Jeremiah 15:19  So the LORD says, “Turn away from your sins.  Then I will heal you.  And then you will be able to serve me.  Speak words that are worthy, not worthless.  Then you will be speaking for me.  Let these people turn to you.  But you must not turn to them.” 

I was reading Jeremiah chapter 15 in my devotion time, and the above verse really stuck out to me.  God is being very specific with us.  If we turn away from our sins, He will heal us.  I believe that we can block what God wants to do in our lives and through our lives when we allow sin to have a place in us.  How can God bless and use us when we know that we are living a life that is not pleasing to Him?  He can’t and He won’t.  Yet God said He would heal us if we turn away from our sins.  What do you think He meant…physical healing?  I believe that we can block being physically healed when we knowingly allow sin to live in us.  I also believe that sin is a sickness that we need cured from.  When we take the steps to rid ourselves of everything that is not pleasing to God – sin, etc. – then God will heal us.  What does that healing look like?  If you choose this path, letting go of your sins, you will not look like yourself anymore.  There will be something different about you.  You will feel lighter, but most of all, you will know that you are free.  There is something about a person like this that people are attracted to.  People will notice God in you!  Understand God does not want to punish us, but He will and does.  But it is God’s desire to see us live free!  Look at the next part of our verse: “Then you will be able to serve me.”  We can’t serve God the way we should if we knowingly allow sin in our lives.  But when we rid ourselves of sin, we are first Healed, and then we are Freed, and finally Able to Serve.

This next part is for pastors, teachers, and anyone who speaks God’s Word.  God’s Word is precious!  I’m sure you know this, but all of us need reminded from time to time.  Our verse says to “speak words that are worthy, not worthless”.  I know many people who are great at talking.  (I do not happen to be one of them.)  They love people and want to share story after story with whoever might seem interested and even with those who might not be.  Yet as pastors, teachers, etc. we have to be careful that we speak God’s Word, things that are worthy!  Illustrations are great to help flesh out what the Scripture is saying, so we in turn can relate to it.  But there has to be more.  Too many times we focus more on the illustration and less on the Word.  The good news is when we do focus on what is Worthy (God’s Word) then there is a promise: “Then you will be speaking for me.”

I never want to take my speaking opportunities for granted.  Speaking God’s Word to anyone, anywhere, is a privilege.  I have heard too many pastors say, “I HAVE to go such and such a place to speak…”  You don’t HAVE to, you GET to!  Read that last part again.  I am thankful for every chance I get to share God’ Word, and I pray that all the leaders, teachers, etc. out there feel the same.

God is Good!

PRay

In our society, set appointments are the norm.  We plan out our weeks. We set appointments for the doctor, dentist, vet, picture sessions and even with friends.  Sometimes, we get so busy that we don't have time for extra or random appointments.  What about the appointments that God sends our way?  Did that person come across our path randomly…or divinely?  Maybe God sends someone into your life that needs you to be “God's hands and feet”.

Pastor Mark has recently asked us to pray for him to proclaim the Gospel fearlessly and boldly.  Shouldn't we make that our prayer too?  Our family is pretty involved in softball and t-ball right now.  One of my purposes for being involved is to spread the seeds of the Gospel.  Sometimes, I get too focused on the sport and forget about sharing the Gospel.  I have been wearing my new Ada Family Center (church plant) hat, but is my life reflecting and are my words ready to share the Gospel?

Mikaya has become ‘best friends' with one of the girls on her team.  They asked each other out for ice cream last night.  We already had plans, but I got to thinking, ‘was that an appointment that God had set aside for me?'  I hope to reschedule that appointment and to make sure that I am ‘ready' to share.

“ ‘Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.' But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.' 1 Peter 3:14-16 (emphasis added)

Pray and then look for God Appointments.

PB

I am in a reading through the Bible program, and I just finished reading the story of King Asa in 2 Chronicles 14-16. Asa was a good king. He removed idols, commanded his people to love and seek God, and made a lot of religious reforms. “Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of the Lord his God” ~ 2 Chr. 14:2. Later King Asa and his nation were being surrounded by a huge army, so Asa called out to God. He said “Lord, there is no one like you to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, O Lord our God, for we rely on You, and in Your name we have come against this vast army. O Lord, You are our God; do not let man prevail against You.” ~2 Chr. 14:11

There are many times that I feel like King Asa. I feel passionate about helping reform the church. Too many times we fall into really bad habits. For example, instead of asking God to help us, we do things and ask God to bless us. We even go as far as using His word against Him… Instead of asking for God's wisdom, we make decisions on our own. Or sometimes we focus more on having church, instead of being the church!

