Did You See The Star?

Good Monday Morning to you!!!

I have some news I must share with you. It is my sad duty to report to you that this is the last Monday Morning With Pastor Vic you will receive this year. I know how devastated you must surely be, but take heart --- next week Monday Morning continues into 2011. Please control your emotions and let us get on with the serious stuff.

Did you have a nice Christmas? Did you get all the presents you wanted and were you able to stuff yourself with homemade fudge and chocolate chip cookies? Did you get to see the face of a child as he wandered sleepy-eyed into the room where hours earlier Santa had visited and had generously opened his magical sack of every toy conceivable? Did you look outside and see the star shining? Wait a minute preacher, what star? Once again, as at that first Christmas, the star came and nobody noticed.

Is the star of Bethlehem still in the heavens, and is it still shining? Possibly it is, but I’m not an astronomer, so I do not know. As a student of theology, my answer would be “No, it is no longer there.” Just as God prepared a special fish to house Jonah for three days and three nights, He also prepared a star to point the way to the place where the new born baby Messiah was lying. This was not the first time God used a celestial display to guide someone. In Exodus chapter thirteen we read where God sent a pillar of cloud by day, and a pillar of fire by night to lead the children of Israel. The two pillars, the whale, the star; these things are called revelators - they reveal something. That something was a route: the route to the will of God. It was God’s will that the wise men found the young Jesus. By following His revelator, what we refer to as the star of Bethlehem, they found the will of God for their lives. God’s will was for these men to find the Messiah. It is God’s will for people today to find the Messiah, the Christ as well. The trouble is, that even at the time of hearing Christmas carols being played on the radio, and over the speakers of many department stores, people miss it. They are so busy with buying, wrapping, and exchanging gifts, and baking, serving, and gorging on treats, that just outside their window the star shines, but nobody sees it.

God has a revelator for you but you must watch and listen for It. That “It,” is none other than the Holy Spirit of God. Jesus said of Him that He would, “… guide [us] into all truth.” (John 16:13) During this triune holiday season, we now have two down, and one to go. God does not want you to NOT enjoy the time with family and friends, but He also does not want you to miss out on a word from Him. Moses told his rather large flock to, “Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD.” Sometime in the midst of all the busyness, we need to just stop, look out the window, and search for the star. It’s there shining as bright as ever, but you will miss it if you do not look for it. The wise men were looking for the star. Are you looking for it?

Whatever plans you have for the New Year’s celebration, by all means stay safe. I want to visit with you again next week. To you and yours, have a happy and a Christ filled New Year. from the entire Cooper family now scattered from Arizona, to Nebraska, to Ohio, to Florida.

I’ll see you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic.

Remembrance from Christmas Past

Good Monday Morning To You!!!!

Merry Christmas to you. I like the smell of Christmas. As I write this, our house smells like gingerbread. Miss Bessie is baking gingerbread cakes to go into fruit baskets our church, Friendship Harmony, is delivering to our shut in folk. We hope to make their Christmas a little brighter by letting them know we love them and that they are not forgotten. What is your favorite Christmas smell? Is it freshly cut evergreen? Artificial trees are nice, and are a real convenience, but the smell of a real Christmas tree brings about warm memories of Christmases past.

One past Christmas I remember quite well. We lived in Elmwood Place, a little village tucked safely inside the borders of Cincinnati. The year was somewhere around 1963. I was nine years old at that time. My bedroom door opened out into the living room; there was no door-knob. I decided to turn out the lights, hide in my bedroom, and catch Santa in the act. I told my parents of my plan, so it was agreed we’d all hide in my room and peek through where a knob should have been. We must have been in that room for two hours or better, spying on Santa. My mom would occasionally say that Santa was pretty smart and would not likely be caught. I was persistent, and mom and dad were patient. I didn’t realize until years later that the best gift I received that year was not under the tree, but was hiding out with me in that bedroom peeking out the keyhole. Thanks mom and dad --- that was a great Christmas.

Do you have time for one other Christmas from Pastor Vic? For as long as I remember, our family celebration began at 6:00pm on December 24th. I guess that’s the Hebrew in me coming out (if indeed there is any). At 6:00 we were ready to, “let the fun begin.” Every year my mom would slow us down and say, “not until we read the Christmas story.” We had, and still have, a Christmas story book that had the section from Luke’s Gospel about the account of Christ’s birth. Not one gift was touched until that story was read. I remember one year I asked if I could read the story. Mom and Dad agreed, so I read, skipping forward as I went. Somehow we had to speed things along, after all, the presents were waiting. Mom let me finish then she said something like, “That was nice, now lets read it again so we can hear the entire story.” I learned that day that you do not want to try to pull the wool over Sunday School attending Southern Baptist parents.

In the spirit of the season, and to slow hectic times down a bit, lets read the story again. I do not know your favorite translation, so allow me to use the King James Version. Call me a traditionalist if you must, but to me, the KJV’s account has a certain beauty about it surpassed by none other.

Luke Chapter 2
Augustus enrolls all the Roman Empire
1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. 2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. 6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
An angel announces it to shepherds
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. 15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. 16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. 17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. 18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

There mom, the whole thing this time, no cheating. From the entire Cooper Family, which is now splashed all over these United States, Merry Christ- filled Christmas, and may your New Year be filled with the blessings of hope, health, and happiness. I’ll see you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic.

God's Greatest Gift! ! !

Good Monday Morning To You!

I hope you have had a tremendous week. I sure have. I’m starting to feel pretty good and my cardiology visit this past Wednesday went very well. I do not have to see Dr. Towe again for at least 6 months. They put me on a new medicine and said I’d have to take that for one year. It is to help the body grow a coating over the stints so they are not rejected. I didn’t know they could be since they are non-living material, but I’m told they can. The medication is called Plavix and the doctor really stressed, “do not run out of these and take them faithfully.” I wish I could stock a year’s supply just to be sure. However, Medco Pharmacy said they would send them as needed, so I’ll let them keep them stocked. Anyway, I’m thankful to the LORD that I’m living when I am. If this were 50 years ago, I would not have survived.
I’m also sure that 50 years from now, our current treatments will be outdated, but I’m thankful that medical technology is where it is.

Yesterday was another great day here at Friendship Harmony Baptist. I can’t wait for you winter visitors who are coming down after Christmas to get here and experience this Church. You talk about the presence of God….. In Sunday School, we continue to look at Jewish festivals and holidays. Yesterday we looked at Purim found in the ninth chapter of the book of Esther. Christian, these Jewish festivals should be important to you; they were to Jesus. He celebrated them. Ask your Pastor if he would consider doing a series of messages on the major and minor holidays. You will be blessed by them and so will he as he studies and prepares. We have now examined Hanukah and Purim, both minor holidays. They are not considered minor because of a lesser significance, but because they are not in the list of seven convocations God gave Israel to observe in Leviticus chapter twenty three. In 2011, Purim will begin at 6:00pm on March 20 and run for two days.

In the worship hour, I preached the message, “God’s Greatest Promise.” In my opinion, and I stress it is just my opinion, God’s greatest promise was given to us by the prophet Isaiah in Isaiah 7:14,15 which reads, “ Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. 15 Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good.” Butter and honey is what the plain folk ate; it was nothing fancy. The angel announced the Child could be found lying in a manger; plain folk, nothing fancy, yet He was Israel’s long expected Deliverer, their Messiah --- their King.
Below is the outline I used to deliver this message. Feel free to use it in your personal Bible study. You preachers and teachers are free to adapt it to fit your needs and use it to God’s glory.

God’s Greatest Promise
Isaiah 7:10-16
By Victor Cooper
12/11/10

Intro: God’s greatest promise was that a child would be born. Nothing great about that; it happens every seven seconds somewhere in the world. What made it so great was that the promised Son was His Son, and His name would Emmanuel, meaning “God with us.”

I. The promise was great for Israel.
A. Isaiah told Ahaz that both Israel and Judah were going into captivity.
B. Humanly speaking this spelled their end.
C. However, God had made a covenant with David. ( 2 Samuel 7)
1. God promised the lineage of David would be an eternal line.
2. If Israel and Judah were to be captured, a deliverer would be needed.
D. Isaiah said a Deliverer would come. Isaiah 7:14 is that promise.
II. Ahaz rejected Isaiah’s words and Israel would reject her Messiah.
A. Messiah means, “anointed one.”
1. The next logical question should be, “Anointed to do what?”
2. He was anointed to be the King; the Deliverer.
A. In Israel and Judah, the king was the anointed one, i.e. a messiah.

B. The Jews were looking for a full grown warrior-king to appear on the scene and deliver them from foreign subjugation.
C. Isaiah 7:10-16 told them to expect a Child; a Son. They were, “looking for love in all the wrong places.”
1. It isn’t like this was a veiled prophecy, Isaiah could have not have been more clear.
2. The angel announced it in Luke 2:10-12. The angel, too, could have not been more clear.

III. The promise is great for Jew and Gentile in our day.
A. The promised Son came, “… to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10)
1. Paul tells me it was for me. Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”
2. That same verse tells you the promise was also for you.
3. The greatness of the promise is not that it is a promise, but that it is your promise. Is it?

