Strengthen Yourself in the Lord!

Dear friend,

“And David inquired of the Lord, ‘Shall I pursue this band? Shall I overtake them?’ He answered him, ‘Pursue, for you shall surely overtake and surely rescue’” (1 Sam. 30:8).

David had just returned to his home only to discover that a group of Amalekite raiders had attacked the city and taken away his family. To make matters worse, the families of the men following David had also been taken. David’s normally faithful followers were so frustrated that they wanted to stone him to death! Now, that is a really low job approval rating!

Understandably, David wept bitterly and was “greatly distressed.” Yet, it was in the midst of this horrible trial that he remembered to open his heart and his mouth to God. When he was at one of the lowest points of his life, he “strengthened himself in the Lord” (1 Samuel 30:6). He prayed and God answered!

Thankfully, most of us will never find ourselves in a situation like David faced. However, we all have low moments. In every life there are times when a person is shaken, broken, and greatly distressed. What can you do at that time? Follow the example of the man after God’s own heart. Find strength in the Lord and go to Him in prayer!

Your friend,

Stephen

Pursue Peace for the Glory of Jesus!

Dear friend,

“So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding” (Romans 14:19).

This week, I learned about a famous American pastor who was being assailed for his supposedly rude management style. Despite this pastor’s asking forgiveness, at least one frustrated former associate was flooding the internet with complaints about the man and his ministry. I found myself feeling very cynical as I read a couple of news articles on this topic. “Why do Christian people do this to one another?” I thought.

The next day, I read the verse above. It is a reminder that, all too often, we pursue the defeat of those who disagree with us by tearing them down. It is the exact opposite of what the Lord tells us to do! If you find you have a disagreement or problem with another Christian at church or anywhere, then be careful to do what you can to build them up in the faith. Encourage them with the scripture, pray for them, just be friendly with them, give them the benefit of the doubt and show them love.

Followers of Jesus should be characterized by a pursuit of peace and mutual encouragement. Let’s ask the Lord to help us live in such away that will inspire news stories about how we forgive offenses, come together in love, and stand shoulder to shoulder for the glory of our Father in Heaven!

Your friend,

Stephen

Pastor Stephen St. John

God Still Meets All Our Needs When We Seek Him!

Dear friend,

Three years ago, I wrote about the financial crisis we were facing in 2008. This week, I realized nothing has changed. On the one hand, we are still facing a worldwide financial crisis. On the other hand, however, God’s precious promise to care for us is also unchanged! Praise His Name!

Here is what I wrote in 2008:

I have a widget on my computer desktop that regularly updates the rise and fall of the dollar. Sometimes it seems the future is rising and falling along with it. The scripture, however, reminds us not to be worried about our future. It is sad when Christian people chase after and worry over all the same things that non-Christian people do including money and possessions. Jesus says, “Do not be anxious saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the unbelievers seek after all these things and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added to you.” (Mt. 6:31-33).

Jesus makes at least three things crystal clear. First, he commands us not to worry. It is not necessary to lay awake wondering how to pay those bills or what might happen when we grow older. God takes care of his creation. He can take care of us. Second, he tells us to seek God’s kingdom and his righteousness. By this he means to believe in the Lord and be full of zeal for his glory above all other things! Third, he promises that when we have done these things - when we put him first - he will meet all our needs. Now, that’s a bold promise, but it is right here in the perfect word of God!

Friends, being responsible and planning for your future is a good idea, but let the Lord’s words sink deep into your heart as well. Put him first above all things and ultimately, he will take care of you and those you love! “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:19).

God’s promises were true when the New Testament was written 2,000 years ago, they were true in 2008, and they are still true today! He will take care of His people!

Your friend,

Stephen

The Fire and Hammer of God’s Word

Dear friends,

“Is not my word like fire, declares the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?” - Jer. 23:29

I once worked with a group of men breaking apart a huge concrete patio. It was an ugly patio and it was in the way of progress. The owner of this particular property wanted to make some improvements that included the construction of a new deck. Since the concrete was thick and strong, we built charcoal fires on the surface to weaken the structure. Then, we smashed it apart with hammers and hauled it away.

