Cornerstone Blog

What Have You Lost Along The Way?

Tim Forsthoff — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 19:44:05 +0000

I was reading in 2 Chron. 5:10 where it says, "There was nothing in the ark save the two tables which Moses put there at Horeb."

What happened to the manna and Aaron's rod that budded? Both those items were in the ark with the two tables of stone. They were lost or misplaced.

The manna represented the provision of God in the wilderness. It represented every word that proceeded from the mouth of God. The Israelites lost that sense of living on a fresh Word from the Lord.

The rod that budded represented the true calling of God which leads to supernatural fruitfulness. That was no longer in the ark of the covenant.

What have you lost along the way? Have you lost your hunger for God? Have you lost your calling? Has your fruitfulness vanished? Have you lost a heart for souls? Have you lost a desire for God's Word or worship?

The Bible is filled with exhortations to "REMEMBER" the Lord, His faithfulness, His Word, and His promises. Have you forgotten certain things that you once held dear?

Why don't you take inventory of your life? Look into your chest (ark) and see what is missing. Recapture what is lost.

Blessings, Pastor Tim

Tragedy into Blessing

Tim Forsthoff — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 19:09:28 +0000

R.C. Sproul said, "God, in his providence, has the power and the will to work all things together for good for his people. This does not mean that everything that happens to us is, in itself, good. Really bad things do happen to us. But they are only proximately bad; they are never ultimately bad. That is, they are bad only in the short (proximate) term, never in the long term. Because of the triumph of God's goodness in all things, he is able to bring good for us out of the bad. He turns our tragedies into supreme blessings."

Do you agree with R.C. Sproul concerning tragedy and God's providence?

What are some of your thoughts on the subject?

Pastor Tim

Leaders Identify Atrophy

Tim Forsthoff — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 18:31:32 +0000

What is atrophy? It is anything that is wasting away.

Because of the fall of man and the entrance of sin into the world, atrophy happens all the time.

Let me give you some examples.

If a farmer doesn't tend to his field, it will grow weeds.
If an athlete doesn't workout, he will grow weaker.
If a husband doesn't spent time with his wife, they will grow apart.
If a business owner doesn't work his business, it will fail.
If a Christian doesn't exercise himself to godliness, he will grow carnal.

The world is not winding up; it is winding down.

Leaders identify atrophy. What does that mean?

You need to identify what is wasting away. What is growing weak? What is losing momentum?

How do you recover from atrophy?

You need to put your hand to it. You need to pray over it. You need to cast vision for it. You need to work it. You need to strengthen it. You need to budget it. You need to spend time with it.

Blessings, Pastor Tim

More on illegal immigration

Tim Forsthoff — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 14:00:08 +0000

Here is an article I found by the Acton Institute. It makes great points. Points such as:

1. It's the duty of Christians to be charitable to all who are in need, including illegal immigrants.
2. It is wrong for the church or the Christian to advocate the breaking of the laws of the land. We are expected to obey the laws of the land, including the laws of immigration.
3. The rule of law should be upheld by the church, because it is the rule of law that guarantees our religious liberty.
4. Supporting legal immigration gives moral support to all the immigrants who made the hard choice to arrive in America legally.

Read the below article. It will provoke critical thinking on this political and moral issue in America.

…[I]llegal immigration raises two separate matters of conscience, which pro-sanctuary Christians blur and equate. The first is the question of immediate need and the Christian duty to extend compassion. The second is the long-term issue of how best to preserve the common good.

To deal with the first: Scripturally speaking, it seems clear that giving immediate, material assistance to anyone in need is always right, whether to an enemy soldier bleeding alone in a ditch or to the child of an illegal immigrant family in ones church with an urgent medical need. If an individual feels compelled to assist an illegal immigrant in some tangible way, his conscience should be free to do so. Political circumstances should not condition acts of mercy or evangelization for us any more than they did for Christ, who associated with Samaritans, tax collectors, and the so-called dregs of society. It is part of Christian duty to minister to others, no matter what they have done or how they arrived on ones doorstep.

