"A Day to Remember!"

“Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.”  

John 15:13

I am writing this article on Memorial Day 2017, so please indulge me the privilege to write on the meaning of this day.

Years ago my family had the opportunity to go to Arlington National Cemetery on the Fourth of July.  What a great, but somber experience.  If you have ever been, and I know many of you reading this have, it is something you will never forget.  The pictures I’ve included here are all pictures we witnessed while there.  I remember seeing the caissons with flag draped coffins pass by and was moved to tears.  Approximately 6900 funerals are conducted annually.  Over 400,000 grave sites currently exist.  It is simply a breath taking site and I mean that literally. 

We stood and watched the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.  During the ceremony, someone was talking and the soldier in charge stopped and called him out.  Thank you Sir for the reminder of the respect due!  These soldiers weather the rain, wind, storms, even past hurricanes to guard the tomb.  You ought to take the time to read about these soldiers and what they sacrifice to serve in this capacity.  It is amazing.

All that to say, having taken that oath myself, to protect and defend the United States of America, this day has special meaning to me.  I served with men and women who served in Vietnam.  Listening to stories of their friends who lost their life protecting them was moving.  My own father was in Pearl Harbor and on duty when it was bombed on December 7, 1941.  He could not talk about that day without breaking down in tears for the lives of friends that were lost that day.  Sacrifice has meaning.  I served in a time of peace, but there is something that happens when you don the uniform of the United State Military.  Only those who have worn it can truly understand that statement.  Each Memorial Day I have to pause and remember.  Each Memorial Day I am reminded that my freedom came at a cost.  And each Memorial Day I know, except for the Lord’s return, more lives will be lost to protect those freedoms.

The verse above was stated by Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world.  While it applies to anyone who would give their life to SAVE another, Jesus Christ gave His life so that all who would believe might be SAVED.  He loved me so much, He died for me!  If you have problems reflecting on Memorial Day, try reflecting on your own eternal state.  His death gives you life!  Because He conquered death, you can too.  If you BELIEVE!  Now that is love!!!

Blessings my friends,

Pastor Marty Duffell, Pastor HOPE EPC Raleigh

Worship - Grow - Serve

“The Ascension”

“And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.”

Act 1:9

This Thursday, May 25, 2017, is Ascension Day.  In many churches, the Sunday after Ascension Day is celebrated as Ascension Sunday.  The question is why celebrate Christ’s ascension at all?  First, let’s take a quick look at the days before His ascension.

After Jesus’ resurrection He spend 40 days on earth before returning to heaven.  During those 40 days He appeared to His disciples on several occasions and to as many as 500 followers at one time (1st Corinthians 15:6).  He had already opened their minds to understand the Old Testament message about Himself (Luke 24: 44– 48), but there were other lessons they needed to learn before they could set out in their new ministry commissioned by Him.  One was, the reality of His resurrection.  By His appearances, inviting them to touch Him, see Him, eat with Him, hear Him teach them, those that were with Him were assured, the Jesus who died had been resurrected (Acts 1:2-3).  He also discussed with them the coming Kingdom (Acts 1:6).  They wanted to know when His kingdom would be restored.  His response was, not that the kingdom wouldn’t be restored, but it was in God’s time.  Until then, be patient.  Then he reiterated the promise from the Upper Room discourses (John 14 - 15) of the coming of His Spirit, the Holy Spirit to dwell in them.  With this power they would be witnesses to Him to the world (Acts 1:7-8).

Then in verse 9 (as quoted above) Christ ascended into heaven.  Jesus ascension into heaven was an important part of His ministry, for if He had not returned to the Father, He could not have sent the promised gift of the Holy Spirit (John 16: 5– 15).  Also, in heaven today, the Savior is our interceding High Priest, giving us the grace that we need for life and service (Hebrews 4: 14– 16). He is also our Advocate before our Heavenly Father, forgiving us when we confess our sins (1 John 1: 9— 2: 2). The exalted and glorified Head of the church is now working with His people on earth and helping them accomplish His purposes (Mark 16: 19– 20).  So as you can see it is a good thing that He ascended.

There is one more thing I want to mention here though.  As the followers were standing and watching His ascension, two angels and appeared and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky?  This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:11)

As Jesus appeared and disappeared during those forty days the believers never knew when He might show up. It was excellent preparation for the church because the days were soon coming when He would no longer be on earth to instruct them personally.  Their ministry to a lost world was about to begin.  The Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ was about to gain the power needed in just 10 days from then.  He’s ascended and will come again!  When?  No one knows!

