The Best Christmas Gift Ever

Posted on December 19, 2011 by pastorpstephens

This past week, I reflected on some of the favorite Christmas gifts my brother, sister and I received growing up.  Like most kids, perhaps the most memorable gifts we received were our first bicycles.  That Christmas was so special it was the subject of a school paper my brother wrote in the third grade. The bicycles were gifts the year before.  That year was a tough year.  I remember because those were what I call the “beans and corn bread years”.  Money was tight and 5 nights out of the week we ate beans and cornbread, the other 2 nights we had cornbread and beans.

I remember there was talk of a strike at the factory where my dad worked and his hours were cut way back.  I didn’t fully understand all that was going on; I just remember in general knowing that money was tight.  I also remember mom and dad preparing us not to expect too much for Christmas.  Daddy explained it by saying the elves were going on strike too.  With our expectations for toys set pretty low, you can imagine our surprise and our joy when we woke up Christmas morning to find 3 shiny new bicycles under the tree.  Not only did we have presents from Santa but we also had presents from mom and dad.  It was a wonderful Christmas!  That’s why the next year my brother wrote a paper for school called, “Why I believe in Santa Clause.”  The only argument of his paper was, “How else are you gonna get new bicycles when Daddy ain’t working and you’re broke?”  That may have been the only “A” my brother ever received in an English class.

In September 2006, in the last conversation I had with my dad before he passed away, he talked about how he wished he was a better provider.  I told him I thought he did fine and I reminded him about the gifts of new bicycles from Santa and plenty of other presents that year he wasn’t working.  He said that was a special year for him and he shared with me how one of his older brothers provided the money for all of those presents.  He said he would never forget how blessed he felt that Christmas.  Those gifts were not only special to us kids, but they were very special to my dad too.  A loved one intervened and offered something to my father that he could never obtain on his own.

I know that a preacher isn’t supposed to talk too much about Santa Claus, but with Christmas coming, I just had to share that story.  After all these years I found out that someone came forward with a special gift at the right time.  Out of a great love, someone intervened and made a wonderful difference in another’s life.  Isn’t that why Christians celebrate Christmas?  The bible says in Galatians 4:4 that  “in the fullness of time, God sent forth His Son born of a woman so that He could redeem us”.

God who so loves the world has intervened and has given us the gift of His Son – and what a glorious gift He is!  God has given us gifts we could never obtain on our own.  Christ is the gift of eternal life!  Christ is the gift of strength!  He offers us the joy to make it through each day no matter what struggles we face!   We need the gift of Christ.  How else are you going to make it through the night when your heart is broken and the world seems without hope?  How else are you going to get out of bed and face another day when the doctor has given you a bad report and your entire body aches?  How else are you going to find the confidence to tell your child that everything will be all right when you yourself have fears and doubts in the midst of your soul?  How else are you gonna get new bicycles when Daddy ain’t working and your family is broke?   God because of His great love offers all of those things to you.  God offers to intervene in your circumstances this Christmas and make a wonderful difference in your life through the person and the presence of His Son Jesus Christ.  He is the most special gift of all.

If you would like to know more about a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, you can send me an email directly at pastorpstephens@aol.com

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Protected by the Lord

Posted on December 13, 2011 by pastorpstephens

The weather has been crazy here in Austin the last couple of weeks.  They always say that if you don’t like the weather inTexas, stick around, it will change in a few hours.  That is the way it has been here the last couple of days.  Although the high today was 68°, just a few days ago it was below freezing.  As a matter of fact it got down to 25° and I had to bring in the plants from the back porch to protect them from the freeze.  There are some that are too large to bring in so I covered them with a couple of bed sheets and a blanket to protect them from the cold wind and freezing temperatures.  They are on the back porch on the southwest side of the house and are sheltered from the wind and with the extra layers of protection from the sheets and blankets wrapped around them, they weathered the storm.  That reminds me about what the bible says in 1 Peter 1:5.  Peter talks about the protection available to us from the Lord.  Peter says:

