Stand Still

Stand Still

Pastor Russell Henderson

Are you facing difficulty in your life?  Do you find yourself up against an obstacle, and you don’t know how to get past it?  Exodus 14:13-14 gives us some wonderful encouragement when faced with a tough situation.

Moses answered the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still." – Exodus 14:13-14 NIV

There are several points that I want to talk about.

1.    Do not be afraid. 

Moses had just been given permission by Pharoah to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, but Pharoah quickly changed his mind and began to pursue them.  As the Israelites reach the Dead Sea, they looked back and saw the Egyptian army chasing them.  The first thing God told Moses was “Do not be afraid”.  Genesis 15:1 tells us that God is our shield.  He is our protector and defender.  And He is our reward.  We are rewarded for our obedience in the tough times.  

2.    Stand firm and you will see the deliverance that I will bring you today.

In the midst of seemingly impossible odds, God said “Stand firm”.  In other words “Don’t move.” 

Why in the world would He instruct his people to stand still?  Because there are a few things that God knows but keeps from us.  He only asks for us to trust Him.  In 2 Chronicles 20 King Jehoshaphat was facing an enemy attack, and the Lord said, “I am with you.  I am holding you, and you will not have to fight this battle.  In the end, the battle was not won with swords but with songs.

3.    The enemy you see today, you will never see again.

What is the enemy you are up against?  Is it attacks from co-workers?  Is it financial problems?  Is it sickness and disease?  The Lord wants you to know that if you do not fear and stand firm on His promise, you will NEVER see this enemy again.  In Moses’ day the Egyptian army drowned in the sea, and Israel never had to deal with them again.

4.    I will fight for You.

Once again, the Lord promised that He would do the fighting if His people would just trust Him and obey everything that He commands.  Today it is the same.  All God asks is for us to trust Him to keep His promises, and obey whatever he asks us to do.  We must learn to obey not only his written word, but also His spoken word.  God promised Moses in verse 25 that everyone will know that it was God who did the fighting.  In 2 Chronicles 20 everyone began to fear God when they saw the miraculous Israelite victory.

5.    Just be still.

Finally, God told most “just be still”.  It is so hard to be still when everything is falling apart.  We try to find ways on our own to fix the problem.  But many times, God just wants us to be still and trust Him.

Isaiah 30:15 says: 

This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: "In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength…

There are four things that usher in deliverance.

1.     Repentance.   God can only work in a heart that is repentant.

2.     Rest:  This is the same as being still.  When we are at rest, we are not worried or anxious.  We are content in knowing that God is working.

3.     Quietness.  It is important to learn how to be quiet in the trial.  When we are quiet, we can better hear God.  But we also like to talk and tell everyone about our misery.  God is saying, “Be quiet.  Don’t let people know you are suffering.  Just trust God.”

4.     Trust.  This is the summation of the whole thing.  You have to have a deep faith in God, and know that He has your best interest in mind.  Though his timing is not always our timing, it is always perfect.    

Love Is...Not Envious

Love Is…Not Envious

Pastor Russell Henderson

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8a, NIV.

Envy is a very powerful and sometimes dangerous state of mind.  Biblically, the word “envy” means to burn with zeal;  to be heated or to boil with envy, hatred, or anger.  It is also a feeling of discontent or covetousness with regard to another's advantages, success, possessions, etc.  Often the word “envy” is substituted for the word “jealousy”, but it goes much deeper than jealousy.  Jealousy denotes a feeling of resentment that another has gained something that one more rightfully deserves.  Envy, on the other hand, denotes a longing to possess something awarded to or achieved by another.

The best synonym for “envy” is “covetousness”.   Envy covets the possessions of others to the point of rage and will go to any means necessary to take those things, even if it means trampling over anyone in the way.  An envious person can never contain the love of the Father, and likewise, can never give love to others.  Proverbs 14:30 tells us, “A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.”   Envy will destroy your very life because it is closely associated with hatred and bitterness. 

