A Future and a Hope

By Reverend Lonnie C. Crowe.

Jeremiah 29:11:  : “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

Let’s understand the context of this promise from our Lord.  Jeremiah was speaking to the nation of Israel, a nation hurting, troubled and confused.  God was not promising to deliverer them from the consequences of sin in their nation.  In fact, Jeremiah told the people they were going in to exile in Babylon for 70 years.  God was promising them a future and a hope in spite of what was going on around them.

Consider Jeremiah 29:4-7: “Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all who were carried away captive, whom I have caused to be carried away from Jerusalem to Babylon:  Build houses and dwell in them; plant gardens and eat their fruit. Take wives and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, so that they may bear sons and daughters that you may be increased there, and not diminished. And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the Lord for it; for in its peace you will have peace”

Pray for the peace of this nation and for the peace of the world.  In that peace you will have peace.

Trust in the truth of the Lord Who has promised: “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:11-13)

Happy New Year!

A Bit of a Rant from Pastor Lonnie

 A Bit of a Rant from Pastor Lonnie

I am in a ranting groove this evening.  Before I enter into the rant, I want to give some background.  Several years ago, the Holy Spirit sent me a prophetic dream.  In the dream several friends and I were walking hurriedly through the woods in an effort to reach a stream that we needed to cross.  We had started out together, but as the journey wore on, some lagged behind because they were stopping to feed the bears.  While the rest of us felt an urgency to move on, we were concerned for those who were lagging.

We heard a voice telling us to move on.  Those who were behind were behind because they had made the choice to feed that which would devour them.  If we stopped for them, we, too, would fall into the trap of feeding the devourers.

Now, back to the rant.  Last week, someone near to me fell seriously ill with Covid 19.  While many stood with us in prayer, others attempted to get us to feed their particular devourer. Choice tidbits:  “my civil rights are being violated because I have to wear a mask to work,”  “only those already old and feeble are seriously affected,”  “the doctors falsify death reports to make the epidemic sound worse,” “the Democrats are behind it all,” “it’s Trump’s fault,” “God is punishing us,” “we are becoming  too clean.  We need bacteria to build up our immune systems,” “I don’t mind washing my hands and social distancing.  I just don’t like being told to do it.”

(The present restrictions are basically what God told the Israelites to do when they were in the wilderness for 40 years.  Read Leviticus 13 among other passages.)

The juicy tidbit that pushed me to the limit today came from someone hoping to bring me comfort.  He said, “I found an article by a Chinese scientist who admitted that China purposely sent the virus world- wide.”  This is a person who, like many, forms an opinion and then searches the internet until he finds someone who agrees with him.  If we search enough, we will probably find someone who agrees with us.  Then we must be careful not to research the source to ascertain its validity.  We want to be sure that we have a tasty bit to feed the devourer.

My response:  That information brings me no comfort at all.  I don’t want to feed the grizzly devourer more fear, doubt, misinformation, half-formed opinions and assumptions.  Too many Bible believing Christians are lagging behind feeding the devourer more fear and discontent.  They are feeding what could destroy them. 

I want us to be on our knees storming the gates of heaven, repenting of attitudes that feed into the problem instead of calling out to the Lord of healing and resolution.  I am so thankful for the many who stood faithfully with us in prayer during this difficult time.  Let’s go forward together and cross this river as the Lord leads. 

The rest of my dream showed that we are not really leaving the laggers behind because when we come through, the showers of blessing fall on both the just and the unjust.  It is those who continue to go forward that bring the rainfall of blessing on those who have lagged behind.

Check thereturn.org  to see how you can join in on the National Day of Prayer and Repentance led by Jonathan Cahn on September 25-26.

Now a River Went Out of Eden

Now a River Went Out of Eden

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

I am in the midst of preaching a rather long series entitled “Rivers in Scripture.”  I began with the four rivers in Eden: Genesis 2: 10-14:” Now a river went out of Eden to water the garden, and from there it parted and became four riverheads. The name of the first is Pishon; it is the one which skirts the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold. And the gold of that land is good. Bdellium and the onyx stone are there. The name of the second river is Gihon; it is the one which goes around the whole land of Cush. The name of the third river is Hiddekel; it is the one which goes toward the east of Assyria. The fourth river is the Euphrates.”

I am not endeavoring to find the geological location of the rivers.  My heart is to study the etymology and semantics of the names of the rivers and the symbolic understanding of the precious metals and gems to learn what the Holy Spirit wants to impart into our lives to aid our growth in Christ.

Following is a summary of 6 weeks of messages.  I believe I have touched only the surface of the spiritual depths present in this passage.

From the study, our church is now declaring the following over our lives:

►Because the River of God flows through me, I am to bring peace, healing and life into every aspect of my life.