I hope these articles and sermon notes are a blessing to you. I hope they brighten your day and enhance your knowledge of God’s word. If you ever have any Biblical questions you’d like an answer to, please shoot an E-mail my way. Prayer requests are also welcomed. If you are in the area on Christmas Eve, we are having a Christmas Eve service at Friendship Harmony on December 24, sat 6:00pm. Have a good, safe, and healthy week, and I’ll see you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic!

[Late breaking note: We apologize to our subscribers if this edition of “Monday Morning” was late. At 11:10pm Sunday night, we experienced a power outage which lasted well into the night. It wasn’t until just a little past six on Monday morning that we had electricity again and could post. Sometime we find ourselves at the mercy of nature and can do nothing about it. Again, we apologize for any late blog arrivals!]

Happy Hanukah???

Good Monday Morning to you!

I hope the past week was healthy and enjoyable for you. I’ll give you a bit of an update on Miss Bessie’s and my health. Bess saw the Doctor last week for her surgery follow-up. As you know, she has had three surgeries in the same area since last March. The Doc said there was “slight improvement.” He reminded her that her recovery would be very slow, and at times quite painful. He gave her a break this week, but wants to see her again next week. As for me, I am feeling a little stronger each day. I see my cardiologist this week, so I’ll update you next Monday. I am told that with heart stints it takes a few weeks to notice vast improvement. As I said, I can already tell there is improvement, and each day is a bit better than the day before. For now, Bess and I both thank you for your prayers.

Yesterday was an awesome day at Friendship Harmony Baptist Church. We began the day by having our first Sunday School class. We had ten attendees including myself. Several more could not attend due to illness. I am teaching the class for now, but in mid January, Bro. Burt Nelson will take over. He is one of the finest teachers I have ever learned from. Burt, a former professor of geography at Central Michigan University, brings a vast knowledge of Scriptures to the table each week. Our Church is so blessed to have him and his lovely wife Chris Ann with us.

For our lesson, I taught the meaning of Hanukah, and the fact that it was celebrated by our Lord Jesus Christ. As a matter of fact, it was at Hanukah that our Lord declared the fact that He indeed was the Messiah. This was not coincidental. Nothing Jesus ever did was, or even today is, coincidental. To take you back into Israeli history, the Seleucid King, Antiochus IV, declared himself to be God and committed the abomination by defiling the Jewish Temple. He set up a statue to Zeus inside the Temple and sacrificed a pig on the altar. He forbade the Jews to circumcise their eight day old infant boys, declared an end to the daily sacrifices, and forbade anyone from owning, keeping, or reading from the Torah. He also named himself Antiochus Epiphanes [God manifest]. By the use of this name, he was stating that he was God. The Bible tells us in John 10:22, “ And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter.” The feast of the dedication is Hanukah, the celebration of throwing out Zeus and all that defiled the Temple and rededicating it to God.

The Jews in John chapter ten knew their history, and they knew exactly what Jesus hasd said. He declared Himself to be God as had Antiochus Epiphanes, and many were not going to have any of it. We are told in John 10:31 “Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.” The difference between Jesus and Antiochus is that Antiochus died and remains dead until this very day. Jesus also died and raised from the dead on the third day meaning His claim to be the Messiah, the Son of God, indeed God Himself was a valid claim. Jesus is who He claimed to be and Easter is the proof.

“Preacher,” I can hear someone say, “Why are you talking about Easter, it’s Christmas time.” The reason is simple: if you take Easter out of the picture, all you have remaining is just another birthday. Christmas means nothing without the resurrection of Christ. It was on Hanukah that Jesus proclaimed who He was and is. If Hanukah was important enough for our Lord to celebrate it, and to choose that time to declare that He indeed was God incarnate, (in the flesh) then we as Christians are incomplete in our knowledge if we do not at least learn a bit about this most important Jewish holiday.

To end our day of worship, we celebrated The Lord’s Supper. This is a special time in the life of any believer, and it was the first time we celebrated it together at our new Church, Friendship Harmony. The plan is to observe Communion the first Sunday of each month. Many exciting things are happening at Friendship Harmony. I wish everybody in the world could attend one of our services. You definitely can tell God is in the building whenever this Church meets. Even though we meet in a secular clubhouse, for which we are very grateful, the Spirit of God meets with us and for that we are eternally grateful. I’ve been in services where the Lord’s presence was not felt, and I can assure you it was less exciting than watching grass grow.

If you are in the area, stop by the Church. We are located on Stringfellow Road, just south of mile marker 6 on Pine Island. We are in the Flamingo Bay clubhouse, next door to the St. John’s Episcopal Church. Our Sunday School begins at 9:00, and the Worship service is at 10:00. Come in any time. We will also be having a Christmas Eve service on December 24, at 6:00p.m.

May the Lord bless your upcoming week --- I hope you stay safe, healthy, and warm. As always, I look forward to seeing you again next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic.

God is greater than ...........

Good Monday Morning To You!!!

Can you believe that Christmas is less than thirty days away? Unbelievable! They say time flies when you’re having fun. I must be having a ball because it seems like time is traveling at warp speed. For you non-Star Trekkies, warp speed is the speed of light. Light travels at 186,000 miles per second. At that speed you could travel around the equator 7 ½ times in a second. That is moving on. Wouldn’t it be nice if the police could respond with that kind of speed. The crime rate would go way down.

Let me give you an update on Miss Bessie. As you know she has had three stomach surgeries this year. Things are still not totally resolved, but Dr. Carrasquillo is not anxious to operate again. He is keeping a very close eye on her in hopes that in time healing will come, Some days it looks as if it is, while others….. Some of you may not know, but I, too, spent two days in the hospital last week. My latest EKG and stress test showed some “abnormalities.” Dr. Kenneth Towe, my cardiologist, wanted to do a cardiac cath procedure. I entered Gulf Coast Medical Center last Tuesday, received two stints, and went home on Thanksgiving Day in the late afternoon. They tell me it will take about two weeks to notice an appreciable difference. I do feel slight improvement each day. The worse part is he put me on a strict diet. Basically I get to pour myself a glass of ice water, ask God’s blessings on it, and enjoy. I’m thinking about the Adam and Eve diet --- fruit and nuts. I could actually do that because I enjoy both. Are their any RN’s or nutritionists out there reading this blog. If so, a little help with this idea would be appreciated. I do not do vegetables very well, but I do like raw cabbage and uncooked carrots. Sometime it is so difficult being me.

My need for a healthy lifestyle is for me a problem. The Bible says in James 5:16a, “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that you may be healed.” O K, here goes. I confess to you that I am guilty of violating one of the seven deadly sins --- gluttony. Now before you get all preachy and say, “Aha, an overeater;” that is not the definition of gluttony. Gluttony means doing things to excess. That can mean anything. Maybe you watch too much television --- that’s gluttony. Do you spend too much time on the computer? That’s gluttony. For me, however, it is overeating. So now that the myth concerning my perfection has been broken, breaking the cycle, for me is a big deal, BUT, God Is Greater. That was the title of my message yesterday morning at Friendship Harmony Baptist Church.

My intro said, “ God is greater! Greater than what? God is greater than whatever afflicts you physically, mentally, or spiritually. Do you have burden? God is greater! Do you have a handicap? God is greater! Do you have a need that by all human standards is impossible? God is greater!”

Below is the outline I used. Feel free to use it for your Bible Study. Preachers, you may use it or adapt it to suit your need as well.

God Is Greater
Psalm 93
By Victor Cooper
11/27/10

Intro: (See above)

I. Verse 1 The first indication as to His greatness is the psalmists' use of the word, “LORD.“
A. LORD here is Jehovah --- the self existent or eternal one.
1. He exists without the help or aid of anyone or anything other than Himself.
2. This is known as the doctrine of the solitariness of God. Arthur Pink has a chapter on this topic in his book, The Holiness Of God.
B. Jehovah reigns.
1. It is stated as fact offering no proof.
2. To attempt to prove it, cheapens His majesty.
C. Jehovah is clothed. What is the purpose of clothing? Dignity.
1. What did Adam and Eve lose due to their sin? Dignity.
2. In the OT, clothing was considered an extension of the person, ie you are what you wear.
D. His clothing:
1. Majesty. Excellent things --- only the best.
2. Strength. force; security
E. Remember, He is Jehovah; His clothes are provided by Himself! “… He girdeth Himself…”
F. He also established the world and the only way to move it is to move Him.

II. Verse 2 An elaboration of verse 1.
A. Charles Haddon Spurgeon “Thou art from everlasting. The Lord himself is eternal. Let the believer rejoice that the government under which he dwells has an immortal ruler at its head, has existed from all eternity and will flourish when all created things shall have for ever passed away. Vain are the rebellions of mortals, the kingdom of God is not shaken.”
—Treasury of David, The

III. The psalmist testifies to God’s omnipotence.
A. Verses 3,4 The sound of the oceans are described as “noise.”
1. Noise without purpose is confusion.
2. The sounds of God have purpose, they are not confusing, thereby they can override even the sounds of the mighty waves.

