Pastor’s Corner – January 3, 2015

 Unfortunately the odds are not in your favor.  Studies show only a small percentage of folks achieve the goals they set at New Year.  I think we have an innate desire to do right, but we often do the things we don’t intend to do.

 The Apostle Paul talks about doing the things he doesn’t want to do and not doing the things he does want to do.  “I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate.” (Romans 7:15 NLT)  It sounds like a too familiar story to me.  I’m not sure how many times I’ve established honorable goals only to fall flat on my face a short time later.  Perhaps the goals I establish are impossible.  Maybe there is no room for success in this respectable ambition.  Or maybe there is something bigger going on than I can see with my eyes. 

 Paul’s comments are in regards to the war in the mind of body of anyone who follows Christ.  “I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love God’s law with all my heart. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me.”  (Romans 7:21-23 NLT) 

 Wherever we go, sin is not far away.  As Christ followers there is a battle.  We desire to do right.  Yet we too often do wrong.  Where is the victory?  Is victory possible?  Is this goal of doing right attainable?  Are my noble ambitions worth the fight?

 “Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord.”  (Romans 7:24-25a NLT)

God the Father knew us in our depravity.  Yet he chose to send his only son, Jesus, to die a sinner’s death on the cross in our place.  Victoriously, Jesus rose on the third day and now intercedes for us.  There is hope!  There is victory in Christ Jesus! 

 “But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead.”  (Ephesians 2:4-5a NLT)

 As I contemplate how to start this new year, I think it wise to remember how I want this story to end.  Since I have new life in Christ the best ending I can imagine is to know Jesus and to make Him known.  Will you consider making this your goal this year as well?  — To know Jesus and to make Him known

Cody Haar

Associate Pastor, Cornerstone Church

Secretary/Treasurer, Pastors United In Christ

Pastor’s Corner – October 25, 2014

 The story of David and Goliath is usually told as a classic underdog tale.  The arrogant giant challenges his fearful opponents.  The unseemly kid shockingly deals a crushing blow.  If we limit the scope of the story to just this simplistic outline it is a good story with a good point.  However, I’m afraid that we view this story as the exception rather than the rule – we too often allow the giants of life to defeat us before we go to fight. 

 Throughout the Holy Scriptures we see that God habitually uses the weak or the common folks to accomplish His will.  In the Old Testament God used a shepherd, a prostitute, a slave, the youngest son, the minority people groups, and so many other ordinary folks.  Jesus selected a ragtag group of disciples that included fishermen and a tax collector – average Joe’s.  In the most famous sermon ever preached Jesus blesses the spiritually poor, the meek, and the mourners. 

 1 Corinthians 1:27 speaks of this further, “Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful.” 

 Our nature, our experiences, and our history all points to the weak succumbing to the strong, just as a river of rushing water can cut through solid rock over time or as a great fire burns a forest.  But God’s math is different.  He intentionally chooses the common and the ordinary to move mountains and to change the landscape of the world.  He chooses a ragtag group of folks to bring the Good News of salvation through Christ to a lost and dying world.  He chooses folks like you and me to be salt and light, a city on a hill, and a candle that cannot be hid. 

 David, a common sheepherder, was brave enough to take on a giant.  Why?  Because he knew from experience and by faith that his God was with him.  This giant defiled the honor of his God and he was not okay with that.  Even though all the warriors were scared, even though his own family forbade it, he confidently confronted what no one else would. 

 Will you?  If your God is for you and with you, will you confront the giants in your life? 

 “What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? ³² Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? ³³ Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. ³⁴ Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.” Romans 8:31-34

 (Scripture references from New Living Translation)

Cody Haar

Associate Pastor, Cornerstone Church

Pastors United In Christ, Secretary/Treasurer