The Pastor's Pocket

I n the book of Revelation, the last book of the Bible, we are provided with a glimpse into the events that unfold just before Christ returns to the earth for the second time.  The Apocalypse or “the unveiling” is all about the glorious return of our Lord.  It shows us the final scenes, the events that precede the King of Kings’ returning to judge the earth and take His rightful earthly throne and rule for 1000 years.  When will the final curtain go up and the final scene come to pass?  Consider a panorama of history in this context:  Scene 1 began with creation, the Garden of Eden and ran through the Old Testament era and ended with the ministry of John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ.  Scene 2 began with the first arrival of the Son of God and runs through the New Testament era (the age in which we are all now living).  Scene 3 begins with Christ’s second arrival and will run through the end of the Millennium, and the beginning of eternity.  The stage is now being set for S

The Bible provides us with very little information regarding the boyhood days of Jesus, but Luke shares this one story when Jesus was 12 years old. I’m sure you are familiar with this passage of scripture. Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem when Mary and Joseph had left for the journey home. They didn’t realize He wasn’t with them, and after a three-day search, where did they find Him? In the Temple. He was sitting among the teachers of the Old Testament, listening to them, and asking questions.   The Bible says that everyone that heard Him were astonished, amazed at His level of understanding about the scriptures. It baffled them all. When Mary and Joseph found Him, they too were amazed that He was in this setting and asked Him why He did not leave with them. The answer He gave left them somewhat puzzled. He said to them, “didn’t you know I had to be about my Father’s business?” In fact, the text indicates they did not understand what Jesus meant by that (verse 50). I find this stor

Matthew 4:18-22.  Living the Christian life requires periodic adjustments.  Remember when Jesus called His first disciples, Peter, Andrew, James and John?  They were living their lives, minding their own business, until Jesus met them and said, “Follow me”.  This call from the Lord required a major adjustment in their life, and they made it – without delay!  No excuses. No arguments.  As they began to follow Christ, they soon learned it was not about them, but rather about Jesus, His purpose and plan for the Kingdom of God.  As time passed, as they listened and learned from the Master, they watched Him, observed His example, and eventually Jesus sent them out to minister (Matthew 10:5 & 8). Another major adjustment in their lives!  See what I mean?  As we live the Christian life and learn the Word of God, the Lord, through the mentorship ministry of His Holy Spirit guides us along, dealing with our hearts and renewing our minds, confronting our issues and giving us divine assignmen

   God deserves all the glory for anything we accomplish!  (Acts 12:23, Revelation 4 and 5)  The Bible consistently warns us not to think too highly of what we do because God alone deserves the glory for whatever we become or attain.  We live in a society that ascribes way too much glory to men.  Athletes that can hit home runs, drive a golf ball 300 yards, win races, or simply run fast, make millions of dollars and are made out to be idols and heroes.  Successful businessmen who make the top fifty “Forbes” list, glory in their financial clout and even in the Church we often see too much pride and think that we have need of nothing.  On an average Sunday in America there are more people in stadiums, arenas and race tracks than there are in Churches.  The only one deserving of glory and worship is God!  No athlete, politician, musician or minister anywhere, could accomplish anything were it not for the Almighty that gives them their breath to breathe.  Sure, we’ve gone to the moon, spli

  Taking the truth, God’s Word seriously, and making it personal and applying it to our lives makes a difference in how God deals with us.  When we obey God, when we humble ourselves, push aside our own agendas and get involved in God’s agenda, He rewards us.  If we ignore His purpose or rebel against His commandments and instructions, we suffer the consequences.  So learn this principle:  Your reaction to the Word of God, determines God’s reaction to you.  When you demonstrate respect for His Word, obey His Word and live His Word, you reap the benefits of a blessed life. When you ignore truth, reject truth, or don’t apply God’s Word to your life, you pay the price of your disobedience (Proverbs 13:13).   Deuteronomy chapter 28 reveals much of what I’m saying here.  The overwhelming principle taught in this passage is; obey and be blessed, disobey and suffer.  Whatever is revealed in the scriptures, we are to do.  I think the struggle we sometimes have is that to obey God we have to ma

Naaman had it all. A position of power and prestige as the captain of Syrian forces, a large military armed with soldiers at his command. A great man by all accounts with favor from his superior. He had the reputation of being a fine soldier himself, and through his leadership, many victories in battle went his way which led to an accumulation of great wealth. Here was a man with pretty much everything except for “just one thing”. He was a leper and that was raining on his parade, spoiling his life in many ways (2 Kings 5:1). Naaman’s physical problem pictures humanity’s spiritual problem. Our sin nature. There is an empty spot in our lives – a hole in our soul, if I may describe it that way, and it infects everybody regardless of where we live, whether we are rich or poor, black, white, or red. Regardless of our position or prestige, “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).   Naaman was eventually healed. He experienced a miracle as he obeyed the instructi

When was the last time you “made a move” towards God?  My thoughts today are about the woman with the issue of blood.  The narrative is found in Mark 5:24-34.  Jesus is on His way to minister to a little girl on her death bed.  Many people are thronging Him.  At this point in His ministry, there is a crowd everywhere He goes.  A certain woman who had a real problem moves through the crowd of people to get to the Lord.  She believes if she can just touch His garment, she will be healed of her serious illness.  She has suffered for 12 long years.  She has been to the doctors many times, but is still sick.  She is “spent out” and desperate.  Her condition pictures our lost condition – our “sin condition”. We are sick (spiritually), we have suffered (the way of the transgressor is hard) and we’ve spent all (we’ve tried to relieve our burden ourselves – to no avail).  But when the woman heard of Jesus passing by, she “made her move”.  She worked her way through the crowd, reached out and to