THINGS GOD TAUGHT ME

ON VACATION

 

Ah, the lazy crazy days of summer.   After our long and harsh winters, us Canadians have special appreciation for summer vacations when we can get outside and enjoy the fresh air.    Mostly, for me anyway, those vacations are about relaxing and breaking the routine of a busy work schedule.   I don't go on a vacation to write a book or a new sermon series.   I just go for fun.

That doesn't mean however that there is nothing serious going on or that my mind stops working.   In fact, when I slow down for vacation with not much on my agenda,  my life is quieted and the relaxed pace actually allows me to listen more carefully to the voice of God and He is able to speak into my life.    Here's a couple of things He taught me on my recent vacation.

 

I Haven't Been As Dependent On The Holy Spirit As I Ought To Be

The Holy Spirit is not someone I call on for a little bit of power when I need it.   

It is the Spirit who leads me into all truth and to obey everything Jesus commanded.

I am to walk in/with the Spirit not He with me. 

You don’t need the Holy Spirit if you are merely seeking to live a semi-moral life and attend church regularly.  You only need the Holy Spirit’s guidance and help if you truly want to follow the Way of Jesus Christ.

Even in our daily living we can look more like the prophets of Baal 1 as we live our lives, running about in a frenzy, trying to fix our problems, not stopping long enough to call on the power of God Almighty.   Living by the Spirit implies a habitual, continual, and active interaction with the Holy Spirit.

If you can do it yourself, it's not the Holy Spirit.    Frankly, I can't do it.   I don't want to live only in the power of the flesh.   I want to live supernaturally.   I am useless without Him. Without Him I can do nothing.   I cannot preach, I cannot live righteously, I cannot function without Him. I'm tired of trying.

Douglas Copeland, author of several best selling books put it this way:

" My secret is that I need God - that I am sick and can no longer make it alone. I need God to help me give, because I no longer seem to be capable of giving; to help me be kind, as I no longer seem capable of kindness; to help me love, as I seem beyond being able to love."

My heart longs to be daily, moment by moment filled with His Spirit. How about you?    Are you tired of the Christian rat race?    Tired of trying?    Dissatisfied with only what the flesh can do?     Right now, wherever you are, humbly bow in His presence and cast yourself upon Him and ask Him to fill you afresh with His Spirit. Settle for nothing less than supernatural living.

 

I Need To Unplug More From The World In Order To Be More Intimate With God

 

We live in a day of incredible access to information.   I love information.  I love computers and technology.   Yet,  unlimited internet and social media can zap your time.   It also means, that unless you are ready to set boundaries,  that you are always on duty.  People can always contact you.   It's not that I'm against people.  I love people.  I'm an insatiable people person.   Yet if I'm not careful,  all this information and access can eat up a lot of time and leave little time for actually building intimacy with God.   This has actually been a long standing problem, long before the invention of the internet or social media.   It seems the world always cries for our time and leaves little if any of it available for cultivating intimacy with God.  

 

If we are not careful we can reduce the Christian life to simple adherence to a moral code and the learning of Christian truth.   In fact,  the Christian life is about enjoying God and being in deep relationship with Him.    Technology can help us with information about God and there are some great Bible programs for our IPads and IPhones and Blackberries,  they can help us in our Bible reading and research,  but it takes unplugged time alone with God to really build the relationship.

 

On my vacation God taught me that I need to unplug more in order to be more intimate with Him.    There is nothing sweeter, nothing more rewarding,  nothing more exhilarating than to know God and to know Him intimately.   Don't miss it because you're so tied up in texting, Face Book and e-mail.

 

 

(We'll finish up "Things God Taught Me" with the next post) 


1   1 Kings 18:20-29

SUNDAY OUTLINES      There is no higher honour I could have than to be able to preaching the Word of God Sunday after Sunday.   I've been doing it now for almost 40 years.     You can listen to many of the messages I've preached at Parkway Bible Church over the past 12 years by visiting our Sermon Archive at www.parkwaybiblechurch.ca .    

