Bible – Page 2 – Pastor Clegguart Mitchell

Elevate Your Christmas Focus

Let the chaos begin. Do you remember the good-ole-days when we used to spend Thanksgiving Day together with our family? Everyone would gather at grandma’s house, we would share in a turkey feast, watch a little football, take a nap, and then completely lose our minds. The sun would go down and normal people would be transformed into shopping monsters to be unleashed at midnight.

For the record, I only did that once. I will never do that again. The so called “black Friday” shopping part that is. As for turkey and football – who am I to mess with tradition?!

The times have changed though. The shopping monsters couldn’t wait until midnight this year. They were loosed, restrained, re-loosed, and re-restrained on Thursday and then re-re-loosed at midnight for Friday’s blackness. Honestly, just thinking about it is making me tired and dizzy.

I want to make a radical suggestion. Take a few moments and stop the Christmas chaos in your life. Breathe. Now elevate your focus and yield your attention in worship and adoration as you consider this:

“He (Jesus Christ) is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.” (Colossians 1:15-20)

“Though he (Jesus Christ) was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:6-11).

“What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us” (Romans 8:31-34).

Merry Christmas!

Not Always Easy

I love my wife and I am not ashamed to say it! She is my best friend and I am her best friend. We will be happily married for nineteen years this August and I can honestly say that we have grown closer to one another with each passing year. She is my sunshine, my delight, and my treasure. My name is Clegguart Mitchell and I approve this message.

God has been so kind to bless us with six children; and a new baby due in December! The children range from almost three up to fourteen years. We love to go golfing, fishing, hunting, and playing all sorts of games together. Yes, each child is different and has his or her own personality, preferences, and problems. But I can honestly say, I love every one of them in their own personal uniqueness and I would not trade any one of them for anything in the world!

As a husband I have no problem loving and honoring my wife. As a dad my chest puffs up with the best of them when thinking and speaking of my children. As a man accountable to God for leading in my home and shepherding my family, well, life is not always easy. I am so thankful that God’s Word spells out so simply and so clearly what God’s design and desire are for me! Now, you may be single, a single parent, childless, or even a grandparent. God has written down His design and desire for you no matter where you are in life!

Parenting is not always easy. A young pastor fresh out of Seminary and newly married preached a sermon that he called “The Ten Commandments of Child Rearing.” A couple years and one child later he changed the title to “Five Biblical Principles for Parenting”. A few years and another child later he re-titled again to “Three Suggestions for Parents”. As you may have guessed after ten years and three children he was no longer in the ministry, he was selling used cars.

Sometimes raising children is just hard. In one bookstore I counted over sixty titles on “Family” and most of them did not agree! Mark Twain had an interesting idea about parenting. When you are faced with one of those hard moments consider what Mr. Twain said. His philosophy was: “When a kid turns thirteen, stick him in a barrel, nail the lid on top and feed him through the knothole. When he turns 16, plug up the hole!”

It is almost Father’s Day. Did you know that God actually spells out the stages of personal growth for us Dad’s? In Psalm 127:1-2 we need a godly foundation; v3-5 we need to trust God for blessed fruitfulness; Ps 128:1-4 we can enjoy a happy family life; and v5-6 we get to reap the joys of a satisfying family when we get older. God really does have a plan, and friend, He wants to help you! Read His Word, the Holy Bible, and you will be amazed by all that you discover!

Clegguart Mitchell

The Owner’s Manual

Spring arrived early this year and so did the strong desire to get out and ride! Like many other people I found myself eager to get my motorcycle out of winter storage and back on to the road. Unfortunately, the battery had gone down and there was no power. I decided to phone the friend whom I had purchased the bike from and ask him about getting it charged up. His advice “Read the owner’s manual!” Smiling, I thought to myself… “Thanks a lot.” Well, with no other options, I did something radical. I read it! I got my tools, charged the battery, got it running, and have been enjoying every sunny day that I can! Mostly, I enjoy taking my sweet wife for a ride, even if it is just a short run out to the grocery store.

