I got the following one liners from my friend Joel Miller:
1. Give God what's right -- not what's left.
2. Man's way leads to a hopeless end -- God's way leads to an endless hope.
3. A lot of kneeling will keep you in good standing.
4. He who kneels before God can stand before anyone.
5. In the sentence of life, the devil may be a comma--but never let him be the period.
6. Don't put a question mark where God puts a period.
7. Are you wrinkled with burden? Come to the church for a face-lift.
8. When praying, don't give God instructions - just report for duty.
9. Don't wait for six strong men to take you to church.
10. We don't change God's message -- His message changes us.
11. The church is prayer-conditioned.
12. When God ordains, He sustains.
13. WARNING: Exposure to the Son may prevent burning.
14. Plan ahead -- It wasn't raining when Noah built the ark.
15. Most people want to serve God, but only in an advisory position.
16. Suffering from truth decay? Brush up on your Bible.
17. Exercise daily -- walk with the Lord.
18. Never give the devil a ride -- he will always want to drive.
19. Nothing else ruins the truth like stretching it.
20. Compassion is difficult to give away because it keeps coming back.
21. He who angers you controls you.
22. Worry is the darkroom in which negatives can develop.
23. Give Satan an inch & he'll be a ruler.
24. Be ye fishers of men -- you catch them & He'll clean them.
25. God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called.
Friday, March 30, 2007
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Spotting the Enemy
Spotting the Enemy
“And in the synagogue there was a man, which had a spirit of an unclean devil” (Luke 4:33a – King James Version).
Some of the most wonderful people I ever met in my life were the people of South Korea. For over a year I roomed with a Korean soldier in our post barracks. Also, my day to day assistant was a Korean soldier. Both were fine young men who I am privileged to have known and served with. Cpl. Jo worked along side me each day and I had a running joke with him. Often we rode together on daily missions and I used to look over at Cpl. Jo and say, “You know Jo, if war breaks out with North Korea you are going to be the first one I shoot.” Trust me, it was a joke and Jo knew that. The joke stemmed from a conversation Jo and I had once in which I asked him how I would tell the North Koreans from the South Koreans if war broke out. Jo couldn’t give me an answer. Hearing Jo and I joking about this one day, the executive officer of our battalion said, “Don’t worry boys…the 6/37 Field Artillery (that was our unit) is the number one target of the entire North Korean Air Force. If war does break out, you boys will probably be annihilated so fast, you will not have time to worry about whose side someone is on.” I knew Maj. Fernandez was kidding, but only to a degree.
Today’s verse shows us that evil lurks everywhere, even (or especially!) in the church. Jesus was in Capernaum, teaching in the synagogue, when a man with an unclean spirit cried out. One might think that places of worship would be the safest place to avoid the powers of evil, but I contend that Satan and his minions are never more present than in the times Christians gather together.
In Matthew 13:24-30, our Lord teaches us that Satan sows his weeds amongst God’s wheat. In that same passage Jesus says, “Let both grow together until the harvest. Then I will tell the harvesters to sort out the weeds and burn them and to put the wheat in the barn” (13:30 – NLT). Well, if we aren’t supposed to pull the weeds from amongst the wheat, what are we supposed to do? I think that answer is found in the instructions of the apostle Paul to Titus: “holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict” (Titus 1:9 – NKJV). Simply put, we are to work alongside God in seeing them changed! Certainly, if Christ can transform water into wine, He can transform weeds into wheat! Our job is to be salt and light, show Jesus, and share the truth of the word.
Sadly, I don’t think many of us care that evil is in the church. All too often we stand idly by and hope that we don’t have to get involved. That unclean spirit got mighty uncomfortable when Jesus came to the synagogue that day. In our churches, those unclean spirits sometimes never get uncomfortable because Jesus hasn’t shown up! What I mean to say…and I want to be perfectly understood here…is that we aren’t showing people Jesus! Believers are the vessel of His presence and if we are not letting Him be Lord of our lives from second to second, then often evil is not confronted by His holy presence. We are good at being nice and signing petitions, but we often fail when it comes down to actually being Christ-like.
When Jesus spoke in that synagogue that unclean spirit became afraid! He said, “Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are--the Holy One of God!” (4:34 – NKJV). Realizing this, we should also realize that when we are truly letting Christ live in and through us some folks are going to be uncomfortable around us. We are not to Lord it over them as if we have cornered the market on Jesus; rather, we should be ministers of reconciliation desiring freedom from bondage and forgiveness of sins for those caught by evil.
Yes, dear friends, call them weeds; call them tares; call them unclean spirits; whatever we call it evil is in the midst of the saints. Like my experience in South Korea, we may not be able to tell the difference between the enemy and the ally until it is too late. Jesus may come back to harvest the church before some are identified. Know this though, be Christ-like and they will cry out in holy terror.
I never wanted to kill a potential ally. I wanted to identify who was on my side. I wanted to win over those who were not. In my service to God through the church today, I take much the same attitude. Not only do I want to identify my adversary, but I want to win them over to my side too. That day, in the synagogue, Christ did just that. Today, in our churches, we can do the same. Jesus did not participate with the enemy, but He did not tolerate him either. Jesus rebuked the evil spirit and freed the man who was the vessel of it. Personally, I am not willing to wait until it is too late to see who is what. I am resolved to be Christ-like. If that makes people uncomfortable, so be it! At the end of the day, I hope I will be used of God to bring some over to His side. How about you?
“And in the synagogue there was a man, which had a spirit of an unclean devil” (Luke 4:33a – King James Version).
Some of the most wonderful people I ever met in my life were the people of South Korea. For over a year I roomed with a Korean soldier in our post barracks. Also, my day to day assistant was a Korean soldier. Both were fine young men who I am privileged to have known and served with. Cpl. Jo worked along side me each day and I had a running joke with him. Often we rode together on daily missions and I used to look over at Cpl. Jo and say, “You know Jo, if war breaks out with North Korea you are going to be the first one I shoot.” Trust me, it was a joke and Jo knew that. The joke stemmed from a conversation Jo and I had once in which I asked him how I would tell the North Koreans from the South Koreans if war broke out. Jo couldn’t give me an answer. Hearing Jo and I joking about this one day, the executive officer of our battalion said, “Don’t worry boys…the 6/37 Field Artillery (that was our unit) is the number one target of the entire North Korean Air Force. If war does break out, you boys will probably be annihilated so fast, you will not have time to worry about whose side someone is on.” I knew Maj. Fernandez was kidding, but only to a degree.
Today’s verse shows us that evil lurks everywhere, even (or especially!) in the church. Jesus was in Capernaum, teaching in the synagogue, when a man with an unclean spirit cried out. One might think that places of worship would be the safest place to avoid the powers of evil, but I contend that Satan and his minions are never more present than in the times Christians gather together.
In Matthew 13:24-30, our Lord teaches us that Satan sows his weeds amongst God’s wheat. In that same passage Jesus says, “Let both grow together until the harvest. Then I will tell the harvesters to sort out the weeds and burn them and to put the wheat in the barn” (13:30 – NLT). Well, if we aren’t supposed to pull the weeds from amongst the wheat, what are we supposed to do? I think that answer is found in the instructions of the apostle Paul to Titus: “holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict” (Titus 1:9 – NKJV). Simply put, we are to work alongside God in seeing them changed! Certainly, if Christ can transform water into wine, He can transform weeds into wheat! Our job is to be salt and light, show Jesus, and share the truth of the word.
Sadly, I don’t think many of us care that evil is in the church. All too often we stand idly by and hope that we don’t have to get involved. That unclean spirit got mighty uncomfortable when Jesus came to the synagogue that day. In our churches, those unclean spirits sometimes never get uncomfortable because Jesus hasn’t shown up! What I mean to say…and I want to be perfectly understood here…is that we aren’t showing people Jesus! Believers are the vessel of His presence and if we are not letting Him be Lord of our lives from second to second, then often evil is not confronted by His holy presence. We are good at being nice and signing petitions, but we often fail when it comes down to actually being Christ-like.
When Jesus spoke in that synagogue that unclean spirit became afraid! He said, “Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are--the Holy One of God!” (4:34 – NKJV). Realizing this, we should also realize that when we are truly letting Christ live in and through us some folks are going to be uncomfortable around us. We are not to Lord it over them as if we have cornered the market on Jesus; rather, we should be ministers of reconciliation desiring freedom from bondage and forgiveness of sins for those caught by evil.
Yes, dear friends, call them weeds; call them tares; call them unclean spirits; whatever we call it evil is in the midst of the saints. Like my experience in South Korea, we may not be able to tell the difference between the enemy and the ally until it is too late. Jesus may come back to harvest the church before some are identified. Know this though, be Christ-like and they will cry out in holy terror.
I never wanted to kill a potential ally. I wanted to identify who was on my side. I wanted to win over those who were not. In my service to God through the church today, I take much the same attitude. Not only do I want to identify my adversary, but I want to win them over to my side too. That day, in the synagogue, Christ did just that. Today, in our churches, we can do the same. Jesus did not participate with the enemy, but He did not tolerate him either. Jesus rebuked the evil spirit and freed the man who was the vessel of it. Personally, I am not willing to wait until it is too late to see who is what. I am resolved to be Christ-like. If that makes people uncomfortable, so be it! At the end of the day, I hope I will be used of God to bring some over to His side. How about you?
Keep Praying
Keep Praying
“But the angel said unto him, ‘Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John’” (Luke 1:13 – King James Version).
After I accepted Christ I wanted to tell my Grandma Bowes. About seven years before I surrendered to Jesus I had gotten a letter from Grandma while I was in boot camp. In the letter she told me how she was praying for me all the time. At the time it was just what I needed to hear. Boot camp was a tough experience at times and it was comforting to know that someone was praying that things would go easy for me. As it turned out, that things would be easy was not what Grandma was praying for. When I told her I had accepted Christ she said “I have prayed for you every day since before you were born. I prayed you would be saved.” Do the math; I was 25 years, 6 months, and 14 days old when I accepted Christ as my personal Savior. That’s approximately 9,319 days (I didn’t count leap years or do it exactly). Actually it was more days than that since Grandma had been praying for me before I was born. Either way, it’s an astounding thing to think of her faithfulness in prayer and her faith that God wanted to do
Zacharias had been praying for a son. How do I know? The angel said “thy prayer is heard” and “Elisabeth shall bear thee a son.” This prayer probably had been issued to God many times for the Scripture tells us that Zacharias and Elisabeth were both “well stricken in years” (Luke 1:6 – KJV). This shows the devotion and faithfulness of Zacharias’ prayer life.
Can the same be said of our prayer lives? Are we willing to pray long and hard? Are we willing to wait patiently on the Lord? The best thing to pray are those things that line up with the will of the Father. That’s what my Grandma did. It’s God will that people be saved and she prayed that I would be saved. That was a prayer that was in the heart of God.
Did Zacharias know that it was God’s will that Elisabeth and Zacharias bear a son? I don’t know. What I do learn from that is that if it is in God’s will He will show us by answering “Yes” to those prayers. It’s obviously NOT in God’s will for me to have a new truck because I have prayed for one and it hasn’t come! I say that in jest, but in seriousness also. Maybe Zacharias had read Psalm 127:3, which says “Children are a gift from the LORD; they are a reward from him” (NLT). As an aside: does this mean that people that do not have children are unrewarded or unfavored? NO! People that do not have children have all that God is and that’s enough for anyone! It does mean that the child of Zacharias and Elisabeth was in God’s plan and that He chose to bless them in that way and to answer their prayer in that way.
Another thing that sticks out to me is that the answered prayer came with a command. Zacharias and Elisabeth were told to name their son John. They did just that even though some thought it was strange to not name John after his father (Luke 1:61-63). That called me to examine myself and ask myself “If God answers ‘Yes’ to my prayer, am I willing to do what He says?” Think about that. Hannah prayed for a child and vowed to give the child to the Lord. God answered and gave her Samuel (1 Samuel 1). True to her word, Hannah gave Samuel to the Lord for a life of service. Application: you may be praying for your child or children today, saying “Save my children and make them live for You O Lord.” In response, God MIGHT say “Yes. I will send them to Iraq to be missionaries. You will let them go.” Are we prepared to obey whatever God says in response to our prayers? You may even be praying “Make me like Jesus.” God WILL answer that prayer and say to you “Yes. Bear your cross.” Are you willing to obey Him then?
Our lessons? Pray hard; pray constantly; pray in faith believing God is listening and will act; be prepared to be obedient. Keep praying; don’t give up! God may so “No” to many of your prayers. Be prepared to act in compliance when He says “No” or when He says “Yes.” Whatever the case, keep praying.
“But the angel said unto him, ‘Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John’” (Luke 1:13 – King James Version).
After I accepted Christ I wanted to tell my Grandma Bowes. About seven years before I surrendered to Jesus I had gotten a letter from Grandma while I was in boot camp. In the letter she told me how she was praying for me all the time. At the time it was just what I needed to hear. Boot camp was a tough experience at times and it was comforting to know that someone was praying that things would go easy for me. As it turned out, that things would be easy was not what Grandma was praying for. When I told her I had accepted Christ she said “I have prayed for you every day since before you were born. I prayed you would be saved.” Do the math; I was 25 years, 6 months, and 14 days old when I accepted Christ as my personal Savior. That’s approximately 9,319 days (I didn’t count leap years or do it exactly). Actually it was more days than that since Grandma had been praying for me before I was born. Either way, it’s an astounding thing to think of her faithfulness in prayer and her faith that God wanted to do
Zacharias had been praying for a son. How do I know? The angel said “thy prayer is heard” and “Elisabeth shall bear thee a son.” This prayer probably had been issued to God many times for the Scripture tells us that Zacharias and Elisabeth were both “well stricken in years” (Luke 1:6 – KJV). This shows the devotion and faithfulness of Zacharias’ prayer life.
Can the same be said of our prayer lives? Are we willing to pray long and hard? Are we willing to wait patiently on the Lord? The best thing to pray are those things that line up with the will of the Father. That’s what my Grandma did. It’s God will that people be saved and she prayed that I would be saved. That was a prayer that was in the heart of God.
