Christmas in June

by Tim Howard

I recently returned from a trip to Ethiopia where we visited the poor, ministered to the sick and tried to encourage those who were depressed, discouraged and disenfranchised. Our 12-day excursion was based upon Luke 4 where Jesus said: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has appointed me to preach Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, the downtrodden will be freed from their oppressors and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.”

It was my first visit to a developing nation. I must say it was an eye opening and heart altering experience. The receptivity of the people, however, the warmth they exuded and the joy they demonstrated upon receiving some of God’s gifts made me feel like it was Christmas in Spring. As I left the country with fond memories and a renewed desire to help hurting people I purchased a couple of small gifts for my family. My wife said she liked the two scarf’s and my grandson expressed great emotional euphoria when he received his new T-shirt with a picture of an elephant on it. I figured if you visit Africa you ought to have a picture of a giraffe or an elephant or something. Once again it felt like Christmas in Spring.

Presents are a part of Christmas, birthdays, special events and other significant occasions. The word ‘Present’ can refer to both the act of giving a person something such as: the top executive will present an award to the top employee, or an actual item such as a Christmas gift.

In Romans 12:1 the Apostle Paul uses this word ‘present’ and combines the meaning of both. He urges us to ‘present’ ourselves to the Lord as though we are offering something to Him and that something is our own life, which coincidently is the actual gift or present.

You too can experience the true meaning of Christmas throughout the year by bringing to God four ‘presents’. I personally do them each morning after I rise and start my day.

1. ‘Present’ yourself to the Lord through praise and thanksgiving. Psalms 100:4 “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. “ It’s amazing how different your day can be when you start with a thankful heart rather than a critical and complaining spirit. Seeing God’s goodness in the beginning of the day sets your course for the following hours.

2. ‘Present’ your heart to the Lord. Proverbs 4:23 “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” It’s not just your actions that count but your attitude as well. Your deeds will never be greater than the motivation or attitude that precipitated them.

3. ‘Present’ your day to the Lord. Invite Him to help, guide and assist you in all your planned activities. While you’re at it, why not ask Him to change your schedule if it needs some adjusting.

4. ‘Present’ to the Lord your sphere of influence. We all are connected to other people and have a level of influence. Pray for your family, relatives, friends and co-workers. Seek to be a blessing.

When these four presents are brought to God each day, you position yourself for a celebration. Are you ready to celebrate? Could you use a little joy? Then start presenting yourselves to Jesus. Begin Today! Who said you can only experience Christmas in December?

Collision Course with Conflict

by Andrew Cromwell

There are some things in life that you are just not going to be able to avoid. On this list are things like problems, weird relatives and people who won’t stop talking about their iPhone. And not to be forgotten, is the inevitable reality—conflict.

No matter how much you try, you will not be able to avoid conflict. It could be argued, that even if you were to live in total seclusion, you would still be in conflict because of the ever-present battle that wages inside between our heavenly and earthly natures.

This is not to say that every conflict that happens in your life is inevitable. Not by a long stretch. Many of us seem to go out of our way to create unnecessary conflict and contention because we can’t control our tongue. Are you the kind of person that always likes to have the last word or that always has to be right? If you are always in conflict with your friends, family, neighbors and co-workers, then wake up and smell the coffee. You are probably a bit too vocal and you need to stop blaming everyone else for all the drama in your life because it’s you.

But there are some conflicts that are absolutely essential. The battle for your personal destiny, the fight to protect your kids’ innocence, the struggle to keep your marriage—these are just a few. These important conflicts take time and attention. You can’t shortchange them; if you do you always lose.

Are you embroiled in too many conflicts? Maybe it’s time to stop taking yourself so seriously and allow someone else to win an argument once in a while. Those who always have to be right end up being right by themselves. Decide to give up on things that are not essential and make amends.

Have you given up on fighting for the things that matter? It’s time to get back into conflict again. Get back on the horse and start fighting for your marriage again. Sometimes the easy thing (avoiding the difficult conversation) is not the best thing!

This weekend, the pastors in Kings County would love the opportunity to help you settle the conflict between you and God. Once that conflict is settled you can use the strength He gives you to deal with every other conflict in your life!

Keep It Simple

by Tim Howard

Many, if not most people have heard of the Ten Commandments, even though they may not be able to quote them verbatim. Exodus chapter 20 records them for us and they go like this. “Do not worship any other gods besides me. “Do not make idols of any kind, … “Do not misuse the name of the LORD your God. “Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days a week are set apart for your daily duties and regular work but the seventh day is a day of rest dedicated to the LORD your God… “Honor your father and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the LORD your God will give you. “Do not murder. “Do not commit adultery. “Do not steal. “Do not testify falsely against your neighbor. “Do not covet your neighbor’s house, your neighbor’s wife … or anything else your neighbor owns.”

These Ten Commandments are also called the 10 Laws of God. They are given to guide and help us discover the best way to relate to Him, others and the world around us. Someone said these are not the 10 Demand-ments from God but the 10 Commandments because He doesn’t force anyone to follow His ways.

