Passages: Romans 8:18, Philippians 1:6, James 4:7-10, 1 Peter 5:7-8   Concerning Romans 8:28-32 Bruce Ware comments, "For the believer, there simply are no accidents or tragedies in which God is, as it were, a passive bystander. He never helplessly watches while some tragedy occurs, wishing it were different. Rather, God is at work to bring about good. He is altogether active in all the events of our lives, never merely passively--and certainly not helplessly---watching...Paul states that the scope of God's work is absolutely comprehensive. There is nothing he is not actively working in to bring about good for his own." (Bruce A. Ware, "God's Lesser Glory,"p.192-193)   You are probably familiar with the old but classic “Footprints in the Sand” poetic prose carefully written to display the mysterious work of God behind the scenes. This treasured and variously copied poem has helped thousands in trusting God for the challenges and difficulties in life. Doubtlessly, it is true that God is singularly handling your affairs behind the curtains while you fulfill the real life drama of your life on a stage of frightening realities. But be of good courage, my dear child of God, God is not silent to the various and sundry ways your life is assailed by so many storms and torrents! The life of Job is an ancient “Footprints in the Sand” epic. Scripture reveals in the story of Job what Bruce Ware calls “God-intended concealment, the unveiling of purposeful veiling. That is we are told what Job was not told.”(Bruce Ware, “God’s Greater Glory,” p.163) My friend and beloved, remember that everything that tries our faith is God’s intended purpose to arouse in us fervent devotion and committed trust and dependence. “Living behind God: Veiled to the Purpose of God in Suffering,”(ibid. p.163) is what we are called to do. The whys of our circumstances, adversities, and afflictions are not as important as our willingness to endure and patiently wait on God for the unfolding drama to reap its glory. We may never know fully the reasons in this lifetime for the difficulties we endure, but we can sure endure it with strength, patience, and growth. If we rest in the Almighty and the sweet precious ointment of Jesus, whose balm is a an ever-source of healing, we will not faint and grow weary. Alas, draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Dear Child of God, don’t be afraid to cry and weep for God’s ever-present help!               “Favour’d saints of God,             His messengers and seers,             The narrow path trod, ‘Mid             Sins, and doubts, and fears”  (Iain Murray, “The Life of Arthur Pink,” p.204)   Pastor Jim Cater "For we can do nothing against the truth, but only for the truth" (2 Corin.13:8)   Blessings, Pastor James T. Cater Miramar Church 6390 SW 32nd Street Miramar, FL 33023 (954) 981-4677 pastorjim@miramarchurch.org or Caterluvmy4@aol.com www.miramarchurch.org

“I have watched with growing disbelief as the evangelical Church has cheerfully plunged into astounding theological illiteracy. Many taking the plunge seem to imagine that they are simply following a path to success…theology is a knowledge that belongs first and foremost to the people of God and that the proper and primary audience for theology is therefore the church, not the learned guild…I say this because theology is not simply a philosophical reflection about the nature of things but rather the cogent articulation of the knowledge of God. Its substance is not drawn from mere human reflection, no matter how brilliant, but from the biblical Word by which it is nurtured and disciplined. And its purpose is not primarily to participate in the conversation of the learned but to nurture the people of God…A culture for whom God is no longer present believes everything…When we believe in nothing, we open the doors to believing anything.” David F. Wells, “No Place For Truth” [William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company: Grand Rapids Michigan, 1993] pp.4-9.   It was May 29, 2005 when I was officially invited to preach at Miramar Church for the express purpose of being installed as their interim pastor. My nerves were a little rattled! I wasn’t sure what to expect other than the overwhelming feeling that I had only one opportunity to find favor in the congregation’s eyes. So, I proceeded to preach my heart out on the role of parents since the time for family oriented topics was the order of the day. To my relief, the congregation overwhelmingly invited me to stay, and the rest is history. Immediately, I began a series on identifying the marks of a healthy church. God led me to Mark Dever’s book, “The Nine Marks of a Healthy Church.” This was a divine call to the church to pursue those indicators that provide us with tell-tale signs of a healthy, thriving, yet imperfect church. The first two pillars of the nine marks, if you will, were 1.) The centrality of God’s Word and 2.) The preeminence of Biblical theology. If the church’s moorings have drifted, these two are at the center of the crisis! Since preaching on the marks of a healthy church, our congregation has centered its preaching on “expository (or biblical) preaching.” This has been a mainstay for us. Thank you Lord for this great trajectory of being faithful to your Word and to the commitment to biblical theology, without which we would be sailing on a sea of uncertainty! Theology is not optional as David Wells clearly articulated above. Biblical preaching and Biblical theology belongs to the church! And, how will the world ever know our beliefs if we can't get it straight? Let’s continue to lift the banner so that the knowledge of God is communicated to our generation.                             "For we can do nothing against the truth, but only for the truth" (2 Corin.13:8)     Blessings,  Pastor James T. Cater  Miramar Church  6390 SW 32nd Street  Miramar, FL 33023  (954) 981-4677  pastorjim@miramarchurch.org 