Did Zacharias know that it was God’s will that Elisabeth and Zacharias bear a son? I don’t know. What I do learn from that is that if it is in God’s will He will show us by answering “Yes” to those prayers. It’s obviously NOT in God’s will for me to have a new truck because I have prayed for one and it hasn’t come! I say that in jest, but in seriousness also. Maybe Zacharias had read Psalm 127:3, which says “Children are a gift from the LORD; they are a reward from him” (NLT). As an aside: does this mean that people that do not have children are unrewarded or unfavored? NO! People that do not have children have all that God is and that’s enough for anyone! It does mean that the child of Zacharias and Elisabeth was in God’s plan and that He chose to bless them in that way and to answer their prayer in that way.
Another thing that sticks out to me is that the answered prayer came with a command. Zacharias and Elisabeth were told to name their son John. They did just that even though some thought it was strange to not name John after his father (Luke 1:61-63). That called me to examine myself and ask myself “If God answers ‘Yes’ to my prayer, am I willing to do what He says?” Think about that. Hannah prayed for a child and vowed to give the child to the Lord. God answered and gave her Samuel (1 Samuel 1). True to her word, Hannah gave Samuel to the Lord for a life of service. Application: you may be praying for your child or children today, saying “Save my children and make them live for You O Lord.” In response, God MIGHT say “Yes. I will send them to Iraq to be missionaries. You will let them go.” Are we prepared to obey whatever God says in response to our prayers? You may even be praying “Make me like Jesus.” God WILL answer that prayer and say to you “Yes. Bear your cross.” Are you willing to obey Him then?
Our lessons? Pray hard; pray constantly; pray in faith believing God is listening and will act; be prepared to be obedient. Keep praying; don’t give up! God may so “No” to many of your prayers. Be prepared to act in compliance when He says “No” or when He says “Yes.” Whatever the case, keep praying.
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Mums the Word
Mums the Word
“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden” (Matthew 5:14 – New King James Version).
Mmmm…fall…what a wonderful time of year! Mums must be the happiest flowers on the earth. It seems that every fall starts with an abundance of clouds and quite a bit of rain. I think that’s what makes mums so special. When the weather is bleak, they not only survive but thrive! They create a startling contrast against a cloudy sky with their vibrant color. The clouds can come and come, but those beautiful mums just keep on giving out a brightness that can be likened to light.
These are pretty bleak times, or at least it seems to be. Jesus understood that, even while He was in the midst of His earthly ministry. In Matthew chapter 5, Jesus sat on a mountainside teaching HIS DISCIPLES. He told them, “The folks are hungry. God wants to bless those that seek Him. You are to take the message to them. I know it’s going to be tough, but my Father blesses those that are persecuted for His name’s sake” (Matthew 5:3-12).
Jesus said that He was the light come into the world (John 12:46). If we know Him, that light lives in us. We are not to cover it up. We are to let our light shine before men. Regardless of the situation of the times, we are too share the love of Christ. We are to be salt, bringing flavor (5:13). We are to be like cities; beacons of hope for the weary traveler seeking rest (5:14). We are to be lights, leading the way (5:15).
John 1:1 says that Jesus was the Word, and verse 14 says He came and lived AMONG us. People flocked to Him or shunned Him. Expect the same, but, nevertheless, be a light! We just can’t hide Him in our lives once He has illuminated us with His presence.
We are to be like those beautiful mums. Be a bright, interminable, and joyous presence in a bleak, seemingly hopeless, world. Mums may be likened to the Word, but when it comes to sharing the love of Christ and the message of salvation, mum is not the word for Christians. We are to shine! We are to shout Christ, live Christ, share Christ, and, especially, not be hidden from a lost and dying world.
Times are tough. Will you be a mum to these cloudy times? Let your light shine!
“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden” (Matthew 5:14 – New King James Version).
Mmmm…fall…what a wonderful time of year! Mums must be the happiest flowers on the earth. It seems that every fall starts with an abundance of clouds and quite a bit of rain. I think that’s what makes mums so special. When the weather is bleak, they not only survive but thrive! They create a startling contrast against a cloudy sky with their vibrant color. The clouds can come and come, but those beautiful mums just keep on giving out a brightness that can be likened to light.
These are pretty bleak times, or at least it seems to be. Jesus understood that, even while He was in the midst of His earthly ministry. In Matthew chapter 5, Jesus sat on a mountainside teaching HIS DISCIPLES. He told them, “The folks are hungry. God wants to bless those that seek Him. You are to take the message to them. I know it’s going to be tough, but my Father blesses those that are persecuted for His name’s sake” (Matthew 5:3-12).
Jesus said that He was the light come into the world (John 12:46). If we know Him, that light lives in us. We are not to cover it up. We are to let our light shine before men. Regardless of the situation of the times, we are too share the love of Christ. We are to be salt, bringing flavor (5:13). We are to be like cities; beacons of hope for the weary traveler seeking rest (5:14). We are to be lights, leading the way (5:15).
John 1:1 says that Jesus was the Word, and verse 14 says He came and lived AMONG us. People flocked to Him or shunned Him. Expect the same, but, nevertheless, be a light! We just can’t hide Him in our lives once He has illuminated us with His presence.
We are to be like those beautiful mums. Be a bright, interminable, and joyous presence in a bleak, seemingly hopeless, world. Mums may be likened to the Word, but when it comes to sharing the love of Christ and the message of salvation, mum is not the word for Christians. We are to shine! We are to shout Christ, live Christ, share Christ, and, especially, not be hidden from a lost and dying world.
Times are tough. Will you be a mum to these cloudy times? Let your light shine!
Sunday, March 25, 2007
The Hues of the Heart
The Hues of the Heart
“But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart’” (1 Samuel 16:7 – New King James Version).
Isn’t fall a beautiful time of year? The colors are breathtaking! God is the most awesome artist in the universe. I love to ride to the mountains in the fall of the year, so I can stand on a high place and look out on God’s painting. He uses such vivid hues and such a variety of color. Some shades are brilliant, and some rich earthy tones. Nothing clashes, but all the colors compliment each other. I am always inspired by creation to worship God who generated and conducts so many pieces of this orchestra of the eyes. What an overwhelming God He is!
When Samuel went to anoint a new king of Israel, his natural choice was the oldest, tallest, and best looking of the eight sons of Jesse. God plainly told Samuel to not choose the king by outward appearance. God was clear, He looks at the heart! So, what does Samuel do? He works his way through the sons in order of age and appearance anyway. Who does God lead Samuel to anoint? You’re right, David, the youngest, and scrawniest son of Jesse. This kid had been out in the sun, getting a deep tan, with those stinking sheep. You’ve seen folks coming in from working on the farm; you can bet David was a sight!
It’s a good thing that God looks at the heart. I sure wish we could, or should I say would? How can so many different color trees look so beautiful in our eyes, while we can’t appreciate the wonderful and rich colors God has made people? Are not the trees all made of wood? Are not people all made of flesh? What would fall be like if we chose and appointed one tree as superior and refused the beauty of the mixture of colors? Quite dull, at best, I’d say. It’d make for a tragic end of God’s artwork if we ignored all but one color of tree.
Israel found that out the hard way. Read chapter 8 of 1 Samuel sometime. The people refused God’s warning and chose a king themselves based on what THEY thought was right. They chose Saul. He nearly destroyed the kingdom of Israel.
We can choose by looks, and make severe mistakes. OR, we can do it God’s way, and look on the heart. That’s really what He is most concerned with. A man asked me very seriously one day did I think all colors of folks would make it to heaven. I had to answer and emphatic, “NO!” He said, rather surprised, “I AGREE! White people will go to heaven.” I said, again, “NO!” “Then,” he asked, “What is that one color?” I said, “Red.” Looking bewildered, he asked, “How do you figure that?” I quoted John 14:6 to this fellow. He agreed that Jesus was the only way to the Father. Then I quoted this verse; “And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission” (Hebrews 9:22 – NKJV). Everyone must be red because their sins must be covered by the blood of Jesus!
Now, dear Christian friend, we must understand that God chooses according to the heart and redeems all who come by the sacrifice of Christ. We must understand that it is the hue of the heart that matters most. NO, I’m not referring to literal color, but to the position of a person in Christ.
Color, however, is something to be appreciated; even embraced. If you want to appreciate one color and one color only, then appreciate that color that flowed freely at Calvary.
As you look out on this human race, think of it as trees in the fall. You will begin to see God’s artwork in living color and flesh. It will revolutionize your view of people. I beg you, however, look most at the hue of the heart. Red, yellow, black, and white…what is the hue of your heart?
“But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart’” (1 Samuel 16:7 – New King James Version).
Isn’t fall a beautiful time of year? The colors are breathtaking! God is the most awesome artist in the universe. I love to ride to the mountains in the fall of the year, so I can stand on a high place and look out on God’s painting. He uses such vivid hues and such a variety of color. Some shades are brilliant, and some rich earthy tones. Nothing clashes, but all the colors compliment each other. I am always inspired by creation to worship God who generated and conducts so many pieces of this orchestra of the eyes. What an overwhelming God He is!
When Samuel went to anoint a new king of Israel, his natural choice was the oldest, tallest, and best looking of the eight sons of Jesse. God plainly told Samuel to not choose the king by outward appearance. God was clear, He looks at the heart! So, what does Samuel do? He works his way through the sons in order of age and appearance anyway. Who does God lead Samuel to anoint? You’re right, David, the youngest, and scrawniest son of Jesse. This kid had been out in the sun, getting a deep tan, with those stinking sheep. You’ve seen folks coming in from working on the farm; you can bet David was a sight!
It’s a good thing that God looks at the heart. I sure wish we could, or should I say would? How can so many different color trees look so beautiful in our eyes, while we can’t appreciate the wonderful and rich colors God has made people? Are not the trees all made of wood? Are not people all made of flesh? What would fall be like if we chose and appointed one tree as superior and refused the beauty of the mixture of colors? Quite dull, at best, I’d say. It’d make for a tragic end of God’s artwork if we ignored all but one color of tree.
Israel found that out the hard way. Read chapter 8 of 1 Samuel sometime. The people refused God’s warning and chose a king themselves based on what THEY thought was right. They chose Saul. He nearly destroyed the kingdom of Israel.
We can choose by looks, and make severe mistakes. OR, we can do it God’s way, and look on the heart. That’s really what He is most concerned with. A man asked me very seriously one day did I think all colors of folks would make it to heaven. I had to answer and emphatic, “NO!” He said, rather surprised, “I AGREE! White people will go to heaven.” I said, again, “NO!” “Then,” he asked, “What is that one color?” I said, “Red.” Looking bewildered, he asked, “How do you figure that?” I quoted John 14:6 to this fellow. He agreed that Jesus was the only way to the Father. Then I quoted this verse; “And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission” (Hebrews 9:22 – NKJV). Everyone must be red because their sins must be covered by the blood of Jesus!
Now, dear Christian friend, we must understand that God chooses according to the heart and redeems all who come by the sacrifice of Christ. We must understand that it is the hue of the heart that matters most. NO, I’m not referring to literal color, but to the position of a person in Christ.
Color, however, is something to be appreciated; even embraced. If you want to appreciate one color and one color only, then appreciate that color that flowed freely at Calvary.
As you look out on this human race, think of it as trees in the fall. You will begin to see God’s artwork in living color and flesh. It will revolutionize your view of people. I beg you, however, look most at the hue of the heart. Red, yellow, black, and white…what is the hue of your heart?
Friday, March 23, 2007
Dust from the Wind
Dust from the Wind
“Be angry, and do not sin. Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still. Selah” (Psalm 4:4 – New King James Version).
I was lying in bed one night reading a book. I felt like I had just stepped out of a whirlwind. My day had been so busy that I barely had time to think. It was great just to sit still for a few moments and reflect on my very busy day. I looked up at the ceiling fan, which was off for the first time in months as it was the first cool night of the fall. Have you ever noticed how much dirt collects on the fan blades? As I lay there, I found that the fan and I had much in common. It had been so busy spinning that it had collected a lot of real dust and I had been so full of activity that I had collected a bunch of real anxiety.
When David wrote this Psalm he was on the run. His son, Absalom, was taking over David’s kingdom. The two had not spoken for five years. You can find these happenings in David’s life in 2 Samuel 13-18. I say all this to help us understand that the Psalmist understood anxiety.
David, by this time, had already gone through his affair with Bathsheba. He had fought wars. He had been promoted from sheep herder to king. The father of David’s best friend had tried to murder David. Now, his family, job, ministry, and life in general was in absolute mayhem. He KNEW anxiety!
How had David learned to deal with it? His advice was simple. Allow me a paraphrase of our focus verse; “You’re going to get mad from time to time. Don’t let your anger lead you to sin. Get still, go to a quiet place, and think about what’s going on.” Once David got quiet, he concentrated on God. The four verses after verse four, David ascribes praise to God. He says to trust God (vs 5); he asked God to show His face (vs 6); David praises God for the gifts of joy and abundant provision (vs 7); he recognizes God as protector.
Friend, that’s the key…we need to be still and know He is God! Like the fan, we just keep going and going and going. Before we realize what has happened, we are laden down with a seemingly unbearable load. Let’s learn from David’s vast experience of trouble. By this point in his life, David had realized that the best thing for him to do was get calm and think things through.
So, my friend, are you in a whirlwind? Are you collecting spiritual dust? Stop, get quiet, get still, and experience tranquility by the power and Spirit of God.
“Be angry, and do not sin. Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still. Selah” (Psalm 4:4 – New King James Version).
I was lying in bed one night reading a book. I felt like I had just stepped out of a whirlwind. My day had been so busy that I barely had time to think. It was great just to sit still for a few moments and reflect on my very busy day. I looked up at the ceiling fan, which was off for the first time in months as it was the first cool night of the fall. Have you ever noticed how much dirt collects on the fan blades? As I lay there, I found that the fan and I had much in common. It had been so busy spinning that it had collected a lot of real dust and I had been so full of activity that I had collected a bunch of real anxiety.
