Bible Reading and 2010

I want to encourage you to regularly read your bibles in 2010. So often, we get discouraged and even feel guilty for not living up to our desire. We feel less spiritual (whatever that means) and a "bad" Christian when we start reading our bibles, but then fall away. God doesn't look at it like that. God is our loving Heavenly Father always looking to help his needy children. We don't need to live under the weight of condemnation (if we are in Christ)when we fail to do what is necessary. Instead, believing God is here to help us, we can continually turn to God for forgiveness and help.

In our attempt to read the scriptures faithfully, we tend to bite off more than we can chew. We need to challenge ourselves, but yet, still be realistic. Below are two links for Bible reading plans. Both will lead you through the entire bible in a year. But there are no rules that say, "you have to read the bible through in a year." If that feels too much, pare it down a little. In both of these plans, there are four columns to read each day; instead of reading all 4, just read 2 if that will help you. The first bible reading plan even gives you grace days to catch up when you miss. The second plan is a little more daunting. You read the OT once, NT twice and the Psalms twice.

Below, tell me and one another your story of bible reading. Tell us your successes and failures. Tell us what you're going to do in 2010. Let's encourage one another.

http://www.navpress.com/uploadedFiles/15074%20BRP.dj.pdf

http://hippocampusextensions.com/mcheyneplan/

Pastor Brian

The Apostle John and Metaphors

In our sermon Sunday, the Apostle John (like other scripture writers) uses a lot of images and metaphors. Its really important that the scripture writers refer and teach theological truth in a variety of ways; truth about God can hardly be "captured" so the best way to get some handle on theological truth is getting at it from a variety of angles.

I made reference to 4 words or phrases on Sunday. Here are scripture passages for you to examine to understand how they are used.

1. "fellowship" as a reference to our salvation

1 Cor. 1:9
1 John 1:3, 6
2 Cor. 13:14

2. "walk" as a reference to "living life."

Gal 5:16
Eph 2:1-2
1 John 2:6

3. "darkness" as a reference for evil, sin and impurity

Psalm 82:5
Prov. 2:13 (get a running start by starting in vs. 6)
John 3:19

4. "practicing truth" as a reference to living in accordance with Jesus and his way

"practicing truth" is very specific to John so we don't have other references like this. This has a similar connotation to "walking"... it has to do with how we live our lives. "Tom practices medicine." 1 Kings 11:11 says, "Therefore the Lord said to Solomon, 'Since this has been your practice and you have not kept my covenant....'" Consequently then, "practicing the truth" is similar to "walking in the light." It's a metaphor describing how one is living life.

What do you think about these metaphors? Am I missing something that's important to bring up? Also, what are ways you examine your heart to see if you're walking in the light?

Blessings,
Pastor Brian

Prioritizing mission this Christmas

I believe God will mercifully deliver us from the prevailing current of Christmas by getting active with the things of God, namely, by living and speaking the Gospel. When we are active in the greatest mission on earth (God's mission of saving the world of sin), we're not going to find much time on these "less important" missions of Christmas. Assembling your kids new toy won't feel so urgent or important when you're praying fervently for your unsaved neighbor, will it?

Let's share some ideas as to what we can do to be actively engaged in God's mission this Christmas. I shared a couple of things in the sermon; I'd love to hear how God might be leading you. Let's encourage and spur one another on.

Thanks,
Pastor Brian

Prioritizing Christ

This Sunday, we saw Zechariah extolling (praising) God for his great salvation. Instead of getting distracted by al the wonderful gifts God had given him, he kept the main thing the main thing. If you and I are not careful, we will get swept away by all the Christmas hoopla. We won't, though, if we - like Zechariah - are able to stay focused on the greatness of God's salvation.

So, how will you do that? To a significant degree, this is a matter of the heart. But what does this tangibly mean? What will you actually do to stay focused on Christ this holiday season? I'd love to hear your ideas.

Pastor Brian

Coming Respite from Exodus

Hey, sorry for not posting something last week. I'm not sure why I didn't....

As I mentioned on Sunday morning, we're taking a break from Exodus during the Holiday season with the plan of picking up again in January. I want to know two things.

1) What is the most significant message you've heard from God so far from this study in Exodus thus far? Be specific and encourage me and your fellow brothers and sisters.

