Blog Archives

Ordinary Blessings

7/26/2012

As I consider the week that I have had, it appears to have been what we would consider and ordinary week. I have studied and prepared to preach this week, much like I do on any given week. I have spent some time listening to lectures and writing papers for my seminary classes. I have made some hospital visits and a few in home visits. To put it in a nut shell, it has been an ordinary week of ministry.

These are the type of days that seem to blend together. There were no great tragedies or big surprises, just average days. When we think about it, the average days make up the bulk of our lives. We only have one birthday a year. There are a few holidays that most of us look forward to. Most take a little time each year for some sort of vacation. But, much of the time we live through long stretches of ordinary days, those with little fan fare.

As I thought of the significance of these ordinary days, if for no other reason their sheer numbers, I realized that we serve a God who is in the midst of our ordinary days. In fact, an ordinary day is quite extraordinary when we really think about it. I am saved; thus I have enjoyed fellowship with my Lord today. What is ordinary about that? I have enjoyed a measure of good health today. My family made it through the night and is functioning today. I have a place to live, food to eat, and more clothes than I could possibly need. These are all things that we have grown so accustomed to that we consider them ordinary and even take them for granted, but they are anything but ordinary. These are all blessings from our Lord. In His great mercy, He chose to bless us, even though He knew that we would really not even notice. I sure am glad that my blessings on any ordinary day are not dependent upon my awareness of them. If they were, I would probably have much less than I currently enjoy.

I suppose the point I am trying to make is this: we are blessed beyond measure and don't even realize it much of the time. Those ordinary days are just as special as the real memorable ones. God is just as good to us on any given day than He is on any other. Psalm 40:5 - Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.

Have you taken the time to thank the Lord for His abundant blessings today? If not, I would encourage you to do so. He has blessed us abundantly and He is worthy of our thanksgiving!

Preacher Chris

God's Abundant Grace!

7/20/2012

I was thinking this morning of the abundant grace of our God. The Bible is clear that all are born in sin and have come short of the glory of God. He is holy and righteous and can in no way condone or have fellowship with sin. We are condemned because of our sin before God. That sad truth is, in and of ourselves, we have no hope of ever being acceptable to God.

That is where God's marvelous, wonderful grace steps in. Consider what Scripture says:

Romans 5:20-21
Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: [21] That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

Let's take a moment to consider that more closely. Paul reveals that sin abounded. That is an interesting statement. As we consider it, just on the surface, you would have to agree that sin abounds in our day as well. It seems that everywhere we look; we see the effects of sin. I want us to understand the significance of what the text reveals. It declares that sin abounded. That has the idea of “super-abounding; to abound in abundance, literally piled up, one upon another.”

It would be tragic if abounding sin were all we had to consider. If God had only pointed out our sin and condemned that sin, we would be without hope. But praise the Lord where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.

On the surface it might appear that sin and grace are somewhat similar in measure. Sin abounded, but grace did much more abound. Sin super-abounded; it exists in abundance. Sin has the ability to pile up in our lives. It has the potential to grow.

We need to consider the difference in the text. Sin may super-abound, but grace much more abounds. This speaks of the abundant grace of God. It means “to abound above measure, to overflow.” Where sins may pile up, the grace of God fills up and runs over. It might be said that sin has the ability to add up, but the grace of God has the ability to multiply! God’s grace exceeds all that we can imagine or even need.

I remember a time in my life where sin abounded. I was separated from God, condemned, and without hope. But praise the Lord, where my sin abounded (added up) His grace did much more abound (it was multiplied to me.) Sin once reigned unto death in me, but now grace reigns through righteousness unto eternal life in Christ my Lord.

Living in a body of flesh, I still deal with sin; it is still there. But, I am no longer condemned in my sin. Where sin deserved eternal punishment, grace secured eternal life. I rejoice today that grace exceeds sin!

If you have experienced the grace of God in your life through salvation, you ought to praise the Lord for His abundant grace. Grace, grace, God's grace!

Preacher Chris

Thankful for Light Bread

7/13/2012

I have been reading in the book of Numbers as of late in my daily devotional time. As you know, this reveals a detailed look at the Wilderness journey and the rebellion of the people at Kadesh. Two of the spies, Joshua and Caleb, were ready to go in and possess the land of promise, but the other ten could only see the giants in the land. Instead of considering how big their God was, they chose to consider how big the giants were. Because of their rebellion and unbelief, God caused them to wander in the wilderness until all the people that were above 20 years of age died off, with the exception of Joshua and Caleb.

Time and again the people murmured against God, grumbling and complaining. Many times they longed to return to the captivity of Egypt. They were convinced that their lives were actually better in bondage than to follow the leadership of the Lord.

