Moving Time

I am moving my blog to mkwalters.blogspot.com.  You can find new content there.

In Christ

Pastor Mike

A Nation of Slackers

America is a nation of slackers. Too many young men refuse to grow up, get jobs, marry and be responsible fathers. Instead, they spend their hours watching movies and playing video games.

Proverbs has a lot to say about the slacker. (Read these). He is lazy, sleeps too much, refuses to work, makes excuses, can’t be trusted and will ultimately come to poverty and death. Yet, he thinks he is wise! (Proverbs 26:16)

Now you may be thinking, praise God – I’m not a slacker! But, we all need to pause and think. We may not lounge the day away, but many of us make excuses and avoid our God-given responsibilities. Sometimes, we may even excuse our responsibilities by pursuing other less important priorities.

Please take a moment to consider what roles and responsibilities God has given you.

• Husbands, are you tending your family as carefully as your career – or are you slacking?
• Wives, are you busy at home or are you eating the bread of idleness?
• Young men and women, are you working hard to learn the skills and build the character that will make you a successful husband or wife?
• Christian, are you spending time with God, or are you rolling over in bed?

The fate of the slacker is not pretty (Proverbs 21:25, 24:30-34). Don’t ignore your responsibilities. Remember that God blesses those who work hard (Proverbs 10:4, 12:24). Then, get out there and do what God has called you to do!

In Christ

Pastor Mike Walters

Self-Control

Self-control is not a topic we like to think about. But it is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23). It is also a topic that is important throughout the Proverbs.

God wants us to be self-disciplined in what, and how much, we eat; in how often we visit our neighbor and in how we deal with our temper. Personally, I find Proverbs 25:16, 27 particularly challenging. It is no so hard to stay away from honey, but if you put Ice Cream, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, M&M’s or pretty much any form of chocolate in the place of honey – the verse becomes very personal. The Scriptures are clear – carefully moderating our desserts (honey) is a good thing.

Proverbs 28 has more to say about greed, which is another form of lack of self-control.  We are greedy when we want more than we need or things others have and we do not.  Greed will lead to punishment (28:20), the sin of partiality (28:21), poverty (28:22), conflict (28:25) and curses (28:27).

Beloved, our American lifestyle promotes greed, discontent and lack of self-control. We need to pay attention to God’s warnings. It is not bad to find honey (desert) or other forms of wealth. We should receive them with thanksgiving. But we must also use God’s good gifts in moderation.

In Christ

Pastor Mike

P.S. I apologize for the font changes within the post.  I’m having some trouble transfering from word to wordpress.

Reading and Memorizing God’s Word

I’m back! I am planning to restart my blog. My primary goal is to equip members of my church (and anyone who cares to follow along) in their personal Bible reading and Scripture memorization. I may also resume posting occasional quotes, book reviews and reflections from my own studies.

My church is following a Bible Reading Plan developed by Tim Chester for the Edge Network. You can find it here. We are following the schedule for year three. This plan will take you through the Old Testament once and the New Testament twice over three years. If you want to learn more about it you can read this article.

Our Scripture Memory program is following the Fighter Verses program developed by Bethlehem Baptist Church. I suggest following the 7 by 7 memorization and review plan. The “Fighter Verses” sight also has some excellent devotional and background material for each week’s verse.

Weekly Bible Reading: Proverbs 25-31

Weekly Memory Verse: Psalm 34:17-18

Suggestions for this week’s reading:

1. You can read a chapter of Proverbs a day. If you do this I would suggest trying to read each chapter twice. During your first reading look for the themes this chapter emphasizes. During your second reading, pick one major them and write down what the Proverbs teach about that theme.

2. You can read all of Proverbs 25-31 each day. This takes about 15-20 minutes. As you do pick a theme each day and see how it is developed. For example you might focus on what the Proverbs teach about kings, fools, slackers, or self-discipline.

3. Simply read at your own pace and write down themes and ideas that “jump out” at you. Spend some time thinking about why this proverb was important and how it applies to your life.

My goal this week will be to post some reflections on themes that span all of Proverbs 25-31.

In Christ

Pastor Mike

Last Post

As you may have noticed, I have not been posting for quite awhile.  I have no plans to resume.

