Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Quick Fixes.....


2 Samuel 11

2 Samuel 12


Introduction


Have you ever tried to fix something, and you just stuck everything together so that the item would work, but you really didn’t do a proper job. This is what we call an “Easy Fix”. Usually, down the road easy fixes come undone, and you have to repair them again.


This morning we are going to talk about easy fixes.


  1. People are always trying to sell an easy fix for life’s problems.


In this day and age of computers and technology eventually everything breaks down, and needs to be fixed. You can surf the internet far and wide, and you’ll soon see that there are a thousand easy fixes for every problem. The question is which one will really work.


I’ve been working on my computer trying to fix a networking problem, and haven’t found an easy fix yet. I’ve ready papers, downloaded programs, and studied other people’s solutions, but nothing has worked. Why? Because, there is no such thing as an “Easy Fix!”


  1. Saul tried to fix his problems.


I realize we read in our text about David, but before we talk about him let’s look at his father-in-law Saul. Saul was a humble young man when God called him to be king over Israel. However, it wasn’t long before Saul became proud, and longed for the praise of men. It was this character flaw that lead to his down fall. Finally, God sent the prophet Samuel to reprimand him. Every time the prophet came, Saul, would make excuses and blame the people instead of taking responsibility for his own actions. Finally, God took away the kingdom from Saul and gave it to David. When Saul realized who God gave the kingdom to he began to scheme and devise plans to kill David. That was the “Easy Fix”. The End result. Saul wasted his life chasing David when He should have been repenting of his sins. He died in battle because he never became humble enough to take care of his problems right.


  1. David doesn’t learn Saul’s lesson.


One would think that after seeing what Saul went through that David would be more careful and watch himself. Yet, he too became complacent with his position that God gave him, and did do what he should have done. As the first couple of verses in chapter 11 tell us, David was supposed to be out on the front lines with his troops leading them to victory. Instead he was home lounging around the family fireplace. This lazy complacent attitude put him in a very compromising position with another man’s wife. Instead of owning up to his sin, he too tried to find a “Quick Fix”. David had Uriah come home, and tried to make him sleep with his wife so it would look like the baby was Uriah’s. However, the man was righteous and as a good solider wouldn’t go home to his wife. Then David set him up to be killed in the battle.


Sometimes people think that tying up the loose ends will take care of all our problems, yet it never works that way. Eventually our sins will find us out. There is no easy fix. There is never a quick solution.


  1. Punishment.


Both of our examples ended in some form of punishment. Saul was killed in battle and David got the kingdom. In David’s case God sent the prophet and told him that he was “the man”. The punishment was family discord and problems, and his new born son would die! Always remember that there is never an easy quick fix!


  1. Solution.


John 14:6

Jesus said unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.


Philippians 4:6

Be careful for nothing: but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.


The solution to every problem is Jesus. We sometimes try to fix our own problems, but that never works. We must lay aside our pride, and let Jesus take care of our problems. He will show you what to do!

Sunday, January 27, 2008

Shovel It Over Your Shoulder!


1Pe 5:7 ALT having cast all your* anxiety upon Him, for it is a concern to Him about you* [fig., for He cares about you*].


1Pe 5:7 BBE Putting all your troubles on him, for he takes care of you.


While on Christmas vacation I cleared off my father-in-law’s patio. During the process I began to think about Jesus and all he has done for me, and the thought occurred to me that my shovelling was exactly what Jesus wants me to do spiritually. Our text was the verse that crossed my mind next. “Cast all your cares upon him for he cares for you!” The following message was what came out of those thoughts.


  1. The Cross is history’s crossroad to eternity.


Almost every pulpit and church that preaches about Jesus in any form or fashion has a symbol of the cross of Jesus Christ within its walls. Sometimes it is on the pulpit other times it is one the back wall. In any case people see the cross when they come to church to worship Jesus. It is a symbol that keeps us pointed to the very crux of history!


The Old Testament is our schoolmaster leading us to Jesus. In other words, the Old Testament is point toward the Cross of Jesus. (Galatians 3:24)


Gal 3:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.


The New Testament points us back to the cross of Jesus Christ. Our relationship with Jesus starts on the cross, and goes through the grave ending in the resurrection. The Gospel of Jesus Christ points us back to the cross.


The Old Testament Ended at the Cross, and the New Testament began at the Cross!


