Blog Archives

God is Bigger Than Our Troubles

5/27/2019

Everyone has problems and troubles, some have more than others. A young woman with a young son had buried her husband and brother within ten months of each other. Both died tragic deaths and the weight of the sorrow was overwhelming. One evening she took her young son to the skating rink and while there she visited with a man who just seemed lost.
     During their conversation he revealed that he had been raised in an orphanage. At the age of 18 he was on his own. He went into the service and married. After he was discharged, he and his wife moved up north not far from her family. In the next few years they were blessed with three boys and a girl.
     Years ago there was a story that made all papers and was on the evening news. It was about a school bus that was hit by a train. The driver and many of the children died that day. His wife was the bus driver and his children were on the bus. None of them survived. It is true, troubles seem to overwhelm many. But, just look around, there is sure to be someone else who carries a bigger burden.
     It takes a big God to take care of troubles. Second Corinthians 4:8-9 helps the weary to get up when knocked to their knees. It's a promise He is present. He is a guide through uncharted valleys (Psalm 46) and pleads with a grieving heart. He says, "I'll never leave you." (Hebrews 13:5) The journey through life has so many twists and turns and is, at best, unpredictable. Satan lies in wait to crush the spirit and destroy the soul.
     A big God waits with assurance and is trustworthy (Philippians 4:19). He didn't come and die on a cross to walk away (Romans 8:28). He came with a plan filled with hope for all who accept him (Jeremiah 17:8).

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Tame the Tongue

5/19/2019

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The book of James is a practical book that is good for instruction in living. "Our world has left practical application for 'feel-good emotions'. We must be diligent," Pastor Josh continued, " and for God. Our tongues can cause us a lot of trouble." This is the beginning of Sunday's sermon. The text is from James 3:2-12. Of course, these ten verses talk about the power of the tongue. But, to drive home his point, Pastor Josh has something else to say. "I can go to the Ava Square and have a cursing fit and it won't matter that I preached 13 1/2 years. Control your tongue--control your life."
     These verses talk about a bit, rudder (helm), a forest fire, a poisonous animal, a fountain, and a fig tree. The first two, the bit and the rudder, are small things but are great in their ability to control a horse or a ship. So it is with the tongue, it is a small thing but wields great ability. A person who can control the tongue shows that he can control his whole body. (James 3:3) For instance, the person who makes an unguarded remark could find himself in a quarrel. Or even worse, the careless remark may force the person to defend or protect himself. Sin is the force to reckon with when it comes to the tongue. Colossians 3:8-9 speaks of the sins that come from the mouth.
     The tongue can be as deadly as any fire or poisonous animal. A small spark can start a fire that destroys everything in its' path. The same with a poisonous animal, it seeks to kill and destroy its' prey. Words that proceed from the mouth can cause the fires of hell to rise up and cause strife and devastation. Proverbs 26:20-21 compares lack of fuel for fires to the absence of talebearers and how a contentious man kindles strife. Animals can be tamed but the tongue cannot be tamed. (James 3:7-8) Only God can tame it.
     It is not possible to bless God and curse men just as it isn't possible for a fountain to give both sweet and bitter water or for a fig tree to produce olives. That's just not the way it works in this world. The same should be true for the tongue. How is it that the tongue that praises (blesses) also dooms (curses)? It shouldn't be this way. Blessing God and cursing man is contrary to the way things are supposed to be. If the words that are spoken are to bring blessings, each day should begin with a prayer to God. "Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips. Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to practice wicked works with men that work iniquity:" (Psalms 141:3-4)