►Because I walk in His grace, I am to extend that grace to others. 

►I am to rejoice and be happy and not be afraid to testify of God’s goodness toward me. 

►I am to grow in the fruit of the Spirit.

►By the grace of God, the river of God will flow from my innermost being.

Out of the Abundance of the Heart

Out of the Abundance of the Heart

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

Luke 6:43-45.  "For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. "For every tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.”

This week a pastor of a large congregation spoke words that drove the knife of racism deeply into the hearts of the wounded and fed the divisive spirit that is prevalent in our nation. When he was confronted, he tearfully apologized.

He is like many of us.  We quickly apologize for what we say.  We rarely, if ever, apologize for what we think.  An apology for what we have said is only superficial.  It does not address the root issue.  How can we chop down the tree unless we lay the axe to the root.

How often have we, with deep repentance,  prayed as David prayed:   Psalm 139: 23-25 “Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties;  And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.”

No matter which side of the political and social divide you are on, please pray with me. “Oh God, I want to know where my thinking is wrong, where it is perverted and contorted.  I want to allow the mind of Christ to indwell we.  I want to think as you think.  I want to be as you are.”

The apostle Paul wrote to the Christians in Rome:  Romans 12: 1-2: “ I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

Our heart’s cry must be, “Father God, I am willing to be transformed by the renewing of my mind.  May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer.” Psalm 19:14.

Only then, will we lay the axe to the root.  Only then will we be transformed.

Jesus said in John 7: 38.  "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.''  The river of God is to flow from the hearts of His people.  That river is to bring life where ever it flows.  (Ezekiel 47)

Caution: Method May Muddy Message

Caution: Method May Muddy Message

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

The situation in our nation today is grievous. The act that instigated the violence is egregious. It is so egregious that it should have united us as a nation in our protest. In fact, we are in agreement that the act was heinous and that justice must come forth. It is not the protesting that has divided us, it is the method of protesting.

As so often happens in protesting that agitates violence, destruction and wrath, the message of the protest is lost in the method of the protest. That, too, is egregious. It isn’t the right to protest that is dangerous. It is our methods of protesting that can lead to our loss of that liberty.

How then shall we protest? As always, the word of God is our guide (even if we don’t believe in God).

Consider Isaiah 1:16b-17: Cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, reprove the oppressor; defend the fatherless, plead for the widow.

First, we must cease to do evil. Burning, pillaging and looting are evil. We must learn to do good.

Look again at the first amendment. “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”

We must peacefully assemble. People in Philadelphia and in other places have been peacefully protesting for days. They are marching together, praying together, loving together. They have learned to do good. In that goodness, they are seeing justice, they are reproving the oppressor. Their message is not muddied by their methods.

Study Amos 5:24: But let justice run down like water, and righteousness like a mighty stream. A key word in this passage is “let.” To let means to allow. We must ask ourselves if our method of protesting allows justice to run down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream or does our method of protesting prevent justice and righteousness from pouring forth.

Take to heart Micah 6:8: 8. He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? Am I walking justly, mercifully and humbly in my protest? Martin Luther King did and so can we.

The Passover Mandate

The Passover Mandate

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

Today is Maundy Thursday.  Maundy means mandate.  On this day, Jesus mandated the Passover in communion, the Lord’s Supper.  In Biblical times, when people ate together, they entered into covenant with one another.  As Christians, in various times and places, when we celebrate communion, we seldom realize that in the act we are entering into is not only covenant with our Lord, but with one another. 

After they had finished the Passover meal, Jesus and the disciples sang a hymn and went out to the Garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives.  There Jesus prayed.  He not only poured out His anguish before His Father, He prayed for believers through all the ages.  John 17:20-22:  "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word;  "that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. "And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one.”

As He faced the agony of the cross, the desire of Jesus’ heart was for unity in the Church—unity across denomination, culture and ethnicity.  His desire is the same today and forever more.

1 Corinthians 12: “For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. For in fact the body is not one member but many.”

Let’s join together spiritually wherever we are today and, in unity, celebrate the Lord’s Supper

.

Matthew 26:26-28:  And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed it and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, "Take, eat; this is My body.''  Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

Context Is Important

Context Is Important

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

One of the blessings in our lives, particularly in difficult times, is to declare the Word of the Lord over our lives.  One of the greatest deceptions in our lives comes when we declare the Word of the Lord out of context. 

In that light, I feel prompted by the Holy Spirit to issue a caveat concerning a scripture brought to my attention and quoted out of context today, Psalm 91:10.  An acquaintance called to tell me that he wasn’t following any of the COVID-19 safety precautions because no plague can come near him.   We must look at the context.

Psalms 91:1-4: “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.'' Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler And from the perilous pestilence.  He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.”