God did many amazing things in the story of King Asa, but sadly it doesn't end well for him. God tells Asa: “The Lord is With you WHEN you are With Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you, but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you.” ~2 Chr. 15:2. King Asa fared well when he lived for God. The problem happened later in his life. King Asa was about to be attacked by Israel, and instead of calling out God like he did many times before…he called on another king (BenHadad) to help. It was at this point that King Asa blew it. Asa knew what to do. He called out to God so many times, and God ALWAYS came through. Yet Asa seemed to either forget God's faithfulness, or he became lazy in his relationship with God. Either case, Asa messed up. God sent a prophet to confront the king. This prophet said: “Because you relied on the king of Aram (meaning man), and not God, the enemy has escaped. And when you relied on God, He gave you victory…” ~ Chr. 16. “For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.” ~ 2 Chr. 16:9

So what does this all mean to us? King Asa started out really fired up for God, and did really extraordinary things. He compromised-(even removed his own grandma from her position because of her sin). Yet when he turned to his own wisdom and acted on it, he failed. God, in His mercy reached out to Asa through a prophet, but Asa would not listen or accept correction. He flat out refused to admit that he was wrong. If Asa accepted this correction and he humbled himself, then I would be telling you a different story today. Instead of humbling himself, Asa became furious with the prophet, threw him in jail, and took out his anger against his people.

Questions that we need to ask ourselves from this:

1. Who do you turn to when everything is coming against you?
2. Is your first instinct to turn to God?
3. Are you passionate about having church or being the church?
4. How do you respond when God corrects you?
5. How can you keep your relationship with God –Fully Alive?

PS. Book Review: Linda Windsor has many good series of Christian Fiction. I am reading one of hers now called Healer, form the Brides of Alba series. It's a mix of history and fiction, and is very fun to read.

PRay

It's hard to believe that it has been 20 years…and about to be 21. I never would have guessed that the decision that I committed to 20 years ago would change my life forever…It all started when I walked into the home of Jennifer Kuhn, the summer of 1990. Jen, the second daughter of Dale and Joyce Kuhn, was standing in the kitchen. When our eyes met, I was a goner and I didn't stand a chance…Not only was Jen the most beautiful thing I have ever seen…but God showed me that she was the “One” that He has been preparing for me for years.

It took a few years to convince her family that I was not a psycho, child stealing, mass murderer…but the time that it took to win them over was worth it. Now as a dad myself – I see more clearly why they were concerned.

July 25, 1992 – Jennifer D. Kuhn joined me in a ceremony in front of God and our family and friends. In this ceremony, we vowed—(committed) to God and before our friends. I this ceremony, we vowed –(committed) to God and before our friends that we would: “To have and to hold from this day forward –(until death), for better for worse –(No matter what the situation that we find ourselves in-we will stick it out). For richer –(haven't experienced this yet) for poorer. In sickness –(been here and Jen came through for me over and over) and in health. To love and cherish, TILL DEATH DO US PART! I love the ladies part where Jen said that she would Honor and Obey, even though I have had to remind her of this…

Proverbs 18:22 tells us-“He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the LORD.” I found the “One” that God brought into my life, and I received Great Favor from God. I am very thankful for Jen and I will be faithful to the commitment that I made to her.

Today's world is so different. Living together is the norm, rather than doing things God's way. This compromise has made its way into the church and it has become an acceptable practice. Acceptable to the church, but do you think that God accepts it as being ok? What are we saying to the younger ones watching us? Is it ok to “try” each other out, before you make a commitment to marry? If we are being disobedient to God in this area, then how can we expect God to bless us?

I believe that God is calling His church to a higher standard. A standard that says I will do what the Bible says, no matter what it my cost me. I will surrender my will to HIS! I will die to myself and what I want…and follow what God shows me. Do you want to have a healthy relationship? The real question that only you can answer is this: “Do you really want what God has for you?” We live in a world where commitments are discarded easily. My fear is that our commitments to Jesus will be no different.

Jen and I have counseled many couple over the years. Some have made it through their “worse” and are now in a healthier relationship, and some have not. What I have found out by experience is being in a relationship requires constant attention. The moments I become lazy, are the times we have struggled. The times that I have been selfish are the times that my family has suffered. God has called me to love Jen like He loves His church-(Eph. 5:25). I know this is true, even when I don't always live up to it…

So I want to use this remaining space to say this to you. I love my wife and I want to honor her today, she stayed, when it would have been easier to leave. When I treated her poorly, while I was battling depression – she stayed. God has used her to be the voice of truth to me on a regular basis. There are not enough words or time for me to express what she means to me. Thinking about our life together so far, I wouldn't change anything. Because what we went through made is who we are today!

