Remember...When All Seems Impossible!

     In today’s world we all face what may be called ‘the impossible!’ Whether it is the reality of continued unemployment, possible relocation where jobs exist, meeting the ongoing needs of children in school, transportation, food, paying the bills, or any number of seemingly ‘impossible tasks,’ we often cry out to God for relief. The book of Lamentations is a book about our emotions and how we deal with them after going through crisis. The book is a series of Laments dealing with the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 B.C. But, even if we have not had our city destroyed, we often look out over the events and realities of our lives with the same emotion.

     The Hebrew title for the book is, I believe, a more appropriate one. The Hebrew title is ‘ekah' or ‘How?’ This is a question we often ask when looking at the crises in our lives that seemingly 'knock us down.' And we often ask it of the One who can best comfort us and help us make change, God. In Lamentations 3:22-23, there are three simple things we must remember in order to stand up again and move forward with our lives:

1.      The LORD’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease. Think about all the times God has worked in your life. The word ‘lovingkindness’ describes a love that is filled with mercy. God is pouring out His mercy in our lives if we are willing to look for it and receive it.

2.      His compassions never fail. They are new every morning. God is not an angry God who finds delight in seeing His children hurting. Think of God as the loving Father. Just as you would do all you can do to help and show compassion to your children, so also God desires to show His children compassion. Always think of our relationship to God as Parent/child instead of the strict disciplinarian that often times accompanies religion. The loving Father who every morning desires to provide fresh love to His children.

3.      Great is His faithfulness. I like the Greek word that is translated, resurrection. It is ‘anastasis,’ which means ‘to stand again.’ God in His faithfulness gives us hope and the strength to ‘stand again.’ With each new challenge comes renewed strength.

     So today if you are faced with an ‘impossible’ challenge or situation remember these three expressions of hope and trust that the writer of Lamentations stated as he looked out at a great crisis, a great fear, a great wondering, and said, “how?” God is in control and will never let us go alone through the reality of life. It is in His reassuring love and our trust in Him, that He proves the definition of 'how' as He walks with us. I've spotted the truth...and daily try to live it. How about you?

Jeff Woolum, Pastor

First Baptist Church, Perrysburg, OH

What Will We Do After the Election?

What Will We Do After the Election?

     I must admit that I will be glad when this election is finished. It has not been a great experience. Yes, we have the typical array of campaign ads from Republicans and Democrats alike. We have seen campaign ads from organizations backing one of the two candidates. We have seen presidential, senatorial, house, and other candidates tell us all about how bad their opponent would be if elected. But, you may say, “Isn’t it always this way at election time?” Yes. But it has seemed worse this year. However this is not what has bothered me. I want to talk about the Church. Not any one Church, but the Church in America as a whole.

     Over the last year I have seen the Christian community engage in a number of actions of which I was heart-broken:

1.       I have seen Christians from both sides engage in mean-spirited and inappropriate talk both in person and on social media (this seems to be the easiest place to be harsh).

2.       I have heard, read, and seen the watering down to almost at times full acceptance of a theological cult in order to support a political party (when a year ago many of these individuals would have said and did say, ‘no way!’). This is not to say the person in question is not a very moral man or that he would not be a good leader. But his beliefs are not Christian.

3.       I have seen Christians come close to ostracizing or shunning those who are of the opposite political party. We are to ‘love one another’ and ‘accept one another’ (Rom. 15:7). We are brothers and sisters in Christ.

4.       I have heard and read of Christians flippantly talking about praying for the President by choosing obscure passages that are not in the spirit of ‘praying for’ our leaders. It is rare that we will always agree with or approve what the President, Senators, etc. are doing, but Biblically, we are to pray for them and be respectful. (Rom. 13:1-7; 1 Tim. 2:1-2)

5.       It seems that the Church has been obsessed with the upcoming election to an extent that we have taken our eyes off what our primary purposes are all about.

     Do I believe that Christians should be involved in the political process? Yes! We must be ‘salt and light’ in this dark world. And, yes, this is an important election. But, every Presidential election is important. But, what are we telling the world about Jesus when we model the same kind of behavior as those outside the Church? So I want to pose some questions and thoughts about what we will do after the election:

1.       What are we going to post on Facebook and Twitter if our candidate does not win? Are we going to see four years of complaining and bad mouthing those elected? Maybe we should instead pray for our leaders that they may be God led and successful. Pray for their spiritual guidance.