When David wrote this Psalm he was on the run. His son, Absalom, was taking over David’s kingdom. The two had not spoken for five years. You can find these happenings in David’s life in 2 Samuel 13-18. I say all this to help us understand that the Psalmist understood anxiety.
David, by this time, had already gone through his affair with Bathsheba. He had fought wars. He had been promoted from sheep herder to king. The father of David’s best friend had tried to murder David. Now, his family, job, ministry, and life in general was in absolute mayhem. He KNEW anxiety!
How had David learned to deal with it? His advice was simple. Allow me a paraphrase of our focus verse; “You’re going to get mad from time to time. Don’t let your anger lead you to sin. Get still, go to a quiet place, and think about what’s going on.” Once David got quiet, he concentrated on God. The four verses after verse four, David ascribes praise to God. He says to trust God (vs 5); he asked God to show His face (vs 6); David praises God for the gifts of joy and abundant provision (vs 7); he recognizes God as protector.
Friend, that’s the key…we need to be still and know He is God! Like the fan, we just keep going and going and going. Before we realize what has happened, we are laden down with a seemingly unbearable load. Let’s learn from David’s vast experience of trouble. By this point in his life, David had realized that the best thing for him to do was get calm and think things through.
So, my friend, are you in a whirlwind? Are you collecting spiritual dust? Stop, get quiet, get still, and experience tranquility by the power and Spirit of God.
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Legacies and Crushed Dreams
Legacies and Crushed Dreams
“There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years” (Luke 1:5-7 – King James Version).
Rarely do things turn out like we want or think they should. When I was thirteen I had three big dreams. I wanted to be a professional baseball player, an army hero and I wanted to be like Jim. Jim was my oldest brother. He was my hero, my protector, and my friend. He was a good ball player in his own right; well, good doesn’t do his abilities justice…he was a fine ball player. Jim also had a notable military career. Both his ball playing and his military career were cut short.
Jim “messed up” in high school; his girlfriend became pregnant. Jim quit school, joined the army and nearly five years later was dead; it was an auto accident. I was thirteen.
Fast forward nine years; I was 22. This was a very surprising thing for me; I never thought I’d be that old. I had been compared to my brother so much (looks wise) that I figured I wouldn’t see my 22nd birthday just like he didn’t. Bad knees, poor eyes, and a less than healthy shoulder saw my baseball dreams flushed down the drain. A drinking problem, a bad attitude and a quick temper ruined my military career. Jim was dead. I was surprised to even be alive. There were no dreams; they’d all been crushed. I felt awfully young to be so empty inside.
I think Zacharias and Elisabeth could have felt my pain. In the days in which they lived, family was important. Women that did not bear children were considered to be out of God’s favor. I would imagine that when those two married they dreamed of family. It seemed, as they were old, that it was not to be…or was it?
Regardless of what happens in our lives we will respond in one of two ways; we will become bitter or better. Bitterness comes when we turn inward. Becoming better happens when we look upwards.
Let’s hit on a few things from this passage. Number one, those WERE tough times to live in Israel. The land was occupied. Judaism was ritual and religion and fraught with internal strife between sects such as the Pharisees and the Sadducees. In comparison, no one would deny that our world is a mess. There is little trust amongst denominations and little unity within them. Morals have taken a back seat. In Zacharias’ and Elisabeth’s case, what was their response? According to the Scripture, “they were both righteous before God.” Why was that? Easy, it was because they obeyed “all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord.” How do you react to the circumstances of the times?
Secondly, I’d imagine there were high expectations placed upon Zacharias and Elisabeth. They were both of the priestly tribe of Aaron. Their legacy was to serve God. That’s a lot of pressure. They did though. I believe it may have allowed them to keep their sanity in the midst of broken dreams. Does every Christian family produce Christian children? No! And God has no grandchildren. Each person’s relationship with God is one on One. Zacharias and Elisabeth may have been expected to worship God, but I doubt it was out of duty; rather it was out of love of God. That’s good. I am POSITIVE it sustained them. Can the same be said of you?
Thirdly, if we know anything of broken dreams, we know that sometimes they are mended. Only four of the twenty-four priestly courses are known to have came back from the Babylonian captivity; the course of Abia was not one of those courses (Ezra 2:36-39). God had organized those courses…that was His dream. He did not let it die. Though history does not record how that course came back, it did. Dreams don’t always die. Sometimes they just take a while to materialize. Some do die, but only at God’s pleasure. We can give up on some of our dreams; dreams can change too. We cannot give up on God. It was the same with the dream of parenthood for Zacharias and Elisabeth. They didn’t become bitter. They didn’t give up on God. Have you?
Fourthly, God works past the obvious. Zacharias and Elisabeth were old. So what! God is bigger than our limitations! Do you limit what God can do in your life? Do you let Him do big things in spite of your obvious limitations? Do you EXPECT Him to do just that?
Fifthly, mood and circumstance did not dictate Zacharias’ and Elisabeth’s devotion. They were faithful and found righteous. Are you?
Jim’s daughter is now a beautiful young lady in her early twenties. Jim’s “mess up” sure is pretty! That’s quite a legacy. I am sure none of this fit into Jim’s idea of a legacy, but God worked it out wonderfully. I am pretty sure Zacharias and Elisabeth never imagined there son would be a herald of God. Not a bad ending, huh?
I am not Jim. I am not a ball player. I am not a heroic soldier. Things RARELY turn out like we imagine they will. When God is in it, it’s always better! I am thankful in Christ that I am a child of God and a minister of the Gospel. I have a new dream. I want to see God face to face. I am resolved to live for Him, no matter my circumstances, others’ expectations, or my limitations.
How about you? Have you a dream that has been crushed or crushed you? Respond with righteousness. Look upward. Wait for God’s timing. He may take longer than you think He should. He may even give you a new dream. Will you become bitter or better in the meantime?
“There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years” (Luke 1:5-7 – King James Version).
Rarely do things turn out like we want or think they should. When I was thirteen I had three big dreams. I wanted to be a professional baseball player, an army hero and I wanted to be like Jim. Jim was my oldest brother. He was my hero, my protector, and my friend. He was a good ball player in his own right; well, good doesn’t do his abilities justice…he was a fine ball player. Jim also had a notable military career. Both his ball playing and his military career were cut short.
Jim “messed up” in high school; his girlfriend became pregnant. Jim quit school, joined the army and nearly five years later was dead; it was an auto accident. I was thirteen.
Fast forward nine years; I was 22. This was a very surprising thing for me; I never thought I’d be that old. I had been compared to my brother so much (looks wise) that I figured I wouldn’t see my 22nd birthday just like he didn’t. Bad knees, poor eyes, and a less than healthy shoulder saw my baseball dreams flushed down the drain. A drinking problem, a bad attitude and a quick temper ruined my military career. Jim was dead. I was surprised to even be alive. There were no dreams; they’d all been crushed. I felt awfully young to be so empty inside.
I think Zacharias and Elisabeth could have felt my pain. In the days in which they lived, family was important. Women that did not bear children were considered to be out of God’s favor. I would imagine that when those two married they dreamed of family. It seemed, as they were old, that it was not to be…or was it?
Regardless of what happens in our lives we will respond in one of two ways; we will become bitter or better. Bitterness comes when we turn inward. Becoming better happens when we look upwards.
Let’s hit on a few things from this passage. Number one, those WERE tough times to live in Israel. The land was occupied. Judaism was ritual and religion and fraught with internal strife between sects such as the Pharisees and the Sadducees. In comparison, no one would deny that our world is a mess. There is little trust amongst denominations and little unity within them. Morals have taken a back seat. In Zacharias’ and Elisabeth’s case, what was their response? According to the Scripture, “they were both righteous before God.” Why was that? Easy, it was because they obeyed “all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord.” How do you react to the circumstances of the times?
Secondly, I’d imagine there were high expectations placed upon Zacharias and Elisabeth. They were both of the priestly tribe of Aaron. Their legacy was to serve God. That’s a lot of pressure. They did though. I believe it may have allowed them to keep their sanity in the midst of broken dreams. Does every Christian family produce Christian children? No! And God has no grandchildren. Each person’s relationship with God is one on One. Zacharias and Elisabeth may have been expected to worship God, but I doubt it was out of duty; rather it was out of love of God. That’s good. I am POSITIVE it sustained them. Can the same be said of you?
Thirdly, if we know anything of broken dreams, we know that sometimes they are mended. Only four of the twenty-four priestly courses are known to have came back from the Babylonian captivity; the course of Abia was not one of those courses (Ezra 2:36-39). God had organized those courses…that was His dream. He did not let it die. Though history does not record how that course came back, it did. Dreams don’t always die. Sometimes they just take a while to materialize. Some do die, but only at God’s pleasure. We can give up on some of our dreams; dreams can change too. We cannot give up on God. It was the same with the dream of parenthood for Zacharias and Elisabeth. They didn’t become bitter. They didn’t give up on God. Have you?
Fourthly, God works past the obvious. Zacharias and Elisabeth were old. So what! God is bigger than our limitations! Do you limit what God can do in your life? Do you let Him do big things in spite of your obvious limitations? Do you EXPECT Him to do just that?
Fifthly, mood and circumstance did not dictate Zacharias’ and Elisabeth’s devotion. They were faithful and found righteous. Are you?
Jim’s daughter is now a beautiful young lady in her early twenties. Jim’s “mess up” sure is pretty! That’s quite a legacy. I am sure none of this fit into Jim’s idea of a legacy, but God worked it out wonderfully. I am pretty sure Zacharias and Elisabeth never imagined there son would be a herald of God. Not a bad ending, huh?
I am not Jim. I am not a ball player. I am not a heroic soldier. Things RARELY turn out like we imagine they will. When God is in it, it’s always better! I am thankful in Christ that I am a child of God and a minister of the Gospel. I have a new dream. I want to see God face to face. I am resolved to live for Him, no matter my circumstances, others’ expectations, or my limitations.
How about you? Have you a dream that has been crushed or crushed you? Respond with righteousness. Look upward. Wait for God’s timing. He may take longer than you think He should. He may even give you a new dream. Will you become bitter or better in the meantime?
Daddy
Daddy
“The LORD is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him” (Psalms 103:13 – New Living Translation).
I have a friend named Andy Solomon. Long before I had a child of my own, I watched Andy be a dad. He was taking me to fatherhood school. Well, really it was more than that. He was taking me to “daddy” school. Any man can father a child, it takes a real man to be a daddy. I saw Andy soothe his children when they were in pain and right them when they were wrong. I saw him correct one child with one breath and calm another of his children the next instant. It was a beautiful thing! There is no way I can repay Andy for letting God use him to teach me about being a dad. One thing that was always noticeable…there was genuine love and affection in every case, whether they were being rebuked or pacified.
Oh, my friend, what a Father we have in heaven! If you have ever seen a wonderful example of an earthly father, then imagine the blessedness of knowing the PERFECT FATHER. This God of wonder knows our needs more than anyone else, “for he understands how weak we are” (Psalm 103:14a – NLT). Psalm 103:8 says, “The LORD is merciful and gracious; he is slow to get angry and full of unfailing love” (NLT), so we can be assured that His correction is timely and right. Our heavenly Father does not hold grudges for His word rightly says, “He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever” (Psalm 103:9 – NLT).
THIS Father truly sheds amazing grace! It is no wonder that Jesus said, “When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven…” (Luke 11:2b – NKJV), for He knew of this amazing Father and wanted us to know Him the same way. Father, in this case, is not a distant term, but an intimate one. You see friend, this great God is tender and compassionate and HE is the true mark of a father. He lords His household and it is marked by mercy. His justice is true. His love knows to no end. He is tender in rebuke and kind to the hurting. WHAT A DADDY!
There is one thing, however, that we must know. We must “fear” Him. That means respect, obey, and revere. Of course we all know that there is no problem to obey someone we treasure. He deals with us with genuine love and affection, so it makes it joy to “fear” Him.
There is MUCH to be learned and gained from an earthly father. There is countless blessing to be gained from God the perfect father. I remarked to Andy once about how I admired his parenting. He told me to look at God’s example of fatherhood for it was perfect. Andy was right.
Do you see God as distant or do you know Him intimately? His children know His love. Do you know God as “daddy” today?
“The LORD is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him” (Psalms 103:13 – New Living Translation).
I have a friend named Andy Solomon. Long before I had a child of my own, I watched Andy be a dad. He was taking me to fatherhood school. Well, really it was more than that. He was taking me to “daddy” school. Any man can father a child, it takes a real man to be a daddy. I saw Andy soothe his children when they were in pain and right them when they were wrong. I saw him correct one child with one breath and calm another of his children the next instant. It was a beautiful thing! There is no way I can repay Andy for letting God use him to teach me about being a dad. One thing that was always noticeable…there was genuine love and affection in every case, whether they were being rebuked or pacified.
Oh, my friend, what a Father we have in heaven! If you have ever seen a wonderful example of an earthly father, then imagine the blessedness of knowing the PERFECT FATHER. This God of wonder knows our needs more than anyone else, “for he understands how weak we are” (Psalm 103:14a – NLT). Psalm 103:8 says, “The LORD is merciful and gracious; he is slow to get angry and full of unfailing love” (NLT), so we can be assured that His correction is timely and right. Our heavenly Father does not hold grudges for His word rightly says, “He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever” (Psalm 103:9 – NLT).
THIS Father truly sheds amazing grace! It is no wonder that Jesus said, “When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven…” (Luke 11:2b – NKJV), for He knew of this amazing Father and wanted us to know Him the same way. Father, in this case, is not a distant term, but an intimate one. You see friend, this great God is tender and compassionate and HE is the true mark of a father. He lords His household and it is marked by mercy. His justice is true. His love knows to no end. He is tender in rebuke and kind to the hurting. WHAT A DADDY!
There is one thing, however, that we must know. We must “fear” Him. That means respect, obey, and revere. Of course we all know that there is no problem to obey someone we treasure. He deals with us with genuine love and affection, so it makes it joy to “fear” Him.
There is MUCH to be learned and gained from an earthly father. There is countless blessing to be gained from God the perfect father. I remarked to Andy once about how I admired his parenting. He told me to look at God’s example of fatherhood for it was perfect. Andy was right.
