Light at the end of the tunnel

Have you ever lost hope because you can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel? 

We all know the verse from Hebrews 11:1 saying, Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. … Well, I like the Amplified version here, it says: Now faith is the assurance (title deed, confirmation) of things hoped for (divinely guaranteed), and the evidence of things not seen [the conviction of their reality—faith comprehends as fact what cannot be experienced by the physical senses]. Wow. Drawn out like that, it gives us hope. Confirmation, a title deed assurance like owning a home. Divinely guaranteed by God, by the evidence of what cannot be experienced by our limited human physical senses. What are we left with when those give out? Our faith in God. That is what overcomes the world. And that is what gives us hope – even when there’s no light at the end of the tunnel.

Proverbs and Folly

The most famous example from the Bible of a fool, is likely Balaam. Here is a man supposed to be a prophet, and yet after his donkey rides off the trail a few times he smacks it and yells and God opened the donkey’s mouth to talk to him. Now think about this, the donkey suddenly talks to him. Not normal. Instead of thinking this was from God... he argues with his donkey. Foolish right? Who argues with a donkey?! He did, and didn’t stop to think anything about it...

​1) What is folly and what is a fool? Folly means thoughtless action resulting in tragic consequence. Who’s ever been told, “If you try this, you’re asking for it?” Well, Craig Groeschel of LIFE church said, “...may God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you can make a difference in this world, so that you can do what others claim cannot be done.” Now the word "fool" is from the Latin follis, meaning "bag of wind" or a windbag. Nice huh? A fool is someone who lives in a state of foolishness. It’s synonymous with who they are. Psalm 14:1 says, “The fool has said in his heart, 'There is no God. This is a person who has no and wants no direction from God thinking He’s a myth, a galactic kill-joy waiting to ruin their fun, so they live denying He exists. Billy Graham said, “Man is a rebel, and a rebel is naturally in confusion. He is in conflict with every other rebel. For a rebel by his very nature is selfish. He is seeking his own good and not the good of others.” A fool lives in rebellion to God. Proverbs 10:23, 23 A fool finds pleasure in wicked schemes, but a person of understanding delights in wisdom. They find pleasure in wicked scheming! Wow! Proverbs 3:35 (AMP), 35 The wise will inherit honor and glory, But dishonor and shame is conferred on fools. The ESV says fools get disgrace. Remember disgrace? Pastor Chris talked about it a couple of weeks ago saying no one ever wakes up and says, I think today I’m going to be a disgrace! Ever heard of anyone who said their life ambition they wanted to be a disgrace? Me neither…
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2) What are the qualities of being foolish? Proverbs 1:7 (NIV) The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools[a] despise wisdom and instruction. A fool despises wisdom… Billy Graham said in Wisdom for Each Day, “Instead of giving God His rightful place at the centre of our lives, we have substituted the “god” of self. Only Christ can change our hearts – and through us begin to change the world.” That’s our world right? Living for self, man is god? Rejecting God? J. Anderson Thomson and Clare Aukoffer of the LA Times said in an article from July 18, 2011, “In recent years scientists specializing in the mind have begun to unravel religion’s “DNA.” They have produced robust theories, backed by empirical evidence (including “imaging” studies of the brain at work), that support the conclusion that it was humans who created God, not the other way around.” Foolishness! Now, not surprisingly, J. Anderson Thomson, is not just a psychiatrist at the University of Virginia, he also serves as a trustee of the Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science. Proverbs 10:8 (AMP), 8 The wise in heart [are willing to learn so they] will accept and obey commands (instruction), But the babbling fool [who is arrogant and thinks himself wise] will come to ruin. I like the Young’s Literal here: 8 The wise in heart accepteth commands, And a talkative fool kicketh. A fool is someone who kicks God’s ideas to the curb, fighting them. They come to ruin! They’re arrogant. They think they’re all-knowing. There is only One who is all-knowing, God Himself, the Omniscient! Proverbs 13:19 says, 19 A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but fools detest turning from evil. The fool won’t give up evil but actually detests turning from [which they have planned] Amplified says. Sad right? Proverbs 26:11 (NIV) says, 11 As a dog returns to its vomit, so fools repeat their folly. Not just doing foolish things but repeating those foolish things because they want to.

