PR's Blog

Because I Can

noreply@blogger.com (Ronald E. Green) — Mon, 11 Sep 2006 13:50:10 -0500

September 10, 2006 Gordon, NE
“BECAUSE I CAN”
OR
“YOU DON’T THROW A LIFE AWAY BECAUSE IT IS A LITTLE BANGED UP”
Scripture Reading: Mark 2:1-12
Text: Matthew 17:14-20

(Tell the story in first person of the boy who was healed from seizures.)

The movie “Seabiscuit” is a remarkable presentation of the power found in understanding and acceptance. There are four main characters in the movie; Charles Howard – the futurist entrepreneur, Tom Smith – a cowboy who knows horses, John (Red) Pollard – a gifted jockey and the horse Seabiscuit. Each of these individuals had to overcome some extremely hard situations. Each one felt abandoned from the life they once led. Each one was on their own until they found each other.
We are introduced to Charles Howard at a time manufacturing was changing. He was a repairman in a bicycle factory. He had a dream of embracing the future and wanted to see where it would lead him. He left his factory job and moved to San Francisco where he opened a bicycle shop of his own. As life so often does, he found himself involved in the repair of an automobile and not bicycles. He made the change to selling cars and became very successful and wealthy. In 1929 when the stock market crashed he was hurt financially though he was still OK. His son decided to take the ranch truck and go fishing. While on his way he had an accident that took his life. Charles and his wife were devastated. It was so bad that his wife could not bear to remain in the marriage. Charles was left alone without anyone.
We first meet Tom Smith riding his horse across the open range capturing wild horses to tame and sell. Tom encounters the fencing of the open range and realizes that his way of life is coming to an end. He has no other skills than that of dealing with horses. He joins a traveling show and handles their horses. When the crash hit he found himself a drifter riding railcars from place to place.
John Pollard was raised in Canada by upper middle class parents. His family loved the classics and they did all they could for their children. John’s father and mother gave him a horse at the age of 16. He learned to ride with great skill. When the depression hit in the United States it also affected many in Canada. John’s parents lost their home and the whole family became homeless. John earned some money caring for some horses that a man owned and raced. John’s parents gave John to this man because they could not care for him. John was abandoned by his family and became bitter and angry.
Seabiscuit was the son of a great champion racehorse though he was not big and enjoyed eating and sleeping. He was treated harshly by trainers and then used to run against other horses and made to lose so the other horses would have confidence to win. Seabiscuit was sold and resold several times and was considered of little worth. He was hard to handle and would attack most anyone who would come near him. He was a deeply troubled animal.
Charles Howard met a young lady who brought to him healing and confidence again. They married and her love for horses caused Charles to begin to seek out a horse that could be a winner in racing. His friends told him that he first needed a trainer. (Show Video: 38:00-41:35)
Charles knew that taking risks was where a person could find unique opportunities. He did not allow traditional thinking to control his decision-making. He sought out a man that had a deep care for what he was doing. Tom was passionate about horses and was willing to do what it took to bring the best out of each animal he worked with. Tom was given the charge by Charles to find a horse that would be a winner. So, Tom went to racetracks early in the mornings to watch all the horses as they were being warmed up or trained. When he saw Seabiscuit something inside of him was drawn to that horse.
After convincing Charles that Seabiscuit could be made into a race horse Tom had the challenge of finding a rider that could ride him. He brought riders to Seabiscuit but Seabiscuit would bite them or scare them off. Seabiscuit was wild and fierce in his actions. One day while Tom was trying to find a rider and Seabiscuit was being difficult, Tom saw John (Red) Pollard in a fight with several other young men. Looking between the two Tom decided that maybe Red had what it would take to tame this wild horse. Red was brought on team and did indeed help to bring Seabiscuit into a calmer state.
Red was the jockey that no body really wanted because he was too large. He stood a foot taller than all other jockeys. Charles and Tom both agreed that Red would make the best jockey for them because he could handle Seabiscuit. They entered into many races and in one race Seabiscuit lost by a nose because Red could not see the other horse coming on the outside. (Show Video: 1:20:00 – 1:22:19)
Tom felt cheated by Red because Red had not told him everything. Tom considered it to be lying and Tom believed in telling the whole truth to the best he could. Charles had to remind Tom “You don’t throw a whole life away because it is banged up a little bit.”
