Tag: purpose

Temporary Versus Permanent

Temporary Versus Permanent

by preacherpollard ♥ 0 Leave a Comment
Eli Watson

Good evening, Today before church I was working on cleaning a house out; the lady that had lived here passed two years ago, and in the meantime the objects in the house sat and gathered dust. And after taking countless trash bags out to the dumpster, it got me thinking about how none of the earthly possessions we collect in this life matter. They’re not coming with us nor will we need/miss them when we’re gone. Let us turn our attention to Matthew 6:19-21, which says, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

These words offer a powerful reminder that our earthly existence is not meant to be permanent. God, in His infinite wisdom, has instilled within each of us a deep yearning for something beyond the boundaries of this temporary life. Our souls are eternal, but we are on a temporary trip. We have a longing and sense to be with him for eternity because that’s what He had intended from the beginning when He was walking in the Garden with Adam and Eve. Making the right decisions in life by focusing on what’s truly important is the only way to get back to him though. 

Now, before we jump to the wrong conclusion, Jesus didn’t say that … 

You can’t own a phone

You can’t buy a computer.

You can’t purchase a home.

You can’t drive a car.

You can’t buy gifts for someone.

You can’t save or invest money for retirement.

You can’t buy more than one shirt or a pair of jeans.

What Jesus did say was, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth …” 

Said another way, stop focusing on accumulating money and things and set your heart pursuing “treasures in heaven,” which leads us to the next question. What does this mean?

Consider the seasons of life mentioned in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8. A time to be born, a time to die, a time to weep, and a time to laugh – all encompassing the spectrum of human experiences. Each phase serves as a stitch in the tapestry of our existence. However, it’s crucial to recognize that this earthly journey is not our final destination. There’s a longing for eternity within us. In acknowledging our impermanence, we can take a look at the apostle Paul, who in 2 Corinthians 4:18 encourages us to fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. This shift in focus beckons us to consider the eternal significance of our actions, relationships, and faith. Everything that we do in this short life counts, but the possessions we have won’t affect our judgement day determinations, there’s no Forbes list in heaven. 

Our temporary journey on Earth prompts us to seek a deeper connection with God. It’s an opportunity to align our lives with His divine purpose, and spread his word along the way. That’s one of the most important parts of our walk in this life, and as we navigate the complexities of life, let us remember that our existence here is just a sneak peak to the everlasting reality promised through faith in Jesus Christ.

The transient nature of life doesn’t diminish its value; instead, it underlines the importance of living purposefully. In Psalm 90:12, we’re encouraged to “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” This wisdom involves recognizing the brevity of life and using our time wisely, investing in eternal treasures. These eternal treasures don’t care about your credit score or any debt to income ratios but rather of the spiritual score, are you living the way you know you should. Having the spiritual wisdom and maturity to get through this life will be what matters in the end. 

Our journey on Earth also invites us to share the love and hope found in Christ with those around us. Matthew 28:19-20 compels us to go and make disciples, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. In doing so, we participate in God’s redemptive plan, extending the invitation to eternal life to others. While on this earth we were instructed to be fishers of men, and we are meant to use draw people in by showing them the love of God that is pouring out of us. We have been given an opportunity to show the everlasting mercy and grace of God that has been shown to us. 

In conclusion, as we contemplate the temporary nature of our earthly existence, let us be inspired to live intentionally. May we find purpose in aligning our actions with God’s will, nurturing deep connections with Him, and sharing His love with a world longing for eternal hope. For in the tapestry of life, our temporary moments find eternal significance in the hands of our Creator.

The Time Is Near

The Time Is Near

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Gary Pollard

I learned something from dad a while ago: when you’re sick, exercise. It was rare, but whenever he got sick he would run back-to-back marathons or something crazy and would be fully recovered the next day. I decided to try his mad method and found that it really does work! Today was one of those days — I got the bug and didn’t skip the gym. 