James White in speaking of Is 29:16 which speaks of the freedom the Potter has over the clay says, “The thing ‘being made’ cannot deny the very hands that are forming and fashioning its very shape! And yet this is the very attitude of man today: there is no Creator, and all evidence if His existence must be immediately dismissed. And even amongst those who embrace the Christian faith, there is a hesitance to confess God as Creator, God as determiner of my shape and my destiny.”  (James White, The Potter’s Freedom, [Calvary Press Publishing: Amityville, NY, 2000], p.44-45)If you are a man, then I hope you know that every third Saturday the men’s ministry provides a once a month breakfast. If you haven’t attended yet, I encourage you to take the time and attend. The time is well spent. You will not be disappointed. This past Saturday we started in the breakfast a new Bible study series: “The Sovereignty of God.” This series will dive into the depths of our glorious God and His control of everything from nature to human decisions. We started this past Saturday by way of introduction on the topic of Creator and how this relates to His Sovereignty. It should come as no surprise, I hope, that if God created all that we know today—the heavens, the earth, the animals, the humans, the insects—the corollary then, is that he is Owner, Possessor, and Chief Operating Officer. The Bible declares His sovereign control unequivocally! He is the Captain, Chief, Administrator, Forman, Owner, Proprietor, Ruler, Master, and King! He is indeed in charge of everything and He not only rules, but He rules Supreme due to His Only Wise, All-Knowing, All-Powerful, All-Present, Immutable, Infinite, and Immeasurable counsel. You just can’t mess with this!! Are you humbled and awed by such infinite qualities? If you aren’t then you must reexamine your heart. These are fundamentals and basics for a child of God. Your inner man must wrestle with your old man on who’s the Lord, King, and Master of your life continually. You must acknowledge these attributes of God internally and desire to be submissive to the Lord of all creation. My beloved of the Lord, do you wonder and contemplate the awesomeness of God? Do you ponder the eternal and infinite worth of Our Great God and Savior? His Spirit does plea with yours. Be obedient! If you don’t know the Lord, then cry out to Him for mercy and grace. Weep and mourn for your sin is great before Him. Repent and confess your offenses and guilt to Him who is able to make your sins as white as snow. Bring your sacrifices of contrition, remorse, and total inability to Him for He will profoundly lift you up from the ruin and pangs of death. Call out His name for Redemption—He is your Maker and Creator whether you choose to believe or not! Pastor Jim Cater

“Self-examination is the setting up a court in conscience and keeping a register there, so that, by strict scrutiny, a man may know how things stand between God and his own soul. Self-examination is a spiritual inquisition, bringing one's self to trial. A good Christian begins, as it were, the Day of Judgment here in his own soul.” Thomas Watson, “Heaven Taken by Storm,” (Orlando, Florida: Northampton Press edition, 2007, first published in 1669 in London.) p.36There is a usual and customary way that Christians examine their life before God: external performances, acts, duties, or rituals. These works are not wrong per se, but if they are the sole tool used for our confidence in spiritual things or the condition of our soul is measured thereby, we are down a slippery slope. Acts of worship, service, or religion are not the principle barometer to our spiritual estate. In other words, our inner man is far more important to maintain scrutiny and examination as to our spiritual state then our outward competence or persistent religion. We offer far greater service to our spiritual report card by looking deeply into the center of our hearts than by counting the points of our external activities. Twice in Scripture Paul admonishes Christians to self-examine themselves: 1 Corinthians 11:28, 2 Corinthians 13:5. Both of these passages uses a Greek term (dokimazō) that means to test, prove, or approve. 1 Corinthians 11:28 admonishes us to approach the Lord’s Supper with the right motives, while 2 Corinthians 13:5 warns us not to be diluted with regard to our faith being real or fake. In other words, self-examination (the Greek also uses a reflexive pronoun for emphasis on self) is the crux of Christian living. Our lives, indeed, require us to set up court within the most secret chambers of our heart and soul. Judgment and trial is deliberately done on a consistent basis so that we prove ourselves before the higher court of God and His Word. For in this backdrop of Holy Standard we can not bear up or excuse ourselves from any immoral motives or intentions. For this reason the Psalmist replies to the Grandeur of God’s Omniscience, Omnipotence, and Omnipresence, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way” (Psalm 139:23-24). It is God’s Absolute knowledge of us that should drive away the pompous or arrogance that stands against His Wisdom. Elsewhere Paul says that he doesn’t even examine himself ultimately because the cross-examination is from the Lord (1 Corinthians 4:3-5). So, good Christian, make sure your heart is right always before the Lord. Examine yourself diligently before the Court of God and never stop until God takes us home. For this is better than any external endeavors and must come first. Pastor Jim Cater

