It was 5:30 am and my cell phone started ringing.
I am a sound sleeper; so as I awoke, I realized it was the phone and not an alarm to start my day. Quickly chasing the sleep from my mind and thoughts, was fear. Not a normal companion of mine. God has been my rock for so long, I seldom give fear any room in my life anymore. But, as we get older, we know a phone call at early hours is not usually a call of celebration. I sat up, grabbed the phone, and looked to see who was calling me at this hour. It was my youngest brother, Jesse. Jesse lives in Mechanicsburg, PA near our father and his wife. Dad, Gene Arnold, is 83 years old, born again, and the last 2 years have seen a bit of a decline in his health after a heart-related surgery in the summer of 2020. I call Jesse back while holding my breath, waiting for some sort of bad news. Jesse answers and is preparing to head to Dad’s place, which is 10 minutes away. Jesse had received a call from Dad’s wife, Darla, saying Dad needed to go to the hospital. Jesse wasn’t sure what was happening; but, asked for prayer as he headed that way. I prayed for Jesse and for my Dad. Then it was silent. I prayed and fought off the onslaught of thoughts that were telling me I would never see my Dad alive again. Of course, it wasn’t silent for long thanks to technology. Over the course of the next few hours, we discovered that Dad had suffered a severe stroke. His speech and left side completely affected. No movement in his arm or leg, and speech reduced to grunts and noises. By 9 am, I was looking for flights to PA. My thoughts were that I wanted to see Dad at least one more time before… I tried to make plans to get on a plane the next day. I was feeling IT ALL a bit and had a friend helping me. Amazingly, we could not get a flight to actually book for the day I wanted. Several occasions of plugging in the correct dates and several instances of the ‘system’ changing it at the last moment to some other date had me frustrated. I said, “Enough.” The Holy Spirit came over me and calmed me down. I know where Dad will be when he passes on - Heaven. I knew I would see him again someday. Here on Earth or in Heaven. I felt peace and calmness. The next day, I booked a flight and would fly a week later than I originally thought. God’s plan. I knew that as much as I wanted to see my Earthly Father my Heavenly Father was right there with me saying, “I got you. I have a plan, trust me.” I saw Dad for 4 days the next week, and he is recovering. The plan changed from a visit to say ‘Goodbye’ to a visit to explore next steps for better living arrangements. If I had gone the first week, Dad would have been unable to say my name and I would not have heard him say “I love you.” God knew I needed more than just a visual. I got a big right-armed hug, half a smile and a full heart. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV) Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
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I am a reserved and somewhat quiet person.
To some of you, that may make you laugh or think I have a distorted view of myself. But it is true. At least until I get comfortable and get to know people. Then I am…well, I think you know. I am outgoing and love to be around people. I enjoy speaking in front of people and don’t mind sharing the funny or embarrassing things that happen in my life. I am passionate about a lot of things and can be very loud and excitable when watching sports or during worship. Once you get to know me, I don’t think anyone would describe me as quiet or shy. As a young boy growing up, I moved around quite a bit. Born in Jersey, but by the time I was 4, we had already moved to PA. We lived in three different houses and towns from ages 4 to 12. And, then in one year, we went from PA to Jersey to Texas and back to PA. I was the “new kid” quite often at school, church, and on my sports teams. This shaped me and taught me to evaluate and observe my surroundings before I opened up and shared the real me with anyone. Over time, I got more and more comfortable with who I was and how to interact with people I’d just met. This helped me to not be so quiet and so reserved. Sound familiar? A lot of us are this way to some extent. In the early 2000s, I once again found myself the “new guy” (a 40-something year old man, so I couldn’t be a “new kid”) as we moved from Tampa to Orlando. We visited a church that was meeting in Celebration at a downtown movie theatre. Our very first Sunday, someone invited me to the next Men’s Breakfast which was on a Saturday morning. I went. I was still quiet, observing, and evaluating as I met some men and we ate together. I