Rest in the Arms of the Savior Today

Philippians 2:4-10 says - Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. 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. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

Praise God as we face times in our lives when pain and hurt are so real and prevalent that it is hard to focus on God’s caring hands. Lynnda and I have walked this path over the Christmas Season in the loss of our two sisters. Our hearts are still broken but we stand on the promises of Jesus found in the passage above. The God of peace walks along side of us and brings us under His protection and comfort in all aspects of our lives.

When you face life’s troubles and we all know that we all will at times. We can rest assured that God cares, Jesus intercedes for us, and the Holy Spirit keeps us together

Praise His Holy Name

Christmas Season

As I sat this morning reading and praying I was struck with the focus we put upon this holiday season. We are so tired by all the time spent in preparation, gift buying, travel, family, outdoor activities, and food! We run from here to there and many times we are so exhausted we can barely stay a float. We stress the great gift ideas all others should have in their minds when they go to buy our gifts. We make sure we are not naughty or but very very nice this time of the year. Santa is the most anticipated visitor arriving at our homes this Christmas Eve. We are so excited we can even go on line now to watch on our computers the path of Santa as he makes sure everyone gets their gifts. I always wondered how he was able to get down all those chimneys and back – he even can get in without a chimney. (never could figure that one out as a small boy)

Yet, as I sat there this morning looking outside to the very cold Minnesota winter. I was struck by the fact that we must realize that the greatest visitor and the greatest gift has already been given to us. Jesus the baby boy born on Christmas Day was the gift of God to men and women of this world. Jesus came as a human being, grew in stature and strength. Jesus formed a group of twelve to take the message God had given Him to bring to the world. We see in John that the world would reject Him. Then that gift went to the cross (wow a gift on the cross) died and three days later rose again as the payment for our sins. Do you actually know the outcome of Christmas – you will never truly understand Christmas until you fully understand Easter. Praise God Jesus is Risen

Thankful for Family

Dear Uncle Tom and Family,

Believe it or not, I am just sitting down now on Saturday night to look at e-mails after a very un-glamorous couple days of recovering from Thanksgiving and getting ready for my last week of maternity leave. All my boys are asleep and the house is quiet as I read your reflections on our time together at Thanksgiving, I was so blessed! Other than mom’s healing, I can’t think of anything more that I would want but to know that you’ve seen Christ in our grieving, seen Mom’s peace in this valley and Dad’s love for mom in his devotion to her. Mostly, I can’t say how happy I am to have all of you as family who share the same hope, surrounding us with love and praying us on this journey. After all, this what we are all living and professing our faith for, for hope in the shadows of death, that Christ was who he said He was, that He is coming again, the power of the resurrection, and that He promised to make all thing new! I’m sure some of you were a little taken back by mom’s decreased mobility on Thursday, not many have seen her recently and only a few since she moved to the hospital bed. As you know, nothing she has tried has been able to stop the cancer, and time seems to be speeding up now. Writing that physically hurts.

My heart aches in the here and now, realizing the boys will grow up without knowing or probably remembering mom, just thinking about this I am reduced to a tearful mess. I don’t want to raise my children without her. I was taking down “fall” decorations around my house yesterday and as I put them away I kept wondering if the next time I unpacked them all, whether mom would still be with us – it took me hours to pack away what should have taken a few minutes. It’s hard to picture my dad without my mom, almost impossible, but Ben loves dad so much and I’m hoping he and Joseph will be a joy for him in the years ahead. I can’t tell you all how much I don’t want to go back to work, how I want to be free to be with mom and focus on making memories with the boys in the coming months. I’m frustrated with that, overwhelmed really with the limitations of a new baby and full time work, when you think of me, pray for me in this. At the same time, I’m thankful for the home care from Health East that has given us almost 5 days a week where aides and a nurse are always checking in on her needs. Thankful to Kristie who spends Sunday afternoons and two to three nights a week at the house with dad caring for mom, and dad who not only is on call every night, but comes home from work on his lunch break every day to care for her and fix her lunch. He has had such a blessing through his work that we should tell you, it will let him basically retire after Christmas and be home with mom – Praise God for that! Praise God for so much… praise God for all of you!

