White as Snow

As I look out the window of my home and see the snow that has fallen over the past couple days, I am reminded of Isaiah 1:18 “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” This particular snow is about 3 inches deep and very flakey. While there are 24 references to snow in the KJV this one is a special one because it emphasizes the glorious salvation that is possible through the cleansing blood of Jesus as He paid our sin debt on the cross. in researching the Hebrew word for scarlet I came across the following comment, “Scarlet (towla’) was the name for a worm in Hebrew. This particular worm was used in the making of red dye, and so it’s often translated "scarlet". The towla' would attach itself to a tree as it prepared to lay its eggs, and in the process, the mother would die, leaving a red stain on the wood. Later, after the babies would hatch and leave, the red stain would dry up, turn white, and flake off the wood. In Psalm 22:6, an indisputably Messianic psalm, the Messiah cries out, "I am a worm" (towla’). The picture our humble Messiah presents parallels the worm's life cycle, for Jesus died on a cross of wood in the process of giving birth to us, leaving a bloody stain that turns our sins from scarlet to white as snow! This is surely amazing, utterly incomprehensible grace and love in action! O come let us adore Him!” It was a reminder that our sins left us with a stain that only Jesus’ blood can cleanse. In addition, the blood of Jesus doesn’t just cleanse us but makes that former stain “as white as snow.” Isaiah was speaking to a rebellious nation, Judah pleading with them to repent. Unfortunately, they like many today choose to remain in their sin rather than receive God’s forgiveness. Let those of us who received Jesus’ sacrifice rejoice that through His death we now have complete forgiveness and eternal life.

Life as a Vapor

The epistle of James was written to Hebrew Christians challenging them to examine themselves to make sure they were genuine believers. In chapter four verses thirteen through seventeen focuses on the brevity of life and the importance of submitting our plans to His will. Because of the fast pace in which we live our lives it is easy to leave God out of our plans. James reminds his readers of the vanity of life without God. Life is short and as believers we understand that every minute counts that is why it so important to make choices in light of eternity. Another point in the passage challenges us to recognize the sovereignty of God in our plans. It does not condemn planning, but to seek God’s will in those plans. Acknowledging the brevity of life and the sovereignty of God are good indicators we are indeed the children of God.

Internal and External Conflicts

This Sunday’s (01/19/25) sermon comes from James 4. It deals with internal conflicts between the Old Man and the indwelling Holy Spirit and how the conflict manifest itself in the conflicts between church members. While I do not believe with the concept of peace at all cost, it appears much of the internal strife in churches is not over fundamental truths of God’s Word but disagreements over trivial matters. It is those who are controlled by their self-centered fallen nature that demands to have things their way without consideration of others who may have a different opinion. In recent weeks I have been listening to a podcast by Terry Young on “the History of the Early Church”. While the podcast is very interesting and informative it sadly reminds us of the divisions in the early church. The Apostle Paul gives us a solution to the problem in Galatians 5:16 [“This] I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.” While that may sound simplistic, many would agree to die daily to self and walk in the Spirit can be a struggle. We should all be grateful for God’s grace, the privilege of prayer and the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit to aid us in living a victorious life that yields the peaceful fruit of righteous.

Taming the Tongue

In a recent Sunday morning sermon, I preached from James 3:1-12. Studying about the tongue’s potential for good or evil reminded me of the need as Christian we have to submit our tongue to the Lord. Jesus reminded us that our speech is a reflection of the spiritual condition of our hearts. We could praise God or disgrace God with the same tongue. James, writing to Believers uses the tongue as a test of their faith. Those who habitually use corrupt speech not only dishonor God but possibly have never experience saving faith. As those who love God and desire to honor let us commit our tongue to be used honor God through sharing His word with the lost and building up our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.