2.       What are we going to do if our candidate wins? Are we still going to trash talk and blame every problem that occurs over the next four years on the previous administration?

3.       How are we going to respond to those who did not vote? I know of several Godly men and women who because of theological convictions feel that they cannot support nor vote for either candidate. Are we going to relate to them in a Biblical way, showing grace and understanding?

4.       What will anyone talk about at Church when the election is over? We may have to find a completely new enemy to fight. Let me make a few suggestions:

a.       What about sharing the good news of Jesus?

b.      How about getting excited about what our Churches either can or are doing?

c.       How about investing some time getting to know someone and discipling them?

d.      How about volunteering to do what your Pastor thinks needs to be done at the Church?

e.      How about committing to be as zealous about Spiritual matters as you were about political matters?

f.        How about instead of ‘suggesting’ a ministry, you volunteer to ‘do’ a ministry?

g.       What about serving the community through your Church? Step out and take a risk. After all, ministry is risky. Just ask Jesus!

h.      And on and on…..

     Let us get back to being the Church that shines a light in a dark world. Let people once again ‘know us by our love’ and not by what we are against. Let us covenant to live our lives knowing that whoever wins, Jesus is still Lord and King. Let us do all things to the glory of God. The election of 2012 will soon be behind, serving Jesus is still ahead. Bringing glory to God should be our theme. I’ve spotted the truth, have you?

Jeff Woolum, Pastor

First Baptist Church, Perrysburg, OH

Putting Things on the Level

     Did you ever try to build something and no matter how closely you measure or how much you shim or readjust, it just will not become level? Or, have you ever tried to do something with a liquid measure and you keep measuring out too much or too little and it seems impossible to level out the liquid? Many or most of us can identify with these dilemmas. In today’s world and in this economic climate, it may seem that nothing you do can put you on the level. It is also a common problem in this economic climate that we focus so much on our own problems that we forget others who are in similar or worse situations.

     In the first five verses of Galatians 6, Paul talks about how Christians should interact with one another and in verse 2, gives us a wonderful command and its outcome: “Bear one another’s burdens, and thus fulfill the law of Christ.” It is in understanding the real meaning of these words that we can find encouragement in these days of uncertainty. First, Paul asks us as Christians and Churches, to ‘bear one another’s burdens.’ This is not ‘rocket science!’ He simply asks us to get involved with other people who are struggling and help them along. If you see someone who is carrying more than they can adequately carry, you stop and take part of the load and help them with it. Very simple! It is the second part of this verse that adds the real definition to the ‘burden bearing.’ Paul says when we do this, we “fulfill the law of Christ.”

     This word used and translated ‘fulfill’ is the Greek word, ‘anaplerosete’ and is a compound word from ‘ana,’ which means ‘up or again,’ and ‘pleroo,’ which means to ‘level up or cram.’ So, we fulfill the law of Christ when we ‘lovingly’ involve ourselves in the lives of others to help them ‘become level again’ or ‘level for the first time.’ This action implies an ‘active,’ not ‘passive’ response. It means getting to know people, learning what hinders them and actively getting involved to level them up. It may involve pouring from your cup (you can use this metaphor for anything your life has in it) to level up the cup of another. It may mean physically doing something to ‘cram’ up the person’s home, vehicle, finances, or other to ‘level’ them out. You see, when something is level, it is more secure. The bottom line is when we do these things we are ‘being Jesus’ to someone else.

     As you struggle through these difficult days, remember that you can still find joy and make a difference in another’s life and ‘fulfill the law of Christ.’ I end these words with another verse in Galatians, chapter 5 verse 14: ““For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.””

     Let's be about 'Spotting the Truth' of this verse, and actively involve ourselves in helping others level out their lives.

Jeff Woolum, Pastor

First Baptist Church

Perrysburg, OH

Time for the Creator of Time

"There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven--"
Ecclesiastes 3:1
"Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him."
1 John 4:15-16

