Remember the old philosophical debate question: “If a tree falls in the forest and no one is there to hear it, does it make a sound?” I heard a variation of that: “If a child falls down in the desert and dies of starvation, does anyone hear?” We are being emotionally overloaded with vivid pictures in various media of people dying while trying to escape to freedom. Does anyone notice? Jesus said in Matthew 10:30 (NIV) “even the very hairs of your head are numbered” and God knows about your situation.
We are reminded that God knows when a sparrow falls so He obviously knows when a person falls because people are more valuable than birds. We would have to conclude that even if a poor peasant dies in the wilderness because of hunger that God notices. I was recently confronted by the question “How can you worship a homeless man on Sunday but not care for the homeless on Monday?” It was a legitimate question. It seems easier in this materialistic society for us to throw away our surplus than to share it.
We could all use more sensitive ears to hear the cry of the needy. God said “I command you to be open-handed toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in our land.” (Deuteronomy 15:11 NIV)
This is a spiritual issue for every true believer. “And will not God bring about justice for His chosen ones, who cry out to Him day and night? Will He keep putting them off? I tell you, He will see that they get justice and quickly.” (Luke 18:7-8 NIV) In the Bible there is a direct relationship between spirituality and working to help the poor and hungry. In this land of plenty, every person should be fed. Does your church minister to the hungry? Get involved with hunger. It’s the God-like thing to do.
“Father, every week I get several mailings asking me for money to help
feed the hungry somewhere. How can I best respond to these? Amen”
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Feb. 28: SIN? or SINS? THE DIFFERENCE?
Let’s try to clear up something today for your spiritual growth. Do you understand the difference between sin and sins?
You see, sins are the result of sin. What is sin? It is doing anything not pleasing to God. It is going your own way instead of God’s way. It is withholding yourself from God. The result of this sin is the sins of your life, that is, the bad things you begin to think and say and do. It’s like crab-grass in your yard. You see the leaves beginning to grow and cut it off but in a few days it is growing and spreading. The reason was that you never dealt with the real culprit, the root. So, in your spiritual life, sin is the root and sins are the fruit of your separation from God.
Many church people get frustrated by trying to get the bad things out of their lives and have no lasting success. The reason? They have not dealt with the root problem.
When Jesus died on the cross the Bible says that “God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21) Also in 1 Peter 2:22 (NIV) “Jesus committed no sin (no rebellion against God) but He himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness.”
Your bad habits, bad feelings, bad attitudes are all the result of the basic problem. “All of us like sheep have gone astray, we have each gone our own way, and the Lord has placed on Jesus this burden.” (Isaiah 53:6 NIV)
God hates sin and loves the sinner. Do you understand now how this can be? Confess your sin and then you will be free to work on the sins.
“Take away my rebellious wanting to do what I want instead of
what you want. Forgive me my sin! Give me a new heart to love
You. Amen”
You see, sins are the result of sin. What is sin? It is doing anything not pleasing to God. It is going your own way instead of God’s way. It is withholding yourself from God. The result of this sin is the sins of your life, that is, the bad things you begin to think and say and do. It’s like crab-grass in your yard. You see the leaves beginning to grow and cut it off but in a few days it is growing and spreading. The reason was that you never dealt with the real culprit, the root. So, in your spiritual life, sin is the root and sins are the fruit of your separation from God.
Many church people get frustrated by trying to get the bad things out of their lives and have no lasting success. The reason? They have not dealt with the root problem.
When Jesus died on the cross the Bible says that “God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21) Also in 1 Peter 2:22 (NIV) “Jesus committed no sin (no rebellion against God) but He himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness.”
Your bad habits, bad feelings, bad attitudes are all the result of the basic problem. “All of us like sheep have gone astray, we have each gone our own way, and the Lord has placed on Jesus this burden.” (Isaiah 53:6 NIV)
God hates sin and loves the sinner. Do you understand now how this can be? Confess your sin and then you will be free to work on the sins.
“Take away my rebellious wanting to do what I want instead of
what you want. Forgive me my sin! Give me a new heart to love
You. Amen”
Monday, February 26, 2007
Feb.27: THE SICKNESS CALLED GREED
If there are observers from other planets, they must wonder about this god being worshipped by earthlings. His name is Greed. He is so popular that several different prime-time television programs are devoted to his worship. People contend for the right to lead the ritual of following Greed. The Master of Ceremonies calls “Do you feel the need for greed?” and all the devotees scream with delight. It is a silly religion but many people have adopted it.