 

Most of you perhaps who read this blog attend church on a more or less regular basis and enjoy the rich teaching of your local Pastor (whom I hope you give great encouragement).    Yet, like me,  perhaps you enjoy listening to other preachers as well and perhaps gleam golden nuggets that enrich your lives.   To that end, on many Sunday afternoons I'll post my sermon outline along with some quotes from the message that might tweak your interest and stimulate your thinking.

 

Presently,  I'm doing a summer series of teaching messages called "LifeRoots:  The Roots of Successful Living" in which we look at key principles for living successful lives to God's glory.   Below is the second message in the series.   It is based on Cain who killed his brother and wandered from God.   Unfortunately the notes don't clearly bring out the exposition of the passage but hopefully will still prove helpful.    If you want to listen to the message, it should be available on the Parkway Bible Church website by early Monday.

 

Tomorrow,  check back for the conclusion of my last blog post "What God Taught Me On My Vacation.

 

The Root of Perspective

# 2 Life Roots - Moses/Cain - Genesis 4:1-15

Introduction
It is important to view life from the proper perspective so that you will be able to live according to a proper perception.　

Three 3 Perspectives You Must Develop.

I. The Personal
Personal success is not far away.
　

1. The Difference Between Success And Failure Is Little.
　
Most people only need to make a few changes to reach their potential.

　
2. The Path To Personal Victory Begins With A Step Of Faith
　
We each need to come to that moment of faith.

II. The Internal

Before you can win the battle on the outside, you need to win the battle on the inside.

God is more concerned about you Character than your Comfort.

1. There Is A Private Battle We All Fight
- It is the battle of character.

　
The war on the inside is the most Difficult and the most Important battle you will ever fight.

If you don’t gain control of what’s happening on the inside, it will show up on the outside.
　
2. You Win The Battle On The Inside By Walking In The Spirit

3. Private Victory Always Precedes Public Victory
** Fruit Of The Spirit = by product of the private life.

III. The Eternal

LIFE ONLY MAKES SENSE WHEN YOU HAVE AN ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE.

1. This World Is Not Our Home
　
2. We Are Citizens Of The Kingdom Of God
　
3. Successful Living Requires An Eternal Perspective

　
Since our citizenship is in Heaven, we do not live for this world.   We live for the Kingdom of God.

Conclusion
Quote - Joseph Stowell " If heaven is our consistent hope and the King is our guide and the expression of His kingdom is our calling, then life in this world comes more clearly into view. Its disappointments don’t damage or surprise us. We expect little of it, for our reward is yet to come... We live confidently here in light of there, reflecting the culture and values of the Kingdom within and under the authority of the King.

 THINGS GOD TAUGHT ME ON MY VACATION

I have the privilege each week to be paid to delve into God's Word in order to feed myself and the wonderful congregation God has given me to shepherd.   Yet, in the business of ministry it is often difficult to slow down long enough to really hear the voice of God.   Ministry is mostly about putting out and placing the need of others ahead of your own, but if you don't care for your own soul, soon you'll have nothing to give to others.   That's one of the reasons I love vacations and one of the reasons that for at least part of the time I don't plan to do a lot of heavy reading or thinking.  Just gear down and chill out.  it's usually in those times that God most clearly speaks to my soul.

Last week was one of those times.  Wendy and I went camping.   We had no real agenda except to relax and enjoy our time together as we explored the marshes and the beauty of God's creation in and around Pelee National Park, the most southern tip of mainland Canada and perhaps one of the most significant wetlands environment in North America.  We observed the wildlife, breathed in the fresh air, enjoyed the silence and quieted our souls. 1

As we did, God began to speak into my soul and taught me vital things about myself that I needed to know.  Over the next week I'd like to share some of those things with you, not because I want to bear my soul, or have any need for some kind of public confession, but because I suspect that many of you need to be reminded of the same things and perhaps my experience and observations might be an encouragement to you.

