Are you forgetful?  If so, you may be relieved to learn that everyone forgets things at one time or another.  According to research, here are the top six things people tend to forget most often along with the corresponding percentages of those surveyed:

1. Names (83%)
2. Where something is (60%)
3. Telephone numbers (57%)
4. Words (53%)
5. What was said (49%)
6. Faces (42%)

And if you can’t remember whether you’ve just done something, you join 38% of the population.  Feel better?

We have just observed one of our nation’s most solemn holidays.  Memorial Day is a time to remember the sacrifice of every man and woman who fought and died to keep America free.  It’s also a day to remember those we have loved and lost.  As we stand beside silent graves, we remember.  These loved ones are gone, but they are never forgotten.

Many of the Jewish holidays were established for the express purpose of reminding the generations in Israel of something God wanted them to never forget.  For example, every time they killed the Passover lamb and applied its blood to the doorposts, they remembered how God delivered their nation from the slavery of Egypt.

Likewise, every time we celebrate the Lord’s Supper we are made to remember Christ’s broken body and shed blood.  Understanding the human tendency to forget, Jesus ordained the ordinance of Holy Communion and said, “Do this in remembrance of Me” (Luke 22:19).  As we approach the Lord’s Table we do so singing the old song, “Lest I forget Gethsemane….lead me to Calvary.”

When it comes to some things like telephone numbers or names, forgetfulness may result in a moment of frustration or embarrassment.  But may we never forget those who paid the ultimate price for our freedom.  And may we never forget the One who died to save us from our sins.

Pastor Todd Weston

This morning I attended a Bible study in Naples that focused on the famous duel between Moses and Pharaoh.  Time and time again, Pharaoh agreed to release Israel from the slavery of Egypt only to renege on his promise.  The teacher of the study pointed out that in his repeated refusal to submit to God, Pharaoh stands as a representation of humanity.

Pharaoh’s continued stubbornness resulted in the ruin of Egypt.  Even his officers understood as much.  They asked him in disbelief, “Do you not yet know that Egypt is destroyed?” (Exodus 10:7)  Sitting there amid the wreckage caused by his rebellion, Pharaoh still thumbed his nose at God.  “Who is the LORD, that I should obey His voice,” was his attitude.

The final plague of Egypt was the Death Angel that killed the firstborn of man and beast.  This final plague is a sobering reminder that rebellion not only leads to ruin and destruction, but ultimately death.

Timothy McVeigh was an American terrorist who set off a bomb in front of a federal building in Oklahoma City that killed 168 people and injured over 600.  McVeigh chose the poem Invictus, which means “Unconquerable” in Latin, to be his final statement prior to execution.  The poem was written by the English atheist, William Earnest Henley.  The last statement of the poem could very well have been spoken by Pharaoh:

“I am the master of my fate
I am the captain of my soul”

It’s the spirit of rebellion exhibited by Pharaoh that says, “No one is going to tell me what to do!  Not even God!  I am in charge of my life!”  To fail to recognize the ultimate authority of God and the delegated authority He has vested in parents and other leaders is to place oneself in a position of rebellion.  And as we learn from the story of the plagues of Egypt, rebellion results in ruin and death.

Interestingly, people who rebel often justify their actions by accusing others of seeking control.  In reality, rebellion is the refusal to give up control.  But the Christian life is all about surrender.  We submit to God first, and then to the delegated authorities He has placed over us.  Surrender is the way to blessing for God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6).  

Learn a lesson from Pharaoh.  Rebellion always leads to disaster.  Surrender always leads to blessing.  So, “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up” (James 4:10).

Pastor Todd Weston

The third chapter of Daniel tells the story of three Hebrew boys who refused to bow down to Nebuchadnezzer’s idolatrous image of gold.  The temptation to compromise was strong.  All who refused to do obeisance would be cast alive into a fiery furnace.  But Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stood straight and tall that day for the Lord.  They refused to bow.

Sadly, it doesn’t take the threat of a fiery furnace to get people to bow today.  No, all it takes is a little intimidation and convictions collapse like a washed out sandcastle on the beach.  We see it happen all the time.  Someone takes an initial stand for righteousness only to do a total reversal under the pressure of intimidation.  Worst of all, they end up apologizing for their convictions in the futile attempt to appease a world the Bible calls crooked and perverse (Philippians 2:15).  The world is corrupt.  Never attempt to negotiate with corruption. 

The society in which we live has transitioned from merely non-Christian to anti-Christian.  We need to wake up to the fact that this world which is at war with God will never approve of our biblical convictions.  Never!  As believers in Jesus Christ we live against the grain of society which causes a great deal of friction.  What the world calls “light” we call “darkness” and vice versa.  What the world calls “good” we call “evil” and vice versa.  

The result of all this is a growing hostility toward Christianity and Christians.  As Paul told Timothy, “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12).  

Standing in front of a fiery furnace, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego understood what Paul was talking about.  And yet, to their eternal credit, they didn’t bow.  They didn’t even bend.  Not even a little bit!

What the Church needs today are Christians who have the courage to stand by their convictions.  May we be followers of Jesus Christ who in the face of intimidation declare with these three Old Testament heroes – I’M NOT GONNA BOW!

Pastor Todd Weston

This past Sunday we began a new series called Unlikely Heroes.  The series is about ordinary people who were used by God do to extraordinary things.  The Bible is full of examples.  The eleventh chapter of Hebrews lists the names of many of these heroes and heroines of the faith.  

Many of the heroines of the Bible achieved greatness through motherhood.  It all started with Eve.  Her name means “living” or “life-giving.”  She was the first woman to be called a wife and a mother.  True, Eve was the first woman to give in to temptation.  But she was also the first woman to receive the message of the cross!  She produced a hero of the faith named Abel (Hebrews 11:4), and another godly son named Seth.

Sarah, the wife of Abraham, is especially noted in Hebrews 11:11.  ”It was by faith that even Sarah was able to have a child, though she was barren and was too old.  She believed that God would keep his promise.”  By faith Sarah gave birth to Isaac and became the mother of the Hebrew people.

And then the Bible records the stories of Jochebed and Hannah.  Who?!  You are probably better acquainted with their sons: Moses and Samuel.  The interesting thing about these two mothers is that they both dedicated their sons at a very young age to God’s particular plan for their lives.  For Jochebed, it meant giving up Moses to be raised in Pharaoh’s household.  For Hannah, it meant giving Samuel to be raised in the home of Eli the high priest.

The Bible goes on to record the stories of many mothers and their notable offspring.  Among them are Rebekah and her son Jacob; Rachel and her son Joseph; Bathsheba and her son Solomon; Elizabeth and her son John; Eunice and her son Timothy; and of course, Mary and her son Jesus.  Not all of these women were paragons of virtue.  But each was a committed mother who ended up producing a life that made an impact for God.

If it’s true that a woman’s work is never done, double that for moms!  Motherhood is one of the most demanding callings there is.  It’s also one of the most rewarding!  So as you go about your high calling of being a mom, be encouraged by this word from the apostle Paul, “Be strong and immovable.  Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless” (1 Corinthians 15:58 NLT).

Keep up the good work, moms!  And happy Mother’s Day!

Pastor Todd Weston