     These two above passages have a lot in common. I'll explain why as we go. Nearly everyday I hear or read of some tragedy happening in our world. I read of murder, domestic violence, mass murder, bombings, drunken rages, and on and on. I read of violence everywhere (it reminds me of Genesis 6:5).
     I follow the back and forth debates on same sex marriage, gay rights, homosexuality, alternative lifestyle disputes, etc., which seemingly flair up tempers more than they solve problems. Do we really think we will solve the problem by writing scathing articles and giving hate filled speeches that often demonstrate that there is as much sin on one side as the other?
     I read about and see the problems that have come with the economic stress in our country. People stressed about their job future, people losing homes, people's retirement being spent. And the response seems to be the Democrats blaming the Republicans and the Republicans blaming the Democrats. In the midst of the upcoming election, I see very little about how either candidate would solve the problem, mostly all I see is why you should not vote for one over the other. It seems, from looking at social media, that both groups feel the best way to solve the problem is to post and repost derrogatory, inflammatory comments made about one over the other again showing that in many cases each side is sinning as much as the other.
     Christian and secular leaders and academics face off giving their interpretation of what the problem is. Most of them offering statistics explaining why their point is correct and the other is not. We protest, boycott, and make statements that we should expect to hear and see from the secular community, but not from the Christian community. {as a sidenote, I am impressed at the show of support for Chick-fil-a. This seems to be a truly kind and grace motivated gesture. I just hope it does not get the negative spin also}
     I look at the Church. It seems our seats are not as filled in our Churches as they once were. According to Lifeway Research, fewer than 20% of Americans regularly attend Church, and that they believe, according to the research that 7.9 million people leave the Church each year or 150,000 people per week. Add to that the statistic that reveals about 1,700 Pastors resign their Churches each month, leaving the ministry for good. WE ARE IN TROUBLE!!!!!!!!!!!
     The problem is not the Democrats, or Republicans, or homosexuals, nor the violent, nor any number of other causes that are being pushed as the reason for the problems in our world. The problem is empty seats and lack of abiding.
     We, as a culture, do not make devotion to God and commitiment to the local Church a priorty anymore. I remember when Wednesday evenings were kept for going to Prayer Meeting. Schools did not have Wednesday night activities. I remember one move we made to a community in Indiana, where at a parent-teacher meeting the school board president said, "As long as I am the head of the school board, there will be no Wednesday night, school sponsored activities." There did not used to be community sponsored activities on Sunday mornings. America, as a culture, went to Church.
     I know that people are busy, but TIME has to be made for devotion, worship, and service to the God who created time. It really is not about the fact that we do not have enough time, the problem is how we prioritize that time. MAYBE:
- If we 'seek first His kingdom and His righteousness all these things (material things) will be added to you' (Matthew 6:33)  then maybe we might see a solution to economic woes.
- If we 'Do nothing from selfish or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves' (Philippians 2:3) then we may end some of the violence, hatred, bigotry, and lack of value for human life.
- If we realize 'He is before (primary or first) all things, and in Him all things hold together' (Colossians 1:17), then it really won't matter which political party we are part of as our focus would be on God. As Christians, our allegience is to the King of Kings. We should not allow ourselves to become immersed in a political party's agenda, but be focused on God's agenda.
- If we realize, 'The earth is the LORD's, and all it contains, the world, and those who dwell in it' (Psalm 24:1) then worship and commitment to the local Church and devotion to our God would revitalize our Churches. What if being present in Church on Sunday morning consumed us. When we show those around us what our commitment to God looks like, what a difference that might make.
     There was a time when being a part of the kingdom of God was 'Good News,' however, it seems that it has become for many, 'Old News.' Let's call the problem what it really is: a need to surrender all to the only God and Savior. We are to show the world a picture of the Savior. What a joy! What a privilege! What a responsibility! Let us prayerfully and with mercy and grace respond to the crises of our world in a way that reflects the One who saved us. Let us go forth and love one another...maybe even to the place where they embrace the King of Kings.
     The NEW GOOD NEWS is the SAME GOOD NEWS, that is the Good News of Jesus. Why not try to put God first and give TIME to the Creator of Time.

