For the past 6 or 8 weeks, a number of us have felt an increased spiritual attack on the church. Over the years we’ve become more familiar with these attacks, and whenever this happens I always watch closely for the signs, the evidence, of what scheme the enemy may be employing to bring spiritual damage to those in the body, and to the church here in our town (see 2Cor 2:11).

It didn’t take long to see the effects of the enemy’s work this time around. Suddenly, we have a rash of ‘offenses’ in the church. The ones I’m aware of indicate an abnormal amount of trouble in this area, and I’m sure there are others I’m not aware of. Often, those involved in these types of offenses are not even aware of the spiritual warfare aspects of what they’re dealing with.

One person becomes the offender. Often, they have offended unintentionally, but even if they do know, they can easily explain or justify their actions, often using the Bible to do so. And then, there’s the other person, the one who feels offended. This person is usually certain that they have a good right to be hurt and upset.

Most often, what happens is this; the offender just goes on about their business, usually unaware that they have caused any offense. But the offended lives with the offense. It begins to simmer, then boil. The roots of the offense go deeper with each passing week. Until suddenly, the enemy scores a victory. The offended person usually leaves the church, sometimes doing additional damage on the way out by sharing their feelings with others. They usually leave feeling very justified. After all, they were offended, they were hurt. And the person who hurt them doesn’t even seem to care (the truth is, most often the person who hurt them doesn’t even know).

And here’s what usually happens next; the person who caused the offense continues to cause similar offenses in the church, generally because they are unaware that they are offending. And the person who left offended, is often the enemy’s prize, his victory. The offended person will simmer in that offense for a long time. And then they’ll have to let it out, so they’ll tell their side of the story to others, expanding the spiritual damage fallout from the event. In both cases – both with the offender remaining in the church unaware, and the offended leaving the church . . . in both cases, the enemy wins.

In the history section of the Old Testament there is buried a literary gem called the book of Ruth. Long touted as a writing masterpiece, the book of Ruth includes all the makings of a great and timeless love story. You can read through it at lunch, but it can take a lifetime to grasp the depths of its lessons.

Most commonly, when reading the book, our focus is drawn to how God cares for two widows named Naomi and Ruth. We see God’s hand in Ruth’s faithfulness, in the widows returning to Israel, in Ruth’s godly romance, and in her eventual place in the bloodline of the Messiah. But, as you read it, be sure to slow down enough to consider the first character mentioned. His name is Elimelech, he’s first referred to simply as, “a man of Bethlehem.” Elimelech had a real “grass is greener” complex, and he gets credit for starting all the trouble that we see God work through for the rest of the book. His “grass is greener” decision sets the black back-drop on which the vibrant threads of the book are sewn.

The first verse of the book of Ruth starts out, “In the days when the judges ruled there was a famine in the land.” That is a very telling sentence. The days of the judges were very dark spiritual days for Israel. Twice in the book of judges the writer tries to describe the spiritual condition of the nation with these words, “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” Israel was spiritually drifting aimlessly, further and further away from God. Unfortunately, God had told the nation that if they turned away from Him that he would bring a famine to help turn them back to Him. They had turned away, and God had brought the famine. Bethlehem, whose name means “House of Bread”, was now an empty bread basket, and Elimelech had a decision to make.

Warren Weirsbe says this about trials in our lives, “When trouble comes into our lives, we can do one of three things: endure it, escape it, or enlist it.” Elimelech could have enlisted this trial for his good. He could have recognized his need to turn back to God and done so. God had put Elimelech and his family in Bethlehem. God had a plan and a purpose for them there, and Elimelech could have stayed and allowed God to use this trial for good in his family’s life. Or, at the very least, Elimelech could have just hunkered down and endured the trial. This may not be the best use of a trial, but Elimelech knew he was where God had put him, and so he could have just held on and trusted God to bring him through the difficulty.