2) What are your lingering questions? This will help me as I continue to prepare sermons for this study.

So, let me know what you're thinking.

Blessings,
Pastor Brian

Pastor Luke's Homework Assignment

Hey all you bloggers!

It seems this is an ever-growing community! What a blessing this technology is from God, allowing us to connect around His word as brothers and sisters in Christ!

I saw Pastor Brian's post from his sermon two weeks ago, and he repeated the idea in his sermon this past week when he was reviewing about how God connects His actions to His name - Yahweh. 2 weeks ago, Brian also pointed out that after God leads His people out of Egypt, He is often referred to as "the LORD your God Who brought you out of Egypt," rather than how He had been referred to before this "the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob."

So if Yahweh (what we have translated in our Bibles as LORD) is God's proper name, if you will, then what are these appendages? I would call them taglines to God's name.

So here's the homework. Come up with a tagline or several taglines for God based on how He's worked in a significant way in your own life. Remember, God links His name to His activity, so think of what He's done in your life, and share your tag line with your brothers and sisters in Christ as a testimony to them of God's faithfulness in your life.

Psalm 149:1 says, "Praise the LORD! Sing to the LORD a new song, His praise in the assembly of the godly!" And I would say for your homework, "Praise the LORD! Give to the LORD a new tag line that praises Him to your brother and sister bloggers in Christ!"

Remember, the homework that Pastor Brian and Pastor Tim and I give you is for your good. It's not just something to check off the list. They are ideas for how you can be drawn to see and savor Jesus Christ for the great and might Savior He is! So enjoy!

Here are some of my taglines:

The LORD my God, Who has blessed me with an incredible best friend and partner for life in my wonderful wife Mikaela, and two wonderful, healthy, amazingly unique children, Traeger and Ataly.

The LORD my God Who provided super-abundantly while Mikaela and I were in Dallas for me to go to Seminary.

The LORD my God, Who brought me to FBC and has blessed me through this community and its leaders.

Praise the LORD! I am looking forward to hearing your taglines!

Are you a child of Abraham?

First things first: Click here for the Bible reading plan. There are very few spiritual practices more beneficial than this one. Happy reading.

Ok, now for the homework. God says in Genesis 17:7 that he will be God to Abraham and to his descendants after him. The rest of scripture makes clear: if you are of Abraham, you are an heir to the promises, if you are not of Abraham, you are not an heir. So how do you know if you are an heir or not? Are there verses that would lead us to believe we are (can be) children of Abraham? What are they?

Don't stop there, though. Take one more step. Are there any conditions on being a child of Abraham? What do we have to do to be a child of Abraham?

This isn't merely a mental exercise. I want your hope to be sure because, believe me (believe the scriptures), if you are not of Abraham you can not expect any salvation from God.

Blessings,
Pastor Brian

By my Name

Let's talk more about the significance of God attaching his name to his deliverance. In Exodus 6 we see how God keeps drawing attention to himself. "I am the LORD" is his refrain over and over again. I touched on the signficance of that, but how about you? What are seeing?

Also, what difference should that make for us? Is it merely an interesting theological point? What is God meaning to do by attaching his name to his deliverance?

I'm excited to hear what you say.

Pastor Brian


UPDATE: Here's the link to the Compassion Int. story I mentioned this morning.

We are peculiar, aren't we?

There is something really strange about the people of God turning to Pharaoh for help (Ex. 5:15-19). Why turn there? It doesn't seem to make much sense. But such is the wisdom of a heart bent on figuring this thing called life out on its own. I'm so thankful that God pardons such sin; that he doesn't quit on me when I act so foolishly and rebelliously.

What are you seeing in the text? I'd love to hear what God is showing you from our study of Exodus. Be an encouragement to me and to others by pointing something out in the text that we have looked at yet.

Blessings,
Pastor Brian

Lying words

**Before we start, if you're comfortable, please put your name down when you make a comment. Don't be bashful.

First of all, don't hesitate asking questions is you have any. Please know you have permission to ask any question you want.

We finished our sermon this past Sunday by looking at some common lies we are tempted to believe about sin, namely, 1) the warnings against sin are exaggerated, 2) the frontal assault against God's word (i.e. "did God really say?") and 3) deceiving ourselves by thinking we know better than God.