Some of these lessons God taught me may seem negative to you.   They are not.   They are gentle loving reminders from my Heavenly Father designed to enrich my life, bring me peace, and glorify Him with my life.    They are sweet and cherished lessons that as I pursue them will bring greater fulfilment, purpose and enjoyment in my life.  Nor are these lessons necessarily new discoveries as if I never knew them before.  In fact, like you, I have known them, and indeed have taught them to others.  They are rather lessons that I, and I suspect you, need to be reminded of on occassion.   These generally are things I need to remember daily or disciplines I need to exercise regularly in my life.

So today, , let me share two things God taught me on my vacation and then another day I'll share a couple more.  I hope you'll take the basic thought and run it through your mind and heart a bit and see if God doesn't bless you too.

 I Am More Loved By God Than I Often Remember

It's easy for me to say that I know God loves me, but it is something altogether different to live daily in light of God's absolutely amazing, unconditional love for me.   I am very well aware of how messed up and undeserving I am.  Though I am not what I was before Christ found and saved me, I am flawed, broken, and imperfect.  How often I think, "If only I could do more.  If only I could be wiser, more understanding, more loving.  If only I could be a better Dad,                                                               a better husband, a better Pastor, a better man?"

I am a Pastor, I am a leader.  Daily I am before people and my imperfections are self evident and open for all to see.  And might I add, some people feel it is their responsibility to remind me of how far I come from meeting their expectations.  I'm sure that you have those people in your life too and I'm sure that even without their help, you're well aware of how messed up you are and how far you fall short of the mark.   There is within most of us that ache that reminds us that we are flawed, less than perfect and therefore unlovable, or at least that sense that we have to somehow earn the love of others, and even the love of God.

How marvellous is our God in that He reminds us that in Christ, His love for is unmeasurable and absolutely unconditional.   I don't have to earn it.  In fact, I can't earn it.  My brokenness and sinfulness make it impossible.   I am reminded that "God demonstrated His love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."  God's love for me began when I was wretched and lost.

I am also reminded that now that I am saved and am His child, His love for me is based not on my performace, which is far too often flawed, but on the value and supremacy of His Divine Son Jesus and my union with Him.   He wants me, and He wants you to daily, moment by moment to just rest in His unfailing love.



I Haven't Been Seeking Him As I Should

God said to Israel, “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the LORD” (Jer. 29:13–14).

He is worthy to be sought.   It's not that I don't seek Him at all, it's just that at times, perhaps too much of the time I'm not seeking Him with my whole heart.     I mean I love the benefits that I receive when I seek Him wholeheartedly, but I don't always like to put in the effort that it requires.     It is so easy to slip into spiritual neutral.   I think neutral is our default setting but He calls us to seek Him with our whole heart, to get our seeking into high gear.

I know by experience that the most fantastic, the most exciting, the most fulfilling my life can be is when I am in hot pursuit of God Himself.    Sometimes I just don't understand myself.   I don't understand why knowing that;  I'm not more diligent to follow after God and seek Him with my whole heart.   I'm sure you know that feeling too.    In the business of our lives it's not that we forget God, it's often simply that we do not pursue Him as we ought.    Vacation helped me slow down and re calibrate my life. 

I hope and pray that during your vacation this summer you'll have a chance to slow down long enough to hear God's voice and let Him re calibrate your life so that you might have strength for the journey ahead.    God bless you.

1  All of the photos in this post were taken on our vacation.

QUOTES OF THE WEEK - June 2-12, 2013

"QUOTES I'VE READ THIS WEEK"

 

Some of us like to read and others of us don't.   I love to read and learn and therefore I read a fair bit but there is so much out there to read, some good, some bad, some terrible.   
I can't get to it all and maybe you feel the same way.   Sometimes there are memorable or important things a book says but you don't have time to read it all.    From time to time,   I'd like to share with you some quotes from some of what I'm reading.   Perhaps it will spark your thinking on a subject or cause you to enter into a discussion or perhaps even pick up the book and read it.    In any event I hope that "Quotes I've Read This Week" will be a blessing and a challenge to you and in a small way help build up the Church of Christ.


