Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People?

I am enjoying our Sunday evening Bible survey series. Last Sunday we completed our 16th study by highlighting the book of Job. Next up will be the Psalms - don't worry I don't plan to survey all 150 chapters in one message. 

The survey of Job reminded me of the strength and comfort we can receive from God's Word during the hardships and difficulties that come our way. 

Pastor John Piper has written a book entitled: "The Misery of Job and the Mercy of God." You will not go wrong in reading what he has written. Here is a quote from the book:

“The very thing the tilting ship needs in the storm is the ballast of God’s good sovereignty, not the unburdening of deep and precious truth. What makes the crush of calamity sufferable is not that God shares our shock, but that his bitter providences are laden with the bounty of love” (p. 9).

That is such a rich quote and worth dwelling on as we think about the hardships and challenges each of us face.

If you would like to read more about Job just click HERE and you will be taken to a page of five sermons on Job that Pastor Piper preached at Bethlehem Baptist Church. It will be a good investment of your time to read through these sermons. Especially if you find yourself in a season of suffering or hardship.

Here is one other resource I was not able to share with you on Sunday night. I came across this in the MacArthur Study Bible. It clearly addresses the "mystery of innocent suffering."

“The major reality of the book is the inscrutable mystery of innocent suffering. God ordains that his children walk in sorrow and pain, sometimes because of sin (cf. Num. 12:10–12), sometimes for chastening (cf. Heb. 12:5–12), sometimes for strengthening (cf. 2 Cor. 12:7–10; 1 Pet. 5:10), and sometimes to give opportunity to reveal his comfort and grace (2 Cor. 1:3–7). But there are times when the compelling issue in the suffering of the saints is unknowable because it is for a heavenly purpose that those on earth can’t discern (cf. Ex. 4:11; John 9:1–3).” (MacArthur Study Bible, electronic edition)

For His Glory,

Pastor Mike

Sunday Summary for July 22, 2012

It is Sunday afternoon as I write this and I am still excited about this morning's service! I am so grateful for the Lord's blessing upon His Word. Several of our Church family commented on how the message spoke to them - what a blessing to know that God still speaks to His children through his Word.

The message was from Acts 16:6-40. This passage answered the question: "What will a Gospel Centered Ministry Encounter?" Paul has embarked on his second missionary journey. He is joined by Silas, Timothy and Luke in this passage of Scripture. Here are some highlights from the message.

1. We will encounter "No" as we go - So don't GIVE UP!
According to verses 6 and 7, the missions team encountered clear and unmistakeable "No's" concerning the places they had hoped to go. What was true for them remains true for us today. There are dreams and desires that we may want to fulfill; but it often seems like we hit roadblocks and hindrances to fulfilling "our"plans. We will encounter some "No's" along the way but we should never give up! On the other hand we do not need to "kick the door down" we just need to eagerly anticipate the unfolding of God's plan. Closed doors only make the open doors all the more exciting to go through - Don't Give Up!

2. We will encounter those whom God has prepared to receive the Gospel - So SPEAK UP!
Paul had a vision of a man in Macedonia asking for his help. When Paul and the team arrived they were led of God to a group of women who were eager to hear their message. One lady is singled out - Lydia. Her heart was tender toward the things of God. "The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul." (v. 14 ESV). God is working in the hearts and lives of people to make them ready and attentive to the Gospel message. we need to be ready to SPEAK UP when we meet them.

3. We will encounter distractions along the way - So don't LET UP!
After the joy of leading a Tender soul to Christ the missions team encounters a troubled soul. They met a demon possessed slave girl. What she said about Paul and Silas was true; it was the right message but from the wrong messenger (v.17). They could not be aligned with a demon possessed girl. Here we learn of Satan's methods for distracting us in the work to which we have been called. He first seeks an alliance with us and if that does not work he quickly turns antagonistic toward us. It is interesting to note that through a wrong alliance the church and her members will always suffer but when antagonism comes the church can be strengthened. Decide now that you will not LET UP when distraction come.

4. We will encounter Difficult Circumstances - So we need to LOOK UP!
The committed Christian life has never been an easy life. Temptations, troubles and trials are all part of this side of eternity. When the demon possessed girl was set free from the demon that controlled her her owners were angry because they lost a good source of income. This led them to make false accusations about Paul and Silas and that ultimately led to a harsh incarceration of them. They were beaten with rods and placed in a maximum security cell with their feet in stocks. Battered, bruised, bleeding and bound in jail and yet these two men chose to pray and sing at midnight! Wow! When the outlook is bad the uplook can truly make a difference. No doubt they were familiar with the words of Christ as recorded in Matthew 5:11-12. So where are you? If you are like me you are no where near the circumstances Paul and Silas found themselves in - if they can pray and sing in their condition - what is stopping you? Quit looking around and start looking up!

5. We will encounter questions - So POINT UP to the Savior!
The jailer asked the most important question that anyone can ask, "What must I do to be saved?" Isn't it great that Paul did not give him a long list of requirements and regulations. The answer was clear and simple; "Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved." After the simple answer Paul spent a little more time sharing "the word of the Lord" with him (16:32). There are still people today who need someone like you to point them to the Savior. Will you be ready to POINT UP to Jesus if the opportunity comes your way this week?