We believers today never know when our Lord may return, so our situation is somewhat similar to theirs.  As believers, we have received the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit.  We have received the command to also GO and share the Gospel.  We have been called to be faithful, righteous, disciples of Jesus Christ.  We cannot be complacent.  We cannot say, “Oh, I’ll let someone else do that.”  We are ALL called to be His witnesses until we go to meet Him or He returns for us.

He has ascended!!!  But folks, don’t be like His disciples, standing and gazing into heaven, wondering when (by some people’s testimony, if) He will return.  Claim and live into the power He has given you as a follower of Jesus Christ.

Thursday, May 25, 2017 is Ascension Day and I am thankful, for Christ is doing exactly in heaven what He promised to do for me.  No doubts at all!!!  The question is, am I?  Think about it!

Blessings my friends,

Pastor Marty Duffell, Pastor HOPE EPC Raleigh

Worship - Grow - Serve

“A Man (Woman) of God”

In my morning devotional reading I am in 2 Kings.  In addition to the Bible reading list that we use at HOPE Church I use a “read the Bible in one year” guide for myself.  In that guide I am in 2 Kings/Luke.  As many of you know, 2 Kings is where Elijah is taken up into heaven and Elisha takes over as the prophet of God.  In chapter 2 before Elijah is taken up in the whirlwind, He asked Elisha what he would want from God and Elisha asked for a double portion of Elijah’s spirit.  Elijah states, that if you see me leave you, your request will be given.  And it was so, for after Elijah had departed, Elisha took up Elijah’s mantle that had fallen to the ground, struck the Jordan River, the waters parted and he walked across on dry land to the men they had left on the other side.  As they saw Elisha coming towards them they said, “The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha” and they went to him and bowed on the ground before him.

As I have continued to read 2 Kings over the past number of days I’ve noticed that the Holy Scripture has given a title to Elisha.  The first time it is used is in 2 Kings 4 as Elisha deals with the Shunammite woman in Shunem.  She wanted to make a place in their upper chamber for Elisha to live with them when he was in town.  As she is telling her husband her plan she refers to Elisha as “a holy man of God” (4:9).  Now as Elisha’s story begins to unfold this title begins to be used more and more as people reference him.  Verses 4:16, 4:21, 4:22, 4:25, 4:27, 4:40, 4:42, 5:15, 6:9, 6:10,7:2, and there are many more as you read through 2 Kings refer to Elisha as “the man of God.”  They say; “…go get the man of God,” “…here comes the man of God” over and over again.  So much so that I began to look for that title as I read each morning.  Saying: “I wonder what ‘the man of God’ is going to do today?”  

Then something happened where I was taken aback, actually it brought me to my knees spiritually.  I was teaching our adult Sunday School at HOPE and following the class a member came up to me and said, “My husband just said to me ‘Marty is truly a man of God.’”  I wanted to say, “Whoooooo!  Wait just a minute!”  But instead said, “Thank you.”  But later that day as I was reflecting on that comment, I thought I certainly desire to be a man of God.  I want to be a man of God.  This is actually who God, Himself, has called me to be.  How am I really doing?  Am I faithful in “All” things?  Have I gotten lost in my faith in Him, entirely to the point, that I process everything in life through His lens?  Is that me?  Is that who I am?

My answer is that I try to be that person, but I have a long way to go.  My desire is to be a true “man of God” in such a way that my actions and my words are always pleasing to God, my Lord and Savior!  I try hard, but fail at times.  And to be honest with you, I think when I get to heaven and sit down to talk with Elisha about this title of his, he would say that he too was humbled by it and was not always faithful to it.  The great thing is this, God still referred to him as “a man of God.”

So how can you and I become a man/woman of God? Of course, the obvious thing is first you have to give your life to Him, surrender yourself to Him as Lord and Savior.”  But having become a Christian man or woman, how do you become truly a man or woman of God?  I believe it is very simple yet very hard.  Are you ready for it?  Here it is!  You must LISTEN to Him.  You must listen to His Holy Spirit that dwells in you and follow His ways.  When we fail to do that, self, our own ways, our own thoughts begin to take over and then we become a man or a woman of this world, not of God.  You know when you have said or done something wrong.  You know when you have sinned against Him.  His Spirit tells you.  “Respond!  Repent!  Ask Him for forgiveness!  Don’t do it again!”  

He has called you and me to be men and women of God.  We are a “new creation” in Him.  We are no longer of this world, only in the world.  We are His sons and daughters.  And with His adoption we are to grow up in Him as “men and women of God.”

