Luke #33 - Fear and Kinfolk

Luke #33 – Fear and Kinfolk

“Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, ‘O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, “We have Abraham to our father:” for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire’” (Luke 3:7-9 – King James Version).

I talk to people all the time. That’s my job. That’s what I do. When it comes to excuses I have heard them all. To be fair, I have made a bunch in my time too. I was not raised in church. I wish I had been, but SOMETIMES I am glad I was not. I say that only to make this illustration; you’ll see what I mean.

I have asked many people when they became Christians and get a lot of weird responses. Some common responses are: “I have went to church all my life”; “I was baptized when I was nine (or whatever age)”; I joined the church twenty-five years ago (again, those years vary)”; “My family helped found this church.” Still, all of those responses are noble but leave the question unanswered.

I also ask people what Christ has done in their lives. I get a lot of weird responses to that too. Some are: “I quit drinking”; “I joined the church”; “I went on a mission trip”; “I got baptized.” Again, all good things but usually all they indicate is things they have done, not transformation that Christ has effected.

We would do well to have some of John the Baptist’s preaching in the South today. We are a very religious bunch down here, but I am prayerfully broken at our lack of belief, our transformation, and our weak faith. Now, I don’t think many folks could step into the pulpit and start preaching by saying “O you brood of vipers!” That might not go to well, ya think? John was addressing a crowd who came solely in fear. Hearing John’s prophetic preaching caused fear to come upon them and they were getting hell insurance. John didn’t want them to get baptized thinking that was the cure. John wanted to call attention to the fact that truly meeting God caused an internal change.

Then John wanted to debunk another misconception. Many Jews thought that being related to Abraham was good enough to receive the resurrection. John said “God can raise up more descendants of Abraham by turning rocks into people.” After all man was formed from the ground; if all God wanted was more people, He could turn every rock into a person. It was not relation to Abraham that led people to know God, but faith like the faith Abraham had.

God values reformation more than religion. The study notes in my Life Application Study Bible ask this probing question: “Is your faith motivated by a desire for a new, changed life, or is it only like a vaccination or insurance policy against possible disaster?” We cannot come to God by reciting a few sentences after someone. Wait…I am not saying we cannot be led or lead another in a prayer to accept Christ. What I am saying is that prayer should produce inner change that reforms our outer actions. Do you dig? We cannot simply hear a scary sermon about hell, pray a little prayer, and walk away the same person living the same life and think we are saved. If all that prayer or that baptism or joining the church means to us is that we have a get out of hell free card, then we haven’t met God at all. That’s a hard saying, but it is the heart of John’s message to us today.

Religion very well may be inherited, but faith is not. God has no grandchildren. Everyone has to make a personal decision to accept Christ. Just because your mama’s uncle was a missionary to New Guinea and your grandma taught Sunday School does not make you a Christian. What makes a Christian is the person who comes to Christ Jesus broken over their sins and begging Him for forgiveness and release from sin’s grasp.

Jesus’ hardest words were to religious leaders who had not experienced deep inner change. Following Jesus means acting on what He said, not just saying the right words. I don’t say this to be a jerk; I don’t want anyone to miss out on experiencing God. I can tell you this much, if your experience of God has been limited to 11:00 AM on Sunday mornings, then you have missed the blessings of a kind and gracious Father who is stern yet tender (and so much more!).

God desires that we have “fruits worthy of repentance,” meaning that our lives prove that we have really turned from our sins. For those that have not experienced that, John warns that every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.

Listen my dear friends, repentance is not about joining the church or quitting smoking or drinking. It is about turning from God and experiencing a deep inner change. If we do that, we will WANT to go to church; we will WANT to live moral lives; we will WANT to be baptized. All of those things will come from the natural flow of knowing God.

So, did you “join the church” or meet Christ? Did you get baptized or receive salvation? Did you repent or simply clean up? Did you pray a little prayer out of fear or fall before the Lord broken? Do you depend on the righteousness of someone you know or do you have a PERSONAL relationship with Christ Jesus? God can raise up church members from rocks. He desires people to know and worship Him in truth and spirit. Don’t miss the boat on this one gang. Check yourself, does your experience with God just mean a “get out of hell free card”? HE IS SO MUCH MORE!

Luke #32 - The Message Before the Word

Luke #32 – The Message Before the Word

“The word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness. And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins; as it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, ‘The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make His paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God’” (Luke 3:2b-6 – King James Version).

I was involved with a group that brought a famous athlete to speak to a group of teenagers. He was a wonderful speaker and a great guy. Before he came his assistant called and told us exactly what kind of flight arrangements to make, what kind of hotel to call, and what kind room was required. We were also told what kind of food he liked and what kind of soft drinks to have on hand. That struck me as odd. I thought of John the Baptist.

John was bringing a speaker in and that speaker didn’t have a lot of requirements. There was one; REPENT! John’s message was simple and it is all that is needed to prepare a person to receive Jesus. John’s message was indeed strict, but much needed. John was like the fire, wind, and the earthquake that preceded the still small voice of God in Christ Jesus. John’s message was dauntless. He had no fear of what would happen to him nor any fear of what others thought of him…that ‘ol boy just preached! John’s message saw past class distinctions. Take the time to glean from the Gospels the preaching of John and you will find that he had keen insight into human nature; the needs and temptations. John’s message was very practical. It was not a warm and fuzzy type of message, but it was something that one could put in their pocket and take down the road. John’s message was preparatory; it was a threefold message of preparation. “Repent”; turn from your way. “The kingdom of God is at hand”; the time for God’s personal rule over people is coming. “Behold the Lamb of God”; CHRIST IS HERE! John’s message did not have any miracles…it was simple, “Get right and get ready!” John’s message was temporary. It was meant to be that way. He was clearing the way for Jesus. John was not the main attraction; Jesus was and is.