Joy in the Journey and the Hope before us!

-Katie

From: Tom Parker [mailto:tomk100@usfamily.net]
Sent: Friday, November 26, 2010 8:47 AM
To: Pastor Tom ‘s Blog; Bob & Jane Corey; Dawn Parker; Katie Hanna Home; Kristie & Jeoff MacCarthy; Lynnda Parker; Missy Stiller; Pat Stiller; Sarah Hughes; Tracy Polly
Subject: Thankful for Family

As I have read and cherished Philippians 4:6 “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” I was never more aware of this then yesterday at our family thanksgiving gathering at my sister’s home. I was so thankful to be with family and to see the little ones, my sister, my brother-in-law, his parents, my brother and his family, my nieces and their families, my daughter, her husband and my grandkids. But it was also so good to see my sister and spend some time with her in her struggle with cancer. She is such an inspiration to me as she is living out Philippians 4:6. As I spent time yesterday talking and just sitting with Jane, I was so struck with the peace that she has in her Savior. She is trusting Him in all of the struggle filled journey He has asked her to walk down, as she is headed to her true home in heaven. This is the road we all walk down as children of God. God asks us all to walk such different paths, but yet all for one reason and one reason only to give Him the Glory. I am also watching my dear brother-in-law Bob as he juggles a life of caring for Jane, working, his elderly parents, his daughters, his son-in-laws, and his grandkids. But did I ever hear a discouraging word or a word of disappointment come out of his mouth, no but Praise and honor to God in this journey he has been asked by God to walk with his wife, and his Savior. I also was struck with the Jane’s family, as her daughters and son-in-laws pull together to make mom’s path a joy filled time. I truly see the love of God within this family.

As I sit here this morning at my desk finishing my sermon for Sunday. I was struck with the goodness and the love of God. We in America have so many times cheapened God’s Grace by living our lives as we see fit. Taking for granted or ignoring the life God has called us all to walk with and for Him. A life we are to walk in Him and in Him only. Why is my sister being asked to walk this path, I can not give you the full reason as I still have not figured out why mom was asked to walk the same path, or why Ray was taken so early. But I can tell you this my Savior, my God is so awesome and so wonderful, that as I walk this path He has given me, I will only walk it with Him holding His hand or if He chooses to carry me for awhile, I will always trust and love Him. The result of this path, especially for Jane right now, is the hope we have in Jesus that one day there will be no more pain, no more tears, no more struggles only joy in seeing Jesus. Jane I love you, but praise God He loves you more.

Thankful for Family

As I have read and cherished Philippians 4:6 “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” I was never more aware of this then yesterday at our family thanksgiving gathering at my sister’s home. I was so thankful to be with family and to see the little ones, my sister, my brother-in-law, his parents, my brother and his family, my nieces and their families, my daughter, her husband and my grandkids. But it was also so good to see my sister and spend some time with her in her struggle with cancer. She is such an inspiration to me as she is living out Philippians 4:6. As I spent time yesterday talking and just sitting with Jane, I was so struck with the peace that she has in her Savior. She is trusting Him in all of the struggle filled journey He has asked her to walk down, as she is headed to her true home in heaven. This is the road we all walk down as children of God. God asks us all to walk such different paths, but yet all for one reason and one reason only to give Him the Glory. I am also watching my dear brother-in-law Bob as he juggles a life of caring for Jane, working, his elderly parents, his daughters, his son-in-laws, and his grandkids. But did I ever hear a discouraging word or a word of disappointment come out of his mouth, no but Praise and honor to God in this journey he has been asked by God to walk with his wife, and his Savior. I also was struck with the Jane’s family, as her daughters and son-in-laws pull together to make mom’s path a joy filled time. I truly see the love of God within this family.

