Thanksgiving in 2020

Posted on by josiahkagin

As I consider the goodness of God in the midst of 2020, I am amazed. Yes, this year has been difficult, and, no, I do not have my head buried in the sand. I mean it when I say, “God has been good!” He has shown Himself more than able to overcome fear and bring peace. He has proven (again) that He is faithful even when disappointments mount. He has shown Himself to have all power against that which threatens. Allow me to give some specific praise to the Lord.

First, I want to thank the Lord for His salvation. The confident assurance of the forgiveness of all sin and eternal life is a blessing that is beyond compare. God provided this to me when I was twelve years old as I recognized my sinfulness, Christ’s righteousness, and accepted what He did for me at Calvary. 2 Corinthians 5:21 says, “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.“

Second, God’s protection has been real both spiritually and physically. I think of all that has happened in 2020. The Lord allowed my wife and me to travel to India and return right before all the lockdowns. He protected us on that trip as well as opened our eyes to the vast need of the Gospel in India. Throughout the year, whether in trips or day to day life, He has granted protection. “I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: For thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.” (Psalm 4:8) Beyond the physical, there was spiritual protection. I cannot remember a season of life that had more intense spiritual warfare than this year. Yet, God has again proven Himself to be infinitely more powerful than the god of this world—who is a defeated foe. 1 John 4:4 reminds us, “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” 

Third, I have said that whatever brings us closer to God is ultimately a good thing. Well, the challenge of 2020 has been a good thing in this way. God has taught me (is teaching me) the importance of prayer. Prayer is a declaration of dependence upon God. I am learning just how true our Savior’s words were when He said, “Without me ye can do nothing.” 

Fourth, God saw fit to challenge me in my faith in a very meaningful and specific way this year. I was at a point where I thought I was going forward in faith, but my thinking and even my words were not faith-filled. I was living in respect of what I could see physically. God used a businessman to rebuke and encourage me in the matter of the fear of the Lord—living in respect of God, His holiness, and His ability. God cannot be put inside a box. He is not confined to work within the guidelines of what I have experienced, what I see, or how I think. Honestly, this is still a learning journey that I am on, but God has specifically worked in my life and I am thankful! I preached a message that flowed out of what God was doing in my heart entitled Those that Fear the Lord.

Fifth, I had been praying for a second vehicle. My family and I were getting by with one vehicle for several years, and it was getting to be very difficult. In September, the Lord answered that prayer specifically and provided a vehicle. This is a tangible thing, but I am thankful for a second vehicle!

Sixth, this year God has helped my son, Jason, with his speech impediment. God used our doctor, speech therapy, and the tireless efforts of my wife to help Jason begin to speak more clearly. It has been a huge blessing to watch him gain confidence as people can understand him as he talks.

Seventh, family is very precious. There have been times this year in the midst of all the chaos that the dinner table has been a place of refreshment. You might wonder how dinner with five littles can be refreshing. There is nothing like the carefree conversation and laughing of children. I thank the Lord for the blessing of family. I thank Him for granting my wife and me young hearts to raise for His glory. 

Eighth, I praise the Lord for my wife. This year has drawn us together so much more because this year has drawn us toward our Lord. I cannot express the blessing of a godly wife who continues to follow Christ. I have seen how her Shepherd has led and grown her in her faith and confidence. She is my best friend and my partner in the work of the Lord. I praise the Lord. 

Lastly, my church family is an unbelievable blessing to me. This has been a trying year for churches. However, we have experienced the grace of God together. God has used this year to draw us closer together. He has grown our faith. He has lifted us above fear and chaos to walk closer with Him. He has added to our number. He is opening hearts to His working and genuine Christian connection. He is restoring our broken and messy lives. It would be very hard to fully express how I feel, but I would not trade the world for the blessing of being a part of a church family that is growing together in the Lord.

In the Valley

Posted on by josiahkagin

We’ve all had a cold before. No big deal…right!? Unless you are five weeks old. This week has been a bit of a roller coaster for my wife and I and many who know us. As I write this, I am sitting at Children’s looking at my little girl hooked up with oxygen and monitoring wires. Earlier this week she was diagnosed with RSV. I have visited people who had their children in the hospital with this, but none of our children have had it. It is really quite scary.