There are several things to learn here. Chief among them in my mind is the fact that we cannot elevate the messenger above the message as was stated in yesterday’s devotion. Also through Isaiah’s prophecy and John’s preaching we see some of the things Jesus would come to do.

He would fill every valley. I see in that the filling of Jesus. I see Jesus as the The One who can take our feelings of lack of purpose and fill us with His purposes. I see Jesus as The One who can tack our feelings of lack of worth and give us worth. I see every need a person may have being filled in Christ Jesus with the innumerable riches that He has stored in heaven. Yes, to all who lack, Jesus comes to fill!

Jesus would come and level every mountain. By His blood Jesus would confront every prideful and self righteous thought or deed of mankind. He would bring low any who thought they could save themselves or who could know God by following some rote or doing a list of deeds. Yes, to all who think they are good enough in their own deeds, Jesus comes to humble!

Jesus would come to straighten the crooked. There were (and ARE) a great many who would bend the word and the faith to suit themselves. Jesus came to straighten them out. He came to take the bends out of their thinking and put them on the direct way of truth. He came to straighten crooked theology, bent deeds, and bowed religion. Yes, all need the straight and narrow and Jesus came to put us on that path!

Jesus came to smooth out the rough spots. Where many had been taught and had lived a rough faith out of ignorance, a lot of folk had been misinformed about how to know God and how to worship Him. Jesus came to straighten that out. Yes, even today, Jesus is meeting with the misinformed and leading them to truly know God in Him!

Finally, Jesus came not only to straighten out the Jews but to make a way for “all flesh” to experience the salvation of God. At the core of John’s message was that we should get ready for that. That same message is still good today. We had better seek a filling from Him while there is time. We had better humble ourselves before it is too late and He humbles us. We had better check the bent parts of our lives and get them straight before He does. We had better settle for no less than straight instruction from the Master; that means we should supplement listening to preachers and knuckleheads like me with personal Bible study mixed with a lot of prayer.

Here’s the point…John was telling the world to get the junk cleared out of the way for the Savior was drawing nigh. Good advice then and still good today. The less junk, the more room. The more room, the bigger the throne. The bigger the throne, the more exalted the King. Give room in your life for THE KING! Repent…get rid of the junk…make more room for Jesus!

Luke #31 - The Voice

Luke #31 – The Voice

“And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins; as it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, ‘The voice of one crying in the wilderness, prepare ye the way of the Lord, make His paths straight’” (Luke 3:3-4 – King James Version).

I once had an interim pastor who was “old school” in his preaching. For example, he might say, “We better obey the Lord-ah!” It was that “ah” on the end that messed me up! It took me a couple of weeks to get used to it. Now don’t get me wrong, there was NOTHING wrong with the way that man preached; I just wasn’t used to it. As a matter of fact, his name was Reverend Groff and he could flat shuck the corn! That brother was anointed of the Lord and delivered a word from God with authority and power every week. He was my pastor when I left my home church to begin full time gospel ministry. I hated to stop hearing his preaching. The point I was getting to was this; Rev. Groff’s speech pattern, his being older, his difference in style and delivery…NONE of that mattered…he was called by God to preach and it was the message that mattered, not the man.

I want to concentrate on two words today: “the voice.” The Scripture that Dr. Luke in 3:4-6 is quoting was a prophecy of Isaiah (Esaias) from 40:3-5. Those two little words, “the voice,” put the emphasis on the work instead of the worker. This is the lesson for today.

We could certainly write a biographical account of John the Baptist that would wow any Bible student or churchman. He was flamboyant, different, and had personality. In doing that we may lose sight of the most important thing, which was “the voice”; the message.

Our concentration should be spent upon the voice, not the man. To concentrate on the man would draw us into the world’s criteria for worth or success. Now, don’t get me wrong, John was a man worth noting; a man of faith worth emulating. Still, there is a “voice” that is more important. There is a message from God in that voice more important than the man. John’s message was to speak against the pride of the Pharisees, the indifference of other religious leaders like the Sadducees, and to speak against the apathy and falsehood of the people at large. To concentrate on the man may cause us to forget the message.

Too many times today we follow preachers. I have seen folks leave churches because the preacher left. That’s wrong. What in the world were they going to the church for anyway? To see a celebrity? To follow a man? To hear a slick presentation?

Too many times today we find fault in the speaker. He is too loud. He is too quiet. He doesn’t do this or he doesn’t do that. He dresses funny. He is not as flamboyant as the last preacher. He is too flamboyant. He is dry. He is boring. Boy howdy…I have heard them all! I believe if we concentrate on the message, instead of the speaker, we will hear a word from God.

The voice is what is important. If that voice speaks by the leading of the Holy Spirit and sticks faithfully to the truth found in Scripture, then that voice is simply God’s loudspeaker. It is, after all, God who we need to hear from. If God can use a donkey to speak His message (Numbers 22:22-35), then He can surely use a preacher whom we find fault with. God desires to speak to buildings full of people every week through all kinds of preachers. Do we desire to hear? On the same token, God desires to take faulty folks, like you and me, and speak His message through us. He desires to use a “voice”. Will you be one?

Luke #30 - Sanctified, Set Apart, and Different

Luke #30 – Sanctified, Set Apart, and Different

“The word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness. And he came into all the country about the Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins” (Luke 3:2b-3 – King James Version).