Do you see God as distant or do you know Him intimately? His children know His love. Do you know God as “daddy” today?
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
The Dash
The Dash
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10 – King James Version).
Have you ever walked through a graveyard? Many tombstones have things written on them, such as; “Beloved Father”; “WWII Veteran”; “Dearest Mother”. The ones that catch my attention the most are the tombstones that list the name and dates, and that is all they say. For example; John Doe, 1903-1972. The “dash” that appears between the dates always catches my attention. I have a tendency to wonder what that “dash” encompasses. The dates simply say the year the person was born and the year that they died. Nothing else is determined by those dates. Without comments on the stone, one is left to ponder what happened in between those years. In other words, what does that dash represent? What all has happened in that life between life and death?
We, who are now alive in the body, are in the midst of our dash. What are we composing to represent our dash?
According to the Scripture from 2 Corinthians, we all will one day stand before God almighty and have to give representation for the things we have done in life between life and death. That, honestly, is a sobering thought for me. What will my dash represent? Many people may one day look at my gravestone and wonder that themselves. One thing is for sure, God knows. He knows every second that constructs our dash.
I want my dash to represent a life lived for God. Paul said, “For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:11 – NASB). There is one thing God must see in our dash. He must see that it was constructed on the foundation of Christ Jesus. At the judgment seat of Christ, God “will test the quality of each man's work” (1 Corinthians 3:13b – NASB). That work is what the dash is made of.
How do you feel about your dash today? I am concerned about mine. But I have a hope, and it is built on nothing less than Jesus and HIS righteousness! Man may question my dash, but I desire that God see only Jesus blood in mine. It is my sincerest craving that my dash be blotted over by Christ living in me. I want to surrender moment to moment to Christ, so that in that Day of Judgment Christ may look into a mirror.
I find this heart tingling! Of course, I do not see this as easy, and know it must consist of CONSTANT SURRENDER, but I want my dash to mean something.
I care not what man may see when he looks upon tombstone. I do hope that man, too, will see Christ in me. I earnestly hope my dash is a testimony. I pray that much of God will be seen in my life, even beyond the grave. I pray that my stone may record a life lived for God. Beyond that, God knows what man can only assume. In HIS holy eyes, what does your dash say about you today?
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10 – King James Version).
Have you ever walked through a graveyard? Many tombstones have things written on them, such as; “Beloved Father”; “WWII Veteran”; “Dearest Mother”. The ones that catch my attention the most are the tombstones that list the name and dates, and that is all they say. For example; John Doe, 1903-1972. The “dash” that appears between the dates always catches my attention. I have a tendency to wonder what that “dash” encompasses. The dates simply say the year the person was born and the year that they died. Nothing else is determined by those dates. Without comments on the stone, one is left to ponder what happened in between those years. In other words, what does that dash represent? What all has happened in that life between life and death?
We, who are now alive in the body, are in the midst of our dash. What are we composing to represent our dash?
According to the Scripture from 2 Corinthians, we all will one day stand before God almighty and have to give representation for the things we have done in life between life and death. That, honestly, is a sobering thought for me. What will my dash represent? Many people may one day look at my gravestone and wonder that themselves. One thing is for sure, God knows. He knows every second that constructs our dash.
I want my dash to represent a life lived for God. Paul said, “For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:11 – NASB). There is one thing God must see in our dash. He must see that it was constructed on the foundation of Christ Jesus. At the judgment seat of Christ, God “will test the quality of each man's work” (1 Corinthians 3:13b – NASB). That work is what the dash is made of.
How do you feel about your dash today? I am concerned about mine. But I have a hope, and it is built on nothing less than Jesus and HIS righteousness! Man may question my dash, but I desire that God see only Jesus blood in mine. It is my sincerest craving that my dash be blotted over by Christ living in me. I want to surrender moment to moment to Christ, so that in that Day of Judgment Christ may look into a mirror.
I find this heart tingling! Of course, I do not see this as easy, and know it must consist of CONSTANT SURRENDER, but I want my dash to mean something.
I care not what man may see when he looks upon tombstone. I do hope that man, too, will see Christ in me. I earnestly hope my dash is a testimony. I pray that much of God will be seen in my life, even beyond the grave. I pray that my stone may record a life lived for God. Beyond that, God knows what man can only assume. In HIS holy eyes, what does your dash say about you today?
Monday, March 19, 2007
Blinded by the Flash
Blinded by the Flash
“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18 – New King James Version).
Has anyone ever surprised you with a quick snapshot at an unexpected moment? That can be traumatizing, especially when caught without makeup! Have you ever noticed how blinding that silly flash can be? It will confuse and disorient you for a few moments. Often, it can cause quite a bit of unrest. What last longer, the flash or the picture? The flash may blind us briefly, but the picture is what lasts.
Frequently, this is how we view our life. The time spent on earth is likened to the flash; blinding, confusing, and getting entirely too much attention. In comparison with the eternity with God that awaits the believer, life on earth is a fleeting flash.
Allow me some freedom for a moment. Paul tells the believers of Rome, “Looking at the awesome picture to come, that flash is not worth getting upset over.” Paul says, “I’m not going to get blinded by the flash, because it holds no comparison to the big picture.” Whatever suffering Paul had to face, he thought it peanuts compared to what he knew God had in store for him. The apostle understood that this world is a cruel place, but its proportional value was miniscule when laid next to the glory of God.
Now…what are you focused on? Are you being blinded by life (the flash)? Are you focused on the things of God (the picture)? No doubt life is a struggle, but the VICTORIOUS Christian understands that God is bigger and better than anything we may face. We have the Holy Spirit, which Paul calls “a foretaste of future glory” (Romans 8:23 - NLT), as a bit of heaven now. We know how good it is to be in the Spirit. What will it be like when we are in God’s presence all the time? WOW!
I love blackberries so much that I don’t mind the briars. I want the picture enough to ignore the flash. I want the fullness of God so much that the mess of this world does not hold candle to His glory! I can endure it. I can rejoice in spite of tribulation. God is so much MORE than all these troubles. The worst of this world is nothing beside the smallest thing of God.
So…are you being blinded? Listen friend, look at the picture…the big picture. Don’t let the flash mean more than the picture.
“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18 – New King James Version).
Has anyone ever surprised you with a quick snapshot at an unexpected moment? That can be traumatizing, especially when caught without makeup! Have you ever noticed how blinding that silly flash can be? It will confuse and disorient you for a few moments. Often, it can cause quite a bit of unrest. What last longer, the flash or the picture? The flash may blind us briefly, but the picture is what lasts.
Frequently, this is how we view our life. The time spent on earth is likened to the flash; blinding, confusing, and getting entirely too much attention. In comparison with the eternity with God that awaits the believer, life on earth is a fleeting flash.
Allow me some freedom for a moment. Paul tells the believers of Rome, “Looking at the awesome picture to come, that flash is not worth getting upset over.” Paul says, “I’m not going to get blinded by the flash, because it holds no comparison to the big picture.” Whatever suffering Paul had to face, he thought it peanuts compared to what he knew God had in store for him. The apostle understood that this world is a cruel place, but its proportional value was miniscule when laid next to the glory of God.
Now…what are you focused on? Are you being blinded by life (the flash)? Are you focused on the things of God (the picture)? No doubt life is a struggle, but the VICTORIOUS Christian understands that God is bigger and better than anything we may face. We have the Holy Spirit, which Paul calls “a foretaste of future glory” (Romans 8:23 - NLT), as a bit of heaven now. We know how good it is to be in the Spirit. What will it be like when we are in God’s presence all the time? WOW!
I love blackberries so much that I don’t mind the briars. I want the picture enough to ignore the flash. I want the fullness of God so much that the mess of this world does not hold candle to His glory! I can endure it. I can rejoice in spite of tribulation. God is so much MORE than all these troubles. The worst of this world is nothing beside the smallest thing of God.
So…are you being blinded? Listen friend, look at the picture…the big picture. Don’t let the flash mean more than the picture.
Saturday, March 17, 2007
A Time of Invitation
A Time of Invitation
And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. -- Luke 10:9; King James Version
We often call them "deadlines". That's the time when invitations come to a close. Think about the party invitation that comes in the mail and clearly is marked "RSVP" Sure, those are initials for a French phrase (répondez s'il vous plaît, meaning "please reply"), but we know it means, "Y'all better call me if you want to come to this shin-dig!" Have you ever had to write a paper for school? Sure you have! A deadline is issued and you know that means that the invitation to complete the paper comes to a close when you pass the deadline. My phone was cut off one time...okay, more than once. A bill was mailed to my house. I was called. A note was left on my door. I didn't respond to the deadline and my phone was cut off. I wanted to go to school. There was a registration time. I missed it. I tried to get in anyway. Too late, I missed the proverbial boat.
We understand invitations. We know about deadlines. I have, and have seen others, become awfully upset when it comes to deadlines.
Deadlines only become frustrating when invitations aren't acted upon.
Just stop and think about that before you read any further...deadlines only become frustrating when invitations aren't acted upon.
As Jesus was instructing His followers He wanted them to be the "inviters". What a privilege! It was like Jesus was telling them to say, "Hey, y'all, drop everything you are doing; turn from the way you are going and come to Jesus' life party!" Sure, this was a special time when God also gave them powers of healing too, but I want to focus on the invitation.
Are you an "inviter"? I am! I am privileged and blessed to invite people to Christ all the time. There was an old rap song that went like this: "Stop whatcha doin' 'cause I'm about to ruin the image and the style that ya used to." Honestly, it was a horrible song. I was a lost little puppy when I listened to it, but it's another of those silly things the Lord has allowed me to redeem in my service to Him. I often think of those opening lines when I sense an opportunity to witness to someone. I begin to think, "Wow, I am getting ready to tell this person something that may radically change their lives!" REPENT: Stop what you are doing. THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS COME NIGH UNTO YOU: Throw away your entire old life and pledge allegiance to the King! So, from that silly mess, I start hearing this tune in my head; my head starts to bob; it just comes out..."Stop whatcha doin'..."
What's that to do with being an "inviter"? I get excited! I want to share this awesome message! I want people to come to my eternal Jesus party!
You may think I am a nut. Okay, that's fine by me. I know this...the cross was (and still IS) a big invitation to the world. The deadline will come like a thief in the night.
I might be crazy. I might be a man of wacky methods. I might seem like a maniac running around inviting people to a bash. I might be a lot of things, but what I KNOW is that I am an inviter.
Like those people Jesus commissioned so long ago, we too have the message to preach: "Repent...the Kingdom of God is come nigh unto you." They were ushering in a time of invitation that we are still walking in today. We cannot force people to respond. We can't even tell them a deadline. But, yes BUT, we can invite. We should invite. We must invite.
Don't be shy. Don't be afraid. Don't worry about the response. INVITE!
And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. -- Luke 10:9; King James Version
We often call them "deadlines". That's the time when invitations come to a close. Think about the party invitation that comes in the mail and clearly is marked "RSVP" Sure, those are initials for a French phrase (répondez s'il vous plaît, meaning "please reply"), but we know it means, "Y'all better call me if you want to come to this shin-dig!" Have you ever had to write a paper for school? Sure you have! A deadline is issued and you know that means that the invitation to complete the paper comes to a close when you pass the deadline. My phone was cut off one time...okay, more than once. A bill was mailed to my house. I was called. A note was left on my door. I didn't respond to the deadline and my phone was cut off. I wanted to go to school. There was a registration time. I missed it. I tried to get in anyway. Too late, I missed the proverbial boat.
We understand invitations. We know about deadlines. I have, and have seen others, become awfully upset when it comes to deadlines.
Deadlines only become frustrating when invitations aren't acted upon.
Just stop and think about that before you read any further...deadlines only become frustrating when invitations aren't acted upon.
As Jesus was instructing His followers He wanted them to be the "inviters". What a privilege! It was like Jesus was telling them to say, "Hey, y'all, drop everything you are doing; turn from the way you are going and come to Jesus' life party!" Sure, this was a special time when God also gave them powers of healing too, but I want to focus on the invitation.
Are you an "inviter"? I am! I am privileged and blessed to invite people to Christ all the time. There was an old rap song that went like this: "Stop whatcha doin' 'cause I'm about to ruin the image and the style that ya used to." Honestly, it was a horrible song. I was a lost little puppy when I listened to it, but it's another of those silly things the Lord has allowed me to redeem in my service to Him. I often think of those opening lines when I sense an opportunity to witness to someone. I begin to think, "Wow, I am getting ready to tell this person something that may radically change their lives!" REPENT: Stop what you are doing. THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS COME NIGH UNTO YOU: Throw away your entire old life and pledge allegiance to the King! So, from that silly mess, I start hearing this tune in my head; my head starts to bob; it just comes out..."Stop whatcha doin'..."
What's that to do with being an "inviter"? I get excited! I want to share this awesome message! I want people to come to my eternal Jesus party!
You may think I am a nut. Okay, that's fine by me. I know this...the cross was (and still IS) a big invitation to the world. The deadline will come like a thief in the night.
I might be crazy. I might be a man of wacky methods. I might seem like a maniac running around inviting people to a bash. I might be a lot of things, but what I KNOW is that I am an inviter.
Like those people Jesus commissioned so long ago, we too have the message to preach: "Repent...the Kingdom of God is come nigh unto you." They were ushering in a time of invitation that we are still walking in today. We cannot force people to respond. We can't even tell them a deadline. But, yes BUT, we can invite. We should invite. We must invite.
Don't be shy. Don't be afraid. Don't worry about the response. INVITE!
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Resolute
Resolute
“And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" (Joshua 24:15 –New King James Version).
Almost every New Year we make promises of change. Every year I vow to lose weight only to close out January with a Super Bowl food fest (if I last that long!). It’s funny how we can make so many rash promises that a few weeks later mean nothing at all to us.
I believe there is one promise that is very worthy of keeping. It is the promise of serving the Lord. Joshua told the people to weigh it for themselves. IF you think God is evil, then serve someone else. However, regardless of what anyone else was going to do, Joshua said he was going to serve the Lord.