IV. Verse 5 God is greater because His word is very sure. Charles Haddon Spurgeon “Thy testimonies are very sure. As in providence the throne of God is fixed beyond all risk, so in revelation his truth is beyond all question. Other teachings are uncertain, but the revelations of heaven are infallible. As the rocks remain unmoved amid the tumult of the sea, so does divine truth resist all the currents of man's opinion and the storms of human controversy; they are not only sure, but very sure. Glory be to God, we have not been deluded by a cunningly devised fable: our faith is grounded upon the eternal truth of the Most High.”
—Treasury of David, The

Conclusion: “Our God is greater than…” fill in the remainder of the sentence with the current disaster in your life. That statement is the lifeline of your life. The beauty is you do not have to hold on to it --- it holds on to you. Our God is greater!!!

I hope your week is good. If you plan to be out doing Christmas shopping, please be careful. Ladies, do not leave your purse unattended in your shopping cart for even a moment. Guys, put your wallet in your front shirt pocket. That is the hardest pocket to pick. I want this Christmas season to be enjoyable for you, so deck the halls and I’ll see you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic!

Happy Thanksgiving, Let's Get Married!

Good Monday Morning To You!!!

I trust you have had a good week since our last visit. My week passed by so quickly I feel as if I didn’t accomplish all I wanted. Oh well, if anything was left undone, it will eventually be seen to. This week we celebrate our time of Thanksgiving. Have you already started counting your blessings? Even in the midst of trials and adversity, we have much to be thankful for. If you are ever feeling “left out,” look around. Someone is in worse shape and is having a tougher time than are you. Our family, and a few friends from church, will celebrate with a traditional Thanksgiving meal. Miss Bessie goes all out when she cooks. She tries to fix at least one dish that is favored by each family member. Really, I could be happy with turkey and dressing. Bess makes her dressing exactly like my mom does, which means I’ve been enjoying the best bread and sage dressing in the world for the last 56 years. I sure hope there is dressing in Heaven! The food, family, friends, and fellowship make for a great time, but don’t forget the reason for it all. It is a time to stop and thank God for His goodness and blessings. I just hope you show Him gratitude every day, and not just one day a year as if by appointment. I feel like since He blesses me every day, I owe Him praise and gratitude every day. It has been said that if we live a life of “thanks- living,” then thanks-giving will be a natural outpouring of who we are.

Yesterday was another great day at Friendship Harmony Baptist. My message was titled, “Our Wedding Day,” taken from Revelation 19:7-9. This passage speaks of that future time when the bride of Christ, the Church, will celebrate her marriage to the Lamb, the Lord Jesus Christ. After the service we were blessed to be able to view the renewal of vows of one of the new couples in our church who have been married 54 years. It was a blessing to all of us and was a fine affirmation of what a good marriage is. We held a reception afterward of cake and coffee.

In the message we discussed how marriage is a covenant, not a contract. With a contract, only certain requirements are necessary to fulfill it and nothing more. Contracts have expiration dates and can be legally broken upon agreement of both parties. A covenant is more binding. In the Old Testament covenants were not made, but cut. One would say, “Let us cut a covenant.” An animal would then be killed and its body would be cut as perfectly as possible in half. Half would be placed on one side, and half would be placed on the other. Both people would then walk between the animal halves. In essence they were saying, “If I do not keep this covenant, may I suffer the same fate as this animal.” With one’s very life at stake, you can see why it is wise to do whatever necessary to keep your word. If more people would take marriage as seriously as it should be taken, the divorce rate would plummet. Covenants have no expiration date and cannot be broken. This is why in a wedding you have the bride’s side, and the groom’s side. The picture is of that passing between the halves.

The picture of a covenant teaches us something about salvation. Salvation is a covenant, not a contract. Salvation has no expiration date, and cannot be broken by either party --- God nor man. In this covenant, Jesus is the slain animal, and God walks through the halves alone as He did with Abraham in Genesis 15:17. This is called a unilateral, or unconditional covenant. God is saying, ” No matter what you do, here is what I will do.” He then saves you and the keeping of your soul (the keeping of the covenant) is His responsibility. Praise God for that, because due to the fact of my imperfection I could neither save myself, nor keep myself. Can you spell, “eternal security?”

Happy Thanksgiving to you, and please enjoy your day and stay safe. If you plan on using a turkey fryer, be sure to locate it at least 20 feet from the house or any other structure. Sadly, a family here in Lee County lost their home due to the oil in their fryer igniting and spreading to the house. Their’s was outside, but only a few feet from the house. I do not want to hear that any of you suffered a similar fate.

May the LORD bless you wherever you are, and I’ll see you next week on Monday Morning With Pastor Vic.

The Riches Of A Christian

Good Monday Morning to you,

Thanks for having me in. Let’s visit for a bit. Is it cold where you are? Our mornings have been a bit chilly, at least by southwest Florida standards. Many mornings these past ten days or so have required a jacket or a sweater. My son, Kevin, the truck driver has been running a route between Nebraska and Iowa, and had to pull off the expressway due to wintry conditions. He woke up to 32 degrees. I know before long many of you will experience that and colder. Brrr!! I'm cold just thinking about it.

Here on Pine Island at the Friendship Harmony Baptist Church, the weather is fine, so come on down. The Spirit of the Lord continues to permeate our services with His presence, and an air of excitement and anticipation overwhelms you as you enter the building. Yesterday was no exception. I enjoyed a day off from the preaching duties. I was able to just sit back and receive a good message from another of the ministers at our Church, Bro. Bob Felber. Bro. Felber preached “The Riches Of A Christian” from 1 Corinthians 3:21,22. He pointed out six gifts of God to believers. They are: the gift of ministry, the world, life, death, things present, and things to come. Pastor Felber pointed out that that the verse states, “… these things are yours.” I wish Bob would have had more time to develop each of the six points. That would have made a great sermon series, and maybe in the future he might consider it.

One point on the list was the gift of death. Bro. Felber pointed out that, “Death is a servant of the believer. It is the door by which a believer enters Heaven.” As he was preaching, I thought about the Biblical definition of death: separation. Death is separation, not cessation. Death can not only be separation from, but separation to. Yes, death separates a believer from his earthly loved ones, but it also separates him to God. He is separated to his Lord Jesus Christ. He is separated to his departed loved ones. No wonder Paul could say, “Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” (1 Corinthians 15:54b,55) Now that is riches!

Our service was followed by a carry in dinner. Our great cooks at Friendship Harmony outdid themselves. When it was over, it seemed as if we carried out more food than we brought in. We were able to fix eight plates for our shut-ins. What a blessed day it truly was!

I do hope your week goes well. I pray the LORD blesses you with good health, and a safe week in whatever endeavors you find yourself. Remember, you may always share prayer requests with us. Send them and any comments you might have to www.preachercooper@hotmail.com. Why not do it now while it’s fresh in your mind. I’ll see you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic!

Invitation Always Precedes Judgment

Good Monday Morning to you.

Last week raced by faster than a speeding bullet. It seemed as if I went to bed on Sunday night just to wake up the next Sunday morning. This is the kind of pace I love, though. I do not care for down time. I’m really enjoying getting out and promoting the new Church. I wish all of you could come and be with us. There is an excitement in the air like I have rarely witnessed before. People come in glad to see one another and expecting a touch from the LORD --- and boy is He touching. Our services are remarkable! I feel a freedom to preach as I haven’t felt in a very long time. Some of you reading this are with us --- thank you for being there. Some of you are coming and will be with us soon. For you we are praying for a safe trip whenever you do make the journey south. Some of you I can only communicate with through these Monday Morning blogs --- thank you for your faithfulness as well. Each of you will never know how special you are to the entire Cooper family. Some of you are part of my family. To you I make this promise: I’ll not tell what I know about you if you in turn will not spill the beans about me. Some things need to stay forever locked in the Cooper Family vault of forbidden secrets; like the time my brother and I ….. never mind, my mom reads this blog.

As I said, yesterday was another great day at Friendship Harmony Baptist Church. The music provided by Ken and Margaret was stirring and I preached a message called, “There Is A God In Heaven.” We looked at four people who received a word from God about their actions. One was king Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. He was a proud, arrogant man who boasted of “his” accomplishments. Daniel interpreted his dream and informed him that there is a God in Heaven. Nebuchadnezzar would credit God with much, but he also referred to his gods. What the king needed to learn was the first two commandments: Exodus 20:3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me. 4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: 5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God… Nebuchadnezzar would eventually “get it,” but not before God broke his stubborn pride and literally drove him to his knees where he grazed on the lawn of the palace. He did finally acknowledge God and I believe we will meet him one day in Heaven.

The next man was also a king of Babylon: Belshazzar. Belshazzar was a man who mocked and blasphemed God. He carried his blasphemy too far and literally committed a sin unto death. What is glaringly absent from his encounter with the LORD through the prophet Daniel is the opportunity to repent. The time for repentance had passed. Remember, Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven…” Learn this point of theology: Invitation ALWAYS precedes judgment, but when judgment day comes, invitation ceases. For Belshazzar, it was judgment day; the writing on the wall said so. He learned as well that there is a God in Heaven. How sad he learned it too late.