I know I have told you before, but I was convicted of my sins at the age of eight and knew that Christ was the only answer for that bondage. It took seventeen years for me to surrender to Him. Thank God Almighty that He kept the conviction upon me, for without that shame He gave me I don’t think I would have ever turned to Him. One of the main reasons that I would not turn to Christ was that I understood that my lifestyle and attitude had to change. I was convicted of that at eight. How do you think I felt at eighteen? At twenty-five? Not only was the conviction sharper and more intense, but the habits I had at eight had multiplied and deepened. Where at eight I was a braggart and proud, at twenty-five I was a drunkard, a liar, adulterous, prideful, deceitful, slanderous, foul-tempered, selfish…the list could go on and on. Now friends I tell you truthfully that I don’t like remembering these things accept where I can assure someone that God can forgive anything and heal even the most wicked of sinners, of whom I am chief. My problem was that I did not want to let go of these things. All of these sinful attitudes and habits had been infused into my life; had become part of who I was. For the most part I had found a way, at least in my mind, to justify them. I convinced myself that none of these things were my fault and those things that were my fault I convinced myself were all right. Beyond a shadow of a doubt, I knew that to know God meant that He would give me new life and that the old life had to pass away. That was hard to swallow!

John the Baptist preached repentance. People don’t seem to like that message. It is a hard message to hear; that we must change. The common argument today seems to be stated this way: “Jesus was forgiving and accepting of every lifestyle.” Well…Jesus was forgiving, but He would tell the person “Go and sin no more.” Another popular argument is stated in this way: “God would want me to be happy.” PHOOOOEY! God would never want a person to be happy if being happy meant living in sin. Take homosexuality for example; it’s a sin and God simply does not approve of any kind of sin. The person coming to Christ MUST realize that. They MUST turn away from that kind of lifestyle. Does that mean they will NEVER struggle with it again? No, and it would be ridiculous to think otherwise. The church gossip must turn away from that sin as well. The sin of gossip and homosexuality are the same in God’s eyes.

Repentance was John’s message. He wanted people to be prepared to know Christ and serve Him. To do that meant they had to turn from sin. To turn from sin is to turn to God. Yes, a person can straighten up and live moral, but without turning to Christ the guilt of sin is still upon that one. To turn to God is to turn from sin. Yes, a person can think about God, try to talk to God, and even go to church, but if they do not confess their sin and seek God’s forgiveness they have not really turned to God at all. And don’t think confessing is good enough…it must be partnered with forsaking those sins as well. The person that tells me they have turn to God but not did their dead level best to turn from sin has not met Holy God.

To be a Christian does not mean walking a church aisle, reciting after the preacher, getting dunked in the baptistery, and having your name put on a church role. To be a Christian means to trust Christ with everything…it is a transformed life! Listen now, if you are out there today reading this and you think you are a Christian just because you got dunked after VBS one year or sprinkled after confirmation, check yourself. Why you can dunk a donut…does that make it a Christian. You can sprinkle your lawn…does that make it a Christian? I mean it with the utmost love. There has to be change! Are you different? What work has Christ done in your and heart?

The Christian is set apart; different from the world. John the Baptist was set apart from religious society. He ministered in the wilderness by a river, not in Jerusalem at the temple. He ate locust, drank honey and dressed weird. Did that set him apart? No, he lived in such a strange fashion because he was already set apart.

Will going to a Christian school make you set apart? Will not cussing make you set apart? Will reading your Bible make you set apart? Will attending church make you set apart? Will not cheating on your taxes make you set apart? Will not drinking set you apart? Will telling people about Jesus set you apart? Will getting baptized set you apart? Will joining the church set you apart? Will teaching Sunday School set you apart? NO, NO, NO! Any of those things can be done in the power of the flesh. What we should experience is a desire to do those things AFTER meeting Christ, becoming transformed and letting HIM set us apart with forgiveness and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. We won’t even desire to serve God until we are set apart. Read Isaiah 6; it’s the account of Isaiah’s calling. Isaiah met the Lord and realized how sinful he was. God cleansed him…set Isaiah apart…and Isaiah’s response was a resounding, “Send me!”

Trust me on this one…better yet, trust Jesus…He will take our heavy yoke (the one we don’t want to put down) and trade us a lighter one. That being said, we can’t do it our way. We must repent, be changed, be set apart, and be different from the world around us. After all, is God like us? If He is truly at work in us, we will become more and more like Him all the time. When that happens we will continually become less like our old selves and less like this world.

It WILL be hard to let go of sinful thoughts, attitudes, and habits that we have come to embrace, but God is the trade off…now that’s a good deal! Are you sanctified? Are you set apart? Are you different? Has knowing Christ meant only church attendance, or public morality, or is it your “get out of hell free card”? If that’s all He is to you, repent. That’s not relationship and that’s what He desires. Experiencing God requires change. The question before us is simple: “Will we turn from our way and turn to God?”

Luke #29 - Fame and Faith

Luke #29 – Fame and Faith

“Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene, Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness” (Luke 3:1-2 – King James Version).

My Granddaddy Bowes was a regular guy. He worked for the Department of Transportation for the state of Virginia for thirty-seven years. He worked on automobiles and tractors in a little shop in front of his house every day after he got home from his regular job. He liked to hunt deer. He loved baseball and NASCAR racing. He held no titles. He couldn’t read. He was one of the smartest men I have ever known. He was my greatest hero outside of my Savior Jesus Christ. He never said a lot to me, but I seem to remember many of the things he did say. Watching Granddaddy was a hobby of mine. I scrutinized every thing he did; not looking for fault, but trying to be like him. He was worth emulating. One hundred years after Granddaddy has been dead there will be no history books reporting about his life, but he certainly wrote a record on mine.

Luke 3 opens with a list of fellows that I believe Luke used to give us time line for the period that things were happening. I also believe that Luke informed us of who the leaders were that we might be able to understand the climate that surrounded the events that were about to take place. You can find many records of most of these fellows listed. Some archaeological findings have been uncovered that show that history and the Bible are correct in identifying these guys and dating there time in power in their various roles.

