3 small simple words

Posted on January 5, 2016 by Tim Sorbo

What is the most popular verse in the Bible? Have you ever seen something like this at a sporting event?

What verse pops up in your head? Here are some of the others that came to my mind:

Genesis 1:1; Philippians 4:6-7; I Corinthians 13

To read these verses or any other verses in the Bible, click Biblehub.com

There is another passage that also comes to mind. But before I get to that, let me give you the back story.

Back in December, I was meditating on 2016. Multiple questions were circling through my head about things I wanted to do, blogs I wanted to write, places I wanted to visit, and goals I wanted to accomplish. What were my plans for 2016? This is what I go through at the end of the year. I evaluate myself and then project what the future holds.

It was in this place that these three small simple words came to mind.

Do The Work.

What!?!? God, I am making plans here. You need to reveal great things for my life. Do the work? Are you crazy? That is all God has spoken to me as of right now.

Let’s get back to the popular verses. I have listed four of them and you might even have others. Here is the one that also came to mind. Jeremiah 29:11.

If, by chance, you don’t know this one by heart, here it is, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

This is the stuff that I was hoping to hear from God about. He was going to lay out the next 12 months so I could follow Him. At least that is what I thought I needed from God.

That passage in Jeremiah is one that I have heard literally dozens, if not hundreds, of times. But it is coming into a completely different focus for me right now. A new light is shining into those words. God is speaking to me. And I want to share it with you.

But for right now, I am just trying to do the work.

MMXVI

Posted on December 22, 2015 by Tim Sorbo

It is Tuesday and I want to write a post.

My son and I went to see Star Wars: The Force Awakens. I loved it but that is not what I am writing about.

Another part of me wants to tell you about my personal theme for 2016. You will have to wait until January 2016 for it.

It is December so Christmas would be a good thing about which to write. I got nothin’.

Around this time of year, I get reflective. What happened in my life this year? There were many great things and some not-so-great things. Don’t worry, I am not going to list them for you.

I think that what I am saying through all of this blubbering is that God is still God.

He never changed this past year.

He will still provide even if the economy tanks.

Job troubles? God see the sparrows so He certainly has his eye on you.

Still giving the devil a foothold? Let God guide your steps next year.

The cross of Jesus still holds power over sin.

The name of Jesus still frees you from sin.

The blood of Jesus still washes away your sin.

So what does 2016 hold?

2016 Calender on the red cubes

I don’t know. But…

I will put Jesus first and everything will either work out or not matter.

170 and counting.

Posted on December 2, 2015 by Tim Sorbo

As you may know or have read in previous blogs, I am a pastor by God’s calling. This entails many things but the largest portion of my time goes to the weddings that I officiate. Here is an actual wedding of mine from Pamperin Park in Green Bay, WI.

But before the couple and I get to this point, we will have met 2 or 3 times. Texting, calling, and emailing is also quite frequent . This way, the couple is not completely unknown to me and they also feel comfortable with me. There is a relationship.

To be honest, I do not remember all of the couples I marry. Most of them have faded into a memory. But every once in a while, there is something special that takes place and a friendship is formed. The relationship continues. Of the almost 170 weddings that I have officiated, there are maybe 10 or 12 couples that I could call right now. We have kept up with life.

But all of that is just background. Now you know a little bit of how my process works with these weddings. Monday night, I had a meeting with another couple. Their wedding is Dec. 26 this year. I have enjoyed our meetings and will also enjoy the wedding. They are a godly couple and so I feel like it is a privilege to marry them!

They asked me about what I would say during the ceremony. Do I preach a sermon? Give a little advice? What are my remarks? In this case, it will be a sermon from John 17. And that is my point of today’s post. I am going to give you that sermon. Not the whole thing but a nice little summary. Please turn to John 17…

In John 17, we find Jesus praying. He prays for himself (verses 1-5), his disciples (verses 6-19), then finally, all believers (verses 20-26). There are three things that Jesus is praying for in the second section, the one about the disciples.

He prays for their Protection (11-12, 15). While on earth, Jesus was able to protect them. Now he prays for them to be safe by the power of God’s name.

He prays for their Pleasure (13-14). The world has hated them but they can have joy inside them. The joy will be internal, not depending on the external.

He prays for their Perfection (17 -19). Sanctify. To make whole. Perfection. The disciples would need to keep growing and learning.