In Matthew 17:14 the father determined this boy that was brought to Jesus’ disciples was worth saving. The boy was scared from burns; out of control much of the time. Neighbors did not want him around their children. People feared the boy and shunned the family because of him. The disciples tried to drive out this demon from the boy but were unable to do so. When Jesus arrived the father pleaded with Him to heal his son. Jesus had the boy brought to Him and He rebuked the demon and the boy was made whole.
The scripture does not record anyone asking Jesus any questions about why He healed the boy but if they had He might have answered, “Because I could” or “You don’t throw a whole life away just because it is banged up a little.” Some times we need to be reminded of this just as Tom had to be reminded by Charles. Charles learned this from Tom but Tom forgot in the midst of all the turmoil. When we are in such turmoil was must also remember that “People matter to God and so people must matter to us as well.”
In the course of events Red is injured and unable to ride Seabiscuit in the “Race of the Century”. He asks that his good friend ride in his place. Seabiscuit wins the race and his friend continues to ride him in other races. Seabiscuit injures one of his legs in a race and is considered to be out of racing for the rest of his life. Red spends a year with Seabiscuit as both of them heal from their injuries. Red begins to ride Seabiscuit again and it is determined that Seabiscuit could run again in a race. Charles and Tom contact Red’s friend to have him ride Seabiscuit but Red finds out and confronts them. (Show Video: 1:59:34 – 2:00:46)
Charles cared about Red but was holding him back because he feared losing him if he were to fall from Seabiscuit in the midst of a race. Red felt betrayed by Charles and Tom because they did not have faith in him. Each of these men were joined together under one cause yet were separated by their lack of confidence. Each one of them was made better through their relationship with each other. Each one felt ownership in Seabiscuit and desired the best outcome.
In the Church that Jesus gave His life for we are called to redeem all who will be redeemed. We sometimes have to go out of our way to work with people who are banged up and beat up, which are angry and abusive. As we draw them in through the love of Jesus Christ at work in our lives they are healed and they also heal us. There is a power that works in the midst of God’s people when judgmental attitudes are laid aside and we trust each other and encourage each other and hope in each other and trust in each other for the betterment of the whole.
Will people let us down? More than likely. Have you ever let someone else down? More than likely. So why do we expect more from others than we do from ourselves? When we come together and focus on the ministry that God has called us to accomplish we become united in multiple ways: We support each other, we learn to love each other, we watch out for each other, we encourage each other, we help each other, we think the best of each other and hope for the best of each other. We do not allow differences to come between us because we are on mission not for self but for Jesus Christ who gave Himself for us and not only for us but for all who will accept Him as their personal Lord and Savior.
Charles talks to Red’s friend who says to him, “I think it is better to break a man’s leg than it is to break his heart.” Charles gives Red the job of riding Seabiscuit again. There is great concern by all involved. Can Red do it? Can Seabiscuit who was once a great horse win again? There is only one way to find out. Enter the race and see. (Show Video: 2:07:50 – 2:11:55)
During this race Seabiscuit falls to the rear and appears to be loosing. Red is in pain but is determined. His friend gives him encouragement during the race and Red and Seabiscuit begin to do take over the field of horses. Excitement rises as they turn to the home stretch and win the race.
Just as Red finishes the race Charles, Tom and Red each realize that they needed each other to win this race. They were good for each other and Seabiscuit was the one who helped them heal the wounds of their lives.
Will you grant me a little grace here to make a comparison? Seabiscuit is like the Church. Each of us needs each other (the Church) to be all that God would have us become. Each of us is in a race and it is the race of our lives. We cannot win this race on our own we need the Church. We need each other. We do not heal the Church the Church heals us. So that we can be encouraged and give encouragement, be supported and support, to be loved and to love, to have someone watch out for us and for us to watch out after, to know that people trust in us and that we can trust in others. This is the body of Christ at its best.
One day each of us is going to see the finish line before us. We will be running with all our might to win the race. Those in the Church will be with us cheering us on with excitement knowing that we will have achieved our goal. What a day that will be! The love of Christ will be made fully manifest in our beings and the love of the Church towards us will have been our strength to get us there.

