Purpose

 Purpose

June 29, 2026

Acts 13:36

36 For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep, and was laid among his fathers and underwent decay;

2 Timothy 1:8-9

8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner,but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, 9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity,

The lesson this week at our church was “Confident in God’s Purpose for Your Life”. That got me to thinking about purpose. This is a topic dear to my heart ever since we wired with Pastor John, who taught on purpose extensively and wrote several books on purpose. One of his first books was “I Wrote this Book on Purpose so You Can Find Yours”. Anyway, it has become part of my purpose to help other people find their purpose in God.

I was blessed to know my purpose in life early. I can’t recall the details of how this occurred. It was not like a audible voice or such, but at an early age I knew that God intended me to become a scientist, musician and minister. It took me awhile to figure our exactly what that meant, but I pursued learning about those three areas from my youth. I started piano lessons when I was eight and have participated in music and worship for all of my life since then. From grade school on, I read science books and magazines and studied various aspects of science and mathematics. When I went to college I majored in Physics and eventually went to graduate school for physics and bio-physics. The ministry purpose took a little longer to develop. I read the Bible when I was young and went through confirmation class in the Methodist church when I was about ten, but I drifter away from the faith in college. It was not until I was a senior in college that I had an encounter with the Lord and gave my heart to Jesus. The next year when I moved to Pittsburgh to attend graduate school, I learned about the Holy Spirit and received the baptism in the Holy Spirit. A couple of years after that, I joined Pastor Joseph’s church and started discipleship training, but it was many years after that that I was ordained as a minister and elder.

In the end, we all hope for a word, like was spoken about King David in Acts 13. He “served God’s purpose in his own generation”. I will leave it to others to judge how completely I have served God’s purpose in my life. I think I have accomplished some good in all three aspects of my calling, but then I am not done yet! It is my hope that I will be able to worship Him, study and teach His word and help others understand their purpose until my time is complete. 

Therefore, I encourage you to find your purpose in God. I would encourage you, like Paul encouraged Timothy, to seek your holy calling, according to HIs purpose and grace in your life. This is the way that you can contribute in your own unique way to God’s purposes for the world and enter into His eternal kingdom.

Be Ready…

 2 Timothy 4:1-5 (NKJV) 1 I charge [you] therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: 2 Preach the word! Be ready in season [and] out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, [because] they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn [their] ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

All Scripture

 All Scripture 

June 27, 2026

2 Timothy 3:14-15 (NKJV) 

14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of,knowing from whom you have learned [them,] 15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NKJV) 

16 All Scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, forreproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Paul’s admonition to Timothy is good advise to everyone who wishes to lead a successful Christian life. “Continue in the things you have learned.” “All scripture is given by inspiration of God…”. Studying the scriptures and doing what they teach will make the man of God complete and “thoroughly equipped for every good work.” What better advise could be given to a young man? I don’t have much to add to that except to testify that this has been proven true in my life. Walk in the Word of God and you will be blessed.

Success

 Success

June 26, 2026

2 Timothy 2:1-2 (NKJV) 

1 You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

There are men who are successful at doing great things, and then there are even greater men who not only accomplish great things,  but teach others to follow in their footsteps and do even greater things. Jesus Himself taught this principle  to His disciples.

John 14:12-14 (NKJV) 

12 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will doalso; and greater [works] than these he will do, because I go to My Father. 13 “And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 “If you ask anything in My name, I will do [it.]

This seems to be a hard lesson for men to learn. In the working world, you often see men who are good at their job, but who guard their trade secrets jealously and do not pass on their knowledge to others. When it is time for them to move on, the business suffers because there is no one ready to take on their job. I’ve seen this time and again in my working life. There seems to be some innate fear in man that they will be replaced if they teach another, but the truth is that will be much more successful if there are others trained to do what they do. It’s sad to see this. I’ve even seen cases where someone had to be pulled out of retirement because some major equipment had been shut down and no-one currently working knew how to get it started up again. So the lesson is to apply yourself diligently, but make sure that there is someone following yiu who can do your job, and greater works as well. That’s the way that Jesus did it.

Latter Rain

 Latter Rain

June 25, 2026

Joel 2:23 (NKJV) 

Be glad then, you children of Zion, And rejoice in the LORD your God; For He hasgiven you the former rain faithfully, And He will cause the rain to come down for you-- The former rain, And the latter rain in the first [month.]

Joel 2:28-29 (NKJV) 

28 “And it shall come to pass afterward That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Yoursons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions. 29 And also on [My] menservants and on [My] maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days.