In the course of history, religious leaders have added to these 10 commandments more and more laws, numbering in the 100’s and in doing so created a complex system and complicated things greatly. Jesus, however, comes to us in New Testament times and brings us back to simplicity. In response to a man’s question about what is the greatest law, Jesus made this reply: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ This is the first and greatest commandment” The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

He sums up the whole law, whether it is 10 divine commands or 100 man-made ones, and brings life back into focus by giving two clear, concise, simple and yet profound truths.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, before he died at the hands of the Nazis, said, “To be simple is to fix one’s eye solely on the simple truth of God at a time when all concepts are being confused, distorted, and turned upside down.” That was the Apostle Paul’s prayer for certain people, which is recorded in 2 Corinthians 11. He prayed for them to maintain a clear view of God and not be removed from the simplicity of the gospel.

Jesus lived a simple life and advocates a simple lifestyle, even in the 21^st century. He did not intend to promote a simplistic way of thinking nor a shallow way of living because life can get twisted, tangled and downright difficult at times. Easy and simple are not always synonymous terms. Even though life is not always easy, the answers to all of life’s challenges can be found as you simply look in one direction. “Up”

David said it well in Psalms 121. “I will lift up my eyes … where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.”

You may not be able to quote the 10 Commandments to someone who asks but maybe you could remember, recall and repeat the two Jesus gave. Love God with all you have and love your neighbor as yourself. Keep it simple!

Gatekeepers

by Andrew Cromwell

In the Bible in Matthew 16:19, Jesus says to Peter, “I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven.” Much has been said about what Jesus meant by this statement. Some scholars believe that at that moment, Jesus made Peter the head of the church. I am persuaded that Jesus was doing something slightly different.

When you have a key, you have the ability to open or close access to a locked location. Now, if everyone has a key, then it is not particularly special—you just have one more copy. But if not many keys have been made, then you become the gatekeeper. You have the ability to grant access because you hold the power in your possession.

Now, if you have the keys to the kingdom of heaven, you become a gatekeeper. Either you can welcome people in or you can keep people out. At one point during Jesus’ ministry (Matthew 23:13), He has a conversation with the religious leaders of the day and tells them, “Woe to you...for you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men....”

The religious teachers of Jesus’ day were good at making rules that kept people away from Father God. This is just the opposite of what spiritual leaders are supposed to do. Their whole job is to help people connect with God. But there is something in human nature that is twisted by knowledge and power. Isn’t it amazing that as soon as someone goes to school and gets a degree, he or she immediately starts to divide the world up into those worthy to hear their great wisdom and those that are not?

Peter’s keys were not to be used in this way. They were to be used to open the doors wide to all those who were seeking to reconnect with the Father. Later in Peter’s life, we see that he is instrumental in opening these doors to three distinct groups—first to the Jews (Acts 2), then to the Samarians (Acts 8) and finally to the rest of the world (Acts 10). Because Peter was generous with the message of God’s love for people, because he opened wide the doors to the kingdom, we today benefit from that message.

I believe we can draw two conclusions from this. First, if you don’t know God personally, the door is wide open. The Father has made a way for each of us to return back to him. The Bible says, “Anyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Second, if you do know God, you are also a gatekeeper. You can make it difficult for people to connect with Father God (just like those religious leaders in Jesus’ day did) or you can make it easy. You can unlock and swing wide the doors and shout the good news of a God that loves the world, or you can bury the key and keep your mouth shut.

This weekend the pastors in Kings County will be seeking to help people reconnect with God, make sure you’re in church and that you bring someone along!

You Are Chosen

by Tim Howard

Back in grammar school my favorite class was “Recess!’ I know now that it’s not really a class but it was always something I looked forward to. My least favorite thing during recess, however, happened whenever the teacher lined the students up, selected two Captains and had them choose teams. It was horrible! I was usually the last to be chosen and then the two Captains would fight over me. “You take him!” and the other would respond, “No you take him!” This would go on until the teacher made the final determination and assigned me to a team. What a confidence builder.

God‘s not like that! He wants to connect with you. He wants you to be on His team. He has chosen you to have an ongoing relationship. 1 Peter 2:9 says: “…you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a Holy Nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”

The Bible makes it abundantly clear that many are called but few are chosen. Everyone is invited to have relationship but those who respond positively to the invitation are chosen to experience, develop and enjoy fellowship with God.

Paul the apostle gives a little insight into the motivation behind God’s choice. 1Cor. 1:26 - 29 “Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes, or powerful, or wealthy when God called you. Instead, God deliberately chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And He chose those who are powerless to shame those who are powerful. God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important, so that no one can ever boast in the presence of God.”

His choice of you isn’t based on your skill set, your intellect, your abilities, your position, and surely not your past. He sees your potential. His focus is on what you can be and not what you have been.

Not everyone can see potential! Sometimes it’s hidden from view. Like an automobile that loses it’s luster because of the mud that covers it - the dirt of life can cover the treasures hidden within. God, however, never loses sight of them. He isn’t surprised or shocked when the hidden treasure is revealed because He’s the one who put the potential there in the first place. When He views your life, He sees something wonderful and with delight in His voice says, you have possibilities!