Happy New Year

It is always exciting to start a new year. It is the opportunity to review the past year and look forward to goals for the next. While many choose to focus on the more external desires to improve, I hope we don’t forget about the internal , spiritual aspect of our life. While we may recommit to a daily bible reading that will help read through the bible in a year, a noble goal let us also commit to a more permanent change that comes from allowing the Holy Spirit to develop the right kind of godly traits that reflects the kind of character that honors the Lord and brings glory to Him. It may take more work and a humble, submissive spirit, but the eternal rewards will be well worth the endeavor. We should pray for one another that we all have this mentality as we look forward to the new year.

Missions

Our Thursday night Bible study has been focusing on the book of Acts. One of thye things that stands out was the persistence of the missionaries as they spread the Gospel. Travel would have been difficult, rejection and persecution often accompanied them on their journey. Yet they persevered even rejoicing as they served the Lord. In Acts 16 after Paul and Silas were stripped and beaten, they were placed in the inner part of the prison in Philippi they weren’t bitter or discouraged but prayed and sang songs. They didn’t let opposition or difficulty stop them. I wonder if today we would be as persistent facing the same challenges.

Father’s Day

Father’s Day is a time to reflect on our earthly father and the impact they have had on our life. I did not grow up in a Christian home but was taught values that have help guide me throughout my life. Values like hard work, financial discipline, and perseverance. If you were blessed with a Christian father I hope you truly appreciate the great blessing he has been to you. Unfortunately, many do not appreciate a godly father.

Father’s Day is also a time to reflect on our Heavenly Father. He loves us, provides for us, blesses us and rejoices in His fellowship with us that is only possible through our Lord and Savior Jesus. As fathers let our desire to be like our Heavenly Father and rear our children to be Christlike. It takes work but the results in the lives of our children will be well worth the effort.

The Risen Savior

The scriptures have a lot to say concerning the resurrection of Jesus. Besides the Gospel accounts, the book of Acts contains numerous references to the resurrection. Whether it was the preaching of Peter or the sermons of Paul, each has references to the resurrected Christ. In I Corinthians a whole chapter is dedicated to the resurrection. Whereas it was Jesus’ death on the cross that atoned for our sins, it was the resurrection that gave testimony that God the Father accepted the offering of His Son for our sins. Romans 4:25 states “Who was delivered for our offences and was raised again for our justification.” The resurrection is an essential part of the Gospel message. Romans 10:9 says that “if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” Someone has said that a dead savior cannot save anyone. Let us as Christians rejoice that we serve a living Savior not just on Easter Sunday, but every day.

Thanks

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. It reminds that whatever happens as a child of God I should be thankful. Thankful to God for His blessings that are renewed daily, thankful to the church for understanding the frailties of a pastor and to my family for their loyal love. In life we are often faced with ups and downs and the Scriptures remind me to gives thanks for all things, even the good and not so good. I Thessalonians 5:18 teaches us that there isn’t anything that we should not be thankful for in our lives. This verse reminds us that it is God’s will for us to be thankful. I Thessalonians 5:18 “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” What better way to show our gratitude to God than honoring Him with our life.

SUNDAY WORSHIP

Great day of worship at Old Carriage Road Baptist Church. Sunday morning service focused on the 5th chapter of II Corinthians. What a great chapter on the future resurrected body that as believers we have to look forward too. It was part of Paul’s motivation in ministry to have a heavenly view while serving God on earth. One of the things he was looking forward to was a new resurrected body that was prepared for him by God and would be suited for an eternity in heaven . It is a reminder of the temporal nature of this earthly body that is in the process of decaying and a future body without aches and pains that are a part of this earthly one.

Sunday night the message was from Psalm 100 with a focus on worshipping God with gladness and gratitude.

Thursday night in our Bible study we have been studying the Book of Ecclesiastes.

Happy Fourth of July

Hope you had a great July 4th. I was able to spend it with my family on vacation. Glad to be back at church with my church family. Great study in the book of II Corinthians. Hope you can join us on Sunday mornings or watch on Facebook.