PASTOR’S CORNER by Pastor D Ray Taylor
Part 2 of the 4 articles from Dr John MacArthur on the Lessons of Ministry from the life and ministry of Jesus begins with the same focus Scripture: Matthew 15:39 (New American Standard Bible) And sending away the crowds, Jesus got into the boat and came to the region of Magadan.
Dr MacArthur’s commentary:
As we continue evaluating the lessons of Christ’s ministry to the gentiles, we see, third that the true goal of ministry is worship. Although the vast majority of those who witnessed Jesus in Decapolis were Gentiles, when they saw His overwhelming and superlative power, they were astounded and "glorified the God of Israel" (Matt 15:31). The perfection of what He said and did demanded reverential, worship, and many of the Gentiles offered it as best they could. But Christ was infinitely more concerned to save their souls from eternal damnation and make them citizens of His kingdom. The final goal of evangelism and Christian living is always ways to "worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers" (John 4:33).
The primacy of worship is an especially vital lesson for today when our evangelism likes to make the way of salvation wide, even though Jesus defines it as narrow (Matthew 7:14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. [NKJV]). We also like to present the Christian life and an easy one, whereas the Lord says believers must take up their crosses, (recorded in Matthew 10:38-39 – 38 And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. 39 He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it. [NKJV]).
A forth lesson is that we must depend on God’s resources. Like the apostles, we are most usable for the Kingdom when we admit the lack of our own resources and turn to the Lord. Jesus did not command the disciples to be His "witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth" until He first promised empowering from the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." [NKJV]).
NOTE: May God’s richest Blessings be on all of you this week, Pastor D Ray. (If you would like to read past articles, go to www.heritagesbc.org)
The Lessons of Ministry by Dr John MacArthur has four parts. I’d like to use Pastor’s Corner for the remainder of July and give his (Dr MacArthur’s) inspiration from commentary he gave on Matthew 15:39 (New American Standard Bible) And sending away the crowds, Jesus got into the boat and came to the region of Magadan.
We can learn a number of lessons from Jesus’ ministry to Gentiles in the Decapolis area. FIRST, He displayed unrivaled divine power because only God could multiply the loaves and fish many thousandfold to feed people. Just as He replaced diseased tissues with healthy ones, deformed and missing limbs with complete one, and blind eyes with seeing one, He multiplied inadequate food into superabundance. Our Lord dis all this in His own name and power because He was and is the source of power.
SECOND, Jesus not only cured disease and restored physical faculties, He restored the maimed and deformed, thus setting Himself totally apart from so-called healers of contemporary times. Their "healings" are at best psychosomatic and extremely minor compared to the many miraculous ones the Son of God did during His earthly ministry.
God can still sovereignly heal the most hopeless sick person or restore the most gravely injured adult or child, even creating new limbs as His wills. But the church era has had only one genuine age of healing, and that to authenticate Christ and His Word through the apostles’ ministries. Once those purposes were accomplished, the need or the gift of miracles ceased.
ASK YOURSELF: Rather than reading about Jesus’ miraculous ministry with well-worn familiarity, stop to consider in absolute astonishment what He did for the sick and hurting of His earthly time. How do you respond to such power when its reality rushes over you again? We serve a mighty God!
Blessings for this week – Pastor D. Ray (If you would like to read past articles, go to www.heritagesbc.org)
This week I’d like to go back to one of my favorite discipleship authors, Dr. Henry Blackaby and share a devotional he wrote last week. It is my prayer that it will give hope and inspiration to you as it did me. Have a blessed week.
The title is: Be Merciful! The focus scripture is Matthew 18:33 "Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?"
Mercy is a gift. It is undeserved. Punishment and consequences are sin’s just reward, but the merciful person does not demand justice for the guilty person. If it were not for God’s mercy, we all would have faced His terrible judgment long ago. If not for His mercy, He would have condemned us after our first offense. If not for His mercy, He would punish us each time we sin. But rather than letting us bear the full punishment for our sin, God demonstrated His mercy when He paid the penalty for our sin Himself.
Do you find it hard to show mercy? It may be that you do not comprehend the mercy that God has shown to you. Jesus commanded His disciples to extend the same mercy to others that they had received from God. When they considered the incredible, undeserved mercy they had been granted, how could they refuse to extend the same unconditional mercy to others?