Recently, I remembered this when I read the verse above. God says that His word is like “fire” and “a hammer that breaks rock.” I imagine the sin, ignorance, and bad habits of my life are like that old concrete patio. When I read or meditate on God’s word, it is like lighting a fire on and swinging a sledgehammer at my problems. God breaks them up and makes way for the good things He wants to build in my life.

God uses the powerful message of scripture to do renovations in the life of the Christian. It is good to be in the Word! Have you opened your Bible today?

Your friend,

Stephen

Christ Jesus - First in All Things!

Dear friend,

I am so thankful that my wife and I were able to attend a Christian college together. The motto of our Alma Mater is “In all things Christ Preeminent.” It comes from Colossians 1:18, “And He (Christ) is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything He might be preeminent.” Christ’s preeminence means He must be first in all things! He must be the number one priority in your life, because he is Master over everything.

That being the case, the Christian ought to be influenced by Christ in every area of life and in every field of discipline. The college we attended was not merely a Bible College, but a liberal arts school that taught music, language, science, education, art, philosophy, psychology, business, and much more. I appreciate the way the school curriculum proved that Jesus Christ has something important to say about each one of these subjects. In fact King Jesus rules over them all, because He is the Creator of the Universe!

Friend, do you recognize the authority of Jesus in your job, in your school, in your home, or even in your hobby? Ask yourself today how you can make sure He has first place in everything you do!

Your friend,

Stephen

Pastor Stephen St. John

What does a church member do?

Dear friend,

“And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…” (Mt. 28:18-19a).

The Lord Jesus has commanded us to make disciples. In this context, a disciple is a follower of Christ. A church member is a disciple of Jesus who follows Him in a particular way as part of a particular Christian community. How does a church member follow Jesus? What does a church member do?

I came across an old document in the archives or our church office. It made four clear statements about the meaning of membership. They come after an introduction and are written as four promises that members made. I am hoping you will find them helpful so I have republished them here:

Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, and on the profession of faith, having been baptized in the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, we do now, in the presence of God and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another as one Body of Christ.

• We promise, by the aid of the Holy Spirit to walk together in Christian love; to strive for the advancement of this Church, in knowledge, worship, ordinances, discipline, and doctrines; to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the Church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the Gospel through all nations.
• We promise to maintain family and private devotions; to educate our children in the Christian faith; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances; to walk circumspectly in this world; to be just in our dealing, faithful in our engagements, and exemplary in our deportment; and to be zealous in our efforts to advance the Kingdom of our Savior.
• We promise to watch over one another in brotherly love; to remember one another in prayer; to aid one another in sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and courtesy in speech; and to be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation, and mindful of the teachings of our Savior, to secure it without delay.
• We promise that when we move from this place, we will unite as soon as possible with some other church where we can continue to carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God’s Word.

These old promises define membership as a commitment to Jesus and others! If you are a church member, when was the last time you really thought about your commitment. Would you dare to make promises like those above? Are you wiling to bravely follow Christ as part of a body of believers? Would it not be beautiful if we all were?

Your friend,

Stephen

Pastor Stephen St. John

United in Christ Through Christ In Us

Dear friend,

“Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity” (Psalm 133:1).

Every Christian church is blessed when members are unified. Likewise, division among church members is notorious for the damage it has done to the cause of Christ. Our awareness of these truths makes us eager to stand in unity. As we work toward that goal, it is helpful to remember the wise words of an ancient pastor, Ignatius of Antioch.

As he faced execution for his faith in Jesus, Ignatius wrote seven personal and poignant letters to churches and their leaders. He was concerned about division and strife among people in the churches. In these letters, he reminded his friends that “the unity of the church is not due to the harmony and good feelings of Christians among themselves, but the presence of Jesus Christ Himself in the church.”* Just as immortality is a result of faith in Christ, unity also comes when men, women, and children place their trust in Him!

Every Christian is in Christ and Christ is in every Christian (John 17:21). It is the presence of Jesus in our hearts that makes us one! If we want to experience greater unity, then we must pray for the presence of of the Lord in our midst. He will hold us together!

Your friend,

Stephen

* See The Epistle of Ignatius to Polycarp of Smyrna

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