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Forgetfulness

5/30/2017

 
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​Are you forgetful?  If so, you may be relieved to know that everyone forgets things at one time or another.  According to research (I would tell you who did the research but I forgot), 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%)


If you cannot remember whether you have just done a particular task, you join 38% of the population.  I hope you feel better now.

Yesterday we celebrated one of our nation’s most solemn holidays.  Memorial Day is a time to remember the sacrifice made by the brave men and women of our armed forces who fought 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 the Jewish people celebrate Passover they remember how God delivered their nation from Egyptian slavery.   The ancient holiday of Purim was observed during my recent trip to Israel.  It was moving to watch the Jewish people celebrate a holiday I’ve only read about in the Old Testament book of Esther that dates back some 2,500 years! 

Every time we as Christians share the Lord’s Supper we remember Christ’s sacrifice at Calvary.  Understanding the human tendency to forget, Jesus ordained the ordinance of the Lord’s Supper and said, “Do this in remembrance of Me” (Luke 22:19).  As we approach the Lord’s Table we do so with the attitude expressed in the 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, ever forget the One who died to save us from the eternal penalty of sin.

Pastor Todd Weston

Seasons

5/22/2017

 
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“To everything there is a season” (Ecclesiastes 3:1).  ​

I was reminded of Solomon’s statement during a recent trip through the Midwest.  Sheri and I, along with our daughter Tori, retraced our steps from our respective childhood homes in Colorado and Missouri, to our former pastorate in Kansas.  In just nine days we saw people, visited places, and relived events that took us through several seasons of life.

We usually remember things as they were.  This trip was a reminder that time marches on.  As in nature, one season gives way to another.  While we can reflect on the past, we cannot hold on to yesterday.  Life is a forward journey with new adventures and experiences on the horizon.

Let’s face it, transitions can be difficult.  Sometimes it’s hard to let go and move on.  In my opinion, one of the great features of heaven will be never having to say goodbye.  But in this life we say goodbye to people and places, careers and seasons.

The apostle Paul was no stranger to transitions.  His calling was such that he never stayed in one place for long.  To the Philippians Paul revealed his philosophy, “Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal…” (Philippians 3:13-14).  Paul approached life with a forward posture.

What about those who transition out of a highly successful season of life only to feel they have been sidelined?  The Bible says every season of life can be productive for those who serve the Lord (Psalm 1:3).  Remember, Caleb accomplished his greatest achievement at the age of eighty-five (Joshua 14:10-13).  We get over the past by embracing the new assignment and giving ourselves to it completely.

While the seasons of life move quickly, God remains the same (Psalm 102:27).  The God who was faithfully present through every season is with you now.  His goodness and mercy will follow you all the days of your life, and will eventually lead you into the house of the Lord.

“To everything there is a season.”  That is a fact of life.  So embrace the new season.  Make the most of it.  And live each day looking forward to the bright future you have in Christ.

Pastor Todd Weston

Barak

5/15/2017

 
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​Though one of the more obscure characters of the Bible, his name appears among the heroes of faith in the eleventh chapter of Hebrews.  Not only is he mentioned by name in v32, he is referred to in v34 as one who, “became valiant in battle, (and) turned to fight the armies of the aliens.”  His story appears in the fourth chapter of the Book of Judges.  I am talking about the Old Testament character, Barak.

Through Deborah the prophetess, the word of the Lord was given to Barak to assemble a relatively small army from only two tribes of Israel.  With ten-thousand soldiers, Barak would go to battle against the mighty forces of Jabin, king of Canaan.  It was meant to be a lopsided battle with Israel seriously outnumbered to show that God can deliver by many or by few.

The unusual twist in the narrative is when Barak refused to go through with the mission without the presence of Deborah.  He said, “If you will go with me, then I will go; but if you will not go with me, I will not go!” (Judges 4:8)  At first glance it appears to be a very unmanly thing to do.  But could there be more to the story?

Barak’s demand that Deborah accompany him to battle has been interpreted by some as a sign of cowardice and weakness.  But if that is true, how do we explain Barak’s appearance among the heroes of faith?  Rather than cowardice and weakness, Barak’s ultimatum could have been a sign of great faith! 

Deborah was the Lord's representative in Israel.  In her office as prophetess, she represented the presence and power of God during that particular time.  The fact that Barak refused to go to battle without Deborah indicates his complete trust in the Lord; that without God he would surely fail, but with God he would succeed (even with a seriously outnumbered army).  By the way, Moses did the same thing in Exodus 33:15 when he refused to proceed in the journey to the Promised Land without the presence of God.