3) What are the fruit of foolishness? Proverbs 8:5 (AMP), 5 “O you naive or inexperienced [who are easily misled], understand prudence and seek astute common sense; And, O you [closed-minded, self-confident] fools, understand wisdom [seek the insight and self-discipline that leads to godly living]. One fruit of foolishness is a fool is easily misled. To them, everyone else is a fool, and they’re the wise one. Another fruit of foolishness is needing extreme measures to get them to listen. Proverbs 14:3 (ESV), 3 By the mouth of a fool comes a rod for his back, but the lips of the wise will preserve them. In medieval courts of kings, they had jesters or fools. They entertained royalty. If they displeased the king, they would endure the rod for their failure. We don’t need extreme measures for us, I hope. Now what about the home? In Proverbs 14:1 it says, The wise woman builds her house [on a foundation of godly precepts, and her household thrives], But the foolish one [who lacks spiritual insight] tears it down with her own hands [by ignoring godly principles]. This is tough. How many homes are wrecked by parents who tear it down themselves? And yes, this is a Christian home here. Husbands not leading the way they should as the spiritual head of the home, and wives who constantly criticize why their husband can’t do this or that, and doing this in front of the kids. The danger in a Christian home, is the respect and honour kids have for their parents starts to wane. Dad’s not the spiritual head of the home, but the butt of mom’s critique, or mom’s seen as the nag and not the Proverbs 31 woman. But it doesn’t have to be this way!

4) What are ways to avoid foolishness? 1) Stop talking to fools. Proverbs 14:7 – 8 says, 7 Stay away from a fool, for you will not find knowledge on their lips. 8 The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception. For us we need to give thought to our ways to avoid being the fool. As 2 Corinthians 10:5 says, We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. When our minds are like Christ, we take foolish thoughts captive and make them obedient to Christ. 2) Set limits when dealing with a fool. Set time limits for them, and consequences if they don’t stop. 3) Deal with them according to their own ways, Proverbs 26:4 – 5 says, 4 Do not answer [nor pretend to agree with the frivolous comments of] a [closed-minded] fool according to his folly, Otherwise you, even you, will be like him. 5 Answer [and correct the erroneous concepts of] a fool according to his folly, Otherwise he will be wise in his own eyes [if he thinks you agree with him]. Sometimes tact needs to go when dealing with a fool. They’re not listening, they’re arguing and overbearing, taking up your time, insisting they’re right even when they’re wrong, and so on. It’s time to be blunt. Do it in love/gently, but be blunt. Proverbs 27:5 says, Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Sometimes that’s what’s needed. “Jack! You’re wrong!” Knowing when to do it is the key. Proverbs 28:26, Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe. Proverbs 12:15, The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice. So, listen to the advice of others, and walk in wisdom. Proverbs 15:22, Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. Do you have people in your life that you can go to and ask advice? Do you listen? Friends and advisors know if you’re going to listen or not. Some may listen while sighing while you talk, others won’t call back. Why? Because they know they’re going to be talking to a fool who won’t listen! Don’t be that fool! Make sure to have people who will challenge us, but also respond to their advice and don’t ignore it. If you don’t have someone you can say does this for you? It’s time to get one or two at least. This helps us to avoid being the fool. 1 Corinthians 15:33 says, Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” That’s the point. Choose your friends wisely, not foolishly.