Just as important as serving the Lord, Joshua was willing to stand alone in that commitment. That is harder than it sounds. We all know the story of Peter. Peter said that he would stand by Jesus no matter what. Peter said that in front of his friends. Do you remember what he did later on? When it came time to stand for Christ, Peter failed. He was asked was he one of the disciples, and said no. None of the other disciples were around to back him up, and Peter fell flat on his face (John 18:19-27).
Have you ever had an experience like that? Have you ever said you would live for and stand for the Lord, but didn’t live up to it? I know I have. I think Joshua had the key. Look at Joshua 24:25; “So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day” (NASB). Joshua knew that the people would need help in keeping their focus on the Lord. So, he had them all do it together. In this way, they could hold one another accountable. This is a good thing. We can make a lot of decisions, but often we need the help of a friend to remind us of our resolutions.
Think about how that works when you’re dieting…you tell a friend about it and every time you sniff a cheesecake, your friend will hit you over the head with a spiked club! Well, maybe it’s not that drastic, but you know they’ll let you know about it. The hard part about letting your friends in on your commitments to the Lord is the fear that they will be disappointed if we are starting to forget our declarations.
I’ll tell you this much, the gain is worth the risk. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Will you help me by reminding me of that when I seem to forget? Thanks. Be resolute. I’ll help if you want me to!
“And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" (Joshua 24:15 –New King James Version).
Almost every New Year we make promises of change. Every year I vow to lose weight only to close out January with a Super Bowl food fest (if I last that long!). It’s funny how we can make so many rash promises that a few weeks later mean nothing at all to us.
I believe there is one promise that is very worthy of keeping. It is the promise of serving the Lord. Joshua told the people to weigh it for themselves. IF you think God is evil, then serve someone else. However, regardless of what anyone else was going to do, Joshua said he was going to serve the Lord.
Just as important as serving the Lord, Joshua was willing to stand alone in that commitment. That is harder than it sounds. We all know the story of Peter. Peter said that he would stand by Jesus no matter what. Peter said that in front of his friends. Do you remember what he did later on? When it came time to stand for Christ, Peter failed. He was asked was he one of the disciples, and said no. None of the other disciples were around to back him up, and Peter fell flat on his face (John 18:19-27).
Have you ever had an experience like that? Have you ever said you would live for and stand for the Lord, but didn’t live up to it? I know I have. I think Joshua had the key. Look at Joshua 24:25; “So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day” (NASB). Joshua knew that the people would need help in keeping their focus on the Lord. So, he had them all do it together. In this way, they could hold one another accountable. This is a good thing. We can make a lot of decisions, but often we need the help of a friend to remind us of our resolutions.
Think about how that works when you’re dieting…you tell a friend about it and every time you sniff a cheesecake, your friend will hit you over the head with a spiked club! Well, maybe it’s not that drastic, but you know they’ll let you know about it. The hard part about letting your friends in on your commitments to the Lord is the fear that they will be disappointed if we are starting to forget our declarations.
I’ll tell you this much, the gain is worth the risk. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Will you help me by reminding me of that when I seem to forget? Thanks. Be resolute. I’ll help if you want me to!
Change
Change
“For I am the LORD, I change not…” (Malachi 3:6a – King James Version).
Grandma Lessie kept me the majority of the time as a small child when my parents worked. In her front yard was a beautiful elm tree. It gave me shade, a place to climb, and a place to be alone. That elm tree and I grew strong and broad together. When fall came each year, that elm shed thousands of very small leaves, which we had to rake and burn. Switches for whippings (which I had much need of) were produced in abundance. Well into my manhood, the tree was cut down. A split down the trunk caused fear that the tree would fall onto Grandma’s house. I know I won’t miss those tiny leaves, and I definitely won’t miss the switches! However, the yard just doesn’t look the same anymore.
The fact that God is unchanging is a source of never ending comfort for me. I know that no matter how much technology passes me by; no matter how fads come and go; no matter what man may do, God remains the same. There is a saying that I have always wanted to put on a t-shirt; “God is…whether I like it or not.” When I am in need, God is God. When I am happy, God is God. When I hurt, God is God. It is no wonder to me that the Psalmist calls God a “refuge” (Psalm 46:1). He is! Whatever our situation may be, God IS God!
The tough part of that is that God is God, even when we are disobedient. We can rely on His unchanging mercy, but there is the reality of His unchanging justice.
In Malachi chapter 3, God is angry with His people. They sound very surprised. They ask God, “…But you say, 'What do you mean? How have we spoken against you?'” (Malachi 3:13 – NLT). God’s answer is clear; "But who will be able to endure it when He comes? Who will be able to stand and face Him when He appears? For He will be like a blazing fire that refines metal or like a strong soap that whitens clothes” (Malachi 3:2 – NLT). BUT, that is good news too! He tells His people, “…Now return to me, and I will return to you” (Malachi 3:7b – NLT). Even when men disobey, God does not change. We can return to Him!
That tree can never return. Its change is permanent. It’s gone. We, however, may change. We may alter our relationship with God through apathy and sin, but that never changes God. When we are split down the middle, God does not chop us down and throw us out, but waits like the father of a prodigal son. His mercy endures forever. He does not change. He is waiting, even now.
We can return home, and there is the possibility that much will have changed. We can return to God, and find He is still the same loving God that we left. Now that is comforting. Have you changed? Has your situation in life changed? HE HAS NOT! Will you let Him remind you of His unchanging love today? Return to Him, and He will return to you.
“For I am the LORD, I change not…” (Malachi 3:6a – King James Version).
Grandma Lessie kept me the majority of the time as a small child when my parents worked. In her front yard was a beautiful elm tree. It gave me shade, a place to climb, and a place to be alone. That elm tree and I grew strong and broad together. When fall came each year, that elm shed thousands of very small leaves, which we had to rake and burn. Switches for whippings (which I had much need of) were produced in abundance. Well into my manhood, the tree was cut down. A split down the trunk caused fear that the tree would fall onto Grandma’s house. I know I won’t miss those tiny leaves, and I definitely won’t miss the switches! However, the yard just doesn’t look the same anymore.
The fact that God is unchanging is a source of never ending comfort for me. I know that no matter how much technology passes me by; no matter how fads come and go; no matter what man may do, God remains the same. There is a saying that I have always wanted to put on a t-shirt; “God is…whether I like it or not.” When I am in need, God is God. When I am happy, God is God. When I hurt, God is God. It is no wonder to me that the Psalmist calls God a “refuge” (Psalm 46:1). He is! Whatever our situation may be, God IS God!
The tough part of that is that God is God, even when we are disobedient. We can rely on His unchanging mercy, but there is the reality of His unchanging justice.
In Malachi chapter 3, God is angry with His people. They sound very surprised. They ask God, “…But you say, 'What do you mean? How have we spoken against you?'” (Malachi 3:13 – NLT). God’s answer is clear; "But who will be able to endure it when He comes? Who will be able to stand and face Him when He appears? For He will be like a blazing fire that refines metal or like a strong soap that whitens clothes” (Malachi 3:2 – NLT). BUT, that is good news too! He tells His people, “…Now return to me, and I will return to you” (Malachi 3:7b – NLT). Even when men disobey, God does not change. We can return to Him!
That tree can never return. Its change is permanent. It’s gone. We, however, may change. We may alter our relationship with God through apathy and sin, but that never changes God. When we are split down the middle, God does not chop us down and throw us out, but waits like the father of a prodigal son. His mercy endures forever. He does not change. He is waiting, even now.
We can return home, and there is the possibility that much will have changed. We can return to God, and find He is still the same loving God that we left. Now that is comforting. Have you changed? Has your situation in life changed? HE HAS NOT! Will you let Him remind you of His unchanging love today? Return to Him, and He will return to you.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Don't Drink That!
Don’t Drink That!
“Jesus replied, ‘Your problem is that you don't know the Scriptures, and you don't know the power of God’” (Matthew 22:29 – New Living Translation).
In the movie, Crocodile Dundee, Dundee, an Australian bushman, went to New York City and was housed in a ritzy uptown hotel. He was amazed by the appearance of two toilets in the bathroom. Dundee tested the second “commode” and found it shot water UP rather than pulling it down. He thought it might be a water fountain. Before drinking from it, he finally figures out exactly what it was. It was a bidet! Imagine the huge mistake that Australian country boy almost fell into by making a simple mistake.
That’s a funny story, but it could have been a very serious mistake. Well, I’m not sure how serious, but I seriously would not want to drink from a bidet. How about you?
In our Scripture from Matthew 23, we find Jesus talking to some of the Sadducees. This group did not believe that those whose faith rests in God would be resurrected from the dead. Also, they did not believe that the Bible was handed down to man by God. Thirdly, they did not believe that there were angels or spirits. Fourthly, they did not believe in the promise of future judgment. You might say, “What did they believe?” Not much. They challenged Jesus with strange questions that they thought there would be no answer for. Rather than making it easy for them, Jesus simply tells them that they don’t know God’s power or His word.
This is huge! Why? God has revealed much of His character through the word. If you know of His character, then it is easy to recognize that something is coming from Him and is not simply chance or luck, but identify God at work. You see, friend, if we experience mercy, and by the word know that God is merciful, we can KNOW that mercy is of God and not by some arbitrary chance. That is how you KNOW the power of God! You recognize it is Him by the revelation of His character in the word and then it is confirmed by the witness of the Holy Spirit, and then established further as you experience God for yourself.
What we often do, however, is mistake who and what God is. The world likes it that way. Do you want to know something? The world would love to see you drink from a bidet. And, that’s exactly what we do in life sometimes. God has revealed so much of Himself to us, but because we don’t know how to recognize God’s handiwork, we pass it off as something else.
Other times, we think something is of God, but we are really drinking from the world’s bidet. Do you want to be able to tell the difference from a bidet and a blessing? Get in the word! God would have you know Him! Will you?
“Jesus replied, ‘Your problem is that you don't know the Scriptures, and you don't know the power of God’” (Matthew 22:29 – New Living Translation).
In the movie, Crocodile Dundee, Dundee, an Australian bushman, went to New York City and was housed in a ritzy uptown hotel. He was amazed by the appearance of two toilets in the bathroom. Dundee tested the second “commode” and found it shot water UP rather than pulling it down. He thought it might be a water fountain. Before drinking from it, he finally figures out exactly what it was. It was a bidet! Imagine the huge mistake that Australian country boy almost fell into by making a simple mistake.
That’s a funny story, but it could have been a very serious mistake. Well, I’m not sure how serious, but I seriously would not want to drink from a bidet. How about you?
In our Scripture from Matthew 23, we find Jesus talking to some of the Sadducees. This group did not believe that those whose faith rests in God would be resurrected from the dead. Also, they did not believe that the Bible was handed down to man by God. Thirdly, they did not believe that there were angels or spirits. Fourthly, they did not believe in the promise of future judgment. You might say, “What did they believe?” Not much. They challenged Jesus with strange questions that they thought there would be no answer for. Rather than making it easy for them, Jesus simply tells them that they don’t know God’s power or His word.
This is huge! Why? God has revealed much of His character through the word. If you know of His character, then it is easy to recognize that something is coming from Him and is not simply chance or luck, but identify God at work. You see, friend, if we experience mercy, and by the word know that God is merciful, we can KNOW that mercy is of God and not by some arbitrary chance. That is how you KNOW the power of God! You recognize it is Him by the revelation of His character in the word and then it is confirmed by the witness of the Holy Spirit, and then established further as you experience God for yourself.
What we often do, however, is mistake who and what God is. The world likes it that way. Do you want to know something? The world would love to see you drink from a bidet. And, that’s exactly what we do in life sometimes. God has revealed so much of Himself to us, but because we don’t know how to recognize God’s handiwork, we pass it off as something else.
Other times, we think something is of God, but we are really drinking from the world’s bidet. Do you want to be able to tell the difference from a bidet and a blessing? Get in the word! God would have you know Him! Will you?
Monday, March 12, 2007
Making Assumptions
Making Assumptions
“Just then His disciples arrived. They were astonished to find Him talking to a woman, but none of them asked Him why He was doing it or what they had been discussing” (John 4:27 – New Living Translation).
I left for Korea with many presupposed ideas. Many of my relatives and acquaintances had fought against Asian peoples in World War II, the Korean War, and Vietnam. Before the age of ten, I’d learned every derogatory name for Asian persons you could imagine. Once arriving in Korea, who do you suppose I was assigned to as a roommate? You guessed it…a Korean! We served along side K.A.T.U.S.As. That means “Koreans Attached to The United States Army.” I was mad! I wondered, “How could the army stick me with this so and so?!”
In our Scripture for today, we find Jesus conversing with a Samaritan (vs 7). Not only is she Samaritan, but a woman! Men generally considered conversing with a woman beneath them in those days. Not only was this person Samaritan and a woman, she is out in the middle of the day getting water (vs 6). This is significant because nobody else did that. This tells us that she wanted to be out when no one else was. Why? Look at John 4:17-18; there you will find the answer. She had had FIVE husbands to that point! Now that may be commonplace today, although it should not be, but it was definitely uncommon in that day. This person had three huge strikes; a Samaritan, which Jews hated (generally speaking), a woman, and a woman of ill repute because of her multiple marriages.
The disciples arrive on the scene. They were “astonished.” Here sat Jesus talking to a hated, sinful, Samaritan WOMAN! Look at the Scripture closely. Nobody bothered to ask Jesus why He was talking to her and what He had been discussing. They simply made assumptions.
Like Jesus, we need to get off of our assumption box and see the need folks have. Sure, Jesus saw the sinner, the woman, and the Samaritan wrapped up in one package, but more importantly He saw a person in need of salvation. He saw thirst that needed eternal quenching. He saw a soul in need of Him. That’s what Christ looks for in people…their need. What He offers is Himself as a solution. We need to capture the vision of Christ in Matthew 9:36, which says, “But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd” (KJV). That is what Christ saw in this SINFUL, SAMARITAN WOMAN. What do you think you would have seen?
I learned a lot from my Korean friend. Yes, I said friend. His name was Park Yun Soo. He wanted much of the same things from life I did; family, an education, friends, employment, security, and hope. It was not until the walls of assumption were destroyed did I see this man for what he was…a man needing the same Jesus that I did.