There is listed here a group of rulers who go done in history for their various roles in the Roman Empire and Jewish history. Tiberius is noted for being the Caesar at that time; notable enough. Pilate, as most Bible students know, was the Roman ruler over the Judean province; notable enough. Herod Antipas and Philip ruled their areas; notable enough. Perhaps the most notable thing about those last two was that they survived their crazy and cruel father Herod the Great. There is also listed Lysanias who had powers equal to Pilate, Philip, and Herod Antipas; notable enough.

Another interesting story in all of this is the two High Priests. Annas was the son-in-law of Caiaphas and the High Priest that Rome chose to supersede Caiaphas, so Annas was the government's choice for High Priest. Caiaphas was the High Priest in the people's eyes. In effect there were two High Priests; one chosen by the Jews and another chosen by their conquerors. That's pretty notable, wouldn't you say?

Most notable in these two verses is John the Baptist. Did people choose him? NO! God did! Now, THAT'S notable. He upstaged both High Priests and people paid more attention to his ministry than to EITHER High Priest. He called Herod Antipas' sin what it was and was beheaded for that. He did not leave this world with a great title nor did people recognize him for the office he held. He came to recognition because John was a called man of God doing what God called him to do. Greatness is not measured by what we have or what title we own but by the faith we have in God.

I admire people like my Granddaddy and John. Their lives are not astounding by the world's record, but both were men of faith living for the Lord without any recognition by the world. Those other fellows in the above verses are known for their fame as rulers. John is known for his faith and obedience to God. Which would you have today?

Would you rather have recognition from the world for worldly things that will be destroyed OR would you have approval from God who is eternal? Do you want to go down in history as famous or faithful? With fame the world may know your name for centuries. With faith the heavens will know it forever. If I had to choose between the history book or the Book of Life...hands down...I want my name in the Book of Life.

Luke #28 – How to be a Great Kid and an Excellent Christian

Luke #28 – How to be a Great Kid and an Excellent Christian

“And He went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but His mother kept all these sayings in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man” (Luke 2:51-52 – King James Version).

Trying to get me in line as a kid was like trying to get a knot to go with the grain. Looking back now I wished I had given my parents less grief. Hindsight is exactly what they call it…twenty-twenty. I would do stupid things just to aggravate my dad. He hated for someone to sit in his recliner right before he got into it, so naturally I’d sit in it. He’d bellow, “Get out of my chair! You’re making it hot!” (I still do that to my dad, but it’s to be funny not rebellious now.) “Don’t smoke; it’ll kill you!” he might say. What did I do? Smoke, of course, reaching four packs a day before I quit. He went away for the weekend one time and before dad left he said, “Don’t touch my truck except to wash it.” Of course, you guessed it, I went mudding on it. I did wash it, but only after I’d gotten it dirty. I could tell you a million stories; some funny, some sad, and some that make me feel ashamed down to my bones. I was not an obedient child. Whew…I tell you one thing, looking at those two little girls of mine makes me awfully scared when I know the Bible says you reap what you sow.

Today’s passage is another one of those that gives us a peek into what the smart folk call “Jesus’ silent years.” Those years are the years between His early life and the time His public ministry began. We see here very clearly what Jesus did during those years. He obeyed His mom and Joseph and grew. Jesus grew in four ways: in wisdom (mentally); in stature (physically); in favor with God (spiritually); and in favor with man (socially). That is a list that would keep most any person busy!

A few things: read the Scripture carefully. You will never find an independent spirit in Christ Jesus. He was most interested in God’s will. Part of God’s will is being subject to our parents. Though Jesus was God in the flesh, He felt no need to assert Himself over His parents. The only time He did was the two three times that His family did not understand what He was doing…it is important to note that those three times were times He was directly in His Father’s will. Those three times were when He was in the temple at age twelve, when Mary wanted Jesus to make more wine, and when Mary and Jesus’ brothers wanted to get through a crowd to see Him. (I am not telling you where to find those references! Do the work!) Also note this; Jesus was not rebelling in those times, rather He was simply about His Father’s business. Children need to heed Jesus’ example. If it was good enough for Jesus, then it should be good enough for us too. AND, Christians should be careful to remember that we are God’s children and to take the example of our Savior to heart as well. Today’s society seems to appreciate independent spirits. God honors obedient children. Which is your desire? Do you want to be honored by the world today and humbled by God later OR humbled before God today and rejected or misunderstood by the world? Choose carefully dear friend.

Secondly, every Christian person would do well to remember that our first ministry, most important ministry and most blessed ministry is to be the home. Whether you are a young person reading this or a parent or a spouse the most important thing you can do is take care of business at home. Don’t you forget that friend, not for anything.

Third; spend your time making your mind stronger. Romans 12:2 tells us to renew our mind daily. Spend your time making your body healthier. God gave you a horse and a message. Don’t kill the horse before you deliver the message. Spend your time growing spiritually by tending to the things of God. Spend your time being winsome to the world around you. Folks are regular dying and going to hell everyday; we need to be attractive (truly, not putting on a show) so that they may see the Christ in us. Mary watched every thing Jesus did and “kept” those things in her “heart”. A lost world is watching each of us every day.

Attend to all of these things and you can pretty much bet that you will not find stories of your life written in The New York Times, but you will be a great kid and an excellent Christian. I cannot go back and undo my rebellious childhood. Neither can you. What I can do is live like the changed man Christ has made me into. So here begins a new day of sowing. I pray to God that tomorrow is a better day of reaping.

Luke #27 – Mind HIS Business!

Luke #27 – Mind HIS Business!

