Enrichment
My Haven Cheerleaders A friend of mine was tagged in a photo album on Facebook entitled "My Haven Cheerleaders." There is a town in Pennsylvania nestled along the banks of the Schuylkill River appropriately named Schuylkill Haven. The photo album followed the cheering careers of a group of girls from their childhood through high school in that town. My friend was one of those Haven cheerleaders. "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12: 1-2
Well, the title to the album caused me to contemplate my own cheerleaders; Uncle Bobby, Grandpop, Granny, Mom and Dad, my mother-in-law, Peggy, Danny and Rodger. Those are some of the titles and names of people in heaven cheering for me. With each passing year the band of witnesses grows in number as it swells with eternal enthusiasm. Sometimes I think I can hear them, but mostly I journey by faith with the assurance that I shall join them at the end of earthland's pilgrimage.
Now there's a cheerleader!
Your Friend - Pastor Del
Delbert Bieber has been a pastor for 30 years, the last 15 years at Toms River First Church of the Nazarene.
Pause to Ponder
"Jesus - Our Middle C"
| The music professor was sitting in his office when a student walked in and quipped; "Hey prof. What 'da know?" The professor responded by picking up a tuning fork from his desk and giving it a gentle tap. With the sweet pure sound from the tuning fork filling the room, the professor answered, "I know that this is and always will be middle C and that every note is tuned by it."
In the last chapter of his epistle the writer of the Hebrews is bringing everything he has said to a close. Near the middle of the chapter he writes "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever." (Hebrews 13:8) You could say that he was saying, "Jesus is and always will be our middle C and our lives are in tune only when tuned according to Him." There are many sounds out there calling for us to tune our lives according to them. They ring out giving the impression that they will bring harmony and truth to our lives if only we will tune our lives to them. But we must not be deceived. Tuning one's life to anything or anyone other than Jesus leaves our lives flat, off key and out of harmony. Note the writer's stern warning following the grand proclamation about Jesus; "Do not be carried off by all kinds of strange teachings." (Hebrews13:9) Jesus alone is the middle C of all life. He is the creator and sustainer of all things. He is alone is the "I AM." Because He is the same yesterday, today, and forever, our past, present and future find forgiveness, cleansing, healing and transformation in Him. He re-creates us and makes us new. He tunes our lives to Himself so that we resonate His presence and Person. When ever life taps us we resound Him. Once tuned to Him we must, by His grace and empowerment, keep ourselves tuned to Him. We listen to Him and His Word and loving obey bringing every part of who we are and what we do into harmony with Him. It is more than asking "what would Jesus do," and attempting to act as He would. It is having Jesus do it, in and through us. It is being so in tune with Him that our lives radiate and resemble Him.
Paul told the Philippian church that He is confident that the work Jesus has begun in them He will carry on to completion. (Philippians 1:6) Let us beloved remain submitted and committed to Christ Jesus being confident that He will continue to bring our lives in tune with Him, making us more and more like Him - our Middle C.
Keep Close To Jesus Pastor Gerry |