When I got there I saw one of our lifting buddies. He asked if we had a good Christmas, and I said, “It was awesome, but this year felt different for some reason. It was almost weird, and I can’t put my finger on why.” He said, “It really did! I don’t know why, but this year felt weird. The time is near.” 

Maybe it is, maybe it isn’t. Peter wrote, “The time is near when all things will end. So keep your minds clear, and control yourselves. This will help you in your prayers. Most important of all, love each other deeply, because love makes you willing to forgive many sins” (4.7-8). He said that two millennia ago! From our perspective, that’s not exactly “near”. For those Christians, though, it was. 

Whether the end of this earth is imminent or not, Peter’s reminder is relevant. We don’t know when our lives are going to end! Having clarity of purpose, self-control, and selfless love will keep us ready for Jesus’s return. 

“Everything that God made is waiting with excitement for the time when he will show the world who his children are. The whole world wants very much for that to happen. Everything God made was allowed to become like something that cannot fulfill its purpose. That was not its choice, but God made it happen with this hope in view: That the creation would be made free from ruin—that everything God made would have the same freedom and glory that belong to God’s children” (Rom 8.19-21). 

Planning And Preparing

Planning And Preparing

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Brady Baughman

Usually, people fall into 1 of 2 categories: List makers and everyone else and I don’t know what their collective is since I’ve never seen it written down. Now, myself being an introvert, I fall into the list maker category. I’m not obsessive about keeping a physical list, but a mental list is always there to almost a point of paranoia. But this list is necessary.

Me being an introvert, I need to have mentally prepared myself for what is going to happen. If there is a surprise I could freeze up. In order for me to be productive and effective I have to be prepared and anticipate all that is going to happen that day. This leads us into the lesson of being prepared for our future, specifically, by our past planning and future execution with our decisions at a high level overview.

Look with me in 1 Corinthians‬ ‭15:12-18.
[12] Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? [13] But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. [14] And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. [15] We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. [16] For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. [17] And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. [18] Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.

The part that I want to key in on is in vs 17. Now let’s look at vs 17 again with another lens. vs 17, if Christ has not been raised then your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. The other lens would say that a life of sin and without Christ is futile. Our whole existence, purpose, importance, any other strong words that you would want to add to that list, is futile.

Mounce defines futile as idle, ineffective, worthless, 1Co 3:20; groundless, deceptive, fallacious, 1Co 15:17; useless, fruitless, unprofitable. Reinforcing the idea throughout Scripture that without Christ what we do is useless.

If we continue reading the rest of 1 Corinthians 15 we see the importance of being baptized in ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭15:22‬, “For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.” And in verse 29 we see Paul asking the question if Jesus was dead what would be the benefit of baptism. It is Christ’s resurrection that gives us victory over death as we see Paul saying in 54 and 55 which is also a quote from Hosanna 13:14. Verse 56 explains briefly the relationship between law and sin, but Christ gives us victory.

So back to verse 17. If we believe in Christ then our life has and is a purpose. Whether it be our past selves or our current selves we know how our plans and preparedness set us up for our future. Are we prepared and ready? Have we done what is needed to secure our plans and not be surprised by our eternity. The great thing about this is we hold all the control in what we decide to do. We are running the race and all we have to do is finish, not be first.

The Root Of The Problem

The Root Of The Problem

by preacherpollard ♥ 4 Comments
Carl Pollard

In 1978, Thomas Hansen of Boulder, Colorado, sued his parents for $350,000 on grounds of “malpractice of parenting.” Mom and Dad had botched his upbringing so badly, he charged in his suit, that he would need years of costly psychiatric treatment.

I grew up in a family that was fully devoted to Christ. My parents created a home that in every way glorified God. The principles they taught us, the love my parents had for each other, the desire to love and serve God, were seen for as long as I can remember. They both helped create a God-fearing Home. Recently, my wife Emily and I had our first Child. He was born January 27th, and he is the cutest little chunk. I never thought babies were cute until Rich was born, and then everything changed. 

Having a child really makes you think about the future. It puts everything into perspective. 