Now His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the Passover. And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and His mother knew not of it. But they, supposing Him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought Him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. And when they found Him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking Him. And it came to pass, that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers. And when they saw Him, they were amazed: and His mother said unto Him, ‘Son, why hast Thou thus dealt with us? Behold, thy father and I have sought Thee sorrowing.’ And He said unto them, ‘How is it that ye sought Me? Wist ye not that I must be about My Father's business?’ And they understood not the saying which He spake unto them” (Luke 2:41-50 – King James Version).

I have found that the four favorite subjects of most church folk are the biggest cause of problems in the church today. The first subject is nothing. Church folk spend more time talking about nothing than any other group of folks I have ever met. My pastor calls it “church chit-chat”. That is the kind of talk that people use to avoid revealing anything about themselves or avoid opening up to one another.

The second kind is worldly talk. That’s the kind of conversation that is consumed with temporal junk. Not to say a church people cannot talk about music, books, or whatever…I am simply saying that we spend too much time talking about things that won’t last. Of course, one of my favorite sayings is “whatever is in the well will come up in the bucket.”

The third kind is whining. It is MY OBSERVATION that church folk complain more than anyone I have ever known. That catches me as strange. For a people that claim that all of eternity has been handed to them and that Jesus means so much it seems strange that we have a lot to complain about.

The fourth kind is gossip. This kills me! Folk need to learn to mind their own business! Folk need to learn to speak the truth in love. More damage is done to unity in a body of church people by gossip than any other thing. Gossip is cowardly and useless. If you have something to say about somebody be sure you have had the courage to say it to them first.

There are several other subjects that I will leave off of this list, but these are the most notable. Now I believe in straight talk and I want us to receive some healing from this devotion. There is a pair of things that will cure all of this and they go hand-in-hand. They are personal holiness and Kingdom focus.

We get an example of this in Jesus today. Today’s Scripture is the famous account of the twelve year old Jesus interacting with the religious teachers in the temple. Jesus was concentrating on God’s will and it caused two things that I want to point out.

Jesus was so concentrated on God’s will and God’s business that He had no time to get caught up in anything else. Age differences didn’t matter to Jesus. He sat with His elders talking about the things of God. Suddenly it did not matter who was older and who was younger. Cultural differences didn’t make a difference to Jesus as He concentrated on God’s business. He was from Galilee, an area known to produce people of an unrefined nature. Galileans were generally not liked by Judeans, but that didn’t matter as they concentrated on God together. Education levels did not matter to Jesus as He concentrated on God’s will. I am sure those fellows that Jesus talked with had more formal education that He did. They weren’t talking about formal education; they were talking about God. I also have to think that while most boys (and grown people) were out enjoying the festivities of the Passover season that Jesus did not miss anything really important because He was focused on His Father’s business. Take a lesson from this! Concentrate on God’s business and I guarantee that we won’t get caught up in a bunch of mess.

Jesus was misunderstood because of this. His mother and Joseph did not understand what Jesus was doing, but He didn’t care. He was about His Father’s business. Do you want to get released from caring about what others think of you? Concentrate on God’s business more than your own image and you won’t care what others think of you. You will care more about what God thinks. Sure, if we do that we will be misunderstood but who cares?

I said in the beginning that “church folk” have some subjects that really goof some things up. I said that because not all “church folk” are Jesus’ folks. Christian folk aren’t perfect by any means, but we should not be defined by trifling talk; we should be defined by our likeness to Christ. His main goal and focus was God’s will. Can the same be said of us today? If we truly begin to focus primarily on the things of God it will cure gossip, worldliness, complaining, and conversations and activities that amount to nothing. Jesus did not care what people thought of Him because His image was not His primary concern, glorifying God was. Whose image are you concentrating on today; yours or God’s? How different would our lives be if we only got offended when God was offended? With love, I beg all with ears to hear to MIND HIS BUSINESS! It will do wonders for the Kingdom, your congregation and your own life.

Luke #26 - In the Meantime

Luke #26 – In the Meantime

“And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth. And the Child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon Him” (Luke 2:39-40 – King James Version).

The moment I was saved I knew that God had something in store for me. I’d been through too many harrowing episodes and been delivered too many times to think otherwise. I ought to have been killed several times and probably should have been locked under a jail somewhere. Sure enough, about three years after I accepted Christ I felt a clear call into Gospel ministry. It was not a frustrating three years, nor was it confusing. Sure, I wanted to know what God’s plan for me was but I was smart enough to know I had to grow into a stronger Christian and had to grow into God’s purposes. I also knew that until God gave me specific instruction that He had left a pile of instructions for every Christian in His word; enough to keep me plenty busy in the meantime. Even after I accepted God’s call I didn’t know exactly where or what He’d have me do; I only knew to do whatever He put right in front of me until He revealed to me otherwise.

There are probably a lot of Christian’s that wonder about Jesus’ childhood. I know I have. Careful study of the Scripture will explain a lot of His early years on earth. By reading all the Gospels we can find out much about what Jesus did and where He went. By common sense alone we can determine that if John was to be the herald of the Messiah, then John would have to grow up and into the role God would have him perform. If Christ’s ministry on earth was to be preceded by a herald, then He had to wait until that herald was ready to do the heralding.

Today’s passage is one of those that clear up some of Jesus’ childhood life. He grew up! His body got bigger and stronger. His mind developed. He lived in Nazareth. He experienced God.

Now that may not mean much at first glance, but upon closer inspection I see a big lesson for us and an easy one too. It is a lesson both in waiting and doing.

When Elizabeth Elliot heard that her missionary husband, Jim, had been killed by Auca Indians, she washed the dishes. When someone asked her why she did that, Mrs. Elliot replied, “It was the next thing that needed to be done.” Friend, that’s what we must do; the next thing. Jesus’ family did what the law required and went home. That was their next thing. Jesus grew up. His body got bigger and His mind grew stronger. He had the hand of the Father upon Him and experience God’s grace. That was His next thing.