With that said, it seems inadvisable to the church, as a societal institution, to disobey the law to protect illegal immigrants from deportation. Christ expected his followers to treat criminals in prison the way they would treat him, but he said nothing about busting them out of prison. The church has a tremendous interest, morally and practically, in preserving the rule of law. From a moral perspective, Scripture teaches that we are to submit to the governing authorities appointed by God. Churches especially ought to honor conscientious immigrants who follow the laws of the land and not undermine their difficult and virtuous choices by systematically condoning illegal behavior. And practically, American churches ought to venerate and cherish the law because it is the guarantor of their religious freedom.
While there is room to debate how well the U.S. has protected its borders, we should acknowledge both its right to do so and the complexity of our national security situation. We need to have patience with the present laws even as we seek to improve them through due process. It is also important to remember that law is not meant to abolish suffering, but only to prevent injustice.

C.S. Lewis wrote in The Abolition of Man that “a hard heart is no infallible protection against a soft head,” but a soft heart does not guarantee right thinking, either. Disregarding the rule of law to “help” illegal immigrants is a paradoxical way of hurting them. The rule of law is the sustainer of the free and prosperous society that draws immigrants to the States. It is something immigrants’ own countries often cannot guarantee them, and it is what makes ours look so appealing. And if we shirk the rule of law — if laws of entry can be applied to some immigrants but not to others — we are cheating all immigrants out of the kind of society they are seeking in the first place.

A Christian's Response to the President

Tim Forsthoff — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 17:55:29 +0000

I was listening to a message by Kemp Holden that was preached approximately 17 years ago. He brought out of the book of Daniel five principles to live by as a Christian in America. The sermon was taught soon after President Clinton was elected president. As you might recall, when Clinton was elected president, there was much fear and anger among some Christians in America. The message he preached was very helpful. Let me recap it for you. It might help you during these tough times.

1. Make a Stand. Daniel purposed in his heart while in Babylon not to be defiled. We need to make a stand with our Christianity. We will not be defiled by sin or the world regardless of which party is in power in Washington D.C.

2. Pray for the President. Darius the King issued a decree that prayer was no longer allowed in the kingdom. Daniel prayed anyway. Paul tells us in Timothy to pray for all those who are in authority. You are to pray for them not against them. Do you pray for your president?

3. Have Compassion for the President. Daniel was cast into the lion's den. When the king went to see if he was still alive, Daniel said, "O king, live forever!" This is found in Daniel 6:21. Daniel did not hate the king. Daniel spoke favorably toward him. God has not called us to hate anyone except sin and the devil. I always like this saying, "If you can see them, they are not your enemy." Since President Obama is flesh and blood, we do not war against him. We wrestle against principalities and powers. We are to love our enemies and pray for our President.

4. Serve with an excellent spirit. Daniel always maintained an excellent spirit. He served four different kings. Through each administration, Daniel maintained an excellent spirit. An excellent spirit is a spirit of integrity, high character, moral values, self discipline, emotional stability, and a biblical self-image. Do you have an excellent spirit?

5. Have confidence in the future. Daniel was able to see the future through the eyes of the prophetic. Daniel knew that the kingdom of God would triumph over the kingdoms of the world. As Christian, we can have the same confidence. We are on the winning side. Politicians will come and go. Kingdoms will come and go. Political parties will come and go. The Word of the Lord will endure forever. Christ will rule and reign over all. If you read the end of the book of Revelation, Christ and His followers win! Hallelujah!!!

I hope these five principles will help you be an overcomer regardless of who is living in the White House. We do not have to fear, hate, or fret. God is the Lord. We are His people. If God be for us, who can be against us? Amen!

Blessings, Pastor Tim

Obama, McChrystal and Loyalty

Tim Forsthoff — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 14:09:20 +0000

As you know, General McChrystal is in the news for making disrespectful remarks about our President. The two of them are meeting today to discuss the situation. Many are calling for the President to fire his General. Others are saying the President should keep McChrystal as General since the war in Afghanistan is still being waged. This brings me to the biblical lesson on loyalty.