Dwelling in the secret place of the Most High indicates a deeply personal relationship with the Lord.  Being covered with His feathers and taking refuge under His wings pictures being in His arms and covered by His tallit, His prayer shawl. The prayer shawl is a place of intimate conversation with Him.  It is a place where we listen Him. It is a place where we are obedient to Him.  He still speaks to us and has spoken directions to protect us in this pandemic.

Both Exodus 15:26 and Deuteronomy 7:15 discuss obedience to God as a prerequisite to protection and blessings.   That obedience included more than the 10 Commandments.  It included dietary, sanitary and health laws that included quarantine and separation.  On the first Passover, the people had to both put the blood over the door and be inside the house to be passed over by the death angel.

Satan quoted Psalm 91:11-12 out of context during the Temptation.

Luke 4:9-11:  Then he brought Him to Jerusalem, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here. "For it is written: `He shall give His angels charge over You, to keep You,' "and, `In their hands they shall bear You up, lest You dash Your foot against a stone."

The Lord’s response says it all:  Luke 4:12. “And Jesus answered and said to him, "It has been said, `You shall not tempt the Lord your God."

 We cannot allow out of context declarations of the Word to become idle words for which we will be called to account.  (Matthew 12:36)

To Congregate or Not to Congregate

To Congregate or Not to Congregate

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

It is again Sunday. Again, many of us are following the admonitions of safety by practicing social distancing and sheltering in place. Yet, our hearts are torn because we long to join with other believers in worship. Some are clinging to the idea that it is all a conspiracy to keep believers from worshipping. The truth is that I am the only one who can keep me from worshipping. I can join others in worshipping in spirit and, physically, on-line, on the phone, etc.

Many are rightfully quoting Isaiah 26:20: “Come, my people, enter your chambers, and shut your doors behind you; hide yourself, as it were, for a little moment, until the indignation is past.” The context of this scripture is a messianic word to Israel about the establishment of God’s kingdom. The message promises the protection of God in the meantime. “(3-4) You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for in YAH, the Lord, is everlasting strength.”

Whether or not we decide to congregate, our minds must be focused on the Lord. Remember that the Lord sees our hearts. Proverbs 21: 2 “Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the hearts.” Whatever our decision may be, our motives must be pure and focused on our relationship with God.

Passover begins on April 8. It is reminiscent of not only our Lord’s passion, but also, of our current situation. To be spared from the angel of death who passed over Egypt, God’s people not only had to put the blood of the lamb on the door, they had to be inside the house where the blood had been applied.

Exodus 12:13: “Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.”. The Israelites needed both to enter into the covenant by putting the blood over the door and to be in place to be spared.

The blood is a sign of the covenant the Lord made with Israel. It is a picture of the covenant we have with God through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. To be covered by our covenant with God which was sealed by the shed blood of Jesus Christ, we must be where we are supposed to be, not only on Sunday, but every day.

The question we must ask is, “am I where God desires me to be?”

Again, in reference to Passover, if for some reason people could not celebrate the Passover on the designated day, they could celebrate later. Numbers 9:6-11: “6. Now there were certain men who were defiled by the dead body of a man, so that they could not keep the Passover on that day; and they came before Moses and Aaron that day. And those men said to him, "We became defiled by the dead body of a man. Why are we kept from presenting the offering of the Lord at its appointed time among the children of Israel?'' And Moses said to them, "Stand still, that I may hear what the Lord will command concerning you.'' Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, "Speak to the children of Israel, saying: `If anyone of you or your posterity is unclean because of a dead body, or is far away on a journey, he may still keep the Lord's Passover. `On the fourteenth day of the second month, at twilight, they may keep it. They shall eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs.”

If we are still to be sheltering when the Lord’s Resurrection is to be celebrated, we can celebrate in our sheltering place on the day and corporately with one another whenever.

Nothing on God’s calendar must be overlooked if we shelter in place until this storm passes by. I am worshiping God as I write this. I will be worshipping with you as you read this. We are one in the Body of Christ wherever and whenever. Let's worship Him today and every day.

Whatever Is Lovely

Whatever Is Lovely

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

Proverbs 4:23: “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.”

As we practice social distancing, as we have more time to be within ourselves, it can be a temptation to indulge in self-pity, depression and anxiety. While we should not live in denial of the situation, we need to remember John 16: 33.  "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.''

While I do not have a favorite color, a favorite movie or even a favorite memory, I do have a favorite prepositional phrase.  After all, I spent more than 40 years as an English teach.  I am allowed my eccentricities.  My favorite prepositional phrase is “in spite of”.  In spite of everything that is going on, I can be of good cheer.  Not only has Jesus overcome the world, He has enabled me to be not only an overcomer, but more than a conqueror.