Welcome To The Family

noreply@blogger.com (Ronald E. Green) — Sun, 03 Sep 2006 10:15:22 -0500

Sept. 3, 2006 Gordon, NE

Welcome To the Family

Scripture Reading: Matthew 4:23-25

Text: Luke 19:1-10

Have you ever just wanted to belong? To fit in with others? To be accepted for whom you are? Zacchaeus the tax collector was that kind of a person. He was hated by most people of his day. He was an Israelite but he worked for the Romans in collecting their taxes.

Tax collectors often would charge more than what was demanded by Rome. They extracted large amounts of money from the people. They paid Rome what was due Rome and kept the balance for themselves. For this reason people hated the tax collectors. They were cheats, dishonest, untrustworthy and lower than scum in the minds and hearts of the people.

If you wanted to insult someone you would call him or her a “Tax Collector!”

We don’t know a lot about Zacchaeus other than he was a Jewish tax collector. He may have been an honest collector. His vow to Jesus was to pay back 4 times the amount that he may have cheated anyone. If he were an extortionist of money he could not have paid such a sum back.

Because of his chosen occupation the community shunned Zacchaeus. They would have nothing to do with him. He was not welcome at community gatherings. His family may have even shunned him. He was lonely and all on his own except for other tax collectors.

When Jesus came into Jericho Zacchaeus wanted to see this man who was working miracles and accepting any and everyone who came His way. The people lined the streets like a parade was happening and they would not give way for Zacchaeus to get a view. He pushed to try and get to the front but the people pushed him back. He was determined to not be defeated so he climbed a tree that was close by so he could see over the crowd.

It was at this point that Jesus came by his spot on the road and He stopped and looked up at Zacchaeus and said, “Come down. I am going to your house today.” Can you imagine the feeling that Zacchaeus must have had? He scrambled out of the tree and led Jesus to his home and invited his friends to come and eat with them.

This may have been one of the few times in Zacchaeus’ life that he felt he was accepted. It is hard to be on the outside of family and life. It is hard to not know where you fit in.

The Antwone Fisher story is one that illustrates this fact. The story begins with Antwone having a dream.

Show Antwone Fisher 1

Suddenly Antwone is awakened and brought back to reality. He is in the US Navy and is not getting along with other shipmates. He gets in fights often and is constantly found on restriction. His EX O sends him for psychological evaluation. His doctor becomes his friend and helps him unearth the underlying problem of his life.

Antwone was born in a woman’s prision. At the age of two months he was taken away from his mother and placed in a foster home. His mother was to reclaim him when she got out of prison but she did not. He was raised in a so-called Christian home with some other foster children. They were beaten often and abused in all kinds of ways.

He felt forgotten, unloved, used, neglected and abused. Whenever he tried to improve himself there was someone to pull him down. His friends were not acceptable to his foster parents so he did not have many. He did not know how to relate to others and was left on his own.

He was finally kicked out of the foster home and was put in a boy’s detention center. When he turned 18 they took him to a men’s shelter in the city and gave him $67.00 to live on. They simply told him, “Good Luck.”

He returned to his old neighborhood to find his one friend who took him in. His friend took him out and robbed a store. Antwone did not know he was going to do this and his friend was killed in the robbery.

Everyone he had ever desired to be with left him. People who he thought he could trust abused him. He became so afraid of sharing himself that he withdrew into his inner world and shut people out. Anytime someone tried to enter his world he would fight him or her off, physically.

He began trusting his counselor and sharing with him his life story. His counselor encouraged him to find his family so he could get the answer to some of the questions that he had been struggling with.

Show Antwone Fisher 2

People are searching today for the place they belong. They search in the bars, clubs, sports, and community groups and even in churches. They struggle with being accepted. There is a drive in each of us to be accepted by someone or by a group of people that simply welcomes us in. We want to belong and to be a part of something bigger than we are.

God has a plan for you to be a part of something bigger than yourself. He calls it the Kingdom of Heaven. He desires for you to find it and to enter into it. Just as Antwone searched for his family many people are searching for the family of God. The place they are accepted. This will happen in anyone’s life when they look to Jesus as the One who is here and ready to take them by the hand and introduce them to the family of God.

Show Antwone Fisher 3

When Jesus takes us by our hand He leads us into the Family of God and introduce us to all the members. God Himself will call us and hold our face in His hands and bless us and welcome us. We will then be seated at the banquet table of heaven where we will be filled beyond our wildest imagination. It happens when we allow Jesus to lead us by our hand.

Will you take Jesus by the hand today and join the family of God?

Know Who You Are

noreply@blogger.com (Ronald E. Green) — Sun, 27 Aug 2006 15:43:36 -0500

August 27, 2006 Gordon, NE

Know Who You Are

Scripture Reading: I Corinthians 3:1-23

Text: I Corinthians 6:19-20

Video Clips: Scene: Start Time: End Time: Length:

Bourne Identity: #1 5:30 5:43 :13

2^nd Hand Lions #11 50:00 50:37 :37

Gladiator #16 1:30:27 1:31:29 1:02

Hi! My name is Ronald E. Green. I was born June 18, 1950 in Lansing, MI to Virgil and Pauline Green. I am the third child of six. I was raised in a strict Christian home. I began school in a one-room country schoolhouse. In the second grade I attended the Elliot Elementary School in Holt, MI. It was my first experience in a large class and the change did not come easy to me.

I was a poor student when it came to study and application. In my junior high years it was discovered that I had a reading disorder. Though I was able to read it was at a very slow pace. (I still have this difficulty to this day.)

When I entered high school my world began to open up. I joined the cross-country team where the coach took one look at me and laughed out-loud! At our first meet out team lost because he had placed me on the reserve team and I took 3^rd in the overall race.

When I entered high school I was only 5’ 5” tall and weighted about 90#. I was not viewed as much of an athlete and certainly not as a scholar. I was almost a miss-fit among the 200+ students in my class. I was often picked on by bigger athletic students and struggled with inferiority within my classes. I tried to befriend everyone regardless of who they were or their reputation.

At the age of 11 I gave my heart to God through a two-week revival at my home church. I do not know who the speaker was or what he said, I only remember going to the altar and having someone pray with me. I remember the feeling of guilt being removed from my shoulders and as though I was walking on air. I was free and glad for it!