Instead, Elimelech chose the escape hatch, the back door, the easy way out. Moab was not too far away, and there was no famine there. He knew the grass was greener there. And he was right, the grass was greener. But does that mean Elimelech should be there? Moab was an enemy of Israel, they had oppressed Israel and drawn them away from God and into idol worship. It was an adversarial environment with no support structure for Elimelech and his family. But, the grass was greener. So, Elimelech pulled up stakes, took his wife and two sons, and headed for greener pastures.

Ruth 1:2-3 says, “. . . They went into the country of Moab and remained there. But Elimelech, the husband of Naomi, died, and she was left with her two sons.” Now, I’m not saying death is the normal consequence for chasing the “grass is greener” syndrome, but I do believe this makes a pretty strong point. And the point isn’t finished being made yet. Ruth 1:5 says, and both [her sons] died, so that the woman was left without her two sons and her husband. Okay, now I think the point is made.

Guys, if we are in a place where God has put us, we need to be very careful about running off to where the grass is greener. It may very well be greener, but does that mean you should be there? If you are where God has put you (and that may need some reflection of its own), then you have three options when trials and difficulties come your way; First, you can enlist them. Meaning, you can look for how God wants to bring good out of this difficulty (see Rom 8:28). Next, you can just endure them. But, a word of warning here, just hunkering down and enduring trials tends to make us hard and bitter, so be careful. Or, you have that third option; you can try to escape your trials. You can jump ship, throw in the towel, hit the eject button, head for greener pastures.

But know this, very often, when we choose the escape route, we miss the good that God had planned to bring through that difficulty. We circumvent what God wanted to do for our good. When we do that, I assure you, God’s plan is not derailed, as the book of Ruth attests. God is still at work. His plan will still come to pass. But we miss out on the good that God wanted to bring, right through that trial, for us. So, if we are where God has put us, let’s beware of the “grass is greener” syndrome.

You can receive Pastor Dave’s teaching on the book of Ruth, one CD a week in the mail, at no cost. Just sign up at www.wordbymail.com.

Often, our spiritual enemy capitalizes on people being disgruntled in the church. They may be upset about any number of things, but almost always, when someone begins causing conflict in the church, they are definitely disgruntled about something, although they seldom admit what they are truly upset about. Instead, they turn their anger on the church, and specifically on the pastor, usually making unfounded accusations. Our spiritual enemy can easily turn their disgruntled-ness into division and dissention in the body of Christ.

Please, be careful listening to people who are disgruntled and upset. You will never hear both sides of the story, and listening to people who are sowing division and dissention into the church is a matter of high spiritual battle. Please protect yourself from this. If you do listen, or if you are caught off guard and have this divisive talk forced on you, please be careful not to blindly accept anything a disgruntled person says without first talking to a pastor about it.

Prov 18:17 says “The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him.”

Phil 1:27 clearly spells out conduct that is worthy of the gospel of Christ. We are to stand fast in one spirit, with one mind, striving side by side for the faith of the gospel. And if we understand the importance of Christ’s prayer in John 17, then we will understand the eternal significance of our unity. Jesus put so much importance on our unity that He said it would be a sign to the world for them to believe in Him.

Here are some additional scriptures that pertain to this subject;

1Cor 1:10 – I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.

Rom 16:17-18 – I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. 18 For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.

Titus 3:10-11 - 10 As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, 11 knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.

Prov 26:20-21 - 20 For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases. 21 As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.

Prov 6:16-19 - 16 There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: 17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18 a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, 19 a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.

2 Timothy 2:23–26 (NLT) — 23 Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. 24 A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. 25 Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth. 26 Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants.

1 Timothy 6:20–21 (NLT) — 20 . . . Avoid godless, foolish discussions with those who oppose you with their so-called knowledge. 21 Some people have wandered from the faith by following such foolishness . . .

Acts 20:29–30 (NLT) — 29 I know that false teachers, like vicious wolves, will come in among you after I leave, not sparing the flock. 30 Even some men from your own group will rise up and distort the truth in order to draw a following.