Romans 8: 37-39: “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Therefore, in spite of the current situation, how can we keep our hearts with all diligence so that we become more than conquerors?

Philippians 4: 6-8: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy meditate on these things.”

Think on whatever is lovely.

“Light of the world, You stepped down into darkness
Opened my eyes, let me see
Beauty that made this heart adore You
Hope of a life spent with You

And here I am to worship
Here I am to bow down
Here I am to say that You're my God
You're altogether lovely
Altogether worthy
Altogether wonderful to me”

(Chris Tomlin)

Clean Hands and a Pure Heart

Clean Hands and a Pure Heart

Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

Psalm 24: 3-5: “Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, Nor sworn deceitfully.  He shall receive blessing from the Lord, And righteousness from the God of his salvation.”

It has been suggested that we should wash our hands for 20 seconds to cleanse them thoroughly.  Another suggested that we sing “The Doxology”  as we wash our hands.  I timed it.  Right on, 20 seconds to sing through “Praise God from Whom all blessings flow.  Praise Him all creatures here below.  Praise Him above ye heavenly host.  Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.”

I suggest that we sing one verse or the chorus of our favorite hymns as we wash our hands.  What a joyful way to have clean hands, both spiritually and physically, and a pure heart.  The joy and hope we receive will be one of the blessings we receive. Our sink can be the holy place that we stand in.

One of my favorites:

Peace, peace, wonderful peace

Coming down from the Father above.

Sweet over my spirit forever, I pray,

In fathomless billows of love. (25 seconds)

‘Til the Storm Passes

‘Til the Storm Passes

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

Psalms 95: 1-3:  Oh come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms. For the Lord is the great God, And the great King above all gods.

Nothing lifts our spirits and encourages us more deeply than singing praises to our King.  The song that keeps arising in my spirit today is “ ‘Til the Storm passes by” written by Mosie Lister:

“In the dark of the midnight have I oft hid my face
While the storm howls above me, and there's no hiding place
'Mid the crash of the thunder, Precious Lord, hear my cry
Keep me safe till the storm passes by

“Till the storm passes over, till the thunder sounds no more
Till the clouds roll forever from the sky
Hold me fast, let me stand in the hollow of Thy hand
Keep me safe till the storm passes by

“Many times Satan whispered, "There is no need to try
For there's no end of sorrow, there's no hope by and by"
But I know Thou art with me, and tomorrow I'll rise
Where the storms never darken the skies

“When the long night has ended and the storms come no more
Let me stand in Thy presence on the bright peaceful shore
In that land where the tempest, never comes, Lord, may I
Dwell with Thee when the storm passes by.”

Psalm 32:7 “You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance.”

Declaring the Word of God over Our Nation

Declaring the Word of God over Our Nation

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

Hebrews 4: 12.  For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

The Word of the Lord is powerful. We are created in His image.  Therefore, our words our powerful.

In that light, the scriptures issue several caveats about the words we speak.  Matthew 12:36.-37: "But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.  "For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.''

Currently, two areas in which we all,  liberal, conservative, middle of the road and libertarian, must guard our tongues are discussions of the media and the government.

Scripture declares in 1 Timothy 2: 1-3: “Therefore, I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior.”

Anger, insults and slander do not lead to quiet and peaceable living.  So, what shall we say?

First of all, if you think that our form of government finds no relevance in scripture consider Isaiah 33:22, “for the Lord is our Judge, the Lord is our Lawgiver, the Lord is our King; He will save us.”   God cares about all three branches of government:  judicial, legislative and executive.  He desires for us to be well governed.

Therefore, we can powerfully pray and decree powerful words of God over our nation.  Consider the following:

Our media will be the result of truth and integrity in the lives of those who produce it. (Proverbs 8:6-9: Listen, for I will speak of excellent things, and from the opening of my lips will come right things; for my mouth will speak truth; wickedness is an abomination to my lips. All the words of my mouth are with righteousness; nothing crooked or perverse is in them. They are all plain to him who understands, and right to those who find knowledge.)

We, too, are media, God’s voice crying in the desert, “Prepare ye the way of the Lord.”  Therefore, we will guard our words and live and speak with integrity.

We believe it is the role of media to inform, educate, investigate and report truth.  Therefore, we must do the same before sharing information.

Because we desire to lead quiet and peaceable lives, we declare that our government will be led by those who, like David, have integrity of heart and skillfulness of hand. (Psalms 78:70-72: “He also chose David His servant, And took him from the sheepfolds; From following the ewes that had young He brought him, To shepherd Jacob His people, And Israel His inheritance. So he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart, And guided them by the skillfulness of his hands.”

Carefully consider the following:

Governance without morality is impossible.  This statement applies to both those who are governing and those who are governed.