Steve's Blog
*“Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him.”* Psalm 62:5 (NLT) Very few people that I know, including myself, enjoy waiting. As we mature, we may find ways to mask our impatience, but inside I presume that most of us are just like children waiting to open Christmas presents. Waiting is a part of life and in fact, sometimes we even have to wait for God. I want to examine three aspects of waiting; our motivation for waiting, something I refer to as “actively waiting” and fi...
When we asked Jesus to forgive our sins, and we accepted his gift of salvation, we became a member of the great and glorious body of Christ. But there is also an expression of the body of Christ at the local level; we are many members with many different backgrounds, gifts, interests and abilities. This is in part a mystery as to how God can take different people from different backgrounds and experiences and mold us and unite us together into the body of Christ. The body of Christ is not a club...
Be alert, stand firm in the faith, be courageous, be strong. 1 Corinthians 16:13 (CSB)
Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. 1 Corinthians 9:22 (NLT)
As we age, it is commonly believed that change becomes more difficult for many of us. Perhaps it is because we want to hold onto those familiar and comfortable things for us. This notion can be an obstacle to fulfilling our commission to “go and make disciples among all nations. ” The forces t...
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And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NIV)
Transformers is a multibillion-dollar franchise of toys, comic books, video games, and movies. The premise is that two alien robot factions at war can transform into other forms, such as vehicles and animals, and then back again to their original state.
As Christ-followers, we are to be t...
Ed Wynn was a popular vaudevillian comedian and actor in the early part of the 20th century. One of his on-stage props was an 11 foot pole to reach out and touch people that other people would not touch with a 10 foot pole. In a memorial tribute to my grandfather, Winston Mattsson-Boze made this application, *“We stood for a new kind of Pentecost-- one that held an open spirit, and it refused to choke somebody out because they wouldn’t conform…Ted had an 11 foot pole. Our dealing with difficult...
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It is good that he waits silently For the salvation of the Lord. Lamentations 3:26 (NASB 2020)
I do not want to put you on the spot or embarrass you, but do you read the ending first when reading a book? Reading the end of a book first would be a serious breach of protocol for some people. For others, it is about removing the suspense.
We know what transpired before Resurrection Sunday. We observe Good Friday, remembering the price Christ paid to cover our sin. It may be a solemn time, but...
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It is perceived that as we get older change becomes more problematic. Perhaps it is because we want to hold onto those things that are familiar and comfortable for us. This can be an obstacle to the fulfilling our commission to *“go and make disciples among all nations.”* Those who oppose us would like nothing better than to distract us from doing the ministry and mission that God has given to us. We must be able to lead, adapt and change. We must be able to distinguish between those things th...
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What does it take to get ahead and be successful in life? Conventional wisdom tells us to be aggressive and grab for what we can because most likely no one is going to hand it to you on a silver platter. Consider James and John, also known as the “Sons of Thunder.” In Mark 10:35-45, James and John request to be seated in places of honor with Jesus when he sits on his glorious throne. How audacious and presumptuous of them. There is every indication that their parents instilled in them the belief...
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The Christmas story is filled with contrasts and extremes. On one hand Christ birth brought some extreme joy, while others were filled with terror. One of my favorite opening sentences in all of literature is from Charles Dickens, “A Tale of Two Cities.” “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…” What a great impact was made when the One who is the Light entered our world as a man. To those shepherds, wise men, and others like Simeon who welcomed and sought after the LIGHT OF THE WOR...
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**“What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus.”** 2 Timothy 1:13 (NIV) Many Christians believe that sound doctrine or teaching is important, but they do not always know why it is important. Sound doctrine is not an end in itself, but instead it serves as guard rails to keep us on the road of faith. Following sound doctrine will lead to sound living, sound ministry and sound hope. When we look at the results of following sound doctrine we ca...
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Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12 (NIV)
I don’t know who coined the phrase “The length of our lives is represented by a dash between two dates,” but it is undoubtedly a concise way of stating what most people sense, especially as they get older, that life passes by quickly.
Last month, I received my Medicare card, so I suppose that that officially makes me a “senior citizen.” I am probably in some denial, and I can relate to someone who said, “I c...
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In California where I live, we have been facing drought conditions for several years. The solution to a drought crisis is obviously water. Even in the best of times there is not enough rainfall to supply all of the needs in Southern California. We depend upon rivers and aqueducts to bring the water to us. It is impossible to sustain life, physically or spiritually, without water. The Psalmist declared, *“You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you,...
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I don’t know who coined the phrase “The length of our lives is represented by a dash between two dates,” but it is certainly a succinct way of stating what most people sense, especially as they get older, that life passes by quickly. This week my parents celebrate their 59th wedding anniversary and next week Denise and I will be celebrating our 30th. Recently we have been with people who are celebrating significant birthdays or anniversaries and almost inevitably someone will say, “How did I get...
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A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense. Proverbs 19:11 (NIV)
In 1987, President Reagan said in a speech in Berlin, “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall.” President Reagan was referring to the wall built by the communists, separating East and West Berlin. A little more than two years later, East Germans gathered at the wall and demanded that the border guards immediately open the gates. Some people took matters into their own hands and began “chipping awa...
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What does it mean to “take up our cross?” Some take it to mean a burden such as a physical challenge or a relationship that is difficult. People would describe something in their life and they will tell you that it is “their cross to bear.” But does that have any bearing on Jesus’ call for us to take up our cross and follow him? There are several accounts in the gospels where at various times Jesus told his followers that if they wanted to be a disciple of his, they must deny themselves, take up...
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A few weeks ago I wrote about the paradox of serving in the kingdom of God and how, even though it is counterintuitive, the way to greatness is actually found in being a servant to others. Even though God plainly tells us that *“His ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts”* there is still an element of surprise when God revealed His plans and purposes to us. We have been conditioned by the world’s methods and protocols, but God does not limit Himself to man’s conventions, in...
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Jesus said to everyone, “All who want to come after me must say no to themselves, take up their cross daily, and follow me.” Luke 9:23 (CEB)
What does it mean to “take up our cross?” Some people see it as a burden, such as a physical challenge or a complicated relationship. People would describe something in their life and tell you it is “their cross to bear.” But does that relate to Jesus’ call for us to take up our cross and follow him?
The common perception is that to carry or take up “ou...
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It doesn’t take a genius to look around us and see that we have a problem. It is not about the specifics of any one incident, but rather it is an environment that breeds contempt and distrust. It is ridiculous to think that we can either ignore or deny that there is a problem with racism in our country today. Benjamin Watson, a football player for the New Orleans Saints wrote an essay in which he said the following, *“…ultimately the problem is not a SKIN problem, it is a SIN problem. SIN is the...
*But let the godly rejoice. Let them be glad in God’s presence. Let them be filled with joy. Psalm 68:3 (NLT)* Depending upon the translation the words rejoice and be glad appear in the same verse about 30 times in the Bible. We should be reminded from time to time, especially when we are in trouble or when we see trouble all around us that we are to be people of rejoicing and gladness. Remember who is the source of our rejoicing and gladness. This world cannot provide lasting joy. Through Nehem...
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As we study Scripture, we encounter many truths and promises that God makes to us as His children. On one hand, there are promises of blessing and prosperity and on the other, warnings about persecution and hardship. Both are true, the Bible tells us in many places that God blesses and prospers his people and it also tells us that persecution, hardship and suffering awaits those who follow Jesus. The problem with emphasizing persecution, hardship and suffering and bypassing promises of blessing...
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There are 2 dangers that we face in life as followers of Christ Jesus. On one hand, we can become so discouraged by the trials of life, our apparent lack of progress were simply the state of the world around us, but we simply stop trying, while on the other hand, we may think that we have arrived and therefore we can rest on our accomplishments. While these may seem to be polar opposites, the effect on ourselves and those around us is the same, nothing further is accomplished. In the 3rd chapter...
God says, *“Rebuild the road! Clear away the rocks and stones so my people can return from captivity.” The high and lofty one who lives in eternity, the Holy One, says this: “I live in the high and holy place with those whose spirits are contrite and humble. I restore the crushed spirit of the humble and revive the courage of those with repentant hearts.* Isaiah 57:14-15 (NLT) There are Scriptures which call us to *“Prepare a way for the Lord.”* However, our text clearly directs us to rebuild th...
*For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.* 2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT) God does not give us a spirit of fear, but from where does it come? It begins with our experiences in life. We begin with a childlike faith, but as the disappointments and heartaches come our way, so do our fears. Obviously some fears are healthy, but all too frequently we project our fears upon God and in doing so we create barriers which prevent us from experiencing everything...
“Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.” Hebrews 10:36 (NLT)
The Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary defines endurance as “the ability to withstand hardship or adversity; especially: the ability to sustain a prolonged stressful effort or activity.” I enjoy riding my bicycle, in fact, I will usually ride several thousand miles per year. However, without making any excuses, several years ago I eme...
*And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people. And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of...
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