I'm sure there are more. What might some of those be? Help your brothers and sisters about by pointing out a lie or two that you are tempted to believe about God's word and your sin. If possible, contrast the lie with what the Word of God says.

Pastor Brian

I will harden Pharaoh's heart

God says this in Exodus 4:21, "When you go back to Egypt, see that you do before Pharaoh all the miracles that I have put in your power. But I will harden his heart, so that he will not let the people go." As I said in the sermon on Sunday, that's a startling sentence.

This is not an isolated statement. God makes this clear time and time again in the book of Exodus; in addition to that, this is referenced and affirmed in other places in scripture.

God is over all and in all. Nothing escapes his sovereign grasp. While such information is challenging to understand, we need to gladly embrace what is truly revealed of God in his word.

Now, there is a temptation to think something like, "Well, I'm so glad Jesus isn't like this. I'm so glad our Jesus isn't like the god of the OT." Not so fast; Jesus says the exact same thing. Let me show you.

Jesus' disciples were perplexed as to why Jesus would teach in parables; they were just so hard to understand. Along with other things, Jesus quotes an OT passage explaining why he would teach in parables. It says, "You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive. For this people's heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them" (Read Matt. 13:10-17)

Do you understand what Jesus is saying? He saying, "I speak in parables to keep the hard, unrepentant in the dark. I'm keeping them from seeing and being healed." That's Jesus; kind, meek and tenderhearted Jesus. So, God hardening hearts and keeping people from repentance is not some obscure, isolated OT revelation; its something we all need to come to grips with.

So, any thoughts?

Pastor Brian

Summarizing God's call

This Sunday's sermon (9-27-09) concludes (for the most part) the theme of God's call in our time in Exodus. God is going to do an amazing thing and he wants to use a man (Moses) as his principle instrument. And here's the cool thing: God is going to do an amazing thing in the communities of Medford, Rib Lake, Abbotsford and Athens and he wants to use you, the people of FBC, as his principle instrument.

Of course, along with excitement, such a call produces uncertainty, fear and doubt. We're tempted to shrink in the face of a daunting task. So, in light of that, what message from God over these last two chapters (all of 3 and the first of 4) have been most helpful to you? Or, to think of it negatively, what area do you need the most help in? The categories are below:

3:7-12 ~ God gets his own work done
3:13-15 ~ God sends his servants out in His authority
3:16-22 ~ God guarantees success
4:1-9 ~ God has the power to overcome external obstacles
4:10-12 ~ God's power overcomes our limitations and inadequacies
4:13-17 ~ God is abundant in mercy even in the face of our unbelief

What do you need extra grace believing? Remember, this is a battle of faith so try and answer the question by addressing what you are failing to believe. Or, what else has God taught you as we've discussed this theme? Share with your brothers and sisters; you will all be blessed by the dialogue.

Where is your irreverence coming from?

The holiness of God was front and center in our sermon this Sunday (6-14-09). God's "otherness," his beauty and splendor and magnificence radiates from his presence, which produce in us an acute awareness of sin and unadulterated worship. But the sin and worldliness we feast on and let dwell in us darkens our eyes keeping us from seeing the glory of God. Of course, the remedy is repentance and confession of sin.

So what that might be for you? What's keeping you from seeing the radiant glory of God? Are ready and willing to get honest about your brokenness and sin?

What's clouding your view of the holiness of God? I'll go first: I too often fill and satisfy myself on things other than God. I spoil my appetite. I hate when I do that.

What are you doing that is clouding your view of God's holiness?

Brian

Grumbling and complaining

In the sermon on Sunday, I drew specific focus on the people of Israel finally crying out to God for help and how I/we have a hard time doing that. I mentioned that what we typically do is complain instead.

Do you complain much? I think when we are honest, we tend to complain a little more than we'd like to admit. Why is that? Why do we complain? And what do you find yourself complaining about? And what's the remedy? I'm curious to hear what you think.

Brian.

Moses and Me: the long journey to humility

Moses went from a position of significance in the Egypt to obscurity in a foreign land. He wasn't even "good enough" to belong to a group of slaves. That's quite remarkable to think about; he was even rejected by his own people.