Husbands – love your wives. Let them know that they are a precious gift. Man-up and follow through on the commitment that you made before God. Love her like Jesus loves His church… Wives – hang in there. After 20 years, Jen is finally seeing the “fruit” of her hard work grooming me. Love your husbands unconditionally. Be the help-mate that God called you to be.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY JEN…these 20 years have been the best years of my life! God knew that I needed you, and I am forever thankful…

God Bless Marriages today…may they find what they need in YOU!

Pastor Ray

Lincoln Park in Lima is located just north of Lima Memorial Hospital and has a large railroad exhibit. The star of the show is 779, the last steam locomotive built by the Lima Locomotive Works in May of 1949.

When the 779 was built in Lima in 1949, it was the last steam locomotive the company would build. Though the Lima Locomotive Works had salesman making contact with railroads in the US and this model of steam locomotive was still listed in the LLW's catalog, the simple truth is that no more orders for steam locomotives were ever placed at the Lima Locomotive Works and, when the 779 was built in May of 1949, the LLW didn't know they were building the last one.

Another interesting fact is that on the same day the 779 was delivered to the Nickel Plate Railroad, the LLW introduced its first diesel electric locomotive.  Lima was the smallest of the three primary locomotive builders and the last to transition to diesel, so the days of the “Loco” (as people in our area knew the Lima Locomotive Works) were numbered.  Is there a point to this history – especially a spiritual point?

As the pastor of a wonderful church and congregation, I don't always have all the answers, but I am working hard on the questions!  Where is God leading, what's next for our church,  who are the leaders God is preparing for the future, are we successful by Biblical standards, is Union Chapel faithful to our mission of “pursuing passionately the reaching and discipling of people for Jesus Christ?”, and a dozen or more other questions.  I've learned that sometimes the questions generate and produce the answers!

I know the spiritual kingdom is different than a business, but I'll always wonder if a company might still be employing people and building locomotives in Lima, if in May of 1949, leaders could have seen the changes that were coming with greater clarity and let the questions produce the answers!

Pastor Mark

I love to sit by a campfire, especially on a cool evening (and make s'mores!)…but we are getting off topic.  I got to thinking about fire and how it relates to our spiritual walk. I came across 2 uses of fire in the Bible (there are probably more, but I will stick with a 2 point message today!).

-          2 Timothy 1:3-6 – Paul is teaching Timothy to ‘fan into flame' the gifts that he had been given.  Timothy was young, had believing family members and was being used by God.  Paul urged Timothy to work at those gifts.  They needed attention and care in order to grow and be more useful.  When starting a fire (or keeping it going), one often has to blow or fan the flame to get the fire to really take off.

• How about your spiritual fire?  Is it burning hot or does it need some fanning?  Work on your gifts to make them of even better use for the Kingdom.

-          Jeremiah 6:29 – in this passage, the fire mentioned is used to refine metal. We all know how metal is put into a hot fire to burn off the impurities.  The Lord is telling to Jeremiah to be a tester of the people, to make sure they have been made pure.

• How about your life?  Have you been refined by the fire?  Will you allow the Holy Spirit to work in your life and clean up the impure thoughts, attitudes or actions so you are ready for use?

What will you do this week to ‘fan into flame' your gifts and abilities for God?  Or is there some testing that needs done by the fire?

PB

Moses stuttered, David’s armor didn’t fit, Timothy had ulcers, Hosea’s wife was a prostitute, Jacob was a liar, David had an affair and killed the husband, Solomon was too rich, Jesus – too poor, Abraham – too old, David – too young, Lazarus was dead, Naomi was a widow, Paul and Moses were murderers, Jonah ran from God, Jeremiah was depressed and suicidal, Samson had long hair, Martha worried too much, Noah got drunk, Moses, Peter, and Paul all had short fuses…

So how do your excuses stack up to theirs????

God doesn’t require perfection.

He doesn’t look at our finances.

As much as we try, God’s gifts are free!

We can do wonderful things for people and still not be wonderful.

Satan tells you that you are “not worthy”…Jesus says “I am.”

Satan looks back and shows us our mistakes…God looks back and sees the cross, where He paid for our sins.

If we love him…

If we hunger for Him more than our next breath!…

He will use us in spite of ourselves.

Matthew 25:15 – To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability.  Then he went on his journey.