Greed has always been a serious problem for our culture, even being a part of the so-called “American Dream”. It has been a magnet to draw many people to this country. It’s primary doctrine is one word: “more!” From childhood to old age the word is chanted. It is a contradiction to such Biblical teaching as 3 John 1:2 (NIV) “I pray that you enjoy good health, that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.”
A healthy soul in a healthy body is having the best of both worlds, spiritual and physical. Certainly this recognizes that we have needs in both areas and both needs ought to be satisfied. But it is very clear that if you don’t have a healthy soul, nothing else is going to matter. Nothing physical can satisfy the deepest spiritual needs of your life. Greed will always keep you grasping for more.
When your soul is healthy you can trust Jesus to meet your needs and
He will. It is fascinating to me that if Jesus is feeding 5,000 hungry people (John 6) or seven hungry people (John 21), it is all the same to Him. I can tell you that the god called Greed can never satisfy your spiritual hunger, only Jesus can do that for you. What Jesus gives is always free.
“Father God, our desire for things exposes our inner emptiness
and longing for You. Help us to identify our problem. Amen”
Greed has always been a serious problem for our culture, even being a part of the so-called “American Dream”. It has been a magnet to draw many people to this country. It’s primary doctrine is one word: “more!” From childhood to old age the word is chanted. It is a contradiction to such Biblical teaching as 3 John 1:2 (NIV) “I pray that you enjoy good health, that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.”
A healthy soul in a healthy body is having the best of both worlds, spiritual and physical. Certainly this recognizes that we have needs in both areas and both needs ought to be satisfied. But it is very clear that if you don’t have a healthy soul, nothing else is going to matter. Nothing physical can satisfy the deepest spiritual needs of your life. Greed will always keep you grasping for more.
When your soul is healthy you can trust Jesus to meet your needs and
He will. It is fascinating to me that if Jesus is feeding 5,000 hungry people (John 6) or seven hungry people (John 21), it is all the same to Him. I can tell you that the god called Greed can never satisfy your spiritual hunger, only Jesus can do that for you. What Jesus gives is always free.
“Father God, our desire for things exposes our inner emptiness
and longing for You. Help us to identify our problem. Amen”
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Feb. 26: PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER
When Jesus was asked to name the most important of all God’s commandments He replied “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength”. (Mark 12:30 NIV) I think there is a typical response from the reader “Oh, yes, we are supposed to love God.” But just a cursory reading does not bring down the weightiness of this command. Individuals, congregations, and even denominations tend to compartmentalize the faith, and do great harm. Jesus was saying we are to love God with our whole being or whole personality. That is to say “all your heart” or all of your emotions and feelings; “all of your soul” or all of your spirituality; “all of your mind” or all of your mental capabilities; “all of your strength” or all of your physical capabilities. Our “person’ is made up of four components, making us a whole person, and each part under the Lord’s control. Otherwise our religion could become in-church feel-good or a in-church other-world experience or a intellectual exercise of Biblical hair-splitting, or a physical do-goodism that ignores the devotional life.