To conclude, a fool is someone that is looking for a fight... Proverbs 20: 3 (AMP) says, 3 It is an honor for a man to keep away from strife [by handling situations with thoughtful foresight], But any fool will [start a] quarrel [without regard for the consequences]. 1) Avoid being the fool – don’t look for someone to fight with and show how great we are, 2) avoid talking to fools – don’t engage their foolishness or we could be swept away by it, and 3) recognize when we’re being a fool by seeing the signs, then 4) avoiding being the fool by our conduct. Years ago, my dad said some very wise words... “It’s better to be thought a fool and keep quiet, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt!” Ever just blurt out in frustration? Someone who blurts out in that circumstance is what Proverbs 12:23 says, The prudent keep their knowledge to themselves, but a fool’s heart blurts out folly. Scripture warns us about calling someone a fool, Matthew 5:22 (AMP), But I say to you that everyone who continues to be angry with his brother or harbors malice against him shall be guilty before the court; and whoever speaks [contemptuously and insultingly] to his brother, ‘Raca (You empty-headed idiot)!’ shall be guilty before the supreme court (Sanhedrin); and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of the fiery hell. It’s a pretty heavy warning, isn’t it? Think back over your life... I can think of times when I’ve said someone was an idiot, that someone was a fool or foolish. Avoid this judgment for sure. Remember whatever measure we use to judge will be used against us. You know, we can get in the way of God dealing with someone by interfering. Years ago, at the church I grew up in, the pastor – John Mahaffey – said, the biggest thing to remember in dealing with others is to duck and let God hit ‘em! Good advice.

Pain in the night, but joy in the morning...

 Psalm 30:5b says weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.

So this is a promise that God gives in scripture, that whatever we are enduring, whether job loss, pain, a death in the family or friends, Covid, etc... that it is temporary. That the pain we experience is only going to be that - temporary. Joy comes in the morning is the promise, that whatever we experience shall pass, and we will experience release from it. 

This is good news. The call to persevere is strong. Will we believe His promise that this is temporary, and that one day we will see release from it? Or will we be defeated by it? Do we trust God to deliver from it or do we not? 

Ask for His peace that transcends all understanding in your situation.

God bless!

Pastor Andrew

Ask The Pastor host since 2009.

Walking by faith

Walking By Faith

Recently, my church has been going through the book of Romans, currently, we're focusing on one key theme, faith. Particularly in Romans 4 how Abraham was considered righteous before God because of faith and not actions. It pointed out the fact he was credited with righteousness before being given the sign of circumcision and being called out. Did you see that? His outward actions didn’t make him righteous, but his faith in God did.

In our worship service group, we talked about how we need to walk by faith... How in our daily walk with Jesus we have those mountain top and valley experiences. It dawned on me that while sometimes we tend to downplay the mountain top experiences (because we don’t want to get complacent – which is understandable), we overemphasize the valleys to walk by faith. It occurred to me that God was saying we need those mountain top experiences in our walk to appreciate them... because we have those valleys.

Imagine if we only had the valleys and never a mountain top? Would that inspire us? Of course not. But no matter where we are, in the valley or on the mountain top in our faith, we need to walk by faith that God is leading us!

Christmas This Year...

Okay, I'm not going to start singing the TobyMac song of the same name... but this is an appropriate title for this BLOG. 

This year unlike any other in my memory and for many others, it has been a very strange and unusual year. The whole thing of Covid-19 and lockdowns, numbers go down, they go back up, more lockdowns and restrictions to try and combat it, and the worst is Christmas this year... it might be very different than we have ever experienced.

The first Christmas saw Joseph and Mary make a trip to Bethlehem while Mary was expecting. Not pleasant at all. There was a census - again not pleasant. And a selfish king who wanted to kill Jesus. Horrific! It was a quiet event with just Mary and Joseph in a stable. Angels did sing to the shepherd, and the shepherds came of course, and the later on the wisemen - but it was a simple and quiet Christmas away from family and friends. 

Now think of this Christmas - we might be in lockdown/restriction mode where we can't go see family and friends. It might be a simple and quiet Christmas with just our immediate family. And that's okay...

Today we have what Mary and Joseph didn't have - technology like Zoom and Google meetings and so on to video chat with family and friends that we will miss should we go into new lockdown measures.

Whatever happens, remember that Jesus is the reason for the season, and we celebrate that fact whether in the presence of family and friends or not. 

I know it would be such a sad thing to be in lockdown at Christmas. It's not something I want at all. We didn't get to see our family at Thanksgiving already, and I really don't want Christmas to be out too for visiting. 

I know whatever happens, Christmas this year is not cancelled - we will still celebrate Jesus' birth one way or another!

God bless! 

Pastor Andrew Robertson

Announcer and Ask The Pastor host

Covid-19 and God

The world is in a panic mode. Covid-19 has shut down countries, businesses, and more. Economies are falling. People ask in all this: Where is God?