I want to have a family that glorifies God. Mom and Dad both set the bar high, and I want to do the same for my own family. I want to glorify God through the way I love my spouse, the way I raise and teach my children, and through the influence we have on others. Glorifying God in the family is one of life’s greatest pursuits. Numerous verses teach us the importance of family, more specifically the importance of a family that glorifies our Father in heaven. 

The family was created by God. 

From the beginning Gods design has been one man and woman for life. Genesis 2:22-24, “The LORD God fashioned into a woman the rib which He had taken from the man, and brought her to the man. The man said, ‘This is now bone of my bones, And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man.’ For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.”

A family unit is established by the joining of a husband and wife, and this is God’s design!

The only way for a family to glorify God is to accept and follow HIS design. Since the family was created by God, we need to recognize that we exist for the glory and purpose of God. 

God is speaking to the nation of Israel when He says this in Deuteronomy 6:2-3: “So that you and your son and your grandson might fear the LORD your God, to keep all His statutes and His commandments which I command you, all the days of your life, and that your days may be prolonged. “O Israel, you should listen and be careful to do it, that it may be well with you and that you may multiply greatly, just as the LORD, the God of your fathers, has promised you, in a land flowing with milk and honey.” 

The Israelites had a purpose for their family, fear God and keep His commandments. 

Notice that they kept these commands for their own good. God is the Designer of the family, and His commands will not only glorify Him, but will benefit us as well. Obeying God’s commands will result in a peaceful and unified family. Everything created by God exists to glorify Him; therefore, since God is the creator of the family, the family exists for His glory (Isaiah 43:7). 

Christian families are now in submission to His Son. Each person in the family is given a role in Christ and we do so to the Glory of God. Glorifying God in the family is essential because the family was created by God. 

But the question is how? How do we glorify God in the family? Very simply, we glorify God by fulfilling our purpose. We can bring glory to God if we obey His commands. We don’t have to guess what or how to bring Honor to Him. We just need to fulfill our purpose. Sadly, the world today has twisted and perverted the home. Many struggle in their relationships with family members, and children grow up in a divided home. Now more than ever, we should be showing the world what a God fearing home can achieve. The Goal of the family is to be unified in submission to God. 

If we will return to fearing God in our homes, the world will become a better place.

Christ? Or Man-Made Traditions?

Christ? Or Man-Made Traditions?

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Gary Pollard

Colossians 2 repeats the confidence theme — “I want them to be strengthened and joined together with love, and to have the full confidence that comes from understanding.” We can only get this confidence by sticking to the essentials that Jesus gave us. 

2.4 says, “I tell you this so no one can fool you by giving you ideas that seem good, but are false.” Then 2.7-8, “You must depend on Christ only, drawing life and strength from him. Just as you were taught the truth, continue to grow stronger in your understanding of it. Never stop thanking God. Be sure you aren’t led away by the teaching of those who have nothing worth saying and are only trying to trick you. That teaching isn’t from Christ. It’s only human tradition and comes from the powers that influence this world.” 

Man-made traditions are powerless and often damaging, since they come from the powers that influence this world. But that wasn’t Jesus’s purpose! 

2.13-14 says, “You were spiritually dead because of your sins and because you weren’t free from the power of your sinful self. But God gave you new life with Christ. He forgave all of our sins. Because we broke God’s laws, we owed a debt — a debt that listed all the rules we failed to follow. But God forgave us of that debt. He took it away and nailed it to the cross.” 

This leads to 2.16 — “So don’t let anyone make rules for you about eating or drinking or about Jewish customs. In the past, these things were like a shadow that showed what was coming. But the new things coming are found in Christ.”

The entire book of Colossians is summarized with 2.18 — “Some people enjoy acting as if they are humble. They worship angels, and they always talk about the visions they’ve seen. Don’t let them cheat you out of your reward. It’s foolish for them to feel any kind of pride because it’s all based on their human ideas.” 