We have been in the hospital three different times over this week. The first two times we were sent home because it was not bad enough for the doctor to admit her. We understood and did our best to follow instruction and care for her.

Earlier today, after having been up all night with her, it got worse…much worse. She was having a very difficult time breathing because of all the congestion. We decided to take her in for a third time. She was admitted to ICU and placed under good care.

Sheila and I were sitting here talking about the things that God allows into our lives. I commented how that this past Wednesday night I mentioned in my sermon that God often teaches us to pray as we go through difficult times. Even as a said that, I wondered what He would bring us through in order to learn to depend on Him in a greater way.

I simply write these thoughts to convey how good our God is while He allows us to go through valleys and leads us to greater dependance on Him.

I am reminded of this thought: I heard some time ago that anything that leads me to God is a good thing. This certainly makes sense in light of Romans 8:28 which says, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.“

Merry Christmas!

Posted on by josiahkagin

More than the presents we give and receive, the presence of Jesus ought bring the greatest joy and satisfaction. This Christmas morning before opening gifts, we enjoyed opening the Bible to Luke 2 and Matthew 2 and reading of the events surrounding Christ’s birth. We prayed and thanked God for His gift to us as well as each other. One big lesson our family has learned this year is not to take each other for granted. Life is such a gift to be cherished everyday and especially on holidays like Christmas. May God give you a truly wonderful Christmas as you celebrate Jesus with your family.

Instruction, Law and Wisdom

Posted on by josiahkagin

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Disobedience, rebellion and stubbornness is nothing new. From the earliest pages of the Bible the pattern or not listening to a father’s instruction was demonstrated. Adam and Eve neglected to follow the instruction of God and by their disobedience, sin entered creation. Not long after, we see Cain follow suit and disregard the instruction of God and likely his father concerning the required sacrifice for sin. The storyline of refusing instruction repeats time and time again throughout history.

Proverbs 1:8-9 says, “My son, hear the instruction of thy father, And forsake not the law of thy mother: For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, And chains about thy neck.” Let’s take note of a truth and pattern that ought be applied by dads, moms, sons and daughters.

A Father’s Instruction

Here is first plea of the father in the book of Proverbs. King Solomon implores his son, Rehoboam, to hear instruction. Notice that it is the father who gives the instruction here. Fathers are responsible for the moral instruction of their children. If it does not happen in the home, dads are to blame. Though Solomon gave the instruction, Sadly, Rehoboam did not hear it and his rule as king was marked by foolish decisions. What an awful mess he made! Though characterized by a lawless spirit, the world has little use for the one who refuses instruction. Whether an earthly child or a child of God, the one who hears the father’s instruction will find great benefit. Hearing instruction in order to understand and act on it will be as a special decoration to their life.

A Mother’s Law

Children are commanded to adhere to the mothers law. Here the mother is seen as reinforcing the father’s instruction. Many times in home there is much frustration because mothers are left to bear the responsibility of giving the moral instructions. The absent themselves from the leadership role God has given to them. Fathers should be careful to remember that the must lead out in instructing while mothers ought be mindful to reinforce that instruction. Parenting is a team effort.

A Child’s Response

Instruction should always be heard in order that it might be followed. It is the responsibility of children to hear instruction and to embrace the rules given by their parents. The worldly experts and show hosts tell us that parents must not restrict them from expressing their individual personalities. Telling them “No” will damage their self-esteem. Providing them with reasonable consequences for disobedience is looked at as passé. This humanistic philosophy has been promoted for several generations resulting the rise in rebellious, lawless and violent behavior that fills the headlines. This problem starts back the breakdown of the foundation, structure and in homes.

How desperately we need a return of dads and moms hearing God’s instruction, dads instruction their child, mothers reinforcing that instruction and children hear and embracing this instruction. Imagine what a difference this would make.

Listen to a related sermon