You know, Moses could have fought against this descent. Maybe he even did, we don't know all the details of the story. But through the providential circumstances, he had no other option other than accept his rejected lot in life. For Moses, humility meant he stopped fighting for something other than his reality.

Why do you and I fight against our reality (i.e. our brokenness, sin, evil, addictions, weakness, vulnerability)? I have my ideas, but what are yours? And according to the message on Sunday, what do we lose when keep holding tight to the illusion of respectability?

I'd be curious to here your thoughts on anything related to our Sunday message.

Did they lie or not?

In our passage this morning, pharaoh ordered Shiphrah and Ruah, these Hebrew midwives to kill these babies if they were boys. Ex. 1:17 says, "But the midwives feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but let the male children live." Then when pharaoh asks the midwives why they didn't do as he commanded they answered (vs. 19), "Because the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women, for they are vigorous and give birth before the midwife comes to them."

What do you think of their response? Do you think they are being dishonest to pharaoh? Do you think there could possibly be an explanation for what they said; maybe we don't have full story? Do you think they lied to pharaoh or not? And does it matter? What might be some of the implications if they were dishonest?

I'm curious to hear your thoughts.
Pastor Brian

No compromise

Following up from our sermon on Sunday (5-10-09), I'm curious to hear you respond to a couple of things.

1. When I live life by my way rather than Jesus' way, I know I'm missing out seeing God work. What do you think you're missing by doing life your own way?

2. What do you think is holding you back from living fully in the love and grace of God? Are you afraid of what others will think? Maybe you don't know what that means; maybe you are new to this whole Jesus think and you're thinking, "I'm not even sure how to live with God?" Are you being distracted from life with God because of all the clutter around you? Maybe there's another reason (educate me!).

Pastor Brian

No Accidents with God

We learned this Sunday that the people of Israel weren't in Egypt by accident, but instead by the providential hand of a merciful and gracious God.

God has you right where he wants you even if that has come through the unjust actions of others. Nothing escapes the providence of God and being good God is always working good for his children. What do you think about that and why? Is this an encouragement to you or not? If yes, why? If not, why?

Don't be content with you initial reactions, whatever they are. Explore why you think and feel the way that you do. Examine why you might see this as encouraging or discouraging. It's only when we get honest with ourselves do we really begin to grow.

I'm anxious to hear what you say.

Pastor Brian

Expository Preaching and Exodus

As I shared on Sunday, we've been covering a number of sermon topics since finishing 1 Corinthians last fall. We are now returning to a book of the Bible, the book of Exodus. This strategy is called "expository preaching."

The fact of the matter is I always try to preaching expositionally. Exposition simply means "to expound;" as a preacher, my primary goal is to let the Word of God speak for itself whether I'm in a sermon series from a book of the Bible or I'm discussing a specific topic. So, I simply try to expound what God has already said. And when you march through a book of the Bible, you force yourself to address and take seriously everything that God says rather than jumping around and touching on topics and verses that peak your interest.

Help me out as we prepare to work through Exodus: what questions do you have that are related to this book? What questions do you hope will be addressed as we go through this book? What do you think about going through a book from the Old Testament? Your feedback will be helpful as I prepare these sermons.

Blessings,
Pastor Brian

Baptism

Tell me about your thoughts on baptism. If you've been baptized, what was that like for you? If you haven't been baptized, why not? Do you feel you have a good handle on the meaning and significance of baptism?

As we mentioned in the service, our annual baptism and picnic at the Thompsons is scheduled for Sunday after church, July 19. If you are interested in baptism, make sure you let us know. But by all means, put the day on the calendar; its a great day.

Let me know your thoughts; tell me your stories.

Pastor Brian

A Heart Ready for the Word: Part 4

Most Christians struggle with a cluttered heart. With a world constantly on the run and endless options at our fingertips, it takes a lot of discipline to keep everything in its proper place. As odd as it sounds, my work (yes, ministry!) clutters my life sometimes. I can get so fixated on "getting things done" that I let this important care weed out the word of God. Isn't interesting that even good things like ministry can sometimes hinder our relationship with God?