The keyword of 2.18 is καταβραβευετω (translated “cheat” in the verse above) — today we might say something like “umpire”. Don’t let anyone try to force you to observe a man-made tradition and then say “you’re out” if you don’t follow it. Paul lists some specific traditions in Colossians — circumcision (2.11) and prohibitions like “don’t eat that” or “don’t taste that” or “don’t touch that stuff” (2.21). 

This is after he says, “You died with Christ and were made free from the powers that influence this world. So why do you act as if you still belong to the world? I mean, why do you still follow those rules? Those rules are talking about earthly things that are gone after they’re used. They are only human commands and teachings. These rules may seem to be wise as part of a made-up religion in which people pretend to be humble and punish their bodies. But they don’t help people stop doing the evil that our sinful self wants to do.” 

This section reminds us that the power of our faith comes from Jesus, not man-made traditions. In fact, enforcing man-made traditions as important to our faith is sinful. If we follow those enforced traditions, we run the risk of losing our reward. If we want to see God, we need only what Jesus told us and nothing more (2.13-14). 

What Could I Say At The Funeral Of A Non-Christian?

What Could I Say At The Funeral Of A Non-Christian?

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Dale Pollard

God is far wiser than we are, and there’s plenty of guidance for such potential scenarios (2 Pt. 1.3). Here are some quick things to fill your mind with before you walk into a room filled with the grieving. 

First, we all need to be reminded

“A good name is better than fine perfume, and the day of death better than the day of birth.

It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for death is the destiny of every man; the living should take this to heart.

Sorrow is better than laughter, because a sad face is good for the heart.

The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of pleasure.” – Ecc. 7.1-4 

A funeral is better than feasting… for three reasons. 

  1. Because a funeral serves as a motivator for needed change. 
  2. Because it serves as a reminder that life is finite. 
  3. Because we inevitably think of what will be said at our own funeral. 

Your name is assigned at birth but defined in life. 

The Trans–Siberian Railway which connects Moscow with the Russian far east is still the world’s longest direct rail route, running for 5,753 miles. The journey passes through the Ural Mountains, Siberia’s birch forest and Lake Baikal, and the entire trip, were you to ride from beginning to end, would take six days. 

We’ll all reach the end of the line at some point. Each of our journeys are at various stages of completion, some just beginning, some farther along, but the meaning of life is that it stops. However, it doesn’t end. The vast majority of all the world’s religions teach and believe in an eternal existence of some kind. 

Death is a reality that’s juxtaposed. 

It’s the end and it’s the beginning. Or as Solomon said, “…the destiny of every man.” 

Many would rather not think of their final destination because they feel it’s unknown while others avoid the thought because the subject of death is an unpleasant one. While we should celebrate the accomplishments and one’s life, funerals have always been for the benefit of the living. 

The “house of mourning” requires at least four areas of focus in order for it to benefit us. 

  1. A time to grieve loss.
  2. A time to reminisce. 
  3. A time to comfort one another.
  4. A time for reflection. 

It’s healing, it’s healthy, and it’s enlightening. Every culture on every continent would attest to this, but more importantly— God’s provided us with this truth. 

Use the time, while in the house of mourning, for the  intended purpose. 

Don’t dismiss any sobering thoughts of mortality and use this valuable time properly. 

“I will not doubt, tho all my ships at sea come drifting home with broken masts and sails 

From seeming evil worketh good to me. 

And tho I weep because those sails are battered, 

Still will I cry,while my best hopes lie shattered, ‘I trust in thee’ 

19th Century poet, Ella Wilcox 

The Three “Ps” Of Godliness

The Three “Ps” Of Godliness

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Monday’s Column: Neal At The Cross

On Sunday mornings in the multipurpose room, Derek Johnson and I are co-teaching a book by Donald S. Whitney entitled Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life. It is a very challenging book based on Paul’s words to Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:7-8. The NAS renders it, “But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.”