How are you doing?  I’ve had to examine myself, especially when that title was thrown at me.  Let us all become more and more “A Man (Woman) of God.”

Blessings my friends,

Pastor Marty - Pastor of HOPE EPC Raleigh

Worship, Grow, & Serve

“Devoting Yourself to Prayer For the Sake of the Kingdom”

“Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving; praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned; that I may make it clear in the way 

I ought to speak.”  

Colossians 4:2-4

What is your response?  How do you react when some else gets the promotion and not you?  What goes through your mind when it seems your neighbor gets all the breaks, new cars in the garage, no money worries, and just seems to be on top of the world and you are struggling?  The normal reaction might be, “Lord, I am trying my best to do the right thing here!  I go to church, give, serve, raising my children in the right way and in a Godly home.  Lord, I don’t get it!”  Many of you have probably had those thoughts.  I know I have.  Here is one of mine when a new church opens their doors around the corner from us and within a few weeks are bursting at the seams.  “Lord, What’s up with this?  I’m trying to be faithful to Your Word, preaching the gospel, teaching the scriptures, ministering to Your people, giving hours and sacrifice to Your kingdom and yet 8 years in, well Lord, we are not bursting at the seams.”

Isn’t that a selfish pray?  One of my mentors and friends has reminded me often, “We are not called to be successful, but called to be faithful.”

The Apostle Paul is in prison and is writing to the Colossian church.  Now it would have been easy for Paul to say, “Lord, I’ve done everything You’ve asked.  Why this fate?”  Paul could have prayed to the church and said, “Hey guys, pray for my release.  I’ve been imprisoned falsely and pray that God gets me out of here.  This is just not right.”

But that was not Paul’s prayer.  Instead, he focuses on the kingdom.  Paul asked them to pray that God opens a door for His Word.  Paul’s focus is for the expanse of the kingdom, not for his personal gain.  It is about God!!!  Oh, I need to hear this.

Remember when we were studying 1st Corinthians that Paul speaks to the division in the church.  Some were siding with Paul, others with Apollos saying he was greater and Paul answers: “What then is Apollos?  And what is Paul?  Servants through whom you believed, even as the LORD gave opportunity to each one.  I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth.  So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth.  Now he who plants and he who waters are one; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor.  For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.”  1st Corinthians 3:5-9

I read this and hear Paul say, “I’m nothing!”  But God on the other hand is everything!!!  He is the one that causes the growth.  Be faithful in all circumstances!  Point to Him in all cases!  Be thankful and give Him praise, even when the chains seem to bind you.  But Marty, come on!  You know that is hard!  That is not human nature.  Oh, you are absolutely right, it’s not a part of our fallen nature.  But folks, by Him, by Christ, we have been transformed into a new creation.  We are to die to self, and rise in Him.  By the transformation of your heart, you become new in Him.  You see, it is only by His power and His might that you can do this, not of yourself.

So let me go back to Paul’s first phrase, “Devote yourselves to prayer…”  You see, unless you are devoted to prayer, you will try to rely on yourself.  Unless you have a thankful heart, even in your current circumstances, you will only see the valley.  But when we fall to our knees asking God to open opportunities for us, not to succeed or stand above everyone else, but to further His kingdom, God honors that.

It’s not easy, I know!  I have to remind myself daily.  But I continue to pray for God to open doors for me to speak the mystery of Christ.  I continue to ask Him to allow me to be an example of faithfulness.  And quite honestly, there are times I continue to fail, only to say, “Why Lord?”  But the more I fall on my knees, the more I make this walk with Christ about Him, the more I feel His power, His strength, His might and man does that feel good!!!  Because I believe that there is nothing more powerful and faithful than my Father in Heaven.  And I know that nothing will separate me from the love that is in Christ Jesus my Lord.  And I know His Holy Spirit has hold of me.  With that, what can the world, Satan, or anyone else do to me?  

So I am committed to devote myself to prayer for the Kingdom!!!  How about you?

Blessings my friends,

Pastor Marty - Pastor of HOPE EPC Raleigh

Worship, Grow, & Serve

“Be Alert In the Storm”

The rain started in the area on Sunday.  Heavy rains continued on Monday.  I don’t remember any time on Monday that the rains were not falling.  Rains continued on into Monday night and Tuesday.  In the Raleigh area on Tuesday there were those that had to be rescued by Water Rescue Teams.

On my way into Raleigh on Monday morning I saw four accidents.  Two cars which had hydroplaned and ended up in the ditch or in one case the woods.  The two other wrecks were with multiple vehicles.  It appeared that one had put on breaks and ALL the others ran into each other.  On my way home from the church late Monday afternoon I saw four more accidents all within a two mile stretch on I-440.  One that had hydroplaned into the concrete barrier and the other three were rear enders.  One of these wrecks involved six vehicles.