The world doesn’t need spiritual schizophrenia to add to divisive forces. It needs to see and experience wholeness or oneness from the local church. The woman described in Mark 5:28 said if I can touch Jesus I can be made “whole” or commonly expressed “I can put it all together.” So many people describe their lives as being pulled in so many directions. The local church, by living the Greatest Commandment, can point people to a life-unifying experience with Christ. The local church must stop giving off this split-personality appearance. A focus on all four loves consistently will keep us relevant. After all, we want to be “the light of the world.” (Matthew 5:14)
“O God, help me not to hold any part of “me” back from your
control and direction. I want to surrender all that I am to You. Amen”
The world doesn’t need spiritual schizophrenia to add to divisive forces. It needs to see and experience wholeness or oneness from the local church. The woman described in Mark 5:28 said if I can touch Jesus I can be made “whole” or commonly expressed “I can put it all together.” So many people describe their lives as being pulled in so many directions. The local church, by living the Greatest Commandment, can point people to a life-unifying experience with Christ. The local church must stop giving off this split-personality appearance. A focus on all four loves consistently will keep us relevant. After all, we want to be “the light of the world.” (Matthew 5:14)
“O God, help me not to hold any part of “me” back from your
control and direction. I want to surrender all that I am to You. Amen”
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Feb. 25: THE REAL DEAL
On this day in your life I want to assert to you that Jesus is the “real deal”. I don’t know what’s happening in your life today; if good or bad, threatening or life shaking, He is the “real deal”. If you have never asked this question about His reality, you need to ask it and you need to know the right answer. For instance, when John the Baptizer was put in prison for preaching a “politically incorrect” message to the King, he knew the next thing that was coming was a beheading. His! So, he sent his friends to Jesus to ask Him “Are you the one who was to come or shall we expect someone else?” (Matthew 11:3 NIV) In crisis times you must know if you have invested your life in the right thing. For most people, Jesus has not been tried and found wanting, He simply has not been tried. Fads and fancies seem easier but let one down in the long haul. James 1:17 (NIV) affirms “every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” The real deal! Hebrews 13: 8 (NIV) proclaims “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” With marriages failing, business failing, careers failing, etc there is no “sure thing”, regardless of how it is decorated. Some things give an “illusion” of permanence but collapse in crunch time. I remember a Chorus that said: “Jesus never fails! Jesus never fails! You might as well get behind me Satan, you cannot prevail. Jesus never fails!” There has never been such a time of fearful living in America, even during the days of the “Cold War”. The threat of terrorism is fed by politicians and the media. Instant news reports of destruction abound daily. You need the one “Real Deal”.
“Father God, in these days of shifting sands, I claim Jesus
as my Solid Rock foundation. You are my Eternal Savior. Amen”
“Father God, in these days of shifting sands, I claim Jesus
as my Solid Rock foundation. You are my Eternal Savior. Amen”
Friday, February 23, 2007
Feb. 24: A GOOD QUESTION
“Is that your final answer?” Remember that question from a certain Quiz Show of a few years ago? The whole focus was on greed. Contestants were asked a series of questions and it they answered correctly they were financially rewarded. In a psychologically created “tenseness” when an answer had been given the contestant is asked again: “Is that your final answer?”
As I think of it I am reminded of the eternity-changing questions of the Bible that many people are answering incorrectly. Matthew 10:42 (NIV) “What do you think about the Christ?” or Matthew 16:15 (NIV) “But what about you? He asked, “Who do you say I am?” Be careful how you answer. Your life and everyone around you will be affected by your answer. “I don’t know” is not an acceptable answer.
One difference on that quiz show was you could call a friend for help or poll the audience for their opinion or even eliminate a couple of wrong answers. That is true in real life also as you answer the question of the identity of Jesus. Good friends who have knowledge of the Bible could indeed help you make your choice but you have to make a final choice. The burden is on you.
On the TV show there was a lot of rejoicing when the contestant got the right answer. Likewise, because of the eternal implications of the Jesus question, there is rejoicing, even in Heaven, at the right answer. “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in Heaven over one sinner who repents than over 99 righteous persons who do not need to repent.” (Luke 15:7 NIV)
So, what do you think about Jesus? Is that your final answer? I remind you: your final answer determines where you go after death. Should you think again?
“Enlighten me, O God, so I will answer correctly your question. With
Holy Spirit enlightenment, I can give the right answer joyfully. Amen”
As I think of it I am reminded of the eternity-changing questions of the Bible that many people are answering incorrectly. Matthew 10:42 (NIV) “What do you think about the Christ?” or Matthew 16:15 (NIV) “But what about you? He asked, “Who do you say I am?” Be careful how you answer. Your life and everyone around you will be affected by your answer. “I don’t know” is not an acceptable answer.
One difference on that quiz show was you could call a friend for help or poll the audience for their opinion or even eliminate a couple of wrong answers. That is true in real life also as you answer the question of the identity of Jesus. Good friends who have knowledge of the Bible could indeed help you make your choice but you have to make a final choice. The burden is on you.
On the TV show there was a lot of rejoicing when the contestant got the right answer. Likewise, because of the eternal implications of the Jesus question, there is rejoicing, even in Heaven, at the right answer. “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in Heaven over one sinner who repents than over 99 righteous persons who do not need to repent.” (Luke 15:7 NIV)
So, what do you think about Jesus? Is that your final answer? I remind you: your final answer determines where you go after death. Should you think again?
