From Pastor Tom - Pray for Problems That You Can't Solve

A young minister once asked a veteran missionary what advice he might give to him as he assumed his first pastorate. The missionary replied, "Pray for problems that you can't solve. That way, when God solves them, you will walk by faith!" That's actually great advice for any Christian, for we are so tempted to serve God in our flesh and not by faith!

In 2 Chronicles 20 Jehoshaphat prayed a prayer – he said:

 "O LORD, the God of our fathers, are You not God in the heavens? And are You not ruler over all the kingdoms of the nations? Power and might are in Your hand so that no one can stand against You. Did You not, O our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel and give it to the descendants of Abraham Your friend forever? They have lived in it, and have built You a sanctuary there for Your name, saying, 'Should evil come upon us, the sword, or judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we will stand before this house and before You (for Your name is in this house) and cry to You in our distress, and You will hear and deliver us.' Now behold, the sons of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir, whom You did not let Israel invade when they came out of the land of Egypt (they turned aside from them and did not destroy them),  see how they are rewarding us by coming to drive us out from Your possession which You have given us as an inheritance. O our God, will You not judge them? For we are powerless before this great multitude who are coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on You." 2 Ch. 20:6-12 (NASB) 

 Jehoshaphat faced an impossible situation. There was no hope but God. His prayer contains timeless principles for when we encounter hard challenges or crushing circumstances. This passage teaches us to do the following:

(1) Seek the Lord

(2) Stand firm

(3) Pray the promises of God

(4) Worship God joyfully in prayer during the battle.

Finally this story reminds us to give all the glory to God for the outcome. After God delivered His people "They assembled themselves in the valley of Berachah; for there they blessed the LORD. . ." (2 Chronicles 20:26)

Praising God must not be something we do occasionally but something we offer every time we pray. Every day we must bless God! Public mercies call for public acknowledgements!

Let us learn to pray as Jehoshaphat did. The precious promises of God give us hope in the darkest nights. "This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me." (Psalm 119:50) Let us pray His Word:

 "Lord I do not know what to do! Lord I have no power, might or wisdom, but God, my eye is on You! You have done great things before! Keep me in the cleft of the Rock! Be my shelter in the storm! Be my shade in the heat. I trust You!"

Blessings,

Pastor Tom

From Pastor Tom - Transforming Power

Many years ago a man was selling small tracts of the Bible which contained portions of scriptures. He was stopped in Chicago and was robbed. The robber told him to set a fire and burn all the merchandise he was selling. After lighting a fire, the man asked the robber if he might read aloud from one of the tracts he had been selling before he sent it up in flames. The robber gave him permission and he read:

                      “The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures;

He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul;

He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I fear no evil, for You are with me;

Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;

You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows.

Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”  (Psalm 23)

After the reading the robber said, “Don’t burn that one.”

 The salesman picked up another one and started reading,

 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven……” (Matt. 5:3)

 After reading that one the robber said, “Don’t burn that one either.”

The salesman picked up another one and started reading,

“If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal….”  (1 Cor. 13:1)

Again the robber said, “Don’t burn that one.” And so it went time after time until all the tracts were read and not one burnt. Finally the robber said, “Those are all good readings.” As the robber left he took not only the man’s money but all of the tracts with him. Some years later the salesman and the robber would meet again. But this time the robber was a minister who was faithfully preaching the Word of God.

The Word of God is powerful and can change lives – that is why God says:

“So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.”  Isa 55:11 (KJV)

The Message Bible says it this way:

 “So will the words that come out of my mouth not come back empty-handed. They'll do the work I sent them to do, they'll complete the assignment I gave them.”  Isa 55:11 (Msg)

God has the power to transform lives. Do you want your life changed?  Then read the Bible – God can change your life through the reading, hearing and doing of His word.

Blessings,

Pastor Tom

From Pastor Tom - Vulnerability: A Forgotten Virtue

I don’t know it all just like you don’t know it all.  There are limits to our knowledge, ability, and energy.  And while the competitive nature of our culture would have us to hide all of our weaknesses in fear, there is tremendous power in becoming vulnerable with people.

Deciding to become vulnerable is risky.  Admitting that we have some flaws – is not popular.  But let’s be honest – we are human aren’t we?  At this point in my life I have never met a perfect human – have you?

Is admitting vulnerability worth the risk?  Absolutely!  Here are some important reasons why vulnerability is a forgotten virtue…

1. It is emotionally healthy.

    Maintaining an image of perfection requires enormous amounts of emotional energy.  One of the reasons we sometimes get so stressed out and depressed is because we’re working so hard to stay behind the facade and keep everyone convinced that we’re strong.

    If you are constantly worried about your image – you are heading for burnout.  Keeping people happy and impressing others is terribly exhausting, and it’s always temporary.  Eventually, people will see that you have flaws.