God chose you in order to help you find your way back - back to the original you. He originally created you in His image but the hurts of life, the daily grind, the pressing problems and pressures of the day have hidden the real you from view.

I recently saw a restored 1957 Chevy, which was beautiful. But it‘s a million times more wonderful when you see a person restored to their original condition.

Have you ever looked at a married couple and wondered how they made a connection? Why did he marry her? Why did she marry him? From your observations you conclude that they don’t seem to fit together. Yet, they are together.

You may not be able to comprehend or understand this simple truth but one thing is certain: God could have chosen anyone, but He chose YOU!

Don't Be Boring

by Andrew Cromwell

Life is too short to be boring. Life is also too fantastic to be boring. God has created this incredible world in which we live. He is so amazing He has actually arranged things in such a way that we each have a destiny and a purpose. But far too often we take this wonderful, challenging and awe-inspiring spark and turn it into a dull and dreary existence.

More than ever, it is creativity that can make the difference. A little creativity can transform something ho-hum into something memorable and fun. Because as humans we are creatures of habit, we fall into routines that get old and stale. The love that used to crackle between your and your spouse, has fallen prey to the old routine. Your job that used to be fun (okay, fun may be stretching it a bit), has reverted into the old grindstone that we can turn without even being awake.

Some people are masters at the creative. They just make life fun. We all want to be around these individuals because they put that little twist on life through their humor, their work, their smile and their conversation that makes all the difference.

You see, the creativity we all need is not the kind of creativity that resulted in the painting of the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel or the design of the Taj Mahal. That type of genius is granted to only a few. But the creativity that can take a dull situation and turn it into a fun moment is something we can all find.

The dad that decides to do something spontaneous with his kids every once in a while instead of allowing the family to repeat the same old routine. The co-worker that decides to change up the office gathering so that the people attending aren’t mistaken for corpses. The homemaker that moves the furniture, “just because.”

I think we actually work at removing the creativity from our lives. Our education system certainly does its best to turn creative, vibrant children into mind-numbed robots that can spit out the right answer for a test. And somehow we get older and decide that it’s easier to be boring than to be creative.

We serve a creative God with a sense of humor. He made you, didn’t He? He is the most creative person in the universe and according to the Bible He has made each one of us in His image. That same creative spark is inside us; we just need to use it.

The pastors in Kings County would love to help you learn more about our creative God and the incredible oh-not-boring-at-all destiny He has for you. Let me encourage you to visit church this weekend...it may not be as boring as you think.

Jesus, the Change Factor

by Tim Howard

There’s a scripture in the Bible that gives a lot of hope to people who are stuck. It communicates the incredible possibility of change and how it can happen. It’s found in 2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” NIV

Everyone gets stuck between a rock and a hard place throughout his or her journey. When it happens, you may feel like you’re trapped, locked in, powerless to change things and the possibility of real transformation will seem to be only a dream.

This scripture doesn’t tell us that God will change or remove all our difficulties but if we turn to Him, He will change us! I can’t speak for you but that is very encouraging to me. Even though I may be powerless in the midst of a difficult situation, God has the power to change my heart, change my perspective, change my attitude and change my future. All He needs from me is my attention, adoration, a willingness to seek Him and responsiveness to His directives.

Many people in the Bible have experienced this type of transformation when they responded to Christ. Mary Magdalene had a very sordid past. It is even said she struggled with demonic forces and was considered possessed by demons. Then she met Jesus and was transformed from being possessed to a passionate follower of Christ. The disciples went from being fearful to ones filled with faith when they encountered the risen Lord. Thomas was a doubter but after his encounter, became a full-fledged believer.

Paul the Apostle was a religious person but hated Jesus and those who proclaimed their belief in Him. He’s an example of those who go through the motions and do a lot of religious stuff but don’t have any real relationship with Jesus Christ. You can read his story in Acts chapter 9 and see how he went from being a persecutor of Christians to one who preaches the truth to people.

God wants to change you! Not because he doesn’t like what He sees but because He does. Someone said: “God loves you just like you are but He loves you too much to let you remain as you are.”

There are four ways God uses to bring about change?

1. He first starts with kindness and blessing. Rom. 2:4 God’s kindness, tolerance and patience… leads you toward repentance. God wants you to recognize his goodness and volunteer to be changed by Him. The word repentance means a change.

2. If there is no response, He will convict you. Your conscience when trained by the Word of God functions like our modern day GPS system. It will correct your course and keep you on track if you follow its advice. Check out John 16:8.

3. God counsels you. Psalms. 32:8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you. The Bible, books, seminars, small group meetings, one on one fellowship, classes, DVD, CD teaching series and weekly church family gatherings are a few ways God provides direction and the possibility of change.

4. If all else fails, God will confront you. The author of Hebrews calls it: ‘Chastisement’ or ‘Discipline.” Heb. 12:10 “Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness.”

Can you identify any attitudes, beliefs, expectations, thinking or behavior that needs to change? If so, there’s someone who can help you. His name is Jesus.