liked the conversation and met some of the men from the church and the community. That was almost 20 years ago and you know what? I never missed a men’s breakfast. Church names changed and the breakfasts stopped a long time ago; but, I am still connected to a handful of these men to this day. And we still do church together! What would have happened if that one man had not invited me? I may have eventually found my way around to going. But the point is this: Someone noticed me and cared enough to approach me and say, “Hey, we have a men’s breakfast and you are invited.” It changed the course of my life. This Christmas season let’s be intentional and INVITE people to church, to our get togethers, to the Christmas Eve service, and let’s see what happens. You may be changing the course of someone’s life! In 5 years or 10 years from now, we may be hearing about a family that has been with us for years that came because YOU invited them. How cool is that? So let’s invest in people with a simple invitation. This past Sunday, I challenged the church to invite one person a day from Sunday to Christmas Eve (about 20 days). Let’s see what happens. The Invitation Season isn’t just in December, but all year long. Jesus said, “Follow me!”, 12 men did, and it changed the world! Let’s see what we can do, Keystone Church, when we invite someone every chance we get. Have you ever been in a friendship that was one sided? You know, when you are always there for the other person's big and small moments in life. You take every call, listen to every word. Encourage, console and you are there whenever needed. But, that person never has time to listen to you, never shows up, and only wants to hear themselves talk. If you are in one of these relationships or have ever been, I am going to pose a question or two. Was it fun? How did it benefit you?
I can likely guess the answers to these 2 questions. You probably felt used, taken advantage of, or, at times, abandoned. That is not a true friendship or relationship. True friendship goes both ways, each person gives and takes. I have a strong passion and love for My Teams but I am not in a friendship with them. Why? Because they don’t know me. They don’t know when I cheer or cry or that I wear a specific jersey for certain games. They don’t know me. I know them from a distance. I am a “Fan” not a “Friend”. Don’t be a Fan of God. A fan of God roots for Him and believes in Him but isn’t in a friendship or relationship with Him. Trust me, there is a difference. Become a friend with God. Tell Him everything, no really, it’s okay because He already knows it all - the good, the bad and the ugly. And guess what? He still loves you and wants to be in a relationship with you. He wants to give you grace, mercy, love, strength, joy and so much more. All you have to do is stop rooting from the stands and step onto the field of relationship with Him. Walk with Him. Micah 6:8 (NIV) He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. My wife Lori and I were recently released from the hospital after 4 days. We had COVID-19 and our oxygen levels were low so we were admitted. We found out we had a touch of pneumonia but we were released and sent home to recover. One of the amazing nurses I had encouraged me with these instructions:
I couldn’t walk as fast or as far with her by my side. I decided to leave the ear buds out and at home. When I asked Lori to walk with me, I made a conscience decision that I wanted to walk with her no matter what changes I had to make. I benefitted from walking with her. We talked, we walked hand in hand at times and we were right beside each other every step of the way. Have you been on a walk with God lately? Amos 3:3 (NIV) Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so? Go for a walk with God, spend the rest of your life walking with God! He is willing to walk at your pace as you build up faith and courage. He will talk to you every step of the way and even hold your hand or carry you when you need it. Now, as you walk, you may fall behind or veer off course or even try to run ahead; but, He will always be lovingly waiting for you to join Him again and walk His way. His way is the best and when we learn to walk lock step with Him it becomes an amazing journey. John 14:6 (NIV) Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life." Timing is the choice or control of when something should be done. If you have ever cooked or baked, you understand timing. Wait too long and you can have an overcooked meal or act to soon and your dessert is soft and gooey and does not quite meet expectations. We can all think of other situations where timing is everything.