1 Peter 1:5  (we are God’s Children) who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials,

Even though we face storms in our life that are uncomfortable and sometimes threaten our well being and even our survival, if we have given ourselves to Christ we are wrapped up in His love and in His marvelous grace.  In spite of any discomfort or trials that we face now, we should rejoice!  Our Lord promises us that He will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).  He promises us that we can do all things through Him because He will strengthen us (Philippians 4:13).  He promises to see us through every trial or tribulation that we face (John 16:33).  We need not worry about the storms that life may send our way!   The Lord protects us and keeps us in His hands and in His Kingdom for eternity!  My goodness we serve a wonderful Savior!   I know that He can bring you through any challenge you face.  Stay strong in the faith, keep praying and place your trust in Him.

If you would like to know more about a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, you can send me an email directly at pastorpstephens@aol.com

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Longing for the Word

Posted on December 5, 2011 by pastorpstephens

This weekend we celebrated our oldest granddaughter’s second birthday.  We had a great time.  She loved all of the company and all of the presents.  It was a joy to see her and her little sister who is 7 weeks old.  Her little sister is still young enough that she generally only wakes up long when she is hungry and wants a bottle.  And believe me when she wants a bottle, she definitely lets you know it!  That little girl can cry loud when she is hungry.  It reminds me of what Simon Peter said in 1 Peter 2:1 – 2.  In chapter 2 he writes:

1Peter 2:1 “Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, 2 like newborn babes, long for the pure milk of the word, that by it you may grow in respect to salvation”

Peter is saying that we should love the word of God like a baby loves his bottle.  When babies get hungry they will cry for that bottle.  They want to be fed and they want to be fed on a regular basis.  Peter says that God’s children should want to be fed regularly with God’s word.  Peter says we that we should be upset and cry out when we’re not receiving it.  The word of God should be that important to us as God’s children.  Peter has a reason for placing such high importance on it.

This book of the New Testament known as First Peter is actually a letter that Peter has written to members of the church.  And in this letter, Peter is writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.  He is communicating on behalf of God.  Prior to chapter two, Peter has shared some very important concepts with the members of the church.  Peter has reminded them, and reminded us that our individual faith in Jesus Christ has resulted in our individual salvation and it has given us an incorruptible inheritance in heaven.

In chapter one Peter says that we have been born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.  He says that our salvation is protected by God; it is safe and secure and it is something that cannot be taken away.  Peter also communicated that as a result we are called to live a life that is holy; we are called to endure trials and temptations with a spirit of hope and grace.  Peter says we are called to live a life that brings glory and honor to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Peter says that if you are going to meet the challenges of this life, you must consistently and regularly partake of God’s word!  Simon Peter understood the transforming power of God’s word.  He understood what it meant to grow in respect to salvation.  Simon Peter started off as an uneducated fisherman.  Before he met Christ he was rude, crude and socially unacceptable.  During his ministry with Christ, there were still times that he was rude, crude and socially unacceptable.  He argued with other disciples about who was the greatest, he even rebuked Jesus, and at one point he denied he knew the Lord.  He denied Him 3 times and to prove it, he cursed like a sailor!

Peter did all of those things after he met Christ, but Peter learned about the grace of our Lord.  He knew what it meant to be forgiven.  He knew what it meant to be embraced by someone you had let down before.  Peter understood about the power of the word of God to help a person grow in respect to their salvation.  He understood about the power of the word of God to cause a man to be born again and to help that man become a better person.  Because Peter understood the power of the word, Peter wanted all of us to love the word and long for it like a baby longs for milk.

Peter saw God’s word as a gift; a gift that helps us be who God has called us to be.  Peter also saw God’s word as a gift meant to be given to others so that they can be blessed too!  There is no other gift you can give someone else that is greater than the word of God.  Peter quotes the prophet Isaiah at the end of chapter one and reminds us:

Isaiah  40:8  “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.”

The word of God is the only gift that is relevant for all situations.  It is the only gift that can meet every need.  The Word of God never falls; it never fails.    It always brings comfort.  It always brings mercy.  It is always right.  It is always true.  It is always the perfect gift.  It is a gift to be cherished and a gift to be given to others.