Rather than an indication of lack of faith, the demand for Deborah's presence could actually be seen as a great act of faith; enough to land him in the hall of fame of the heroes of faith.  Refusing to go through life without the presence of God is not a sign of weakness.  Wise is the person who relies daily on the Lord.  Learn to pray the words of the old song --
“I need thee oh I need thee 
Every hour I need thee
Oh bless me now my savior 
I come to thee”
Pastor Todd Weston

Eve

5/8/2017

 
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“And Adam called his wife’s name Eve, because she was the mother of all living” (Genesis 3:20).  Adam is the husband who named his own wife.  The name Eve means life, life-giving, or mother of all who have life.  With Mother’s Day approaching, we remember Eve, the “mother” of us all.  Eve was distinct in many ways from all other women.  Consider these “firsts” attributed to Eve -​

1.    Eve was the first woman to live on the earth

Eve was the direct product of divine creation.  She never was a baby or a little girl.  She never was a daughter or a sister.  Eve was created by God from Adam’s side as a grown woman.  

2.    Eve was the first woman to be called a wife

She was created and married all on the same day.   Talk about a busy day!  Before she was anything else, Eve was a wife.  She was created by God to stand beside her husband, Adam, as helper, friend, lover, and companion.

3.    Eve was the first woman to be called a mother

We know about Cain, Abel, and Seth.  But Genesis 5:4 tells us that Adam and Eve had additional sons and daughters.  Since it appears they both lived well over nine-hundred years, imagine all the kids!  I’m sure there are days when moms hear the words, “mother,” “mommy,” or “mom” over and over.  Just remember:  the name is a badge of honor!  Recognize the honor you have been given and embrace the calling.

4.    Eve was the first woman to face temptation

The temptation was not the wish to transgress, but the will to possess.  Eve wanted something God said she could not have.  To be tempted is not sin.  Had Eve resisted and turned away there would have been no harm done.  But as the story goes, she was the first to give in to temptation.

5.    Eve was the first woman to commit sin

Like Achan from the Book of Joshua Eve saw, coveted, took, and hid (Joshua 7:21).  Sadly, it didn’t stop there.  The Bible says she gave some of the forbidden fruit to Adam and together they transgressed.  Like Eve, we have all faced temptation and have all sinned.  But Eve helps all her descendants with this final distinction.

6.    Eve was the first woman to hear about the cross

Before pronouncing the curse of sin on humanity (Genesis 3:16-19), God announced the promise of a Savior (Genesis 3:15).  This is the first messianic promise in the Bible.  It’s the promise that through the seed of the woman a Redeemer would come to provide salvation to the human race.  This, of course, is what Jesus did for us.

I find it interesting that having just heard the death sentence passed on the human race, Adam did not give his wife a name that meant, the mother of all dying.  In faith he named her Eve. 

Although the first sinner, Eve was the first woman to hear about Jesus.  By placing our faith in Him we pass from death to life.  In this way we truly become the descendants of Eve, the mother of all LIVING!

Pastor Todd Weston

Frustration

5/1/2017

 
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​Have you ever heard of the covey theory?  I am not talking about some business theory created by time management guru Stephen Covey.  I’m talking about the covey theory as in a covey of quail.  A covey is a group, gang, or (in the case of quail) a flock.  The idea is expressed in the saying, “Birds of a feather flock together.”  According to this theory, some things come in groups.

One of those things that seems to come in groups is frustration.  By the way, the word is spelled with an “R” not an “L.”  I am always amused when I hear people complain about being “flustrated.”  Sorry, I digress.

Having experienced a covey of frustrations over the last few days, I boarded an airplane early this morning anticipating a relaxing flight with a good book.  An hour after boarding, I and all other passengers existed the aircraft because the flight was canceled due to mechanical failure.  So here I sit at Southwest Florida Regional Airport when I should be in Dallas.  

I guess we shouldn’t be surprised when frustrations arise.  We live in a fallen world, so frustrations should be expected along with weeds, mosquitos, and traffic jams.  But the thing about frustrations is that they can be so frustrating!  I know I just stated the obvious, but its true.

So what do you do when you are met with frustration, or a covey of frustrations?  You do what you can do, and give the rest to God.  Rest in the promise that as a believer your steps are directed by the Lord.  Take comfort in the fact that God filters the experiences that come into your life. Whatever He allows is always for your ultimate good.  And by committing everything to the Lord in prayer, frustrations may disrupt your plans but they will not destroy your peace.

Having rebooked a later flight and notified people of my schedule change, I am redeeming the time by using it to my advantage.  Frustration loses; I win.  “But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumph” (2 Corinthians 2:14).

Pastor Todd Weston

    Pastor Todd

    Lead Pastor
    River of Life
    Assembly of God

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