By Pastor Jackson, on March 7th, 2012  I heard about an incident that reportedly happened when a world-famous professional golfer was playing golf in Saudi Arabia. Apparently, the king of the country was so impressed with this man’s playing abilities that he said to him, “I would like to give you a gift of appreciation.”
The golfer told the king that no gift was necessary; he just appreciated the opportunity to play in his country. But the king was insistent that the golfer receive not just a gift, but that he could name any gift he wanted. After a few minutes to think about it, he said, “A golf club.” He thought maybe the king would give him a golf club with some gold or maybe a jewel in it, and didn’t think much more about it.
A few days later, a representative of the king came to the golfer’s room to present the king’s gift: an object that was roughly one foot long, bound in a leather pouch. Apparently this was going to be a small golf club! Then the golfer opened the pouch and discovered a deed that made him the owner of a golf club…as in, hundreds of acres!
The golfer had one observation after this amazing gift. He said, “In the presence of a great king, you do not ask for small gifts!” How right he is!
Reading that story reminds me of a promise in the New Testament. Ephesians 3:20 identifies our Lord as He that is “able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.” I hate to say it, but in light of the kind of King we have and the kind of promises He has made to us, most of our prayers are pretty lame. We come into the throne room from which the universe is governed with our little “Dear God, thank You for this day…thank You for the many blessings…forgive us for our sins…help us with our problems…and bless the missionaries, whoever they are. Amen.”
When our praying is predictable and routine, that’s an insult to the God Who has invited us to come to Him for “no small gifts.” When was the last time you really believed God for some things that are so big that only God could do them? Or have you been praying you-sized prayers? We’re guilty of under-praying and under-trusting!
When you pray, take a little time to focus on the One Whose awesome Presence you have just entered: the One Who controls 100 billion galaxies! Do you pray like that? Let yourself be overwhelmed…not by your problems, but by your God! Then pray in ways that are worthy of the great God you are with!
The hymnwriter had it right when he said “O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear – all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.” Remember: when you pray, you are in the presence of the King of all kings! Don’t ask for small gifts!
By Pastor Jackson, on December 9th, 2011  Although the Christmas story is ultimately about Jesus, it might seem that Mary is the star of the show, at least until the Baby is born. She’s the one chosen by God. She’s the one Scriptures foretold, the virgin who would conceive. She’s the one on whom God’s favor rested.
But what about Joseph? I think most of us just assume he was thrown in as part of the deal. Joseph isn’t the father of Jesus, but he’s engaged to the soon-to-be mother. Yes, Joseph is the overlooked character of Christmas. Actually, he’s more than overlooked. He’s almost part of the scenery. Did you notice that Joseph never speaks in the Biblical account? Oh, he’s talked to. He’s talked about. But there’s not so much as a cough or gasp officially coming from his lips.
If we were to base his importance to the Christmas story on the number of lines spoken, we’d have to conclude that Joseph is nothing more than an extra. But we know that’s just not true. To me, Joseph is the unsung hero of the Christmas account. While the Bible doesn’t record any of Joseph’s words, his actions speak loudly and clearly.
Joseph was kind, gentle, considerate, and obviously in love with Mary. Matthew calls him “a righteous man” (Matt. 1:19). Whenever Joseph is commanded by God to do something, he does it. No questions, no dragging of the sandals, just immediate and complete obedience – even when it caused him to rearrange his life and suffer the potential of a ruined reputation. Marry Mary. Flee to Egypt. Come back home. Live in Nazareth. Joseph listened and obeyed!
At first, we might consider Joseph a silent part of the Christmas story. but you can be sure God didn’t. Joseph was a simple man, a hard-working Joe from a backwoods town. But that’s who God used to keep and protect His one and only Son through the years of His life that were the most vulnerable Amazing, but not surprising. After all, God has always been interested in the average person. The angels appeared to lowly shepherds, not to kings. Jesus was born in a stable, not a palace. His earthly parents were a poor couple from a bad part of town, but through them, God’s plan was revealed.
Whenever you start to think that God can’t use you because of your background, your bank account, or your reputation, remember silent Joseph. God requires only one thing of us, and it’s not talent or good looks: it’s just faithful obedience. If you’re willing, God will use you. It’s as simple, basic, and profound as that!
Wishing you the best God has for you this holiday!
By Pastor Jackson, on November 23rd, 2011  Thanksgiving isn’t the only time of year that people are thankful. Many people are thankful at Christmas when it’s time to open their presents. People also appear thankful on their birthdays when those birthday gifts start piling up. But how many people, on an everyday basis, adopt an attitude of gratitude? Just like us, not everyone in Bible times was grateful, either. Let’s look at Luke 17:11-19.
Jesus, on His way to Jerusalem, passed through through Samaria. Here He was greeted by ten men who were lepers. As was the custom for men in their condition, they stood afar off because their disease was incurable and contagious. Even from a distance, they recognized the Saviour and cried out for Jesus to have mercy on them. Jesus was full of compassion and commanded them to go show themselves to the priest. As they obeyed Him and went on their way, they were healed!
In spite of all Jesus had done for them, most of the men were too busy counting their blessings to stop and thank the One Who gave them those blessings! Only one of the ten lepers turned back and fell on his face at Jesus’ feet to thank the Lord. Some of the saddest words in the New Testament are reflected in Jesus’ words in Luke 17:17: “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine?”
I am convinced that one of the greatest sins in America is a lack of gratitude. We have a tendency to take things for granted. James 1:17 reminds us “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above.” How about you? Are you thankful for the blessings God has given to you? Are you thankful every day for salvation and eternal life, and for the privilege to serve God? For His faithfulness and mercy to us? Or do you wait until Thanksgiving and Christmas to thank God for those things?
In I Thessalonians 5:18 we are told, “In every thing give thanks.” That doesn’t mean you necessarily have to be thankful for every circumstance you might be facing, but you do have to be thankful while you’re in it! God is using that circumstance to conform you to the image of His Son. Let’s make every day a day of Thanksgiving!
By Pastor Jackson, on November 11th, 2011 
With the redesign of our church website comes an uncharted adventure for me: blogging. I look forward to sharing thoughts with you!
God has been so good to my family. There’s rarely a time I’m not thinking about that, but it comes to mind even more often as Thanksgiving approaches. But before Thanksgiving, there is a lesser-known and lesser-celebrated holiday that I’d like to draw your attention to: Veterans’ Day.
Freedom isn’t free, but gratitude is! When was the last time you thanked a veteran or someone on active military duty for his or her sacrifice for our country? It’s our privilege at Faith Baptist Church to honor our military service personnel with a special service. We will celebrate with our veterans and their families this Sunday, November 13. I hope you’ll make time to attend!
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