As I close I ask you this question:  “Do you know the word?”  Now when I ask, “Do you know the word” I don’t mean can you quote scripture or can you name all the books of the bible.  I mean do you know the word that John talks about in his gospel.  John says in chapter one:

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God….And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.”  The Gospel of John, chapter one.

When John speaks of the Word, he is speaking of living Word Jesus Christ, the son of God, the one who gave His life to pay for our sins, the One spoken of in John 3:16:

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.

That’s the Word that both John and Peter knew.  It is important that you know Him too.  The bible says that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.  The bible says that our sin separates us from God and that the penalty for sin is death.  The bible also says that Jesus Christ freely paid that penalty and that if you confess Him as Lord, you will receive forgiveness of your sin.  Jesus is the Living Word of God.  He feeds our soul like milk feeds a baby.  He is the word that forgives us, sustains us, comforts us and blesses us.  Do you know the Word?  If not, I would love to introduce you to Him today.

If you would like to know more about a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, you can send me an email directly at pastorpstephens@aol.com

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Fixing Fences and Checking Boundaries

Posted on November 29, 2011 by pastorpstephens

A while back I had to fix the fence in the backyard.  There was board that had been used on the privacy fence that was no good.  It seemed like it was rotten.  It was a cross board that the pickets are nailed in to and it is on the backside of the fence.  The problem was it looked okay for the most part but the nails kept pulling out of it.  It seems to me like it was rotten when they originally built the fence a couple of years ago.  How I found out was some other dog stuck his head through the fence and one of the bottom pickets just swung out of the way.  All 3 of our dogs sounded the alarm and I went outside to see what was going on.  I knew I had to fix that problem or some dog would get in and there might be a fight or our dogs might get out and get lost!  Luckily I had a 2×4 in the garage just long enough to do the job.  I ended up re-nailing almost all of the pickets on that 8 foot section.  This task of repairing this previously unknown defect in the fence reminded me of a psalm that David wrote; Psalm 139:23 – 24.

Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:  And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. 

I think David realized that the ways of people can be just like that hidden support rail on that fence.  Some of our ways are hidden and can begin to deteriorate and go bad.  We don’t even notice it until it’s too late.  The consequences of a flaw or a bad habit that takes us out of God’s will if not dealt with timely and appropriately can be devastating.  David knew that from personal experience, so David was asking God to bring those ways to his attention so that he could deal with them before things got out of hand.  David wanted to take care of the situation before there was trouble, before there was a fight or before a dog got out under the fence.  From time to time, we all ought to take inventory.  We should all check our fences and our boundaries to make sure that they are appropriate.  We should all ask God to show us any flaws or failures so that we can take proper action and so that He can keep us from sin and lead us in the everlasting way.

If you would like to know more about a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, you can send me an email directly at pastorpstephens@aol.com

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Having Hope during the Holidays

Posted on November 24, 2011 by pastorpstephens

I love this time of year!  I love the holidays!  I love Thanksgiving!  I love Christmas!  I love the chance to eat good food and share good times with my family and friends!  At the same time I recognize that this time of year is not joyful for everyone.  There are many people who struggle during this season because they are facing the holidays without someone they love.  Even as I gather with my family and friends today there will be certain loved ones that I wish were here.  Even though my dad passed away 5 years ago, I know there will be a moment when I will want to share with him about the great joy that my two granddaughters have brought into my life this past year or tell him about some unique incident that happened to me.  As I think about him and the fact that he is not with us, I know I will feel some sadness, but for the most part my perspective will be joyful.  My perspective will be joyful because I know that my dad is with the Lord and I am mindful of what the bible says in 1 Thessalonians 4:13:

1Thess.  4:13 Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. 14 We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.  15 According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.

This scripture is part of a letter that the Apostle Paul had written to the people in the church at Thessalonica.  It was one of the first churches that Paul had started and some of the people there had a question for Paul.  They were worried about some of their loved ones who had “fallen asleep” or passed away.  They were worried that the people that they cared for had missed out on the Resurrection.  They were worried that they would never see their loved ones again.

