Month: September 2019

Heavyweight Champ

/ pastorpete51 / Leave a comment

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have kept the faith.                   2 Timothy 4:7

In 1964 Muhammad Ali became the youngest challenger to ever win the heavyweight boxing title when he beat Sonny Liston. Every time Ali stepped into the ring he brashly proclaimed that he was the greatest. His bravado not only incensed his opponents but it had many in the crowd rooting against him. But other people’s opinions  didn’t worry Ali  He never even imagined losing. The only outcome he planned for was a knockout!

The apostle Paul was spiritually a heavy weight champion. He also entered the ring with only one goal in mind: the complete victory of His Lord Jesus Christ! Throughout Paul’s ministry he battled persecution, prison and a death sentence, and then ended his life a champion. But the bell that rang signaling the end of Paul’s match was the opening bell for Timothy.

Today the bell is ringing the opening round for you and me.  Centuries have passed and the world is a different place but just as Paul and Timothy fought their battles we must fight our own. When we brazenly trust Christ He will give us His strength to score a knockout over sin and death. He was the champion of the universe long before Paul was born and He fights by our side. He is the one and only who can truly say He is,  “The Greatest”. He is the all time heavyweight champion. He is the Lion of Judah and our Lord Jesus Christ!

1567726195119_verse_image.jpg

Our Garden Waves Good-bye

/ pastorpete51 / Leave a comment

We love our new home in Florida and this was the right time in our lives to come here, but I do miss our garden. This tropical climate and gray sandy soil leave me wishing for real honest brown dirt where I grew my tomatoes, peppers and zucchini. This week I know that back home we would be counting the days till the first frost on the mountain  and wishing Summer could last just a bit longer. This little poem recalls those days and I hope will put a smile on your face as well.

Imported from phone 857

Then Our Garden Waves Good-bye

While Tomatoes bow their frost tipped brows

 Mrs. Broccoli gently smiles

Mr. Green beans starts to shed his leaves

And Old Zucchini lies in piles

The Corn folks stiffly shake their stalks

And the Pumpkins wait for pie

Hot Peppers dream of summer walks

Then our Garden waves good-bye

Worship is a Choice

/ pastorpete51 / 1 Comment

If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.” Jesus answered, “It is written, “Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.”   Luke 4:7-8

In the wilderness the devil came to Jesus and gave him a limited time offer, Bow down and worship and for a while I will give you all their authority and splendor.  This immediate ascension to a seat of power required no cross no obedience and no difficulties. It reminds me of some of those furniture commercials telling us that there is no money down and no payments for a year. Putting off the sacrifice of paying for stuff is pretty tempting. We have a  a choice to make: pay up now or pay lots more but way later. Jesus decided to wait for the right time and the right way and in choosing that path He chose real worship.

Temptations and the dark places of our lives are places where in practical ways we get to choose who we will worship. Worship is not when we are surrounded by friends in an air conditioned church lifting our hands to softy music. The best worship happens in the hard places and the deserts of our soul. We can give our highest praise when there is the highest price on our decision.

P1030038.JPG

Worship has nothing to do with our emotions or  rewards. Worship is based on what God has promised. Our choice to worship is about who we will trust and whose word we treasure. Will our worship be based on how it will profit us or, will it demonstrate our complete dependence on Jesus? When we choose Jesus and choose what He chose then our reward is sure though its value may not be seen till it is revealed by eternity’s light.