In the Old Testament, King David had a general who was disloyal in his heart toward David. His name was Joab. Joab murdered Abner, Amasa, and Absalom against Kind David's wishes. He also supported Adonijah to be the next King over Israel over David's choice (which was Solomon). Joab's spirit is the spirit of disloyalty.

Loyalty alone does not qualify one for ministry. But disloyalty alone disqualifies anyone from ministry.

Loyalty is the mortar that holds a ministry or nation together during tough times.

Loyalty is constant and true. It does not undermine but supports another by words, actions, and attitudes.

Joab was ambitious, manipulative, jealous, and disrespectful.

David counseled his son, Solomon, to put Joab to death. David knew that Joab would be disloyal to Solomon and would threaten the reign of Solomon with his undermining attitude.

What should General McChrystal do? He should apologize to the President and offer his resignation.

What should the President do? He should accept the apology, and if sincere, he should keep him as General to finish the job in Afghanistan.

Why? Both men would be seen as humbling themselves to become great. General McChrystal needs to humble himself. This is the key to restoration.

President Obama should humble himself by receiving the sincere apology and still work with the man. President Obama would be seen as a President with a great heart and a thick skin.

Let's see what happens. Pastor Tim

President Obama's Call for Prayer

Tim Forsthoff — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 17:06:21 +0000

In President Obama's address to the nation last night concerning the gulf oil spill, he called upon Americans to pray to God for courage, guidance, blessings, and for the people of the gulf. Even though I might not agree with the President on his agenda for America, I am encouraged that he asked all of us to pray. Here is the last portion of his speech.

It's a faith in the future that sustains us as a people. It is that same faith that sustains our neighbors in the Gulf right now.

Each year, at the beginning of shrimping season, the region's fishermen take part in a tradition that was brought to America long ago by fishing immigrants from Europe. It's called "The Blessing of the Fleet," and today it's a celebration where clergy from different religions gather to say a prayer for the safety and success of the men and women who will soon head out to sea -– some for weeks at a time.

The ceremony goes on in good times and in bad. It took place after Katrina, and it took place a few weeks ago –- at the beginning of the most difficult season these fishermen have ever faced.

And still, they came and they prayed. For as a priest and former fisherman once said of the tradition, "The blessing is not that God has promised to remove all obstacles and dangers. The blessing is that He is with us always," a blessing that's granted "even in the midst of the storm."

The oil spill is not the last crisis America will face. This nation has known hard times before and we will surely know them again. What sees us through -– what has always seen us through –- is our strength, our resilience, and our unyielding faith that something better awaits us if we summon the courage to reach for it.

Tonight, we pray for that courage. We pray for the people of the Gulf. And we pray that a hand may guide us through the storm towards a brighter day. Thank you, God bless you, and may God bless the United States of America.

A Rhema Word

Tim Forsthoff — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 19:56:20 +0000

I was taking a CIM intensive class this past weekend, and Dr. Cottle quoted Psa. 119 when David says, "Your word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against You." Psalm 119:11. What was the Word from God that David hid in his heart. Dr. Cottle believes it was 2 Sam. 7:8-17. In this passage of Scripture, God promises to build David a house. The Lord promises to establish the throne of His kingdom forever. This was a spoken Word from God to David's heart. It was a fresh Word; it was a spoken Word; it was a quickened Word; it was a prophetic Word. It was a rhema Word.

According to Vine's Expository Dictionary, rhema denotes that which is spoken or uttered. It is what the Spirit brings to our remembrance for use in time of need.

David hid this spoken, fresh, prophetic Word from the Lord in his heart. He stored it there. He kept it there by meditation and memorization. He treasured it.

David stored it in his heart that he might not sin against God. The word, sin, means to miss the mark or be led astray.

This should teach us the importance of God's spoken, directive, prophetic Word to our heart. It has the power to keep us from wandering astray. It has the power to keep us from missing the mark with our lives.

Has God spoken a Word to you? Have you hid it in your heart? Is it keeping you? Is it empowering you?

