“FROM THE PASTOR’S HEART” September 11, 2018
Good morning everyone,
Today is Patriots Day when we remember the attacks and the heroic efforts of all the people who gave
their lives to protect and rush in and help those who were injured and dying. September 11, 2001 seems so long
ago. Much has happened since those planes crashed into the twin towers, pentagon, and flight 93 crashed in
western Pennsylvania. I reflected on this morning during my devoted time with the Lord in His Word. It was
interesting the Holy Spirit had brought me to Isaiah 41:11-16, “Behold, all those who were incensed against you
Shall be ashamed and disgraced; They shall be as nothing, And those who strive with you shall perish. You
shall seek them and not find them—Those who contended with you. Those who war against you Shall be as
nothing, As a nonexistent thing. For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, Saying to you, ‘Fear not,
I will help you.’ “Fear not, you worm Jacob, You men of Israel! I will help you,” says the Lord And your
Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel. “Behold, I will make you into a new threshing sledge with sharp teeth; You
shall thresh the mountains and beat them small, And make the hills like chaff. You shall winnow them, the wind
shall carry them away, And the whirlwind shall scatter them; You shall rejoice in the Lord, And glory in the
Holy One of Israel” (NKJV, emphasis added).
There is much time and effort put in to planning and developing systems that teach on how to deal with
the attacks against the Church by government, society, and the spiritual forces in this world. It has mostly been
wasted time because God has given the Church what it’s focus is to be on, “Go therefore and make disciples
of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them
to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Amen” (Matthew 28:19-20, NKJV). This could not be any clearly spoken, yet it is something that is being
proclaimed today as the latest and greatest idea of the modern day church gurus.
God’s people must be involved in society and the issues of the times, but their involvement is not solely
to save the environment, save the animals, right society’s wrongs, and to eradicate poverty. All these things are
good and we ought to be involved with them as stewards of God’s creation and ambassadors of Christ as He has
called and equipped His people but they become wrong when the salvation of people becomes a second or third
priority for the body of Christ. Salvation of people and growing in Christ-likeness is to be the highest
priority of God’s people. Involvement in this world should always have this as the end result of all that is done
and said by those who are followers of Jesus Christ. Eternity is at stake and there is no room for halfhearted
efforts in serving the Lord (Matthew 10:32-39; Luke 14:25-27).
How does this practically play out in the life of God’s child? First, make the things of God (prayer,
worship, and the study of God’s Word) the main priorities which all other things are scheduled around. This is
done by loving God first and then others as yourself as God has commanded us to do (Matthew 22:37-40). Start
by carrying out the instructions of God through the Apostle Paul in Romans 12:9-21 and Philippians 4:8. If
you have been struggling with your faith and how to deal with the world, this is an excellent place to begin.
There is no reason to waste time trying to counteract the attacks of the world. God said He would bring our
enemies to nothing; He would protect us with His mighty right hand. Do not worry or fear, God has you in
Christ with Him in the heavens where others can do us no eternal harm even though they cause pain in the
present.
Praying beyond the physical:
Father, help me to deal with others today with the same love, forgiveness, and compassion You have shown me.
Jesus, help me to act and speak like You through the challenges and strife I will face this day.
Spirit, help me to trust that the promises of the Father are still faithful and true today as they were in the past.
Pastor Tom