2 Timothy 1:6-7 (NKJV) 

6 Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the layingon of my hands. 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

Through the prophet Joel, the Lord promised to bless His people with the former rain and the latter rain. I understand that to mean the former rain of the law and the prophets and the latter rain of the Spirit that was first poured out on the day of Pentecost. Therefore we have the blessings of God, but Paul urged Timothy to stir up the gift. One outpouring is not enough, we need to constantly stir up the gift, remembering daily what the Lord has done. This is an age of dreams and visions. But we need to be mindful of the Lords gifts and seek Him daily. The world needs to be refreshed by the latter rain of the Word and the Spirit,  but the Lord needs us to be faithful to stir up that gift and to do His Word, 

Riches

 Riches

June 24, 2026

1 Timothy 6:6-10 (NKJV) 

6 Now godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into [this] world, [and it is] certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. 9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and [into] many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is a root of all [kinds of] evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

1 Timothy 6:17-19 (NKJV) 

17 Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. 18 [Let them] do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, 19 storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

What does the Bible say about money? Quite a lot, actually. And this particular scripture gets misquoted a lot. It’s not saying that money is evil, only the love of money . It’s your attitude that causes trouble. It says that greed has caused many sorrows.

So what should the rich Christian do? And by world and historical standards, all Americans are rich. Again, the Bible addresses the attitude. Do not be haughty and do not put your trust in riches. It says to do good and be rich in good works. Properly handled, money can do a lot of good for the kingdom of God.

 I’m reminded of the story of one of our associates who runs a Bible school in India. He was able to start the school and build the first buildings through the generosity of a rich widow. Her husband had left her a considerable fortune and her attitude was to us it to expand the kingdom of God. She was not even a member of the same denomination but was only concerned that the gospel be spread to India. Hundreds of pastors and christian workers are preaching the Word in India today because of her attitude towards riches. So let us be like her and use the things that the Lord has blessed us with to bless others. Be rich in good works, ready to give and to share.

Renewed Mindmin

 Renewed Mind

June 18, 2026

Romans12:1-2

1 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

We’ve been talking about the fleshly mind and the spiritual mind, but can wejust arbitrarily decide on one or the other or does something have to happen to change our mind? The apostle Paul says that a transformation is needed. A renewing of your mind. This is a part of what Jesus meant when he told Nicodemus “you must be born again. Part of that New birth is a renewed mind. But Paul further explains that to fully enter into this change, we must present our bodies as a living sacrifice . A sacrifice implies death, so this is a seeming contradiction. Only in Jesus can we kill our mind and renew our mind at the same time. So dedicate yourself anew today, and let Jesus renew your mind. The promised benefit is that you will be able to prove what the will of God is. What an advantage we have over carnal men who wander about never knowing the true way they should go. We have a Lord and a Guide and a transformed mind that lets Us communicate with the Lord high God so we can follow the way confidently. Thank you Jesus for a transformed life and a renewed mind.

Set Your Mind

 Set Your Mind

June 17, 2026

Colossians 3:1-3 (NKJV) 

1 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

Colossians 3:14-17 (NKJV) 

14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, [do] all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

In today’s scripture, the Apostle Paul returns to the theme from Philippians, namely putting on the mind of Christ. “Set your mind on things above…” We become what we dwell on. One lesson my father taught me was to set a vision and drive straight towards it. He did this in a practical way by teaching me to plow a field by picking out a fence post at the far end of the field, and making a straight furrow towards it. I would tend to get distracted by things close by and fidget and let the tractor swerve. Only by keeping your mind set firmly on the goal could I keep in a straight row. That principle extends to the spiritual. When we set our mind on things above we set a course for our life that drives straight to peace, love and thankfulness. Rejoicing along the way also helps keep our focus on our goal. So whatever is in your life today such as problems that try to distract you, keep your eyes on Jesus and set a course and stick to it. 

______________________

Philippians 2:5-7 (NKJV) 

5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form ofGod, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, [and] coming in the likeness of men.

Philippians 3:1 (NKJV) 

Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things to you [is]not tedious, but for you [it is] safe.

Philippians 3:15-16 (NKJV) 

15 Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you thinkotherwise, God will reveal even this to you. 16 Nevertheless, to [the degree] that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind.

The Fleshky Mind

 The Fleshly Mind

June 16, 2026

Colossians 2:16-19 (NKJV) 

16 So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moonor sabbaths, 17 which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ. 18 Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in [false] humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 19 and not holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase [that is] from God.

In today’s scripture, we see the contrast to the mind of Christ, which is the fleshly mind. Instead of having the humble attitude of Christ, the fleshly mind expresses a false humility. This is a religious attitude that majors on rules and regulations and the worship of created things instead of rejoicing in the Lord. This leads to an appearance of godliness but does not lead to true life and peace. 