Finally from the New Testament Book of Acts chapter five, we meet a husband and wife named Ananias and Sapphira; members of the early church. There is some debate among Biblical scholars as to whether or not they were true believers. We will leave that for them to argue because in the final analysis, it doesn’t matter. The Bible says, “ Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” (Galatians 6:7-8) Peter charged them with lying to God; also a sin unto death. How can I make such a claim? Read Acts 5:1-11.

Do you have unfinished business with God? Has the Holy Spirit been speaking to your heart concerning an issue? Remember, invitation always precedes judgment. If the LORD is speaking, you still have opportunity. Seize upon it as did king Nebuchadnezzar. Do not mock Him like Belshazzar. Do not lie to Him in similar fashion as Ananias and Sapphira. The Bible says in Isaiah 55:6, “Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near.” If He is speaking to your heart, that is as near as He gets. Trust God my dear friend; obey your Bible.

Next Sunday Brother Bob Felber will be preaching for us. I can’t wait! I enjoy hearing Bro Felber preach --- I feast on God’s word when he does. I am so blessed that a preacher of his caliber wants to be my friend. I hope wherever you are, you faithfully attend services somewhere. If you need help finding a place to worship where you live; a place that will uncompromisingly feed you the word of God, perhaps I can help. I helped one faithful servant find a good church in Houston, Texas. I’d be honored to help you too. Stay safe and healthy this week. I enjoy our visits and would hate to miss you. I’ll see you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic.

Belonging to Jesus!

Good Monday Morning to you!

Did you have a lot of trick or treaters last night? Do you perhaps have kids who brought home tons of candy. I had four little ones many moons ago and when the candy was brought in it was a candy buffet. I’d send the kids to bed then feast. Oh I miss those days! Where we live now we get no trick or treat children, but as an old scout, our motto was “be prepared.” So, I purchase lots of candy, then ….. Well, it would be a sin to waste it. (Bill and Patty I’m just kidding --- simply taking “poetic license.”) I’ve made my son Jason a deal. If I lose thirty pounds, he will stop smoking. I sure intend to try because I know if I do, he will fulfill his end of the bargain. To keep me honest, Bill and Patty Wolfe parked me on their scale. I’m not going to publicize what the scale said because quite frankly, I believe it is broken! Let’s move on to more spiritual matters.

Yesterday was another awesome day at Friendship Harmony Church. The Spirit of the LORD was very present and attendance was extremely good. God has been so good to our Church. The blessings from week to week are nothing short of phenomenal! All I can say is, “Praise His holy name!!!”

The sermon topic was from Isaiah 43:1-7. I preached a verse by verse expository of that passage. What I wanted people to see was the encouragement that comes from being a child of God. The first verse reads, “But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.” In that particular verse is four words that are key to the entire passage. Not only are they of importance, but so is their placement. The words are “created,” “formed,” “redeemed,” and “called.” Let’s talk a quick look at each. As they are defined, their placement becomes obvious. The first word is “created.” This word comes from a Hebrew word that indeed means created, but it has to do with choice. God chose us. He certainly didn’t have to; He just did. There was nothing in us worthy of His favor, He simply favored us. If we were worthy, salvation would be earned. It would become salary. However, grace is not earned nor is it deserved. Remember, grace is receiving from God that which you do not deserve. It is a gift from God, and God is no Indian giver.

Our next word is, “formed.” Formed comes from a Hebrew word pronounced “yaw-tsar’.” It means being “squeezed into shape.” Did you play with Silly Putty as a child? Do you remember squeezing it and making things out of it? The concept is essentially the same, but on a much grander scale. God squeezes us to mold us. Sometime squeezing hurts, but God does it for our good. Surgery also hurts, but our doctors do it for our good; it is necessary. As God molds us, we become better fit for His service. That is the purpose of the squeezing.

Next is the word “redeemed.” This is the most familiar of the words. It means to “buy back.” Scripture teaches us from 1 Corinthians 6 and 7, “You are bought with a price.” God purchased you with the blood of His dear Son, Jesus. That means in God’s eyes, you are valuable. Do not let the devil make you feel cheap. Do not buy into his lies when he says you are worthless or useless. You certainly are not! God paid the ransom for you with the life’s blood of Jesus Christ. Remember the last part of verse one. God declares, “You are mine.” I’m surely glad for that.

The final word is, “called.” The Hebrew word is qura,” pronounced kaw-raw.’ It literally means being accosted in a good way. Think of two people walking side by side with one person having their hand on the other one’s back gently guiding them. This is exactly how the LORD walks with us. As we walk down this road called life, His hand is on us making sure we are maintaining a proper course. But why? The answer is found in verse seven: “Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.” Be sure you open your Bible and read the entire section. As you read those words, hear them as if The Holy Spirit is speaking directly to you because actually He is. May the LORD bless you as you read.

Well, I imagine you have things you need to get to, so I’ll say good-bye for now. Thank you for allowing me to share this time with you and as always, I’ll see you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic.

Angels and Frazier

Good Monday Morning to you!

Did you notice I changed my profile picture? The little guy with me is my best friend, Frazier. Frazier is 10 months old and is our new puppy. We got him back on the 6th of February. He is a miniature schnauzer who originally came from McKee, Kentucky, near London. Like nearly everyone else in Florida, he is from somewhere else. He is adapting well, but has a few things to learn. We are trying to teach him not to jump on people when they come to see us. We live so far back in the woods that company is rare at our house, so I guess he’s excited about seeing fresh faces. The dog whisperer has given us many excellent tips, and it doesn’t hurt that he too has a miniature schnauzer. Frazier has brought a lot of love and happiness to our home, but I must confess he is my last puppy. I simply do not have the stamina to keep up with his youthful exuberance. I just wonder what happened to mine.

Yesterday we had an excellent service with super attendance. The sermon title came from an old song entitled, “Angels Watchin’ Over Me My Lawd.” I tried to convey to the Church that as believers God sometime will send “ministering spirits” or angels our way as needed. We examined the fact that they are sent. Genesis 24:40a “ And he said unto me, The LORD, before whom I walk, will send his angel with thee, and prosper thy way…” Angels never come on their own, nor do they ever initiate any action, with the exception of praising God. An angel will only act upon God’s command. If only we as believers would follow that example.

Also, an angel can be an answer to your prayer. That is not to suggest that you pray specifically for angelic assistance, but God can and indeed has dispatched them to the aid of a believer in distress. We read in Numbers 20:16a “And when we cried unto the LORD, he heard our voice, and sent an angel…” God is not limited when it comes to answering our cries for help and angels stand ready to assist just as quickly as the LORD says, “Go!” Are you is a difficult or perplexing situation? Perhaps an angel is at your side.

Did you realize an angel can take on any form necessary including that of a human? This is not science fiction, nor is it super spiritualism --- angels are real. They are created beings says Nehemiah 9:6 who according to 1 Peter 1:13b are interested in the happenings here on earth. They even rejoice when a sinner confesses and trusts Christ. (Luke 15:10) Perhaps you have seen an angel, but did not recognize him as such. When we think of angels we think of winged creatures with halos. As far as wings go, that is, according to Isaiah 6:2, an accurate description of the seraphim, one classification of angels. There are many taught in Scriptures including cherubim, principalities, authorities, and powers. The Bible also speaks of the archangel, Michael. Many hold to the teaching of seven archangels, but do not believe tradition; believe your Bible. Michael is referred to as “the” archangel, not “an” archangel. The Bible recognizes only one. The apocrypha speaks of several, but it is not inspired text and should not be given the same respect as the sixty six books of the authorized text.

The Bible says in Hebrews 13:2 Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Maybe you have seen or met an angel and did not even recognize it. If not, that’s O.K. God does not require you too. Remember one key fact about an angel - an angel is a messenger. The angel’s message might not come by what he says, but by what he does. Pay close attention; you’ll get the message!

I hope you have a good, safe, and healthy week. The Lord has really blessed my family and me these past few weeks, and we cannot thank Him nor praise Him enough. I pray He bless you, too. By the way, Happy Birthday today to my nephew Shaun. I love you buddy, have a super day! Frazier and I look forward to seeing all of you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic!

Heart problems!

Good Monday Morning To You!

What a glorious day we had in church yesterday! The Lord has provided us with a new family who is very eager to serve Him and use their talents for His glory. Their talents? She is a keyboardist and excellent soloist, and he is a music director who has served on staff in that capacity in Texas. He also is an excellent trumpet player. We thank the Lord for sending Ken and Margaret our way! The Lord has been so good to us. How do I thank Him enough? I’ll just live my life in accordance to His word and be obedient --- I believe He will accept that along with my praises toward Him as thanks enough.

Have you had a good and healthy week? I do hope so. My wife, Miss Bessie, had surgery this past Thursday. Her Doctor, Thomas Carrasquillo, a fine Christian man and an excellent surgeon to several in our Church, myself included, thought due to her lungs that she might have to spend one or two nights in the hospital. This was her third surgery in the past seven months. The first was in Hollywood, Florida. She had a ventral hernia with bowel strangulation. As you might recall, she had a tough time with that one resulting in a second surgery in Naples, Florida. We thought the problem was fixed, but she had to go again for more repair and mesh insertion. She did so well that she was discharged the same day. She is awfully sore, but she says each day is a little better and she seems to be mending fine. Thank you for your prayers for her.

