The Pastor’s Blog

Notes, news, information, lessons, and updates from the Pastor’s desk and others.

God’s Long-Term Solution

In January I started having some pain and problems with my right knee. At first I tried to deny that it was hurting and kept pressing on. When that didn’t work I tried to ignore it, hoping that it would get better. But when it continued to hurt nonstop and began locking up and buckling at the most inopportune times I decided it was time to go to the doctor.

I was hoping that all I needed was a cleanout surgery to remove any debris floating in the joint. No such luck and needless to say, hearing the diagnosis that my knee was the poster child for knee replacement surgery did not excite me at all. There are some short-term helps, injections, which may provide some relief, but the doctor assured me that my only long-term solution was replacement surgery.  Not ready to do the replacement thing yet, I had an injection and hope to put off the inevitable surgery for as long as I can.

I want to thank everyone who has prayed for my knee. The injection I received has helped far more than anyone would have anticipated and I know that it is due to your prayers.

This experience got me to thinking about the human spiritual condition. Humankind has a long-term problem with sin, and it’s a long-term problem that requires a long-term solution. But too often it’s easier to try to deny the problem and then try to ignore both our sin, and what God says about it, rather than pursue God’s long-term solution. And when denying and ignoring don’t work, we often then try to redefine our sin in an effort to make it seem acceptable to God, thinking that will ease our guilt.

If we are honest with ourselves, we realize that none of our short-term solutions will work for very long and that’s because freedom, peace and joy only come when we apply God’s long-term solution to our long-term problem; the cleansing blood of Jesus that is applied to our hearts as we confess and repent of our sin and turn to Jesus to receive His forgiveness and cleansing from our sin, guilt and shame.

This is what the message of Easter, Resurrection Sunday, is all about. While we were trapped in sin with no way to be forgiven and released, Jesus died for us, but He also rose from the dead, defeating the power of sin and death in the lives of everyone who puts their faith in Him and follows Him.

Because of Jesus’ death and resurrection we no longer need to deny our sin, ignore our sin, redefine our sin or chase short-term solutions that leave us trapped in our sin. Instead, through the work of Jesus we may experience the forgiveness, cleansing, victory and freedom that Jesus offers to all who come to Him.

Thankful to be Forgiven and Free,

Mark


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Home Study April 2nd-7th 2012

Home Study April 2nd-7th 2012

 

Monday: Read Matthew 25:1-13

What happened the last time your electricity went off?

How prepared were you?

If you knew Jesus would return next week, how would you live your life differently?

 

Tuesday: Read Matthew 25:14-30

As a kid did you receive an allowance?

How did you usually spend it?

What areas in your life are you “burying,” rather than using for God?

 

Wednesday: Read Matthew 25:31-46

Have you ever been stopped by someone begging in the street?

What did you do?

What principle is Jesus teaching in this passage?

 

Thursday: Read Matthew 26:47-56

Have you ever been betrayed by someone close to you?

Why is Jesus being arrested here? What has He done to deserve it?

How should we respond when we are betrayed by someone close to us? Why?

 

Friday: Read Matthew 27:26-31

Why did the soldiers mock Jesus?

Why did Jesus put up with these things?

How do your sufferings compare to what Jesus went through?

How does your response compare with His?

 

Saturday: Read Matthew 28:1-20


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Song of the Week

This weeks song is Hold On by Tobymac. This song is basically a reminder that God loves you and you can go to him no matter what. I don’t know why, but I always like listening to this song when the sun is shining. So hopefully with spring starting and the weather hopefully starting to get warmer, you can listen to this song on a happy, sunny day which is always nice. :0) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQMjA5Lc_70

Hold On-Tobymac-Tonight


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Home Study for March 26 through 31

Monday – Read Isaiah 7:10-14 and Matthew 1:22-23

What is significant about Jesus being born of a virgin?

What does His virgin birth tell us about Jesus?

What does it mean to our lives that Jesus is “Immanuel” – God with us?

What is Jesus saying to you? What will you do?

 

Tuesday – Read Isaiah 53:1-12

What do we see about the life of Jesus here?

Why was this necessary to save His people from their sin?

As one who has been forgiven of your sin what do you want to say to Jesus right now?

 

Wednesday – Read Psalm 2:1-12

How is the Messiah revealed in verse 7?

Why is this important?

According to this passage, how successful will the nations ultimately be in rejecting Jesus?

What hope does this give us?

How should we live in light of that hope?

 

Thursday – Read Isaiah 9:1-7

How is Jesus as Messiah described in this passage?

What comfort do you find in hos Jesus is described in verse 6?

How long will His kingdom last?

What hope does this give you for living for Him today?

 

Friday – Read Isaiah 11:1-5

How is Jesus the Messiah described in this passage?

What jumps out at you the most?

What evidence of Jesus’ power do you see here?

How does this passage challenge you?

How does it encourage you?

 

Saturday – Read Matthew 21:1-11


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