I know that with rain and wet roads the accident volume increases.  I was a law enforcement officer in the USAF and those stats hold true.  But, many of these accidents could be avoided by slower speeds, increased following distance, and being alert to your surroundings.  One guy on I-440 did not like the speed I was traveling on Monday afternoon so he decided, in the pouring rain, to get within a couple of feet of my bumper.  I had to bite my tongue and grip the steering wheel a little harder not to lash out at him in some way.  I thought, “Stay the course Marty, drive cautiously and you’ll arrive safely home.”

Ok, here goes my comparison again, my analogy using my experiences on Monday.  

I thought, “Isn’t that life?”  Doesn’t God call us to be aware of our surroundings and stay the course?  Doesn’t God call us to watch out for the enemy, the prince of this world, the deceiver?  Aren’t we suppose to guard ourselves so that we remain safe, on track, to arrive safely home (our eternal home)?

What did Jesus say as He was teaching on this?  In Mark 13, as Jesus is teaching on the end times and His return He states: “But be on your guard” verse 9; “take heed, keep on the alert” verse 33; “Therefore, be on the alert” verse 35; “What I say to you I say to all, be on alert.” verse 37.  Then in the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus returns to the disciples after praying and says, “Could you not keep watch for one hour?  Keep watching and praying that you may not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”  Mark 14:37a-38.

God has given us the instructions for weathering the storms.  The rains/storms of life will come.  And there will be a temptation for us to take things into our own hands, speed through them only to wreck.  Or not be aware of those around us, thus alienating them.  It is really not if the storms come, but when.  We will all face them.  The question is, how will you deal with them?

I would encourage you to be watchful, be alert, be in prayer, that you will keep your focus during the storms and the heavy rains that will come your way.  By His plan we arrive safely home.  Not without some scars and even scares along the way, but safely home with Him.  Oh, what a God we serve!!!

Blessings my friends,

Pastor Marty - Pastor of HOPE EPC Raleigh

Worship, Grow, & Serve

“May the Pressure Begin to Build”

“A portion of Interstate 20 westbound has been shut down in DeKalb County after part of the road buckled Monday.  According to GDOT, crews were working  underneath the interstate filling an abandoned gas line with concrete when something went wrong and the road buckled.  They are working to figure out what caused the pressure to build.” (Quote Reported by: Fox 8 News Atlanta)

I saw this picture and the report of I-20 in Atlanta buckling on Monday.  The last line of the report caught my attention more than the buckling of the highway.  I’m not an engineer and that is probably a good thing, but I thought “Really?  The Georgia DOT is going to have to research and figure out what caused the pressure to build enough to buckle the road?”  Hey, GDOT, call Pastor Marty in Raleigh North Carolina and I can save you some time and money.  Are you ready GDOT?  Wait for it: There is a blockage in the gas pipe that caused the pressure to build and you cannot continue to force concrete into a pipe with a blockage without the concrete having to go somewhere.  Thus, in this case, up and buckling the road some 5 to 6 feet.  Now if they would have said the GDOT was trying to figure out what blocked the pipe to create the pressure, that would have been different.

Of course my mind begins to process this news from Atlanta’s I-20 mess from a biblical point of view.  I’m not sure why that happens.  Some would say I’m crazy.  Some in my family would probably agree with you.  But here goes my crazy comparison.

A few weeks ago I told my congregation “You cannot bring out what you didn’t put in.”  Or in other words, If you do not read, memorize, and study God’s Word, (put it it) then when you need to call on it (bring it out) for witnessing or sharing comfort to someone, or having a foundation to make your stand, there’s nothing there.  With that in mind, the more you read, memorize, and study God’s Word, the more you worship and sing His praises, the more you put God into you the more the pressure builds up to the point you blow!  You cannot help but to talk about Him, share about Him, tell others what Christ has done for you.  The Christ in you HAS to come out.

We just celebrated this past Sunday the greatest event in all of the history of the world.  “If Christ has not been raised,” Paul states, “your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins.” (1st Corinthians 15:17)  In Romans 6 Paul reminds us Jesus has been raised from the dead through the glory of the Father so, “we too might walk in newness of life.” (Romans 6:4)  He goes on to say believers are “united” with Him.  He conquered death and we will too.  Read 1st Peter 1:3 - 9 again, today.