Grief and worry is a very real concern for all of us who have loved and lost someone.  We all know what it is like to miss someone when they are gone.  Those are the emotions and concerns that Paul is addressing in his letter.  Paul is letting the Thessalonians know and letting us know that when somebody who knows Jesus Christ passes away, yes you hurt, yes, you grieve but you don’t grieve like the rest of the world.   You don’t grieve like the rest of the world because you know that person is in heaven with Christ.   They will be with the Lord forever.  While you may be sad, your grief should not consume you.  You can have a perspective that includes joy and hope!

And if you are a Christian, if you have confessed your sin and asked Jesus Christ to be your Lord and Savior, you can have the confidence that you shall see your Christian loved ones again.  As Christians we know that if the Lord returns before we pass, He will bring our loved ones with Him.  He will bring with Him our Christian brothers and sisters, our Christian fathers and mothers, our aunts, our uncles, our teachers, our friends, those who prayed for us, those who ministered to us and those who played a part in our coming to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.  We shall see them again!

And we know that when we see them again, they won’t be sick, they won’t be suffering and they won’t be in wheelchairs and they won’t be in walkers!  They will meet us in a glorified body!  That is the hope that we have as Christians, and that’s why we don’t grieve like the rest of the world.  That is why we have hope!  That hope is available to all who know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

I pray that if you are grieving from the loss of a loved one that you will know the comfort that only the Lord can provide.  I pray that He will minister to you in a very special way so that you can appropriately deal with your grief and enjoy Thanksgiving and Christmas this year.  Ask the Lord to comfort you, ask Him to strengthen you.  Ask Him to help you to remember the good times and to walk tall and strong in your faith.  The Lord God will help you for He is gracious and compassionate and shows mercy unto His children.

If you would like to know more about a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, you can send me an email directly at pastorpstephens@aol.com

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Why I Am Thankful! This Thanksgiving will be a little Different

Posted on November 19, 2011 by pastorpstephens

I am really looking forward to Thanksgiving this year!  I have been working very hard lately and I know it will do me good to slow down and give thanks for all of the blessings in my life.  I have much to be thankful for.  I have a wonderful family that I love and who loves me.  I have a job!  And I have a nice roof over my head and the bathroom scale will attest to the fact that I have been eating good in the neighborhood!  I have a wonderful church family and I am blessed with the opportunity to preach every week and I have multiple opportunities to share and be a witness during the week when I am not in the pulpit.  I have two lovely granddaughters and all of the members of my family are healthy.  I have a Savior who has forgiven me of my sins and who has promised to never leave me nor forsake me – even on those (rare?) occasions when I don’t act right.  Yes, I have much to be thankful for.

On Thursday, when everyone is gathering together to eat turkey and their various casseroles and cakes and pies we will have several people at our house.  The crowd will not be just family members.  We have also invited some friends whose family does not live near here and some other friends who would otherwise be alone for various reasons.  This year the list of people who will be at our home just keeps growing and growing and growing.  As the invitations have gone out to people who are not family members, they often act like they will be intruding.  My wife and I have assured them that they are indeed welcome.  There will be plenty of room in our house and there is always an abundant amount of food at our table.  Please come we tell them!  It reminds me somewhat of the invitation the Lord sends out in Isaiah 55:1

“Ho! Every one who thirsts, come to the waters; And you who have no money come, buy and eat. Come, buy wine and milk Without money and without cost.”  Isaiah 55:1

Our Lord beckons people to come and dine at His banquet table.  Our Lord bids people to come and share in the abundance of love, grace, mercy and blessing which only He can provide.  Our Lord provides it without strings, without cost and without an expectation of ever being paid back.  He simply desires that we would enjoy fellowship with Him.  You are never intruding when you accept an invitation from the Lord and come to His table!

I love the invitation that the Lord sends out.  I love the fact that His banquet table can accommodate everyone.  I love the fact that He desires a personal relationship with each and every one of us.  That relationship is found in His Son Jesus Christ.  I am thankful that I have a place at His table.  I am thankful for the blessings that He has bestowed upon me.

If you would like to know more about a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, you can send me an email directly at pastorpstephens@aol.com

 

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Dance Like No One is Watching! The Lord loves you!