  1. Jesus wants us to shovel all of our troubles back to the cross!


Have you ever noticed that most people while shovelling will eventually begin to through snow or dirt back over their shoulder or off to the side? This very action brought this truth to my mind!


Being in the New Testament period of time we are looking back to the Cross of Jesus. Therefore everything we cast upon Jesus must be thrown back to the cross! Picture the shovelling motion of a person throwing the dirt or snow behind them. I believe this is the very action Jesus is describing in this verse.


Don’t bear your burdens alone! Let Jesus get under the yoke with you, and He will give you rest!


Mat 11:28-30 BBE Come to me, all you who are troubled and weighted down with care, and I will give you rest. (29) Take my yoke on you and become like me, for I am gentle and without pride, and you will have rest for your souls; (30) For my yoke is good, and the weight I take up is not hard.


The picture being described in this verse is an animal trying to bare the yoke of a loaded cart by itself. Jesus is telling the people that He is like a second stronger animal being put under the yoke along side of you, and giving you rest from the extreme pressure of the load. Now it isn’t you alone, but you and Jesus who are baring the load together; he taking the greater part!


  1. There is great assurance and promise that comes with trusting Jesus!


Psa 55:22 KJVR Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.


There is something precious that takes place when someone releases their problems, troubles and cares to Jesus! There is a great element of pride in people’s lives and they just don’t want to be seen as vulnerable or weak. However, there is nothing embarrassing about sharing a load with someone else. As a matter of fact it is smart, wise and logical! If you are carrying something heavy you will gladly take assistance from another. Yet, when it comes to our emotions, personal problems, the cares of life and fears we are not willing to relinquish our pride!


1Pe 5:5-9 KJVR Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. (6) Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: (7) Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. (8) Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: (9) Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.


It is the process of ridding ourselves of pride that gives us the strength to fight the mortal enemy of our soul – The devil!


Try Jesus! He will not fail! You will find rest!

Monday, January 21, 2008

5 steps to free your mind......



Today I've decided to post a messege I preached recently. This messege will help you keep your mind clear of the clutter that keeps us from functioning at peak efficiency. Also, I will be posting another messege in a couple days that will compliment this one so keep looking for more of Pastor Fred's thoughts! May God richly bless you!

(Below are a couple different translations of the same verse to give you an better idea as to the meaning and spirit of the scripture.)

Phi 4:4-8 KJVR Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. (5) Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. (6) Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (7) And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (8) Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Phi 4:4-8 GW Always be joyful in the Lord! I'll say it again: Be joyful! (5) Let everyone know how considerate you are. The Lord is near. (6) Never worry about anything. But in every situation let God know what you need in prayers and requests while giving thanks. (7) Then God's peace, which goes beyond anything we can imagine, will guard your thoughts and emotions through Christ Jesus. (8) Finally, brothers and sisters, keep your thoughts on whatever is right or deserves praise: things that are true, honorable, fair, pure, acceptable, or commendable.

Phi 4:4-8 ALT Be rejoicing in the Lord always! I will say again, be rejoicing! (5) Let your* gentleness [or, considerateness] be known to all people. The Lord [is] near! (6) Stop being anxious about anything, _but_ in every [thing] by prayer and by petition, with thanksgiving, be letting your* requests be made known to God. (7) And the peace of God, the [peace] surpassing all understanding, will guard [or, protect] your* hearts [fig., inner selves] and your* thoughts in Christ Jesus. (8) [As to] the rest [or, Finally], brothers [and sisters], as many things as are true, as many as [are] worthy of respect [or, honorable], as many as [are] righteous, as many [things] as are pure, as many as [are] acceptable [or, lovely], as many as [are] commendable, if [there is] any virtue [or, moral excellence], and if any[thing] deserving to be praised, be meditating on [or, thinking about] these things.

5 steps to free your mind...

As it says in Proverbs 6 thing does God hate, yea seven are an abomination, so we can say this morning – “4 things will free your mind, yea five will keep your conscience clear!”

There is something very important about having a free mind. I realized this morning a truth I’ve known before, but hadn’t really put much thought to it. If a mind is bound so is the spirit of a person. If the mind is free the person’s spirit will be free soon after. In order to break a person’s spirit you must attack the mind, and what that individual knows to be true. If you can destroy their faith in themselves and others you will soon break their spirit.