“Our anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, but only empties today of its strength…” “By perseverance the snail reached the ark…” “Fiery trials make golden Christians” (Charles Spurgeon)One of the fiercest enemies to persevering through trials is anxiety. The National Institute of Mental Health says, “anxiety disorders include panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and phobias (social phobia, agoraphobia, and specific phobia). Approximately 40 million American adults ages 18 and older, or about 18.1 percent of people in this age group in a given year, have an anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders frequently co-occur with depressive disorders or substance abuse. Most people with one anxiety disorder also have another anxiety disorder. Nearly three-quarters of those with an anxiety disorder will have their first episode by age 21.5” (http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/the-numbers-count-mental-disorders-in-america/index.shtml) The enemy of anxiety which tends to paralyze, handicap, and hinder progress seems to have a powerful stronghold on many people as the statistics seem to indicate. The number of people suffering from this plight is not only limited to non-Christians but seems to also attack believers. It is no wonder that Paul addressed the issue in Philippians 4:11-13, “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”  For this reason Jeremiah Burroughs offered this extremely insightful description to Christian Contentment:“Christian contentment is that sweet, inward, quiet, gracious frame of spirit, which freely submits to and delights in God’s wise and fatherly disposal in every condition.4 This description is a box of precious ointment and very comforting and useful for troubled hearts in troubled times and conditions.” (Jeremiah Burroughs, The Rare jewel of Christian Contentment, p.3) My friend and beloved learn this art of contentment. Be watchful of its attacks on you. Let God be your strength!              Pastor Jim Cater

“A Methodist missionary was visiting the Ryukyu Islands in Japan, and he came across a huge grave on the island of Amakusa, and it was marked with a very interesting headstone. It said, in Japanese, "This grave contains the heads of 11,111 Christians." The date of the grave is 1637. That was the very year the Japanese government ordered all Christians exterminated...Further insight found that this grave contained only 11,111 heads. The bodies were taken and buried somewhere far away and unmarked. This was done to prevent the Christians...from rising from the grave, because God wouldn't know which head went with which Christian...The silliness of paganism...The folly of such thought. We will rise, because we have already risen in Christ to newness of life; and someday we'll know the fullness of that in Heaven with Him.” (John Macarthur) The resurrection continues to be an enigma and riddle for most of the world. Many liberals and skeptics would rather mock at such an idiotic notion. They proudly strut their intellectual vitriol at the religious freaks that can even imagine such a ridiculous notion. But, is it? Is the resurrection just a conjured-up silly fantasy of a minority of religious blustering fools? Well, it seems to me that the weight of evidence lies on the skeptic to discover a reasonable defense against it. If the silliness of the Japanese government long ago to even think that severing the heads of thousands of Christians in order to fool or deceive God is really plausible, then it makes them even the sillier!! Ironically, the gesture only makes them all the more culpable of unbelief for even suggesting, that just in case there is a God, let’s fool him. The resurrection continues to bewilder the minds of the unbelievers because it simply defies our human understanding. Simply put, it is an impossible notion to an unbelieving world but a possible reality to a believing flock! To the Christian, this event is the cornerstone of the Christian faith. To the crowded streets and intellectual halls of modern society, the bedlam of the resurrection will never die because this is one of the daggers stabbed deeply into the hearts of disbelief. The resurrection, nonetheless, will remain orthodox and the very light beam that pierces through the clouds of every believer. We behold the miraculous! We forever contemplate what man deems impossible yet God accomplished as truth everlasting. Today, take a moment and peer through the wonder of the resurrection: gaze at it, muse at its splendor, reflect upon its glory, mull over its majesty, pore over its power, ponder its grandeur, and stare at its endless edifice. Never tire of its powerful hold on your life as a believer! Stand firm on this great pillar of the faith. Today let us celebrate, consecrate, commemorate, and extol the grand historical event of all times-the resurrection of Jesus!

