Crazy Morning

I'm sure that we've all had many of those crazy days.  Today was one for me. 

I don't mean to complain, as I am very blessed, but here's a brief run-down (with associated things to be thankful for):

1.  Last night - received message that our primary song leader was not feeling well and probably would not be at church in the morning. Praise:  Gerry gladly stepped up and filled in.

2.  This morning - piano player's daughter had in incident and we weren't sure if they would be at church this morning.  Praise: the girl is OK and the piano player made it to church. 

3.  This morning - just before walking over to church, my coffee mug broke as I was transferring the coffee to a travel mug, shattering a bowl and splashing coffee all over.  Praise:  My overcoat took the coffee rather than my suit - much easier to clean and I didn't even have to change my clothes. 

4.  This morning (probably during church) - the dog pooped in the basement. Praise:  it wasn't very messy and I didn't find out until after the service, so wasn't distracted by it.

5.  This morning (unsure when) - The cat spit up.  Praise: It was taken care of before I even knew. Again, was not distracted by it in the least ...

6.   This morning (during the service) - Praise songs didn't go all that well due to timing, familiarity (or lack thereof), and sound issues.  Praise:  It isn't about perfection. It's about worship of God (however feeble our efforts may be). 

7.   This afternoon - was planning to preach from 1 Peter tonight, but "wasn't feeling it."  Praise:  God redirected to a message following up on this morning's message.

A couple of thoughts from all this:

1.  I wonder how much of this was a matter of spiritual battle.  I'm sure that this morning's message was one the Devil did not like, as it called us all to not only listen to Jesus' teaching but to do it ... apply it ... obey. Praise God, though distracted earlier by many of these things, God brought clarity of thought. By His grace and empowerment, I believe His Word prevailed over the distractions!

2.  These frustrations and distractions are really quite minor. There are Christians throughout the world living in situations where they may very well die for their faith. It's a reminder of how petty these things, and many of our "problems" really are. Thank you God for the ability to gather with other Christians and worship freely this morning!

3.  Finally, there's the every dark cloud / silver lining thing. If / when we look for it, there is nearly always something to be thankful for and praise God for. It may take some looking. but it's important to try. 

So, when you have one of those crazy days (maybe tomorrow), remember these observations, as I will try to do myself. 

God is Good .... All The Time!!!

In His grip,

Pastor Tim Decker

On the Blog Again ... It's Been Far Too Long

It's been far too long since I've made a blog entry.
When I was writing a weekly devotional for the bulletins at Dayton Center Church, it was a weekly task and fairly automatic. But, now at Ensley Baptist Church, I've hardly done any writing, other than the three messages in the typical week - Sunday AM, Sunday PM, and Wednesday PM.
Yet, I'm going to give it another "go."

There are a variety of Bible reading plans that will take you through the Bible in a year. If you read "Our Daily Bread," whether in print or on-line, each devotional has a "The Bible in One Year" section with a daily reading. I hope that you don't just stop with the quick devotional, but make the time to read God's Word daily. I know it will be a challenge. Even as a pastor, it's a challenge. But, it's time well spent.

I am partial to the "Book-at-a-Time Bible Reading Plan." You can find it to print here: https://www.navigators.org/www_navigators_org/media/navigators/tools/Resources/DJ-Book-at-a-Time-Bible-reading-plan.pdf
Or, as I do, you can use the YouVersion app or www.Bible.com, and it will even read the passage to you.

As I was listening to today's passage (the opening chapters of Leviticus), I was struck by the sacrifices required even for unintentional sin. When people realized their sin, they were to make a sacrifice.

Leviticus 4:27-28 "If anyone of the common people sins unintentionally in doing any one of the things that by the LORD's commandments ought not to be done, and realizes his guilt, 28 or the sin which he has committed is made known to him, he shall bring for his offering a goat, a female without blemish, for his sin which he has committed. (ESV)

The offerings for leaders were different, but also required. The priests had to offer a bull (4:3). Other leaders had to offer a male goat (4:23).

That makes me wonder how much the people were afraid to sin - whether because of the cost of the sacrifice to them, or for more proper reason of sin being an offense against God.

And, here we are today ... when we sin, there are usually consequences to deal with. There is definitely a need to set it right with God and others (if it's a sin against them). But, unless there's restitution to be made, there's little cost.

Because Jesus fulfilled the Law and made the ultimate sacrifice at the cross, we don't have to follow the sacrificial system of the Law. For that, we should all be thankful.

There is always cost to sin, whether we realize it or not, but perhaps not like there was under the Law.

All this to say that we need to have a healthy fear and hatred of sin. While we don't have to bring an animal and see its blood shed because of our sin, we must remember that Christ's blood was already shed for our sin ... the Lamb of God, for sinners slain. What a high cost for our sin. May we never forget the price He paid, and may that be a powerful reminder when the moment of temptation is upon us!