Could anyone sin against us to the same degree that we have sinned against God? Could any offense committed against us be as undeserved as the abuse hurled against the sinless Son of God? How quickly we forget the mercy that God graciously bestowed on us, only to focus on the injustices we endure from others! If you find it difficult to forgive others, you may need to meditate on the mercy of God that prevents you from experiencing God’s justifiable wrath. Scripture describes God as "Ready to pardon, / Gracious and merciful, / Slow to anger, / Abundant in lovingkindness" (Neh. 9:17b).
(If you would like to read past articles, go to www.heritagesbc.org)
by Pastor D Ray Taylor
PASTOR’S CORNER
More often than not any more is a negative/bad report coming from the media concerning finance. In the Our Daily Bread devotional reading for last week the following devotional on money appeared. I certainly pray this gives each of you insight. Please have a blessed week. Pastor D. Ray.
The focus scripture is: Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God. —1 Timothy 6:17
During the worldwide financial crisis of 2008, a widow lost a third of her income when her bank stocks no longer paid dividends after her trusted bank failed. The Wall Street Journal quoted her tearful response as an example of the feelings of many people who were similarly affected: "You just think, ‘This can’t be happening.’ What is secure anymore?"
Tragedy and hard times always jolt our thinking. Our best plans and hopes can be shattered by events beyond our control. We are reminded that there is only one source of true security in a changing world. With new appreciation, we consider Paul’s words: "Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life" (1 Tim. 6:17-19).
When our resources diminish, we can grow richer in good works, generosity, and sharing with others. If financial stability returns, we can hold more loosely what we are given, trusting solely in God.
We are secure in Him alone.
Thanks, Dad will appear in the Our Daily Bread on Father’s Day this year written by Albert Lee. As a tribute to all Father’s I’d like to share it. My own Dad has been gone for years and I still remember the deep lesson he taught me by his example of being a Godly man who lived his life according to Biblical principles. Have a wonderful week– Pastor D. Ray.
FOCUS TEXT: We exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children. —1 Thess. 2:11
In the US, more long distance calls are made on Mother’s Day than any other day. But on Father’s Day, the most collect calls are made. It seems that children still depend on their fathers to provide, even when they are far away from home.
Fathers are needed and wanted for much more than financial help. While 1 Thessalonians 2:10-12 is primarily directed toward church leaders, Paul talks about how their role is similar to a father’s. He states: "You know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children."
Exhorted is "to call near." It is easy for fathers to think that all that’s required of them is to bring home a paycheck. But children need their close encouragement.
The word comforted is "to console." Nothing is more valuable to a child than the time given by a father to listen and talk. Without constant relating, relationships turn cold.
Charged is "to affirm." Fathers challenge their children by affirming the truth of God’s Word as they live it out in front of them. And even in failings, they affirm what is right through the asking of forgiveness.
How thankful we can be for fathers who help their children "walk worthy of God" (v.12). Good fathers reflect the heavenly Father.
As you will see elsewhere in this copy of the Stratton Spotlight where Betty and I will celebrate our 50th Wedding Anniversary. I have two sisters and all three of us were married withing six months of each other and all three will celebrate our fifth wedding anniversaries this year. That is somewhat unusual I think. Because of that this weeks Pastor’s Corner is in honor of this celebration. I discovered a beautiful prayer written by Bishop Slattery, soon after his marriage, to be used each day in their family devotions at home in Boston, Massachusetts. Made God grant to each of you His richest Blessings this week, Pastor D. Ray.
A Prayer for a Married Couple
O God, our Heavenly Father, protect and bless us. Deepen and strengthen our love for each other day by day. Grant that by Thy mercy neither of us ever say one unkind word to the other. Forgive and correct our faults, and make us constantly to forgive one another should one of us unconsciously hurt the other. Make us and keep us sound and well in body, alert in mind, tender in heart, devout in spirit. O Lord, grant us each to rise to the other's best. Then we pray Thee add to our common life such virtues as only Thou canst give. And so, O Father, consecrate our life and our love completely to Thy worship, and to the service of all about us, especially those whom Thou has appointed us to serve, that we may always stand before Thee in happiness and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
LIVE LIKE A WINNER is an impressive article written by Dr. Harold Lunden of Focus on the Family staff. This may not be for everyone but I’m thinking most of you will be like me and get a message you need from it. My prayer is that it WILL bless you and have a bless week, Pastor D. Ray.
I am fairly competitive by nature. No, I am very competitive by nature. It has always been difficult for me to accept the thought, "just give it your best effort, and leave the results to fate." I have always believed that, if you are going to play the game, then you might as well win.