''...Jesus said... "Get up!"...' ' John 5:8 At the pool of Bethesda Jesus was drawn to a man who'd been physically incapacitated for 38 years and couldn't walk. That's a long time to wait for things to change. Many of us would have given up. 'When Jesus... asked... "Do you want to get well?"... [he] replied, "I have no one to help me... While I am trying to get in, someone else goes... ahead of me." Then Jesus said... "Get up! Pick up your mat and walk"' (vv. 6-8 NIV). How do you see yourself? As a helpless victim? Wendy Blight says, 'I lived like that... for a decade. At 21 I was raped by a masked stranger hiding in my apartment. Before that I loved life. I'd just completed college... graduated with honours... become engaged to a wonderful man... and had an amazing job waiting for me... My attacker's... act shattered my hopes and dreams. I lived in a prison of fear and despair. Then I encountered Christ... the words He spoke... pierced my soul. I... was the man on that mat... accustomed to my place of sorrow... I enjoyed being the victim... I was comfortable. The Bible says, '...The Word of God is living and active... it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart' (Hebrews 4:12 NIV) and it spoke personally to me. I knew I needed to take the first step. I surrendered my fear, pity, and grief... I learned God had a plan for my life and a purpose for my pain. However, I'd never see it until I had the courage to get up and walk. If you're on the mat... open God's Word. Let Him speak... promises of hope and healing. Before you can get off the mat, you must surrender your fear, self-pity, and despair. Will you do it?'

Dear Gentlemen,   I wanted to thank you for attending our monthly men's breakfast. Thank you for the fellowship, camaraderie, and the building up of each other. The time we had together in getting to know each other's ministries and lives is worth an eternity. We were blessed to have so many men in one place--the final count was 38!! I personally enjoyed getting to know many of the different members from each one of your churches (there were 7 churches represented in whole group). It was truly a delight.   Thank you David for challenging us with such a challenging passage of Scripture--Romans 7:13-25. We hope we can continue to meditate on the truths you presented. Thank you for your diligence in study. The time in the passage was well spent.   Thank you all for the food--lots of it!!! Below are some pictures of the event... "For we can do nothing against the truth, but only for the truth" (2 Corin.13:8)   Blessings, Pastor James T. Cater Miramar Church 6390 SW 32nd Street Miramar, FL 33023 (954) 981-4677 pastorjim@miramar.org www.miramarchurch.org 

Dear Gentlemen,   This is just a reminder that we will be having our monthly men's breakfast on Saturday, April 9, 2011 at Miramar church at 9:30 AM. You don't want to miss this one!! We will be having two other churches joining us. Pastor David Diez from Miami Bible church will be providing for us our Bible focus on Romans 7. And, as always, we will be having some recreation after, for those who would like to get competitive with some basketball. If you plan on attending and would like to assist with the food arrangements, please let us know via email or phone call so that we can prepare before hand our needs.   See ya there!! Blessings, Pastor James T. Cater Miramar Church 6390 SW 32nd Street Miramar, FL 33023 (954) 981-4677 pastorjim@miramar.org www.miramarchurch.org

I thought you might like this quote from CS Lewis esp those CS Lewis fans:   "This mistaken preference for the modern books and this shyness of the old ones is nowhere more rampant than in theology. Wherever you find a little study circle of Christian laity you can be almost certain that they are studying not St. Luke or St. Paul or St. Augustine or Thomas Aquinas or Hooker or Butler, but M. Berdyaev or M. Maritain or M. Niebuhr or Miss Sayers or even myself. Now this seems to me topsy-turvy. Naturally, since I myself am a writer, I do not wish the ordinary reader to read no modern books. But if he must read only the new or only the old, I would advise him to read the old. And I would give him this advice precisely because he is an amateur and therefore much less protected than the expert against the dangers of an exclusive contemporary diet. A new book is still on its trial and the amateur is not in a position to judge it. It has to be tested against the great body of Christian thought down the ages, and all its hidden implications (often unsuspected by the author himself) have to be brought to light. Often it cannot be fully understood without the knowledge of a good many other modern books. If you join at eleven o'clock a conversation which began at eight you will often not see the real bearing of what is said. Remarks which seem to you very ordinary will produce laughter or irritation and you will not see why—the reason, of course, being that the earlier stages of the conversation have given them a special point. In the same way sentences in a modern book which look quite ordinary may be directed at some other book; in this way you may be led to accept what you would have indignantly rejected if you knew its real significance. The only safety is to have a standard of plain, central Christianity ("mere Christianity" as Baxter called it) which puts the controversies of the moment in their proper perspective. Such a standard can be acquired only from the old books. It is a good rule, after reading a new book, never to allow yourself another new one till you have read an old one in between. If that is too much for you, you should at least read one old one to every three new ones." Blessings, Pastor James T. Cater Miramar Church 6390 SW 32nd Street Miramar, FL 33023 (954) 981-4677 pastorjim@miramar.org www.miramarchurch.org