In high school I was the only person in my class to be a 4-year letterman in one sport. I joined the Athletic Club, track team, basketball team as manager and also was on the cheerleading squad. I was in two school plays and in talent shows. I became president of my church youth group and loved the outings our youth group took part in. In a school class of about 250 I graduated 205^th in my class.

After high school I attended Ferris State College to study for architecture. At the age of 17 at a state youth convention in Kalamazoo, MI I rededicated my life to the Lord. It was at this time that God called me to the ministry. My going to a state college was my Jonah experience. In January 1971 I began studies at Gulf-Coast Bible College in Houston, TX.

I had never been so far from home and on my own before. It was exciting but also troubling to me. Several events took place that winter and spring which has had a life long effect on me. When I returned home to Michigan I was confused and deeply troubled. I took several differing jobs before I landed employment with my uncle driving a semi tractor-trailer.

Within the year I was making money driving for my uncle so he purchased a new 1972 GMC special edition cab-over tractor for me to drive. He made a deal with me, if I would drive for him for 4 years (till the truck was paid off) he would sign the title over to me and the truck would be mine. I was pondering that thought one morning early in June as I was driving. I had been to Portage, MI and picked up a 1,000 bushels load of corn and was on my way to Saginaw, MI to unload. It was a beautiful morning where the sun was just rising and the mist was also rising from the ponds. I had the truck for only 7 days and loved the driving of it. As I topped a small hill and began to up shift I decided in my mind that I would take my uncle up on his offer.

The road descended into a low land area with a S-curve through it. As I entered the first turn I tried to steer to the left but the truck did not want to turn. I fought with the wheel and forced the truck to come around the corner. In the process the truck swerved right and left some as I went through the curve. The trailer slid into the ditch and as long as I was turning it slid around the curve. When it came time for the truck to go into the short straight the wheels of the trailer caught in the ground and lifted the tractor in the air turning it over on to it’s top and spilling the contents of the trailer.

When all had stopped moving I heard the voice of God just as clear as if someone had spoken to me. “You may drive truck if you wish but this will be your view of life.” God had my attention again! I spent the next couple of years driving for my uncle to pay for the damage to the truck and then I returned to college.

In July of 1974 I married a beautiful Winifred H. Killinger. The daughter of a dairy farmer. The forth in a family of six. She has impacted my life for the better and continues to this day! She has a heart for the Lord and a desire to serve Him no matter where that takes us. She has given us five wonderful children all of whom serve the Lord.

I share my story with you so that you may know that I know who I am. I know the family in which I was born. I have thought about my life journey and where it has brought me. I know who’s I am and whom I serve. It is for this reason that I can stand before you or anyone and know my weaknesses and my strengths and not be embarrassed by them nor take pride in them.

Coming to know one’s self is not an easy task. There are times in which we think we know who we are to only have something happen in our lives that cause us to question who we really are. In the movie “Bourne Identity” Jason Bourne is an agent of the USA for covert assignments. He was on a mission when he was shot and then was found by a fishing boat in the Mediterranean Sea. They believe that he is dead when they bring him aboard for find that he is alive. The captain takes him below deck and cuts the bullets from his back. When Jason awakens during the process he is confused as to what is happening to him. The captain asks him who he is and Jason cannot answer him. (View Video)

If someone where to ask you right now who you were what would your answer be? Would it be your name? Who you work for? What you do? Where you live? What you own? What makes up whom you really are?

2 Corinthians 4:18 “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”^[1] As humans we all to readily fix our attention on what we can see, feel, hear, taste and smell. We become fixated on the physical and loose touch with that which is unseen, the spiritual. The spiritual part of a person is the eternal part. This physical aspect of our lives will end one day and then we will only have the eternal spirit that dwells within us even now.

This eternal spirit that dwells within you, who’s spirit is it? Yes, you have your own spirit that is eternal but God has made us to be in likeness. That means that we cannot be in our own likeness but in someone else’s likeness. There is only two to choose from: 1. God’s likeness or 2. Satan’s likeness.

In the movie “Second Hand Lions” there is a scene where one of the uncles has been in the hospital because he suffered a heart attack. He checks himself out of the hospital and goes to a country store that sells bar-b-que and is eating lunch with his brother and nephew. In comes 4 rough housing teens and they begin to pick on the uncle. In the coarse of events the uncle steps from his stool and addresses the teenager. (View Video)

This uncle knew who he was. He could relate his life to these boys and state with out a doubt that he knew his capabilities. Everything he said had to deal with himself and how powerful he was. He was impressed with himself and wanted to impress these boys with his impression.