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Getting Serious About God

5/13/2019

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"Did you come to church with church on your mind?" A straight-forward question from a pastor who looks as his audience eyeball to eyeball. A momentary pause that's pregnant with anticipation. No response. "You should be happier about being here than you are." Of course, he continues with how he's noticed that it's harder today to get people to move.
     The first scripture of the morning is Third John, verse 2, "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth." Wishing...people wish for many things--a better car, bigger house, more money and, sometimes, good health. John, the Apostle John, here is wishing prosperity and health to the elder Gaius "whom I love in the truth." (verse 1) The truth, Jesus told us that he was the truth (John 14:6). This is the truth John speaks of.
     John loves Gaius and wishes him well knowing that his soul is prospering. Soul prosperity is a spiritual life that continues to grow. It's the only real blessing this side of heaven. "You can't buy anything in heaven, it's done been paid for. Sometimes we give up too easily. God wants to pour out a blessing that there's not enough room to receive it." says Pastor Josh. Then he points us to Jeremiah 29:11 and tells his audience that Jesus wants us to have a future and a hope.
     "What does Jesus think of us?" Pastor Josh continues. "Have we lost the faith that we need to have?" Our pastor warns us not to harden our hearts. (Hebrews 3:15) "If God is not real in our lives, it's our fault." Like Jonah, we can't run from God and get away with it. "If you don't see Jesus in your life, then you're seeing the devil."
     "There's a different storm today. People are running to and fro. You're not going to enjoy life by not serving Him. Nineveh got serious about church. We need to do the same." Pastor Josh can truly preach a sermon. In closing he stated, "It's in Deuteronomy 31:15 which goes like this...I set before you this day...choose life and good or death and evil."

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Keep on Believing

5/5/2019

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There has been much discussion and differing opinions on the "eternal security of the believer." There is the side that believes "once saved, always saved." And, there is the other side that believes salvation can be lost. Naturally, both views point to verses that back up their claims. This discussion is not a new one. It has been going on for centuries. Great minds have debated it. Following is some information supporting each of the sides. Perhaps it will be enough to cause the reader to study and try to find out for him or herself.
     Position One: The eternal security of the believer. John 10:28-29 states that believers cannot be plucked from the hand of God. Luke 10:20 says that believers' names are written in heaven. Ephesians 1:13 adds that believers are sealed with the holy Spirit of promise. And, Ephesians 2:8-9 speaks of salvation as an act of grace and is the gift of God.
     Position Two: Can lose salvation. Hebrews 10:26-31 maintains that believers who willfully sin after knowing the truth have trampled the sacrifice of Jesus and will fall into the hands of the living God. Second Peter 2:20-22 declares that if a believer becomes entangled in the world after knowing Jesus, it is far worse for them and they would have been better off to not known the way of righteousness. Matthew 7:21-23 reveals that not every one that says, "Lord, Lord", will enter into the kingdom of heaven. Galatians 5:4 asserts that believers can fall from grace.
     There's more verses, to be sure, but these seem to be the biggies. But, there seems to be three verses that both views claim. It's Hebrews 6:4-6. The verses are too long to enumerate here. Side One infers that Paul is talking to immature believers and is telling them that it's impossible to "fall away" so long as they're continuing to grow spiritually. It's a warning that once one has tasted the milk, he/she must continue to grow in the faith. Side Two takes the same verses and says that it's impossible for a believer who has fallen away to be renewed again.
     Same three verses and two completely opposite understandings. The Book of Hebrews is a difficult read. The challenge it presents is a good one. Studying this particular passage should, indeed, encourage a pursuit of what the message really is. Hopefully, for those who pursue it's meaning, it will lead to enlightenment, a tasting of the heavenly gift and partakers of the Holy Ghost.
Whichever side of this fence you stand one, one thing is sure. If you follow Jesus and "endure to the end," your soul can always rest in His peace.

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Linda Johnson

Linda Johnson moved to Douglas County with her husband Tom 12 years ago after retiring from teaching. Following Tom's death in 2016, Linda began facilitating a grief support group called GriefShare through Sweden Church. She serves as the Sunday School teacher for our High School class. Her "Layman's Pen" articles are also published in the local paper, The Douglas County Herald.

Andrea Strong

Andrea is Pastor Joshua Strong's wife. She also serves Sweden Church as Church Secretary, website administrator, and Sunday School teacher to the Intermediate Class.