The more people who report to you, the more people who can be upset with you. The more people who listen to your message, follow your tweets, and read your stuff, the more people who can fire shots at you. This is one of the irrefutable laws of leadership: the broader your influence flowing down, the more frequent the complaints can flow back up. Don’t be surprised by the fiery trials. Don’t be startled by opposition. Don’t let the ugliness of manipulation, the weakness of passive-aggressive behavior, and the cowardliness of retaliation took root in your soul.
(Blog Post of Kevin DeYoung one of my favourite young authors)
Kevin DeYoung's blog address:  http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/kevindeyoung/

 
The Lord is with you while you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you.    (2Chronicles 15:2)


As future leaders of the church, now is the time to deal with the past.
Paul Nyquist  The Post Church Christian

When discussing the artificiality of small group experience:
"But what happens when people start confessing safe sins is that everyone in the room starts concealing their real junk."
Carson Nyquist    The Post Church Christian


 When you're drowning in a culture of Christianity that approves of everyone, people will look for more.  Why? Because cheap Christianity, with low expectations, is virtually meaningless.
Carson Nyquist    The Post Church Christian

 

 

The Holy Ghost does not flow through methods, but through men. He does not come on machinery, but on men. He does not anoint plans, but men—men of prayer.

—E. M. Bounds


As the English writer, G.K. Chesterton, put it, “Christianity has died many times and risen again; for it had a God who knew the way out of the grave.” We should rest in knowing that our God has us securely on a trajectory that’s getting us nearer to our destination, though it may appear to some that we’re moving away from it."
Fred Antonelli

Strangers who shout religious dogma are a turn off.
Carson Nyquist    The Post Church Christian

An authentic portrait of the church ...  It is a growing place, filled with imperfect people who seek to follow Jesus but sometimes fail.

Paul Nyquist    The Post Church Christian

 

In our desire to touch a hurting, dazed world, what is out of bounds?   Where do we cross the line and abuse our freedom in Christ? ... The path is not clearly marked in Scripture. ...  But this does not mean Scripture is silent here.  It speaks.  But it instructs us through principles not rules.

Paul Nyquist    The Post Church Christian

 

Gazing Upon The Awesome

The Jones family with Dad, Mom and the two kids loaded up the station wagon to head out for a vacation to Yellowstone National Park.    Yellowstone is a geological hotbed with hundreds of geysers and hot springs.    None more scenic and popular as the geyser known affectionately as "Old Faithful."

"Old Faithful" is the most visited of all the geysers for a simple reason:  It is faithful.    It is not the tallest geyser or the most beautiful, but it is the most faithful.    You can count on "Old Faithful" to erupt every eighty minutes.

Arriving just after a previous eruption, the family had plenty of time to find a good spot from which to view the next eruption of "Old Faithful."    The U.S. National Park Service has built a boardwalk that encircles the geyser.    There are benches on one side and on the other side you can stand.    That is if you want a shower when the geyser erupts.    "Old Faithful is the very centre of attention.

As the time for the eruption got closer, more and more tourists joined the Jones family, settling on the benches or on the boardwalk.     Latecomers stood behind.    Many had their cameras and video recorders - trained like weapons on the famous hole in the ground.

There was great anticipation as steam began rising from the opening in the earth.    At first there was a little sputtering of water.    "There she goes," exclaimed one observer who thought he was in the know.    But then the sputtering ceased.    Was that it?    Was that all there was.    A moment later the geyser sputtered again.     Swoosh,  a fountain of hot water streamed towards the heavens a hundred feet high.

All around the geyser jaws dropped, eyes popped.    A sense of amazement and wonder filled everyone gathered around "Old Faithful" as the geyser sent cascading waters higher into the air.    The crowd was spellbound, awe-filled, as dancing water performed its magic for a minute and then quietly returned to the earth as its water supply was depleted.    But in another eighty minutes its subterranean plumbing would be filled again ready to burst forth towards the sky as other onlookers witnessed its majesty.