Assumptions may be blocking your witness today. Assumptions may be blocking an opportunity to be God’s hands and feet. Rather than gawking at a lost world in astonishment, let’s get to the business of being “moved with compassion” and showing a hurting world the saving Christ.
“Just then His disciples arrived. They were astonished to find Him talking to a woman, but none of them asked Him why He was doing it or what they had been discussing” (John 4:27 – New Living Translation).
I left for Korea with many presupposed ideas. Many of my relatives and acquaintances had fought against Asian peoples in World War II, the Korean War, and Vietnam. Before the age of ten, I’d learned every derogatory name for Asian persons you could imagine. Once arriving in Korea, who do you suppose I was assigned to as a roommate? You guessed it…a Korean! We served along side K.A.T.U.S.As. That means “Koreans Attached to The United States Army.” I was mad! I wondered, “How could the army stick me with this so and so?!”
In our Scripture for today, we find Jesus conversing with a Samaritan (vs 7). Not only is she Samaritan, but a woman! Men generally considered conversing with a woman beneath them in those days. Not only was this person Samaritan and a woman, she is out in the middle of the day getting water (vs 6). This is significant because nobody else did that. This tells us that she wanted to be out when no one else was. Why? Look at John 4:17-18; there you will find the answer. She had had FIVE husbands to that point! Now that may be commonplace today, although it should not be, but it was definitely uncommon in that day. This person had three huge strikes; a Samaritan, which Jews hated (generally speaking), a woman, and a woman of ill repute because of her multiple marriages.
The disciples arrive on the scene. They were “astonished.” Here sat Jesus talking to a hated, sinful, Samaritan WOMAN! Look at the Scripture closely. Nobody bothered to ask Jesus why He was talking to her and what He had been discussing. They simply made assumptions.
Like Jesus, we need to get off of our assumption box and see the need folks have. Sure, Jesus saw the sinner, the woman, and the Samaritan wrapped up in one package, but more importantly He saw a person in need of salvation. He saw thirst that needed eternal quenching. He saw a soul in need of Him. That’s what Christ looks for in people…their need. What He offers is Himself as a solution. We need to capture the vision of Christ in Matthew 9:36, which says, “But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd” (KJV). That is what Christ saw in this SINFUL, SAMARITAN WOMAN. What do you think you would have seen?
I learned a lot from my Korean friend. Yes, I said friend. His name was Park Yun Soo. He wanted much of the same things from life I did; family, an education, friends, employment, security, and hope. It was not until the walls of assumption were destroyed did I see this man for what he was…a man needing the same Jesus that I did.
Assumptions may be blocking your witness today. Assumptions may be blocking an opportunity to be God’s hands and feet. Rather than gawking at a lost world in astonishment, let’s get to the business of being “moved with compassion” and showing a hurting world the saving Christ.
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Tobacco Stick Fiasco
Tobacco Stick Fiasco
“You are My friends if you do whatever I command you” (John 15:14 – New King James Version).
I grew up with three older brothers. We had our ups and downs with one another, but we had a good time. Once we were sent to the pack house to tie tobacco sticks in bundles of fifty in each bunch. We started out strong, working hard for a while, but it turned south. Being boys, we started to sword fight with the sticks. Pretty soon, broken sticks were strewn all over the place. Our dad drove up in his truck. Seeing the broken sticks, he was not happy. Today, those sticks wouldn’t be worth much, but at that time they were very valuable. He lined us up, and gave each of us a whipping. He said, “I’m not whipping you because you broke the sticks, but because you aren’t doing what I told you to do!”
Christian friend, I’ve got some bad news. There are a good many of us that need to be lined up and whipped. Honestly, if Christ came back today, would He find us doing what it is He told us to do?
Many times we don’t know what it is that God wants us specifically to do. When that happens, do what He told us all to do. In the above verse, Christ clearly says, “If you want to be identified with me, do what I told you to do!” Earlier in John 15, Jesus said that we can only produce if we abide in Him. This applies to doing whatever it is He has commanded, even personal evangelism.
In Matthew 28:19a, Jesus commands us to, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…” (NASB). This is a clear command. Often, however, rather than doing what we are told, you will find the church sword fighting. Instead of soul winning, we are infighting. Do you think, if Christ saw us now, He would call us His friend?
I know serving God is not easy, but even when Jesus sent those precious few disciples out, He promised to be with them. The promise is good today. There are a great many more commands that Christ has given us, but the point is to be found doing what He told us to do.
I want to be called a friend of Christ. By HIS standard, that means obedience. Let us resolve to be found doing what He told us to do. Physical whippings are bad enough, but going to the spiritual woodshed is infinitely worse. After that whipping my dad gave us boys, fear alone kept us task oriented. The great thing about Christ is that His motivation is love. He even tells us to “…abide in My love” (John 15:9c). Do this and turn your life from fiasco to fantastico!
“You are My friends if you do whatever I command you” (John 15:14 – New King James Version).
I grew up with three older brothers. We had our ups and downs with one another, but we had a good time. Once we were sent to the pack house to tie tobacco sticks in bundles of fifty in each bunch. We started out strong, working hard for a while, but it turned south. Being boys, we started to sword fight with the sticks. Pretty soon, broken sticks were strewn all over the place. Our dad drove up in his truck. Seeing the broken sticks, he was not happy. Today, those sticks wouldn’t be worth much, but at that time they were very valuable. He lined us up, and gave each of us a whipping. He said, “I’m not whipping you because you broke the sticks, but because you aren’t doing what I told you to do!”
Christian friend, I’ve got some bad news. There are a good many of us that need to be lined up and whipped. Honestly, if Christ came back today, would He find us doing what it is He told us to do?
Many times we don’t know what it is that God wants us specifically to do. When that happens, do what He told us all to do. In the above verse, Christ clearly says, “If you want to be identified with me, do what I told you to do!” Earlier in John 15, Jesus said that we can only produce if we abide in Him. This applies to doing whatever it is He has commanded, even personal evangelism.
In Matthew 28:19a, Jesus commands us to, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…” (NASB). This is a clear command. Often, however, rather than doing what we are told, you will find the church sword fighting. Instead of soul winning, we are infighting. Do you think, if Christ saw us now, He would call us His friend?
I know serving God is not easy, but even when Jesus sent those precious few disciples out, He promised to be with them. The promise is good today. There are a great many more commands that Christ has given us, but the point is to be found doing what He told us to do.
I want to be called a friend of Christ. By HIS standard, that means obedience. Let us resolve to be found doing what He told us to do. Physical whippings are bad enough, but going to the spiritual woodshed is infinitely worse. After that whipping my dad gave us boys, fear alone kept us task oriented. The great thing about Christ is that His motivation is love. He even tells us to “…abide in My love” (John 15:9c). Do this and turn your life from fiasco to fantastico!
Saturday, March 10, 2007
Bound By Fear!
Bound by Fear!
“So we may boldly say: ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?’” (Hebrews 13:6 – New King James Version).
While on a mission trip to Puerto Rico, I couldn’t help but notice the bars on ALL the windows and doors of houses and businesses alike. That truly saddened me. It spoke of the condition of the people. They were afraid; afraid to the point that even SECOND STORY windows had bars over them! Sure, there is great danger in living in hurricane alley, but the bars were designed to protect from people.
That may be our biggest fear…other people. But, I don’t think we fear our houses getting broken into as much as we fear ourselves getting broken into. We fear letting people into our private inner world, because that may expose our weaknesses. At least, I know I do. That may be our biggest obstacle to serving the Lord.
Look at some of the directions in Hebrews 13. Love brothers and sisters in Christ (vs 1). Be kind to strangers (vs 2). Remember those in prison (vs 3). Honor marriage (vs 4). Don’t love money (vs 5). Remember your leaders (vs 7). Watch out for false teaching (vs 9). Suffer like Christ (vs 13). Don’t get too comfortable in the world (vs 14). Always praise God (vs 15). Share (vs 16). Obey your leaders (vs 17). Pray for others (vs 19).
What is similar in all these verses? They call for action not focused on ourselves! Rather than being protective of our image, our weaknesses, our possessions, our inner desires, and our time, God calls us to be outward looking people. We are to deny ourselves, take up our crosses, and follow Christ! We can’t do this living a life of fear!
We must stand in Christ (John 15), and find our strength in His overwhelming presence. We have nothing to fear of men. Jesus told us that very thing in Luke 12:4; “And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do” (KJV).
I say this, not in condemnation, but that we all may have hope. We may live in a world that continues to become more violent and more isolated, but God is unchanging and by His strength we can do great and mighty things. We must step out in faith, believing in HIS protection as we minister to a hurting world. We must give of ourselves, trusting in HIS unending supply. We must not be selfish, knowing HE is sufficient. We must believe that God can do infinitely more good through us than man can do evil against us.
Let us not be bound in fear, but be zealous in good works! Let us turn to God to break free of this world’s bondage, become His servant and know the blessing of being truly set free.
“So we may boldly say: ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?’” (Hebrews 13:6 – New King James Version).
While on a mission trip to Puerto Rico, I couldn’t help but notice the bars on ALL the windows and doors of houses and businesses alike. That truly saddened me. It spoke of the condition of the people. They were afraid; afraid to the point that even SECOND STORY windows had bars over them! Sure, there is great danger in living in hurricane alley, but the bars were designed to protect from people.
That may be our biggest fear…other people. But, I don’t think we fear our houses getting broken into as much as we fear ourselves getting broken into. We fear letting people into our private inner world, because that may expose our weaknesses. At least, I know I do. That may be our biggest obstacle to serving the Lord.
Look at some of the directions in Hebrews 13. Love brothers and sisters in Christ (vs 1). Be kind to strangers (vs 2). Remember those in prison (vs 3). Honor marriage (vs 4). Don’t love money (vs 5). Remember your leaders (vs 7). Watch out for false teaching (vs 9). Suffer like Christ (vs 13). Don’t get too comfortable in the world (vs 14). Always praise God (vs 15). Share (vs 16). Obey your leaders (vs 17). Pray for others (vs 19).
What is similar in all these verses? They call for action not focused on ourselves! Rather than being protective of our image, our weaknesses, our possessions, our inner desires, and our time, God calls us to be outward looking people. We are to deny ourselves, take up our crosses, and follow Christ! We can’t do this living a life of fear!
We must stand in Christ (John 15), and find our strength in His overwhelming presence. We have nothing to fear of men. Jesus told us that very thing in Luke 12:4; “And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do” (KJV).
I say this, not in condemnation, but that we all may have hope. We may live in a world that continues to become more violent and more isolated, but God is unchanging and by His strength we can do great and mighty things. We must step out in faith, believing in HIS protection as we minister to a hurting world. We must give of ourselves, trusting in HIS unending supply. We must not be selfish, knowing HE is sufficient. We must believe that God can do infinitely more good through us than man can do evil against us.
Let us not be bound in fear, but be zealous in good works! Let us turn to God to break free of this world’s bondage, become His servant and know the blessing of being truly set free.
Friday, March 09, 2007
Going Too Fast
Going Too Fast
“For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope” (Romans 15:4 – New King James Version).
Uncle Kirk lives in Wilmington, NC, very near the retired battleship U.S.S. North Carolina. The first time Uncle Kirk took me for a tour of the ship, I was blown away! I was about six, and I found that big ship completely amazing. Running all over the ship was better than a playground! When I left I had seen a big boat, and that was about it. The second time I went I was around seven years old. I’d stop, push the buttons for the informational recording, and run off before the recording had a chance to play. I was anxious to see and do the next thing. I got a bit more than the first time, but had learned little. The third time that Uncle Kirk showed me the ship I was around age nine. I pushed the buttons for the recordings, listened attentively and walked away knowing much of the character, life and death of that great war-ship.
The Bible can be much like the above experience. We are awed by that big book! At first, we run all through it trying to see it all so fast that we don’t really see it. The next time we go through, we take in some of God’s message, but not enough. Then we mature enough to see the fullness of the character, life and death of this great God who has done war for our souls.
Paul tells us, in Romans 15, to take care of those weaker in the faith than ourselves. It’s as if Paul is saying, “Don’t be surprised by how you see others acting or the things people do who don’t know any better. The fact that all this would happen has been written in the Scriptures all along. Look into the Scriptures and you will see for yourself that these things are to be expected. Once you see that God knew this aforetime, you’ll know things will become better and you yourself will be better equipped to help others” (Refer to Romans 15:1-13).
That is the great importance of REALLY being IN the Word. You can learn the fullness of God, the completeness and entirety of His plan for mankind, and our roles in ministering to each other. Don’t dabble in the word, but settle down and really learn of God. We experience so much frustration in our relationships because we run from place to place not taking in the great principles and precepts that God has laid out for “our learning.”
Would you like to have hope for the future? Would you have understanding of how to treat each other, understand one another, and minister to one another? God knew you would, so He put it down in His great Word. It’s all there in the Bible, where’s it has been for centuries. Take time to take in God’s word. Read attentively, abide in Him, know Him experientially…don’t go to fast.
“For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope” (Romans 15:4 – New King James Version).
Uncle Kirk lives in Wilmington, NC, very near the retired battleship U.S.S. North Carolina. The first time Uncle Kirk took me for a tour of the ship, I was blown away! I was about six, and I found that big ship completely amazing. Running all over the ship was better than a playground! When I left I had seen a big boat, and that was about it. The second time I went I was around seven years old. I’d stop, push the buttons for the informational recording, and run off before the recording had a chance to play. I was anxious to see and do the next thing. I got a bit more than the first time, but had learned little. The third time that Uncle Kirk showed me the ship I was around age nine. I pushed the buttons for the recordings, listened attentively and walked away knowing much of the character, life and death of that great war-ship.
The Bible can be much like the above experience. We are awed by that big book! At first, we run all through it trying to see it all so fast that we don’t really see it. The next time we go through, we take in some of God’s message, but not enough. Then we mature enough to see the fullness of the character, life and death of this great God who has done war for our souls.