What are some of the things you need to weed out? What clutter needs to get pulled from you heart? I'm curious to know.

Pastor Brian

A Heart Ready for the Word: Part 3

Hello folks.

In the message today (3-29-09) we touched on the seed the fell on the rocky ground. I mentioned that we receive the word of God superficially because we haven't given up our visions, plans and goals; in fact, we think Jesus is the key ingredient to making our visions, plans and goals a reality. But, as I mentioned, God has his own vision, plans and goals and (quite frankly) wants to transform us so we embody his visions, plans and goals as well.

What do you think about this? Does a shallow heart prevent us from embracing the visions, plans and goals of God? Since the issue is always faith/trust, what are we not believing about God that keeps us set on our own purposes isntead of God's?

Love to hear your feedback on these questions or on the message in general.

Blessings,
Pastor Brian

A Heart Ready for the Word

We've been talking about being receptive to God's word using the parable of the sower as our guide. This past Sunday (3-15-09) we addressed the heart that's hard like a walking path unable and unwilling to receive the word.

We learned the remedy to this problem is repentance; turning away from all that we're trusting and hoping in and turning to Jesus. What do you think keeps us from true repentance? Certainly, repentance is a divine gift, but what practical or tangible aspects keep us from receiving this gift and turning to Jesus?

Love to hear your thoughts, not just on this question but on the series in general and what God is doing in your life.

Pastor Brian

So, what did you learn?

Well, we're done with fear (not really, just the sermon series). What did you learn? I'm really excited to hear how God blessed you over these past 6 weeks? What has helped you with your fear? What promise from God or point is God using to help you trust him in the midst of fear?

Do you see that little link called "comment" at the bottom of this post? Click on it and leave me (and other FBCers) some feedback. Bless others with a testimony of God's grace. Leave your name if your comfortable, I always like knowing who's sharing.

Thanks for joining me in the journey.

Pastor Brian

The fear of man and early childhood development

This past Sunday, we examined and discussed the fear of man. We are way too dependent on the approval of others so, consequently, we fear losing it. I believe early childhood crisis or trauma does impact our need for approval today. Allow me to explain.

Human development is kind of like building a house of cards; you can't skip steps. Our growth can easily be stunted if we fail to receive what we need when we need it. Of course, no one is perfectly nurtured in the developmental process and we all move on and function in some capacity (in many cases, function well). But this functionality often masks the the unmet need that will emerge in our lives at some time.

It's quite common for people who've experienced significant rejection or trauma as a child to crave the praise of man in exorbitant ways. Children largely receive their self-definition through identification with their parental figures (this is in contrast to adolescence where identity is largely determined in contrast to parental figures). So when there is crisis in the home (like divorce or the death of a family member) or rejection from parents, children aren't able to take these normal developmental steps in self-identification; these issues either prevent children from receiving what they need or confuse them greatly.

We really can't skip steps in our development. Therefore, people who experience such rejection or crisis often crave the acceptance and approval of others because they've "missed out" on it as a child. This can be manifested in many ways, but very typically its seen through an obsession with being "OK" or "acceptable" in the minds of others. but like all human efforts for approval, its never enough.

Now, why am I bringing this up? Because it's always important to understand the dynamics at work in our lives. Unless we are aware of the problem, we're not able to address it.

I'm not making excuses for the fear of man. The fear of man isn't "OK" just because someone had early childhood rejection or trauma. But to grow and experience the transforming power of the Gospel, we need to know where and how to apply God's grace. God's grace is enough in every circumstance.

If you think this possibility might be connected to your fear of man, what's needed is the willingness to be honest this trauma, the willingness to accept and grieve this loss and then to apply the promises and provisions of God. Oftentimes we need help getting started so don't hesitate asking for help if needed.

Pastor Brian

Re: The Manna Principle - What happens when God gives me more than what I need for today?

During the most recent sermon, "The God Who Tests," we talked about the Manna Principle which states, "God will give you what you need for today & today alone; you have to trust Him for tomorrow." But what about when God gives us more than we need for today? Are we violating the Manna Principle when we have excess food in our refrigerator or when we have money in the bank or in our retirement account?