Posted on November 15, 2011 by pastorpstephens

“David was dancing before the LORD with all his might..”  2 Samuel 6:14

The other day I was blessed to get to spend some time babysitting my granddaughter Avery.  She will be two years old very soon and she is at an age where she wears her emotions on her sleeves.  There are times when she is upset and not happy when she does not get her own way but for the most part, Avery takes great joy out of life.  This day was no exception.  She decided that this particular afternoon would be a great time to listen to some music.  As soon as she got to our house she made a bee-line to our bedroom.  Avery recently learned how to turn on my wife’s CD radio/alarm clock on the night stand next to the bed.  It has a CD pre-loaded with some Spanish guitar music and apparently these tunes provide the perfect sounds and rhythm for her to display all of her moves.  She was twisting and turning and jumping and jiving and totally enjoying herself.  I pulled out my phone to snap some photos and take some videos which usually causes her to stop what she is doing and grab the phone, but not this time.  She was too caught up in the moment; too full of joy.  She was dancing like no one was watching!  After a few songs, she finally collapsed on the bed with a giant grin occasionally interrupted by laughing and giggles.

My granddaughter’s exuberance reminded me of the excitement and joy that David displayed as the Ark of the Lord was brought back to Jerusalem.  In 2 Samuel 6:14 the bible tells us that  as the Ark was returned to where it belonged, “David was dancing before the LORD with all his might”.   David was so excited about what God was doing that he let loose his inhibitions and fully expressed his joy.  David danced before the Lord, like no one else was watching.  You can be sure that David was criticized for his display of joy and praise.  But David was not concerned with what others thought or what they might say.  David wanted the Lord to know how he felt.  While others may not have appreciated David’s display of emotion, I know the Lord was pleased.

It can be like that for us in life sometime.  Any time we praise the Lord or show signs of our devotion and love for Him, we may be criticized.  We should never let the possibility of criticism inhibit us.  The bible says the Lord inhabits the praises of His people.  If He seems distant, begin to praise Him and see how He draws near!  Dance and rejoice like no one is watching!

I hope that you have such a relationship with the Lord that you are able to take great joy out of your life and all the things the Lord is doing.  I hope that even though you might face some struggles and some obstacles that you know that there is a God and that He loves you.  For He does love you and He desires to have a personal relationship with you through His Son Jesus Christ.  I hope that you know that He is able to bless us with eternal life and He is able to fill our lives with so much joy that we can dance like no one is watching.

If you would like to know more about a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, you can send me an email directly at pastorpstephens@aol.com

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Being Thankful in all Situations

Posted on November 8, 2011 by pastorpstephens

This day was one of those unexpected days where I stayed home.  It was as they say in the office “Unplanned Time Off”.  I had left work early the day before due to a nagging pain in my side that eventually gave me a bad headache.  This time it was not a coworker.  (Actually I have been blessed with some great people to work with and for and I am very grateful for my job!)  No, this pain in my side was not employee or job related.  I thought it was the beginning kidney stone because I have been having that pain off and on for a couple of weeks.  It sure seemed like a kidney stone yesterday because I started getting that clammy feeling and nausea and my head began to hurt worse.

By the time I got home, the nausea was really bad and escalated to the point where I could not keep anything down and my head was pounding like a sledge hammer.  My wife decided to take me to the local emergency room.  After a few tests it was determined that I did have a kidney stone but it was not located on the side that was hurting me.  Turns out my pancreas is giving me some trouble.  The most common causes are due to excessive drinking and gallstones.  I quit drinking over 15 years ago (thanks to the help of the Lord) and I had my gallbladder out about 12 years ago; so that rules out those two causes.  The doctor says that perhaps the problem with my pancreas is just due to a virus.  He says it could just get better by itself but more tests are needed.  Time will tell.  In the meantime it was an “Unplanned Time Off” day for me.