In the movie “Gladiator” Maximus Arielius is the general of Caesar’s army. Caesar takes Maximus and wants him to lead Rome (and not his son) back to the dream that Rome was found on. Caesar’s son kills Caesar before Caesar can publicly announce his desire. The son then orders Maximus to be killed. Maximus escapes but becomes a slave to a man who provides gladiators. As a gladiator in Rome Maximus wins the favor of the people and confronts the new Caesar in the arena. The Caesar commands that Maximus identifies himself and he gives his response. (View Video)

Maximus’ response tells who he is but also who he serves. His focus is not on himself but on the one who empowered him and called him into service. Maximus’ focus was on the spirit that was behind the call and empowerment and not on the physical realm of that call or empowerment.

As children of the Most High God, ones who have been grafted into the eternal tree of life, adopted from the physical into the spiritual we also must get our eyes off from the temporal and onto the eternal.

When someone asks you as to whom you are what is your answer? Will it be, “I am a child of the King of kings and Lord of lords! I am part of the redeemed! Born into the family of God! I am loved and forgiven! I am the servant of the Most high God! I do not belong to myself but to the One who died for me! I do not live just for today but I live for eternity and the One who holds eternity in His hands!”

Prayer:

^[1]The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 . Zondervan: Grand Rapids

Vows, Oaths, Patience and Love

noreply@blogger.com (Ronald E. Green) — Mon, 14 Aug 2006 17:23:56 -0500

(View Video)

Pastor Ron's Pondering's

noreply@blogger.com (Ronald E. Green) — Fri, 28 Jul 2006 15:19:39 -0500

I John 1:1-2:11

1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. ²The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. ³We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. ⁴We write this to make our joy complete.

Walking in the Light

⁵This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. ⁶If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. ⁷But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from allsin.

⁸If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. ⁹If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. ¹⁰If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.

2 My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. ²He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

³We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. ⁴The man who says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. ⁵But if anyone obeys his word, God’s loveis truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: ⁶Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.

⁷Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command but an old one, which you have had since the beginning. This old command is the message you have heard. ⁸Yet I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in him and you, because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining.

⁹Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness. ¹⁰Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble. ¹¹But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness; he does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded him.^[1]

I John 1:1-2:11 is a tremendous passage! It speaks to the heart and life of all people who professes faith in Jesus Christ as Lord of their lives. When a people receive forgiveness of their sins through faith in Jesus Christ they are transformed into new people. Our old nature is slain and a new nature is born in us. It is a nature that resembles Jesus Christ. In that nature the love of God is found. Love that goes beyond our personal likes or dislikes. John writes of an “old” command that is also a “new” command because it is now seen through the light of Jesus Christ shinning in us. He writes: ^{9 “}Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness. ¹⁰Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble. ¹¹But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness; he does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded him.”

Christian love is not an emotional love, though it could be. True Christian love is a choice. It is like a marriage, you choose to stay in the relationship even if it is not all you expected. You choose to care for your family and not to look elsewhere for your comfort. You choose the best for them and watch out for their interest. So in Christian love we may not be best friends with another Christian but we choose to look out for them and their best interest. To say that we are a Christian and not consider the best interest for another Christian is to not be in the light of Christ, rather to be in darkness, not knowing Jesus and not knowing God the Father. ^{6 “}If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. ⁷But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all unrighteousness.”

The way we relate to other Christians shows our love for God. If we speak ill and condemn other believers we are declaring we walk in darkness. These actions are not the actions of our Lord. God’s love is not conditional upon our quirks or whether He likes us. It is unconditional because He cares about what is best for us. He knows what is best for us: His love, our salvation and eternal life with Him.

Aren’t you glad that God overlooks our personality quirks? We all have them. He focuses on our needs and what is best for us. He does not withdraw from us. He calls us to do the same and be people of Grace, people of Compassion and people of Love.

^[1]The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 . Zondervan: Grand Rapids

It's All About Relationships

noreply@blogger.com (Ronald E. Green) — Mon, 17 Jul 2006 15:46:05 -0500

July 16, 2006 Gordon, NE

Teachings and Ministry of Jesus

It’s All About Relationships

Scripture Reading: Matthew 6:19-34

Text: I John 1-2:17 (Key verses: 2:9-11)

I don’t know about you, but I have many things. (name some of them) These things have their way of becoming important to me. I have spent much time desiring them and once I have received them, taking care of them. I have often come to the point that I recognize that I do not own these things but rather they own me. They take up my time, finances and all to often my passion.

Things are wonderful! In our society we value our things and long for more things. If we see that others have a new thing we want one too. Many in our society not only want what others have but they want the latest and greatest, bigger and better than anyone else. We may not see ourselves in this way because we manage to be content in many areas of our lives but most of us are greedy like this in some area of our life. All we have to do is to quiet ourselves for a while and reflect on our life desires. We may not have attained these things but the desire is there and if the opportunity were to avail itself to us we would jump.

As I have already mentioned, I have many things. I want to protect my things so that they will last me a long time. I want the use of my things. I desire to keep my things. Do you hear what I am saying here? Do you see what things are doing to me and probably to you also?

