justice—we see that Jesus
clearly links “faith on earth” with persistence in prayer. You cannot
say that you truly have faith if you fail to consistently and persistently
look to God for justice, strength,help, wisdom, healing, and every other facet of human need. If prayer is simply a last ditch effort you “try” when all else fails, then prayer will be quite low on your list of priorities. And if a day or
two passes without having set apart a time of meaningful communication with God, it won’t be anything that causes you great concern. Consequently, Satan will have cut you off from one of the greatest resources you have for living out your Christian faith and advancing God’s kingdom on earth.
Maybe you have an anemic prayer life for you assume that you have little influence with God. “Who am I,” you might reason, “that I should presume that God would
heed my prayers?” This is the very reason why Jesus begins the Lord’s Prayer with “Our Father”. All who have made Christ their Savior have become God’s children
in the truest sense of the word. They are full-fledged sons and daughters of their heavenly Father with all the rights and privileges that come with that relationship.
And so the Apostle John writes: “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! (1 John
3:1)
As the New Year approaches, I would encourage you to make every effort to join with your family at Calvary as we jointly come before our heavenly Father’s throne—knowing that because we can touch His heart, we will indeed move His hand!
In His Love,
John
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)