Good morning all,
Today begins a new month, the old one is gone, and here lies before us the month anew…What will become of June 2009?
Let’s consider Hope…What is hope to you? In what part of your world, mind, focus, work or thoughts does hope reside? The basic definition of hope is that of ‘expectation’. The Biblical definition of hope is rooted and grounded in another word…Faith. Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of thing not seen (Hebrews 11.1). The Bible also says that without faith it is impossible to please Him (God).
In today’s world, sometimes it seems as if all we have is hope, some days the outlook is as bright as the sun, others dark as night. But hope is still there. It is said of Abraham, ‘who against hope, believed in hope…’(Romans 4.18). Can you imagine being in a state of affairs in your life where all hope is gone? That is where Abraham was, he was against hope. If you remember, Abraham, who was promised to be the father of many nations, was commanded to take his promised son, Isaac, upon a mount called Moriah and sacrifice him as an offering unto God (Genesis22). As they walked up the hill the son asked his father where the sacrifice was (they were carrying the wood to burn, the stakes, knife etc.). Abraham’s reply is found in the 8th verse of Genesis 22: “My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.”. Here is Abraham, walking up this hill, with the child that God promised him that would make him a father of many, the child of his old age (he was 99, Sarah was 90) now obeying God to sacrifice him… Abraham was against hope…yet he believed. The key to his faith in hope, his belief in hope if you will, is seen before the father-son duo began marching up the hill. In verse 5: “And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you.” He did not say “I” will come again, but both would depart and both would return, friend that is believing in hope, even when hope is against you. It is my firm conviction that is Abraham would have slain that child that day, in obedience the Lord trusting that the Lord would have resurrected him straight away. Isaac’s life was spared when the Lord saw that nothing was between God and Abraham. It is upon this very hill, called Moriah, that another Son would be sacrificed, sacrificed so that the world may live. This hill is known as Calvary, where more than 1500 years later the Lord Jesus Christ paid the ultimate price for sin’s debt.
Sometimes, our storms in life, are simple test in seeing what is between us and the Lord. Have we placed our own abilities, talents or strengths in front of the hope that God has given us in this world? A good storm brought our way may test that answer. There is hope in this life, despite the media, economy, the political lies and spins, there is still hope… Because there is still God. Let us commit today, to trust, rely, hope and have faith in the One Who truly controls all in this life… let us commit our works unto Him, so that He may commit His hand unto us… “Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.” Proverbs 16:3
I like the old hymn that says: “My hope is built on nothing less, than Jesus’ blood and righteousness”. Have hope in Christ dear friend, a hope that will one day render the peaceable fruit of righteousness… a hope that is things unseen, but not unknown…
Today in History
1774 – In response to the Boston Tea Party, Britain closes the port of Boston (boy you showed us Brother Wickens J just kidding)
1789 – President George Washington signs the first act of Congress, which dealt with oaths of office for public officials.
1792 – Kentucky becomes the 15th state.
1796 – Tennessee becomes the 16th state.
1813 – Captain James Lawrence gives his last command: “Don’t give up the ship!”
1990 – President George Bush and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev sign an agreement to end chemical weapon production and begin destroying reserves.
Til the Shout,
Dr. B.J. Stagner Jr.
Pastor
New Testament Baptist Church
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Weekly Words of Encouragement 5-25-09
Good Morning All,
I hope and pray everyone had a wonderful and safe Memorial Day weekend; this is the time of year when we remember our men and women who have fought and died for the precious freedom we enjoy on a daily basis. Freedom that has been granted by God and given in America.
I for one am glad to be an American and grateful to be able to partake in the liberty that our Lord provides.
However, with freedom comes responsibility and with responsibility comes accountability. Charles Kingsley said: “There are two freedoms—the false, where a man is free to do what he likes; the true, where a man is free to do what he ought.” We have an obligation to uphold the freedom granted by God.
Galatians 5:13-15 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. (italics added)
Our liberty is fortified in love…Love, my friends has a greater power than one can imagine, for it was love that constrained Christ upon the cross, to give Himself a sacrifice that we may live. We are called to liberty by that love, the love Jesus had for us… This call unto liberty through the love of Christ guides us into our daily activities.