Things cause us to focus on ourselves. To focus on our personal desires and fulfillments. It all becomes about “ME”. It is about what “I” want, like, care about, desire, own. There is little room for others and God takes a backseat to our things.

We heard from the words of Jesus this morning in Matthew 6:19-34 about things. These were called “treasures” and “food” and “clothing” and “drink”. In verse 32 Jesus tells us “God knows we have need of these things.” We sometimes forget that God knows all our needs and we strive to fulfill them for ourselves. God is faithful, He will provide what we need when we need it.

Jesus goes on in verse 33 and instructs us as how we are to live “…seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” God knows how to treat His people. We can trust Him!

I am not promoting a wealth gospel here. A believe and receive doctrine. On the contrary, I am telling you what God’s word says, that if you seek His kingdom and His righteousness He will see that you are blessed with what you need and even more. You do not have to claim it cause God will give you what you need as you need it and even more. He is faithful and will do it!

The focus of this teaching of Jesus is the removal of our hearts passion for things and a passion for God. He wants us to have our priorities right. He desires to have a personal relationship with each one of us and He does not want things to get in the way. This is why He has promised He will see we get what we need if we will seek first a relationship with Him.

Lets read I John 1-2:17. In this passage John emphasizes again what we have just heard about “things.” He also adds a new dimension to this discussion, relationships with others. The focus is totally off from “self” and on to God and others. Verses 9-11 in chapter 2 share this specifically. “ ⁹Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness. ¹⁰Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him^d to make him stumble. ¹¹But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness; he does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded him.”

How we live and treat others is of great concern. The love or lack of love in our relationships with others shouts about our relationship with God. When this word “love” is used here it is talking about having affection for, concern for, commitment to someone. Just as a husband and wife have a deep love for each other so the Christian is to love others.

Take a look at your worship folder. What do you see there on the front cover? It says, “We are about One Thing: Relationships! Between God and man.” The focus is that of Matthew 28:19-20. It is about our building relationships with other people so that they might become children of God. Yet as I consider where I am and where we are as a congregation I do not see us fulfilling this directive.

We will not disagree that this is what God desires but we have not lived it out in our lives or the life of our congregation, as it should be. It is not because we do not think it should be but because it is not one of our core values that we operate with. Our focus is not on seeking God but on self. It is on what “I” want and what “I” feel. I am guilty of this! This has been a stumbling block for me and the Lord has revealed this to me. I somehow have to release my “things” and turn my affection to God and His people, YOU.

There has to be some core values that we, I, need to live out. Let me list these for you:

1. God’s Word is true and is our guide.

2. People matter to God so people matter to us.

3. Things have little value.

4. People have great value.

5. We will live our lives with others in mind.

These core values will change how we think and live. They will change our relationships with others and with God. It is imperative that we live our lives according to God’s word and with these core values as part of our life.

This is a choice that we make. We can choose not to live with these core values. To do so would mean that we do not care about those that are lost and going to hell for all eternity. We are stating that we care more for ourselves than for others. Without these in our lives we really do not love as God would have us love.

There are many verses in the New Testament that speak to this topic. I will not read them all to you but lets take a look into only one book and chapter that speaks about this, I John 3:11-24.

We have made “church” more difficult than it needs to be. You see, it is all about relationships, a relationship with God and with each other. Programming is just another thing. Our programs ought to focus on the building of relationships with God and man more than anything else. Lets take the pressure off from ourselves and just begin to love, have true affection for each other and for our God. Lets let Him transform us into the people He has called us to be.

d Or it

Fulfilling Hope

noreply@blogger.com (Ronald E. Green) — Mon, 17 Jul 2006 12:00:32 -0500

This is a short exortation about the Christian hope.