If you want to have a great spiritual relationship with Jesus Christ you must have a free mind. A mind that is free of all encumbrances of this life. The cares of this world should have no affect upon you! ( I do realize that the cares of life usually do affect each one of us, but that isn't the way Jesus designed for it to happen. We must be willing and humble enough to believe that Jesus is in control, and he will take care of you!)

  1. Rejoice in the Lord Always.

Remember to keep the joy of the Lord in your heart and mind at all times! “The Joy of the Lord is my strength!” There is something very powerful about joy through it all! One thing that we must remember is that there is a big, very big, difference between happiness and joy. Happiness is an emotion, but joy is a state of mind. Happiness can come or can go in a moment of time, but real joy will be constant through thick or thin. Let me explain it in terms of love. Many people love other people, but it really isn't love. It's an emotional experience because of a chemical connection between two individuals. True Love will stay up all night when your partner or children are sick. True love will love someone no matter what kind of a mess that they get thereselves into. True love will forgive sin not cover sin. True love is there no matter if you have an arguement or fight with your spouse. True love will allow you to stay married for 60+ years. True love does not ride upon emotions, rather it sticks through thick and thin.

In the very same way joy can be your constant companion. Joy because you know that Jesus is your friend and he will be with you no matter what. Joy because you know that your redeemer lives. Joy because you know that you can take everything to him in prayer. Joy be God is good all the time!

  1. Let your considerateness be know to all me.

People need to know how fair, gentle, considerate, and kind you are. We must show the Love of Christ everywhere, for He is coming soon! There is something very special helping other people that takes your mind off of your own problems. Give it a try sometime you might just be pleasantly surprised.

  1. Don’t let the cares of life get you down.

Things are going to happen in life that are really not nice or good. However, it is in your best interest as a child of God to not dwell on these situations. Don’t hold grudges. Don’t think to much about a circumstance. Don’t dwell on the past. Give it all to Jesus!

  1. Give everything to Jesus through prayer and thanksgiving.

Again I say, “Give everything to Jesus!” A merry heart does well like medicine! By giving everything to Jesus and casting all our care upon Him we can keep the Joy of the Lord in our mind!

  1. Keep your thoughts in the right place.

Truth, Honesty, Righteousness, Purity, Love, and Things worthy of talking about should be our top priority to think about!

When you look at a situation look for the virtue and look for what can be praised. I know people who only ever see the good in a situation. This is the proper way to look at life. Don’t worry about the bad and evil. Let each day worry about its evil. Just look to Jesus and find those things that are wonderful!

Result and Conclusion

The Peace of God will be a sentry and guard your heart and mind through Jesus Christ! Jesus will help you keep a free mind. It may see difficult at first be the good Lord will help you to become a powerhouse of peace. Don't sweat the small stuff.

Friday, January 04, 2008

Seasons Greetings

Merry Christmas

Happy New Year

May this season and new year bring great blessing and success to your family, life, business, character, finance and soul!

Always remember that Jesus is the reason for any season, and every day of your life!

Pastor Fred,

P.S. Check out our new Family Picture!

Something to Laugh About!

Pastor Fred Online: Sermons & Puppets

Our Prayer Family: A List of Prayer Requests

  • Newfoundland & Labrador! That a wave of God's Spirit would flood this great province!
  • Your Neighbors, that Jesus would save their souls!
  • Springdale, Newfoundland: Pray that God's Spirit would awaken souls to their need of salvation and continued spiritual growth. Also, pray that Pastor Fred can teach many Home Bible Studies.
  • Pastor Fred and his family: Pray for Health, Strength, Inspiration, Revival and that God will lead him to many hungry souls
  • The Country You Live in: Pray for Salvation, Revival, Missionaries and the Moving of God's Spirit

Weekly Prayer for A Country on my counter:

Please pray with me for the country that is in focus each week. Thank You and may God richly bless your prayer life.


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A Prayer for Canada:



This week Lord Jesus we bring the country of Canada. Let the revival of your Word and Name sweep across this vast dominion. Let all ethnic groups that now call this great land home become hungry for something more, and find YOU! Let the Church arise to become the bastion of Truth that it is meant to be. Let you people become the light and power that spreads your Gospel throughout all this land!
We ask this all in the Name of Jesus Christ -- Amen!