Why not take a few minutes to read through Acts 16:6-40 and then think about these statements...

• Never GIVE UP, even when you encounter a "no" look for His plan over your plan.
• Always SPEAK UP when you sense God has prepared others to hear the Gospel
• Never LET UP even in the face of distractions.
• Always LOOK UP when in the midst of difficult circumstances.
• Be sure to POINT UP to Christ so others can know how to be saved.

Sunday night we turned to the book of Job in seeking an answer to the question "Why do bad things happen to good people?" I will share some thoughts and ideas with you on Tuesday concerning this important question.

I'm honored to serve as your Pastor,
Mike

God Less America!

What looks like a typo (above) is actually a motto the American Atheist's used across the country on July 4th, 2011. Read more about it HERE.

It's amazing how much some want to deny and discredit the faith of our founding fathers. What we need is more men like the Rev. Jacob Duche'. He was the first chaplain to the Continental Congress. Here is a portion of the prayer he prayed at the first Continental Congress.

“O Lord our Heavenly Father, high and mighty King of kings, and Lord of lords, who dost from thy throne behold all the dwellers on earth and reignest with power supreme and uncontrolled over all the Kingdoms, Empires and Governments; look down in mercy, we beseech Thee, on these our American States, who have fled to Thee from the rod of the oppressor and thrown themselves on Thy gracious protection, desiring to be henceforth dependent only on Thee. To Thee have they appealed for the righteousness of their cause; to Thee do they now look up for that countenance and support, which Thou alone canst give. Take them, therefore, Heavenly Father, under Thy nurturing care; give them wisdom in Council and valor in the field; defeat the malicious designs of our cruel adversaries; convince them of the unrighteousness of their Cause and if they persist in their sanguinary purposes, of own unerring justice, sounding in their hearts, constrain them to drop the weapons of war from their unnerved hands in the day of battle!

Be Thou present, O God of wisdom, and direct the councils of this honorable assembly; enable them to settle things on the best and surest foundation. That the scene of blood may be speedily closed; that order, harmony and peace may be effectually restored, and truth and justice, religion and piety, prevail and flourish amongst the people. Preserve the health of their bodies and vigor of their minds; shower down on them and the millions they here represent, such temporal blessings as Thou seest expedient for them in this world and crown them with everlasting glory in the world to come. All this we ask in the name and through the merits of Jesus Christ, Thy Son and our Savior.

 
Amen.”

You can read more about Rev. Duche' and the prayer he prayed on September 7th, 1774 at the first Continental Congress by clicking HERE.

Have a great Fourth of July and take some time to pray for our country, our leaders and our citizens.

Sunday Summary - July 1, 2012

We began the month of July with a great day of worship! 

At 8:00am we had 27 men gather for a delicious breakfast and a good time of fellowship at our Brotherhood Meeting. Hudon Miller and the Kitchen Crew can put out a FANTASTIC breakfast!

Following Sunday School at 10 we entered into our Worship Service at 11:00. It was good to have Lee back from his time off. The music ministry was a blessing to all. The choir did an excellent job singing "We will remember." Jenny Williams shared a special with us and we are always glad to have Jenny minister to us in song.

I had planned a message unlike any I had ever preached in the four years I have been at Everett Springs. I entitled the message: "God, Country, and the Christian Citizen" and wanted it to remind us of: 1) The Founding of our Country, 2) The Folly of our Culture, and 3) The Future for Christians. I will share a few highlights and links from the message in this post and in a couple to follow.

Understanding the Heritage of our country is important. There appear to be quite a few revisionists out there who want to deny or downplay the Biblical and godly heritage of our nation. Here are a couple of quotes I shared in the message that reflect the worldview of some of the founding fathers.

• Benjamin Franklin, Constitutional Convention on June 28, 1787
  "We have been assured, Sir, in the Sacred Writings, that 'except the Lord build the House, they labor in vain that build it.' I firmly believe this; and I also believe that without His concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel."
  (It appears from his words that he had a working knowledge of Scripture and an understanding that without the Lord's help our nation would not survive.)
  
• George Washington
  "Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly implore his protection and favor."
  (Wise words that we should heed even today)

In speaking of the Folly of our Culture I had no shortage of illustrations. In fact, I had to limit the illustrations to fit the allotted time. As I said on Sunday, I am providing you with the links to a few of the current events I referenced in the message.

1. Lawmakers claim Air Force becoming "hostile towards religion"
   Click the link above and you will learn how the Air Force suspended the teaching of an ethics class because the material referenced a Bible passage.
2. Bibles in the Military... a threat to National Security!
   Imagine that. Actually I don't want to imagine that but that is a clear indication of the folly of our culture.
3. Mayor Plans to Keep God in government
   Click above to read of the troubles of Warner Robins Mayor Chuck Shaheen. I like how he said: "The state needs to get out of the church, but the church doesn't need to get out of the state."
4. Choosing RACE over what is RIGHT
   Rep. Allen West saw the same thing I did in the report that the Congressional Black Caucus' walked out on the contempt vote for Eric Holder. He says it far better than I did and we need more men like him who will stand for the truth and speak it without compromise.

Well, I had five more points illustrating the Folly of our Culture, but I will save some of them for another day and another blog post.

Tomorrow I will share a few more highlights from the message.

Pastor Mike