Pastor Ron's Ponderings

noreply@blogger.com (Ronald E. Green) — Wed, 14 Jun 2006 12:04:41 -0500

Pastor Rons Ponderings

     Love always involves responsibility, and love always involves sacrifice. And we do not really love Christ unless we are prepared to face His task and to take up His Cross. -- William Barclay
     This word “LOVE” has so many meanings in our society.  (I probably will not mention anything new here in this article although I hope to remind us of what true love is all about.)  People will say, “Oh, I love that!” or “I love this color.” or “Don’t you just love it when that happens?” or “I love my car, boat, camper, house, ect...” or “I just love you.” or “I love church.” or “I love God.” or “I love you.” or “I love this or that food.”
     This “LOVE” thing is so pervasive in our society.  We either love everything or hate it.  The use of the word “love” is so over used that the deep meaning of what it means to really love or be loved is lost.  In many relationships the thought of love is not a deep caring for the other person rather it is focused on personal gratification, what the other can give.  This is carried over into many other situations and relationships as well.
     We love our country though we want our country to meet our personal needs.  We love being a part of this or that community organization because they care about me.  We love being a part of this or that team because I find personal satisfaction through my involvement.  I love being a part of a congregation for in it I find personal encouragement and acceptance.
     Please don’t miss understand me.  Being accepted, satisfied, encouraged, involved, cared for and all the rest is good.  Yet when the focus is on what a person gets out of something the focus has become skewed.  Organizations for the most part do not exists so that we can feel better about ourselves.  They are tools designed to be used so we can give of ourselves to others.
     Many civic organizations began because they saw a need that was not being met and so they decided that they would work to fill that need.  The model of many of these organizations is directly related to the great commission the Church received.  Jesus told the believers to go and share the true love of God with all those who would listen and encourage them to become totally committed to the ways of God.  That was a charge to the Church to see the needs of people and venture out into their world of need and share with them the message of God’s love for them.
     The message of God’s LOVE is a message of sacrifice.  Jesus sacrificing Himself for redemption of our sins and the sacrifice of our lives so that we might tell others about Jesus’ sacrifice.  Many have heard of Jesus’ sacrifice what they have not seen is the Church picking up its responsibility of sharing that love.
     How do we share the LOVE of Jesus?  Some think that it is in the telling of the story of Jesus’ sacrifice.  That is part of it but not all of it by any means.  The real sharing of God’s LOVE is through picking up our responsibility of physically giving ourselves to the needs of others.  This is what civic organizations are doing.  This is what the Church is to be doing!  We are called to LOVE God by taking the responsibility of giving self away in the name of Jesus.
     If the Church does not take this responsibility of sacrifice who will?  Civic organizations do the form of meeting needs but leave out the best part, God’s redeeming LOVE for them.  The Church is under God’s mandate to take the responsibility of meeting the needs of people and of sacrificing their lives for the lives of others.  If the Church does not do these things then maybe, just maybe, the congregation of believers who do not do this is not really part of the true Church.  They are only part of a weak civic organization that has a message to share with no compulsion to be responsible for the message’s impact on people’s lives.
     Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth” and also, “You are the light of the world.”  You are the Church!  The Church is not someone else, the Church is YOU!  You are the “called out one.”  Called out to take the responsibility of sacrifice showing the LOVE of God to people who are in desperate need.  Will you be the Church?  Will you take responsibility?  Will you sacrifice yourself?  Will you truly LOVE God?