By it (love) we can exercise our service for one another (v.13b – “but by love serve one another.”). At the same time, our call unto liberty through the love of Christ we exercise our selflessness for one another (v.14 – Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.) Simply put, if we would treat others in same manner we would have them treat us, the world would be a better place. Lastly, this call unto liberty through the love of Christ allows us to exercise self-control toward one another (v.15 – But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.) It is much harder to criticize someone when you are looking for what is best for them…praying for them…helping them in the middle of their day.
Let us today, as we remember the great things our soldiers have performed in protecting our God granted liberty, purpose to exercise that love that was so greatly exercised toward us by Jesus Christ’s wonderful sacrifice on the Cross. Our sweet salvation cost us nothing, yet cost Him everything. Therefore, we can today, reveal that same type of love toward others by remembering the sacrifice, rendering the service in recognizing the Savior during our daily actions one toward another. Paul said: “Let love be without dissimulation…” Romans 12:9 We only have today, to show the love of Christ to those around us and those in the world. There may be someone you are involved with, or close to who has never truly seen or experienced love that is without dissimulation (sincere, pure or unfeigned). Given the opportunity this day, exercise that love in utilizing the great freedom we have, both in Christ and our country. You never know, it may be the only time in their life, where real sacrificial agape love is expressed.
This is the liberty we have as Americans and much more as Christians…But remember, with liberty comes responsibility and responsibility requires accountability:
Liberty is to be labored for…or it will be lost…Liberty is to be exercised or it will be excised…Liberty is to be grateful for, or one day it will be gone.
Today in History:
1787 – The Constitutional Convention opens in Philadelphia after reaching a quorum of seven states.
1935 – Babe Ruth hits the of his 714 home runs.
1961 – President John F. Kennedy as the nation to commit itself to the goal of landing a man on the moon before the decade is out.
1968 – The Gateway Arch in St. Louis is dedicated.
1977 – Star Wars, one of the most popular movies of all time, opens.
2008 – The Phoenix spacecraft lands on Mars to search for evidence of microbial life in its soil.
Til the Shout,
Dr. B.J. Stagner Jr.
Pastor
New Testament Baptist Church
I hope and pray everyone had a wonderful and safe Memorial Day weekend; this is the time of year when we remember our men and women who have fought and died for the precious freedom we enjoy on a daily basis. Freedom that has been granted by God and given in America.
I for one am glad to be an American and grateful to be able to partake in the liberty that our Lord provides.
However, with freedom comes responsibility and with responsibility comes accountability. Charles Kingsley said: “There are two freedoms—the false, where a man is free to do what he likes; the true, where a man is free to do what he ought.” We have an obligation to uphold the freedom granted by God.
Galatians 5:13-15 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. (italics added)
Our liberty is fortified in love…Love, my friends has a greater power than one can imagine, for it was love that constrained Christ upon the cross, to give Himself a sacrifice that we may live. We are called to liberty by that love, the love Jesus had for us… This call unto liberty through the love of Christ guides us into our daily activities.
By it (love) we can exercise our service for one another (v.13b – “but by love serve one another.”). At the same time, our call unto liberty through the love of Christ we exercise our selflessness for one another (v.14 – Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.) Simply put, if we would treat others in same manner we would have them treat us, the world would be a better place. Lastly, this call unto liberty through the love of Christ allows us to exercise self-control toward one another (v.15 – But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.) It is much harder to criticize someone when you are looking for what is best for them…praying for them…helping them in the middle of their day.
Let us today, as we remember the great things our soldiers have performed in protecting our God granted liberty, purpose to exercise that love that was so greatly exercised toward us by Jesus Christ’s wonderful sacrifice on the Cross. Our sweet salvation cost us nothing, yet cost Him everything. Therefore, we can today, reveal that same type of love toward others by remembering the sacrifice, rendering the service in recognizing the Savior during our daily actions one toward another. Paul said: “Let love be without dissimulation…” Romans 12:9 We only have today, to show the love of Christ to those around us and those in the world. There may be someone you are involved with, or close to who has never truly seen or experienced love that is without dissimulation (sincere, pure or unfeigned). Given the opportunity this day, exercise that love in utilizing the great freedom we have, both in Christ and our country. You never know, it may be the only time in their life, where real sacrificial agape love is expressed.
