Month: December 2022

Good Shepherd

/ James Penner / Leave a comment

Jesus said, “I am the Good Shepherd.” John 10:11

For the past thirty four years there has been a ten inch by twelve inch framed pencil drawing by artist Kathrine Brown hanging in our living room of Christ holding a lamb. It belonged to my wife before we were married and was a drawing she always cherished. The drawing itself is simple but the artist was masterful in their depiction of Jesus the Good Shepherd. The drawing is done close up so that only the face of the lamb and the wrist and hand of Christ are seen cradling around the neck of the lamb. Christ’s face is not even shown as He lovingly nestles behind His sheep. 

Over the years I’ve looked at this drawing in passing. Like many so many times in life sometimes we look but we don’t really see. You been there. You’ve looked at something for years and then one day you really look at it and the message comes through loud and clear. Just a few nights ago I glanced over at this drawing and for the first time really saw the drawing. For the first time I noticed the small pencil lines that formed a scar on Jesus wrist. The lambs face may have dominated this pencil sketch, but now, tonight, the scar that Christ bore to rescue the lamb shone through above all else. As you give gifts to loved ones this Christmas, remember the gift of all gifts that Jesus gave to you. One day you will come face to face with Jesus and you will see those scars on his wrists as he stretches out his hand and says to you, “I love you…this much.” 

Tomorrow

/ James Penner / Leave a comment

“being confident of this, that He (Jesus) who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion” Philippians 1:6

In 1977 the rock band “Fleetwood Mac” released “Don’t Stop Thinking About Tomorrow”, a song that has endured through the decades. For me the lyrics are the embodiment of a faith filled life. “If you wake up and don’t want to smile If it takes just a little while. Open your eyes and look at the day. You’ll see things in a different way. Don’t stop thinking about tomorrow. Don’t stop, it’ll soon be here. It’ll be better than before. Yesterday’s gone, yesterday’s gone. Why not think about times to come? And not about the things that you’ve done. If your life was bad to you. Just think what tomorrow will do…

Don’t Stop Thinking About Tomorrow”

Paul tells is in Philippians 1:6 that what Jesus has started in your life He will carry through to completion. Translation: when you put your life in Jesus hands He forgives your past so yesterday is indeed gone, He is carrying you today so you can open your eyes and see things in a different way, and He has a plan for your future so just think what tomorrow will bring! Don’t stop thinking about tomorrow for you have a Savior who loves you.

The Mandalorian

/ James Penner / Leave a comment

“The true Light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him.” John 1:9-10

“The Mandalorian” was one of the most popular series on Disney the past few seasons. This spinoff of the George Lucas famed “Star Wars” series captivated audiences as a helmet waring, swashbuckling interstellar bounty hunter tries to reunite a young Yoda-esque child with his family. In this series the Mandalorian’s have a creed or saying that they live by, which is,

“This Is The Way.”

Once the statement is said out loud, the conversation ends for no other conversation is needed. I found this similar to the term “Amen”, which in Hebrew means, “truth – certainty – so be it.” John makes such a declaration in the New Testament book bearing his name as he declares that Jesus is the “true Light” that gives light to all mankind, for the world was made through Him. Our denial won’t change who Jesus is. “For God so loved the world that he gave us His only son, that whosoever believes in Him will not perish, but have everlasting life”. This is the way.

The Trust Factor

/ James Penner / Leave a comment

“My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9

Denis Healey, the longest tenured British defense minister in its history famously said, “When you’re in a hole, stop digging.” That’s probably one of the greatest pieces of advice we could ever receive, and a lesson that the Apostle Paul learned from God in 2 Corinthians 12. Paul had a problem, and even though we don’t specifically know what the issue was that’s really not what’s important. What’s important are the words God gave to Paul in saying,

“My Grace Is Sufficient.”

In other words, God is saying to us stop toiling and spinning over this problem and hand it to Me. We have to understand that while we are weak, He is strong. Strong enough to deal with whatever hole you have found yourself in. So hand God the issue and say “Lord, I trust you.” then be content with how He works it out. His solution may not be your solution, and that’s where the trust factor comes in. Trust in God.

Social Media

/ James Penner / Leave a comment

“Wherever Jesus entered into, cities or the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged Him that they might just touch the hem of His garment.” Mark 6:56

I’m fascinated at the speed with which news travels around our world. The World Wide Web has transformed life beyond what we ever thought possible just a few short decades ago. Now go back just a hundred years and imagine the snails pace at which news traveled, or a thousand years ago it was probably even slower. Yet in Jesus day everywhere He went people clamored to be around Him. Every village He entered they had already heard stories of this miracle worker.

News Of Miracles Travels At The Speed Of Light.

Are you ready for a miracle? The same Jesus that people clamored to touch over two thousand years ago is alive and well and ready to bless you. If you are reading these words know that I’ve already prayed for you. I don’t have to see your face or know your name to do that because Jesus knows exactly who you are, and what your circumstances are. I just have to care enough about you to to say, Jesus, bless this dear soul reading these words with a very special surprising touch from You today. Meet them at the point of their need and let them be filled with Your joy, right now, in this very moment.