Think about it...Pastor Tim

God-Moments in Israel

Tim Forsthoff — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 15:29:06 +0000

My wife and I just returned from a 12 day trip to Israel. We had a marvelous time. 25 of us ventured to the holy land to study the bible, view the sites, and enjoy the country.

While I was there, I had several encounters with the Lord. I love sensing God. I love God-Moments. Let me share some of them with you.

My first God-Moment was the Garden of Gethsemane. For some reason this site really touches my heart. It is the place where Jesus prayed 3 times "Not my will but thine be done." In the Garden, they have olive trees dating back 2000 years. My wife did a devotional in the Garden on full surrender to Christ. I, once again, felt the tug of the Holy Spirit to offer my life and days to the Lord.

Another God-Moment was at the Wailing Wall. I went there with my prayers and verses written down on a piece of paper. I slipped the paper in the crevice of the wall and began to seek the Lord in prayer. God's presence was very powerful. I sensed the Lord wanted to speak to me about my wife, Rhonda. He dropped Ruth 4:11-12 in my spirit. It was my pleasure to share the promise with her.

On Sunday morning we had a church service at the Mount of Beautitudes. I preached out of Matt. 5 and the beautitudes of Jesus. I talked about the secret to true happiness. I felt so honored by God to teach on the same mountain that Jesus taught. The thoughts of David came to my mind in 2 Samuel 7:18, "Then King David went in and sat before the Lord and he said, Who am I, O lord God? And what is my house, that you have brought me this far?" Who am I? What a question of humility and gratitude! I felt so privileged to be a preacher of God's Word. It is a high and holy calling.

Another God-Moment was at the springs of Gideon. This is where God tested the Israelites before they battled the Midianites. God reduced Gideon's army to 300 men by the manner in which they drank from the brook. My wife shared on giving God all the glory. There are a few things we are not to touch. We are not to touch the tithe; we are not to touch vengeance; and we are not to touch God's glory. It all belongs to God, doesn't it? God challenged me to humble myself and not seek praise from men.

Those are some of my God-Moments while in Israel. I hope they blessed your heart.

Blessings, Pastor Tim

Illegal Immigration: WWJD???

Tim Forsthoff — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 13:45:01 +0000

Illegal immigration is such a hot topic in our nation. I hear of priests and ministers who call the Arizona law a racist law. I hear of other ministers who support a crackdown on illegal immigration. What does the Bible say? What would Jesus do? Let's take a crack at it today.

Borders and boundaries are important in the Scripture. When God gave the land to Israel, He established their borders. The Israelites knew the boundaries of the promise land. When the Israelites tried to pass through the the land of the Amorites, they asked for permission (Num. 21:21-22). They did not presume the right to enter another nation's territory without seeking permission to do so.

As a homeowner, I own property. I expect my neighbor to respect the boundaries of my property. I would be upset if he helped himself to my land or home without permission from me.

As a person, I have a boundary called my skin or body. People are not allowed to violate my body. They must ask permission to invade my space. When a man violates a woman's body, this is called rape. It is wrong.

I'm saying all this to establish the fact that boundaries and borders are scriptural and necessary. Without respect to boundaries and borders, there would be chaos.

Nations also create laws. Laws are to be obeyed. Romans 13 talks about obeying the laws of the land. The devil is the lawless One. Sin is lawlessness. Citizens and foreigners are expected to obey the laws of the land. That includes the laws of immigration. A nation that cannot enforce its laws will descend into lawlessness.

America is a compassionate country. It is the land of opportunity. It is the home of the free and brave. It has always welcomed immigrants. The statue of liberty testifies to our commitment to welcome foreigners to our land. My ancestors immigrated from Germany in the early 1900's. Most of us who read this blog had ancestors that immigrated from another country to America. The U.S.A. is the melting pot of the world. Immigration is a strength to America. People are an asset to the nation.

Here are my summary thoughts on illegal immigration.

1. Our country needs to have enforceable borders.
2. The laws of immigration need to be obeyed and enforced.
3. Immigrants need to enter legally and lawfully.
4. America needs to welcome immigrants and consider them an asset not a burden.

I would like to hear your thoughts. Pastor Tim