God has a purpose for all that He draws into the Kingdom. Until He lets each of know what that may be, we can give heed to His word; do the things found within. We can perform ministry, grow in knowledge, spend time with God…all a list of “next things” that should keep us busy for quite a while.

Did Jesus do those things in some distant land? No; He did them right there in His parent’s hometown. There’s another great lesson. We can do the next thing right where we are. As a matter of fact, I believe it’s harder to do and more important to do right where we are than in some far away place where we are not known and cannot be held accountable by our peers.

Little of our story will be recorded. In comparison with what we know of Jesus, there is much we do not know. Our peers will know little of what we do, but if we are faithful in doing the next thing that God puts in front of us He will certainly know it. In the big scheme of things, who else really matters?

Does God have some special mission, ministry, or calling for you? I’d be willing to say He does. Until you know; until He reveals it; until His timing is right; what will you do in the meantime?

Luke #25 - Old and Useful

Luke #25 – Old and Useful

“And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; and she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of Him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem” (Luke 2:36-38 – King James Version).

Johnny Smith said once how amazed he was that Americans would spend thousands of dollars to tour the Holy Land to look at 2000 year old buildings only to come home and build structures meant to last only twenty years. As he shared with us about the Holy Land I became very interested in looking at pictures of things over there. (I REALLY want to go one day!) What I found very interesting was that many of those buildings that have been standing for over two thousand years are still in use. They are old AND useful. Somehow our American mind doesn’t believe that, or at least it seems that way. Mr. Smith nailed it; we don’t build for the future nor do we appreciate aged things. Sure, we value antiques, but only for monetary value, not for useful value.

When it comes to old people, many times we have a poor attitude as well. Now I know it is not politically correct to call aged people old, but I’m not trying to be politically correct. To me being old does is not a bad thing. My granddaddy used to say “You don’t get old being no fool.” There’s a lot of wisdom in that. Anyway, I digress; back to the point. We encourage people to retire, to rest, to get away. There’s nothing wrong with retiring from a job, getting rest from a lifetime’s labor, and getting out and seeing the world. Somehow there has become attached to that the thinking that retirement equals the end of usefulness. BAH! That’s what I say! Most old folks have more usefulness in their fingernails than I’ve got in my whole body.

For the Christian person of significant years (how do you like how I said it that time?), there is even more of a wealth of usefulness than can be imagined. That’s what I think of when I read about Anna. She had years of experience, years of knowledge, and most importantly years of faith built inside of her lifetime. We see a culmination of much of that in this passage. Let’s look at five things we can learn from Anna.

First, hardship had built Anna not broken her. Anna had been widowed at a young age; obviously she found comfort in God. She turned her attention to Him and He refreshed and sustained her. Too many people reach the end of their time on earth having become bitter. The one who turns to God in hard times finds comfort and strength. That same one can use that experience to comfort others. One great affliction early in life may bless the one who suffers it until the end. Every experience makes us bitter or better, depending on who or Whom we turn to.

Second, to live a lengthy life means to experience God’s provision for a long time. Too often it is the pains of life that overwhelm us when those very pains may be catalysts that turn us to God. We can experience the world’s emptiness or God’s supply. Again, it depends which way we turn. We may think Poor Anna, all those years without a husband…tsk, tsk, tsk. Anna might have thought How blessed am I?! All my comfort comes from God!

Thirdly, a long life provides more opportunity to serve God. Anna “served God with fastings and prayers night and day.” She didn’t sit around in her lazy-boy watching The Price is Right and counting the hours until the next dose of medicine had to be taken. She served God even (or possibly especially) in her advanced years.

Fourthly, living a long life, and especially a long life with God, brings a special sweetness at the end. When Anna saw the Christ she was thankful; thankful for the wait and thankful for the reward. What she had longed for, the redemption of Israel, was nigh at hand. How good it must have been to receive what she had longed for those many years! I pray that if the Lord sees fit to leave me here a great amount of years that I will be excited about meeting the Lord whom I have served for most of that time.

Lastly, a wealth of years grants a wealth of knowledge. I imagine that Anna was not surprised that Micah 3:1 came true before her very eyes. She long expected, prayed for, and fasted for the redemption of Israel and the coming of the Messiah. She, in her old age, had a great perspective on things to come and was smart enough and spiritually mature enough to see that was exactly what was happening.

If you are young and are reading this take Anna for example and waste no years enjoying the Lord. If you are aged and reading this take Anna for example and serve God…live to the fullest! Old age is no curse. Enjoy God right until the last!

Luke #24 - Giving Back What We've Never Owned

Luke #24 – Giving Back What We’ve Never Owned

“And Joseph and His mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of Him. And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary His mother, ‘Behold, this Child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed’” (Luke 2:33-35 – King James Version).

The day my daughter was born was a serious day of revelation for me. Intellectually I knew that God gave His Son for my sins, but that day it hit my heart like never before. I looked at my beautiful little girl and thought Wow, I could never give her life for anyone. I realized how much God wanted to redeem mankind and reconcile us to Himself. For the first time I truly thought of how Mary must have felt knowing that her Son would be sacrificed for the world. I remember looking into Katie’s little blue eyes and thinking that I wouldn’t give her for a good person; God gave Jesus for rotten sinners. What could Mary do? She never owned Jesus. What could Jesus do? His choice was to either follow the will of His Father or rebel. If Christ would have done that, where would we be? Christ Himself gave back what He never really owned; His earthly life was given to Him by the Father and Jesus simply gave it back.

Rachel was born three years and twenty-seven days later; I went through it all over again. Every day I look at these two little gifts from God and wonder what awesome plans He has for them. What will I do, think or feel if God calls them to the mission field in a dangerous place? I know my choices; I can rebel or I can give my girls back to God. I don’t own them; God simply made me steward of their precious lives. I live everyday in thankfulness of that and in broken surrender to His plan for them.