Reality, Fear, & Living Through It

     One of the most common threads I find with people today, even Christians, is FEAR. The other day I went to the grocery store to buy a few items. As I walked through the meat department, I was suddenly impressed with a tremendous sadness. I almost began to cry. I looked at the prices of items, even simple items and began to realize how many people there must be who cannot afford to buy basic necessities. I was so overwhelmed that it moved me to begin to emphasize to our congregation just how much need there is in the world.
     That episode led me to think about reality and how many people I know who live in fear. It is not that they do not trust God, many trust Him completely, but they still have fear and uncertainty. But, there are also many who do not have faith in Christ who are looking to the Church for answers and help. It also led me to think about how people come to be in need. Many people just don't realize that living on minimum wage will not allow you to provide for a family. So, many people receive help from public assistance and hopefully from Churches willing to help. PLEASE HEAR ME: "these are not all lazy people who should go and get a job." They are people who have been laid off, had their position eliminated, were victims of the economy causing their business to end. They are people who have graduated from High School or College but find that there are no jobs available to pay their expenses or student loans. And other scenarios can be added here! The reality is many, many, people live in fear and uncertainty. Their reality is 'do I buy food or pay bills?' Maybe their reality is 'should I let my home be repossessed or my car?' Maybe their reality is 'I have had to live off of my retirement account and soon there will be little left for when I retire.' Their cry is "What am I going to do next?"
     What are we as the Church telling them is the answer? What are we as the Church doing to help? How are we dealing with the reality?
     In 2 Chronicles 20 (and I urge you to go and read the full account of this event), the nation of Judah has war waged on it by a group of enemy nations. Their numbers far exceed that of Judah. The king, Jehoshaphat, gathers the assembly in the house of the Lord for prayer and states three confessions in v. 12 that I believe are always helpful when our circumstances overwhelm us:
- "we are powerless"
- "nor do we know what to do"
- "but, our eyes are on You"
     Ultimately Judah is told not to fight themselves, but to trust God and "stand and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf" (v. 17). The enemy nations are caused to ambush and kill one another, so that Judah did not have to battle them at all. Although God was completely victorious, human nature would tell me that even in a sincere trust of and faith in God, there was still fear and uncertainty.
     So...as we are 'Spotting the Truth' let us find some helpful insights:
1. It's OK to have fear and uncertainty. Just don't let it find a foothold of control.
2. Share your concerns and fears with the Lord first of all. Also share them with other believers; engage them to pray with you, advocate for you, and watch for help with you.
3. Pray these three confessions with sincerity and ask God to show you what to do...even if it is just one small step at a time. Then stand and see the salvation of God.
4. Churches.......what are we prepared to do in the face of reality as this overwhelming enemy of economic disaster is upon us? Let's not just pray about it (James 2:14-17), let's do something!

All Churches and Christians, let's spot the truth and deal with the reality.

Jeff Woolum, Pastor
First Baptist Church of Perrysburg, OH

Your First Love

     Do you remember when you first fell in love? NOW BEFORE YOU ANSWER...BE CAREFUL! Make sure that one whom you still love understands that you love them even more today than that time when you first fell in love! Remember the 'giggly' times you had? Remember bench seats in cars where you could sit very close to one another? Remember going out of your way to dress the best you could every time you were around that special person? Remember always thinking about what you were going to say so that you made sure it was right and special? Remember, as my wife's family often reminds me, of saying 'I'm sorry' when on a board game you sent your loved one's piece back to base? I could go on and on.
     I'm reminded of this type of feeling and excitement when I think of Christianity. It seems that for many people when they first fall in love with Jesus that it is so special they just cannot get enough. But over time, it seems their love for Jesus loses some of it's shine OR it takes on a new definition of expression. This is what is happening in Revelation 2:4, when Jesus tells the Church in Ephesus, "you have left your first love."
     Many of you might say, "I thought this verse had to do with evangelism" or "having a burden for lost people." Well, there is some truth in that, but it is not the real point of what Jesus is saying. You see, the Church had developed a new definition of expressing their Christianity. They had become obsessed with orthodoxy or making sure faith and truth was understood and lived out by very specific definitions of what was right...by their definition. They had become very legalistic and judgmental. They were more concerned with 'being intolerant' of what they thought was incorrect and also with 'putting people to the test' (Rev. 2:2) than they were of showing with their lives how much they love Jesus. So...He tells them "you have left your first love."
     Maybe you can look at your relationship with that one who years ago you would have done anything or gone to any lengths to please and realize that today you are not quite as motivated or maybe you are more critical of that special one's looks and actions. If so, take the command of verse 5 and "remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first..." Think about the difference that might be made in your relationship with your spouse if you once again treated them with 'the deeds you did at first.' Are you willing to take all that extra care again to please your spouse.
     NOW, think about your life with Christ and His Church. If you or your Church has become judgmental, legalistic, rules oriented, then "you have left your first love." Think what a difference it will make in your walk with Christ and in the life of your Church if you will return to the love you had at first. Will you do what is necessary to be the closest to Jesus that you can get? Will you take extra care to give Jesus extra special attention? Will you make sure you give Jesus your first and best? You did with that special loved one. You did when you first came to love Jesus. You can do it again!
     I've spotted the truth in my life, have you?

Jeff Woolum
Pastor
FBC Perrysburg, OH