Sunday, August 30, 2009

Go Slow.



“My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,” James 1:19

There is a joke about four elderly women stopped by a policeman for driving too slow. The officer explained to the driver that driving too slow on an interstate is just as dangerous as driving too fast. The old woman explained she was going 22, just as the sign said. The officer explained to her the sign was the interstate number and not the speed limit. All the while the other women were quiet, obviously shaken up. He asked the driver if they were all right. She assured him they would be alright and explained they had just gotten off route 119. As Christians, we must be slow and deliberate when it comes to speaking our minds and becoming angry, but quick to listen and to do the work of the Lord.

The First chapter of James is an important one for Christians. It discusses how we often miss the mark by not reining in our tongues and by not taking the time to listen to the word of God and act on it instead of merely listening. Any athlete will tell you the significant difference between knowing what to do and being able to do it. James instructs us to be humble listeners and then patient and persistent doers of the word. The blessing, he tells us, comes from doing.

Be a deliberate Christian today.

Deacon Larry Woodard

Monday, August 24, 2009

Little Trees.


But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9

On Tuesday, August 18, 2009, a powerful storm boasting strong winds and driving rains knocked down hundreds of trees in New York City’s Central Park. With winds gusting up to 80 miles an hour, the swift storm damaged trees, knocked down electrical wires, smashed park benches and damaged cars parked in the area. While the storm destroyed towering elm trees, as I drove along the West Side Highway the next day, I noticed that all along the Hudson River small trees ranging from 2 feet to 6 feet remained undamaged. In fact, some of the trees were so recently planted they still had support wires attached. As Christians, we take comfort in knowing that in spite of the severity of the storms in our life, God can keep us from being harmed.

I was powerfully moved by seeing these small trees undamaged just yards away from towering, strong trees destroyed. It seemed logical the strong, deep roots would keep the big trees from being uprooted and the shallow roots of the new trees would provide virtually no protection. What an important message for us to learn. The strength we believe we have is no match for the all-consuming destructive power of this world. Only by the power of God and His grace are a match for the storms we face. We have no reason to boast or take comfort in any security we believe we have as Christians except getting as close to God as possible through prayer and the knowledge of God’s word. We are weak, but He is strong.

I pray that you trust God today and recognize your weaknesses.

Deacon Larry Woodard

Friday, August 7, 2009

Hold On.


But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. Revelation 2:25

Many athletes employ the use of cleats for footwear during an athletic contest. These shoes have studs, spikes or ridges on the bottom help to prevent the athlete from slipping and sliding. They also help them hold their positions and quickly maneuver by changing direction to avoid contact. Cleats are particularly useful in less than optimal situations, like wet grass or loose dirt. As Christians, we need to be able to hold fast and to maneuver through life’s challenges.

According to the 2nd chapter of the Book of Revelation, the Church at Thyatira was under particular duress. On the surface, they had an impressive resume: works, service, charity, faith and patience; but they were also greatly influenced by Jezebel whose idea of religion was the tempting practice of fornication and eating food sacrificed to idols. In fact, she called herself a prophetess. Over time, she had managed to involve a large number of people from the church in her practices, convincing them it was consistent with their beliefs. To those who had not yet fallen prey, the message from God was: “hold on.” This is a very relevant message for Christians today. Many things considered acceptable by society are not acceptable to God. The temptation is great not to be considered intolerant, judgmental or overly pious and just accept that times have changed. To Christians, who know the word of God I urge you to hold on.

I pray that you are able to hold steady to your beliefs today.

Deacon Larry Woodard

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Go Bold.


29 Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Acts 4:29

A few years ago, my advertising agency had the opportunity to introduce a line of brightly colored, fruity beverages from the Snapple Beverage Company. In addition to the bright colors the brands were flavored with exotic sweet fruits like Mangosteen, Yuzo and Pitaya. In our advertising, we implored consumers to “Go Bold”. As Christians, we must never be afraid of challenges or obstacles to living purposeful lives.

After the Upper Room experience, Peter and John began to have a very effective preaching ministry and thousands had become believers. The high priests summoned them before the Sanhedren Council and forbade them to speak or teach in the name of Jesus. After they told the council they would not obey this command; they gathered their group together and prayed for boldness. At some level, I have no doubt that we all are believers but there is a level of commitment necessary before your beliefs begin to have an effect on others. Those who see us must detect a level of sincerity and boldness in the way we go about our lives that convinces them our belief and trust in God makes an everyday difference. It has to go beyond talk and it has to be exhibited even in the face of obstacles, setbacks and opposition.

Go bold today.

Deacon Larry Woodard

Monday, August 3, 2009

Fret Not.


Do not fret because of evildoers, nor be envious of workers of iniquity. Psalm 37:1

Last week, Portuguese police recaptured a convict who escaped from prison in 1993. He had served 2 years of a 10-year sentence. He had lived in caves in the mountains outside Lisbon for 16 years. He was thin, heavily bearded and had spent the majority of the time with little to no human contact. Those who worried about his escape could have rested easy; his self-imposed exile was a greater punishment than he had been given. Christians must trust that any gains realized by those who cheat, steal and take shortcuts, will not last.

Psalm 37 assures the righteous that in spite of how it looks God ultimately will punish the wicked and reward the righteous. Although there are those who prosper by scheming, the believer is instructed to trust in the Lord and do good. The psalmist invites us to feed on His faithfulness and to delight ourselves in the Lord and He will give us the desires of our hearts. In this prolonged recession we can be tempted to take short cuts. When confronted with diminishing resources and mounting debt, we may feel that compromise is necessary or even unavoidable. It is during these times we must hold on to the words of Psalm 37 even more tightly. Commit your way to the Lord, David writes, trust also in Him and He shall bring it to pass. When we take matters into our own hands, we risk cheating ourselves of God’s blessings and his mercy.

My prayer for you today is that you work with what you have and trust in the Lord to hold you up.

Deacon Larry Woodard