What about our own lives? We do not really belong to us. We are God’s. We must decide moment to moment if we will give Him what we have never really owned. Not only did God create us and breathe life into us, but He bought us back; He redeemed us. Elect saint of God, know this, we were bought with a dear price; we are not our own.

I cannot imagine the range of emotions Mary must have felt at Simeon’s words. She had to hurt, knowing Jesus would die. She had to feel privileged, knowing that she was chosen to bear the God-man. She had to feel pride; her Son would save even her own soul. She had to feel fear; her Son would suffer. Simeon warned “a sword shall pierce through thy own soul” and indeed it must have when Jesus was beaten and nailed to that cross. What choice did she have? She was simply steward over this Baby. I bet she spent a lot of time on her knees in prayer.

Simeon said “this Child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel” and by that he meant that Christ would cause some jubilation and others would hate Him. How did that make Mary feel? She might have understood that the Messiah would be perfect, yet this man said He would cause some to stumble.

That’s what Jesus did and is doing today. He is the rock on which some stand and the stone by which others are crushed. Why did He do it? It was for the joy that was set before Him (Hebrews 12:2). You must know Jesus hated the shame of that cross, but He looked beyond it and counted the joy. That joy was you and me and the salvation that He knew He would purchase for us.

That’s the challenge for any and all who would let Christ live in them today. Romans 12:1 tells us to be living sacrifices; we are simply to give back to God what we do not own…that is our lives. Sure, it is a fearful thing, but I believe that the privilege outweighs the fear. I think that giving God glory with our lives outweighs whatever temporary things we may gain by keeping it.

Mary and Joseph “marvelled” at the things Simeon said, and rightly they should. We may be freaked out at the call for self sacrifice that God has issued toward every believer, but our fear does not negate that call. We must spend a lot of time broken and on our knees in prayer that we may be able to surrender to God’s plan. What are our choices? We can rebel; we may experience God’s wrath, we will experience His judgment. We can surrender, give back to God the very lives that He has given us not once but twice and enjoy the wonderful privileges of knowing Him and being used by Him.

No one says it will be easy to do, but it is easy to understand. Every moment must be measured and surrendered. What will we do? Rebel? Surrender? The choices are few but they are clear.

Luke #23 – Simeon…Ignorance Fighter

Luke #23 – Simeon…Ignorance Fighter

“And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for Him after the custom of the law, then took he Him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, ‘Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy word: for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel’” (Luke 2:25-32 – King James Version).

I was once notorious for playing tricks on people. I was in an artillery unit overseas and whenever we had a new guy come in I would play the same trick on them. I would send them on a hunt for a “boom test”. I would tell them to go look here or there and the hunt was on and I would tell them to not come back without it. Everyone was in on the gag and once the new guy asked for the “boom test” from one person that person would send them on to someone else. Of course, there was no such a thing. The young man would come back exasperated and half scared because he’d “failed” his first mission. I would then tell them we would have to perform a manual boom test. We’d position him right where we wanted him; at the end of the missile tube. We’d say “Listen close…everybody get quiet!” Then, as the fellow waited patiently, someone at the loading end of the tube would bellow “BOOM!” and scare the poor guy nearly dead. (For the record, I did not create that gag, but I did every thing I could to keep it going!)

The catch in the gag was that a person would be searching for something impossible to find. We played on people’s ignorance. Let me be careful to say that “ignorance” is simply not knowing something and it can be cured with the proper information. It is not stupidity, which is having the right information but not acting on it. (Also for the record, stupidity is something else I am known for!)

Simeon’s small part in the story of Christ cures a bunch of ignorance. Mary and Joseph took Jesus to the temple to be presented for circumcision and they ran into Simeon. Let’s look at that account a little at the time and find there some application for today. Put these things in your pocket and carry them around.

First, we have to be willing to wait to hear from the Lord. We find that Simeon was “waiting for the consolation of Israel.” We live in a fast paced time that demands instant gratification. Simeon waited on the Lord. We need to learn to get quiet, become still, and do the same thing.

Second, coincidence is a word that people use when God is not entered into the equation. It was no coincidence that Simeon was at the temple when Jesus arrived. The Holy Ghost was upon him and Simeon was right where God wanted Him; “he came by the Spirit” to the temple. We should understand there are two things that take us wherever we go; (1) our sin and its consequence and (2) God’s sovereignty and His grace. The important question for us to answer is by which are we where we are right now?

Third, the Holy Spirit has to reveal Christ to us (and to others). Were it not for the direction and leading of the Spirit Simeon would have seen just another baby; with the Spirit Simeon recognized Jesus as the Christ. Now, don’t think for a skinny minute that this means that we don’t need to witness! I don’t always cut on the lights in my house; sometimes my wife or daughter does it. They are simply the instruments that get the light to me! Who knows to whom the Holy Spirit would use us to reveal the truth of Christ to?

Fourth, Simeon properly identified that salvation was a person, not a deed. Simeon picked up the infant Christ and said “mine eyes have seen Thy salvation.” THAT WILL PREACH! Salvation is not church membership, baptism or something you do; it is JESUS! We have the Person of Christ or we do not have salvation. That is a piece of information that a lot of folks need to hear today.

Fifth, salvation is personal but not private. Simeon recognized (again by the Spirit) that Jesus would be salvation, not just for the Jew, but for “a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel”. It is for all who would surrender to Christ. It is not for one little denomination or one little congregation, for one little race, or one little nation. It was no little thing that Christ did on that cross and we would do well to not box Christ in with our cultural preferences or our personal biases.