Watching such a display leaves people with a sense of awe, a worship-like quality.    They are amazed at such a display.    There is a sense of amazement and wonder at the awesome display of nature.    Viewers witness something powerful, something wonderful, something beyond themselves.

One Dad said to his kids, "Did you see that? Amazing, wasn't it?"

A little boy replied to his sister, "I can't wait to tell Johnny when we get back home."

Another shouted, "Hey, Grandpa, did you see that?"

Still another said, "Can we watch it again?"

With a sense of reverence people returned to their cars or the gift shop knowing they had witnessed something spectacular.

This is the dynamic that ought to be present when we come to worship God.    We ought to be amazed, to be in awe of the one who is beyond ourselves.    We ought to be in awe, spellbound, mesmerized by the life-giving, life-flowing, power of God.    To gaze upon the wonder and power of the majesty and power of God Himself.    I’m not talking about seeing lightning bolts come out of the cloud, but a sense of awe and wonder, a sense that we are in the presence of something, someone,  far bigger than ourselves.

Brothers and sisters - could it be that we have forgotten that when we step into God’s presence we step unto holy ground.    Could it be that we have brought God down to our level rather than rise up to His level.     Could it be that we have lost that sense of awe, the sense of wonder, that sense of the majesty, holiness and power of God and therefore our worship experiences are less than satisfying.

As one writer put it " Remember hearing as a kid the words, "No running in church?"   The sanctuary is a place of reverence.    Physically we may not be running when we meet God, but spiritually, emotionally, and mentally we are.   We "do church" as many "do lunch," casually and unprepared.   Our hearts and minds don't show profound awe and respect.   We don't anticipate God's presence or God's voice.    Consequently, we're unable to experience the presence of God that will stir our souls, change our lives, and satisfy our hunger for meaning."

Let me encourage you.    God wants to meet you.    He wants you to behold His glory and stand in awe of His person.    He wants you to experience His presence and majesty in such a way that it is life-changing, that it gives you strength for the journey, and exalts Him above everything else.

When you go to church this Sunday, know that He is there.    Prepare your heart to meet Him, to behold His glory, to be amazed at how awesome He is, at how vast is His grace and mercy towards you.     Stand in awe of Him and worship His majesty.


If there is one characteristic more than others that contemporary public worship needs to recapture it is this awe before the surpassingly great and gracious God.

— Henry Sloane Coffin
(This post was inspired by a story from and unknown source that I read about "Old Faithful")  

      "He Has Done Me No Wrong"

Heroes of the Faith

Polycarp Bishop of Smyrna

 

It is a fine February day in the year 155AD.   In the ancient city of Smyrna in Asia Minor (modern Turkey) the large excited crowds have gathered at the stadium for the Public Games.¹ Polycarp, the Bishop of Smyrna, one of my ancient heros in the faith, is facing certain death.

In the pluralistic world of the Roman Empire you could worship any god you chose but everyone had to pay homage to Caesar and proclaim "Caesar is Lord." Those who would not were considered "atheists."   At 86 years old Polycarp had been a humble, dedicated follower of Jesus since childhood.   His passionate love for Christ meant that he could bow to no other.   Tradition says that he had been personally mentored by the Apostle John.   He was a deeply rooted follower of Christ.

The crowds at the stadium begin to rally against Polycarp.   "Away with the atheists!" they shouted, "Let Polycarp be searched for!"    The Roman officials had been intent on arresting him for some time.    Panic-stricken friends had pleaded with him to flee, so to calm them, he agreed to withdraw to a small estate outside of town but his whereabouts was betrayed by a tortured young girl and the police came for him.    On the brief journey back to the city, his captors pleaded with the old man.    "What harm is it to say, ‘Caesar is Lord’ and to offer sacrifice to be saved?"