I have the benefit of getting to chat with Brian about his sermons at work, and I asked him this question, and he pointed out that there are passages of scripture that commend storing up. Proverbs tells sluggards to "Consider the ant..." (Prov. 6:6-11; see also Prov. 30:24-28). So we basically have passages of scripture that seem to contradict one another. But we know that ALL scripture is equally God-breathed. We have to be very careful to take all Scripture equally seriously as God's word. It is easy to have our favorite passages and kind of ignore the other ones that don't fit our opinions or preferences so well.

So how do we take all these Scriptures seriously without feeling crazy?! First, we need to embrace that there is tension in many areas in Scripture. Life is not simple; life is incredibly complex! Therefore, it only makes sense that there will be tension in how God describes life in the Bible and also in how He commands us to live. Tension does not mean contradiction. Tension means embracing and taking seriously the reality of the complexity of life.

Second, I think we need to realize that having more than we need for today can also be a test. Will we continue to trust God or start relying on our abundance? I think of the rich man Jesus told a parable about in Luke 12:16-21 (actually, Luke 12 is the chapter where Luke discusses much of what is in Matt. 6 (the passage we read for our first fear sermon), and the Luke 12:13-48 is all very informative about the treasuring idea.). What the rich man teaches us is that we always have to keep our eye on the ball - being rich toward God. So whether God chooses to give us an abundance or to give us just what we need for today (or we could ask the question that many other believers in other parts of the world could ask: What if God doesn't give us enough for today? What about Christians who go hungry or without shelter or adequate health care, etc.?) or not enough for today - whatever God gives us (or doesn't give us) - the question is, how can I be rich toward God in my current circumstance? And the answer is always the same - by grace through faith. We have to rely on Him and trust Him - not anything or anyone else. And as we seek Him, as we treasure Him, as we believe in Him, He will lead us. He will give us life and guide us in the living!

Were any of you thinking similar questions about the Manna Principle? What are your thoughts about what we should do when God gives us abundance rather than just what we need for today?

Luke Hatfield

How can God be good and still test us?

This past Sunday (2-1-09), we talked about how God tests his children. Pondering such things compels us to wonder about God's goodness. We think, "ok, yes, God has good purposes in mind when he tests his children; on the other side of the testing are treasures that stretch beyond our imagination (James 1:12). But still, my trials are so painful. The hurt and pain is seems inconsistent with a loving and caring God. How are we supposed to think of such things?"

It's important to remember from the start that there's not a response that will satisfy our curiosity. But you know, that's really not what we need. We ask these questions not so much to satisfy intellectual curiosity, but really, to help us trust. We don't really need "answers," per se; we need to be helped into position to trust.

Something that helps me understand such things is remembering this world is terribly broken and hopelessly beyond fixing itself. You see, our culture commonly thinks that the world runs on autopilot always bringing out the best; that goodness and beauty just happen all by itself. So when bad things happen (some think) something must have interrupted the world's normal state of harmony, peace and life. This is a very popular notion today. When people say, "people are essentially good on the inside," they are expressing this idea. When most people say, "life is good," they mean "life is good, all by itself."

The Bible actually teaches the opposite. From the very beginning of the Bible, the world is viewed as this ominous, menacing force. It's chaotic and dangerous. Left on its own, it spits out violence, evil and harm. Throw our sinfulness into the mix and you've got a recipe for a world that is fraught with trouble and misery. The reality is our world is not some picturesque utopia, but its the broken abode where we all live.

How does this help? It helps by showing us that the troubles and hardships of our lives aren't the result of God interrupting our great life with problems. God has nothing but kindness and mercy for his children; the harm and danger already exist in this world; in fact, that's normal. The problems in life shouldn't be surprising; what's truly amazing is the goodness of God given to sinners such as us.

"But, Brian," you're thinking, "God could still do something. Ok, the world is broken, but God could stop bad things from happening to me." That may be the case, but that may not be what's best for us. For example, my sons would probably like me stopping some of their "hardships." I could spare my boys a lot of grief by being overly protective. But is that good for them? No, its not. While I'm not the one who inflicted my boys with harm (say, challenges with friends at school), I'm also not necessarily relieving them of those challenges (like, moving to a different school district). Certainly, a loving father carefully discerns when his children need help, but he doesn't simply remove them of hard situations.

