The Pastor's Pocket

   We all know about Paul’s “thorn in the flesh”. He perceived it as something that kept him from being exalted above measure (2 Corinthians 12:7). I guess none of us would consider the thorns to be the nicest part of a rose. However, I read once of a blind preacher in Scotland who wrote in his journal this prayer: “O God–I must thank thee for my thorn! Teach me the glory of my cross, my thorn. Show me that I climb to Thee on the path of pain and that my tears have made my rainbow”. It is a step toward Christian maturity when we can truly be thankful for the crosses we have to bear and the thorns we have to endure. “In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you" (I Thessalonians 5:18).  Let your tears supply the moisture for your own rainbow and allow your personal pain to take you closer to God. The Pastor’s Pocket Pastor Bruce Freeman

   I John 5:3 says that God’s “commandments are not grievous”. In other words, they are not difficult to obey for those who love the Lord. Christianity is not just dos and don’ts. However, they are in the Bible for our benefit. God knows that certain boundaries are needed for our well-being. Moral, physical, and spiritual boundaries are given so that we might live full and abundant lives. The truth is, when we put God first, we are happier. When we follow the restrictions found in God’s Word, the quality of our lives is much better overall. The Book of Proverbs is filled with wisdom ready to be harvested. It also is full of dos and don’ts. For example: don’t envy the wicked (24:1). Don’t try to get even with people (24:29). Don’t boast of tomorrow (27:1). Don’t brag or praise yourself (27:2). Do fear the Lord (24:21). Do love your enemy (25:21). Do discipline your children (29:17). Proverbs contains a host of other instructions that indicate your wisdom if you follow them and your fool

  All throughout the Bible we see the benefits of a “team effort”. Two or more joining forces in the cause of Christ. In Acts 16, Paul and Silas prayed and sang together from prison confinement, and God showed them supernatural favor. In Acts 3, it was Peter and John going into the temple to pray together. They witnessed a miracle for a lame man.  In James 5:15, we are instructed to confess our faults to one another and to pray one for another, that we may be healed.  Psalm 133 speaks of the beauty of harmony between two or more. It seems God has in His marvelous plan, designed blessing and victory in partnership. Two or more joining forces in ministry and in life. Perhaps this is one reason God designed the church. He knew we would need each other for encouragement, for fellowship, for motivation and inspiration. Have you neglected your church connection and participation with other believers? Remember, there is victory through partnership. Join with those God has placed in your life.

  The close of another year suggests a time for review. Self-evaluation, self-examination, is encouraged in scripture (2 Corinthians 13:5). All successful businesses and organizations do inventory from time to time. Why not do some personal inventory as another year comes to a close.  Let me offer some soul-searching questions you might want to ask yourself today as you look back on 2016: Did I love enough? Did I love my Lord and Savior enough? Did I love the members of my family enough? Did I love those around me that need Jesus? Did I care enough? Did I care about the needs of others enough? Did I care about my church enough? Did I forgive enough? Did I forgive those who hurt me, wounded me, or offended me? Did I learn enough? Did I take advantage of opportunities to grow in grace, wisdom and understanding of the Word of God? Did I learn anything in 2012? Did I share enough? Did I share the resources God put in my possession? Did I sow enough financially in places it would make a dif

   Whatever Your Need–God Can Meet It! We can all use some good news in today’s climate of bad news everywhere. Troubled souls are all around us; burdened down with cares, troubles and heartache. The gospel is “good news”. The Bible has the answers to all of our needs. Jesus said, “Come unto me, all ye that are heavy laden (burdened down, weighted down with care) and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). Whatever the need, God has a solution. To the troubled–He offers help To the weary–He offers rest To the hopeless–He offers a way out To the weak–He offers strength To the confused–He offers truth To the lost–He offers salvation To the brokenhearted–He offers love and acceptance To the fearful–He offers peace To the stressed–He offers comfort To the lonely–He offers His presence To the suffering–He offers His grace To the sinful–He offers forgiveness To the backslidden–He offers restoration To the dying–He provides a promise (Psalm 23:4 ...for thou are with me”) So cry out to the Lord

   Jesus was the master of illustration. Remember the parable of the seed and the sower (Mark 4:1-20)? The seed is the Word of God and it is sown into various kinds of soil (different kinds of people). In verse 19 the Lord says the cares of this world (among other things) choke the Word and it becomes unfruitful. Let’s face it–a lot of people are “choking” from poor decisions, misplaced priorities, pleasure, and the desire for more stuff. The Word of God is pushed to the back burner in their life. They are unfruitful in God’s Kingdome because they are not really serious about their spiritual growth. Have you ever choked on a piece of food? You swallowed wrong as you ate something and you coughed really hard for a while. It’s no laughing matter. In fact, it can be life threatening. In the spiritual realm, it is no laughing matter either when your relationship with God gets choked out by the cares of life. I’ve never seen anyone choke on too much Word, but I have seen people choke on too

All of us will open gifts today. I’m sure we will get some nice things, but the Christmas gift from God is not some-thing, it’s some-One – Jesus. Paul describes it as God’s “unspeakable gift” (2 Corinthians 9:15).  Some things about this gift: It’s very expensive - the best heaven had to offer. It’s a gift everyone needs (Romans 3:23). It’s a gift everyone can have (Romans 10:13). It’s a personal gift. It wasn’t wrapped in paper and bows but in swaddling clothes. It comes with a lifetime guarantee (guaranteed to bring joy and peace to your soul).  You’ll never need to exchange this gift. It truly is the “gift that keeps on giving”. Have you opened it friend? You open it by faith. Don’t let this Christmas go by without having opened the most precious gift ever offered. The Pastor's Pocket Pastor Bruce Freeman