Category: Pastor’s Corner

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Patmos Journal – #2

March 25, 2020

1 Kings 18:20-39 (NASB)
20  So Ahab sent a message among all the sons of Israel and brought the prophets together at Mount Carmel.
21  Elijah came near to all the people and said, “How long will you hesitate between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” But the people did not answer him a word.
22  Then Elijah said to the people, “I alone am left a prophet of the LORD, but Baal’s prophets are 450 men.
23  “Now let them give us two oxen; and let them choose one ox for themselves and cut it up, and place it on the wood, but put no fire under it; and I will prepare the other ox and lay it on the wood, and I will not put a fire under it.
24  “Then you call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the LORD, and the God who answers by fire, He is God.” And all the people said, “That is a good idea.”
25  So Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “Choose one ox for yourselves and prepare it first for you are many, and call on the name of your god, but put no fire under it.“
26  Then they took the ox which was given them and they prepared it and called on the name of Baal from morning until noon saying, “O Baal, answer us.” But there was no voice and no one answered. And they leaped about the altar which they made.
27  It came about at noon, that Elijah mocked them and said, “Call out with a loud voice, for he is a god; either he is occupied or gone aside, or is on a journey, or perhaps he is asleep and needs to be awakened.”
28  So they cried with a loud voice and cut themselves according to their custom with swords and lances until the blood gushed out on them.
29  When midday was past, they raved until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice; but there was no voice, no one answered, and no one paid attention.
30  Then Elijah said to all the people, “Come near to me.” So all the people came near to him. And he repaired the altar of the LORD which had been torn down.
31  Elijah took twelve stones according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the LORD had come, saying, “Israel shall be your name.”
32  So with the stones he built an altar in the name of the LORD, and he made a trench around the altar, large enough to hold two measures of seed.
33  Then he arranged the wood and cut the ox in pieces and laid it on the wood.
34  And he said, “Fill four pitchers with water and pour it on the burnt offering and on the wood.” And he said, “Do it a second time,” and they did it a second time. And he said, “Do it a third time,” and they did it a third time.
35  The water flowed around the altar and he also filled the trench with water.
36  At the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, Elijah the prophet came near and said, “O LORD, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, today let it be known that You are God in Israel and that I am Your servant and I have done all these things at Your word.
37  “Answer me, O LORD, answer me, that this people may know that You, O LORD, are God, and that You have turned their heart back again.”
38  Then the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.
39  When all the people saw it, they fell on their faces; and they said, “The LORD, He is God; the LORD, He is God.”

It’s another change this week, with a stricter confinement during the Coronavirus outbreak. News clips show there’s been a lot of wild-eyed folks racing out and wiping out stores in an effort to stockpile some security for themselves. I would imagine that the odds of borrowing a box of noodles or a roll of t.p. from some people are now statistically remote. Astronomically remote…

My usual daily work routine is completely blown up, and like you, I find myself at home. I’ve been bouncing between my home office and my greenhouse, writing, connecting, then moving around outside and getting equipment ready and garden plants germinating. I’ve also had a banner run on eradicating woodchucks from the backyard. Paula’s not amused when I tell her there’s got to be an instant-pot recipe for these things. If times get steadily worse, I think she’ll see the light.  Right now, she’s asking if I’m going back to the church office tomorrow. She really does love me though.

One thing I’ve been contemplating during this pandemic and seismic shift to our lives, is this story of competing gods. I know there’s no God but God who has revealed Himself in Creation, His Word, and the incarnation of Jesus Christ. But if I can probe a little, I believe there are many other gods that have been the object of our worship and devotion right into these present days.

In this recent turn, many of these gods have been found out to not be gods at all. Useless. Worthless. Impotent. Not just having “died,” but truly non-existent.

I have talked to far too many, now despondent because government has not saved us from this. Some who are as collapsed as their stock portfolio. Cheerless individuals because suddenly arenas are dark, and there are no teams to cheer for. Entertainments and amusements are severely curtailed, and many face the grim task of having to interact with others in real life, rather than running to the next distraction. And I can’t overlook those whose very concept of “God” is vaporized–that He could not possibly be God and be good, to allow such suffering to come to His wonderful, busy, productive, educated, polished and entitled followers–at least here on these shores, in the land of In God We Trust.

Ok. So maybe that’s a little harsh and overblown. Maybe.