Did you know that the Creator of all things has given us an “Owner’s Manual”? God has actually written out everything that we need to know! His book includes an introduction to planet earth, chapters of history, poetry, practical instructions for the family, men, women, children, social and political order, Theology and lots of prophecy. As God, we would expect that He knows history in advance; and He certainly does! Indeed He has written down everything that we need to know (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:3-4)! The “Owner’s Manual” even explains why bad things happen (Genesis 3; Romans 3:23; 6:23a; 8:21-22). It also explains what God has done about this insurmountable problem; He sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to live a sinless life and die as the perfect sacrifice for sin (John 20:31; Romans 6:23b; 10:9-10).

One of the things I appreciate the most about this “Owner’s Manual” is that God has also included instructions that keep us running in tip-top condition – FOREVER. You see, this “Owner’s Manual” is the exact and errorless guide to maintenance (how to have victory) and to our individual fuel needs (how to know and grow spiritually). There is nothing more vital or practical than for us to consult the Owner’s Manual: God’s Word!

As much as I enjoy my motorcycle, my first passion is my wife and our six children. Obviously, I am not all that mechanically inclined; I had to ask for help charging the battery. What I’ve discovered though is that basic motorcycle maintenance is not nearly has complicated as my job as a husband and dad. I am so thankful that God has spelled out His design and expectations for the Family, especially dads, in easy to understand terms!

Gentlemen: Do you want to be a blessing to the ladies in your life this Mother’s Day? Then resolve to consult the “Owner’s Manual” with the intent of understanding God’s design and desire for you as a husband and father. A great place to start is in Ephesians 5:21-6:4 and Colossians 3:16-25.

Clegguart Mitchell

Life in Leon

Just over two years ago I moved my wife and six children, including a new born baby girl, to Leon. We were excited and nervous and looking forward to settling into our new home and new community. With the help of our church family, and so many new friends in the community, it only took a few short months to feel “right at home.”

Obviously with six children, life is never dull in our house. Our oldest is now 14 and our youngest is now two and half. They love golf with dad, baseball with friends, fishing as a family, hunting with Melvin & Annette, and they really enjoy visiting with the folks out at Westview (especially Mr. Dale Miller). Indeed, for our family, life in Leon is just an absolute joy!

When our twelve year old was three he had to use a stool in order to reach the sink in the bathroom. We always knew when Jordan was going to wash his hands because the little wooden stool doubled as a car which he enjoyed driving. He always made “vvv-rooom” and tire squealing sounds as he “drove” the little stool to the sink and back to the end of the counter.

On several occasions when Jordan would “park” the little stool, he would stand straight up and hit his little head on the corner of the hard counter. He would cry out, rub his head, and the tears would flow. On one such occasion I said, “Jordan, Jordan, Jordan, listen to Daddy.” Now pointing at the hard corner I said, “Buddy. This is always going to be here.” He wrinkled his face, sniffled, and kept rubbing his head.

A few days later I heard the little motor sound coming from the bathroom. I stopped in the hall and listened. Then I heard tire sounds, a little thud, and crying. When I looked into the bathroom Jordan was rubbing his little head again. He pointed to the corner of the counter and said, “Daddy. It’s always gonna be there.”

Friends, do you realize that God tells us in Psalm 119:89 that His Word (the Holy Bible) is forever settled in Heaven? In other words, God’s Word is “always going to be there.” Not only does God describe for us how to know Him personally (John 14:6; Romans 10:9-10) but He also explains life in easy to understand words! The Bible is our Source (2 Timothy 3:16-17), our Comfort (Romans 15:4), our Guide (Joshua 1:8; John 8:31-32), and our Strength (Psalm 119:28; Acts 20:32).

Just like a little boy who needed to accept the fact that the counter top would always be there, you and I need to accept the fact that the Bible is “forever settled in Heaven”. Indeed, God’s Word is “always going to be there”!

Clegguart Mitchell