Labor Day !
By Pastor James Black | September 3, 2010
Well everyone is geared up about Labor Day and a little down time. A day trip or maybe a weekend getaway. As Willie said – on the road again… I just can’t wait… A time established for the working class to refresh. But what about the laborers of Christ?
Most of the saints I know are ready for a little down time – rest, relaxation, and reuniting with friends and family. Well don’t fret! The day is coming for the the labourers of the harvest. Hebrews 6:10 says God will not forget our labor of love toward His name. Beloved hang faithful in your task for our “Labor Day” will truly be one of rest, relaxation, and reuniting as well.
There is a place prepared for those that love Christ and have faithfully labored in His name. It doesn’t matter if your service was life long or maybe just a brief time – the reward is the same for both. When we consider our burdens even though they seem heavy now, one day they will seem nothing compared to what we will enjoy. We will enjoy the fellowship with those throughout the ages who have labored before us and for us.
We will also get to see the fruits of our labor. Sometimes here you wonder if you make a difference, if it is really worth the struggle. Then everything will be revealed with clear understanding. Results that you never even imagined or could conceive! To enjoy the benefits of our labor is a gift from God according to Ecclesiastes 5
For some this Labor Day will just be another day – nothing special – nothing planned. This is how some folks see eternity – nothing special – nothing planned. Well you have to make preparation for eternity as well as a weekend getaway. Planning AND preparation is required. Yon can’t just hope to getaway – you have to make preparation. This starts by trusting Christ as Saviour and Lord of your life. But don’t just stop there continue on – serving and laboring faithfully for him till He calls us home.
I am reminded of a trip I “planned” with my wife not long after we were married. We just took off – no plans, no reservations. When we arrived at my destination every motel was full – for three hours away. Well we came home after that trip frustrated and wiser. Friend you only have one life to prepare for eternity – prepare well!
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Is It Real?
By Pastor James Black | August 13, 2010
When you take time to look at people and their lives versus their lives and their chatter it makes you wonder if they are real or just pretend. They talk much about being a Christian but their lives are a total disregard of God’s Word. First Peter 1:23 says we are born again by the word of God, that means we change.
In the past week there have been 2 deaths within our church family. As you talk to people in these hours you hear alot about God but then see so little in the daily life.Are we real in Christ or are we like the Pharisees who had a lot of religion and nothing of Christ.
Being real involves every aspect of your life. Relations, responsibility, family, even worship. It is easy to put on a front but we must realize that one day we will give an account to God of the life we professed and the life that we lived. Galatians says God is not mocked, He knows every secret detail, so I would recommend that we get real.
I have heard it said that the only people we really fool is ourselves. I guess this is true because we are always justifying what we do. The Bible talks about having the conscience seared with a hot iron and this is how so many people live. Talking one way and living another with no regard of the effect or results.
I wonder many times when someone passes away what is their first reaction to eternity – facing God, heaven, or hell. I wonder how it will be to face the true reality?The only conclusion I have is to be real today so when we face eternity it will be real then. Check out what the Apostle Paul said in II Corinthians 1:12, it makes alot of sense. Be Real!
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Praise the Lord
By Pastor James Black | July 20, 2010
Are you sometimes overwhelmed with what is happening around you. This past few weeks have been a whirlwind of activity. Along with the arrival of our new granddaughter came the departure of our a/c system. Family in, work wide open, plus the everyday. Leaves you in a fog!
I think this may have been where Paul was in II Corinthians 12. Amazed at God’s great blessings but bewildered at the constant battles. Finally in despair he cries for the Lord to remove the thorns. God said no. Isn’t that just like us, when the going gets tough. Lord just give me some relief! Well Paul soon learned what we all know, we just have a tendency to forget – that is that God’s grace is sufficient in all things.
Every thing in our lives is filtered through the will and hands of God. He knows what we need and when we need it. Our lesson is to recognize that God has found us worthy of His attention and that he is working for our good. Paul realized that there are some things we need to keep us in check – and others to keep us encouraged. Grace and strength, what a combination! One to protect and one to motivate.
Paul now sees what we all need to see, that God is in control of it all. So when the trials come we need to focus on the grace and purpose of God in our lives and not so much on the problems. Paul now comforted by God’s grace and strength says “I will glory in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me”. The world doesn’t need to see our stamina – it needs to see our Christ.
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The Greatest Place on Earth
By Pastor James Black | June 16, 2010
In Psalm 122:1 David said I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the Lord. For many people today church is the last place to be or maybe just an unimportant place to be. People in these times find church to be just another place to go. My friend let me remind you that God’s house is the greatest place on earth.
First of all it is the place of God’s witness. Sure you can see Him in creation but you still don’t know who He is. When Solomon dedicated the temple in II Chronicles the people saw the greatness of God, 2:5-6 and the goodness of God, 5:11-14. It was while looking at His greatness and goodness that they were privileged to see His glory, 7:1-3. When we just rush in with a self focus we usually go away with disappointment. It takes time to see God as He is.
It is also the place of His welcome. God instructed Solomon that when things were bad that we are always welcome to come into this refuge, 7:11-14. Why do people leave church when problems come? God said when we come that we will find reception, v15. He is willing and ready to hear the cry of the saint in His Son’s name. The greatest privilege is that we are invited into His residence, v16. I know God doesn’t live there as such but it is the appointed place of contact. Have you ever noticed the crosses on a roadside where someone died in an accident – this is a place of contact. A place to remember, reflect, and renew. This is what God’s house is about.
Last of all it is the place of His work. In Isaiah 56:1-7 God gives the invitation and instruction to those who would come willingly unto Him. Notice first there is salvation, v1. This is where most people miss the mark- they are trying to do church without a relationship to God. Once they find that relation there is sanctification, v2. In a Bible believing church you will find how God wants you to live through sound doctrinal teaching. The greatest joy comes when you finally realize that you are more than a servant to God – you are His son, v3-5. Now that the relationship is on the right path service becomes a special privilege and not just a have to, v6. Now we have come to the whole purpose of church – worship! Now the sacrifice and service have meaning, v7. Church is now the greatest place on earth for the child of God!
Will I see you in church next Sunday?
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