“Enlighten me, O God, so I will answer correctly your question. With
Holy Spirit enlightenment, I can give the right answer joyfully. Amen”
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Feb. 23: NOT BY SIGHT
We live by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7 NIV) Thus Paul explained the Christian life. It makes perfectly good sense to a born-again Christian. It makes no sense to a non-believer. Our society has been raised on the cynical adage “seeing is believing”. The Christian replies: “believing is seeing”. In fact, Jesus said “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:29 NIV)
A. W. Tozer, a preacher from the past, described Christians who live by faith like this: “A real Christian is an odd member anyway. He feels supreme love for one whom he has never seen, talks familiarly every day to someone he cannot see, expects to go to Heaven through the goodness of another, empties himself in order to be full, admits he is wrong so he can be declared right, goes down in order to get up, is strongest when he is weakest, is richest when he is poorest, and happiest when he feels worst. He dies so he can live, forsakes in order to have, gives away so he can keep, sees the invisible, hears the inaudible, and knows that which passes all understanding.”
Jesus calls us to a lifestyle that contradicts every rule that society teaches us. It is one of the reasons why Christians are hated so much around the world and churches are burned. Only those who take “the leap of faith” (Kierkegaard) can experience the life-changing power of the Ressurection. “Faith has its reason that reason knows not of” declared Christian philosopher Blaise Pascal.
Religion is easy to explain because man created it. Indeed, it can be called a crutch or an opiate. On the other hand, a lifestyle is total and complete and that’s what Jesus of Nazareth gave the world. Will you dare live by faith? Jesus calls you now: “Follow me.”
“Thank You, Jesus, for showing Yourself to those who want to
see You. Increase our faith to see You more and more. Amen”
A. W. Tozer, a preacher from the past, described Christians who live by faith like this: “A real Christian is an odd member anyway. He feels supreme love for one whom he has never seen, talks familiarly every day to someone he cannot see, expects to go to Heaven through the goodness of another, empties himself in order to be full, admits he is wrong so he can be declared right, goes down in order to get up, is strongest when he is weakest, is richest when he is poorest, and happiest when he feels worst. He dies so he can live, forsakes in order to have, gives away so he can keep, sees the invisible, hears the inaudible, and knows that which passes all understanding.”
Jesus calls us to a lifestyle that contradicts every rule that society teaches us. It is one of the reasons why Christians are hated so much around the world and churches are burned. Only those who take “the leap of faith” (Kierkegaard) can experience the life-changing power of the Ressurection. “Faith has its reason that reason knows not of” declared Christian philosopher Blaise Pascal.
Religion is easy to explain because man created it. Indeed, it can be called a crutch or an opiate. On the other hand, a lifestyle is total and complete and that’s what Jesus of Nazareth gave the world. Will you dare live by faith? Jesus calls you now: “Follow me.”
“Thank You, Jesus, for showing Yourself to those who want to
see You. Increase our faith to see You more and more. Amen”
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Feb. 22: THE DESIRE FOR REVENGE
I can understand the emotion in children. Different emotions haven’t been catalogued in their minds yet and appropriate response has not been programmed into their reasoning process. When children are hurt or offended it is easy for them to blurt out “I’m going to get even with you.” I can remember early days in my life when I felt powerless in the face of injustice (real or imagined) and hoped, even prayed, for revenge.
Some, seeking solace from the Bible, are quick to point out that even King David wrote while in a spirit of wanting revenge. For me, that’s not the part of David that I like the best.
Television news shows more and more accounts of people getting revenge or wanting revenge. Notice interviews around courthouses about the death penalty! Check out the victory parties at executions.
Most of the ancient hostilities that break out into wars are based on the desire for revenge. The hunger for revenge is soul sickness. Filling your stomach on a meal of revenge is a food-poisoning.
Christians should not be vengeful people, regardless of how bad the hurt. Romans 12:17-20 (NIV) is very clear for Christians: “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge, I will repay’ says the Lord. On the contrary, if your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him something to drink.”
The Bible recognizes that anger is a powerful emotion, leading to the sadistic desire for revenge. Filter that anger through the victorious, forgiving power of Jesus and it will come out a positive emotion on the other side. Getting revenge will never satisfy.
