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A WOUNDED SPIRIT

9/24/2018

 
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“The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?”

That is the question presented in Proverbs 18:14. A strong, courageous spirit can enable a person to endure a tremendous amount of suffering. It can inspire them to go on in spite of the pain. But what happens when the spirit itself is wounded?  
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The same idea is seen in the question presented by Jesus in Mark 9:50,“Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again?” Salt has the ability to purify, preserve, and enhance flavor and influences whatever it touches. But what happens when the salt itself loses its saltiness? What do you do when that upon which other things depend breaks down?

The message of Proverbs 18:14 is that a person can get along with physical pain if they have to. Many do. But what do you do when the pain goes deeper, all the way down into your spirit to the very core of your being? Who can bear a wounded spirit?

A wounded spirit is an internal injury. It can be caused by a number of factors such as betrayal, rejection, failure, loss, abuse, personal sin, etc. Sometimes the wound is caused by things we do while at other times it is caused by things that happen to us. Either way, these things have the potential of inflicting a deep, internal wound. 

A wounded spirit is also an invisible injury. You can see when someone has a broken arm or leg. But a broken spirit is hidden from view; however, the symptoms are perfectly visible. Symptoms include anger, resentment, apathy, resignation, bitterness, depression, negativity, and a host of other possible behavioral/emotional indicators.

Wouldn’t it be nice if we could go through life without being hurt? Yes, but that is an unrealistic expectation. Jesus said in Luke 17:1,“It is impossible but that offenses will come.” Painful situations are bound to happen. We all run the risk of being wounded, but there is an answer.

In Luke 4:18 Jesus stood in the Synagogue in His hometown of Nazareth. Taking the book, He opened to an ancient prophecy that was given by Isaiah about seven-hundred-years before the birth of Christ. As His family, friends and neighbors sat listening, Jesus read these words and applied them to Himself,“The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted….”   

Jesus is called the Great Physician for a reason. “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (Psalm 147:3). The good news for those suffering from a wounded spirit is that you don’t have to stay wounded. You don’t have to live the rest of your life in that condition. The hurt that is internal and invisible is not irrecoverable. Healing is available from the One who was wounded Himself (Isaiah 53:5), and yet triumphed over it.​

Be encouraged!  In Jesus Christ there is hope and healing for the wounded in spirit.


Pastor Todd Weston 

TO WHOM SHALL WE GO?

9/17/2018

 
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According to a recent article that appeared on FoxNews.com, “A new, 2018 Pew Research Center Report polled a growing group in America: ‘religious nones.’” The article stated, “the vast majority are ex-Christians, and most are under the age of thirty-five.” The study identified some peripheral reasons that led to the abandonment of faith such as:

  • “Learning about evolution when I went away to college”
  • “Lack of any sort of scientific or specific evidence of a creator”
  • “Rational thought makes religion go out the window”

The common denominator in all the reasons given is unbelief. As one “religious none” put it, “I just realized somewhere along the line that I didn’t really believe it.” The majority admittedly walked away from their Christian faith because they no longer believed it was true. Paul saw this day when he wrote, “They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths” (2 Timothy 4:4 NIV).

As we watch this modern-day apostasy unfold, there is a question I would like to present to the “religious nones.” I didn’t come up with this question. Peter did. John 6 tells about a large group of people who also walked away from Jesus. Watching them go, Jesus turned to His disciples and asked, “Are you also going to leave?” That’s when Peter presented the question, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:68).

A test of value for any given thing is whether or not a substitute can be found to take its place. If something else will work just as well, then its value is limited. But if no substitute can be found, then it is of the highest value. This is the principle behind Jesus’ question in Matthew 16:26, “What can anyone give in exchange for their soul?” In all the world there is nothing to take the place of your soul. Likewise, in all the world there is nothing to take the place of Jesus!

In turning away from something you better make sure you are turning to something of equal or greater value. But that is an impossible thing to do when a person turns away from Jesus.


  • Where can you find a better friend than Jesus?
  • Where can you find a better teacher than Jesus?
  • Where can you find another Savior for your soul?
  • Where can you find another who has conquered death?

The “religious nones” are turning away from Jesus in droves. But what are they turning to in place of Him? To turn from Jesus is to turn from truth to deception, from light to darkness, from hope to utter despair.  

In turning from Jesus these are unknowingly turning from the “lover of their soul” to a menacing evil that is hell-bent on stealing, killing, and destroying their eternal soul. Such foolishness reminds me of the line from Arabian Nights, “Sure madness hath gotten a hold of the man.”

I understand that life can be hard, and faith can be put to the test. We can be inundated with questions that seem to have no immediate answers. But in that dark, midnight hour when you are tempted to throw in the towel and walk away from your faith, remember Peter’s question, “Lord, to whom shall we go?” Think it through. “To whom shall we go?”

Do not turn from Jesus. Turn to Him. Run to Him, and never let go! “When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the rock that is higher than I” (Psalm 61:2).


Pastor Todd Weston

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TO JUDGE OR NOT OT JUDGE?