Anyway, this is how I approach a challenge; but, the outcome is not always to my liking. I don't win a lot, but not winning is not always losing. Peter lost, but he won. The Apostle Paul, in the end, fought a good fight. But, did he lose just because it cost him his life? Of course not. If you follow that reasoning, then Jesus was defeated by the cross. But we all know He was triumphant. In the end, He wins.
When the Apostle Paul wrote, "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?" he was addressing life's realities. We battle against those things everyday. He answered his own question: "No, in all of these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us" (Rom. 8:35, 37).
I remember, as a young pastor, I adopted a simple slogan for my ministry and our staff: "We will just do it — that's all." That was even before the NIKE® motto. The motivation behind my simple words were, if our plans had value, if we could be better at what we do, if we felt God was leading us, then "let's get it done!"
As we go about our days as leaders in the church, we need to live and act like we are winners. Be positive, defeat doubt and hold your head up. Don't apologize for courage, but, like the Apostle Paul, give God the glory.
I see so many pastors who live defeated. Why? We are more than conquerors. Even if we do not get the results we hoped for, we are on the winning side and we just cannot give up or give in to the enemy.
"Let's just do it!" What is your greatest challenge today? Identify it; build a team; develop a strategy; and go forward. It is never positive "to go back to Egypt" (Numbers 14:3). That is what a loser does. You, are a winner!
Greetings. At the time of this writing it is Sunday, the first day of the week when we worship. Early this morning as I was preparing for the day I opened my Open Windows daily devotional guide, LifeWay publication to find that the focus Scripture was Psalm 48:9. We have thought, O God, on Your lovingkindness, In the midst of Your temple (New King James Version). I impressed and moved to share with all of you this touching thought for WORSHIP whenever or wherever you are for worship. This question: What are your thoughts during Worship? Pastor Woody D. Wilson using verse 9 made the following commentary which I’ve adapted to be relevant to you and me.
What do YOU think about during worship: the food you are preparing for lunch or where to go for lunch after worship. Maybe the Bronco, Rockies, Avalanche, Nuggets game that will following shortly after worship is over. Could be a family get together with grand-kids. As a pastor, I often pray that worshipers will set aside all extraneous thoughts and se their hearts and minds on the LORD.
Everyone carries some mental baggage into our places of worship. Worshipers who seek to encounter God will lay aside all the burdens that tend to distract from the object of their desires. They will focus their devotion and attention upon the ONE they love, recognizing His steadfast love for them.
Lovingkindness is a description of the nature and character of God. This word encompasses His faithfulness, love, mercy, and grace. What better thought could a true worshiper have than to meditate on the lovingkindness of God? Such a thoughtful approach to worship will enable the worshiper to open their heart in true praise to GOD.
I was needing to be refocused on the proper Godly purpose of things and especially money. The direction from the LORD brought me to the Proverbs where in the eight chapter and verse nineteen a "nugget" of truth spoke to me. Proverbs 8:19 (New International Version) says: My fruit is better than fine gold; what I yield surpasses choice silver. Heather C. Crilly a professor of English at the Yellowstone Baptist College in Billings, Montana took this verse and made a inspirational commentary. She wrote:
Money. We all need it to live. We tend to think we never have enough, and more will cure whatever ails us. If we have it, we feel important, significant, and valuable. And what possibly could be more prized than pure gold?
We can let money consume our time, talents, and resources. Wealth can easily become an obsession, a focal point, the measure of success. But we rarely see gold without impurities. Those who own this treasure have it in ten, fourteen, eighteen, or twenty-four karat. Copper is mixed with it, making it harder and more durable. Refined gold becomes a cherished mineral in God’s creation.
But what if another fortune was available to us, one more precious than gold or silver? Wouldn’t we be the least bit curious? Scripture gives us the answer. God offers His rare revenue of righteousness. His insight is priceless; it can’t be reproduced or bought—only given. God’s wisdom is genuine, authentic, and one of a kind.
Question: Will we/you ask for this ageless treasure today? Any earthly wealth or gold that we accumulate can’t compare to God’s kind of revenue.
May your week be blessed with God’s discernment or wisdom this week.
Pastor D. Ray. (If you would like to read past articles, go to www.heritagesbc.org)
by Pastor D Ray Taylor of Heritage Baptist Church sbc of Stratton CO.
Today’s world seems to be needing a message of love, God’s love. The Apostle Paul in Ephesians gave to the Ephesians (and to us) some advice that I would like to send to everyone. Read this powerful Bible Message in Ephesians 5:1-4. The focus verse that I’d like to print for you in verse 2. It says: And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.