This is the liberty we have as Americans and much more as Christians…But remember, with liberty comes responsibility and responsibility requires accountability:
Liberty is to be labored for…or it will be lost…Liberty is to be exercised or it will be excised…Liberty is to be grateful for, or one day it will be gone.
Today in History:
1787 – The Constitutional Convention opens in Philadelphia after reaching a quorum of seven states.
1935 – Babe Ruth hits the of his 714 home runs.
1961 – President John F. Kennedy as the nation to commit itself to the goal of landing a man on the moon before the decade is out.
1968 – The Gateway Arch in St. Louis is dedicated.
1977 – Star Wars, one of the most popular movies of all time, opens.
2008 – The Phoenix spacecraft lands on Mars to search for evidence of microbial life in its soil.
Til the Shout,
Dr. B.J. Stagner Jr.
Pastor
New Testament Baptist Church
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Weekly Words of Encouragement 5-18-09
Good Morning All,
We have, in Sunday School, heard much about ‘storms’ as we cut through Acts 27 drawing to an end in the Life of Paul (which we started in May of 2004). The storm that Paul was in while traveling to Rome is likened unto our storms in this life…they are sudden and they are certain. If you are going to set sail in the sea of life, you are going to have storms…They simply are part of life. For those of New Testament Baptist Church, this is a repeat of last night, but I feel led to share it with all.
Acts 27:14 But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon… V. 29 Then fearing lest we should have fallen upon rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day.
By the 14th night of Paul’s “Hurricane Euroclydon” (euros – east wind), the ship and shipmates are in a dark, dreary and dangerous position… they are driven and discouraged, as a matter of fact according V.20 any hope of being saved was lost. I am sure that we all have been in a situation or two like this. There are days and nights when we figure it cannot get any worse, and unfortunately, it usually does. I wish I could say the storms of life were avoidable, but they are not.
What should they do? What should we do in the middle of a raging storm that seems to show no sign of dissipation?
V.29 – Cast you anchor, as a matter of fact cast four of them. There are four anchors given in the Christian life that we can cast in the midst of the storm, the first one is the anchor of:
1. Duty – It is in the midst of the storm when most people will want to jump out, but just stay in the ship – stay put and stay with the ship, for in the ship there is salvation. What is our anchor of duty to let down? Ecclesiastes 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. Our duty is threefold, casting down the anchor of duty is to continue to be a:
o Witness – Psalm 145:12 To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom.
§ A businessman landed at the Dallas airport and realized he had one hour and 20 minutes before his next plane connection. He thought, How can I be used of the Lord here? He had a supply of Gospel tracts with him. He inserted one of his business cards inside each tract. Then he gave these to single men sitting waiting for their planes. But he didn't just hand them out and pass on. Instead he said to each man, "Pardon me. I have a little booklet here that explains how a person can become a Christian. Inside is my business card. I would like you to read this over and if you have any questions, I will be sitting over there. I have some time before my plane takes off. Or if you would like to write, my address is there." At the end of the hour and 20 minutes, men were standing four deep to ask questions about how to become a Christian. And, for weeks afterwards, the businessman received correspondence because of the business cards in the tracts.
Casting down the anchor of duty is continuing to:
o Warn – Ezekiel 33.1-6 (The Christian duty is to be a watchmen and warn the people of the coming sword)
The Anchor of duty requires us to:
o Wait – Prayers are heard and prayers are answered, but some are answered no, but are in the Lord’s time:
§ Psalm 27:14 Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
§ Psalm 37:34 Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.
§ Proverbs 20:22 Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee.