    James 5:16 says, “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” (NLT)  We need to confess our sins to God to be forgiven, but we also need to talk about our weaknesses with others to find healing.

2. It is spiritually empowering.

    James also says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6 NLT)

    Humility is another virtue that is neglected today.  But remember – pride prevents power! 

3. It is relationally attractive.

    Everybody is wearing a mask and it’s what we expect others to do as well.  When we choose to throw our masks away, we surprise people with our authenticity.  Being real is the fastest way to endear yourself to others.

    We tend to love people who are real, honest, humble, and vulnerable and we tend to despise people who are deceitful, arrogant, and hypocritical.  Paul told the Thessalonian believers, “We loved you so much that we shared with you not only God’s Good News, but our own lives, too.” (1 Thessalonians 2:8 NLT)

 When you share your strengths – you create competition.  But when you share your weaknesses – you create community.  We are all in this together.  Strive to be honest and open with others and see what happens.

 May God Bless,

Pastor Tom

From Pastor Tom - Biblical Meditation

What are you filling your mind with? What are you thinking about?  All of us have thoughts – day and night we think about things.  Are they uplifting thoughts or are they depressing thoughts? 

Did you know that God cares what we think about?  That is why the Bible says:

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Philippians (KJV) 4:8 

Many of our thoughts may be passing.  Some of them stick around for awhile.  Some thoughts we just can’t seem to get out of our heads.  That is why the Bible goes on to say:

“How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers.” Psalm 1:1-3

Puritan pastor William Bridges once noted, "A man may think about God every day and meditate on God no day."

God commands us to meditate on His Word and godly people model this in Scripture.  God personally promises spiritual success, stability; fruitfulness and strength for thinking deeply about spiritual truth with the goal of understanding it and applying it to our lives (Psalm 1:1-3).

Biblical meditation is quite different from the popular forms of meditation suggested today.

Biblical meditations fill one’s mind actively with truth rather than emptying one's mind of thoughts.  Like steeping a bag of tea in hot water, so the mind steeps itself in God's Word. Meditation allows our souls to absorb truth much like our body digests food and absorbs nutrients in our food.

Let me ask again – What are you filling your mind with?  What are you thinking about?  What do you meditate on?  Is it uplifting or is it depressing?

Something to think about.

Blessings,

Pastor Tom

Auburn Farmers Market Vendors Guide

Auburn Farmers Market has been a tradition in our community for over 15 years.  It has always been held in the parking lot of the church on Tuesday afternoons throughout the summer.  That tradition continues today.

Down through the years people have enjoyed – fresh fruits and vegetables, home decorations, specialty items, bedding plants, crafts, jewelry, baked goods, jams and jelly, live poultry and many other products. 

Vendor Rules

1. Vendors are not allowed to buy products and “resale” them at the market.  (They must be produced locally by the seller or an associate in the area.)

2.  There is no charge to the vendor. 

3.  The hours are 12:30 to 4:30 every Tuesday – May through September. 

4.  Vendors can set up 15 minutes before sale time and are limited to one space per vendor.  (Vendors may park in a space before set up on a first come first serve basis – there are no reserved spaces.) 

5.  Vendors are strongly encouraged to advertise the market.  (You may consider joining with other vendors to have a stronger impact on the customer base.)

6.  A restroom at the church is open during Farmer Market hours. 

(Guidelines were a product of Auburn Farmer’s Market Advisory Board)

From Pastor Tom - Secrets of Fruitfulness

Most people are interested in productivity.  But did you know that the Bible does not use the word “productivity”.  Instead you’ll find the words that speak of “fruitfulness”.

            “…I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit…” John 15:16

 God wants us to have a productive fruitful life which produces GOOD FRUIT.  God’s word warns us to examine the quality of our fruit.

            “…every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.  A good tree cannot             bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.  Every tree that does not bear good        fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.  Therefore by their fruits you will know them.”  Matt. 17:17-20

Here are four conditions that are essential for bearing good fruit.

1.  You must have a strong root system.

God says there’s no fruit without the roots.  The roots supply the nutrients through the tree to the fruit.  Each one of us must ask “Where does my source of strength come from?”  Our answer should be God.  Jesus says it this way:

“I am the vine, you are the branches.  He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” John 15:5

2.  You must eliminate the weeds in your life.

The weeds in your life are anything that hinder or limit your spiritual growth.  Weeds are the things that choke your relationship with God and prevent you from further growth.  Weeds are dangerous because it takes no effort at all to grow them.  You don’t have to cultivate weeds.  It does, however take a lot of effort to remove them.  But if they are not removed they will hinder your fruitfulness.  See Matt. 13:7