Believe

/ James Penner / Leave a comment

“Behold you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place because you did not believe my words….” Luke 1:20

Zacharias was a man of God, a minister of his day. Together with his wife Elizabeth they had served God their entire lives, and because Elizabeth was not able to have children, they devoted all their time, energy, and attention to the work of the Lord and His church. Then one day in his aging years while tending to his duties in the church, the Angel Gabriel came to visit Zacharias. “And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled and fear fell upon him.” Interesting how easy it is for you and I to sympathize with Zacharias’ reaction. Imagine praying your whole life and suddenly an angelic messenger from the Lord stands before you with a word directly from God! The Angel says to Zacharias, “Do not be afraid for your prayer is heard and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. And you will have joy and gladness and many will rejoice at his birth.” This is about the time dear old Zacharias had a little trouble believing the unbelievable and says, “I am an old man and my wife isn’t any younger.” Zacharias unbelief was no match for God’s plan. The angel simply says, “you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place because you did not believe my words.” When I read Zacharias story I’m reminded of times in my life when

Doubt So Easily Clouds Our Mind.

I’m sure he was thinking, why now, why not when I was younger and could run and play with my son. Why do this in my advanced years when I’m tired and old. Why, why, why! The answers to these questions needs to taken by faith. God’s plans for our lives will be done in His timing, and for His glory. In Zacharias case, God literally had the last word by muting this man until all those months later when John the Baptist was born, at which point God reopened Zacharias mouth. By this time Zacharias had learned his lesson, for the first thing to come out of his mouth was a long and glorious string of praises to God Almighty (Luke 1:68-79). Today, are you a willing vessel, open to being used by God for His great and glorious purpose? Stop asking when and why, and start saying, “Thy will be done”  

Wake Up Call

/ James Penner / Leave a comment

“Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light.” Ephesians 5:14

Most days I sleep walk my way through the first hour of the morning. From the time I get up it’s a miracle if my socks match, if I actually remember to eat something, and if I remember all the little things needing to be done before I head out the door to work. But ask me to get something done at 9pm at night and I’m all over it, wide awake and ready to go. For my wife on the other hand it’s a miracle if she’s still in bed at 6am. Her eyes open wide at 5:30am with no alarm clock in sight. Yes our physical body clocks are all different in the human family. Yet the real question in our scripture verse today is, are you spiritually asleep? Is your relationship with God something you only think about on Sunday for an hour, or when you need a hand, or when your life turns upside down? 

Wake Up, Life Is Calling! 

God’s life giving, miracle working power will absolutely transform your life, but it is up to you to tap into that power. But how to I get started, you may ask? Simple. Start with prayer. Praise God for everything from his magnificent creation that’s all around you to the love He has for you! Ask God for His will to be done in your life, and tell God that you are willing to be used by Him to accomplish something beyond your wildest dreams!

Which Way Is Up?

/ James Penner / Leave a comment

“Where can I go from Your spirit, or where can I flee from Your presence?” Psalm 139:7

Sometimes life throws things at us that we simply do not expect. We use the term ‘blindsided’, but that hardly describes the darkness or pain we feel as though we’d just been run over, either physically or emotionally, or both. From such a dark pit we wonder, which way is up? Yet in such times there is a Psalm that perfectly describes what we are going through, and at the same time gently reminds us that

God Is Always With Us.

“Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.  If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, Even there Your hand shall lead me, And Your right hand shall hold me.” The way up is actually right beside you, for God is with you right now, holding your hand.

Joyfully Triumphant

/ James Penner / 1 Comment

“Finally brothers and sisters, rejoice!” 1 Corinthians 13:11

Driving home I’ve notice the local FM station has loaded all the Christmas music into their playlist. As I began to drive a familiar song burst forth, “Oh come all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant.” Today those words hit me with a power I had not noticed before. Come forth, the song was saying, and by the way, be joyful about it! The words brought a smile for why wouldn’t I be joyful.

Christ Brings Joy To Life

Christmas is really all about celebrating our freedom! Freedom from sin and worry over fears, provision, health, you name it and Jesus provides for it! Not my words or promise, but His actually. Open your bible and read those promises for yourself. Are you joyful and triumphant today? If not, you can be. It’s a decision. A faith decision. Let go of your past and let Jesus take the wheel. He’ll put the joy back into your life, and He will do it today.

True Substance & Evidence

/ James Penner / Leave a comment

“Faith is…substance…and evidence.” Hebrews 11:1

Hebrews 11:1 is one of the most fascinating verses in the Bible when it comes to describing faith. Paul, Hebrew’s author, says that Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. I’ve shortened the verse above to the critical point that’s being made. Your faith is by definition “substance and evidence”. Not of something tangible that you can hold in your hand or see with your eyes but believing beyond what you can touch and see. When you have the faith that the intangible is very real your eyes will open to what Jesus spent His time on earth teaching us. That God loves you beyond your imagination and has a plan for your life. That you are a critical part of history on this planet and that heaven is cheering you every step of your journey. What you see as insignificant in your day to day life may in fact be life changing for someone, somewhere, and at some point. Example, a nurse in an orphanage teaches a little boy about Jesus. That boy becomes an evangelist and millions accept Jesus as their Savior. That singular act by the nurse changed history, and may in fact have been God’s plan for her life. You see,

Only God Can Define Success.

Stop looking at your circumstances and judging your life by measuring it against your neighbor or society and start looking into the eyes of God. Let Him lead and let Him Guide you. For as a pastor friend recently said to me “I don’t want to get to the end of my life building a great congregation only to hear God say “that’s not what I called you to do, you just were not listening to Me.” I’ve had the same thought a time or two which is why for the past twenty years or so I’ve prayed a very simple prayer every morning. “Father, whatever you have for me today, I am truly grateful.” Of course the attention grabbing headlines each day in my life are easy to spot, but I try to take the time watch for the simple and the ordinary, for those simple and ordinary things may just be what God really wants me to pay attention to. For one day I may touch one seemingly ordinary life who then goes on to change history. Give it a try. You just might be the critical link in the chain that changes the world.