Please protect yourself in this area. If you are hearing from those who are disgruntled over something, please call your pastor and talk openly and honestly about what you have heard.

Division and dissention that starts with gossip and slander brings destruction into the body of Christ. That’s all it does – nothing else. May we be strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and long-suffering with joy (Col 1:11).

From my heart,

Pastor Dave

At the end of the Apostle Paul’s third missionary journey in Acts 21-23, Paul faces a very strange and difficult time. He had been told over and over “Do not go to Jerusalem” and since the moment he arrived, it has been a total train wreck. Paul first gave the Jerusalem church a large offering, but instead of appreciation they immediately started accusing him of wrong-doing. So Paul tries to make peace by joining a Jewish ritual, but a mob tries to kill him in the process, and the Roman soldiers have to save him from his own people. He then asks to speak to them one last time, which goes terribly bad, and the Roman Commander has to save him again. Then the Roman Commander himself decides to have Paul tortured, from which he barely escapes. Next, he is put in front of the Jewish ruling council, which goes so bad that the Roman Commander throws him in prison just to keep him safe.

Paul’s time in Jerusalem has been a total train wreck of a ministry operation. But there is a critical message in these difficult chapters for us; In the midst of failure after failure, with everything going as wrong as it possibly can, even then, God is at work behind the scenes. If you have given your life to God today, then he is at work behind the scenes, whether it looks like it or not.

After Paul’s string of failures, he is finally carried away by the Roman soldiers and thrown into prison. Alone and in the dark, Paul is physically, emotionally, and spiritually - spent, finished, done. Paul’s love for the Jewish people and his love for Jerusalem, lay in ashes at his feet. Right now Paul needs some serious encouragement. So the Lord himself, who has been at work behind the scenes the entire time, personally delivers the encouragement Paul needs. Acts 23:11 says; “The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “take courage . . . (esv).” The Lord Jesus stood by Paul’s side. That alone makes all the difference in the world. Paul was in the fire, and Jesus was there with him. just like the 3 Hebrew boys thrown into the fiery furnace in Daniel Ch 3. The king saw a fourth, divine figure, in the fire with them and the boys walked out not even smelling like smoke. This is the same Lord, in a similar fire with Paul, and the first thing Jesus says is; “Take courage.” I am with you, take courage.

Then Jesus tells Paul; Your ministry is not finished yet. Continuing in Acts 23:11, the Lord says; “ . . . for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.” Jesus is confirming Paul’s ministry efforts here in Jerusalem. He is letting Paul know; This has all been part of the plan. It doesn’t seem like a very good part, but it has been part of God’s plan. And God is not finished with Paul yet. God is sending Paul to Rome. At this point Paul knows - the Lord is with him and he is at work behind the scenes, right in the midst of all these difficulties. This confidence absolutely carried Paul on a very long and difficult journey to Rome. Through it all Paul knew he was going to make it there, because the Lord was with him, and Paul was headed right where God wanted him to go.

Isaiah 43:1–3 says; ". . . Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. 3 For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior . . . (esv).”

If you have given your life to Jesus Christ today, then he has redeemed you and called you by name. He is with you, and he is at work, maybe behind the scenes. But he has promised to finish the good work that he has started in you (Phil 1:6). Trust him. Meet him, right in the middle of the flood, right in the fire, right in the midst of uncertainty . . . he is there - look for him! All of Paul’s efforts in Jerusalem had failed miserably, but in Acts 23:11 the Lord confirms that he was still right in the middle of God’s will for his life. God was still at work, right on schedule, right in the midst of all those train wreck failures. Isn’t that good news for those of us who are following the Lord in the midst of our own failures? Take courage. God is at work, behind the scenes. The only question is: Will we trust him, and follow him, no matter what? If we will, then we will find that God was at work all along, behind the scenes.

If you like the way Pastor Dave writes, you can get his weekly sermons on CD mailed to you FREE. Simply request them at www.wordbymail.com

There are 117 different names for Jesus Christ in the Bible, each one a description of who he is, and what he desires to be in our lives.