Have you ever visited a doctor known as a cardiologist? If you have, you know he or she specializes in that blood pumping muscle known as the heart. Kardia is the Greek word for heart. The Bible has much to say about man’s heart. By that I do not mean the blood pumping muscle, although even that is referred to in Scriptures. Often in Scriptures the heart means the totality of man’s entire self. Before the flood, the Bible tells us in Genesis 6:5 “And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” First we note that God saw. Sin is not hidden from Him. However, from a closer look at this verse we see that man did not attempt to hide his sin. He performed it openly in God’s sight. This is the grossest form of sin known as rebellion. Man had stepped beyond the boundaries of total depravity; he had become absolutely depraved. Absolute depravity is a theological term which means “without the ability of performing or being good.” The only fix was a flood. You might say God used a flood to wash away the sin!

God started over with Noah, Mrs. Noah, and their three sons and daughters in law. However, the Bible teaches us that man is no better today. From Acts 28:27 we read, “For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.” The phrase waxed gross comes from the Greek pachyno, and means to thicken, ie calloused. This heart, ear, and eye problem did not come as the result of an illness, it came by choice. We see it once again: rebellion. As in the pre-flood days, God needed to send something to wash away man’s sin. My former Pastor, B. J. Thomas, used to say, “The only known antidote to sin is the blood of Jesus Christ.” He preached that all his ministry, died believing it, and was ushered into the presence of God due to it. The old song says, "What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus!"

Jesus taught in the Sermon on thye Mount, “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” (Matthew 5:8) Man’s heart must be right with God before he can be accepted by our Lord. Six years ago I was feeling poorly, and knew something was wrong. I went to my doctor who did an EKG then immediately had his office make me an appointment to see a heart doctor. After several tests, it was discovered that my heart was in need of repair. I went to the heart surgeon and the necessary repairs were made. We do those things to not only live, but to have a good quality of life. This is just as necessary in the spiritual world My cardiologist, Dr. Kenneth Towe, said that with my heart there was only one surgeon he wanted me to see. I can remember him saying, “If there is going to be a problem in the operating room, Dr. Hummel is who you want to be in there with you. If you were my father, I’d send you to no one but him.” When I needed a spiritual heart transplant, there was only One qualified to perform the operation: Dr. Jesus.

What is the condition of your heart? Do you know? I have regular tests done to see my heart’s condition, but is there a test for a spiritual heart check-up? Most definitely there is and it can be found in Matthew 6:21, and can be self administered. “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” I ask you, what things do you value? What and where are your priorities? The answer to these questions goes a long in determining the condition of your heart. For example, do you have a nice bank account? Perhaps you are a millionaire. If so, thank God for the blessing. Having money is not a sin. However, loving it is. It indicates a wrong priority - that is a heart problem. Are you famous to the point that many folk recognize your picture or your name? Fame, like money, is not a sin; it all depends on what you do with it and how you achieved it. Osama bin Laden is recognized by millions, but then again, so is Billy Graham. Which would you prefer as your next door neighbor? This kind of heart problems is not exclusive to the rich and famous. This is not a “their problem.” It is an “our problem.” What do you value?

I preached this message at Church yesterday, and I hope it has helped you, too. Thank you for allowing me this time to visit. Believe me when I tell you I enjoy our time. Have a good, safe and healthy week ahead, and I’ll see you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic!

I Find No Fault With Him!!!

Good Monday Morning to you!

Have you had a good week since we visited last? I sure have. I had a super week and another great day in Church yesterday. We have the unity of the Spirit and you can feel the love and positive energy flowing from person to person in our congregation. Everyone is of one mind and one accord and it is just awesome. My message was entitled “I Find No Fault In Him!” More about that in a moment.

Yesterday was Pastor Appreciation Day in American churches. My group totally surprised me with a carry in dinner after services. It is I who am appreciative; they treat me so well. They did not have to do anything, but they gave Bess and I the dinner, great fellowship, and a few gifts. I am so blessed to shepherd these people. If your Church did not do anything for your pastor, the entire month is Pastor Appreciation month. Why not send him a card and let him know you love him and appreciate him and his family. Believe me it will mean the world to him.
As I said the sermon title was “I Find No Fault In Him!” As Pilate examined the life of Christ and could find no fault, I too have examined Him and have drawn the same conclusion: I find no fault in Him. I spoke of three areas of Christ’s ministry in which I found no fault. I found no fault with His grace, His mercy, nor His promises. As I promised our Sunday morning congregation, here are the sermon notes. Feel free to use them for your private Bible study or devotions. You teachers and preachers are free to use them as well.

“I Find No Fault In Him.”
John 19:4,6
By Victor Cooper
10/5,6,9/10
Delivered 10.10.10

Intro: Pilate told the crowd, “I find no fault in Him,” three times then turned Him over to be crucified. I find no fault with Jesus either and I want to do better by Him than did Pilate.

I. I find no fault with His grace. Grace --- quick definition
Receiving from God that which you do not deserve.
A. I have received eternal life. John 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
B. I have an eternal home with Christ. John 14:1-3
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also…
C. I have the Holy Spirit. John 16:7,13a Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. 13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth:
D. I have received mercy.
1. Grace, by definition comes before mercy.
2. Receiving from God that which you do not deserve. We do not deserve mercy!

II. I find no fault with His mercy. Mercy --- quick definition
Not receiving from God that which you do deserve.
A. I am under no condemnation. John 3:18
 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
B. I receive no punishment. Uncondemned people are unpunished people!

III. I find no fault with His promises.
A. He promised to be my Shepherd. My shepherd:
1. guards my soul. 2 Timothy 1:12b for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.
2. keeps my by God’s power. 1 Peter 1:5
are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation
3. keeps me from falling. Jude 24
Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
4. will keep me from the coming tribulation. Revelation 3:10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

Conclusion: I have thoroughly examined Jesus and like Pilate, I find no fault with Him. Unlike Pilate, I do not intend to turn Him over to the mob for crucifixion. I intend to love Him and serve Him as long as I have breath.

I hope you have a super and a blessed week. Remember, you are free to contact me with any prayer requests and praise reports. I really enjoy hearing how God is moving in your lives. May the Lord bless you and keep you and I look forward to seeing you again next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic.

We goofed!

Good Tuesday Morning to you, or which ever day you read this. Circumstances beyond my control prevented me from being able to post this blog late Sunday evening so that you could have it on Monday morning. We have become so accustomed to technology being at our immediate call that when it fails us, we are stranded. For years I fought getting a computer, and when we finally did, I did not do any Bible Study or sermon prep on it --- I didn’t know how! Then a dear lady at the church, Jacque Blaney, bought me a laptop for Christmas. She said one of her former pastors had one and that it revolutionized his sermon preparation. For my birthday, which is less than a month past Christmas, Bess bought me a very nice Bible study program. I learned to use them, enjoyed them, and came to depend upon them. When my laptop went to cyber-heaven, I had to go back to the old way of doing things. Have you heard the old saying, “You can’t go back again?” I’m here to tell you truer words were never spoken. I struggled! How I missed my computerized way of Sermonizing! Now I have another laptop and I downloaded my study program onto it. I had to download version # 7 of a Bible Study program called Word Search. My former Word Search 5 is not compatible with Windows 7. My former computer had Windows XP which I liked. I’m not crazy about Windows 7 or Word Search 7. Oh well, so much for my fussing. there is one thing I know I can absolutely depend on and it will never fail --- my Lord Jesus Christ. He said, “I am the LORD, I change not.” I take great comfort in that promise!

On Sunday I preached about deliverance. I suppose the message title could have been “The Door To Deliverance.” We talked about Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: the three Hebrew children of Daniel chapter 3. They were facing certain death and as humans just like us, I’m sure they prayed to be delivered from their situation. I’m sure they prayed for a door of deliverance. God indeed provided a door, but not what they had figured on. Their door to deliverance was a fiery furnace. However, they were indeed delivered and God received the glory. If you fast forward to Daniel chapter 6, another Hebrew named Daniel was facing certain death by being fed to hungry lions. As a regular man, as are we, Daniel prayed for deliverance. His door to deliverance was the lion’s den --- not exactly the doorway he was hoping for. However, it was his door to deliverance and as before, God got the glory. Are you going through a hard time or situation? Are you praying for deliverance? Do you find that sometime in your praying you even start advising God on the best doorways to deliverance? I know I have. I was praying just last week and I found myself saying, “Lord, I asked you for deliverance. What happened?” His answer was, “You asked for deliverance, but sometime you get the fiery furnace.” As I studied and prepared for the message, I learned that asking for deliverance is fine, but trust God to determine the right door.

I do hope you have a safe, healthy, and good week. Hopefully next Monday morning we back on track again with the blog posts. Thanks for reading and my prayer is that these little writings will inspire you to be the best Christian you can be. If you are not a follower of Christ, or are not sure, feel free to contact me at preachercooper@hotmail.com. I look forward to the next time we meet --- next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic.

What's New?

