Gratitude Is The Key

 "Because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools." Romans 1:21-22

Pastor Martinez mentioned something last night that I have never thought of before. How was it that Adam and Eve, living in paradise, walking with the Lord, were so easily tempted to disobey God and do evil? 

I think that the Serpent was in the Garden and he was watching Adam and Eve. He saw something that became obvious to him and he devised a plan to deceive them and cause them to do evil. What did the Serpent see? He never saw then worship or thank the Lord for all the blessings He had given them. He saw, and no doubt heard them speaking, and discovered that they felt that they were equal to God. Adam and Eve felt superior to all of creation. They talked over Garden business with the Lord regularly. The Serpent did not tempt them with sex, drugs, or alcohol. He tempted them with the prospect that the fruit was the only thing left to make them fully equal with God. He appealed to their pride.

It makes me wonder if Adam and Eve were not grateful or thankful and that maybe they never expressed their gratitude to the Lord for all they enjoyed freely. They knew God was real and that He had created all that they saw.

"For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse." Romans 1:20.

Adam and Eve made excuses for actions for which there was no excuse. They were rejected and forced out of the Garden. Their influence evaporated. Their rule ended.  They became fools who acted foolishly and they disappear from the pages of history. The last words of Eve are recorded in Genesis 4:25; "For God has appointed another seed for me instead of Abel, whom Cain killed.". All Adam did was have children for the next 800 years. He said nothing notable, he built nothing lasting. He just lived until he died. What a wasted life.

Pastor Martinez told us that the key to walking in the Spirit for us is worship. Honoring God and being thankful. Gratitude involves our mind, our heart, and our mouth.

A Question

 One quick question. When is the last time you had a young man get saved, become a disciple, and get sent out to pastor in 3 years? That's how it used to happen.

An Aging Generation

According to AARP, about 12,000 Americans a day will turn 65 in 2024. And yet, in spite of real facts, our Fellowship is still stuck thinking that only young people matter when it comes to outreach and ministry and focus. That figure of 12,000 people per day means that this year alone about 4.4 million people will hit that milestone. 

People who were teens in the 1970's when revival began in Prescott are in their 60's or 70's today. What are our churches doing to minister to this growing segment of our Fellowship?  Are we just preaching the same youth oriented message and ignoring the senior citizens in our midst?

I don't know what the answer is. But focusing on youth is focusing on a dwindling segment of American society. People no longer get married and start families like they used to. They just grow old and childless and are often ignored by our churches.

Does that number do anything to you? 12,000 per day is a lot of people. We still have rock or rap concerts, often making folks sit on the floor like children.

Pray for our aging pastors and churches. And do not ignore us who have grown up and grown old in the faith.

There is a sure way to find out what seniors are thinking. Talk to them. Spend time with them. Earn their trust. Pray for wisdom.

Dreams

 In the past few days I have had dreams about Prescott. Last week I dreamt that I bought a big house in Prescott for a ridiculous price. Last night I dreamt that I was visiting with pastor Greg and two other young pastors from the Prescott fellowship about our goals for the next two years.

I do not know what these dreams mean. I lived in Prescott for many years. But I left to be closer to my children after my wife died. This is the first time that Prescott has been in my dreams.

I pray for pastor Greg and the Prescott church regularly. We all need them to do well.

Christmas is Over, Why Are You Still Celebrating?

 There are no rules governing Christmas in the Bible. No guidelines or timelines. Just a vague and questionable connection to the birth of Christ. Most theologians believe that Jesus was born in September or early October, not on December 25th.

The Christmas we celebrate in America is historic, but to an earlier time in our history, not back to ancient days. Santa is a fairly modern invention. There is no Santa Claus in the Bible.

God is not concerned with your Christmas decorations. Unless you make offerings to your Christmas tree as to a god. There is no reason to leave you Christmas decorations up weeks after Christmas is over. It is not a sin to take down your Christmas tree the day after Christmas.

"making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down...." Mark 7:13

So my question is, why are you still celebrating a holiday that is long over? Why do you let your tradition negate common sense?

Faith Out Loud

 Pastor Rubi at first reminded me a lot of pastor Mitchell. But after a while I see that there is little similarity. One big difference is how they pray. Pastor Mitchell prayed out loud. He was wise enough to know not to pray for sensitive situations out loud. But you could hear him pray. Pastor Rubi prays long, but I never hear him praying. He is loud when he preaches. He is loud when he leads worship. But he is very quiet when he prays.

I have noticed that some people who are very zealous in one area are not always zealous in all areas. Some give loud amens but are subdued in other expressions. Some people are wild in worship who say nothing of importance when praying. 

Balance is a rare quality in church life. We sing out loud, we worship out loud, and we pray out loud. We do not get out of control in any area of church life. Balance is a work of the Holy Spirit.

On the Holy Spirit. You shall receive power is often said to mean dynamite. Dunamis is actually the word for dynamo. A power generating station, not a flash in the pan explosive experience. It is this steady, strong power that has kept me saved for 50 years. Whiz bang Christians make a splash and fade away to nothing.

No Regrets

I have made it a goal in life to end the year with no regrets. That, as I turn the page on the old year, I can look back knowing that I am right with God and that I have done nothing or said nothing that I regret. So, again this year, as I close in on three years living here, I end with no reserves, no regrets, and no retreat.

The only way to lose with God is to quit. I have not quit. I will not quit. I have come to far to turn back now.