We live in a world of control and micro management of our time. It has gotten to the point that the person who can multi-task and appears to manage all aspects of time is a super hero or at least ahead of the game. This may be true in some respects, but let’s step back and look at God’s timing. He is really in control even when we try to ‘manage’ it all. Even though we need to manage our lives, true victory in timing comes when we rest in Him and trust that He has our best interests always in His plans. Proverbs 16:9 (NIV) In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps. There are times when we wanted that new home purchase too close and it got delayed; and after the disappointment, you see God’s timing was better because rates went down or a few more months of money saved helped to lower costs at the end. It is good for us to move forward, but to remember to let the Lord establish our steps as we plan the course. There is also the timing of things that we never planned or wanted to happen. When we follow the same principle, we can see His divine intervention taking place. In my family, 4 out 5 of us at home here in Florida, have just encountered COVID-19. This happened 4 months after we moved into a house. If this had happened months earlier, we would have been in a 2-bedroom condo! Timing! I am not rejoicing that we went through the disease; but, I am thanking the Lord for His timing. We were able to isolate and remain distant from each other in the house where it would have been impossible in the condo! Also, the timing of how Riley and Reese were ill 10 days before Lori got sick so we could both care for them. Then with Lori down and the girls recovering, they were both able, with Jake, to take care of Lori and me as we were both down at the same time. They were strong enough to get us to the hospital and care for the household. God’s Timing! We planned, of course, to be safe and not get sick, but it happened and we can rejoice at God’s hand in the timing of it all. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight. Have you ever walked into a situation with someone, or a group of people, and someone seems to lose their cool far too quickly? I am sure we have all seen this happen, been the brunt of this, or we have been the person losing their cool. From an outsiders view, it may seem irrational or that person is coming unhinged far too rapidly.
But if we step back and look, we may find out that there is a reason for this emotional release. It may be any number of things pent up, unforgiven, or just a history that is complex. I am not saying the outburst is the correct response; especially if it verbally hurts someone, but when considering the facts, we may see things a bit differently. Have you noticed that at all when reading any one of the 4 Gospels - Matthew, Mark, Luke and John - in the Bible? Jesus shows up; and shortly after his baptism and the start of His ministry on earth, we see two camps of opinion. Crowds following after Him to see miracles, be healed, be encouraged, and embrace the fact that He is the Messiah. The other camp, usually the religious elite of the day, are not so accepting. They question Jesus’ every move. Instead of seeing scriptures and prophecy being fulfilled, they become jealous and angry. The are viewing Jesus’ arrival as a threat to their way of life, he is cutting into their followers, and they don’t like it. Over the next month of Sundays we will be looking closely at who Jesus is when he says he is the I Am. Reading His 7 I Am statements are powerful enough; but when we look through the lens of the Jewish people, it may shed some light on how quickly the religious elite turned on Him. They were 100% wrong. So our takeaway should be that of a heart for God and Faith. We will see how those who followed Jesus and became Disciples of Christ were willing to risk the norm and say “Yes” to the Messiah through Faith and Love. Hungry for more? Join us this Sunday as we look at Jesus saying, “I Am the Bread of Life”. Have you been trying the same thing over and over in your life and you keep getting the same result? But, you want a different result? Albert Einstein said that is the definition of insanity. Maybe it is with a relationship or a job assignment or task. You keep approaching it the same way and the result is similar. You think about it and try again doing everything in your strength, power, and knowledge to make it work because it makes sense. But it feels like failure time and time again.
Simon Peter was a fisherman. He knew how to fish, when to fish, and where to fish to be successful. After a night of fishing and catching nothing, he is on the shore and cleaning his nets with his crew. Jesus shows up. In Luke chapter 5, we see Jesus in the boat of Simon speaking to the people (this is early in Jesus ministry). After Jesus is done teaching, he speaks to Simon Peter. “Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” Luke 5:4 We see it now but Peter didn’t. Or maybe you don’t see it yet. There are 2 Clues in the above passage. Two clues that when we see them in our lives we should suspect that we are in the vicinity of receiving something very special from God! Excited or intrigued yet? Clue #1 - God is not allowing anything you do to work. Simon Peter did everything he could to try and catch fish the night before Jesus shows up. For you maybe it is your job hunt, the books you’ve read, counseling - everything you are trying is not working. Instead of feeling defeated, maybe you are exactly where God wants you to be. Clue #2 - When God asks you to do something that doesn’t seem to make sense. Peter knew that fishing in the daytime, especially in deep water, was not a way to catch fish. What Jesus was asking Peter to do was the opposite of all of his knowledge, training, and experience. Thankfully for Simon Peter, he eventually did what Jesus asked him to do. And because he did “They caught a great number of fish, and their nets began to break.” Luke 5:6 The two clues are right there in verse 4 - in one short sentence Jesus tells Simon Peter where to go (into the deep), what to do (let down your nets), and what to expect (a great catch). Peter complained and didn’t want to do it. We can learn from Peter and Jesus teaching. When whatever you are doing isn’t working, and God asks you to do something that doesn’t make sense, get ready for some amazing God things to happen. Paul writes about God this way in Ephesians 3:20 “Now to him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think.” God can absolutely do “above and beyond” for you as well when you are willing to follow his instructions, despite how far reaching they may sound. As we journey as Christ followers, we need to remember Who we are and Whose we are. Jesus, as a man on earth, knew these things and that is where His confidence came from. He knew His Identity. Read the following scriptures, post them, memorize them, make them yours because this is your identity in Christ Jesus and it is Who you are! You are God’s precious child.