The Prophet Isaiah said he would be called Immanuel, which means “God with us.” When the Angel spoke to Joseph he said, “You shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. The name Jesus means “God is salvation.” And, contrary to some popular belief, Christ is not Jesus’ last name. It is a title that means “The One come from God.”And in John chapter one Jesus is “The Word,” which, in the original language, means “The expression of God to us.”

When Jesus was baptized, the Father spoke from heaven in Mathew 3:17 saying “This is my Beloved Son.” And when John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him he said in John 1:29 “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”

Jesus’ most powerful display of who he really is came in just two English words. In John 8:58 he said simply “I AM.” Then Jesus went on to expand this all encompassing name throughout the book of John. He said “I am the Bread of life,” “I am the Light of the World,”“I am the Door,” “I am the Good Shepherd,” “I am the Resurrection,” I am the Way, the truth, and the life,” and finally “I am the True Vine.”

And then, there are the most personal names; In Hebrews 12:2 Jesus is “The author and finisher of our faith.” In 1Timothy 2:5 he is our “Mediator.” In 1John 2:1 he is our “Advocate.” In Isaiah 59:20, as the one who paid the full price to set us free, he is our “Redeemer.” And 24 times in the New Testament Jesus is called “Savior,” which means “One providing salvation.”

It took 117 names in the Bible to try to describe all of who Jesus Christ is. But the one that leads to eternal life is “My personal Savior.” I pray that is who he is to you. - - Pastor Dave

Don’t you just love “putting on” the decorations of Christmas?

We put the decorations on our tree, we put our favorite Christmas food on the stove, we put our lights on the house. Things begin to feel like Christmas when we start putting on all our Christmas decorations.

The decorations we put on for Christmas aren’t the essence of Christmas, they’re simply the evidence of Christmas. They’re more like reminders that Christmas is here. And you know we as Christians are to put on evidences as well. Kind of like putting on the decorations of Christmas; The evidences are not the essence, but they’re reminders that we possess the essence.

The essence of being a Christian is Christ living in us. And we are called to “put on” the evidence of that great truth. Col 3:12-14 says “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony (ESV).”

Jesus Christ Himself is the essence of our Christianity. But He’s given us “decorations” that point to Him being alive and well in our lives. Let’s adorn ourselves with these Christ-like decorations this Christmas season. When people see our Christmas decorations, they’ll know we’re celebrating Christmas. When they see us adorned with the attributes of Christ, they’ll know that Jesus is alive and well in our lives.

Let’s put Christ-like decorations on our lives, and let’s keep them there after the Christmas boxes go back in the attic. Praise the Lord.

Do we live with the commitment and confidence that we will never be ashamed of Jesus Christ? Do we have the freedom and the courage to bring glory to Christ in all that we do? Will our life honor Him no matter what, whether we live or die? These are the questions of ultimate satisfaction.

A Christian’s life is to be consumed with Christ. If we are living, we are living for Christ. We see His life in us, we see Him using us to produce eternal fruit, we’re satisfied to walk with Him every day, to commune with Him, to know we are His. And if we die, things are only going to get better. Because we gain the glory of eternity with Him.

In light of this, are we really conducting ourselves as citizens of heaven? Are we living in a manner worthy of representing Christ? Not in order to earn something from Him, but in response to who He has made us?

We've been given the great privilege of belonging to Christ, and not only the privilege of belonging to Him, but also the privilege of suffering for Him. We've been joined to Christ, and Christ’s victory came through suffering. We are eternally privileged to live for Him, and we are temporally privileged to suffer for Him.

Let’s be in the struggle together, strengthening one another in Christ. Holding one another up. Standing victorious together. And when the Lord of glory appears, all that He has for us, all that He’s made us, will become an instant reality.

Let’s live for Christ. It’s the ultimate satisfaction.

Pastor Dave