Good Monday Morning to you.
Let me say a special Happy Birthday to Queen Elizabeth today. I do not believe she reads my blog as I have only one reader in Great Britian, but who knows? Can you guess which country comes in second after the United States for Monday Morning With Pastor Vic readers? Believe it or not it is China. When I got that report I was both surprised and happy. Back in April of 1972 when I answered the call to preach, I never dreamed I’d proclaim the Gospel to an international audience. I was happy preaching wherever I could in the Cincinnati area. That was before laptops and the internet in homes. Today, I can sit in my house in Southwest Florida, type something, and it has a world-wide audience with the potential to reach millions. Can you imagine what the Apostle Paul could have done with the internet available to him? What Paul could not do, we can do for him, and it’s my privilege to do so. Let me also say thank you to readers in Canada, Denmark, and Australia. Tell me where you are! Go down to the comments section and let me know what country you are in or which of our United States you call home.
Below are the sermon notes used Sunday Morning 9/26/10. Feel free to use them for your personal Bible study. Let me know if I can help!

What’s New?
Rev.21:5
By Victor Cooper
9/23,24,25/10

I. We are given a new birth. Read John 3:3-7
A. Jesus emphasized the new birth is a must.
1. One cannot see the Kingdom of God without it! v5
` 2. Nicodemus realized he cannot make it happen. V4
3. Remember, Jesus says He makes all things new. The new birth is a gift of grace.
a. Grace is receiving from God that which you do not deserve.

II. We are given a new nature. Read 2 Cor.5:17
Bible Knowledge Commentary--- The new life of devotion to Christ means that one has new attitudes and actions.
A. The sin nature is gone; not replaced --- gone!
B. Remember, “I make all things new.”
C. Survey: Can you go 15 minutes without sinning?
D. If you have a new nature, you should be able to. Sin is not automatic, it’s a choice.


III. You have a new Master. Read John 8:selected
A. v34,44a,47 Sinners serve the devil --- he is their master.
B. Many times in the NT Jesus is referred as Master and Lord.
C. Satan is the old master but remember, “I make all things new.” Jesus is the new Master.

IV. We are a new instrument. Read Isaiah 41:15,16
A. A new instrument whereas before none existed.
B. An instrument for God.
C. An instrument empowered by God.
D. An instrument guaranteed to succeed.

Later this week October sets in. This year certainly has rushed past at lightning speed! I set a goal for this page of 250 readers by Halloween. We are nowhere near that. Can you help me? Would you be willing to E-mail everybody in your address book and ask them to subscribe? Pleeeease? Tell them to go to www.preachercooper.com and hit the subscribe button over on the right hand side of the page. Tell them it is free and they can unsubscribe at anytime if they should ever wish. I really appreciate it and I will never take for granted the God given privilege I have of having you as a reader. My life’s Scripture passage is from Jeremiah chapter one. It says, “Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.” I do not take these verses arrogantly or lightly. I try to fulfill them. Thank you for your prayers. Bess and I pray for you our readers as well. If you ever have any specific prayer concerns, feel free to leave them in the comments section by clicking on the word “comments” at the bottom of this article, or E-mail me at www.preachercooper@hotmail.com. Have a good, healthy, and safe week, and I’ll see you nest Monday Morning With Pastor Vic!

Welcome To Autumn!!!

Good Monday Morning to you,

Can you believe autumn has arrived. It seems like only yesterday spring had sprung and we were celebrating Memorial Day. Now, Labor Day has passed and we are gearing toward Thanksgiving and Christmas. The stores here are already promoting those “two big days.” In southwest Florida, autumn is a nice time of the year. We have a three season climate: warm, hot, and sweltering. We paid for our abnormally cold winter with a sweltering summer. With the coming of the fall season, though, our temps will moderate and be very pleasant. Come on down if you can. If you’re a full timer like my family and me, you will be happy to see the humid temperatures settle down into the comfortable range.

Yesterday at Church I preached a message called, “Spiritually Injured.” We examined three people who were spiritually injured by ----------- the Lord. You heard right, spiritually injured by the Lord. Jonah, Elijah, and Peter were injured because they were told them something they never thought they would hear fall from the lips of God. So what were they told, how were they injured, and what was the final outcome? In the next paragraph is the full set of sermon notes that you can use to study this for yourselves.

Spiritually Injured
Various Scriptures
September 18, 19, 2010
By Victor Cooper

I. Jonah
A. What The Lord said. Jonah 1: 2  Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me.
B. Why he was injured. Nineveh, the capital city of Assyria, was Israel’s most hated enemy. Jonah figured the Lord was more interested in their destruction than their deliverance.
C. How Jonah responded. V3 But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD, and went down to Joppa…
` D. The Lord’s reply. V4  But the LORD sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty tempest in the sea, so that the ship was like to be broken. v17 Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.
E. What Jonah learned. 3:10  And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.
1. God forgave repentant Jonah,
and
2. God forgave repentant Nineveh.
F. How Jonah grew through the experience. 4:9  And God said to Jonah, Doest thou well to be angry for the gourd? And he said, I do well to be angry, even unto death.
1. He did not so far as we know recover from the injury.
a. In this verse he actually smart mouths God!

II. Elijah
A. What The Lord said. 1 Kings 19: 11,12  And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake: 12 And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.
B. Why he was injured. To Elijah, a still small voice was not the same powerful God that consumed the prophets of Baal and that he needed to deliver him from the threats of Jezebel.
C. How Elijah responded.
1. He had already ran to hide in the wilderness.
2. He tells God in V 14 I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.
D. The Lord’s reply. V15  And the LORD said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria: 16 And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room.
E. What Elijah learned. V18  Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.

III. Peter
A. What The Lord said. Luke 22:31-34  And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: 32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. 33 And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death. 34 And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.
B. Why he was injured. Jesus told Peter he was not as loyal as he thought he was and that his faith was weak.
C. How Peter responded. Matthew 26:69- 72  Now Peter sat ` without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee. 70 But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest. 71 And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth. 72 And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man.
  D. The Lord’s reply. Luke 22:61  And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.

E. What Peter learned. —Smith's Bible Dictionary The time and manner of the apostle's martyrdom are less certain. According to the early writers, he suffered at or about the same time with Paul, and in the Neronian persecution, a.d. 67, 68. All agree that he was crucified. Origen says that Peter felt himself to be unworthy to be put to death in the same manner as his Master, and was therefore, at his own request, crucified with his head downward.

Conclusion: Have you suffered a spiritual injury due to something the Lord has told you? Remember, the Lord never sets out to hurt or injure you, but to help you and to use you in service for Him. Even though you might not understand, believe what He tells you and obey His words. You’ll be the better for it!

I hope the sermon notes are a blessing to you and that they help with your Christian walk. Remember, if you ever have any questions or comments, I’m as close as your keyboard or phone. I do so love hearing from you.

Last week I talked about the St. John’s River in Florida and how it ran backward. I told you there was another that did the exact same thing. The answer is The Nile River in Egypt; it also flows backward. Many things to my good friend Michelle in Illinois who went to the time and effort to give me a list of several rivers that follow a weird course. Thanks Michelle and Randy!

Have a really great week and stay safe and healthy. I’ll see you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic.

Hallelujah!!!

Good Monday Morning to you!

Did you have a good week? I sure did. For the first time in a long time I was able to get away from everything and relax. We went up to our friends, The Middletons, for some “down time.” It was nice to just sit around and talk. We also took a boat ride on the St. John’s River. The St. John’s is one of only two rivers that flow backward. It flows from south to north. All the others in the northern hemisphere flow from north to south. Do you know the name of the other backward flowing river? If you’d like to guess, e-mail me at preachercooper@hotmail.com. There is no prize for knowing the right answer --- just knowing it is prize enough. Hint: it too is home to both gators and crocs. Next week I’ll reveal the name of this second river.

Did I also mention that the car ran just fine. Lately I’ve been burning 93 octane in it and it runs much smoother and quieter. It costs me about $2.35 more for a tank-full, but I believe I’m getting better mileage. All things considered, I think the extra money is well spent.

Yesterday I preached Psalm 106:1-5. This Psalm begins and ends with the phrase “Praise ye the LORD.” It only takes one Hebrew word to express that phrase. That Hebrew word is “hallelujah.” The Psalm begins and ends with hallelujah, but in the body of it is a long list of many of Israel’s past sins. Notice that even with the many sins recounted, it can still end with hallelujah. Verse one says, “Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.” Like the beginning of this Psalm, when we trust Christ and are born again, our new life starts with a hallelujah. However, life, things, pressures, and come-what-may gets in the way and just like Israel, a long list of our shortcomings and flat out sins can be listed. But child of God, do not despair for, “… His mercy endureth forever." Do you know what mercy is? Mercy and grace might be two sides of a single coin, but they are not the same. Allow me to give you a quick lesson in Theology. Mercy is not receiving from God that which you deserve. The Bible says we have sinned, and sin has a price: death. Here, death is not cessation of life, but eternal separation from God. When God saves a sinner, He gives them a new life and a new nature. Mercy says, “You deserve eternal punishment, but you shall not receive it.” That gives your first, “hallelujah!”