In our day we see this in the zealous pushing of fad diets such as the vegan lifestyle and the pursuit of hidden knowledge about aliens and unidentified phenomena. One of the recent movie releases, “Disclosure Day”, is said to be an attack on Christianity by proposing the revelation of secret knowledge about extraterrestrials, which contradicts biblical knowledge. There is no end of ways that man has invented for ways to create religious experiences that avoid worshiping the true God. Man is made to worship, and if he rejects the true God, he will find something else to worship. The fleshy mind will find a way invent some way to create order for its life. Whether it is a dedication to football or some other obsession. 

In contrast, the mind of Christ leads us to hold fast to the head and to live together as the body of Christ. This is the way of contentment and peace. So hold fast, and pursue the mind of Christ and reject the ways of the world and the freshly mind.

Attitude of Gratitude

 Attitude of Gratitude 

June 15, 2026

Philippians 4:6 (NKJV) 

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;

Ephesians 5:20 (NKJV) 

giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Having the mind of Christ involves adopting several attitudes. One of these is gratitude. We once had a pastor that printed signs that said “Attitude of Gratitude”, and had us tape it to our bathroom mirror where we would see it first thing every morning. I don’t remember how long that sign stayed there. That house has been sold and that pastor has moved on to his eternal reward, but the lesson remains. If you want to live with the mind of Christ, start your day with an attitude of gratitude. 

This has always been difficult for me. I spent my working life looking for faults in paper making equipment that could be fixed, and investigating inefficiencies that could be improved. That is an attitude of continuous improvement, which leads to increasing productivity, but does not foster a sense of gratitude for what you have. In order to give thanks for all things, you have to be grateful for what you have now, being confident that God will supply anything that is lacking.

So endeavor to give thanks always for all things and make your requests known to God with thanksgiving. Such an attitude will lead you to have the mind of Christ and drawn you closer to the Lord. Shalom.

 

Peace of Mind

Peace of Mind

June 14, 2026

Philippians 4:4-7 (NKJV) 

4Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord [is] at hand. 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:8-9 (NKJV) 

8Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things [are] noble, whatever things [are] just, whatever things [are] pure, whatever things [are] lovely, whatever things [are] of good report, if [there is] any virtue and if [there is] anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

The last couple of days we have been talking about the mind of Christ and having a mature mind. The apostle wraps up his letter with advice on how to obtain peace of mind. Practicing the following will help you live a peaceful, unworried life:

• Rejoice always
• Don’t be anxious
• Pray about everything
• Be thankful
• Meditate on pure thoughts

And the result will be a life lived with the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding.

What else can I say? That’s a good list to start meditating on in order to start you on a road of living with peace of mind. Shalom. Shalom.

Mature Mind

 Mature Mind

June 13, 2926

Philippians 3:12-16 (NKJV) 

12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that Imay lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing [I do,] forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. 16 Nevertheless, to [the degree] that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind.

Yesterday, we talked about having the mind of Christ. Today’s scripture talks about being of a mature mind. By that, the apostle means that we should have an attitude which does not think too highly of ourselves, but persists in pressing on. Being mature means that we don’t think we have arrived, but continue to learn and progress in the Word of God. In the world, we come to an age when we retire and sit back and rest from our labors, but in the Lord we don’t retire; we keep on reaching for the prize. As one old saint put it, “I’m not retired, I’m re-fired!”  So whatever your age, keep on reaching forward and pursue the call of God. Be of the same mind as the Apostle Paul, and keep on walking.

The Mind of Christ

 Mind of Christ

June 12, 2026

Philippians 2:5-11 (NKJV) 

5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form ofGod, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, [and] coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to [the point of] death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and [that] every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ [is] Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2:5 (NASB)

5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,

When you look at the news this week, it is readily apparent that one thing missing from our modern society is the mind of Christ. Jesus had an attitude of humility by which he made himself of no reputation. He didn’t defend himself from insults and disrespected by lashing out with violence. The attitude that it is ok to murder someone because you are disrespected is tearing our society apart. Our young people need Jesus! 

Modern philosophers and social influencers criticize Christianity as being out of step with modern times, but it is the teaching of Jesus that serves as the foundation of civil society. The American republic was founded on the teachings of the Bible, and our laws reflect the justice taught from Moses to Jesus. Without the philosophical underpinnings of the Bible, society is returning to a cruel, pagan past. Before America, all nations were governed by kings or tyrants, and the ideas of liberty and equality were unknown outside of a few periods when the king was a follower of Christ and ruled from a biblical perspective. The American constitution was the first to codify the ideas of liberty, equality and justice as taught by the Bible. When we deviate from this standard, society deteriorates, and injustice and cruelty abounds. Let us have the mind of Christ and teach our children the way of humility and love for one another, so that America can once again be great. As the French historian De Tocqueville put it, “America is great because she is good. If she ceases to be great, she will cease to be good.” So as we celebrate 250 of American liberty, let us remember the teaching of Jesus and humble ourselves and and teach our children the way of love.