3.  You must cooperate with God’s pruning in your life.

What is pruning?  Pruning is cutting off dead branches and living ones in order to stimulate growth.  Pruning is essential for increased productivity.  It is not optional.  If you’re going to be productive, God will put you through times of pruning.  See John 15:2

4.  You must wait for the harvest.

Growing fruit takes time.  It doesn’t happen automatically.  You don’t plant a seed in the ground and harvest it the next day.  It’s common sense: seeds take time to grow.  See Matt. 24:45

May God Bless

Pastor Tom

From Pastor Tom - Hope for Hard Times

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing.” (Romans 15:13)

For the family facing foreclosure... for the man diagnosed with terminal cancer... for the woman struggling to make ends meet... for the young girl considering abortion... for the thousands who lost jobs and life savings...there is hope.  No matter what the circumstances are…there is hope.

The Bible says that each of us has been created by God...that he loves us...and that he wants us to have a fulfilling life.  Jesus said, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10)  He meant a life that goes beyond “mere existence” to a fulfilling life lived in harmony with the Creator’s knowledge of us and his desires for us.

But there is something that separates us from this “abundant life” that God intended.  The Bible says that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)  It is because of this sin, this disobedience towards God, that every person is separated from him: “your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.” (Isaiah 59:2)  And even worse is the consequence of sin, eternal separation from God—“the wages [cost] of sin is death.” (Romans 6:23)

However, in his love and mercy, God sent his sinless Son, Jesus, to pay the price of our sins’ debt.  Almost 2000 years ago, Jesus Christ died on a cross, was buried, and then rose from the dead on the third day. (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)  It is only through the death of Je­sus that we can be reconciled to God.  And through his death, God offers the free gift of eternal life to all who believe in his name. (Romans 3:23, John 3:36)

There is no greater hope than this—the assurance of eternal life offered to us through Jesus Christ, and his promise to stay with us and sustain us in all circumstances:

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?  Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?  ...For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor power, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:35, 38-39)

God offers this hope to you today.  To accept his offer, begin by admitting that you are a sinner separated from God and in need of his forgiveness.  Then trust only in Christ to save you from the consequences of your sins.

Believe that Jesus died for your sins on the cross, and was raised from the dead in order to conquer death, bridging the gap caused by sin between you and God.  Accept Jesus’ offer to come into your life as your Savior.

If you sincerely desire to have hope in Christ, tell God in words like these:

Dear God, I admit that I am a sinner and need your forgiveness. Thank you for sending Jesus to suffer the punishment that I deserve for my sins. Please help me every day to turn from my sin and live a life that pleases you. Thank you for your gift of eternal life and for the hope I now have in you. Amen.

 Blessings,

Pastor Tom

From Pastor Tom - Have No Fear

A friend of mine sent me this article this past week – I thought I would share it with you.

“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”  1 John 4:18

Satan uses and plays on one of the basic elements and instincts of our nature—fear. It is natural for finite man to fear—especially the fear of the unknown, the fear of being hurt and the fear of death. There is nothing more Satan would like than to see us paralyzed with fear just like King Saul when facing the Philistines and Goliath.

Why do we allow fear to be so controlling? On the one hand, we have past experiences that we don’t want to relive and on the other hand, we are very hesitant about what might lay ahead. But often the events and situations creating most fear in people have no basis in reality.

All fear is based on perception. Thus fear has been described in the English language as an acronym for “False Evidence Appearing Real.”

If we could consciously remember this, it would help us to allay many fears. But that false evidence sometimes is so convincing! However, we must always realize that dread and fear—like other tactics of the enemy—are based on a lie. This is why throughout the scriptures we are repeatedly commanded—366 times—to “fear not.” It is intensely liberating for our witness when we personally overcome the fear of death. This allows us to focus on Christ and His kingdom.

Living as a Christian under Romania’s dictatorship posed extreme difficulties and dangers. Even though Rev. Joseph Tson had counted the cost and served the Lord and His flock faithfully, he feared the day that he would be called in by security. He knew the possibility of facing death was inevitable.

The day that Joseph feared arrived. Security officers arrived at his home one day and took him to their headquarters. He was instructed to sit on a chair and a gun was put to his head. “The choice is easy,” came the commander’s voice. “Deny Jesus or we pull the trigger.”

This was indeed the moment that Joseph feared all through his ministry. But suddenly the Spirit of the Lord filled his whole being.  “If you kill me today you will do me a great favor. All my sermons that were recorded will be in great demand because I will be a martyr for Christ. You will help me greatly to share my messages. You will also help me to go to my Lord quickly!” Joseph fearlessly replied.

The officer dropped the gun. “You Christians are crazy,” he shouted and then commanded the officers to take Joseph back home. Joseph’s life was spared but in a sense he lost it that day.  “Never again did I fear what man can do to me. Never again did I fear to lose my life,” Joseph concluded.

Have no fear.

Pastor Tom