Polycarp was brought to the arena where, Statius Quadratus the proconsul, quizzed him before the crowd.    During the discourse Quadratus lost his temper and threatened Polycarp: he'd be thrown to wild beasts, he'd be burned at the stake.    Unwavering Polycarp put things in perspective, "You threaten me with fire that burns for a time and is quickly quenched, for you do not know the fire which awaits the wicked in the judgment to come and in everlasting punishment."    Quadratus then gave him the choice of death or cursing the name of Christ and making a sacrifice to Caesar.    Polycarp’s response was that of an unwavering follower of Christ.    "Eighty and six years I have served Him, and He has done me no wrong. How can I blaspheme my King who saved me?"    He remained unshakeable and was bound to the stake and set on fire.

Polycarp’s greatest passion in life had been Jesus Christ.    In death, he would not be moved.    As the flames rose up all around him, he prayed his final prayer; "I bless Thee that Thou hast granted unto me this day and this hour, that I may share among the number of martyrs, in the cup of Thy Christ, for the resurrection to eternal life." ²

It is such unwavering faith and commitment to Jesus Christ that has so greatly impacted our world and yet at the same time has often  been so hated.  It is to such unwavering faith in Christ to which God calls us, even today.    We may never have to face death for our faith in Jesus as did Polycarp, but we live in a culture that is increasingly hostile to the Gospel and to he church of Christ.   I believe that in the very near future we are going to see increasing isolation, marginalisation and perhaps even open persecution of the followers of Jesus Christ in North America.   It is of paramount importance that we love Jesus supremely, above comfort, above ease, above all distractions.   God is calling you, and He is calling me, not to be Christian in name only but to be unwavering followers of Jesus. 

 

 

 

1 Olympic type athletic games

2. "The Daily Study Bible" -"The Revelation of John" vol 1, pg 94



WHERE HAS PASTOR RICK BEEN ?

It has been several months since I have made a new posting on Pastor Rick's Study.    Many of you have been checking back to see if I'd written anything new or exciting.   Well, at least new.   You may have wondered, where in the world has Pastor Rick been.

Well, I've been busy and I've been wondering, and I've been seeking.   I suppose I've even been wandering.   I've been seeking God.    There is no point writing if you don't have anything to say and anything I'd have to say in and of myself would be pretty insignificant.   The only things that I might say that are of any value, that are worth reading,  are the things that flow out of God's Word.    If I'm going to write something worthwhile, it needs to come from God and if its going to come from God, I need to seek His face and hear His voice.

We live in a culture that loves to hear itself talk (I am not immune to that) and values its own opinion whether or not it is based on any kind of objective truth other than our own sense of importance.   I don't want this blog to be of that kind.    My opinion is of little value unless it is deeply rooted in the truths of scripture.   Frankly,  I am amazed at how many people have been reading Pastor Rick's Study from all over the world.    My desire is that out of the richness of the study of God's Word and the observation of His world,  I might be able to bring insight, help, and encouragement to my readers, that will in the end bring glory to God.

I'm going to begin writing more frequently again and I invite you to pop in and take a look at Pastor Rick's Study from time to time.    Hopefully you'll find the blog posts interesting and helpful as they point your heart towards Christ but I want to encourage you to look around the page for other features. 

I'll regularly update the "What's Pastor Rick Reading" section down the right column.    There are a trillion books out there but only a few are really worth the read.   You may wonder sometimes, "What should I read?"   Most of the books I'll list here are worth the read.     Reading is one of the important ways we learn and I hope this section will help you get started on some good books. 

You might also want to check out the "Calvary Road" page.   This will give you some information about the ministry I'm involved in, in the communist country of Cuba.    At the moment its a bit outdated so check back from time to  time as we'll begin to updated it in the next week or so.

God bless you as you seek to live each day in the light of God's love and God's truth.   Just wanted to let you know that you can expect new blog posts to be posted more regularly one again.   If they are a help to you,  please share them with others.

God Bless You All

Because of Calvary
Pastor Rick