The second anchor is that of:
2. Hope – The next anchor is that of hope and if one has hope, they are in the right place, looking for that blessed hope, the glorious appearing of our Lord.
o Hebrews 11.2 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. – “things hoped for…” Do you have some things hoped for? The Assyrians, Babylonians, Phoenicians, Egyptians, Persians, Greeks, and Romans had their many gods—gods of war, gods of industry, gods of agriculture, gods of cities, gods of towns, and various others. But in all of paganism's galaxy of gods, there never was one called "god of hope." For in that ancient world, hope had become a despised delusion, long before our Lord was born in Bethlehem. The fact is, there is no hope for this sin-cursed world apart from the true God, the God of Christians. Romans 15:13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
The third anchor is that of:
3. Christ – That is the presence of God. Acts 27.23 For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,. Friend, He is there. This ‘Angel of God’ is not ‘an’ angel, but the Angel of God, meaning the ‘appearance of Christ’. It is the same as the ‘Angel of the Lord’ in the OT, the pre-incarnate Christ appeared unto Moses in the burning bush, Abraham in the plains of Mamre and the three Hebrew boys in the burning fiery furnace. Jesus Christ appears unto Paul this night and comforts him in the midst of the storm. This is how Paul, in the worst possible time of the storm is able to stand and firmly attest that all will be well. We may not see the Lord standing next to us, but He is there, He is the third anchor that we must cast out to hold us in the storm.
The final anchor is that of the:
4. Church – Though the winds blew and the ship is battered, that church will get you through the storm… Hebrews 10.25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. The church house is a refuge, a place of safety and security where friends and family member are to help you in the storm…but without Christ, hope and duty…the 4th anchor will never hold. We all have a part in the fourth anchor, our presence and life encourages others to continue forward, or to cast the anchors, or simply to never give up.
o An old question: "Can I be a Christian without joining the church or attending worship?" Answer: "Yes, it is possible. But it is something like being:
· A student who will not go to school;
· A soldier who will not join the army;
· A citizen who does not pay taxes or vote;
· A salesman with no customers;
· An explorer with no base camp;
· A seaman in a ship without a crew;
· A businessman on a deserted island;
· An author without readers;
· A football player without a team;
· A politician who is a hermit;
· A scientist who does not share his findings;
· A bee without a hive."
After you cast your anchors all that is left to do is… wish for day! The storm may rage today…but there is sunshine around the corner. The Lord is not looking to give you peace by removing the storm, rather He will give you peace while withstanding the storm…
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Today in History:
1860 – Republicans nominate Abraham Lincoln for president.
1863 – Ulysses S. Grant begins the siege of Vicksburg, MS.
1896 – The Supreme Court upholds “separate but equal” racial segregation in Plessy v. Ferguson.
1908 – Congress requires the motto ‘In God We Trust’ to appear on certain coins.
1980 – Mt. St. Helens in Washington erupts, leaving 57 people dead or missing.
Have a wonderful day!
Til the Shout,
Dr. B.J. Stagner Jr.
Pastor
New Testament Baptist Church
We have, in Sunday School, heard much about ‘storms’ as we cut through Acts 27 drawing to an end in the Life of Paul (which we started in May of 2004). The storm that Paul was in while traveling to Rome is likened unto our storms in this life…they are sudden and they are certain. If you are going to set sail in the sea of life, you are going to have storms…They simply are part of life. For those of New Testament Baptist Church, this is a repeat of last night, but I feel led to share it with all.
Acts 27:14 But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon… V. 29 Then fearing lest we should have fallen upon rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day.
By the 14th night of Paul’s “Hurricane Euroclydon” (euros – east wind), the ship and shipmates are in a dark, dreary and dangerous position… they are driven and discouraged, as a matter of fact according V.20 any hope of being saved was lost. I am sure that we all have been in a situation or two like this. There are days and nights when we figure it cannot get any worse, and unfortunately, it usually does. I wish I could say the storms of life were avoidable, but they are not.
What should they do? What should we do in the middle of a raging storm that seems to show no sign of dissipation?
V.29 – Cast you anchor, as a matter of fact cast four of them. There are four anchors given in the Christian life that we can cast in the midst of the storm, the first one is the anchor of:
1. Duty – It is in the midst of the storm when most people will want to jump out, but just stay in the ship – stay put and stay with the ship, for in the ship there is salvation. What is our anchor of duty to let down? Ecclesiastes 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. Our duty is threefold, casting down the anchor of duty is to continue to be a:
o Witness – Psalm 145:12 To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom.