On Ask The Pastor last week (March 17) I had 5 questions all asking the same kinds of things: What is a word of encouragement you can say to those who are very fearful about all that is going on? How is this related to end-times things?

I have had time to think on both of these issues, and while there is a lot of fear out there, what does the Bible say? 2 Timothy 1:7, For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. Proverbs 3:5 – 6 says, ⁵ Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; ⁶ in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.^[a] Or will direct your paths. And of course, 1 John 4:18 tells us that perfect love casts out fear. All these verses and more point to how we need to trust God to handle anything that comes our way. God was not surprised by this, He knew it was coming. The point is not to panic, to trust God to handle it all, that He will provide for our needs. We do our part to be prudent with our resources, to do our part to help limit the spread, but we also rely on God to help us through these times. But how does this relate to end-times things?

Well, now we’re getting into end-times events here. The Bible does say in Revelation 6:1 – 8, I watched as the Lamb opened the first of the seven seals. Then I heard one of the four living creatures say in a voice like thunder, “Come!” 2 I looked, and there before me was a white horse! Its rider held a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest. 3 When the Lamb opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, “Come!” 4 Then another horse came out, a fiery red one. Its rider was given power to take peace from the earth and to make people kill each other. To him was given a large sword.⁵ When the Lamb opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come!” I looked, and there before me was a black horse! Its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand. ⁶ Then I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures, saying, “Two pounds^[a] of wheat for a day’s wages,^[b] and six pounds^[c] of barley for a day’s wages,^[d] and do not damage the oil and the wine!” ⁷ When the Lamb opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, “Come!” ⁸ I looked, and there before me was a pale horse! Its rider was named Death, and Hades was following close behind him. They were given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine and plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth. 

The current events in the world from Covid-19, to the locusts in Africa set to wipe out potentially 20 million people, to falling economies, to wars - they all seem to be happening along the lines of these all four seals, the four horsemen seen from those seals. The world is teetering on collapse financially as it heads towards not just recession but perhaps depression. The current Covid-19 outbreak is still small compared to others of the past like SARS and Swine Flu, etc. But look at what’s happening… countries are shutting down, places are enforcing quarantines to restrict interactions – not that these are bad things to do, we do need to be responsible to act on diseases. But the combinations of disease, finances, war, plagues/locusts, death, are fulfilling to a degree of these four horses of the apocalypse everyone has always feared. It does seem like the combination of all four horsemen are now here acting in unison as if poured out on the nations. Am I saying it is a time to panic? No. But do look at the signs as Jesus said in Matthew 24:3 - 7, 3 As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” 4 Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. 6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of birth pains. So here Jesus gave us the warning, to be ready! 

Am I saying this is time for everyone to pack up and wait for Jesus as He's coming? I'm not saying that, but while we deal with this - recognize that this could be the birth pains. We need to be ready, sharing the gospel when we can as the hour is late for His coming. Encourage people, give them hope through Jesus in dealing with this global crisis. So be ready! Like the parable in Matthew 25 of the 10 virgins, where 5 were ready and 5 were not, at the end Jesus said in verse 13, 13 Therefore, be on the alert [be prepared and ready], for you do not know the day nor the hour [when the Son of Man will come]. (Amplified version)

So stay strong, keep the faith, keep trusting in God, rely on Him for peace that transcends all human understanding, and be ready that Jesus might return during this! (No guarantees of course as no one knows the day or the hour).

And now the farewell that was used in the Old Testament in 1 Samuel 20:13b, May the Lord be with you...

NOTHING can separate us from God's love

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

Romans 8:35,37 NIV

Isn't it good to know that no matter what we face, God won't leave us? Now, this is not to say that we're on cruise control, we never have to stop sinning, etc, but what it does say is that when we do fall, He will be there helping to pick us up, waiting for us to come to Him with open arms.

There is a day coming where Christians of North America will face hardship like the disciples and early church faced, we are starting to see some of that with the laws passed and more. When those times come, or when we are facing severe temptation, God is there to give us the strength to overcome what comes our way, a way out. We just need to take it.

So what will you do when the tough times come? Buckle under the pressure and say what you need to get by? Or will you stand ready to declare the name of Jesus in spite of what man may do?