I am complete in Him Who is the head over all rule and authority—of every angelic and earthly power (Colossians 2:10). I am alive with Christ (Ephesians 2:5). I am free from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2). I am far from oppression, and will not live in fear (Isaiah 54:14). I am born of God, and the evil one does not touch me (1 John 5:18). I am holy and without blame before Him in love (Ephesians 1:4; 1 Peter 1:16). I have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16; Philippians 2:5). I have the peace of God that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7). The Spirit of God, who is greater than the enemy in the world, lives in me (1 John 4:4). I have received abundant grace and the gift of righteousness and reign in life through Jesus Christ (Romans 5:17). I have received the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Jesus, the eyes of my heart enlightened, so that I know the hope of having life in Christ (Ephesians 1:17-18). I have received the power of the Holy Spirit and He can do miraculous things through me.I have authority and power over the enemy in this world (Mark 16:17-18; Luke 10:17-19). I am renewed in the knowledge of God and no longer want to live in my old ways or nature before I accepted Christ (Colossians 3:9-10). I am merciful, I do not judge others, and I forgive quickly. As I do this by God’s grace, He blesses my life (Luke 6:36-38). God supplies all of my needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). In all circumstances I live by faith in God and extinguish all the flaming darts (attacks) of the enemy (Ephesians 6:16). I can do whatever I need to do in life through Christ Jesus who gives me strength (Philippians 4:13). I am chosen by God who called me out of the darkness of sin and into the light and life of Christ so I can proclaim the excellence and greatness of who He is (1 Peter 2:9). I am born again—spiritually transformed, renewed and set apart for God’s purpose—through the living and everlasting word of God (1 Peter 1:23). I am God’s workmanship, created in Christ to do good works that He has prepared for me to do (Ephesians 2:10). I am a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). In Christ, I am dead to sin—my relationship to it is broken—and alive to God—living in unbroken fellowship with Him (Romans 6:11). The light of God’s truth has shone in my heart and given me knowledge of salvation through Christ (2 Corinthians 4:6). As I hear God’s Word, I do what it says and I am blessed in my actions (James 1:22, 25). I am a joint-heir with Christ (Romans 8:17). I am more than a conqueror through Him who loves me (Romans 8:37). I overcome the enemy of my soul by the blood of the Lamb and the word of my testimony (Revelation 12:11). I have everything I need to live a godly life and am equipped to live in His divine nature (2 Peter 1:3-4). I am an ambassador for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20). I am part of a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a purchased people (1 Peter 2:9). I am the righteousness of God—I have right standing with Him—in Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21). My body is a temple of the Holy Spirit; I belong to Him (1 Corinthians 6:19). I am the head and not the tail, and I only go up and not down in life as I trust and obey God (Deuteronomy 28:13). I am the light of the world (Matthew 5:14). I am chosen by God, forgiven and justified through Christ. I have a compassionate heart, kindness, humility, meekness and patience (Romans 8:33; Colossians 3:12). I am redeemed—forgiven of all my sins and made clean—through the blood of Christ (Ephesians 1:7). I have been rescued from the domain and the power of darkness and brought into God’s kingdom (Colossians 1:13). I am redeemed from the curse of sin, sickness, and poverty (Deuteronomy 28:15-68; Galatians 3:13). I am called to live a holy life by the grace of God and to declare His praise in the world (Psalm 66:8; 2 Timothy 1:9). I am healed and whole in Jesus (Isaiah 53:5; 1 Peter 2:24). I am saved by God’s grace, raised up with Christ and seated with Him in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:5-6; Colossians 2:12). I am greatly loved by God (John 3:16; Ephesians 2:4; Colossians 3:12; 1 Thessalonians 1:4). I am strengthened with all power according to His glorious might (Colossians 1:11). I humbly submit myself to God, and the devil flees from me because I resist him in the Name of Jesus (James 4:7). I press on each day to fulfill God’s plan for my life because I live to please Him (Philippians 3:14). I am not ruled by fear because the Holy Spirit lives in me and gives me His power, love and self-control (2 Timothy 1:7). Christ lives in me, and I live by faith in Him and His love for me (Galatians 2:20). David found forgiveness in God the Father so maybe we really should look at the Father a bit closer to really understand Who He is and then Who We are.