9/10/2018

 
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One of the most misunderstood passages in the Bible is found in Matthew 7:1, “Judge not, that you be not judged.” That verse has been used countless times by the enemies of Christ and His Church in an attempt to silence Christians on many fronts. The strategy is simple: If you cannot stop the people of God, silence them!

Sadly, a misunderstanding of Jesus’ words has led many well-meaning Christians to abdicate their God-given right to evaluate, discern, and exercise judgment. As a result, sin and deception are allowed to run rampant as believers stand in muted silence lest they be accused of being judgmental. There is a difference between exercising godly judgment and being judgmental.

Was Jesus forbidding believers from exercising judgment when He said, “Judge not, that you be not judged”? Not at all. Later in Matthew 7:15-20 Jesus taught on how to discern when someone is a false prophet, and that involves judging. And in John 7:24 Jesus said, “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with right judgment.” Did you see that? Jesus Himself told us to make judgments. The critical point implied in John 7:24 is that there is a right way to do it, and there is a wrong way to do it.

Judging wrongly includes hypocritical judgment. This is pointed out in Matthew 7:3 where Jesus went on to say, “And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?” The prohibition of Matthew 7:1 isn’t against practicing biblical judgment. It’s against engaging in hypocritical faultfinding (Romans 2:1).

Judging wrongly also involves judgment that has no basis in truth. To project my personal preferences or opinions upon another could be considered being judgmental. But holding to the righteous standards of God’s Word is judging according to truth (Romans 2:2). When you base your judgment on what the Bible says, the ensuing argument is really not with you but with God.

As a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9) we are given the right and responsibility of exercising judgment in this life. So how do we respond when someone attempts to silence us by saying, “Judge not, that you be not judged”? Here are a few thoughts:


1.  Refuse to be intimidated  

Don’t be shaken or intimidated into silence by people accusing you of being judgmental. Simply point out that the accusation itself is an act of judging. As long as your judgment is based on God’s Word, you are on solid ground.


2.  Respond with truth

Don’t back away from speaking the truth. Hebrews 12:4 says, “The Word of God is living and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword.” The truth of God’s Word has the inherent power to cut through every lie, deception, and argument presented.


3.  Respond with love

Always speak the truth in love (Eph. 4:15). Remember that the person with whom you are having the discussion is someone for whom Jesus died. The goal is not to win an argument, but to rescue a soul for Jesus. So respond in love. This includes treating people with respect.


There are two extremes we must avoid. The first has already been stated. Do not abdicate your right as a believer to exercise biblical judgment. The second extreme is to go overboard and become a self-appointed, full-time judge. God has called us to be Christians, not critics.​

Avoiding the two extremes, find the middle ground and embrace your God-given right and responsibility to exercise biblical judgment. As Paul said to the Corinthians, “He who is spiritual judges all things” (1 Corinthians 2:15).


Pastor Todd Weston

JEHU

9/3/2018

 
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Although he was anointed King of Israel by the prophet Elijah, I am positive Jehu spent some time living in Southwest Florida. I have biblical evidence for my belief. It’s found in 2 Kings 9:20 (NKJV) where it says of Jehu, “for he drives furiously.” Other translations of this passage only serve to strengthen my conviction:

  • NIV, “He drives like a maniac”
  • NLT, “He’s driving like a madman”
  • GW, “(He) is driving like a lunatic”
I rest my case!

Apparently, crazy drivers have been around for a long time. Jehu reigned as King of Israel 900 years before the birth of Christ. Every time he got behind the wheel (actually reins) of his two-horse power chariot it was open throttle, pedal to the metal, full speed acceleration. 2 Kings 10:16 tells about a poor guy named Jehonadab who was forced to ride with Jehu on one of his wild excursions. This unfortunate soul was probably the first confirmed case of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Read the story of Jehu, and you will read the story of a zealous man. Jehu was a man of action. He drove his chariot with zeal. He reigned over Israel with zeal. He brought judgment upon wicked Queen Jezebel with zeal. He drove idolatry out of Israel with zeal. Jehu was even commended by the Lord for carrying out his kingly assignments with fervor. But strangely enough, the zeal that so characterized Jehu seemed to evaporate when it came to his own personal walk with God.

I am always perplexed by professing believers who attack life with zeal, but go apathetic when it comes to serving the Lord. They drive furiously, but worship timidly.  They are passionate about sports, but passionless about Jesus. They are enthusiastic about their career, but indifferent about church. A real disconnect takes place. For all his zeal, Jehu failed in his personal walk with the Lord. Never forget — God hates mediocrity. 

Romans 12:11 presents this timeless command for all believers, “Never be lacking in zeal.” Another translation says, “Do not lag in zeal” (NRSV). The command continues, “but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.” The word rendered “fervent” means “to boil.” The idea is to keep your relationship with the Lord at the boiling point.​

So learn a lesson from Jehu, the crazy chariot driver of ancient Israel. To be zealous in life can be a good thing, just make sure it is zeal coupled with knowledge (Romans 10:2). And make sure your zeal carries over into your relationship with the Lord. As Christ commanded the lukewarm church of Laodicea, “Therefore be zealous” (Revelation 3:19).


Pastor Todd Weston

    Pastor Todd

    Lead Pastor
    River of Life
    Assembly of God

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