PR

Salt and Light

noreply@blogger.com (Ronald E. Green) — Mon, 12 Jun 2006 14:28:42 -0500

(View Video)
June 11, 2006 Gordon, NE

Teachings and Ministry of Jesus
Salt & Light

Scripture Reading: Luke 14:25-35
Text: Matthew 5:13-16

In 1994 I had the opportunity to travel to Israel and visit the Dead Sea. This is a remarkable place. It is 600 feet below sea level. The Sea of Galilee flows down the Jordan River and empties into this sea. Once the water enters this sea it can only leave by evaporation. All the minerals in the water settle to the bottom of the sea. The salt of the water is suspended in the water and along the shore there is a white salty mineral. This area is very warm year round and the water of the Dead Sea is very warm. At night when the air cools the minerals along the shore crystallize and is salty to the taste. When the sun comes out there is a chemical reaction in which this mineral looses its salty flavor. This mineral becomes of no value. It is a waste product of the Dead Sea.
When Jesus was teaching the people while on the mountain He drew their attention to this truth of the salt loosing its flavor and not being of any value. It is possible that the people understood His illustration. The Jordan River received life from the rains and the snows from the mountains to the north. The Sea of Galilee was filled with life. The Jordan River flowed from this sea and it carried with it the life of the sea. As it flows into the Dead Sea all the life that was in it dies. Why? Because the Dead Sea gives nothing of its self. It only takes. It sucks life out of whatever enters into it. The only way to get anything good out of the Dead Sea is to take it by force.
Jesus says: “You are the salt of the earth.” You are! You personally! Don’t look to your spouse, neighbor, friends, pastor, congregational leaders, evangelist, TV preacher or anybody else. Look in the mirror and recognize that Jesus was talking to you personally and He says: “You are the salt of the earth!” When you placed your faith in Him for the payment of your sinfulness and you placed your hope in Him for eternal life you became a changed person. You are no longer part of the Dead Sea but a part of the life giving water that flows down the Jordan River from the sea teaming with life. You were transformed into a person filled the seasoning of God.
I enjoy grilling. Wini thinks that I grill the best of all the people she knows. I like that she thinks that. There are several things that have to be done in order for the meat to come out the way that I want it too. One of the main things is the seasoning of the meat. If the meat is seasoned it will not have the taste that we enjoy. It is still meat. It will still give us value if we eat it but it is not as enjoyable if it is not seasoned to taste.
If the Christian is the seasoning of this world then we are a flavor that the people will enjoy. I don’t know anyone who does not like the flavor of some salt. Do you? Salt causes people to become thirsty and when thirsty people drink. The Christian is to have the seasoning salt of God in their everyday life that will cause people to become thirsty for the things of God and have a desire to drink from the well of life. This should be a normal way of life for the Christian.
If the Christian is not salty around those they live their lives with then no one will become thirsty for the living water that will quench their thirst. If the Christian has lost his/her seasoning then they are on no value to the kingdom of God. They have lost their seasoning/saltiness and is only good for being tossed out and trampled under the feet of people.
Congregation after congregation has lost its saltiness. They are looking for someone else to be the “salt of the earth”. These congregations are like the Dead Sea, the only way to get anything good out of them is to take it by force, dig it out of them. The Dead Sea does not give up these minerals easily. Men have to work at it and go through a process to get what they are looking for. The sea fights them all the way!
God did not design His Church to be like the Dead Sea. He does not look to take by force what He has called His people to do. His people are to be people of life and they are to respond as living not as dead.
In Colossians 3:3-4 we read: “For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.” Did you pick up on this message? You DIED to your old ways of living when you received Jesus and your life was hidden in Him. In verse 4 we are told that a Christian’s life is Jesus! He is our life! We live for Him, in Him, through Him and with Him! He is to be our all in all! Our life is nothing without Him!
Is it possible that what we call church today is really only a social club that has spiritual slogans but is filled with minerals that have no seasoning value? Where is the life? Where are those who are being made thirsty? Where is the living water that is to be springing up within the Church?
In Hebrew 6:4-6 we read: “It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting Him to public disgrace.”
Did you come to know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? Have you been enlightened? Have you tasted the heavenly gift? Shared in the Holy Spirit? Eaten the good things of the Word of God? Known the powers of God in your life? If you can answer “Yes” to these questions then you are the “Salt of the earth.” If you cannot answer these questions with a “Yes” then you are not a believer and have no part with Jesus and eternal life.
Christian, have you fallen way? Have you turned your face away from the things of God? Have you allowed the heat of this world to shine on your saltiness until it has lost its flavor? Have you lost your seasoning? Have you turned your back on God’s call on your life to be involved in ministry?
If so, you stand in grave danger. You are only one step away from loosing your salvation. To reject God’s will in your life, to refuse to be obedient to Him, to choose not to serve Him, to resist the work of the Holy Spirit in your life is to reject Jesus! No matter what you say, how well you behave, how good you are at imitating being a believer you are in reality rejecting Jesus Christ and His call on your life.
Only those who remain faithful and remain in the service of the Master will inherit the Kingdom of God and eternal life. Jesus said: “If you love Me you will obey my commandments.” You will be seasoning and you will be filled with life. You will gladly serve and give of yourself because your Lord and Master has called you and He is your life.
One of the most beautiful sites that I enjoy is seeing the lights of a far off city. When we are coming home from Rapid City on US Hwy 385 we get a great view of Chadron shortly after we cross the state line. We can drive for miles and see the city off in the distance. The glittering lights are so attractive!
Clark has been kind enough to take me a few times with him when he flies people places. Often we return after dark. As we fly along we can see the lights of many cities and towns as we cruise over them. These lights give direction if you understand them. When you know your bearing and have a point of reference you can identify city after city.
The farther that we fly west from the eastern side of Nebraska the fewer the cities are and the darker the night becomes. The few cities that are out there shine out like diamonds and continue to give guidance.
Jesus tells us that we are to be like these cities. People are living in darkness and they often do not have their bearings. They don’t know where they are or where they are going. They are flying blind and in the dark. We are the light that they are to see so that they can set a bearing that will lead them to safety. That will lead them to the cross of Jesus Christ and the hope of eternal life.
These two statements of Jesus about salt and light are similar. If the Church is the light of the world then people would be coming to each of us looking for position in life and the setting of their coarse so that they might arrive safely. The light of the Church is not to be kept inside of a building. It is not to be shown only to those who come inside. It is to be shown in the world around us. It is to be shown in and through each of our lives out in the community where we live. We are to let our light shine so that people will know with out a doubt that we are Children of Light and that we know the way that will bring peace, joy, forgiveness, love, hope and eternal life.
It is time for the Church of God, God’s Church, God’s true people to rise up and allow the transformation of their salvation to light up and season those around us. It is time for our transformation to take first place in our lives. It is time for God’s transforming power to work through our lives as we surrender to His leading and His will for those He is calling to Him.
Are you transformed? Have you been living a transformed life? Are you surrendered to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and obeying His commands of service? Are you light and seasoning? God is calling today to be transformed by His Holy Spirit and to be filled with the power of the coming age so that others will come to know Him through His saving grace.

Wayne and Paula Roaten

noreply@blogger.com (Ronald E. Green) — Tue, 06 Jun 2006 18:54:37 -0500

Wayne and Paula Roaten are ordained missionaries who travel around the world leading workcamps. In this video you will get a sense of their heart and ministry for going on workcamps and the lives of the Massi in Africa