This morning I read a passage that dealt with the time following the rebellion at Kadesh. The Canaanites had come out against them and God had miraculously delivered the Canaanites into the hand of Israel. One would think that this would have brought much rejoicing and worship, but sadly that was not the case. True to their nature, the people once again grumbled instead of offering praise.

Numbers 21:5-6
And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread. [6] And the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.

Did you catch that contradiction in their accusation. They just said that God had not provided bread nor water, and yet their souls loathed the light bread (the manna) that God had provided. Time and again God had been faithful, and time and again the people were ungrateful for all that God had done for them.

It is easy for us to look on them with criticism, but in reality we are no better. We will have to admit that God has blessed us abundantly and beyond measure and yet many are not satisfied. We have plenty to eat, a place to sleep, clothes to wear, and a warm to place to dwell. The tragedy is few are satisfied with what the Lord has already given.

Even pastors are guilty of this sin. Often God has been more than gracious in our lives and yet we get discouraged and want to complain. Just having an opportunity to stand and share the Word of God is a genuine blessing. Having a church to pastor is an added benefit. Often we don't see the true blessings of God because we desire something "bigger or better." I don't know where you are in the journey Brother, but I would venture to say that there are many faithful men who would love to have the opportunity God has given you. Rather than grumbling and complaining about the lack that we perceive, praise God for His goodness and the opportunities you currently enjoy! It may be light bread, but it was given of the good hand of the Lord!

Preacher Chris

Bearing our Cross

7/6/2012

The cross is an emblem that stirs emotion throughout the world. For the believer, it is a symbol of hope and redemption. It stands as a reminder of the price our Lord paid so that we might receive salvation. Had there been no cross, there would be no salvation.

There are others who utterly despise the emblem of the cross. To them is stands as the emblem of Christianity and evokes hatred within their hearts.

I fear that the cross has been minimized in our day. We see it in western culture all the time, but I am convinced that most have no real appreciation for the cross and really give it little consideration. We are aware of its meaning, but few take the time to really consider the enormity and eternal implications of the cross.

I have given much thought to the words of our Lord found in Luke 9:23:

And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

Clearly Christ was not speaking of the cross He would bear. That cross was reserved for One who was worthy to offer Himself as the sacrificial atonement for sin. But we are commanded of our Lord to take up our cross daily, and follow Him.

Take a moment to consider the thoughts that must’ve ran through the peoples’ minds as Jesus made this statement. They were no strangers to the Roman crosses and the awful crucifixions. In that day, often the roads would be filled with crosses as men hung there dying. The cross was a cruel instrument of death. It was recognized as a brutal, and even barbaric means of death. Crucifixion was reserved for the vilest of criminals and there was little, if any, mercy shown to those who were condemned to this awful form of death.

Now, I had always looked at this verse as Jesus expecting me to bear my burdens, and there is application for that. There is much in life that we must endure for the cause of Christ. God often uses the times of difficulty to mature our faith and conform us to the image of His Son. We must bear our burdens, but remember the cross is an instrument of death. Taking up our cross doesn’t involve only bearing burdens, it involves dying to ourselves.

The greatest battle that any of us face is with the flesh. There are many hindrances that I face, but I will have to admit that my sinful flesh creates the greatest hindrance of all. If I am to enjoy victory in Christ, then I must be willing to bear my cross and crucify those fleshly, lustful desires that are associated with the flesh.

Consider these verses:

Romans 6:6- Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

Galatians 2:20- I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Romans 12:1- I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

If we would be honest, few are bearing their cross daily in order to follow the Lord. There isn't a lot of denying ourselves and crucifying the flesh in our modern society. In fact, most of the time we give in to the desires of the flesh and feed it rather than dying to ourselves. The flesh is very demanding. It doesn't like to be told no. It is always hungry and desiring to be fed. Any time we seek to live for the Lord and serve Him, the flesh will seek something totally contrary to what the Lord desires.

Allowing the flesh to dominate our lives has had an effect. Our lives lack power and our churches lack conviction. Many of the problems we face in our modern society can be attributed to allowing the flesh to dominate our existence.

Do you long to experience a touch from the Lord and experience His power in your life? Do you desire the church to experience enough conviction to grip the heart of a lost soul? Are you concerned about the future of our nation? If so, could I ask how long its been since you took up your cross to follow Christ. We can see the power of God among us again. We can experience revival in our nation. But, if we are to experience a spiritual renewal, it must begin with bearing our cross for the Lord.

Preacher Chris

I am Chris Benfield, pastor of Shady Grove Baptist Church in Boonville, NC. Here you will find some of my thoughts, particularly relating to the church and serving our Lord.

Ordinary Blessings

God's Abundant Grace!

Thankful for Light Bread

Bearing our Cross

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