There is a touching story that I read of a young boy who had a seriously ill sister. She needed a blood transfusion, and the younger brother had a perfect blood match. The brother and sister were hooked up to the machines, and the young boy looked over to his sister and smiled.
He asked the doctor, "Will I feel anything when I die?" The doctor was astonished and said, "You’re not going to die." The young boy had thought they were going to take his blood and give it to his sister; therefore, she would live but he would die. He was willing to give his life for hers.
In our focus verse the phrase "walk in love" implies a way of life, a habit, not just a feeling. Paul states that we should live our lives daily with the belief that the needs of others are as important as our own. Christ expressed that by becoming our sacrifice and offering to God.
Question: How do you "smell" to God today and right now? Are you a sweet smelling aroma?
My prayer for everyone is that all of us will be a willing sacrifice in every way to honor the LORD by helping to meet the needs of others and that it will be a habit of our lives. Blessings to all, Pastor D. Ray.
FOCUS SCRIPTURE: I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. —Galatians 2:20
The bumper sticker "Jesus is my co-pilot" may be a well-intentioned sentiment, but it has always troubled me. Whenever I’m in the driver’s seat of my life, the destination is nowhere good. Jesus is not meant to be just a spiritual "co-pilot" giving directions every now and then. He is always meant to be in the driver’s seat. Period!
We often say that Jesus died for us, which of course is true. But there’s more to it than that. Because Jesus died on the cross, something inside of us died—the power of sin. It’s what Paul meant when he said, "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me" (Gal. 2:20). We were essentially co-crucified with Him. With Jesus in the driver’s seat, the old destinations are off-limits. No more turning down the streets of self-centeredness, greed, or lust. No more off-road ventures into the swamp of pride or the ditch of bitterness. We were crucified with Him and He is at the wheel now! He died so that He alone can drive and define us.
So, if you’ve died and Christ lives in you, He’s not your co-pilot. Your joy is to let Him drive and define your life. There may be a few bumps in the road, but you can count on it—He’ll take you somewhere good. Still at the wheel of your life? It’s time to let Jesus drive.
NOTE: This is from Our Daily Bread which I found good for now. The depth of this commentary is important and helpful for us in today’s world with the political changes. (If you would like to read past articles, go to www.heritagesbc.org) --- My each of you be blessed this week— Pastor D Ray.
Today, Sunday, April 18th I was reading through several devotionals and this one from My Utmost for His Highest .was inspiring because all who are God’s Children should understand the call God the Father makes on us. Here is Oswald Chambers encouraging help. Blessing to all this week, Pastor D. Ray:
God called to him . . . . And he said, ’Here I am’
When God speaks, many of us are like people in a fog, and we give no answer. Moses’ reply to God revealed that he knew where he was and that he was ready. Readiness means having a right relationship to God and having the knowledge of where we are. We are so busy telling God where we would like to go. Yet the man or woman who is ready for God and His work is the one who receives the prize when the summons comes. We wait with the idea that some great opportunity or something sensational will be coming our way, and when it does come we are quick to cry out, "Here I am." Whenever we sense that Jesus Christ is rising up to take authority over some great task, we are there, but we are not ready for some obscure duty.
Readiness for God means that we are prepared to do the smallest thing or the largest thing— it makes no difference. It means we have no choice in what we want to do, but that whatever God’s plans may be, we are there and ready. Whenever any duty presents itself, we hear God’s voice as our Lord heard His Father’s voice, and we are ready for it with the total readiness of our love for Him. Jesus Christ expects to do with us just as His Father did with Him. He can put us wherever He wants, in pleasant duties or in menial ones, because our union with Him is the same as His union with the Father. ". . . that they may be one just as We are one . . ." ( John 17:22 ).
Be ready for the sudden surprise visits of God. A ready person never needs to get ready— he is ready. Think of the time we waste trying to get ready once God has called! The burning bush is a symbol of everything that surrounds the person who is ready, and it is on fire with the presence of God Himself.
I was reading though some material several days ago and saw this and it occurred to me that we see members of our own families, friends that we associate with and people in general who are unhappy. Although this is not the norm for me not use Bible verses in PASTOR’S CORNER this has a Biblical foundation so I share this with you and also my prayers for your happiness. Pastor D Ray
Five things that make you happy!
Here are five things that research has shown can improve happiness:
Be grateful --
Be optimistic --
Count your blessings --
Use your strengths --
Commit acts of kindness --
...To be happy, a person needs three things; - something to do, - someone to love, and something to look forward to...