As I sit here this morning at my desk finishing my sermon for Sunday. I was struck with the goodness and the love of God. We in America have so many times cheapened God’s Grace by living our lives as we see fit. Taking for granted or ignoring the life God has called us all to walk with and for Him. A life we are to walk in Him and in Him only. Why is my sister being asked to walk this path, I can not give you the full reason as I still have not figured out why mom was asked to walk the same path, or why Ray was taken so early. But I can tell you this my Savior, my God is so awesome and so wonderful, that as I walk this path He has given me, I will only walk it with Him holding His hand or if He chooses to carry me for awhile, I will always trust and love Him. The result of this path, especially for Jane right now, is the hope we have in Jesus that one day there will be no more pain, no more tears, no more struggles only joy in seeing Jesus. Jane I love you, but praise God He loves you more.

Death is Gain

Philippians 1:21 “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Do you fear death? What does Paul mean to die is gain? Do you fear that day when you will breath your last breath here on earth? What actually is death? For someone who does not know Jesus Christ as their Savior, death is a separation from life into eternal separation from God. An eternity of suffering and pain where relief will never come. With that outlook, all should fear death as death is that final separation from God.

For a child of God, death is not a separation, but a changing of Christ for Christ. We have Jesus Christ in our soul as we walk this earth. In death (freedom from evil) we will be in the presence of all of Christ’s Glory. We will see Him as never before. We will be like Him in perfection, knowledge, and love. Spending eternity free from all of life’s pain and sin.

Yet, as wonderful as this is. We must remember that until that day. God calls us to live in Christ as we surrender our lives for His purposes here on earth. We must labor to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. Remember everything you hope for to come in eternity. It is our responsibility to share that goods news with all those who have no hope for eternity. Listen to this quote fro Dr. James Boice “We must lift our minds to contemplate the joys of heaven. But if we – see them rightly – we will turn back once more to those for whom our life in Christ and our witness to Him is needful.”

Are You Disappointed In Christ?

We all face disappointment in life. We are disappointed as a child when we do not get the gift we asked Santa for at Christmas, we are disappointed when we are turned down for that date we wanted and the young lady said no, we are disappointed when we did not get that job we longed for. What have you been disappointed in as you look back on your life? We all can point to different areas of our lives in which we felt disappointment.

Have you been disappointed in Jesus Christ? I know many will say yes where was He when I wanted that job and didn’t get it. Well, we are looking at that disappointment from the wrong way, maybe just maybe God did not want you to have that job. God had better plans for you. When we put our trust and salvation in Jesus Christ, God promises us that all that happens to us is for our good. In Philippians 1:20 Paul even says that in his life or death Christ will be honored. Humanly speaking we struggle to understand God purposes in our lives, but in the spiritual realm we can have confidence that all we walk through is in God’s plans for us.

When we face life with this idea in mind, you will be able to praise God for every situation He has called you to walk through. This is the idea behind Paul’s words in the verse 19 of Philippians when he says “Yes, and I will rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance.” Paul is in prison and is possibly facing his execution at the hands of the Romans. Yet Paul is not ashamed (disappointed) of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Are you “not ashamed”?

Can We All Just Play Together

Good Morning – As I studied Philippians 1:15-18 it struck me that Paul was concerned about those who preached out of envy and strife. Many were unhappy about Paul, not the Christian message. Yet, Paul says in verse 18 that he is wanting to know only one thing and that is that Christ is preached. If that is the truth then he will rejoice.

This is so prevalent in our churches today. We seem to put up divisions throughout our churches and proclaim we are the only ones with the true message. Denominational differences are created by man and can cause damage to the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. No matter our denomination, we must realize that others are sharing the good news of Jesus Christ and we must give praise to God that it is occurring. We must walk across denominational lines and find common ground to share Jesus Christ. Only a life surrendered to Jesus Christ and forgiven by God the Father will ever enter one into heaven. Denominationalism will never, never, never get you a spot in heaven.

Ask God this morning, to bless those who may differ on some issues, but are proclaiming Jesus Christ. We are all children of God and as a member of this family, we need to join together and fortify God’s kingdom. Pray for each other today.