• In this parable, we can see a lot of different things.
• None of the sevants were allowed to be idle (engine running but not going anywhere).
• ALL of them were given something!
• Given something to USE…
• God took into account the personality He gave us, our intellect, and everything else about us when He gave us our gifts…
• God gave us all gifts ACCORDING to His great knowledge of us.
• He knows what we are capable of.
• God gave each of us different gifts as much as we could bear, and MAKE A PROFIT!!!
• God wants us to USE a gift to make a profit…
• What do you think that means?
• To me, it means that God invested in us something precious and He wants us to go and invest what He gave us into many others…
• “With much power given – much is required.” -Spiderman
• This parable ALSO shows us what Jesus did when He left to go back to heaven.
• He gave us gifts and then went on His journey…until the day He comes back for us.

Pray now and ask God to show you Himself and the work He is already doing.  Then ask Him to use the gifts that He has given you to bring Him glory…

Praying for you,

P. Ray

I occasionally buy and sell items on Ebay.  Ebay sellers write the description of the items and provide photos so buyers can decide whether or not they want to bid and buy.

As I read the listing (with the description of the item) I'm amazed that the word “rare” is WAY overused.  A Marx 1950'S tinplate Seaboard Railroad four wheel B unit diesel locomotive IS rare. I've never seen one on Ebay and I'm told one costs $400-600!  So it will continue to be rare for me.  Coins and stamps can be rare.  Certain cars are very rare. Civil War items are rare. A few episodes of Pawn Stars will demonstrate just how rare some items are.

You knew I would get around to the definition of the word and here it is: infrequent or unusual: not happening or found often; valuable: particularly interesting or valuable, especially to collectors or scholars, because only a few exist; great: unusually great or excellent.

True Christians and Christ-followers are unusual and (hopefully) particularly interesting.  Believers are also valuable, in that they have “the ministry of reconciliation” (II Corinthians 5:18-21).  Though Christ is the One who does the reconciling (restore, make right with the Father, make friendly again) – His followers have the wonderful privilege and responsibility of sharing the Good News!

It's my prayer and purpose to be rare for the sake of the Savior!

Pastor Mark

Have you ever been to the chiropractor for an adjustment?  Sometimes, you can feel that something just isn't right with your back and you need aligned.  Other times, you don't realize how out of line you are and the pressure from the chiropractor gets everything back in place.  I don't know about you, but I always wince as he begins to push on my back.  I know that it won't hurt for more than a couple seconds and that my back will feel a lot better once it gets adjusted.

How about spiritual or personal adjustments?  How is my attitude when I am in different situations? Am I showing joy…love…the fruit of the Spirit or thorns of the world?  Sometimes my desire to win or be right gets in the way of showing the fruit.  Sometimes my doubt gets in the way of showing fruit.

I have to remember that I am the clay of God's hand and I need to get back on the pottery wheel and let God give me an adjustment.  It isn't always comfortable, but if we allow God to make adjustments, it will go better in the end.

PB

God is everywhere at all times.  The fancy theological word for it is called Omnipresence.  We believe that God truly is everywhere and nothing can contain Him.  Jer. 23:24 tells us that God declares: “Do I not fill Heaven and Earth?”  God is big!  He is HUGE, and there is none that can compare to Him.  “Solomon confessed upon finishing the temple, ‘But will God indeed dwell on the earth?  Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you; how much less this house that I have built!'”(Book: Vertical Church).

The Bible is full of references of how big our God is.  What I want to discuss today is this question taken from the Vertical Church book.  “But does His omnipresence mean that God is present in our services and meetings?”  The answer is yes and no… God is omnipresent, so He is everywhere– BUT His manifest presence might not be!  If God wanted to, He could fully reveal Himself anywhere at any time—even in hell.

So what does God's manifest presence mean?  “To put it simply, manifest presence means God at work right here!”-(Vertical Church).  Let me say this another way…when God shows up you know it!  There will be no doubt.  And when God reveals Himself, He is doing something.

So on the one hand, God is everywhere at all times.  And then there are times when He reveals Himself differently to us for a purpose.  God will reveal His presence and show His work whenever it is His will to do so.  We need to believe and understand that God is everywhere at all times. And next, we need to INVITE, and WELCOME God.  “God's manifest presence should be the consuming passion of every weekly service planning session and His absence the dread of every weekly service review.”(Vertical Church)

After reading this chapter in the Vertical Church book, I have been very intentional about starting every meeting with acknowledging and inviting God's presence into our midst.  Will you join me?

Be Blessed,

P. Ray