“God, grant me the freedom to leave past hurts behind and not
be fixated on getting even. You have forgiven me, I thank you. Amen”
Some, seeking solace from the Bible, are quick to point out that even King David wrote while in a spirit of wanting revenge. For me, that’s not the part of David that I like the best.
Television news shows more and more accounts of people getting revenge or wanting revenge. Notice interviews around courthouses about the death penalty! Check out the victory parties at executions.
Most of the ancient hostilities that break out into wars are based on the desire for revenge. The hunger for revenge is soul sickness. Filling your stomach on a meal of revenge is a food-poisoning.
Christians should not be vengeful people, regardless of how bad the hurt. Romans 12:17-20 (NIV) is very clear for Christians: “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge, I will repay’ says the Lord. On the contrary, if your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him something to drink.”
The Bible recognizes that anger is a powerful emotion, leading to the sadistic desire for revenge. Filter that anger through the victorious, forgiving power of Jesus and it will come out a positive emotion on the other side. Getting revenge will never satisfy.
“God, grant me the freedom to leave past hurts behind and not
be fixated on getting even. You have forgiven me, I thank you. Amen”
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Feb. 21: WILL OUR CHILDREN HAVE FAITH?
The fearful question lurking in the heart of sincere Christians tonight is “Will our children have faith?”. As we enter this special season for Christians many contemporary parents think back to Christ-centered celebrations of their childhood and wonder if their own children will carry the faith forward. Some of us had godly grandparents who witnessed clearly to our parents who passed on to us their experiential faith.
Now, the dominant voice raised is one of materialism and worldly success that pushes the children away from a spiritual life focus. For pre-school children this should be a time of “experiencing” the faith of the parents not the Evening news showing drunken crowds celebrating “Fat Tuesday”. Early on we see Preschoolers imitate what they see their parents do in religious celebration. Regretfully, many adults never moved above that level; they still see no deeper meaning to Easter than they did as little children at a Egg Hunt. That’s why some adults get bored if there is too much focus on the spiritual. But the spiritual lesson of Easter gets lost. Who started the Easter Bunny anyway? Its time to begin to celebrate the Ressurection !
Ask yourself these questions:
(1) Do you read the Bible and pray with your children every day ?
(2) Do you live all week as you do on Sunday morning at 11 am?
(3) Is your child encouraged to ask questions about Christianity?
(4) Do you teach by example the discipline and sacrifice of your faith?
Lent is a good time to do this self-examination if you want your children to still have faith in Jesus when they are old. Proverbs 22:6 (NIV) says “Train a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not turn from it.” Don’t let the future snatch away your child’s faith because you had such a weak grip on yours.
“God, it’s scary to remember that we are always one generation
from paganism. Helps us see the spiritual is the best gift . Amen”
Now, the dominant voice raised is one of materialism and worldly success that pushes the children away from a spiritual life focus. For pre-school children this should be a time of “experiencing” the faith of the parents not the Evening news showing drunken crowds celebrating “Fat Tuesday”. Early on we see Preschoolers imitate what they see their parents do in religious celebration. Regretfully, many adults never moved above that level; they still see no deeper meaning to Easter than they did as little children at a Egg Hunt. That’s why some adults get bored if there is too much focus on the spiritual. But the spiritual lesson of Easter gets lost. Who started the Easter Bunny anyway? Its time to begin to celebrate the Ressurection !
Ask yourself these questions:
(1) Do you read the Bible and pray with your children every day ?
(2) Do you live all week as you do on Sunday morning at 11 am?
(3) Is your child encouraged to ask questions about Christianity?
(4) Do you teach by example the discipline and sacrifice of your faith?
Lent is a good time to do this self-examination if you want your children to still have faith in Jesus when they are old. Proverbs 22:6 (NIV) says “Train a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not turn from it.” Don’t let the future snatch away your child’s faith because you had such a weak grip on yours.
“God, it’s scary to remember that we are always one generation
from paganism. Helps us see the spiritual is the best gift . Amen”
Monday, February 19, 2007
Feb. 20: THE DISTURBING TRUTH
For some people it is a human rights question, but for Christians it is much more personal. Just a casual news observer would notice from time to time stories about Christians being persecuted and killed around the world and church facilities being destroyed.. The church enduring persecution is not new. Jesus, the founder of the Christian faith, was murdered. He told all who would follow Him to expect persecution and death.