If you’ve listened to the word in this 1 Kings 18 passage, you’ve encountered a people who should be exclusively devoted to Jehovah God, yet have no trouble embracing other gods of the world along with Him. Can we imagine what they were thinking?

“I mean really, what’s a little harmless diversion? This is new and fun!”

“You’ve got to go along to get along. Embrace other faith traditions, and you’ll be popular.”

“Look at the numbers of people worshiping Baal. I don’t want to look ignorant by not joining up.”

“We’ve been missing out by following the narrow things we were taught in our youth.”

“Look at the Steins! They worship Baal, and their kid just got a scholarship.”

“What did exclusive Yahweh worship ever get us but contempt, ridicule, and hardship?”

The encounter between “the gods” is incredibly powerful. Like a scene built on the lesson of The Emperor’s New Clothes, theatrics and posturing from the Baal priests reveals only naked, stark truth: they have formed and disseminated a lie–a god- that cannot start a simple fire, let alone hear or deliver them.

The Living True One’s visitation then comes through one man praying. A man who knew the quiet, set-aside years, where God tempered Elijah’s faith and taught Him that the LORD hears and responds to the one who declares dependence on Him alone. All-consuming fire falls, and the people witnessing this seem, for at least this moment in time-to get it.

“Yahweh is God. We’ll say it again, Yahweh is God.”

Then, and only then, through man’s repentance by word and deed, God sends relief; God sends the rain.

In this current epidemic around the world and now in our streets, I find myself praying against the common response of many who have said, “I can’t wait for things to get back to normal.”

Back to normal is not what we need. We see that the gods of this world are man-made and impotent, without foundation or saving power. That worshiping them leaves us flatfooted in bad times and deluded and parched in good times. That our recognition that God is God alone must reshape our priorities and winnow our allegiances out, so that there is indeed no other impotent god robbing Him. Robbing us.

There should be a rebirth happening within us during this disaster. A closer walk with our Creator. A deeper appreciation for the gifts He gives: His Word, His church. Your family, friends, and work. A surer prayer life and a bolder witness to the truth of Christ. The blessing of the current day He grants us to walk in His presence.

There should be such a rebirth in us. I believe as well there will be many new births in Christ, as God’s people present the Gospel of Jesus Christ to men and women who, after all their calling, leaping, crying and cutting, have discovered the god they tried to move is incapable to flick even a single spark in their direction.

Share your faith. Share your trust in the Living God. Share your freedom from the gods of this world.

And for heaven’s sake, when I call you to borrow that box of noodles…

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Patmos Journal – #1

March 18, 2020

Revelation 1:9  I, John, your brother and fellow partaker in the tribulation and kingdom and perseverance which are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.

The Wednesday night prayer time at CCC includes a Bible Study as part of our meeting. Through viewing an on-location video series, we have just finished a study of the 7 churches of Revelation, discussing and applying truths of God’s Word to us, the church today.

In the opening chapter of Revelation, John tells us that because of his unwavering testimony for the Lord Jesus, he has been banished to Patmos, a remote Aegean island. Earthly powers could do such a thing, and most likely the then-emperor Domitian had him delivered there to perish in the Roman version of “Alcatraz.” However, rather than fruitless isolation, Jesus Christ there used him greatly, giving John the Lord’s very description of (Rev. 1:19) the things that he saw, the things that are, and the things that will take place.

We are now “on Patmos” in a manner of thinking. This pandemic, for whatever its duration will be, changes our routines, plans, interactions… a lot of things. It could on many levels cause change in us. Our relationship to our Lord can change, prayerfully in depth and obedience. Our relationships with one another should deepen, not evaporate, if we are listening to our Lord.

Imagine this: we don’t need to roll letters in a bottle to set adrift, or carve a cryptic message in a coconut and hope our courier gets through. We have global fingertip communications, mobility with a few restrictions, access to most goods and services, and the blessing of not being truly alone, even while isolated.

God wants to work powerfully in us throughout this event, and all our days. Like John’s example, being “on Patmos” is not a time for idleness, frustration, or anger– it is an attitude of responsiveness to the Lord for His guidance in a new season of active ministry. It is being and doing, even while “waiting” for the next thing the Lord brings about.