Anytime I am sick, I try to follow what Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 5:16 – 18:

Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 

It is God’s will that we always rejoice!  I can rejoice and be thankful in all situations, even when I am sick.  I can rejoice that I have a job with good people to cover for me when I am gone and that I have a job with sick pay!  Many people are out of work.  I prayed for some of those people today.  I can always find something to rejoice about.  If you look at things in the right perspective you can always see the rainbow instead of the clouds.  I can be thankful that I have a loving wife who is always looking after me and taking care of me when I don’t feel well.  I am thankful that God has given me His word so that I can have comfort in all situations.  Sometimes people misunderstand and misapply this verse.  Sometimes people think we should be thankful for everything that happens to us.  Our Lord doesn’t tell us to be “thankful for ALL situations” but rather to be thankful “IN” all situations.  You can do that if you know that He is with you and if you know how much He loves you.   You can be thankful in all situations if you place your hope and your trust in the Lord.

If you would like to know more about a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, you can send me an email directly at pastorpstephens@aol.com

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The Lord is Near to all who Call

Posted on November 2, 2011 by pastorpstephens

I was headed back home at the end of a long day.  I was about 34 miles away from home and my gas tank was running low.  According to the info on my odometer, I had enough gas in the tank to go about 38 miles.  That was just enough to get across town and stop at the gas station next to my house.  On a normal day, in a normal city, everything would be all right.  However, this was not a normal day and I don’t live in a normal city.  This was the day after Halloween and I live inAustin,Texas.  And on this day, Austindrivers were at their best.  The ride home was full of stop and go traffic (more stop than go); multiple wrecks, and one knucklehead zipping in and out of the traffic near the university, causing everybody else to slam on their brakes and honk their horns.  All of the honking led to Mr. Knucklehead saluting the rest of the traffic letting them know that he thought the Longhorns were number one.  Come to think of it, this was a normal day in Austin,Texas!

The circus on the highway was cutting down significantly on my gas mileage.  It soon became evident that I was not going to be able to get all the way across town after all on the remaining fumes in my gas tank.  The number of miles showing on my odometer which remained before I had to stop and fill up the tank were dropping faster than the S&P 500.  As I prepared to pull over at the next exit to get gas, it dawned on me that I had left my billfold at home.  Oh no!  As I looked at the odometer again, I knew that I would not be able to make it all the way to my house to get my wallet before I ran out of gas.  I couldn’t call my wife because she was at Zumba and she would never hear her cell phone because they play the music loud enough so that you can’t hear the new people gasping for air. I tried to think of someone I knew who lived in the south side of town that I could call who might loan me a couple of bucks for gas so that I could get home for the night.  I remembered one friend I had not seen in several months who only lived about 5 miles away.  I gave them a call on their cell and I couldn’t believe it, they were out shopping and they weren’t 5 miles away, they were just around the corner!  I quickly explained my situation to them and how my odometer was now down to only 1 more mile!  They promised to meet me at the next gas station.  By the time I got off the phone, the odometer said zero but I was blessed to be able to pull in to the gas station right up next to a pump!

My friend met me there and gave me $10 which provided more than enough gas to get me back home.  We laughed about the situation and talked for a little while as we caught up on how our families were doing.  Not only did my friend rescue me but we were able to enjoy a good visit together.  I am so blessed to have such wonderful friends!  As I look back on that episode, I am reminded of a couple of things.  One, I am still the poster child for Adult A.D.D.  And two, no matter what challenges we have the Lord does a magnificent job of taking care of us!  David said it like this in Psalm 145:18 – 19

The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth.  He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He will also hear their cry and will save them.  Psalm 145:18 – 19

So many times in life we make our plans and think we are in complete control.  We think we can make it across town and through traffic on just a little bit of gas in our tank but pretty soon we find we are running on empty.  We think we will go to plan B but then we realize our resources are not enough.  We have left our wallet at home; and some weakness, some flaw or some unintentional error has but us in a bad situation, one where we are about to be stranded.  It is at those times in our lives when we call upon the Lord.  We hope and pray that just maybe He can make it to us in time to rescue us and help us out with just enough gas to make it home for the night.  My experience with the Lord has always been very similar to my experience with my friend.  The Lord is always near to those who call.  He is never miles away, He is always just around the corner.  He is always willing to come and rescue us.  And not only will He come and rescue us but He loves to spend time and fellowship with us.  He loves for us to catch up on old times.  He does not rebuke us for not having called Him sooner.  There is no chastisement or any guilt trips.  There is never any, “Well, well, well.  I haven’t heard from you in a while.  You must need something.”  The Lord is always willing to take your call even when it comes as a result of some distress.  And like my friend, the Lord never gives us just enough to get home, He always fills our tank. The Apostle Paul said it like this in Ephesians 3:20 – 21

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.

