1/17/09

I was reading Joshua Ch. 4 in my quiet time and a few verses really grabbed my heart and caused a pause for reflection.  Joshua instructed some men to bring 12 stones from the middle of the Jordan River to Gilgal.  There he erected a monument for a memorial.  He told them that when their children (later generation) ask what they were, they would be told about the great work of God on their behalf by drying up the Jordan River.  The result is they would know the Hand of the Lord is Mighty and the people would fear Him.

I stopped and asked myself – Tom, what stones do you have that your kids and grand kids can visibly see?  Stones that remind them of how Mighty God is in your life?  Things like big screen TV,s, bows, guns, boats, the the things we think we must have won’t work.  Those things are temporal and will rust and rot away one day.  What stones are there that will lead them to worship?  Stones that will magnify the Lord and show He is mighty, and cause my family to fear and respect my God?  Something to think about!

1/14/09

In studying for my lesson for this evening, I was reminded again about the story of John Mark.  Mark was the cousin of Baranbas and joined Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey.  In Acts 12: 25, he is said to have joined along with these men.  In Acts 14:5, he is their helper.  This is one of the words for minister (under-rower),  In verse 13, he bails out and goes home.  Why?  We don’t know, even though some offer neat ideas.  Maybe the glamour wore off?  Maybe the Gentles getting saved stung him?  Maybe Paul stepping up as leader over his cousin hurt him?  In any event he went home.  Later, in Ch. 16, Barnabas wanted him to join the 2nd mission trip but Paul said no.  It was such a problem, Paul and Barnabas parted company.

What is neat is that maturity heals so many wounds.  Later, as Paul was nearing death, he asked for Mark to come to him, saying he was useful (pleasant, easy).  And we know Mark wrote the Gospel that bears his name.  It just reminded me that nobody is beyond the touch of grace.  Whether salvation or restoration, grace is a gift and God is the giver of gifts.  God specializes in cleaning up messes.  Look in the mirror, do you see His image in you?

1/10/09

When God was ready to “push” the gospel out of Antioch into the uttermost part of the world, He did it in a most wonderful way.  In Acts 13:3, the word “sent” means to release or give liberty.  the church was on fire.  It was an red hot happening place.  But God was stirring Barnabas and Saul, and the church recognized it and gave them liberty.  In Acts 13:4, the word “sent” is a different word.  This word means to push or dispatch.  God just would not let these two guys get comfortable.  That’s how God works in a relationship environment.  He stirs the heart in, and He pushes the person out.  First in Jerusalem and now in Antioch we see the church dynamic and not the church stagnat.  So many today have become stuck and struggle with change but Acts shows us movement and that must characterize God’s church.  Comfort is dangerous!

1/8/09

I moved from Dt. to Joshua in my OT reading this morning in my quiet time. There is an amazing statement in Joshua Ch. 1:2 – “Moses my servant is dead.” Talk about reality to Joshua? His mentor and the nation’s leader is indeed gone and transition/change must happen. Nobody like change much. It causes us to move from “comfort zones”, but God must at times force it for our good. Here is Joshus looking at the Jordon in front and millions of complaining people behind, and God says – Moses is dead, now get up and let’s go! Challenging to say the least. God helps Joshua, for in vs. 6-9, God gives him three things to grasp. First was a Promise – You will get the land I promised. Second, was a Plan – Don’t let My Word be set aside. Joshua was told to obey it, speak it, and think about it all the time. Third, God gave him Protection – I will be with you whenever you go. God built His words to Joshua around the words – Be strong and courageous. That’s our part. We must in faith be strong in the Lord and go forward in the power of His might.

My First Post

Tom Williams  Pastor, Indian Springs Baptist Church.  Bryant,AR

Jan. 5
This is my first time to ever post a blog. My student pastor encouraged me to do this and my kids both have blogs, so here I go. Never been real good at writing my personal thoughts down, especially to let others inside my head; but feel this will be a good discipline for me.
I’m teaching through the Book of Acts on Wed. evenings. This week we enter Ch. 13, which represents a major shift in the book. As I was praying and studying, I came across a phrase in verse 2 that gripped my heart. It says five men were “ministering to the Lord.” It hit me that our ministry must be to the Lord before it can ever be to the people. If we view ministry just to the people, then we struggle with performance, pleasing men, and pressurs to compromise, so others will be “happy.” However, if we remember that we minister TO the Lord; then we can look ourselves in the mirror and say – Father I did my best to minister/worship You today. And you know what? That’s enough!
have a great day!