Believers, yes Believers, this is only for you, for if you are reading this and not a believer in Jesus Christ, it will be very hard to grasp what I’m saying.  But Believers, how in the world can you take in the fact that Jesus died for your sins, rose to life so you too could live, have eternal life and not share it?  How can we take all of what He has done for us and the pressure not build inside of us so that it has to come out.  How can we take His Word in, how can we have His very Spirit in us and not explode if it doesn’t come out?

I have the answer to my questions.  Unfortunately, far to few Believers are taking in enough of Him to build the pressure up to bring it out in witness.  If the pressure is not there, very little will be forced out.  That is the sad truth.

My challenge for you is to take more and more of HIM into your life this year, starting today.  Read more, study more, memorize more, pray more, WORSHIP Him more and watch the pressure build up to the point there is no way to keep His message of salvation inside of you.  There is no way to not tell what He has done for you.  Just remember; “You cannot bring out what you didn’t put in.”

May the Pressure Begin to Build!!!

Blessings my friends,

Pastor Marty - Pastor of HOPE EPC Raleigh

Worship, Grow, & Serve

“OVERCOMERS”

Yes, if you were to ask me, I stayed up and watched the NCAA National Basketball Championship game.  And YES, I’m a Tar Heel fan and was trilled with their win.  And YES I have a Masters Degree from Duke University on my office wall.  All of that is true.  So how can I pull for Carolina?  I’ve been a Tar Heel fan since I was a toddler.  I can remember my first sport T-shirt was a Carolina football shirt.  So, like my bent towards the Tar Heels or not, I’ve pulled for them for over 50 years and I really don’t think that will ever change.  Just as a side note.  When you are attending Duke University and walking through the Quads to class wearing your Carolina sweatshirt, be prepared to be called some names that would make your mommy hide her face.

Enough about my Tar Heel loyalty.  I watched the game on Monday night and was so pleased to see the fight on the floor of both teams.  The Zags had to overcome the fact that many said they were a Mid-Major team and really don’t belong on that stage.  REALLY?  The team was 37 - 1 and had beaten 5 power-five conference teams during their run to the Finals.  They were legit for sure.  Carolina had some injuries through the year, lost their starting guard for the year, ankle injuries plagued their star point guard, yet they battled.  This game featured a couple of heavy weights.  Some didn’t like the game for many reasons, but the battle came down to the wire and both teams, in my opinion, were OVERCOMERS!!!

Let me switch gears a little here, not theme, but to another conversation I was engaged in this week.  I was talking to someone who was questioning why they were facing the difficulties of life.  They asked, “But I believe in God.  I’m a Christian.  I try to be good to everyone, do the right things, why am I suffering in my old age?”  Just a few days earlier we had a conversation about salvation, so there was no doubt this person is a believer.  I assured this person that what they were facing in deteriorating health was a product of a lost/fallen world.  This is something we all will face with longevity of life.  Sickness/Death is a part of the curse of the Garden.  BUT, then I quoted a verse and talked about that some with this person.  What verse you ask?  

“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace.  In the world you have tribulation, but take courage, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Oh, there is so much in this verse that I certainly cannot exegete it in this article.  With this particular person I was talking to, I lifted up the fact that as a believer Christ is in us, with us, and only through Him do we really have peace in this world.  Being a Christian does not afford us the perfect life, no pain, suffering or sorrow, but that that day will come!  We will have trials and tribulations in this life, but remember Jesus was an overcomer so that we WOULD be also.  Take courage!!! Christ says!  This is our hope in all we face in this life.

Jesus Christ was an overcomer!  Hebrews 4:15 states: “For we do not have a great high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.”  He is an OVERCOMER!  He overcame temptation and denial, even from His own family.  He overcame persecution by the religious leaders, the Roman government, and the abandonment of all His followers.  He is an Overcomer!  Even an OVERCOMER of death!  For the grave could not hold Him, death could not hold Him.  Satan had no power over Him.  He overcame and conquered death and the grave.  He is ALIVE!

Folks, you have heard it over and over and over again about Christ and His story, but do you claim it for yourself?  Have you found peace in your life, though trials persist?  Though this world and Satan will throw everything including the kitchen sink at you, are you persevering through it?  Have you claimed: “I’m an OVERCOMER because of my Lord and Savior Jesus, the Christ?  Believer, if not, do!  Don’t live your life with worry and doubt.  Be a King David and say, “…though I walk through the valley of death I will fear no evil.”  Claim your salvation through Jesus, live into it and be OVERCOMERS!!!

Blessings my friends,

Pastor Marty                   

Worship, Grow & Serve