The Lord will always exceed your expectations.  You can count on the Lord.  He always has your back.

If you would like to know more about a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, you can send me an email directly at pastorpstephens@aol.com

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God has a place for you!

Posted on October 27, 2011 by pastorpstephens

The church I had been the pastor of for three and half years had shut its doors.  It was in many ways a sad occasion but we all recognized that it was God’s will.  God’s will is the best place to be even when His will is not your will.  The church had been a great blessing for me.  I had made some wonderful friends and I was grateful to the Lord for the opportunity to share His word, an opportunity that does not always avail itself so readily to one who had not yet attended seminary.  (It would be about 8 more years befor the Lord set that task before me so I was very thankful for the opportunity and the experience.)  About a month after the church had closed, I began to send out letters to various churches in the area seeking opportunities to provide pulpit supply.  In the meantime, my wife and I took a vacation and visited a few churches in the area.  It was nice to attend some services and be ministered to, but after a few Sundays I was ready to get back in the pulpit again.  Let me just say that a preacher in the pew is like a fish out of water.  I can only compare it to someone who loves basketball and any time they drive by a park and see someone playing they want to jump in the game.  Sitting in the pew as a preacher, it is hard not to jump up and jump in the game.  I so badly wanted to be involved again in preaching and teaching the magnificent, wonderful word of God.  I had sent out about a dozen letters and was trying my best to be patient but it had been several weeks and not a single call had come in!  I was beginning to get discouraged.

One afternoon I was working on a pave stone retaining wall in the back yard to keep the dirt in the flower bed and to keep the weeds out.  I have also found that hard work is good therapy whenever things are weighing heavily on my mind.  The wall was about 30 ft long and 2 – 3 stones high.  It was similar to one I built in the front yard.  After several hours I was finally ready to put the last stone in place and I needed a particularly shaped stone.  A regular size stone would not fit in the opening that I had.  To fill that opening I was going to have to take one of the new stones and chip away at it and cut it in half and shape it in a triangular piece to make it fit in that area where I needed that final missing piece.  The last time I tried to shape one of those stones with a hammer it took a long time.  As I considered the difficulty of this task, I remembered that I had a piece of a stone left over from the wall I placed around the front garden area that was completed two and a half years earlier.  I saved it because I’m a pack rat and I save everything.  I thought that someday it might be useful for some task.  Would it fit?

I found the stone in the shed and took it to the new retaining wall.  It fit perfect and slid right into place!  I started to cry.  I had so much anxiety and concern about how long it might take for God to find a place for me to minister that I felt like this was His way of putting my mind to rest.  The Lord was letting me know that in His time, in His way, He would place me where I needed to be.  I had not been forgotten.  I had already been shaped by His Hands and designated for a certain task, a certain place in His garden.  I knew that in the fullness of time, He would place me where I was needed and where He wanted me to be.  I resolved not to worry so much and to try to continue to be patient.  A couple of weeks later, I received a call to fill in for pulpit supply in response to a letter I had sent out.  Was I available the next Sunday?  Yes, I was!  The Lord had a task for me and I was ready.  He placed me where He wanted me, in His way, in His time.  Three months later, that same church called me to be their pastor.   The bible says in Philippians 1:6

For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

 You can expect that the Lord has shaped you and crafted you for a unique place in His Kingdom.  Never forget that no matter what your feelings may tell you.  God has a place for you!   Do your best to stay patient and prayerful.  You can expect that if you place yourself in His hands, that in His time and in His way, He will place you where you need to be.

  If you would like to know more about a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, you can send me an email directly at pastorpstephens@aol.com

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