God desires this for the disciples so He had Jesus pray these things.

CONCLUSION: I think God would desire these same things for a married couple. The marriage relationship provides an avenue in which God can protect, provide joy, and sanctify His children. The world does the opposite. In fact, without God and His word, we would become like the world. At that point, our marriage will be no good for God’s purposes.

But if we keep God first in our lives and then our marriages, God will keep the marriage what it needs to be.

And that is the difference this world needs.

So be the difference.

NOTE: If you are single, these three things can apply as well so don’t feel excluded or insignificant.

“Put Jesus first and everything else will either work out or not matter.” Roger Sorbo 1941-2014

“Thanksgetting”

Posted on November 25, 2015 by Tim Sorbo

I was watching the Packer/Viking game on Sunday. It was nice to see the Pack get back into the win column. The commercials are generally something I try to tune out but there was one that caught my attention. A major cell phone carrier ran this ad about the latest and greatest stuff a person can get. The name of the ad was “Thanksgetting.” That last word made my ears perk up. Thanksgetting?!?! What?!?! Why doesn’t that sound right?

So I began to ponder the idea of Thanksgetting. It did not take long but I did not like the thought of focusing on ‘getting’ during the holiday season. Sure, I understand the company wanting the consumer to feel like they were getting a good deal, getting the best phone, or getting what they deserve.

But isn’t that the direct opposite of what Thanksgiving is all about?

I believe I was placed here in earth to glorify God and to become more like Jesus. If I am to do those things than I must turn to the Word of God for instruction and guidance. Here are 5 verses that address the idea of giving. I took the liberty of highlighting the parts about giving or gifts. All passages are from the New International Version.

John 3:16

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

James 1:17

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

Romans 6:23

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Ephesians 5:25

“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her…”

John 14:16

“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever…”

So…

During your feast and football on Thursday or some crazy shopping this Friday, try to take two minutes and be thankful. This does not have to mess up your eating, cheering, or busting down doors! You can do both!

I would just hate to see someone become consumed with Thanksgetting instead of Thanksgiving.

As always, thank you for reading and sharing this post. God bless and enjoy some turkey. =-)

Cinnamon Melts and Salvation

Posted on November 18, 2015 by Tim Sorbo

Twice a month, I meet my pastor for some mentoring time. We usually meet at a McDonald’s that is close to both of us. I would say that I eat breakfast maybe there once every 4 to 5 months. He usually gets coffee or water. It is not the food that draws us but our conversation.

But this post has nothing to do with talking to my pastor and everything to do with the food because yesterday, I decided to eat.

Baihley (Yes, she had an ‘H’ in her name) was the cashier yesterday. This conversation is not exactly word for word but pretty close.

Me: “Good morning! I would like a Bacon, Egg, Cheese Biscuit please.”

Baihley: “The meal or just the sandwich?”

Me: “Just the sandwich please. And a small orange juice. Oh wait, and the Cinnamon Melts please.”

Baihley: “Ok, the total comes to $7.21.”

Me: “Um….I only have $7. Change the…”

Baihley: “I got this, hold on.”

Me: “What?”

Baihley: “The total comes to $5.23.” (She had a big grin on her face at this point)

Me: “Thank you. Not necessary but thank you.”

I do not know if Baihley is a manager but she gave me Cinnamon Melts for free.

1 Bacon, Egg, Cheese Biscuit = $3.19

1 Small Orange Juice = $1.79

1 Cinnamon Melts = $0.00

I am no one special. I had no coupon. It was not a special item on the menu. In fact, as far as I could tell, there was absolutely nothing that should have allowed me to receive free Cinnamon Melts. I did not deserve it. I did not earn it. I did nothing. It was all Baihley. I just said ‘Thank you.’

Here is that same paragraph with two words changed:

I am no one special. I had no coupon. It was not a special item on the menu. In fact, as far as I could tell, there was absolutely nothing that should have allowed me to receive free Forgiveness. I did not deserve it. I did not earn it. I did nothing. It was all God. I just said ‘Thank you.’

God is so extensively rich and vast in His love and mercy. He already paid the price. I have accepted His gift and now follow Christ with all my heart. Get past your past. Stop trying to earn something that is un-earnable. Your works-based mentality can keep you from experiencing God. Live today for Him. Say ‘thank you’ by living for Him.

Your actions will never earn salvation, they will only display it.

Two Minutes With Tim

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