Thanksgiving in Prayer

As we are spending time in corporate prayer to seek God’s guidance and direction for First Baptist Church of Glenwood, God has sent me into a study of the book of Philippians. In chapter one verses 3-5 Paul speaks of thanking God for the fellowship they share in the gospel of God. Paul is thanking God for that wonderful opportunity not to just have fellowship one with another, but to fellowship in the gospel of God with the church of Philippi. How does this fellowship work? Well it is more than just fellowship with other Christians it is three fold. First, we fellowship in the gospel of God – our mutual salvation we can share and enjoy with other Christians. Second, it is our fellowship in the Holy Spirit – our time of growth as a child of God trusting and giving our lives to the Holy Spirit’s direction. Third, is our fellowship with the suffering of Christ – our understanding in a very small way to the actual suffering our Lord Jesus Christ. In knowing more of this we will know Him more and that will give us the desire to be more like Him.

To understand this fellowship will enable us to understand the true idea behind our prayer life. Giving thanks for the fellowship we have with the Trinity, God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. In this fellowship we have the privilege to share in the fullness of God. An awesome way to spend time in prayer is to enjoy these three avenues of fellowship with our God. Thank God for your salvation and the fellowship with Him because of it. Thank God for our fellowship with the Holy Spirit as He guides us through this earthly journey. Thank God for the fellowship we can have with the suffering of Jesus Christ as we strive to be like Jesus.

We have so much to be thankful for in our walk with God. Thank Him for our “FELLOWSHIP” with Him.

Grace and Peace to You

Good Morning to All
I have taken a few weeks off as I have traveled to a Small Town Pastor’s Conference and a week of vacation. God has renewed our souls, our hearts, and our bodies.

My devotions this morning was found in Philippians 1:2 as Paul uses the greeting “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” In our day these words have taken on very different meaning as Paul intention to his readers in his letter to the Philippians Church. Today grace means “attractive”, “good manners”, and “charm” where peace means nothing more than being “not at war”

In Paul’s time these word took on a very different meaning. Grace in Paul’s definition is God’s Grace. The unmerited and abounding grace of God. Unmerited because we do not deserve it. God gives us grace only because He love us and chooses to provide grace. Abounding, because God gives abundantly to those who are His children. Peace started at the birth of our Savior as the angels told the shepherds “Peace on Earth”. Then peace is given to all those who come to Jesus as their personal Savior. Jesus died and rose again to give us peace, the peace of eternal salvation and eternal security.

So today walk up to someone and greet them by saying “Grace and Peace to You”. Remember grace always comes first for if it was not because of God’s Grace we would never experience peace.

Are We Telling The World

I arrived home from the Men’s Retreat at Trout Lake Camp. I had a wonderful time and enjoyed the time away in fellowship, recreation, and relaxation. I went to the retreat thinking I will use this time to refresh and enjoy some time away from the daily routine. Mistaken as usual, God had a different course for me to take even at the men’s retreat.

I went to a seminar breakout session with a gentleman named Paul Ridgeway, an evangelist who sole goal in life is to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He stressed the urgency of spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ as we are living in the end times. Now do not get me wrong, I am an evangelistic pastor at heart. Ask anyone of the people who attend our church, I am always preaching we need to go outside our doors to fulfill the Great Commission. But what Paul challenged me about is the urgency we must have and the passion we must engulf in telling others about Jesus Christ. We are living in the final days. We all preach that from the pulpit. Yet to take that term “urgent” and “end times” we must realize that this must be our passion each and everyday.

We do not know when the Lord will return? The Bible tells us no one knows that day except God the Father. Yet we are to be prepared for the return not only ourselves but all those people you come into contact with must be prepared by coming to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Do you realize that those who do not know Jesus as their personal Savior will at that time be doomed to a Christless eternity in hell. We as Christians should be shocked into reality that men and women are headed for this destination and we have the Good News that will change their course for all eternity. Are we really telling the world? Share Jesus Christ with all you come into contact, they may need a change of address for eternity.