§ A businessman landed at the Dallas airport and realized he had one hour and 20 minutes before his next plane connection. He thought, How can I be used of the Lord here? He had a supply of Gospel tracts with him. He inserted one of his business cards inside each tract. Then he gave these to single men sitting waiting for their planes. But he didn't just hand them out and pass on. Instead he said to each man, "Pardon me. I have a little booklet here that explains how a person can become a Christian. Inside is my business card. I would like you to read this over and if you have any questions, I will be sitting over there. I have some time before my plane takes off. Or if you would like to write, my address is there." At the end of the hour and 20 minutes, men were standing four deep to ask questions about how to become a Christian. And, for weeks afterwards, the businessman received correspondence because of the business cards in the tracts.
Casting down the anchor of duty is continuing to:
o Warn – Ezekiel 33.1-6 (The Christian duty is to be a watchmen and warn the people of the coming sword)
The Anchor of duty requires us to:
o Wait – Prayers are heard and prayers are answered, but some are answered no, but are in the Lord’s time:
§ Psalm 27:14 Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
§ Psalm 37:34 Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.
§ Proverbs 20:22 Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee.
The second anchor is that of:
2. Hope – The next anchor is that of hope and if one has hope, they are in the right place, looking for that blessed hope, the glorious appearing of our Lord.
o Hebrews 11.2 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. – “things hoped for…” Do you have some things hoped for? The Assyrians, Babylonians, Phoenicians, Egyptians, Persians, Greeks, and Romans had their many gods—gods of war, gods of industry, gods of agriculture, gods of cities, gods of towns, and various others. But in all of paganism's galaxy of gods, there never was one called "god of hope." For in that ancient world, hope had become a despised delusion, long before our Lord was born in Bethlehem. The fact is, there is no hope for this sin-cursed world apart from the true God, the God of Christians. Romans 15:13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
The third anchor is that of:
3. Christ – That is the presence of God. Acts 27.23 For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,. Friend, He is there. This ‘Angel of God’ is not ‘an’ angel, but the Angel of God, meaning the ‘appearance of Christ’. It is the same as the ‘Angel of the Lord’ in the OT, the pre-incarnate Christ appeared unto Moses in the burning bush, Abraham in the plains of Mamre and the three Hebrew boys in the burning fiery furnace. Jesus Christ appears unto Paul this night and comforts him in the midst of the storm. This is how Paul, in the worst possible time of the storm is able to stand and firmly attest that all will be well. We may not see the Lord standing next to us, but He is there, He is the third anchor that we must cast out to hold us in the storm.
The final anchor is that of the:
4. Church – Though the winds blew and the ship is battered, that church will get you through the storm… Hebrews 10.25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. The church house is a refuge, a place of safety and security where friends and family member are to help you in the storm…but without Christ, hope and duty…the 4th anchor will never hold. We all have a part in the fourth anchor, our presence and life encourages others to continue forward, or to cast the anchors, or simply to never give up.
o An old question: "Can I be a Christian without joining the church or attending worship?" Answer: "Yes, it is possible. But it is something like being:
· A student who will not go to school;
· A soldier who will not join the army;
· A citizen who does not pay taxes or vote;
· A salesman with no customers;
· An explorer with no base camp;
· A seaman in a ship without a crew;
· A businessman on a deserted island;
· An author without readers;
· A football player without a team;
· A politician who is a hermit;
· A scientist who does not share his findings;
· A bee without a hive."
After you cast your anchors all that is left to do is… wish for day! The storm may rage today…but there is sunshine around the corner. The Lord is not looking to give you peace by removing the storm, rather He will give you peace while withstanding the storm…
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Today in History:
1860 – Republicans nominate Abraham Lincoln for president.
1863 – Ulysses S. Grant begins the siege of Vicksburg, MS.
1896 – The Supreme Court upholds “separate but equal” racial segregation in Plessy v. Ferguson.
1908 – Congress requires the motto ‘In God We Trust’ to appear on certain coins.
1980 – Mt. St. Helens in Washington erupts, leaving 57 people dead or missing.
Have a wonderful day!
Til the Shout,
Dr. B.J. Stagner Jr.
Pastor
New Testament Baptist Church
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