Paul tells us, in Romans 15, to take care of those weaker in the faith than ourselves. It’s as if Paul is saying, “Don’t be surprised by how you see others acting or the things people do who don’t know any better. The fact that all this would happen has been written in the Scriptures all along. Look into the Scriptures and you will see for yourself that these things are to be expected. Once you see that God knew this aforetime, you’ll know things will become better and you yourself will be better equipped to help others” (Refer to Romans 15:1-13).
That is the great importance of REALLY being IN the Word. You can learn the fullness of God, the completeness and entirety of His plan for mankind, and our roles in ministering to each other. Don’t dabble in the word, but settle down and really learn of God. We experience so much frustration in our relationships because we run from place to place not taking in the great principles and precepts that God has laid out for “our learning.”
Would you like to have hope for the future? Would you have understanding of how to treat each other, understand one another, and minister to one another? God knew you would, so He put it down in His great Word. It’s all there in the Bible, where’s it has been for centuries. Take time to take in God’s word. Read attentively, abide in Him, know Him experientially…don’t go to fast.
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Everyday Goodbyes
Everyday Goodbyes
“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all” (2 Corinthians 13:14 – New American Standard Bible).
The summer I turned thirteen, my oldest brother, Jim, was home on leave from the Army. He was almost nine years older than me, and my childhood hero. He had ten or twelve days of leave left, and was going to South Dakota to visit his in-laws before shipping off to Germany. I was being childishly selfish, not wanting him to leave. In disappointment and anger I screamed, “I CAN’T STAND YOU!” Running into the house, I heard Jim’s calls, but didn’t turn back. That was the last thing that I ever said to Jim face to face. A few months later, Jim was killed in an auto accident.
Have you ever noticed how Paul ended every letter he wrote? Take a moment and thumb through Paul’s epistles. You will find that he always chose to pray grace and peace on those to whom he was addressing. That’s a tremendous show of love and concern. Think about it…Paul prays that those to whom he is writing experience God’s unmerited favor and tranquility with the Almighty!
We need to learn this in our relationships today. We need to learn to appreciate those around us to the point that there are no “everyday goodbyes.” It becomes hard to be mad at, or take for granted, anyone whom we are praying the best of God upon. Philemon obviously understood that. He made it onto the pages of God’s word by his “love for all of God’s people” (Philemon 5b – NLT). Paul knew of God’s love in Philemon, for Paul said of Philemon, “For I have come to have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother” (Philemon 7 NASB).
In Paul’s letter to Philemon, Paul has a tough issue to talk to Philemon about. That being said, Paul still wishes grace and peace to his brother in the Lord. Leave no one with unkind words. Leave no bad feelings. Regardless of what you may encounter in your relationships with brothers and sisters in Christ, you belong to the same Savior. Treat each other like you know that.
Fortunately, I did get to apologize to my brother through letters and calls. Years later, having matured to a degree, that experience has taught me to part with folks like Paul…praying GOD’S best for them. Will you refresh the heart of some saint today?
“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all” (2 Corinthians 13:14 – New American Standard Bible).
The summer I turned thirteen, my oldest brother, Jim, was home on leave from the Army. He was almost nine years older than me, and my childhood hero. He had ten or twelve days of leave left, and was going to South Dakota to visit his in-laws before shipping off to Germany. I was being childishly selfish, not wanting him to leave. In disappointment and anger I screamed, “I CAN’T STAND YOU!” Running into the house, I heard Jim’s calls, but didn’t turn back. That was the last thing that I ever said to Jim face to face. A few months later, Jim was killed in an auto accident.
Have you ever noticed how Paul ended every letter he wrote? Take a moment and thumb through Paul’s epistles. You will find that he always chose to pray grace and peace on those to whom he was addressing. That’s a tremendous show of love and concern. Think about it…Paul prays that those to whom he is writing experience God’s unmerited favor and tranquility with the Almighty!
We need to learn this in our relationships today. We need to learn to appreciate those around us to the point that there are no “everyday goodbyes.” It becomes hard to be mad at, or take for granted, anyone whom we are praying the best of God upon. Philemon obviously understood that. He made it onto the pages of God’s word by his “love for all of God’s people” (Philemon 5b – NLT). Paul knew of God’s love in Philemon, for Paul said of Philemon, “For I have come to have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother” (Philemon 7 NASB).
In Paul’s letter to Philemon, Paul has a tough issue to talk to Philemon about. That being said, Paul still wishes grace and peace to his brother in the Lord. Leave no one with unkind words. Leave no bad feelings. Regardless of what you may encounter in your relationships with brothers and sisters in Christ, you belong to the same Savior. Treat each other like you know that.
Fortunately, I did get to apologize to my brother through letters and calls. Years later, having matured to a degree, that experience has taught me to part with folks like Paul…praying GOD’S best for them. Will you refresh the heart of some saint today?
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Aged Reason
Aged Reason
“Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, do not forsake me, Until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to everyone who is to come” (Psalm 71:18 – New King James Version).
I used to go fishing with a man I called Uncle John. He seemed ancient when I was young. One day, one of my friends asked me, “Why do you want to go fishing with that old man?” I thought for a bit, and answered, “When you and me go fishing we end up throwing rocks. When Uncle John and me go fishing, we catch fish!”
There is something right and noble in an older person having a desire to take a younger person under their wing and teaching them things of the Lord. This was the wish of the Psalmist in this case. David wanted God to maintain him so that he may declare the wonder of God to the coming generation. In his years of walking with God, David had been awed so many times by Him that he stated, “Your righteousness, O God, reaches to the highest heavens. You have done such wonderful things. Who can compare with you, O God?” (Psalm 71:19 – New Living Translation). David wanted to declare this marvel…this God of wonder! He wanted our Heavenly Father to sustain him for that very purpose!
It is too often that we miss opportunities to be taken under the wing of a more experienced Christian, or the opportunity to take someone under our wing. We spend our time with folks of like age and experience and miss a wealth of witness. We miss, quite often, the sheer joy of participating in helping someone to grow in the Lord by sharing with them.
Sure, throwing rocks is fun, but it is much more a blessing to accomplish what you set out to do. What God intends for us to do is glorify Him. We learn that breath by breath. Often times, one needs the guidance of experience. Uncle John gave me that very thing when it came to fishing. The Apostle Paul said, “Never speak harshly to an older man, but appeal to him respectfully as though he were your own father. Talk to the younger men as you would to your own brothers” (1 Timothy 5:1 – NLT). We would do well to remember that, live it, and teach it to others.
Take someone under your wing today. Allow yourself to be mentored. Ask God to prolong your days that you may be able to proclaim His strength to the generations to come. Pass it on.
[This devotion is dedicated to Phillip and Barbara Barnes. Two saints who know no boundaries of service and no limits of age. They took me under their wings. I praise God for the evidence of Him in them.]
“Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, do not forsake me, Until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to everyone who is to come” (Psalm 71:18 – New King James Version).
I used to go fishing with a man I called Uncle John. He seemed ancient when I was young. One day, one of my friends asked me, “Why do you want to go fishing with that old man?” I thought for a bit, and answered, “When you and me go fishing we end up throwing rocks. When Uncle John and me go fishing, we catch fish!”
There is something right and noble in an older person having a desire to take a younger person under their wing and teaching them things of the Lord. This was the wish of the Psalmist in this case. David wanted God to maintain him so that he may declare the wonder of God to the coming generation. In his years of walking with God, David had been awed so many times by Him that he stated, “Your righteousness, O God, reaches to the highest heavens. You have done such wonderful things. Who can compare with you, O God?” (Psalm 71:19 – New Living Translation). David wanted to declare this marvel…this God of wonder! He wanted our Heavenly Father to sustain him for that very purpose!
It is too often that we miss opportunities to be taken under the wing of a more experienced Christian, or the opportunity to take someone under our wing. We spend our time with folks of like age and experience and miss a wealth of witness. We miss, quite often, the sheer joy of participating in helping someone to grow in the Lord by sharing with them.
Sure, throwing rocks is fun, but it is much more a blessing to accomplish what you set out to do. What God intends for us to do is glorify Him. We learn that breath by breath. Often times, one needs the guidance of experience. Uncle John gave me that very thing when it came to fishing. The Apostle Paul said, “Never speak harshly to an older man, but appeal to him respectfully as though he were your own father. Talk to the younger men as you would to your own brothers” (1 Timothy 5:1 – NLT). We would do well to remember that, live it, and teach it to others.
Take someone under your wing today. Allow yourself to be mentored. Ask God to prolong your days that you may be able to proclaim His strength to the generations to come. Pass it on.
[This devotion is dedicated to Phillip and Barbara Barnes. Two saints who know no boundaries of service and no limits of age. They took me under their wings. I praise God for the evidence of Him in them.]
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
He's Got a Bigger Shovel
He’s Got a Bigger Shovel
“Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do," says the LORD Almighty, "I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won't have enough room to take it in! Try it! Let me prove it to you!” (Malachi 3:10 –New Living Translation).
In the early days of America, there was a Philadelphia businessman who was known for his heart for giving in abundance. An admirer asked the businessman, “How is that you can afford to give so much to the work of the Lord?” The businessman replied, “I shovel it out, and God shovels it in. God just has a bigger shovel!”
At the very mention of tithing, offerings, or giving in general the average Christian experiences something akin to flu symptoms and feels as if they must leave and lie down. Of course, I’m kidding…that is unless you feel a fever coming on! Go ahead, laugh. It’s okay.
Malachi was charged with bringing a tough message to the people. He was telling them that they were robbing God (Malachi 3:8-9). Whew! Talk about preaching a hard sermon! It is a serious matter, however. We MUST give to the work of the Lord!
The amazing truth in this passage is God’s promise to bless those who test Him. God promises to open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that we won’t have room to hold all of it. Will you try Him? Let a warning be issued…these blessing may not be the kind that one can take to the local bank and deposit. God will bless though. He will bless abundantly. Do you know how I know? ‘Cause the Bible tells me so!
We know that we don’t live in an age of tithing. We find the New Testament believer gave well beyond a tenth (Acts 2:44-45; 4:34). Don’t worry; I am not saying we must do that. What I am saying is that we must let God be Lord over all that we have and respond to what He puts on our hearts to give. We must be honest with God. The people Malachi spoke to didn’t even realize that they were not giving appropriately (3:8)! Therefore, we must allow God to search our hearts and speak to us. According to the Apostle Paul, we must do it out of response to God, not obligation. He told the church at Corinth, “So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7 – NKJV).
Will you let Him open the windows of heaven upon you today? Will you trust that His shovel is bigger? Will you let Him prove it to you?
“Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do," says the LORD Almighty, "I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won't have enough room to take it in! Try it! Let me prove it to you!” (Malachi 3:10 –New Living Translation).
In the early days of America, there was a Philadelphia businessman who was known for his heart for giving in abundance. An admirer asked the businessman, “How is that you can afford to give so much to the work of the Lord?” The businessman replied, “I shovel it out, and God shovels it in. God just has a bigger shovel!”
At the very mention of tithing, offerings, or giving in general the average Christian experiences something akin to flu symptoms and feels as if they must leave and lie down. Of course, I’m kidding…that is unless you feel a fever coming on! Go ahead, laugh. It’s okay.
Malachi was charged with bringing a tough message to the people. He was telling them that they were robbing God (Malachi 3:8-9). Whew! Talk about preaching a hard sermon! It is a serious matter, however. We MUST give to the work of the Lord!
The amazing truth in this passage is God’s promise to bless those who test Him. God promises to open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that we won’t have room to hold all of it. Will you try Him? Let a warning be issued…these blessing may not be the kind that one can take to the local bank and deposit. God will bless though. He will bless abundantly. Do you know how I know? ‘Cause the Bible tells me so!
We know that we don’t live in an age of tithing. We find the New Testament believer gave well beyond a tenth (Acts 2:44-45; 4:34). Don’t worry; I am not saying we must do that. What I am saying is that we must let God be Lord over all that we have and respond to what He puts on our hearts to give. We must be honest with God. The people Malachi spoke to didn’t even realize that they were not giving appropriately (3:8)! Therefore, we must allow God to search our hearts and speak to us. According to the Apostle Paul, we must do it out of response to God, not obligation. He told the church at Corinth, “So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7 – NKJV).
Will you let Him open the windows of heaven upon you today? Will you trust that His shovel is bigger? Will you let Him prove it to you?
Monday, March 05, 2007
Stepping Up
Stepping Up
“Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise…” (Joshua 1:2a – King James Version).
I watched a dear friend, who had several siblings, handle the estate of her deceased parent. Though my friend was not the oldest sibling, she handled the affairs of the estate during a very trying time. There was much work to be done. She had to do such things as: handle outstanding bills, transfer deeds and accounts, clean out household goods for storage, deal with attorneys, as well as a host of other duties. It was a tremendous undertaking, but was one that had to be done. Imagine all the things that would have gone undone, or taken longer to do, had that wonderful lady not risen to the occasion of taking care of her family.
This is where we find Joshua. Moses had just passed away and the people needed leadership. God called Joshua to step up and take care of His people.
Stop; think for a moment of some saint that has meant much to you in your relationship with God who has gone on to be with the Lord. It may be a former Sunday School teacher, pastor, deacon, mission group leader, or a fellow brother or sister in the Lord who has taken time to share God with you. Who has taken up their torch of service? Who will? Will you?
You may be thinking, “I am not qualified!” You are right! The good news is that God does not choose who is qualified, but chooses whom HE will. When Jesus called Peter and Andrew to be His disciples He said, “…Follow me, and I WILL MAKE YOU fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19 – KJV – emphasis mine). If you step up in service, God will qualify you as you follow His lead. God will give you the needed skills and He will provide the power and the results.
That’s also what He told Joshua. God realized Joshua’s fears. We can see, in the Scripture, that God told Joshua to be strong and have courage (Joshua 1:6, 7, 9). Joshua was told not to give in to his fears about the task God gave him (Joshua 1:9). God promised Joshua that, if Joshua served Him, He would be with Him to assure success (Joshua 1:5-10).
Even today, in the same way, God realizes our fears about serving Him. As Christ was about to ascend into heaven, He passed the torch of His earthly ministry onto His disciples saying, “…I am with you always, even unto the end of the world” (Matthew 28:20b). Though our fears are real, He is just as real and very able to help us.