From the first century until now, millions of Christians have died for their faith. Some estimate that 300,000 Christians die each year because of their loyalty to Jesus. In the Bible, Hebrews 11 is described as the “Heroes Chapter” because it is totally about men and women who have stood victoriously in the face of persecution. We thank God for those who remain faithful to the end.
We are instructed in the Bible to identify with persecuted Christians and to pray daily for them. Hebrews 13: 3 (NIV) “remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.” There is genuine sympathy as well as empathy in the Christian family. We are not isolated. We are not alone. Our lives are eternally interlocked with one another.
When Hitler imprisoned a well-known Pastor during World War 2, a visiting Pastor said to him from outside his cell “Why are you in there?” The imprisoned Pastor replied “Why are you out there?” The day may come for some of us who are now free to be imprisoned for our faith. If you are in a free country where you can exercise your faith, be faithful. . If your government forbids your free exercise of your faith, pray to remain true to your commitment. Free people should pray for the persecuted. Ask your church to pray, also.
“Lord God, because of Jesus, we are one in the bond of
love. Make us ever mindful of our whole faith family. Amen”
From the first century until now, millions of Christians have died for their faith. Some estimate that 300,000 Christians die each year because of their loyalty to Jesus. In the Bible, Hebrews 11 is described as the “Heroes Chapter” because it is totally about men and women who have stood victoriously in the face of persecution. We thank God for those who remain faithful to the end.
We are instructed in the Bible to identify with persecuted Christians and to pray daily for them. Hebrews 13: 3 (NIV) “remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.” There is genuine sympathy as well as empathy in the Christian family. We are not isolated. We are not alone. Our lives are eternally interlocked with one another.
When Hitler imprisoned a well-known Pastor during World War 2, a visiting Pastor said to him from outside his cell “Why are you in there?” The imprisoned Pastor replied “Why are you out there?” The day may come for some of us who are now free to be imprisoned for our faith. If you are in a free country where you can exercise your faith, be faithful. . If your government forbids your free exercise of your faith, pray to remain true to your commitment. Free people should pray for the persecuted. Ask your church to pray, also.
“Lord God, because of Jesus, we are one in the bond of
love. Make us ever mindful of our whole faith family. Amen”
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Feb. 19: THE FATHER OF OUR COUNTRY
History is important to most Americans. For that reason, February is an important month. Celebrating the birthday of both Presidents Washington and Lincoln makes a big impact on young minds. I especially remember in Elementary school school the lessons we learned about “the father of our country”. We never go wrong when we give children a sense of history. That old saying about a nation that refuses to learn from the mistakes of the past being condemned to repeat them in the future makes history lessons vital.
The presidency of Abraham Lincoln was marked by much turmoil, but it was also clearly marked by his seeking Divine Guidance. Parents and educators would do well to keep before the children the impact of religion on American life. Historically, religion made its impact on the life of this country because leaders in the country were religious men. It was their lifestyle. Religion is not a political football but that which gives meaning and purpose to people’s lives. Jesus said “Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.” (Matthew 12:17 NIV) This makes for strength.
“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.” (Psalm 33:12 NIV) Hebrews 13:17 instructs “obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.” Paul told Timothy to be sure to pray for those in authority so that they may live peaceful and quiet lives. ( 1 Timothy 2:2)
This kind of mind-set on the part of our citizenship will make America strong. Many talk show hosts with their pseudo-patriotism miss the point of the biblical teaching on citizenship. If you are going to say “ God bless America”, let it come from a sincere heart and not political motivation.
“Creator God, its hard to listen to non-spiritual men say ‘God bless
America’. Help us not to be guilty of this hypocrisy. Please! Amen”
The presidency of Abraham Lincoln was marked by much turmoil, but it was also clearly marked by his seeking Divine Guidance. Parents and educators would do well to keep before the children the impact of religion on American life. Historically, religion made its impact on the life of this country because leaders in the country were religious men. It was their lifestyle. Religion is not a political football but that which gives meaning and purpose to people’s lives. Jesus said “Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.” (Matthew 12:17 NIV) This makes for strength.