Remember, the exile on Patmos is not a unique experience in God’s Word. Consider these:

Elijah, the powerful prophet of God, is active in a quiet place, while God prepares a mighty showdown after the 3 years’ drought is ended. Read of this in 1 KI. Chapters 17 and 18.

Paul, in Roman chains (Col. 4:18) was active in his witness to even his guards (Phil. 1:13). He looked forward to taking the gospel “on the road” again, but used his “Patmos seasons” to deliberately communicate the message of salvation to those God brought to his cell. Paul even saw his imprisonment as a positive thing, because other believers who were mobile followed up by getting busy with the gospel work, when they heard of his confinement (Phil. 1:14).

Epaphroditus, who suffered an undisclosed ailment while ministering to Paul and others, was a testimony of faithfulness even on his “Patmos bed,” through a time of illness. His readiness then to resume more active ministry upon recovery is still a powerful witness to us today (Phil. 2:25-30).

We will see God working in us and through us as we yield ourselves to Him and listen for our directives in this current event. In God’s timing, we shall see a new direction. Remember, John saw his release from Patmos. The Lord had the next chapter for him already prepared. Could our next chapter be influenced by our responsiveness and steadfastness in the current day? I believe that is so.

One other thing: You may be experiencing anxiety to get back to the “normal” routines of your life. But what if the Lord is using this time to lead us all into a fresh, new, different world of priorities and values that “stick” after the cloud has passed? Could it be that the removal of our routine can lead us to purer waters and more fruitful vineyards, the place where the Lord is central once again?

I find it no coincidence that our Wednesday group finished a study of the churches just before this pandemic ramped up. I think the Lord was filling us, preparing us, and reminding us of what pleases Him, in direct contrast to a world set on pleasing itself. Maybe in the “new things” that come after this season draws down, even a priority for fellowship, prayer and the Word mid-week will be found among more and more of us who know Him beyond The Rock and Shelter in our storm, but the living One, the God of our every day.

-Pastor John

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March Article/April Article – Pastor Greg

(continued from February issue)

I attended State Street Baptist Church and was involved in the youth group, as a leader. But I still would make regular trips to Bangor to spend time with my other friends and we would continue to hit the bars. I didn’t really have any struggle with the conflicting lifestyles I was living. I simply didn’t think about it. One part of my life was what I did when home, and the other was what took place away from home.

In the summer of 1988, God interrupted my party. I had been spending a weekend in Bangor and was at a bar when my revelry was interrupted by a question that came to my mind: “What are you doing?” I tried to shake it off, but the sense of sadness and that question would not go away.

I left the bar and the next day headed back home. It was a few weeks later that our pastor preached a message. I honestly don’t remember what it was he said exactly, but I do remember knowing that I needed to make a choice about how I was living and who I would serve.

An invitation to come to the front was given for those who needed to make things right with God. I stood up and went to the front of the church. I was terrified. I knew how I had been living, but had worked hard to keep it a secret from everyone else. I knew that I deserved the condemnation and disappointment that was sure to come my way once others knew what was really going on.

As I stood at the front, the pastor called for deacons to come and meet with those who had gathered there. I looked up and was met by Larry Turner.  

Larry Turner was a potato farmer.   We knew each other well and had many conversations in the past, but at that moment I was afraid of where this was going. 

We went into a Sunday school room to talk.  He started with, “So what’s going on with you?”  I blurted out everything that had been happening and waited for the inevitable sigh or gasp of shock and then a word of disappointment and correction. 

Instead, there was a pause and the words, “Hmm, I’ve been there too”. No shaking of the head. No lecture.  It was grace that I experienced at that moment.  It was exactly what I needed in that moment, and those words changed my life. 

What I experienced through Larry was grace in action.  He didn’t overlook what I had done, but he simply expressed the understanding of someone who also had failed and yet had seen restoration and the forgiveness of his heavenly Father.  We talked a while more, and again, all that he said I don’t really remember.  But it was that one moment, that one phrase, that put me on a path to a wonderful relationship with the God of grace. 

It was a year later that I went on a short-term mission’s trip to Brazil and then on to Bible School, where I met my wife.  I’ve been a missionary and a pastor for 26 years, and have seen God do amazing things.  But I’ll never forget the impact of that one moment. 

I wish that I could have sat down with Larry and expressed more completely what he has meant to me.  But I know what that moment meant and the impact that it had on my life and the lives of others through me.  I look forward to someday having that conversation with Larry.