Category: Scripture Index

  • Close to the Master: Embracing Life’s Journey

    Unhappy dog in a boat - text better unhappy close to the master than left alone

    This shot was taken quite a few years ago, at Star Lake Lodge, near Clearwater, BC.  Genni the Wonder Dog is clearly unhappy, sitting in the boat with me. She would rather be anywhere else than with me. All the indignities and discomfort were secondary to being close to the master.

    That’s the way life can be. We all face trials, tribulations, and struggles. We have miserable days, weeks, months and maybe even years.  It can be hard. Yet, I’d rather endure all things if it meant being close to the Master.

    Life is going to be hard whether you are a Christian or not. There are going to be highs and lows. Everyone ever born faces them to one degree or another. So the question becomes, would you rather face them alone or being close to the Master?

    The Lord does not promise us a problem-free life this side of glory. He doesn’t promise to make our struggles go away. He makes no claim that we will be instantly perfect. The process of struggle, guided by the Lord, is what sanctifies us (sets us apart for holiness).

    Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we boast in hope of the glory of God. And not only this, but we also boast in our afflictions, knowing that affliction brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not put to shame, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:1-5

    Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith brings about perseverance. And let perseverance have its perfect work, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-3

    I know my life will not always be happy and pain-free. I know I will suffer losses. There will be times of injustice and persecution. Still, as Paul says…

    And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore, I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions and hardships, for the sake of Christ, for when I am weak, then I am strong.  2 Corinthians 12:9-10

    Being in the boat may not be pleasant at times, but being outside the boat is infinitely worse. I’ll choose Jesus any time. I may not always be smiling in my circumstances, but it’s better being closeto the Master than anywhere else.

    Hold on, my friends. If you are His he has His hand on you no matter how rough the seas.

    Hallelu Yah (Praise God) 

    Be blessed 

    Kevin 

    SUMMARY

    Being close to Jesus doesn’t exempt us from life’s trials, but it transforms how we face them. Like a dog who endures discomfort just to stay near her master, the Christian chooses to remain with Christ through every storm, knowing His presence is worth more than any comfort.

    TAKEAWAY

    Life’s hardships come to everyone — Christian or not — but facing them with Jesus means we are never truly alone.

    Trials have a purpose: Scripture teaches that affliction produces perseverance, perseverance builds character, and character gives birth to hope.

    God’s grace is sufficient in our weakness, and His power is perfected precisely when we have nothing left of our own.

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  • Serve Others: Transforming Worship into Action

    A pair of well worn wrk gloves on a bible illustrating the call to serve

    A comment I have often heard on a Sunday morning goes something like, ‘I didn’t feel like worship today,’ or ‘The sermon didn’t speak to me today.’ How about, ‘We need this program. SOMEBODY should do it.’ Maybe it’s ‘We did it differently in my day.’ We’ve all heard those sentiments, or if we are honest with ourselves, we’ve said those words ourselves. Rarely do we hear, ‘How can I serve today?’”

    Something we all need reminding of, me included, is that worship isn’t about us. It involves us, but we are there to worship the Lord, not be the focal point of the service.

    Secondly, we need to remember that God’s Word is proclaimed in its power. While some messages may hit closer to home than others, and certainly some sermons are better crafted and delivered than others, we need open hearts to hear the truth.

    The regular service at your local assembly isn’t about you (or me). It’s about the body coming together. It’s where we learn, serve and practice generosity and hospitality. 

    It’s a place where we can practice giving and receiving grace and forgiveness.  It’s where we can safely practice getting along with others who may not be just like us.

    It’s where we can share and bear one another’s burdens. It’s a holy place, a gift from God above.

    The Sunday service isn’t about meeting your perceived needs, nor is it necessarily designed to fit your personal preferences. There might be music you don’t like, or an order of service that isn’t your favorite. 

    Perhaps, from your perspective, there is too much/too little emphasis on something. Maybe the preacher is too academic or not academic enough. Maybe the coffee brand served before or after the service isn’t your favorite.

    We can always find something to complain about at the church. It’s full of people, and people are broken sinners, saved by grace. We are works in progress, justified, being sanctified but not yet glorified.

    The church is the Bride of Christ. It’s the way He has chosen to build His kingdom. As he does with us, He loves the bride with all her warts, flaws and stumbles. We need to love her too.

    The earthly church is never going to be perfect. It isn’t designed to meet all our personal preferences. It’s designed to grow us in Christlikeness.

    The writer of Hebrews exhorts us…

    Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the day drawing near. Hebrews 10:23-25

    The local assembly will have its problems, but that’s our opportunity to BE THE CHURCH to step in and serve, pray and give. It’s God’s wonderful gift to us.

    What’s God calling you to do at the local level? It’s certainly not to just be a spectator.  The body needs you, and you need the body.

    It’s time to open your heart and mind and step up.

    Be blessed 

    Kevin 

    Check this out

    Every Member Is Necessary — 1 Corinthians 12

    SUMMARY

    The local church exists not to satisfy personal preferences or perceived needs, but to gather believers together to worship God, grow in Christlikeness, and serve one another. As members of Christ’s Bride, we are called to step in, serve, and love the church with all her imperfections, rather than sitting on the sidelines as spectators.

    KEY POINTS

    Worship is directed toward God, not designed around the worshiper’s comfort or preferences.

    The local assembly is where believers learn, serve, practice grace, bear one another’s burdens, and grow together in faith.

    The church needs your active participation — Hebrews 10:23-25 calls us to encourage one another and keep gathering together, especially as the day draws near.

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