“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.” (Psalm 33:12 NIV) Hebrews 13:17 instructs “obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.” Paul told Timothy to be sure to pray for those in authority so that they may live peaceful and quiet lives. ( 1 Timothy 2:2)
This kind of mind-set on the part of our citizenship will make America strong. Many talk show hosts with their pseudo-patriotism miss the point of the biblical teaching on citizenship. If you are going to say “ God bless America”, let it come from a sincere heart and not political motivation.
“Creator God, its hard to listen to non-spiritual men say ‘God bless
America’. Help us not to be guilty of this hypocrisy. Please! Amen”
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Feb. 18: YOUR GOD IS TOO SMALL
Your God is too small if you have to ask the Government for permission to pray. Your God is too small if you have to ask the Government for funds to do the work that God wants you to do. Your God is too small if you need “big brother” to protect you in your worship and service. It is especially important for us to understand as we celebrate our liberty and freedom of conscience that the cost for that today is to be borne by us. That’s the way our Founding Fathers planned it and it worked for them.
Government subsidy has no place in Church ministry. “Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and to God what belongs to God ” (Matthew 22:21 NIV) is the Biblical injunction. Our forefathers knew the importance of the idea of religious liberty, that’s why that famous clause about Congress shall pass no laws governing religion was written. Don’t lose sight of that.
God has made out well without government support or approval. Think! If government can tell you what you can do in your spiritual life, it would also want to tell you what you can’t do. If you take money from the government, you open the door for the government to tell you how to spend it. In the early days of this Commonwealth of Virginia, the State tried to tell Baptist ministers they could not preach because they were not licensed by the government. Thank God, they kept preaching, even though it cost them public whippings and being jailed. The Bill of Rights came out of that movement.
It is easy to forget lessons from History. The temptation is to look for an easier way. Getting public tax revenues to support religious beliefs and programs is wrong. Biblically, no one can make you pray or stop you from praying. God takes care of His stuff.
“Thank You, God, for the gift of a free conscience and for freedom
to worship you according to our heart’s direction. Amen”
Government subsidy has no place in Church ministry. “Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and to God what belongs to God ” (Matthew 22:21 NIV) is the Biblical injunction. Our forefathers knew the importance of the idea of religious liberty, that’s why that famous clause about Congress shall pass no laws governing religion was written. Don’t lose sight of that.
God has made out well without government support or approval. Think! If government can tell you what you can do in your spiritual life, it would also want to tell you what you can’t do. If you take money from the government, you open the door for the government to tell you how to spend it. In the early days of this Commonwealth of Virginia, the State tried to tell Baptist ministers they could not preach because they were not licensed by the government. Thank God, they kept preaching, even though it cost them public whippings and being jailed. The Bill of Rights came out of that movement.
It is easy to forget lessons from History. The temptation is to look for an easier way. Getting public tax revenues to support religious beliefs and programs is wrong. Biblically, no one can make you pray or stop you from praying. God takes care of His stuff.
“Thank You, God, for the gift of a free conscience and for freedom
to worship you according to our heart’s direction. Amen”
Friday, February 16, 2007
Feb. 17: PANIC SHOPPING
A true indication of a “spoiled” generation is what happens when a bad storm is predicted. A “Age of Consumerism” can’t stand the idea of “doing without” anything, even for a little while. Accessibility to everything all the time is a must. Hence the continuing phenomenon of “panic buying”. And it’s not limited to just one social or economic group, everyone gets in on it. The world may come to an end but we will have an ample supply of milk, toilet tissue, and snow shovels. It just reaffirms that materialism as a lifestyle provides no satisfaction.
When is “enough” enough? Citizens of developing countries who are accustomed to “doing without” even the basics don’t go into a panic because the weather is threatening. And since weather predicting is not really an “exact science” and many weather forecasts turn out to be totally wrong we look in shame at the table laden with “panic” overbuy! Jesus, of all people, wanted us to be as “wise as serpents” and taught us about responsibility in caring for the needs of our families, but He cautioned us about getting too “stressed out” over daily needs. In Matthew 6:25-34 from His “Sermon on the Mount” He compared our helplessness in confronting nature’s changes to birds needing food and flowers needing water. He meets their needs and in His eyes we are more valuable than animals and plants.
The lesson about God meeting our basic needs must be constantly reaffirmed. If we are going to pray the Lord’s Prayer daily or somewhat regularly, we ought to underline the part that says “give us today our daily bread.” (Matthew 6:11 NIV) “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well-fed or hungry. My God will supply all your needs” said Paul from a prison cell. (Philippians 4:12 & 19) Check it out.