There are a great many ministries that YOU can step up and serve in. Will you? Many saints have taken the torch since Joshua. The time has come for YOU to “arise” and take up the mantle of service.
“Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise…” (Joshua 1:2a – King James Version).
I watched a dear friend, who had several siblings, handle the estate of her deceased parent. Though my friend was not the oldest sibling, she handled the affairs of the estate during a very trying time. There was much work to be done. She had to do such things as: handle outstanding bills, transfer deeds and accounts, clean out household goods for storage, deal with attorneys, as well as a host of other duties. It was a tremendous undertaking, but was one that had to be done. Imagine all the things that would have gone undone, or taken longer to do, had that wonderful lady not risen to the occasion of taking care of her family.
This is where we find Joshua. Moses had just passed away and the people needed leadership. God called Joshua to step up and take care of His people.
Stop; think for a moment of some saint that has meant much to you in your relationship with God who has gone on to be with the Lord. It may be a former Sunday School teacher, pastor, deacon, mission group leader, or a fellow brother or sister in the Lord who has taken time to share God with you. Who has taken up their torch of service? Who will? Will you?
You may be thinking, “I am not qualified!” You are right! The good news is that God does not choose who is qualified, but chooses whom HE will. When Jesus called Peter and Andrew to be His disciples He said, “…Follow me, and I WILL MAKE YOU fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19 – KJV – emphasis mine). If you step up in service, God will qualify you as you follow His lead. God will give you the needed skills and He will provide the power and the results.
That’s also what He told Joshua. God realized Joshua’s fears. We can see, in the Scripture, that God told Joshua to be strong and have courage (Joshua 1:6, 7, 9). Joshua was told not to give in to his fears about the task God gave him (Joshua 1:9). God promised Joshua that, if Joshua served Him, He would be with Him to assure success (Joshua 1:5-10).
Even today, in the same way, God realizes our fears about serving Him. As Christ was about to ascend into heaven, He passed the torch of His earthly ministry onto His disciples saying, “…I am with you always, even unto the end of the world” (Matthew 28:20b). Though our fears are real, He is just as real and very able to help us.
There are a great many ministries that YOU can step up and serve in. Will you? Many saints have taken the torch since Joshua. The time has come for YOU to “arise” and take up the mantle of service.
Saturday, March 03, 2007
You Can Get a Break Today, Deserving or Not
You Can Get a Break Today, Deserving or Not
“I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears” (Psalm 34:4 – King James Version).
What kinds of troubles drive you to the Lord? Do you wait until you are at wits end? Do you wait until you are in some seemingly irreversible trouble?
Good ‘ol King David did, at least in one instance. In 1 Samuel 21, David goes to seek refuge from King Saul with the king of the Philistines, King Achish. When David got to the gates of Achish’s palace, many of Achish’s servants mocked him. David became afraid of King Achish; afraid that Achish may want revenge for David’s slaying of their champion, Goliath (1 Samuel 17). David, then, acts like a madman so that King Achish might dismiss him as one. Achish did that very thing saying, “Have I need of madmen…” (1 Samuel 21:15a). Psalm 34 was born out of this experience.
There is a powerful lesson to learn in all of this. No, it’s not act like a madman when in trouble, but seek the Lord and trust in His deliverance. We can not praise David for assuming a personage that was not his own, but we can see that David had the presence of mind to seek the Lord. Even when afraid, David’s heart was fixed upon God.
It was David’s fault that he changed his behavior, but it was God’s mercy that delivered him. Possibly, in reflection, David learned that. I believe so, thus the words of Psalm 34. I even believe that David wishes he hadn’t acted mad. Look at Psalm 34:13, which says, “Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.” It’s as if David says, “You know, I should have just trusted God, and not devised my own plan.” Further on in Psalm 34, David says, “The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and His ears are open unto their cry” (15). And, “The LORD hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles” (17 - NLT).
God wants us to depend on Him. He constantly tells His people to seek Him, and He promises to be found. Jesus, our Savior, summed it up best with these words, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you” (Matthew 7:7). Friend, don’t wait until overcome by hardship, overwhelmed by grief, or overmatched by enemies, seek the Lord with every breath. Know Him more and more until, like David, you can say, “I will bless the Lord at all times…” (Psalm 34:1a).
David learned the hard way. Let us learn from him. “O taste and see that the Lord is good…” (Psalm 34:8), and by HIS grace, you can get a break today, deserving or not.
“I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears” (Psalm 34:4 – King James Version).
What kinds of troubles drive you to the Lord? Do you wait until you are at wits end? Do you wait until you are in some seemingly irreversible trouble?
Good ‘ol King David did, at least in one instance. In 1 Samuel 21, David goes to seek refuge from King Saul with the king of the Philistines, King Achish. When David got to the gates of Achish’s palace, many of Achish’s servants mocked him. David became afraid of King Achish; afraid that Achish may want revenge for David’s slaying of their champion, Goliath (1 Samuel 17). David, then, acts like a madman so that King Achish might dismiss him as one. Achish did that very thing saying, “Have I need of madmen…” (1 Samuel 21:15a). Psalm 34 was born out of this experience.
There is a powerful lesson to learn in all of this. No, it’s not act like a madman when in trouble, but seek the Lord and trust in His deliverance. We can not praise David for assuming a personage that was not his own, but we can see that David had the presence of mind to seek the Lord. Even when afraid, David’s heart was fixed upon God.
It was David’s fault that he changed his behavior, but it was God’s mercy that delivered him. Possibly, in reflection, David learned that. I believe so, thus the words of Psalm 34. I even believe that David wishes he hadn’t acted mad. Look at Psalm 34:13, which says, “Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.” It’s as if David says, “You know, I should have just trusted God, and not devised my own plan.” Further on in Psalm 34, David says, “The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and His ears are open unto their cry” (15). And, “The LORD hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles” (17 - NLT).
God wants us to depend on Him. He constantly tells His people to seek Him, and He promises to be found. Jesus, our Savior, summed it up best with these words, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you” (Matthew 7:7). Friend, don’t wait until overcome by hardship, overwhelmed by grief, or overmatched by enemies, seek the Lord with every breath. Know Him more and more until, like David, you can say, “I will bless the Lord at all times…” (Psalm 34:1a).
David learned the hard way. Let us learn from him. “O taste and see that the Lord is good…” (Psalm 34:8), and by HIS grace, you can get a break today, deserving or not.
Thursday, March 01, 2007
"Poor Pitiful Me"
“Poor Pitiful Me”
"I am disgusted with my life. Let me complain freely. I will speak in the bitterness of my soul” (Job 10:1 – New Living Translation).
Don’t you hate to hear a professional athlete moan about their contracts? I do! A recent debate that comes to mind involves a baseball player that was holding out for more money. He was already making SIX MILLION dollars a year. His complaint was based on the notion that he was not “getting respected.” I wondered why he was in the game and what happened to the love of playing. The baseball player needs to focus on the team, not himself. It’s no wonder to me that baseball is dying and soccer is becoming the favorite sport of youth. Who wants to play a game that filled with whiners?
Have you ever spent any time around a moping Christian? They complain about everything, and nothing seems to satisfy them. If you are around them, it can drain all your energy. Have you ever been like that?
The apostle Paul said, “Do all things without complaining and disputing…” (Philippians 2:14 - NKJV). The word disputing means arguing with others. The word complaining means secret murmurings. Perhaps the best way to describe complaining would be having a bad attitude and moping around because of it. It stems from selfish inner desires. Much like the baseball player, there was no real grounds for complaint, just selfishness.
In the opening Scripture, that is where we find Job. He is sick and tired of being sick and tired, but he knows better than to complain to God, who is righteous, just, and holy. God is beyond reproach. Job is disgusted and full of complaint, so he speaks violently, but he doesn’t do it to God. There’s something wrong inside.
Christians are supposed to have an intimate knowledge of this awesome God. If one claims to have that intimate relationship, yet their life is marked by complaint, how does that speak of God? If one knows God, how does that speak of the Christian? One may figure that the Christian is not counting their blessings. If one does not know God, how does this speak of the Heavenly Father? One may think this God not worth knowing.
The key, then, is focusing on God and His righteousness. Counting His goodness to us makes easy our way and lightens our burden. God is good…all the time; all the time…God is good! God is much bigger and far more awesome than we give Him credit for. We are owned by a mighty, loving and sustaining God. If in Christ, our futures are secure and there is much rejoicing to do. Job finally realizes that (Job 38-42). He counts the goodness of God, and his moaning disappears.
Have you counted God’s goodness lately Christian? Are you wasting away, spending your witness and breath on complaining? If so, poor, pitiful you. Count His goodness today, watch your complaining melt away!
Oh, yeah…even when he complained to himself or his friends…do you think God didn’t hear? He was still shaking his fist at God, as if to say, “You are not sufficient!”
"I am disgusted with my life. Let me complain freely. I will speak in the bitterness of my soul” (Job 10:1 – New Living Translation).
Don’t you hate to hear a professional athlete moan about their contracts? I do! A recent debate that comes to mind involves a baseball player that was holding out for more money. He was already making SIX MILLION dollars a year. His complaint was based on the notion that he was not “getting respected.” I wondered why he was in the game and what happened to the love of playing. The baseball player needs to focus on the team, not himself. It’s no wonder to me that baseball is dying and soccer is becoming the favorite sport of youth. Who wants to play a game that filled with whiners?
Have you ever spent any time around a moping Christian? They complain about everything, and nothing seems to satisfy them. If you are around them, it can drain all your energy. Have you ever been like that?
The apostle Paul said, “Do all things without complaining and disputing…” (Philippians 2:14 - NKJV). The word disputing means arguing with others. The word complaining means secret murmurings. Perhaps the best way to describe complaining would be having a bad attitude and moping around because of it. It stems from selfish inner desires. Much like the baseball player, there was no real grounds for complaint, just selfishness.
In the opening Scripture, that is where we find Job. He is sick and tired of being sick and tired, but he knows better than to complain to God, who is righteous, just, and holy. God is beyond reproach. Job is disgusted and full of complaint, so he speaks violently, but he doesn’t do it to God. There’s something wrong inside.
Christians are supposed to have an intimate knowledge of this awesome God. If one claims to have that intimate relationship, yet their life is marked by complaint, how does that speak of God? If one knows God, how does that speak of the Christian? One may figure that the Christian is not counting their blessings. If one does not know God, how does this speak of the Heavenly Father? One may think this God not worth knowing.
The key, then, is focusing on God and His righteousness. Counting His goodness to us makes easy our way and lightens our burden. God is good…all the time; all the time…God is good! God is much bigger and far more awesome than we give Him credit for. We are owned by a mighty, loving and sustaining God. If in Christ, our futures are secure and there is much rejoicing to do. Job finally realizes that (Job 38-42). He counts the goodness of God, and his moaning disappears.
Have you counted God’s goodness lately Christian? Are you wasting away, spending your witness and breath on complaining? If so, poor, pitiful you. Count His goodness today, watch your complaining melt away!
Oh, yeah…even when he complained to himself or his friends…do you think God didn’t hear? He was still shaking his fist at God, as if to say, “You are not sufficient!”
What are you Known by?
What are you Known by?
“To them the chief of the eunuchs gave names: he gave Daniel the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abed-Nego” (Daniel 1:7 New King James Version).
What name are you known by? Or, what are you known by? Let me give you an example: John Newton is known as “the writer of Amazing Grace,” but he was not always known as that. He was once known as “John Newton, slave trader.” Mr. Newton had the same name, but a different meaning. What happened? What caused this change?
As Paul said, “Then something happened! For it pleased God in His kindness to choose me and call me, even before I was born! What undeserved mercy!” (Galatians 1:15 – NLT). I can tell you what happened…Jesus came into John Newton’s heart! He became a new creation in Christ! Christ’s transforming grace worked into John Newton’s life until he quit trading in human flesh and became a pastor and hymn writer.
The world is going to give you a name, whether you like it or not. The question is, will you be known by it or make your own. Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were taken into captivity in Babylon. They were given new names by the head servant of the palace. Here is a list of their Jewish names, what they meant, and their new Chaldean names along with their meanings.
Daniel = "God is my judge" / Belteshazzar = "the keeper of Bel’s treasure"
Hananiah = "God is gracious" / Shadrach = "inspired by the sun god"
Mishael = "who is what God is" / Meshach = "the goddess of mirth, Shak"
Azariah = "whom Jehovah has helped" / Abed-nego = "servant of Nebo”
(The four Chaldean names represented the four main gods of the Babylonians: Bel, the chief god; Rak, the sun god; Shak, the earth god; Nego, the fire god.)
What name went down into His-story, Daniel or Belteshazzar? You see, friend, when Daniel was given a choice of who to serve, he chose God (Daniel 1:8, 6:10). He let God be his judge and is known as “Daniel, Prophet of God.”
Daniel = "God is my judge" / Belteshazzar = "the keeper of Bel’s treasure"
Hananiah = "God is gracious" / Shadrach = "inspired by the sun god"
Mishael = "who is what God is" / Meshach = "the goddess of mirth, Shak"
Azariah = "whom Jehovah has helped" / Abed-nego = "servant of Nebo”
(The four Chaldean names represented the four main gods of the Babylonians: Bel, the chief god; Rak, the sun god; Shak, the earth god; Nego, the fire god.)
What name went down into His-story, Daniel or Belteshazzar? You see, friend, when Daniel was given a choice of who to serve, he chose God (Daniel 1:8, 6:10). He let God be his judge and is known as “Daniel, Prophet of God.”
Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah are known in God’s word by their Chaldean names, but read the account and you will remember them forever because they stood for God (Daniel 3:12-30).
They may have been stuck with a name, but God gave them new meaning. They have come to be known as men who would rather die than to disobey God, not Babylonian servants. They were God pleasers, not men pleasers.
So, friend, regardless of your name, what are you known by? Let God give your name new meaning today. Know him, and He will make you a new person. Serve Him, regardless of cost or consequence, and your name will have eternal meaning. You will be known by His name…Christian.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)