I will leave the content that is here up.  I will also continue to post the Eric Liddell suggested readings on my church website.  You can find them here.

May the Lord bless you and keep you as you grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ.

In Christ

Pastor Mike Walters

Eric Liddell’s Devotions for May

Here is the link to Eric Liddell’s devotional list for May.

Men of Conviction

Here’s a quote from Steve Lawson regarding men of conviction that I found challenging and encouraging:

Strong men always proclaim a strong message. They do not read the polls and check the surveys before they give their opinions. In fact, they do not even have opinions–they have convictions. They bleed convictions. They are strong men anchored in the strong Word of God, and, as such, they bring a message with gravitas and punch. When they stand to speak, they actually have something to say–and they say it, whether anyone listens or not. When they sit to write, they do not skirt the issues–they tackle them. When they address the times in which they live, they do not tickle ears–they box them. They do not have one message for one group and a different message for a different group. Whenever they go and whomever they address, they have only one message–God’s message. That is what makes them strong men. They speak God’s Word, or they do not speak at all.

Source: Steven Lawson, Foundations of Grace, Vol. 1, p.103

Thirsting for God

David had a deep longing for God.  In Psalm 42 he describes the longing as that of a thirsty deer.  Yet,David’s longing was frustrated.  He was in exile and couldn’t worship with God’s people at God’s house (42:4).  He was discouraged and in despair.  But, he refused to stay there.Instead of letting his circumstances rule him, David turned to God in faith.  He reminded himself to “hope in God” (5,11).  He reminded himself that God would deliver Him.  God’s lovingkindness will not fail.  He would praise Him again.

Read Psalm 42 today.  Ask yourself, do I have this type of passion for God?  Am I disturbed when I can’t be with God’s people in God’s house?  When I am discouraged, do I turn to God, or to something else?

May give you a thirst that can only be satisfied in Him.

In Christ

Pastor Mike

Psalm 38

In Psalm 38 we find both the personal cost of sin and the solution.  We don’t know the specific sin, but we know that David is suffering greatly.  He feels the weight of God’s anger (38:2).  His health is affected (38:3).  He feels isolated even from friends and loved ones (38:11).  His enemies are rising up against him (38:12).  Make no mistake, there is a cost to sin.  It may offer pleasure for a time, but the pain that follows far overshadows any passing pleasure.

But, David also gives a wonderful example of how to hope in God after we have sinned. First, he appeals to God’s mercy.  He asks God not to rebuke and chasten Him in anger (38:1).  Next, he remembers that his hope is completely in God (38:15).  He doesn’t need to fight his opponents, listen to their attacks or defend himself.  Instead, he does what all of us must do.  He confesses his iniquity (38:18).  He doesn’t try to hide it.  He takes it to God and asks God to help him and save him (38:22). 

How do you handle your sin?  Do you simply try to hide it and go on with life?  Or, do you follow the example of David and seek God’s mercy and salvation through humble, trusting confession?

Bible Reading: Numbers 3, Psalm 38, Song of Solomon 2, Hebrews 2

Living in the Last Days

In 2 Timothy 3 Paul reminds Timothy that the last days will not be pleasant.  The last days is a broad term that can (and in this context does) encompass the entire period from Jesus’ first coming to His second coming.  Paul makes it clear that things are not going to get better before the return of Jesus.  In fact, they will probably get worse.  Men will be marked by selfishness, rebellion, hate and treachery.  Interestingly, they will make claims to godliness (2 Tim 3:5), but really be lovers of pleasure (3:4).  Paul’s description certainly matches life in America today.  We should not be surprised by what we see in our culture and unfortunately even in the church, the Bible predicts it.

How it Timothy to respond to this?  How are we to respond?  First, we are to avoid these men.  When men profess to know God, but deny Him by their deeds, we are to avoid them.    They are like an infectious disease.  Paul is confident that these men will be exposed in time. Second, we are to continue in godliness and the Scripture.  It is the Scripture that will bring wisdom, salvation and equip us for every good work.  We may suffer and be persecuted, but we will be found faithful if we remain rooted in the Scripture in the midst of a decaying culture and church. 

Bible Reading: Leviticus 24, Psalm 31, Ecclesiastes 7, 2 Timothy 3