Sixth, salvation in Christ should bring some peace to our lives. Simeon said “now let Thy servant leave in peace” (my paraphrase). Simeon KNEW that he had rest in God through Jesus. Though the cross was some 33 years away, Simeon knew that ultimately things would be all right. Christian friend, do you have peace in your future? Are you sure that you know Christ and that though Satan may buffet and though trials may come, can you say with all honesty “It is well with my soul”? Christ would do that for all who would come with their heavy burden, cease striving from self righteousness, and take upon them the yoke of Christ. He is blessed assurance!

There is so much more in this blessed passage, but digest these things for now. Meditate on them. Soak in them. Let God bless you today. Stop running around looking for something that does not exist. Rest in Jesus today.

My prayer for you today: Lord God, You are far too wonderful for words. I praise You for Your grace; thank you that we may enter into Your presence in prayer. I pray that our eyes may be enlightened; that we may see with the eyes of our hearts. Father, open the eyes of our heart. Rain down upon us Holy Spirit; rush upon us with the fresh breath of God. Bring refreshing to our dry bones. Show us Yourself. Anoint us afresh with the Holy Spirit’s illumination. May we see Your face, reach out and touch You, and may our hunger be for You and satisfied by You today. Let no ignorance of You keep us from You; by Your word, by Your servants, and by Your Spirit illumine us today. In Christ’s most precious name, Amen.

Luke #22 – The Pencil to Draw the Line With

Luke #22 – The Pencil to Draw the Line With

“And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, His name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before He was conceived in the womb. And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought Him to Jerusalem, to present Him to the Lord; (as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;) and to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons” (Luke 2:21-24 – King James Version).

I had a talk with a fellow the other day that had a different kind of opinion than I do. He believes in women pastors; I don’t. Before you get all fired up and don’t like me any more, wait and listen. Women and men have the same WORTH before God, but different roles. My feet and hands are equally important to me, but they don’t do the same thing. I ain’t ready to get rid of neither and I’m going to do my best to take care of both.

This is going to be a long devotion and possibly a volatile one. I want to use this inflammatory example to make my point; I want you to remember this too. That old boy I was talking to told me that he used to not believe in women deacons until he served with one; that experience changed his mind. He was surprised to find out that I DO believe in women deacons; he was disappointed to find out that I believe they have a DIFFERENT role than do male deacons. (AGAIN…different does not mean less!) As our conversation continued the man told me that he has a family member that is part of a congregation that affirms a female pastor that is openly homosexual. I’ll never forget his comment: “I won’t go that far…you just have to draw the line somewhere.” Hold these thoughts…let’s get to the Scripture.

Circumcision was given to Israel as a means of participating in the covenant promises that God gave the nation. Any Jewish male that wanted to be identified with God and accept His promises had to be circumcised. It was the signature of a sinful people on the covenantal contract of a holy God. When I say that I immediately think if it was for sinful people, why did Jesus have to be circumcised? Then logic takes over; how many infants will say I reckon I should go get circumcised…that’s right, none!

There are two important things to note here. It was a matter of obedience for Jesus’ earthly parents to do as the law stated and get their son circumcised. He was Jewish. Circumcision was a Judaic ordinance. It was a simple matter of obedience for Mary and Joseph. Secondly, and more importantly, Jesus never came to break the law; rather He came to completely fulfill it. He was born under the law. He came to live the spirit of God’s intentions. He came to show that only the perfect Son of God could perfectly live the law. On top of all of that had Jesus, as a Jew, not been circumcised He would have had no audience with the Jewish people…the people whom He came to minister to first.

You may be thinking what’s this got to do with women pastors and stuff like that? THAT is a great question! How could the standard bearer and standard setter of our faith ignore any part of God’s command? He could not! Now, it would be ridiculous for us to think we can ignore God’s commands today. When we ignore one part of God’s word and accept some other part we are simply living a faith of personal preference. It has never been God’s job to become like us, but our privilege to become like Him. The challenge is not to fit the word into what we already believe, but to come broken before God asking Him to transform us; to make our lives and minds become aligned with His standard.

Mark Twain said “Most people are bothered by those passages in scripture which they cannot understand; but as for me I always noticed that the passages in scripture which trouble me most are those which I do understand.” Let me go back to something I told you to keep in your mind; the man I had the conversation with said “I won’t go that far…you just have to draw the line somewhere.” If we do not draw the line at Scripture as the rule for faith and practice as the standard we WILL draw the line at personal preferences. The danger in that is that there is a way that seems right to man, but that way leads to death (Proverbs 16:25).

We can believe ANYTHING that we want to believe. We can do ANYTHING that we want to do. We can neither believe nor do anything we want and call it Christian. Martin Luther said sola scriptura; in Latin that is a mouthful…it means “Scripture alone” and for us that means the Bible and ALL of its truths are the standard to live the faith by. Jesus is the best interpreter of tough passages; investigate His life and ministry beside any difficult to understand or accept for proper understanding. Christ NEVER took a short cut!

I could go on and on about this subject, but let’s make a point. By God’s sovereign hand He saw to it that even the infant Christ did nothing to break or offend the law. With the life and death of Christ God signed in blood the standard of our faith and that is it is a faith marked by sacrifice and obedience. When we wonder what to draw the line by or with we would do well to find out what the word says and what Jesus did. Will that be easy? No. Will we be challenged to change? Yes. Will we do it?

Whether the topic is women pastors, homosexuality, tithing, or any host of hot topics out there today the standard is the Bible. It is not what we feel or what is currently accepted by society. The world did not make the standard and the world has no right to set the standard for holiness and Christian living. Personal preferences cannot be allowed to decide what is right in God’s eyes, nor will God ever allow that. We might not like a lot of what the word of God says to us, but there is no part that will lead us wrong. It may cause us temporary discomfort, but when God uses His holy word to peel away the hard shell around our heart it is only to get us tenderized so that we might fully and intimately experience Him.