Pastor’s Pen # 4
Turn to Malachi 1:14
With the climate of our world system as a backdrop, I want to talk today about fear and reverence. As you watch and listen for the latest headlines across every media outlet, what things invoke a sense of fear within your heart? It would do us well to remember that fear is a God given emotion. It is intended to give us the burst of energy necessary to act. Sometimes fear can be so gripping that we freeze. At other times fear can cause an impulsive reaction of “flight or fight.” Either way, fear usually comes out of a basic need for, or a sense of self preservation. So what do you fear in this life? Do you fear a downslide in the economy? How about the fear of illness? Do you fear the politicians in Washington and the legislation they can send our way? Would you say that you have a fear of God? Now, how would you define the word, reverence? Webster’s dictionary says that it is “a feeling or attitude of deep respect, love and awe.” Reverence also has emotion tied to it on some level. However, reverence always leads us towards the object of our deep respect, love and awe. To understand the bible we must have a working comprehension of these two words. Why? Words can change in meaning over time. If we truly understand the value of reverence it will change the way we react toward God and ultimately toward one another. The thing missing in so many relationships is an attitude of reverence or a sense of respect for the other person. Often times we demand respect but don’t always give it. In today’s passage God says, cursed is the one who vows to give me his best but when the time comes he exchanges it for second best. Then He explains why. HE says, “My name is to be “dreadful” or “revered” among the heathen of the world. So what does God expect from His children, Fear or Reverence? I submit to you that HE has the right to expect both! We had better learn how to revere HIS Holy name and the power He holds on this universe! We need to learn that a healthy self respect is intrinsically tied to how we respect HIM! To disrespect Him, is to erode our own sense of purpose and to thwart our God given destiny. God is King! He is to be feared for the judgment He holds in His own power toward those who defy HIM! Our relationship to Him should demonstrate to the world that we “fear” His judgment on sinful, rebellious people but we hold Him in the highest most esteemed position in our life! Can we say, “We truly Reverence your Holy name, God, Jehovah, Christ-Jesus!”
Making Christ Known, Equipping His Followers, Pastor Dwayne

Pastor’s Pen # 3

Turn to Malachi 1:6-14
Have you ever had one of those awkward moments where you are in relationship to someone you truly love, but you forgot a special occasion in their life? As a young teenager I went to Boy Scout camp one summer and the time happened to overlap Father’s day. Upon returning home it hit me like a ton of bricks that I had been so wrapped up in my time of fun camping that this “hallmark” Holiday had totally slipped my mind. While unpacking my gear an idea came to me that would not only absolve me of my guilt for forgetting but would also make me “look” good in the eyes of my dad too. You see, I loved to pass my time at camp by carving on wood pieces. At this particular camp I bought a knife specifically made for carving out those masterful creations only a teen with very little imagination could make. The brilliant idea of re-gifting was born in me at the moment of unpacking! I quickly took the well used knife along with a variety of blades and clumsily wrapped it without a box. With this treasure in hand, I ran into the room where my dad was and shouted a bright, cheerful, “Happy Father’s Day!” Boy was he surprised! My mom smiled, my dad smiled, it was such a wonderful moment. But then his smile turned to weird kind of sullen look as he un-wrapped the gift. He looked at me and said, “son, you didn’t really buy this for me did you?” As a Father I understand that it really would have been much better for everyone if I hadn’t tried so hard to cover up the reality of my forgetfulness. After all, my dad gave me the money to go to camp and spend it in any way I wanted to. He didn’t have the expectation of my returning with any gift for him. Probably all he would have wanted from me was the best I had to offer at the moment; just to love him, spend time with him and maybe a big hug. But instead I gave him something he had no use for. Our scripture in Malachi chapter 1, gives me the same picture of my heavenly Father. If we are going to give Him something it shouldn’t be our leftovers, hand-me downs, worn out, sick, sad stuff! It should be our very very best of everything. After all, HE provides it all to us in the first place! To give Him less than our best is to diminish our gratitude and appreciation. To give Him less that excellence is to diminish the image of His holiness to a watching world.
All my love Pastor Dwayne

Turn to Malachi 1:2-5
As we study these verses together there are a couple of powerful statements being made. First of all, we can’t forget that it all starts with the Love of the Lord toward His people. However, do you see the question right after the awesome statement, “I have loved you saith the Lord?” The prophet speaks not only the words of the Lord but also the thoughts from the people. “Wherein hast thou loved us?” There seems to be a question surrounding the integrity of God in the midst of adversity. If we are truly honest with ourselves before Holy God, we would do well to realize that there are moments, no matter how fleeting, where we struggle with the reality of His love for us. Can you remember a time like that in your life? Please don’t allow pride to slip in to think you have never pondered the depth of His love in the difficult periods of your life. I have come to understand that questioning love has more to do with something deeper than we might think. You see, when we wonder about the love of someone we are really questioning their commitment toward us. God goes on through His prophet to contrast just how wonderful and amazing God-centered, committed, love truly is. He states to the hearers that He will always be committed to those who respond to Him and that He will operate intentionally against those that are against Him! The point to all of this is that if you are truly one of His blood-bought, born again believers then you are His child. He is not going to leave you nor forsake you. But let me contrast this with the picture of feeling like at every turn you keep getting forced backwards in your life. If you are a true believer theses setbacks may be the result of the struggle for God to see your loving commitment toward Him. Or these moments could be coming as a direct result of not really “knowing” Him to love Him in your heart and life. Do you love me? He shouts from the portals of Glory! If you do love Him it will show through acts of obedience that serve to magnify His glorious name. All my love, Pastor Dwayne

Please take your Bible and turn to Malachi 1:1 as we read “The burden of the word of the Lord to Israel by Malachi.” God has decided once again to speak through a human instrument concerning the things that are on HIS heart. Evidently this word is meant to become something of substantial importance to Israel because it is called a burden. Have you ever received a word from God that became in you something that was heavy and freeing at the very same time? Think back to circumstances in your life when you knew the “weight” of what HE expected from you balanced with what He promised through your obedience. The Bible is full of these Holy moments. So are our lives! Verse two of our text states once again the fullness of His covenant with humanity. “I have loved you saith the Lord.” The hinge-work for the entire plan and purpose of God is stated in these words. The value of His love is immeasurable! His Love is so weighty I cannot by my own strength lift it. It is so lofty; I can’t fully reach up to understand it. His love is so deep; I can’t on my own find it! Do you understand? Every word, commandment, statute or directive of God begins with His love for us! How amazing; how wonderful! Malachi is a prophet who is going to speak some very strong and condemning words to the people of Israel and thereby to our lives today. But please don’t forget that it is based first on the weight, “burden” of His love for us. By the way, our obedience is based on the value we place on His love, and our desire to love Him in return. All my love, Pastor Dwayne

We are so excited about 2010.  Not only is God adding to the body those that are being saved but He is also renewing the vision of our church to be more about sharing the gospel with those that need hope.   I’m also excited about our special called prayer times each Saturday night from now through Easter at 7:30pm in the church sanctuary.  We are praying for Revival, Commitment to ministry, Outreach and the need for a van.  God bless you Safe Harbor!