Dear Editors and friends,
Please freely print this weeks Penny Pulpit Column in your papers, bulletins, emails, bloggs and twitters . Thank you for this consideration.
Pastor Ed Rice, Good Samaritan Baptist Church, Dresden NY 14441
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What The Bible Says
Good Samaritan's Penny Pulpit by Pastor Ed Rice
Scottish poet Robert Burns asks, “Should old acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind?” then answers “For auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne, we'll take a cup of kindness yet, for auld lang syne.” That's 'Old long ago', for those with no Scottish flare. There are some things of long ago that are better forgotten but old acquaintance should be remembered. The 'pint cup' that is lifted in Robert Burn's old drinking song should never touch a Christians lips, but the idea's invoked by the poet are applicable and surely better captured by Paul in his letter to Christians at Philippi. Therein God captures Christ, the believer’s life, rejoicing in suffering, (1:1-30); Christ, the believer’s pattern, rejoicing in lowly service, (2:1-30); Christ, the believer’s object, rejoicing despite imperfections, (3:1-21); and Christ, the believer’s strength, rejoicing over anxiety, (4:1-23). In this epistle notice there are 3 things that can, if you let them, embitter our memories of 2012 or rob our joy from 2013. People can be joy robbers, but Paul encourages us instead to rejoice in sufferings and in service. Christ said even our enemies should invoke our compassion and ministry. Remember, old things are passed away and all things are become new so that we may be 'ministers of reconciliation'. Circumstances can be joy robbers, but we are reminded that imperfections and trials should produce trust. The trial of your faith should produce praise, honor and glory. Lastly worry can rob your joy, but we see that Christ, the believer’s strength, is to produce rejoicing over anxiety. “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. … I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Happy New Year.
An Essay from week # 53, Sunday, December 30, 2012
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