Hammer or Nail

I recently read this, “Sometimes in life you’re the hammer sometimes you’re the nail.” It is a quote from Lance Armstrong after losing a leg of the Tour de France a few years ago.  I know as individuals go he might not be the best role model given his current situation but to be honest he is just a human being like the rest of us. He had a desire to be the best in his sport and was willing to do whatever it took to get there. How many of us have not done that very same thing in our own life. Like everything we experience there is always a lesson to be learned from it. I was reading in the book of Isaiah this morning and as we prepare to close out another year; that depending on what happened in your life, might mean it was great or it was the worst year yet. It seems very appropriate for the future and I hope it helps to prepare you for what tomorrow and the New Year brings.

7 The craftsman strengthens the goldsmith, and he who smooths with the hammer him who strikes the anvil, saying of the soldering, “It is good”; and they strengthen it with nails so that it cannot be moved.

Isaiah 41:7 (ESV)

As a craftsman prepares his work no matter what he builds it out of there is a certain amount of pressure that must be applied to make the correct changes to its form. The man who works with metals understands that the more times the metal is heated and folded and shaped the harder the metal becomes. I once worked in a draw room making steel cable into drill bits. It was an experience I will never forget.  I started with a roll of steel cable 5/8 of an inch in diameter and after several passes through a steel dye of a smaller size that same cable would measure ¼ of an inch in diameter. But it also became harder and less flexible.

Now how that applies to the passage of scripture is simple the things that we endure and experience in our lives are there to smooth out or shape us into whom we are and will become. It always amazed me to watch that cable change from one thickness to the next. Just as I am always amazed at what the trials we face as Christians; does to grow us to be more like Christ. No one enjoys the trials, but when we allow God; the craftsman of our beings, to sometimes use a hammer on us we become what He always intended for us to be. I pray that this coming year we learn to accept the shaping God brings into our lives so that we can be the individuals He created. The Christian life is a Journey I pray you take it in the New Year and I can promise you the paths will lead to unexpected blessings in your life and the lives of those around you. Have a Happy and Blessed New Year.  

Chameleon Christians

I was studying yesterday and the parable of the dishonest steward has been on my mind since then. If you have never read it is found in Luke 16:1-13 and is something every Christian needs to read and apply to their walk with Christ. It contains this often repeated scripture:

“10 “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. Luke 16:10 (ESV)”

 

This scripture is often cited when preachers are talking about finances and stewardship of one’s money and possessions; which is a very important area of growth, for every Christian to understand as we seek to become more like Christ. Yet this is not what has had my mind reeling what has made me stop is found in verses 3-4:

 

3 And the manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do, since my master is taking the management away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. 4 I have decided what to do, so that when I am removed from management, people may receive me into their houses.’

Luke 16:3-4 (ESV)

In this translation it says in verse four, “I have decided” in the King James it is translated, “I am resolved” and that is what makes this so interesting to me. When we decide to do something we make our mind up and we do it. Very few things can prevent a person from completing a task once they have decided and have the resolve to make it happen. Even if it is going to have a negative impact on themselves and others we have seen the negative effects of this type of thought on the news recently. Yet Jesus went on to explain it in this very same parable.

 

“8 The master commended the dishonest manager for his shrewdness. For the sons of this world are shrewder in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light. Luke 16:8 (ESV)”

 

We often see people who are like this steward and we admire them. They always seem to have it all under control and can’t seem to do anything wrong. The truth is these individuals are sitting on the pews in churches and seem to always have the right thing to say and can be influential within the church and world. The name I have for these individuals is Chameleon Christians. They like the steward have decided that they will survive both in and out of the church. Adapting to whatever situation they find themselves in. Making deals that gain them favor and bringing shame to the name of Jesus.

 

The truly interesting thing is that the master saw what the steward did. He may have seen and understood his reasoning but in the end he still fired him. His scheme to secure a future for himself might have seemed good in his own eyes but in the end all his planning did not change the outcome. The same thing is true of our ideas for salvation. I know that someone is reading this and saying but Paul told the Philippians;

 

“12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Philippians 2:12-13 (ESV)”

 

But the steward was not afraid of the master or he would have been a faithful steward to begin with. The same can be said for those who fail to produce a fruitful life after they get up from the altar.

 

Today as a Christian are you a shrewd individual who is playing both ends against the middle? You have gone to the altar and asked for forgiveness and live one life inside the church doors; but on Monday thru Saturday your walk with Christ is unrecognizable. If so it’s time to stop and make a new decision. As Christians we must have a resolve to live as “sons of light.” Yes this will make us different than most of those we interact with on a daily basis. But when it comes time to stand before the master all the accusations that the devil makes will be without cause or justification as Jesus has already paid the penalty for our transgressions. I want to challenge you today to begin looking forward to a new journey with Christ as you begin to a walk in the Light of His Word.