Attributes of Our Father God - He is… Loving – “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!” 1 John 3:1 Kind – “So that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.” Ephesians 2:7-8 Compassionate – “The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.” Psa 103:8 Giving – “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 Faithful – “The Lord’s loving kindnesses indeed never ceases, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23 Merciful – “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.” Ephesians 2:4-5 Strong – “Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.” Psa 24:8 Forgiving – “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 Good – “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever.” Psa 136:1 Righteous – “The LORD is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all he does.” Psa 145:17 Caring – “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” Matthew 6:26 Sovereign – “The LORD has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all.” Psa 103:19 Shepherd – “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.” Psa 23:1-3 Ever-Present – “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” Psa 46:1 Refuge – “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust!” Psa 91:1-2 Gracious – “The LORD is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion.” Psa 116:5 Healer – “…for I am the LORD, who heals you." Exodus 15:26 Powerful – “Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, indeed everything that is in the heavens and the earth; Yours is the dominion, O LORD, and You exalt Yourself as head over all. Both riches and honor come from You, and You rule over all, and in Your hand is power and might; and it lies in Your hand to make great and to strengthen everyone.” 1 Chronicles 29:11-12 One Who Saves – “The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing." Zephaniah 3:17 Helper – “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 The One Who Makes All Things New – “He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true." Revelation 21:5 His heart is for you. And every promise is true. Today is Good Friday.
This is the day we set aside to remember what Jesus ultimately did for us and all of humanity. At this point, He has had his last meal with his best friends, one of them betrayed him, one denies him and all will flee during his time of need. He is arrested and taken to a mock trial where he is falsely accused, spit on, and smacked in the face. He is turned over to the soldiers and whipped from head to toe to the point that his mother would not be able to recognize him. Then, he has a crown of thorns jammed upon his head, a robe placed around his shoulders and is mockingly called King. After all of this, he carries his cross to the top of a hill called Golgotha and is nailed to the cross and raised up to die between two criminals. Through all of this he is silent. Why? Why did he do it? Why is he there? For me to get the full impact, I have to make it personal here; so, place your name in the places I refer to myself. Surely there could have been another way. No. He was the Way. The perfect lamb. The ultimate sacrifice and he was there because of me. My sin nailed him to that cross and all that preceded that suffering. Me. My selfish and sinful acts are why my precious Jesus was nailed to a tree on a hill 2,000+ years ago. To really get the meaning, I have to think of it from the true reason He did it. Not for me to feel guilt; but, He did it because He loves me! He loves me so much he said, “You are worth it! I will die for you my beloved.” Rejoice! Sing Hallelujah! No time to be downcast or full of sorrow because His love conquered all. Romans 8:1 (NIV) Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. And we know the rest of the story… Sunday is coming and the whole world will know - HE IS RISEN! Luke 24:5-6 (NIV) 5Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6He is not here; he has risen! |
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August 2022
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