Because His mercy endures forever, your life will end just as the Psalm does, with a hallelujah. Even though there are the “mess-ups” in between, a believer’s life will end just as it started --- with a hallelujah. Here’s another lesson in Theology; receiving the first hallelujah guarantees the last one --- it’s automatic. Why? Because “His mercy endures forever!” A-men!! Hallelujah!!! It gives you a new respect for that word, doesn’t it?

If you have not trusted Christ as your Lord and have not received that first hallelujah, please contact me. You can e-mail me or feel free to call; I’d love to share the blessings of mercy with you. If you are a believer, but you seem to be adding to that “laundry list” of sins, you too are encouraged to contact me; perhaps I can help. I’d love the opportunity to try.

Be sure to encourage your friends, family, and co-workers to visit Monday Morning With Pastor Vic. Maybe this blog will be a blessing to them as well. I hope so. Have a good and a safe week, and I’ll see you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic.

Christ onboard the vessel

Monday Morning With Pastor Vic 9/6/10

Good Monday Morning to you. I do hope you have had a good week since we met last Monday. I also need to say Happy Labor day to you. Do you have plans for the day? Whatever your day holds, I hope you enjoy the day and stay safe in doing so. I had a very good week last week --- several blessings came my way. As you know I had to put my car in the shop yet again. Carl fixed it, and I went Tuesday afternoon to get it. I was telling Carl about the new Church, and he said somebody there must really love me. He said they came in and paid my bill. He did not (or would not) say who did it and no one is owning up to it. I made my thank yous in Church and just hope the generous party heard it. It was a real blessing to Bess and me. If you did it and are reading this, again my sincere thanks.

I received another blessing just after Church. My son, Kevin, before he left out on his trip, said for me to be careful with the riding mower and watch the incoming water line out behind the house. I told him I was a grown man and was quite capable of watching what I was doing and that I would not hit the water line. I hit the water line! From 6:00pm Saturday, until 2:00pm Sunday we had no water at the Cooper home. We used the hurricane water to bathe with standing at the sink. It wasn’t too bad, but much thanks goes out to Norman Mooney who came over and made a quick repair. I am so grateful for Christian friends who love their Pastor and who could help get the ox out of our ditch this past Lord’s day.

We had several visitors at our services today. Today was only our second service and the Holy Spirit’s presence was so real. I have not experienced this kind of freedom in my preaching in a long, long time.

This morning I preached the message, “Together In The Boat.” The sermon examined the fact that not only were the disciples together with one another in the boat, but they were also together with Jesus. We all experience storms in our lives, but just as the disciples were safe because Jesus was with them, we, too are safe if He is traveling with us. Is Jesus traveling in your boat? If not, He is waiting for you to invite Him onboard. If you need help with that, please feel free to speak to me. You can E-mail, or telephone me if you’d like. If the Lord Jesus is not onboard with you, I believe I’d get my boat to shore and not launch out again until He was with me.

Have a great week and I’ll look forward to seeing you again next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic.

Lets talk about adversity.

Good Monday Morning to you. Pour yourself a cup of coffee, pull up a chair and lets visit. It sure has been rainy here. The first part of the week I felt like the entire Gulf of Mexico came in on us. Things seem to be drying out now.

I thought my car trouble was past, but once again it is acting up. The intake manifold is indeed fixed, but now I’m told that with all the standing water that car has had to drive through, water has reached places its not supposed to reach. Its something to do with wires and converters and such. I’m a preacher, not a mechanic, so I’m past understanding it all. My mechanic, Carl Humphries, is a good mechanic, a good friend, and a decent and honorable man. If he tells you something about your car, you can believe him. I’d like to sell my car and buy a horse, but it would probably pull up lame.

My son Kevin was home this past week. We had not seen him since April. As you know, he is an over the road trucker, and he loves it. I hated it rained the whole time he was here, but it was a good visit. He came home to take a test for more endorsements which will allow him more varied kinds of loads. He now has all endorsements available except his “P” endorsement which stands for passengers. He does not transport people, so he really does not need that one anyway. He will be working his way up to Chicago to trade trucks, then out on the road again.. I went with him last year for a ride and hope to do it again. Contrary to what Bill Wolfe says, I climed up and down in and out of that cab like a monkey. The agility and dexterity I possessed amazed everyone!

The Sunday morning message was called, “Dealing With Adversity.”
We all deal with adverse situations, but thankfully the Lord has given us a way to deal with it in His word. We had super attendance on Sunday and I could really feel the freedom of the Spirit. It has been many months since I felt such freedom to preach. I’m sure it had much to do with the fact that everyone there was in one mind and one accord. The sermon notes are printed here for your personal Bible study.

Dealing With Adversity
By Victor Cooper
08/28/10

Intro: “Into every life some rain must fall” the old saying goes. A gentle spring shower is one thing, but a wicked thunderstorm is quite another. The Bible teaches us how to deal with the torrential downpours.

1 Samuel 24:7
So David stayed his servants with these words, and suffered them not to rise against Saul.

I. Step back.
A. Sometime a delay is better than an attack.
1. David could have killed Saul.
B. An attack was not the Lord’s will.
1. David respected Saul’s position as the anointed of God. (v6)
C. Stepping back allows one to see the entire picture.
D. Stepping back allowed Saul to acknowledge David was to be God’s next anointed. (v20)

Exodus 14:13
And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day…


II. Slow down.
A. Wait! Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
1. Waiting: two definitions
A1. Serving
B2. Delaying movement
B. Jeremiah encouraged it. Lamentations 3:25,26
The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. 26 It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.
C. Moses demanded it. (from Exodus 14:13)
1. Do not be afraid;
then
2. stand still;
then
3. see God’s deliverance.

Matthew 16:24
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

III. Follow Jesus.
A. Deny yourself.
1. Jesus is Lord --- I’m not.
2. It’s all about Him, not me.
B. Take up your cross.
1. Crosses are no fun.
2. Who wants one?
3. More often than not thet are thrust upon us.
C. Follow me.
1. You cannot follow Christ without first denying self and taking up your cross --- in that order.

Conclusion: All of us deal with adverse situations from time to time. Remember: step back, slow down, and follow Jesus.

The notes did not transfer as cleanly as I would have liked, but I believe Michele has a plan to fix that. I think the plan is to post the notes in a separate secttion of the blog. We'll let you know more about that when the glitch is fixed.

I do hope you have a very good week. My thanks to the many of you who have written or called expressing your support during this troubling time my family and I are experiencing. The enemy is mighty, but God is almighty, so I plan to continue looking to Him. There is no adversity too strong to stand against my Lord. Please continue to pray for our family, and for all who were at the service yesterday. Next week’s message is entitled, “Together In The Boat.“ Stay safe and well and I’ll see you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic.

Don't get too close. I want you to stay well.

Good Monday Morning to you!
It seems as if I I have come down with a nasty bug. Fever, chills, body aches, a horrible headache that I just can’t shake, stuffy head -- flu? I’m no doctor, but later today I plan to call mine. I’m one of these people that when I get the chills, I shake violently. One minute I’m burning up, the next minute I’m freezing. Oh well, this too shall pass.

I’ve told you about the car part that I’ve been trying to baby along. It is called an intake manifold and the auto makers used plastic to make it. After about ten years, they tend to crack. Coolant leaks and gets onto the spark plugs making for a rough ride. The other day mine finally split. I took it to Carl and he got it repaired as inexpensively as possible, but it was still $898. I wish I could have traded, but that is not possible. The car has 165,000 miles, and has been a very good car. I have no complaints and no regrets.

Karen Shidell of Wisconsin was the winner of the contest. As her prize she selected the Wal Mart card. Thank you Karen and thanks to each of you who helped by suggesting my site to others. Even though the contest is over, feel free to have your friends and family stop by and read the Monday Morning With Pastor Vic blog.

The Bible says in 2 Thessalonians 1:3, “We are bound to thank God always for you … because your faith growth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you … abounded.” This is exactly how I feel about each of you who take the time to read this blog. You are my dear, loyal friends. Believe it or not, preachers have very few close friends. Thank you for being mine.

I’ll see you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic!

A visit from Pastor Vic

Good Monday Morning to you!! Pour yourself a cup of coffee or juice and lets visit for a spell. I trust your week has been good. It sure has been soggy here. We had a tropical weather system form over top of us and it brought about 5 inches of rain in just a few days. My yard was absolutely waterlogged. There was no where I could walk without stepping into water, some of which drenched my feet. I ended up taking off my socks, putting them in my pocket, and putting them on again when I got into the house, or wherever I was. My roads were bad, too. I had to go through one long stretch where the water was as high as the grill of my car. Ahh the price of living in paradise. Needless to say, I stayed in much of the time. I promised Bess that our next house would have real roads. We live on dirt roads.

The contest is over and I want to thank all who participated. I will announce the winner next week. I do need your help, though. If you subscribed as the result of someone telling you about this site, would you please E-mail me and verify who referred you. My address is www.preachercooper@hotmail.com. Also, if you referred anyone, please let me know who you referred so I can check their E-address against the subscribers list.