First, notice Paul’s emphasis on discipline. It is from the Greek word that gives us our word “gymnasium.” It suggests training and exercise or, as Louw-Nida defines it, “to experience vigorous training and control, with the implication of increased physical and/or moral strength” (466). We are to vigorously exercise ourselves in pursuit of godliness. Godliness is a key word and concept in this letter, found eight times in these six chapters. Godliness is the aim of life (2:2), the result of right doctrine (6:3), the fruit of contentment (6:6), and the evidence of being a man or woman of God (6:11). It is something that must be pursued. 

Notice the benefits that come when we discipline ourselves unto godliness. 

We find our purpose (7). The phrase “purpose of godliness” is actually the translators way of rendering the form of godliness in this verse. Literally, the idea is “train yourself for godliness” (ESV). Godliness is our purpose. We are here in this life to live like God. It’s the idea of showing God the awe and respect He deserves. We are not following the myths of this world. We are bowing down to the Great I Am with our lives. It’s why we’re on this earth!

We enjoy a profit (8). I try to exercise every day, to stave off the effects of old age and to stay in some semblance of shape. But my running times get slower and the amount of weight I can lift decreases. I may be delaying the inevitable, but they call it inevitable for a reason. Paul contrasts bodily exercise (and any other earthly discipline) with godliness. The difference with godliness and everything else is that only godliness is profitable “for all things.” That speaks to totality and entirety. No phase or aspect of your life can fail to be blessed and improved by the exercise of godliness, every relationship, activity, thought, word, and deed. 

We realize God’s promises (8).  Godliness is the gateway to a better life here and eternal life hereafter. The word for promise is a legal word, denoting a contract, agreement, or summons. It is a promissory note written on the integrity and character of God. Pursue godliness and have your best life now and then!

What’s the opposite of godliness? Paul uses it once in this letter (1:9). It refers to violating God’s rules and our relationship with Him. It’s “living without regard for religious belief or practice” (Swanson, np). That approach to life misses our purpose, our own profit, and God’s promises. It’s the way the world counsels us to live, but so many have discovered that it’s empty and unfulfilling. 

What then? Let’s strive to live godly lives! We were made for such a life! 

Neal Pollard
What Is My Purpose?

What Is My Purpose?

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Wednesday’s Column: Third’s Words

We established last week that our existence just is. We can’t control that, so we must accept it and make the best of it. 

For this question there are two options: do what God wants, or don’t. 

If we choose to do what God wants, then we’ve chosen to believe that he exists and has some expectations. We’re going to love people, which is not a natural response. We’re going to pray for our enemies. We’re going to do good things for people who hurt us. Our focus isn’t going to be on stuff that exists on this earth, but on the cosmic (Col 3.2). This lifestyle gives us a passport to the new earth. 

If we choose not to do what God wants, we’ll live by our own rules. This lifestyle is focused on happiness and feeling good. It avoids suffering at all costs. It typically rejects any absolute moral standard. All Christians sin (I Jn 1.8), but that’s not what we’re talking about here. This is a lifestyle obsessed with self and with chasing happiness. It concerns itself only with this earth. 

Our purpose is to get through this trial period — our first life — with character intact. Our purpose is to help other people. Our purpose is to search for God and all that that entails. Our purpose is to anticipate the next life. This one means nothing to the Christian, aside from being a force for good on a dysfunctional planet. Our purpose is to get home. 

Gary Pollard
An Existential Crisis

An Existential Crisis

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Wednesday’s Column: Third’s Words

Christians are not immune to existential crisis. While this overwhelming feeling of meaninglessness is a trademark of younger people, older people often deal with it too. Young people may seek meaning, direction, and purpose for their lives as they look to the future. Older people might look to their past, wondering if their life’s work was a functional/worthy investment of their lifespan. We all have fundamental questions to work through. 

This series will explore some of those questions we have: 

Why was I created? What is my purpose? How can I be happy? What is true/real? Why does God allow evil to exist? What do we mean by “next life”? 

This week we’ll look at the first question. Not one person ever asked for consciousness or existence. Why were we brought into a dysfunctional world? Even though none of us requested existence, we exist — and we’re going somewhere after we die. None of us asked for that burden, either. 

Here are some of the commonly given answers: 

  1. We’re here for the glory of God. 
  2. God gave us the ability to choose our fate, whether to reject him or be obedient to his will. 

The problem with those statements is that they don’t actually answer the question, at least not adequately. The Bible answers those questions, and with a little effort we can find out why God created us. 

Why are we here? 

1. We’re here to interface with God’s reality. 

2. We exist, ultimately, to populate a perfect world. 

God created us in his image and likeness (Gen 1.26-27, 5.1-3, 9.6; Js 3.9; I Jn 3.1-3). This is emphatic in scripture — he made us in his image AND his likeness. Let’s put the Hebrew words sal-me and de-moot (image and likeness) in modern English. The one speaking in Genesis 1 is Logos, according to John 1. That’s Jesus. He made us to look just like him. He is the visible form of the invisible father, according to Colossians 1.15. 

Genesis 5.1 — When God created people, he made them look like himself. 

Genesis 5.3 — Adam had a son who looked just like himself, and he named him Seth. Same exact words used in 5.1. 

James 3.9 — Uses ομοιωσιν, which means in that context, “to look the same.” 

God made us self-aware, intelligent living entities to interface with the reality he created. This life is just a trial run. We exist, and that’s something we have to accept. We have a life, so what we do with it is up to us. 

That leads to the second reason we were created — to populate a perfect world. II Peter 3.13 says, “Based on what he promised us, we’re looking for a new sky and a new earth where only morally good people can live.” Because we messed up and introduced evil to this planet, it’s no longer a paradise (Rom 8.20-25). But that’s not natural. We weren’t originally created to coexist with dysfunction or entropy. 

We can thank Satan for most of the dysfunction we face today: 

  1. Ephesians 2.1-2 — Satan has control over natural functions of the planet. 
  2. I John 5.19 — Satan has control over political power on this planet. 
  3. Luke 4.6 — Satan has power over every population group on earth. 
  4. Ephesians 6.12 — Those dysfunctional powers aren’t based on earth.

The church is a combat unit. We aren’t fighting other people, we’re fighting an enemy that has far more power than we could ever dream of confronting. That’s what “spiritual warfare” means in Ephesians, for example. God is our ally, so we can never be destroyed for good. Satan may have control of the planet, but God has control over the universe. 

Our job is to make the best of our existence, ideally living by our Creator’s definition of functional. If we do, we get to live in a perfect world without any potential for dysfunction. In Matthew 19.28, Jesus describes it as a “return to the way things originally were” or “regeneration”. 

Why were we created? To interface with God’s reality in a limited capacity, and to populate a new earth after this earth’s time is up. 

Gary Pollard
Our Motives, Mission, And Message

Our Motives, Mission, And Message

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Wednesday’s Column: Third’s Words

I Thessalonians 2.1-6 reminds us that our motivation for staying faithful shouldn’t be selfish. We’re not here to gain a following or expand a financial portfolio. Those things aren’t intrinsically wrong, but using Christianity as an opportunity for financial gain is terrible. We’re faithful because it’s what God wants, and because we want to live with him forever. 

The application of 2.7-12 is that God expects us to tell people about his son’s return, even if we have to do it alone. This means we don’t expect financial help as a condition for service. This means we teach with great patience. It means we share our time generously. It means we work hard. It means we invest all of our emotional resources into the work. 

2.13-16 teaches that our message originated with the creator. It has a powerful effect on people who believe it. It also draws negative attention from people who find it too otherworldly to accept. For the most part, people find it difficult to accept the idea of a God. Beyond that, most find it even harder to believe that this God will destroy the planet, and will only rescue those who follow him. To most it reads like science fiction. As with other things that don’t fit a naturalistic narrative, our worldview is attacked as bring fringe or fantasy or irrational. But God will handle those who try to stop his message from spreading, so our job is to keep at it until our time is up! 

Gary Pollard