“The Gift of Justification”

Posted on 2012/08/08 by Shawn Thomas

:2 “All the ways of a man are clean in his own sight, but the Lord weighs the motives (literally “heart”)”.

People are very good at justifying whatever they do.  Take some of the worst things that are done in the world: if you talk to the person who committed them, they will have “their side of the story” as to why it wasn’t really that bad, or how it was justified, etc.  Now, sometimes there is truth in “the other side” of a story,  – as Proverbs 18:17 says, “the first to plead his case seems right, until another comes and examines him.”  We must always be ready to hear both sides before we make a judgment.  But no matter how “right” someone makes their case seem, their act is not necessarily vindicated by how THEY can justify it, but by what GOD says about it: “The Lord weighs the spirits.” Continue reading →

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Presuming in Prosperity

Posted on 2012/08/07 by Shawn Thomas

Psalm 30:6 says: “Now as for me, I said in my prosperity, ‘I will never be moved.’”

David confesses here a previous sin in his life, which was an expression of the essence of human pride and presumption.  During prosperous times, it can be our tendency to think that things will continue to be just as good as they currently are: “in my prosperity .. I will never be moved”.  But this is arrogant presumption.    James 4:14 says “you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow”.  Yet so often the case is that we DO presume that we will have the same health, the same income, the same blessings – yea, even the very existence of LIFE – that we do today – but we are NOT guaranteed that!  It is presumption!

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This Week in “Paradise” Aug. 6

Posted on 2012/08/06 by Shawn Thomas

Comfort Food

One day last week, Cheryl decided to take Michael to the Popeye’s, to comfort him as she told him that our church’s youth minister was going to be moving to Ohio. Michael is tender-hearted, and she felt that he needed preparation for the announcement, and a little “comfort food.” I agreed, and off they went. On their way to the restaurant, she broke the news. Michael was tearfully quiet for a minute, after which he asked: “So is that why you’re taking me to Popeye’s?” Cheryl said it was.

Michael then responded: “Is that all I get? How about that plasma big screen I wanted?” Cheryl was glad to see that he quickly recovered his sense of humor!

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Reproof: A Hurt That Helps

Posted on 2012/08/06 by Shawn Thomas

Although most Proverbs seem to stand on their own as isolated wisdom lessons, Proverbs 15:31-33 seem to be related, all dealing with one’s response to “reproof”, or the personal correction which is offered to you by one who cares.  No one likes to be reproved, in fact sometimes it “stings”, but scripture tells us here that like an antiseptic, it is a hurt helps heal, and is best for you in the long run — IF you will respond to it humbly. Continue reading →

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Psalm 3:3 “Thou O Lord” Part III: “The Lifter of My Head”

Posted on 2012/08/05 by Shawn Thomas

      The recent shootings in Aurora, Colorado are reminiscent of a similar tragedy over a year ago in Tuscon, Arizona.  Former Philadelphia Phillies baseball manager Dallas Green lost his granddaughter in that Tucson shooting rampage, and afterwards, in a media interview, Green was asked how he was going to cope.  He said: “We hope we can all get through it … and get through it with the help of baseball.” 

     I’ve got to tell you, I was stunned by his response, that “baseball” was going to get them through the tragedy.  You would have expected to hear the word, “God” there – “we’re going to get through this with the help of GOD” – not “baseball”!  But that is exactly the problem with so many people in America today: they are looking to other things to deliver them from their problems instead of God.  They think that sports is going to be the “salvation” for their kids.  They think that “education” is going to be the solution to our national problems.  They trust that science and medicine are going to cure all of our ills.  And let me emphasize: there is nothing wrong with medicine; there is nothing wrong with education; there is nothing wrong with sports.  But none of these things can take the place of God.  Our ultimate salvation and meaning and deliverance are only found in Him.  As Psalm 3:3 puts it, only HE can be “the lifter of our head.”

     This morning we will conclude our study of Psalm 3:3, where David says to God that He is “my shield”, “my glory”, and “the lifter of my head.”  We have seen over the past couple of weeks that when God is your shield, it means that He totally surrounds you, and that nothing can touch your life unless He lets it through.  That means that there is a God-ordained purpose for everything that happens to you.  Last week we saw that He is to be our “glory” – our highest priority; the one Person we find our ultimate pride and joy in.  And this morning we will finish our study as we see that He is “the lifter of our head”.  Let’s read Psalm 3 together one more time, and then look at what it means that God is “the lifter of my head.” Continue reading →

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The Heart of Worship

Posted on 2012/08/05 by Shawn Thomas

So many churches are looking for the “key” to a more vibrant worship service.  What will get people singing and participating more effectively?  They look for the solution in the choice of songs, or style of music, or the personality of the music leadership — but none of these things is really the answer to the problem, according to scripture.  Psalm 28 shows us what is at the heart of effective worship: Continue reading →

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POTS Update August 2012 Recovery and Heat Intolerance

Posted on 2012/08/04 by Shawn Thomas

     In the midst of regulating medications and working my way back to the office after my diagnosis of dysautonomia/POTS, I realized that it was probably time for an “official” update.  Some of my friends have gotten “bits and pieces” of  updates from Facebook or church, but nothing comprehensive.  So hopefully this will update or “fill in the blanks” for those who are interested.  I especially hope it might be useful to those who are newly diagnosed with POTS and are looking for means of help. Continue reading →

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A Basic Reminder

Posted on 2012/08/04 by Shawn Thomas

Proverbs 15:29 teaches a fundamental principle which, unfortunately, many people seem to have forgotten :  “The Lord is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous.”

So many appear to think that God looks favorably upon their prayers, no matter what kind of lifestyle they are living.  They see Him as some kind of “Santa Claus” or “grandfather” figure up in the sky, who doesn’t mind letting His children get away with whatever they want to do.  This is NOT the Biblical description of God. Continue reading →

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The “Problem” of Unanswered Prayer?

Posted on 2012/08/03 by Shawn Thomas

In Mark 10, James and John had made quite an ambitious request.  Jesus responded to them in :38 and said: “You do not know what you are asking for.”  James & John had asked to be seated on Christ’s left and right in His glory, but Jesus told them they were asking in ignorance; they had no clue as to what all was involved in their request.  Continue reading →

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The Joy of an Apt Answer

Posted on 2012/08/02 by Shawn Thomas

Proverbs 15:23 “A man has joy in an apt answer, and how delightful is a timely word.”

There is delight in a “timely word” — both for the one receiving it, AND for the one who gives it.  There is a joy in being able to say something which answers a question or helps someone, just when they needed it.  But some things are necessary for that joy to be yours: Continue reading →

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