Envy is so severe that it is listed as one of the main “evils” of the Bible.

For from within, out of a person's heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness.  All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you." 

(Mark 7:21-23 NLT)

They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents;  they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless.

(Rom 1:29-31 NIV)

Envy is placed in the same list as adultery, theft, and even murder.  Envy is so detestable to God, because the envious person has lost all dependence upon the provision of God.  He no longer trusts God for the things he needs; instead he seeks to acquire possessions through corrupt methods.  According to James 3:14 harboring envy and selfish ambition is a denial of God’s truth, and it will only lead to confusion and evil practices.  Envy is even listed in the Ten Commandments in the form of covetousness.

God is very quick to punish envy, especially when it goes against His direct and delegated authority.

In the camp they grew envious of Moses and of Aaron, who was consecrated to the LORD. The earth opened up and swallowed Dathan; it buried the company of Abiram. Fire blazed among their followers; a flame consumed the wicked

 (Psalm 106:16-18 NIV)

In Numbers 16 Korah, a Levite, and two Reubenites, Dathan and Abiram, along with 250 others became envious of Moses because of the authority that God had delegated to him.  “You have gone too far!”  they declared.  “The whole community is holy, every one of them, and the Lord is with them.  Why then do you set yourselves above the Lord’s assembly?” 

You see, they did not understand Moses’ God-given position, and they wanted equal status with Moses.  The Lord answered in verse 31 by causing the earth to split open.  It engulfed Dathan and Abiram along with their families.  The Lord then sent fire and consumed the 250 others.  

God is not tolerant of envy.  His design was always that we rely on Him for all of our provision.  Matthew 6 tells us that when we pray, we should pray for God to provide for our needs.  When we try to acquire the things that we need and even want through worldly means, we have fallen to envy.  The envious mind cannot contain love because he cannot think and reason clearly.  Envy is a root of bitterness (Hebrews 12:15), but the heart of love rejoices at the success and prosperity of others.

This week examine your heart.  Do you have even a trace of envy towards another?  Make an effort to pray for them and bless them.  Seek to love them through kindness and patience, and learn to be content in the blessings that you have already received.

Love Is...Kind

Love Is...Kind

Pastor Russell Henderson

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8a, NIV.

The second definition of love is kindness.  Kindness can best be biblically defined as being benevolent, full of integrity, merciful, and compassionate.  With those definitions in mind we can see that kindness does not just define our attitudes,  but also our behavior towards our brothers and sisters as well as our lost neighbors.  When we talk about kindness we are simply talking about showing honor, compassion, and benevolence.  Kindness could best be summed up in the Golden Rule:  “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” 

The fact is that God has been kind to us.  Many Old Testament references to kindness refer to the kindness of the Lord.

In a surge of anger I hid my face from you for a moment, but with everlasting kindness I will have compassion on you," says the LORD your Redeemer.

(Isa 54:8 NIV)

'The LORD is slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, forgiving iniquity and transgression; but He will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generations.'

(Num 14:18 NASB)

So rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the LORD your God, For He [is] gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, and of great kindness; And He relents from doing harm.

(Joe 2:13 NKJV)

These passages show two major characteristics of the Lord’s kindness:  compassion & forgiveness.  Romans 2:4 tells us that the kindness of the Lord leads us to repentance.  The bible tells us that God is rich in kindness toward us.  He is kind because he is forgiving.   He is kind because he provides.  He is kind because he is patient.  He is kind because he is holding back his judgment so that we might have time to repent.  When it comes to kindness, the Lord is our example.

How are we to show kindness?

Romans 2, verses 1-4 addresses believers who were passing their own judgment on others, but at the same time continuing in the same types of sin.  Paul admonishes them for this behavior stating that they are actually showing contempt for God’s kindness.  We cannot claim to have love in one breath and pass judgment in the next.  Judgment and kindness do not mix.

Benevolence is another character of kindness.  In Proverbs 14:21 & 31 a blessing is pronounced on those who are benevolent to those in need.