Imitators Not Impersonators

It was wonderful celebration yesterday as we remembered the coming of Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. I pray you were able to enjoy it wherever you were in the world. I heard several lessons over past weekend on how Jesus’ birth in the stable can be used as an illustration of what happens every time Jesus is allowed to come into the heart of a sinner. It was a very wonderful illustration and I pray that it happened for you or someone you have been praying for. But the story does not end there, I am thankful that Christ came and has allowed us the opportunity to grow into a likeness of Him. Jesus did not stay a baby and neither should we. If we seek to be imitators of Christ; we must seek growth and transformation from the sinful creature we were to the redeemed and forgiven one we are called to be. We must desire to experience a new life in Jesus. Let me share this scripture with you from Luke 2:40,

“40 And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him. (ESV)” 

            If you noticed I used the word imitators and not impersonators when I said we are to become like Christ. To some there might be no difference but in reality an imitator is one who copies the actions, appearance, mannerisms and speech of another or to copy exactly someone or something else; while an impersonator assumes the character or appearance in a fraudulent manner. As believers we are to begin a journey once we have offered our lives up to God and Jesus has forgiven our sins. That journey begins with daily prayer and the reading of God’s Word, church attendance so that you can grow in community with other believers and worshiping both corporately and personally as you partake in more of these areas in your life you will grow to be more and more like Christ. It is not always easy to do but it will have greater returns than anything else you will ever do.

“1 My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, 2 for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. 3 Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man. Proverbs 3:1-4 (ESV)” 

I just want to close with a simple prayer; Lord Help each of us to move forward today along the journey we began when we asked you into our hearts and lives. I pray that every believer takes time to commit themselves back to you and desires to become imitators of you in every area of their lives. Lead them by your Holy Spirit and may each day bring them closer to you. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Be blessed today and don’t wait another day to begin the Journey of your new life in Christ.

Proclaiming Christ

Christmas Eve is finally here and I am so blessed to be able to have time to focus on the wonder and importance of what we celebrate in the birth of Jesus Christ and the freedom that comes from a relationship with Him. Yet in that relationship we must take an active role. As I was reading scripture this morning and looking at the account of Jesus birth and presentation at the temple I realized that every person who encounters Jesus does one thing from the shepherds to the Anna the Prophetess they all begin to tell others about the joyful news.

20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. Luke 2:20 (ESV)

 

28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,
29 “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; 30 for my eyes have seen your salvation 31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.” Luke 2:28-32 (ESV)

 

38 And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem. Luke 2:38 (ESV)

 

Today it is your turn if Jesus Christ has a place in your life and heart than it should flow out and you should share the good news of His birth with others today and every day. As born again believers we don’t put Jesus away on December 26^th but proclaim his wonderful mercies anew every day. I pray that if Jesus lives in you and you have seen and experienced His peace, hope, mercy, grace and love that you will be empowered to share it with others no matter where you find yourself today. Allow God’s Holy Spirit to do a work in you as you walk in the light of His Word.

 

Merry Christmas and

Have a Happy New Year

Rev. Brian Mathis and Family

The Change of Christmas

We read these words at the trial of Stephen found in Acts 6:14 this was the charge of the false witnesses,

“14 for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses delivered to us.” (ESV) (Italics added)

You know change is something that scares everyone but it is a critical part of life. Without change we would never grow older and transform from a baby in a cradle to the adults we are. The activities and choices we make often introduce change into our lives. Some of those changes are good while others are bad but those times we endure create who God has called us to be.

You probable are asking what all this has to do with Christmas and the celebration of Jesus coming. Well to be honest it has everything to do with Christmas you see the greatest change that can occur in our lives stems from a relationship with Jesus Christ. The Christmas season is the celebration of His coming and in that coming we can experience redemption from this lost and dying world and look forward to the future.

You know one of the best parts of the Christmas season for me is the reading of Luke 2:1-21. The reason I find it so exciting is because in the 21 verses God has fulfilled six prophecies about the coming of the Messiah. Those prophecies are; He was born a man (Gen. 3:15). He was a Jew (Gen. 12:1-3). He was from the tribe of Judah (Gen 49:10). He was of the family of David (2 Sam.7:1-17). He was born of a Virgin (Isa.7:14) and He was born in the city of Bethlehem (Micah 5:2) in that passage I find a hope for the future and this simple truth. What God has promised; He is faithful to do. He assures his promises to the prophet Jeremiah and us today with these words.

12 Then the Lord said to me, “You have seen well, for I am watching over my word to perform it.” Jeremiah 1:12 (ESV) 

God has proven faithful. As we see with the fulfillment of the promises of His first coming I can find a hope, peace and faith that the other promises we find in His word are true. Such as Jesus’ Crucifixion (Psalm 22), His resurrection (Isaiah 53:1-12, Matthew 16:21) and His ascension (Psalm 103:19) to the right hand of the Father, and His second coming (Zechariah 14:1-9), I can be sure of all of them because of God has proven His ability to fulfill these six.

That is what the birth of Jesus shows me and why it is so important for us to celebrate and remember. Yes change comes and is a part of life but in this season when we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ we can be assured that those changes are under God’s authority and while they may not be pleasant they will create in us the person God has called us to be. Today as you celebrate the birth of Jesus I ask you to remember the change he has brought to your own life had he not come where you would be.