Yesterday in Church I preached the first of a two part message called “Seeking God.” The three main points were as follows:
I. Seek the Kingdom of God. Matthew 6:33
II. Seeking God means seeking the good of others. 1 Cor. 10:24
III. “Seeking” could be a one word summation of the mission of Jesus. Luke 19:10

From point #2, I challenged our Church to an experiment. Upon arrival, each person 18 and older was given a blank slip of paper and asked to write their name and phone number. The slips were collected after I preached my second point into two baskets; one for the women, and one for the men. At the conclusion of the service the ladies would draw a ladies name, and the men would draw a man’s name. We are all going to do 1 Corinthians 10:24 which says, “Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well being.” (NKJV) I challenged each of us to do something special for the person whose name you drew. It could be something as simple as stopping by for a cup of coffee and a visit, or taking care of some chore for them. Maybe a snack at Dairy Queen, or a couple of sandwiches shared at a local park would be in order. Whatever is done, both parties will be blessed. Also the double blessing is each one gets to experience both the giving AND the receiving. As you chose a name, someone else chose yours. If you were not with us, you too can enter into the spirit of our experiment by choosing someone you know and doing something special for them. The Lord will bless you immensely I’m sure! If you do choose to try it, write me back and let me know how it went. I sure enjoy good testimonies as to God’s faithfulness in response to our obedience.

I do hope you have a good week, and that you stay safe and healthy. Feel free to send me an E-mail and tell me how you’re doing. I pray for each who allow me these Monday Morning With Pastor Vic visits. I’ll see you again next time----

Good Morning

Good Monday Morning to you! It seems like I just said goodbye to you from last time and here we are again. Did you have as busy a week as did I? I spent some time last week shopping for a new lap-top. My old one died about two months ago. My secretary’s daughter, who is a computer guru was able to revive it, but it was very slow. It also had a mind of its own and would start doing some weird things. Unknown to me, Brenda Conley, a dear friend and member of the church here, had gone to some people in the church and had taken donations for the “buy the preacher a new lap-top campaign.” The donors are anonymous to me, but I am very grateful to those who gave. If you are one of those who gave, let me again say, “Thank You!” After several days of shopping, I found a Toshiba that I really like. The more I use it, the better I like it. Fast? Richard Petty has never been this fast. It responds very well. As a matter of fact, this blog was typed and submitted using it. I had to give up my Windows Vista for Microsoft 7, but I’ll get used to it. One of my Bible Study programs will not work with it, but again, I can adapt. The updated programs are compatible, so I really haven’t lost anything. As a matter of fact, I have gained. Over the years, free updates have been provided including new study books. So far, I like what I’ve seen, and will be able to make good use of them.

Yesterday I preached a sermon called, “The Needy Beggar.” It came from Acts 3:1-10. For your personal Bible study, here are the notes.

Intro: I was praying, and I stopped and told the Lord that I must sound like a needy beggar to Him, constantly coming to Him for help with all kinds of matters. I admitted to Him that I indeed am a needy beggar. He said then preach that to the congregation.

I. Recognize you are needy.
A. v2 He was daily laid at the temple gate, no doubt at his request.
B. v2 He asked - ashamed or not, he asked.
1. V3 He asked Peter and John, but (v5) did not know who they were.

II. Recognize you cannot supply the need.
A. v2 He had to be laid at the gate; he could not do it himself.
B. He asked for what he thought was his need.
1. He asked for a gift.
2. What he needed was a job so he could provide for himself.
3. He could not work - he was severly crippled.
4. In his day it was beg or die.
5. He had a need he could not supply.
III. Recognize you need Jesus.
A. v6 Peter tells him of Jesus.
B. v7a He reached his hand to Peter in belief.
C. v7b he was made whole.
D. v8-10a He praises God!
1. He recognized God had healed him.
2. He recognized Jesus was God.

Conclusion: Whether you are saved or lost, sinner or saint, your greatest need is Jesus Christ. The sooner you recognize that, the sooner your needs can be met. Trust Him today!

I hope these notes are useful to you. You are free to use them for your personal Bible study. You preachers may use them or adapt them to meet your needs. The same goes for you Sunday School teachers. They are copyrighted, so if you are writing anything and include any part of them, just be sure proper credit is given as is properly called when citing the work of others. Enough of this legal mumbo jumbo. I’m proud you’d even consider looking at them.

The contest continues for one more week and it is close. It’s also not too late to enter to win one of the four prizes. Just simply contact those in your address book and direct them to this site. They subscribe and you get the credit for your help. The person who enrolls the most new subscribers is the first place winner. So far, Karen Shidell of Wisconsin has a slim lead. There can be four winners, so everybody really pour it on this final week. I really appreciate your help, and I’ll see you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic!

Amblings and Ramblings with Pastor Vic

Good Monday Morning to you ---
As I write this late on Sunday night, it is raining here cats and dogs. When was the last time you heard that old expression used? Not only is it raining cats and dogs, but it is lightning and thundering to beat the band. There’s you another expression from yesteryear. Any way, I do hope you had a terrific week last week. Mine was O K --- not much to brag about, but a few praise reports to share. First, Miss Bessie took an awful spill last Monday, but other than being real sore, it looks like no permanent damage was done. The praise report is that she is alright. She got out of the car to mail a few letters, and did not know there was a drop off of about three inches. It was just enough to make her lose her balance and go down. Like I said, she’s pretty sore and quite bruised, so I know she would appreciate your prayers. Our second praise report is that our car is still running, but getting worse with each turn of the wheel. We still have the problem with the cracked intake manifold. To fix it would cost about nine hundred dollars. That’s pretty steep when you consider the car has about one hundred sixty five thousand miles on it. It has been a real good car, but I fear it has seen its better days. With a poor economy, a trade would be impossible at this time, so Pastor Vic and Bess would appreciate your prayers in this matter. We do not know what else to do except leave it in the hands of the Lord. In the mean while, does anybody have a one eyed, three legged, pigeon toed, flopped eared mule for sale??? Beggars can’t be choosers, you know. (Another of those old expressions I seem to be filled with this week.)

Yesterday morning I preached from Matthew chapter 7, the first five verses. This was the second in a two part series on judging others. Jesus said in verse one, “Don’t judge.” However, last week, Paul said it was OK to judge. So who do we listen to, Paul or Jesus? Some would answer, “Obey Jesus over Paul.” Although in man’s logic, that sounds correct, remember what Paul taught in 1 Corinthians 2:11-16 was inspired by the Holy Spirit, so it cannot be ignored. You can relax though. Paul and Jesus are not contradicting each other. There are no contradictions in God’s word. Quite simply, they were speaking to two different audiences: Paul to believers, and Jesus to scribes, Pharisees, and hypocrites. Jesus reminded them to be careful about how they judged because the same overtly high standards they used would be used on them. For those of you who might want it for your personal Bible study, Here is the outline I used to preach the message.

Intro: Last week we learned that sometime we must make judgments concerning both things and people. We learned that to be a spiritual judge, certain criteria must be met. Today we hear Jesus addressing those who had not met the criteria and had no right to judge.

I. v. 1 Jesus’ command --- Don’t judge!
A. Plain and simple -- do not do it.
1. Dilemma: Jesus said do not judge. Paul said to judge. Who do we listen to?
B. Biblical Hermeneutics --- The science of Biblical interpretation.
1. Who was Paul speaking to? Believers
2. Who was Jesus speaking to? Scribes, Pharisees, hypocrites, etc…

II. v 2 What goes around, comes around!
A. The above statement is the end result of the Golden Rule. “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them…”
Matthew 7:12a
B. You set the standard --- how do you want to be judged?
C. The better question is: How do you judge? What standards do you measure by?

III. vv 3,4 Can a blind surgeon operate?
A. Matthew 7:3-4 (GW) So why do you see the piece of sawdust in another believer's eye and not notice the wooden beam in your own eye? [4] How can you say to another believer, 'Let me take the piece of sawdust out of your eye,' when you have a beam in your own eye?
B. You can’t remove something small from another’s eye when your own vision is obstructed.
C. Jesus is saying several things:
1. You’re like a blind surgeon trying to operate.
2. You’ve got your own problems, deal with them.
3. You are judging others by a standard higher than by which you wish to be judged.
4. You consider your self flawless and your neighbor flawed.

IV. v 5 Hypocrite! Fake!! Phony!!!
A. Hypocrite> an actor playing a part.
1. In Shakespeare’s day an actor was known as a hypocrite.
B. What role is this actor playing? One of two;
either:
1. that of one who is righteous,
or
2. that of a spiritual judge.
C. Which ever, Jesus sees right through it.

Conclusion: Remember, to be a spiritual judge, one must be saved, be walking with God, be Spirit led, and be a prayer warrior. Anything short of that leads to disqualification and includes many sitting in churches today all across the world. This is the crowd Jesus was talking to in Matthew 7:1-5. Was He speaking to you? At this point in the message, the Holy Spirit has already answered that question for you.

Right below this blog is a place for comments. I write this for you. Will you click on and let me know if you think the sermon notes are helpful? I’d appreciate any other suggestions you might have as well. Also, the contest has just a few weeks to go and we are way behind in our goal of new subscribers. Please help. Invite all in your address book to subscribe. Be sure they tell me they were recommended by you. Thanks, and I’ll see you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic.