Monday Morning Widgets

In his Deuteronomy 8:6-20 speech to the nation of Israel as they were about to enter the Promised Land, Moses warned his people of the danger of forgetting God. The basis of the warning was economic and material success and satisfaction. It’s the same warning Jesus gave when he talked about serving only one God and that it’s harder for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God. It’s the same warning Paul told Timothy to give about riches being the root of all evil. Economic stability and material success readily cause people to rule God out of the equation of their lives. The same is true of nations. It breeds pride which chokes God out and brings with it it’s own judgment. Ask any of the politicians, athletic heroes, entertainers and even religious leaders who in recent years allowed their success to lead to moral and spiritual laxity resulting in personal failure. That danger is true not only for the rich and famous. It is true for people of all stations in life. The deterrent and remedy Moses gives to his people is to remember God by thanking him and worshiping him. For us today it means to embrace by faith the gracious provision God has made through his Son Jesus Christ. Take time to get to know him more and more through God’s Word the Bible. Pray to Him. Give thanks to Him. Gather with others to worship Him. Then, whatever material possessions you acquire or successes you achieve will not choke God out of your life.
-Pete

My message from last Sunday will resonate with American history lovers. How well did you do on the multiple choice 3 question quiz about our National Motto In God We Trust. Given our democratic emphasis on freedom and liberty for all and on the first amendment’s ban on the establishment of religion, it makes sense that there has been and always will be a certain amount of opposition and controversy in our national conversation about the place of religion in politics. I tried to make clear our church’s position regarding political conversation from our platform. We don’t do it. At the same time it doesn’t mean you will not hear comments or messages on topics that happen to be in the political conversation at any given time. Romans 2 gives the basis for God’s justice in judging sin and extending his anger towards those who disregard his ways which the writer argues are revealed to all through our conscience. Keeping God in the picture is important to our national safety and stability. Without God man becomes a law unto himself. Chapter 13 appeals as well to our conscience in submitting and showing respect to government authority. What I am most adamant and passionate about is that followers of Jesus Christ, those who carry the label of Christian, not “shoot ourselves in the foot” as I like to say, by behaving like jerks when it comes to voicing our political views, especially when we disagree with a policy or politician. I like what Peter says when he talks about suffering as a Christian. He says to make sure it is not a result of “making trouble or prying into other people’s affairs” (1 Peter 4:15 NLT). I know there are times it is beneficial and necessary to vocalize opposition or take a stand, but given that we do live in a democracy where everyone is free to believe what they want and live the way they want (within the law), it is important that we conduct ourselves civilly. Speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:25)
-Pete

Yesterday I finished up the 4 Sunday REimagine Heaven message series based on Revelation 21-22. I had a blast preparing for it and hope you’ve benefited from it if you followed the series. If you’d like to listen to any of the messages you can do so by podcast from bcchurch.com – resources – messages….. (http://www.bcchurch.com/main/index.php/messages). I call it having a blast because preparing the messages made me realize that heaven is going to be just that – a total, eternal blast. I can hardly imagine it just like John had a hard time describing it in his Revelation. I found it exciting to understand the images he uses from the perspective of the original readers and hearers of his messages. It help too that I spent 8 days in Israel back in 1997, including 2 days in Jerusalem. It’s something I highly recommend you do if you ever have the opportunity. It will bring the Bible to life for you as it did for me. Like I said in my concluding remarks in yesterday’s message, don’t get hung up on the academic details of trying to fit Bible prophecy into a neat and tidy time-line. It will side-track you like it did me for many years from grasping the main purpose of Bible prophecy which is to inspire you and give you practical guidance for your life on this earth. Also keep the perspective that I promoted during the series of learning all you can about heaven so that you can be an agent for Jesus Christ while on this earth to make the world as much like heaven as possible. One day God through Jesus will complete that work when he creates the new heaven and new earth. Don’t give in to an escapist attitude like some have. It will make you negative and depressed. Stay positive, be an influence for God and for good as long as you are alive and live with the wonderful expectation of being rewarded by having a place in God’s eternal kingdom.
-Pete

In this MMW, I’d like to spend a few moments thanking everyone for their support through seminary, ordination, and ministry these past years.

I’d particularly like to thank my wife of almost 5 years, Jenn, for allowing the many years of meetings, last minute counseling sessions, late night homework sessions, and early morning departures. Of all the thanks and gratitude that I receive, she deserves just as much!

My ordination council was this past Friday with the ceremony on Sunday. All in all in went very well.

As much as ordination is often a time when you look forward, I took ample time this past weekend to look back over the last 10 years of ministry. I’ve been asking myself the question, “How in the world did I get here?”

When I look back at my life I don’t recall ever dreaming about becoming Reverend Adam! I look back and see a kid tripping down sand dunes and filling his mouth with sand! I see years of long hair in high school (why oh why?)! I remember being a kid that sang and made his mom cry! But never did I imagine becoming a pastor, going to seminary, and being ordained!

The Apostle Paul started all of his letters with similar words such as, “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God.” I am convinced that it is simply the will of God that I am where I am today.

I remember starting my preaching ministry back in 2004 because I wanted to reach my friends who were drifting away from God and show them that Christ was still relevant for their lives. That He is the source of truth, purpose, and contentment. He will, forever, be the Way, the Truth, and the Life! I have the same desire today, only my circle of friends keeps growing.

Rev. Chet Dundas has given me words of wisdom that the founding pastor, Orrin Van Loon, gave him. “Remember it’s a privilege to serve our Lord Jesus Christ.” I will never forget those words. They are words that often come to my mind. It is a privilege to make an eternal impact in the lives of many, through Christ, every single week.

Does that make me better than most people? Absolutely not! We all have the call as Believers to make an impact in this world for Christ. Maybe not in a career sense, but we are all called to be the salt of the earth – the light of the world! We are all called to love God with all our mind, soul, and strength!

The only acclaim that I deserve is that I’ve obeyed what God has called me to. Have you? When you surrender your life to Christ – when you are willing to lose your life for the sake of the Gospel (Matthew 16:24-25), you will be AMAZED at what God will do through you!

Jenn and I thank you for your support over the years. We covet your prayers as we continue to follow the journey that God has paved for us in the years to come.

“For from him and through him and to him are all things.
To him be the glory forever! Amen.” (Romans 11:36)

-adam

Worry – we all struggle with it from time to time. Read this from Charles Stanley…
-adam

You are already late to work, and traffic comes to a dead stop.
The stock market drops another 500 points.
You suspect your son is experimenting with drugs.
In situations like these, it’s normal to feel anxious. Anxiety—or worry—is an emotional response to a thought or circumstance that we perceive as negative.

The Greek word translated as “worried” in Matthew 6:25 means “distracted.” It refers to uncertainty about the future. For many people, worry is a way of life. If that describes you, I encourage you to read again the words of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount. His command is clear:

For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?

Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? (Matt. 6:25-26)
You may say, “But I can’t help feeling anxious; I have always been a worrier!” I’ve heard that from many people through the years. My response is, “Oh yes, you can.”

Contrary to what some people think, worry is not some trait that is inseparable from our nature. Rather, anxiety occurs because of the way we respond to a problem or troubling situation. You can select what to think about (2 Cor. 10:5), and you can decide how to respond to a circumstance. Your ability to choose is part of God’s gift of free will to every human being.

No circumstance automatically causes long-term anxiety. It isn’t the Father’s purpose for you to be controlled by worry. The Lord may allow an unpleasant situation in your life to develop stronger faith, stimulate spiritual growth, or change a bad habit or negative attitude. But He does not set you up to feel anxious. God is always at work to bring you to a place where you will increasingly trust and obey Him and receive more of His blessings.

Concern differs from anxiety

We must be careful not to confuse concern with anxiety. It is normal for a Christian to care. This attitude motivates us to intercede and to take godly actions towards meeting the needs of others or ourselves. We are to be concerned, for example, about our families, our health, and our performance at work. That is, we want to do tasks well so that God receives glory from our lives.

Some concern, furthermore, is rooted in responsibility. As Christians, we are to fulfill God’s commandments in our daily lives. In other words, we should live in an honest and moral manner—paying our bills, telling the truth, giving a full day’s effort for a full day’s wage, and so forth.

We also express this attitude in relation to the people under our protection. If, for example, a child is injured, her parent has a genuine right and responsibility to be concerned about whether the ankle is sprained or broken. Concern will lead to taking action and seeking medical advice.

And what if you were to lose your job? You’d naturally—and justifiably—be somewhat preoccupied with how to find a new one so you could provide for your family. A concern rooted in caring or obedience is not the same as anxiety. But to fall apart emotionally, become paralyzed with fear, or allow thoughts of bankruptcy, homelessness, and a bleak future to overtake your mind—absolutely not! That’s anxiety.

Concern is positive: it is forward-looking and constructive. Anxiety is the opposite—it is counterproductive, stuck in the past, and negative. In other words, concern motivates us to take action; anxiety paralyzes us.

Concern may be marked with tears, expressions of sorrow or sympathy, thoughtful reflection, or quiet time for meditation. In the end, concern leads us to make decisions. Appropriate thinking in such cases might sound like this: I choose to trust in God. I want to seek His purpose and plan in this. I’ll take the action He leads me to take.

Anxiety, on the other hand, tends to be marked by hand-wringing, uncontrollable crying, deeply furrowed brows and slumped shoulders, sleepless nights, nervous twitches, and endless pacing. Worry is a treadmill that tends to keep a person in a state of fear and negativity.

The choice is yours

We are all human, so occasionally we will be blind-sided by unsettling incidents or discoveries. At such times, it is normal to react emotionally. But God’s children should not remain in that condition for long. Instead of falling into a downward spiral of anxiety over difficult circumstances, a healthier response is to pray something like this: “Heavenly Father, I bring my problem to You. The situation is beyond my control and influence, and I feel helpless, but You have the power to change circumstances. I know that You love me perfectly and whatever You have planned for me is for my good. Show me how to respond, and I will obey You. I look forward to seeing the way You choose to express Your love, wisdom, and power.” Friend, this is the way of peace—the road out of anxiety. Let it go.

-Charles Stanley

Some of my favorite commercials are the Southwest, ‘Wanna get away?’! I love the one with the guy in the parking lot who throws a big stone through the side window to try and gain entrance to what he thinks is his car… only it’s not! The car owner walks up and sees his damaged car and says, “What did you do to my car?” And we hear the classic line, ‘Wanna get away?’!

We’ve all had moments like that where we do something, intentional or unintentional, and in our embarrassment we would just love to go crawl under a rock.

Yesterday we wrapped up the Devil’s Playground series on temptation. We looked at how Israel chose idols over God; they chose broken cisterns over the living water of God. And we learned that every time we choose a temptation over God it will ALWAYS return empty. The cistern will always be cracked and broken and you will never be satisfied.

1 Corinthians 10 tells us that these stories in the Old Testament were written down as warnings for us on what not to do. Just like parents often say to their older kids, “learn from my mistakes” so Paul is saying to this church in Corinth, “don’t make the same mistakes your ancestors did.”

A few verses later in this chapter we come across a promise that was applicable a few thousand years ago to this church as well as us today. “… But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13b)

That is a promise of God that tells us no matter what temptation we may face (excessive drinking, pride, jealousy, unkindness, pornography, gossip, etc) God, in his sovereignty, will ALWAYS give us a way out. God will always give us an opportunity to choose Him and not sin in that situation. That means he will give you an opportunity to walk away from the conversation… stop drinking… hold your tongue… walk away from your computer… the fact that you even hesitate before giving in to a temptation, God is giving you a way out right there.

As we mentioned yesterday from James 1, we should not blame God because God does not tempt us. It is our sinful desires in us (in combination with Satan enticing us) that we are tempted to sin. Yet even in that, God in His all-capable, all-powerful, all-knowing, all-everything, supersedes that temptation and gives us a door that says, ‘Wanna get away?’

May we choose Christ and his fulfillment rather than empty dead end paths that our temptations will take us on. He, and He alone, is the Living Water!

-adam

Mine: –pronoun
1. a form of the possessive case of I used as a predicate adjective: The yellow sweater is mine.

If you have little kids or have ever known of a little kid, one of the first words they learn is, “mine”! My son just turned one and he has already portrayed the mine-syndrome. You often see kids having a hard time learning to share their toys because they selfishly think what they possess are truly theirs.

Well we do a better job of masking it as we get older, but often we can be just as selfish and greedy as we were when we were 2. Why? Because it’s not an issue of the toy, or any money or possession; it’s and issue with how we view the toy, money, or possession. And we believe the lie that those things can bring us great satisfaction when in reality money only buys us the unpredictable temporary. That’s why Jesus said, “Watch out! Life is more important than your money and possessions.”

And we looked at the parable of the rich farmer who missed the point of why he had money and why he had possessions. He thought it was all for him. And Jesus communicated that what he missed was that in reality ALL we have is a gift of God so we shouldn’t be greedy and selfish with it. All the money and all the possessions you will ever have are a gift that God blessed you with (via talents, work ethic, mind, resource, connection, etc.) The very breath you just took is a gift of God…. and that breath too…. and that breath too!

And Jesus is teaching us to leverage what we have been blessed with and be a blessing to others – to be generous. Why? Because all that we have is a gift from God anyway – so we should be generous.

What we get worried about though is, “what if I am generous and run out of money?”

Jesus says, “Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 28If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! 29And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.” Luke 12:27-31

Jesus tells us, “Hey… don’t sweat it! Look who is in control here! I AM YOUR SUPPLY – I WILL TAKE CARE OF YOU!”

Do you really believe that? God really is in control – and guess what? He WILL take care of you!

-adam

PS… if you happened to miss this past Sunday and want to watch the message video, it will be up on facebook in the next few days.

If you were with us yesterday we were in the second part of the Devil’s Playground talking about sexual temptation.

Sexual temptation is everywhere. It is a huge part of modern day advertising – trying to lure you to buy clothes, cars, beer… all sorts of things.

Now you generally can’t live in a fish bowl and insulate yourself from everything (nor do I recommend trying), but you can be intelligent about what you allow yourself to be exposed to. You can choose to not go to certain clubs, or look at pornographic websites, or even watch movies that you know will have nudity. Even before that you can fight off lustful thoughts. 2 Corinthians 10 tells us to take every thought captive… meaning we don’t HAVE to think about it.

All sexual sin is committed twice. It’s committed once in your head and then once in action. Win the battle before it starts and take “every thought captive”. If your mind is going south – occupy it elsewhere, walk away from the pc, turn off the tv, take a walk, think back on memories of your cute little grandma!!

We looked at the life of Joseph yesterday in Genesis 39. What did he teach us about sexual temptation? 1) An intimate relationship with God better prepares you to resist when sexual temptation comes. 2) When sexual temptation comes – resist it! 3) If the sexual temptation gets too hard – run! 4) After running, obey God and leave all the consequences to Him.

I have seen first hand how sexual sin destroys relationships, families, and people. It is so destructive. Pornography which is fueled out of lust starts out so careless and random…but it blossoms into all kinds of immorality, infidelity, and all kinds of destructive sexual sin.

How do you keep from going down this destructive path? 1) If you’re not in trouble yet – pray that God would protect your heart from this lustful playground. If you are in trouble already, desire and ask God to help you KILL this sin in your life. You don’t get over or “beat” sexual sin and addictions by sinning less – you kill it. Start praying and seeking help from God. 2) Talk to someone you can trust and who can hold you accountable. Whether you are struggling with sexual temptation or not, having an accountability partner is so critical to keep off the slides and swings of Satan’s favorite temptation – sexual temptation.

If you need any guidance or help that I could offer, please let me know via fb email or adam.groh@bcchurch.com

Be the Psalm 24 generation
-adam

One of the first signs that Spring has arrived is when you see the big flowers of the Magnolia Tree. These magnificent flowers are silky and long and fill the tree a white glow. Every year brings a new bud, a new flower, a new beginning, a new start, a new creation.

“For if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation, the old is gone, the new has come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

That was our theme this past Easter Sunday at Berkley – a new creation in Christ. Not only will that wall being recreated into the face of Christ stick with me for a long time, but also the proclamation of singing Salvation Is Here as we wrapped up our time was powerful!

Cause I know my God saved the day
and I know His Word never fails
and I know my God made a way for me

What an awesome promise! No matter what journey life takes us on, when we are a new creation in Christ we can know for certain that His Word and promises will never fail us, and that the end of the story has already been written. You win and you receive eternal glory!

May we go through this week celebrating our new creation in Christ, thanking Him continually, and living the way we were meant to live – the bride of Christ showing love to all!

I think we had a pretty impacting month during the Go Fish series. Praise God for the lives that He touched and the encouragement His Word brought to many.

Let’s review where we went in this series. We learned that God will give us the words, opportunity, and courage when we desire to be a fisher of men. All of us were fish at one time, but someone took courage and started a conversation with us and it changed our life.

In week two we learned that there is great power in telling your story to your friends in a clear, concise, and compelling way. That God can use your story to inspire others to desire what you have.

The next week we learned the anatomy of God’s story and how to tell it. Using the most famous verse in the Bible, John 3:16, we learned that the essentials of becoming a Christian are simply: God loved. God gave. We believe. We receive.

Yesterday we saw how the Apostle Paul’s last words before his death were ones about fishing for men. Paul said to Timothy, “Preach the Word!” We learned how there are many things in life that are temporary and only people are eternal. We ought to live for what is eternal just as Paul did.

Matthew 6:19-21 says, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Many use, and rightfully so, that those verses mean that we should give financially to God’s work. But look at that verse one more time with a different application. “But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven…” How do you do that? One way is to share the amazing story of God’s love and grace to people who He considers priceless treasures. “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Where is your heart?

Love God. Love People. Live for what’s important.

-adam