Life is good, but its good because of God's grace given through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Everything good in life is a result of God's love; even when life is hard, God's looking to produce life and joy. Our calling is to trust him in it all. Thankfully, he's proven himself trustworthy.

What do you think?

Remembering God in the midst of fear

In our sermon this week, we talked about the need to recall God as our first action step to conquering fear. Rather than jumping straight to prayer; rather than trying to regain control, its important that we (as Ed Welch puts it) (1) recount who God is, (2) remember that he has promised to be found by those who seek him and (3) review stories of his perfection until you find yourself confident in him.

Let me tell you somethings that I remember about God when I start feeling worry and fear come on.

- I remember God cares. 1 Peter 5:17, "...casting all you anxieties on him, because he cares for you." In my moments of panic and trouble, God cares for me.
- I remember God is strong and ready to help. Psalm 46:1 says, "The LORD is my refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." Deliverance is nearby and God is more than able to help.
- I remember that God is more dreadful than my fears. Luke 12:4-5 says, "I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after than have nothing more they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him!" This passage provides the sobriety we need. Even when our life is on the line, something more important is at stake...God's judgment on sin.
- I remember that God will never leave me alone. Hebrews 13:5-6, "Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." So we can confidently say, 'The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?'"

When I start remembering these things about God, I am helped in my fear. What helps you? What things about God come and help you put things in perspective. I'm curious to hear.

Blessings,
Pastor Brian

Anxiety Medication and the Fight against Fear

A great question that came to my desk this week was, "should a Christian take anxiety medication or is this the world's way of dealing with fear/anxiety?" What a great question.

First of all, please know that I don't believe modern medical care is somehow evil or un-christianly. Certainly, one can abuse or misuse modern medicine, but I believe (generally specially) advances in medical care and science are acts of God's grace and gifts from him to use for his glory. So taking medicine or taking advantage of medical practices in and of themselves is not evil.

As we discussed in the first sermon on fear (1-18-09), our body automatically reacts to perceived threats; this is God's built-in defense mechanism. But, we're broken. This world is broken in every single way. Sin is a part of our existence and is has marred this world. As a result, these natural, physiological reactions can misfire and malfunction; instead of being helpful like God intended, they are actually unhelpful and hinder normal human functioning. These misfirings are not necessarily tied to any specific act of unbelief or sin; they just seem to be part of a broken world.

A person ought not to neglect some of the natural approaches to health. We are whole people; things like healthy eating and regular exercise do make a difference in every other aspect of our health; some studies show chiropractic care helping anxiety, too. With that said, there may be times when medication is needed to control the physical symptoms of anxiety. This isn't a sign of lack of faith; it may be a necessary step to control physical symptoms while attempts at addressing the core issues are explored. Of course, consult your physician before deciding on any course of action.

It's critical to remember, though, that medication simply addresses symptoms; its doesn't address the problem. Hope placed in anxiety medication is sorely misplaced; in fact, hope placed anywhere but Christ is sin. Christ is always our only hope. We always look to him for victory. If anxiety medication is needed for a time, then we will praise God that medication is out there and helpful as we take it in faith. But while we are doing that, we are to keep our eyes fixed squarely on the only savior of worry and anxiety, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Tell me what you think? If you've needed help with anxiety, share with us your experiences.

Welcome, Oh Fearful One!

Welcome to the FBC sermon blog. We're starting the sermon blog to help you interact with the content presented through the sermons at FBCs. Make sure you check out our sermon page on our website. We're hoping you feel the freedom to ask questions, dialogue with others and just process the information God has presented to us through the sermons given at FBC. So let's get started.

We've begun our Fear sermon series. First of all, what do you think about that? Are you glad we're talking about fear? Why do we get a little...fearful... just talking about fear? I'm curious to hear you thoughts.

Also, what might be a topic or issue related to fear that you're thinking, "I sure hope Brian talks about...?" What might that be? What do you hope we touch on in this sermon series?

Hopefully, that's enough to get us started. Let me here what you think.

Pastor Brian

UPDATE: I heard a couple of good questions today that I had not thought of concerning this topic. So if you have questions related to fear/worry/ anxiety, please ask on the blog so I can cover the pertinent topics during the series or at minimum, on this blog.