He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who is kind to the needy.

(Pro 14:21 NIV)

He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.

(Pro 14:31 NIV)

Psalm 10:34 tells us that kindness (mercy, love, compassion) will be our crowning glory.  When all is said and done, you will be known and remembered for your loving kindness and the righteous life that you lived.

As we learn to be kind, we are displaying more of the forgiving and patient character of God.  Kindness is benevolent.  Learn to have a giving heart.  Find someone who has a need and fill it.  Kindness is merciful.  Seek to show mercy and favor to people instead of judgment—especially those who try your patience.  Kindness is full of integrity.  Above all do everything with character.  Don’t bless your brother to his face and curse him in secret.  The more kindness you give, the more you will receive from your heavenly Father.  And His kindness comes with great reward.

And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

(Eph. 4:32 NKJV)

"But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men.

(Luke 6:35 NASB)

Love Is....Patient

Love Is...Patient

Pastor Russell Henderson

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8a, NIV.

As we examine the biblical characteristics of love (agape), we must always keep in mind that the Bible tells us that God is love.  If God is love then all of these traits are fitting for Him as well.  We must also keep in mind that as Christians our top priority is to be like Christ.  If God is love, then Christ is love, then so should we be love, not just have love.

Love is patient.  It is interesting that love is first described as being patient.  This should slap us all in the face to some degree.  We all suffer with impatience whether it is with our spouse or kids, our co-workers, our fellow highway drivers, and even with God.  And in this microwave society our impatience is continually on the rise.

The Greek word to describe patience has also been translated as “long suffering”.  It addresses both inward and outward attitudes.  Inwardly it means to be of a long spirit, to not lose heart.  This description states that there are things you are going to have to wait for over a long period of time.  There are times when you have to plant your feet and decide that you are in this for the long haul. 

This is especially true when it comes to things that you are praying for.  Yes, there are some answers that come almost instantaneously, but there are others that will require some long-suffering.  Maybe it is the salvation of that lost loved one.  Maybe it is that much needed job promotion.  Whatever it is, it is a test of your love and devotion to God when you decide that nothing is going to move you, nothing is going to sway you, and you are going to continue in earnest prayer until you see that mountain moved.

The definition of patience not only speaks to our inward man, but also to our outward self and how we deal with those around us.  This is where the rubber meets the road.  The second part of patience is to be patient in bearing the offenses and injuries of others;  to be mild and slow in avenging;  to be longsuffering, slow to anger, slow to punish.  Christian love is not only directed toward God, but also to our neighbor, and sometimes it is really hard to be patient with our neighbor.

There are always those few people whose personalities are the complete opposite of yours.  They are always doing something that gets on your nerves, and they can be the sole source of your frustration and anger.  But the very essence of patience is to be slow to anger and slow to punish.  When your anger rises up towards that individual, learn to recognize at that moment to collect yourself show love through patience.  This will completely upset your flesh, but your spirit will take leaps.

Patience is one of the key ingredients to unity, and God blesses unity. 

“…I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”

Ephesians 4:1-3, NIV.

“A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension, but a patient man calms a quarrel.”

Proverbs 15:18, NIV.

If you want God to bless your life, seek for ways to have unity with your neighbor.  God will not only move in you, but also in others as you dwell together in unity.

Finally, we are commanded to be patient because God is patient with us.  How many times have we turned from God and went our own way.  The Lord has had every right to strike us dead on the spot, but He doesn’t because He is patient with us.  Jesus is always interceding for us (Hebrews 7:25). 

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”

2 Peter 3:9, NIV.

Jesus is patient with you because he genuinely loves you.  His desire is for you to be saved and not condemned.  If that is the attitude He has towards you, shouldn’t you strive to have the same attitude toward others?

This week ask God to increase your patience.  I guarantee that it won’t be easy, but each time you recognize the opportunity for patience and take it you are taking on more of the love and character of your heavenly Father.