“Father, I learned at an early age to sing the hymn ‘Only Trust Him’
but I am often tempted to forget what I know about You. Amen”
When is “enough” enough? Citizens of developing countries who are accustomed to “doing without” even the basics don’t go into a panic because the weather is threatening. And since weather predicting is not really an “exact science” and many weather forecasts turn out to be totally wrong we look in shame at the table laden with “panic” overbuy! Jesus, of all people, wanted us to be as “wise as serpents” and taught us about responsibility in caring for the needs of our families, but He cautioned us about getting too “stressed out” over daily needs. In Matthew 6:25-34 from His “Sermon on the Mount” He compared our helplessness in confronting nature’s changes to birds needing food and flowers needing water. He meets their needs and in His eyes we are more valuable than animals and plants.
The lesson about God meeting our basic needs must be constantly reaffirmed. If we are going to pray the Lord’s Prayer daily or somewhat regularly, we ought to underline the part that says “give us today our daily bread.” (Matthew 6:11 NIV) “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well-fed or hungry. My God will supply all your needs” said Paul from a prison cell. (Philippians 4:12 & 19) Check it out.
“Father, I learned at an early age to sing the hymn ‘Only Trust Him’
but I am often tempted to forget what I know about You. Amen”
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Feb. 16: GOD'S INTIMATE LOVE
God says in His book, The Bible, “for my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways.” (Isaiah 55:8 NIV) That is amazingly true in the way God relates to us. In Psalm 56:8 we are told that God’s love for us is so intimate and personal that He puts our tears in a bottle. Our smallest pain or personal injury is noticeable to God. But on the other hand, when we come to Him in repentance and trust, “as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.” (Psalm 103: 12 NIV)
Jeremiah 31:34 (NIV) has the Lord declaring “for I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” In one instance God is dealing with the minutia of our hurtful experiences in life but in the next instance He uses a broad brush to cover over our sins and forget them.
Human beings operate on a different agenda. We tend to broad brush the hurts in other people’s lives, urging them to “stop crying over spilled milk”. We tend to remember every little failure of other’s lives, even cruelly reminding them of their shortcomings. Jesus had to reprimand us about this from the Sermon on the Mountain when he said “first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” (Matthew 7:5 NIV)
How much we need to be like Jesus! So many people need our sympathy and our empathy. Not just a shoulder to cry on but someone who will share their pain. And certainly there are many who need to be forgiven. We need to forgive them and urge them to get up and run the race again.
In Philippians 3, Paul talks about wanting to know more about Jesus so he can conform more to his pattern. How about you?
“Teach me to love others, O Lord, as much as I love myself;
so many people wait daily for me to love them in Your Name. Amen”
Jeremiah 31:34 (NIV) has the Lord declaring “for I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” In one instance God is dealing with the minutia of our hurtful experiences in life but in the next instance He uses a broad brush to cover over our sins and forget them.
Human beings operate on a different agenda. We tend to broad brush the hurts in other people’s lives, urging them to “stop crying over spilled milk”. We tend to remember every little failure of other’s lives, even cruelly reminding them of their shortcomings. Jesus had to reprimand us about this from the Sermon on the Mountain when he said “first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” (Matthew 7:5 NIV)
How much we need to be like Jesus! So many people need our sympathy and our empathy. Not just a shoulder to cry on but someone who will share their pain. And certainly there are many who need to be forgiven. We need to forgive them and urge them to get up and run the race again.
In Philippians 3, Paul talks about wanting to know more about Jesus so he can conform more to his pattern. How about you?
“Teach me to love others, O Lord, as much as I love myself;
so many people wait daily for me to love them in Your Name. Amen”
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Feb. 15: WHAT'S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT?
The question is asked in a popular song and deserves some kind of answer. So, on this day after Valentine’s Day when there is a half-eaten box of chocolates or beginning-to-fade roses or an empty perfume box let’s ask “What’s love got to do with it?” The song says that love is nothing but a “second-hand emotion”. True?
Well, that’s one problem right there: describing love as an emotion. A minister once refused to marry a couple who wanted to change the Wedding Vows from “til death do us part” to “while love lasts”. Obviously, the latter is what some people have in mind because the Court docket is filled with papers that say “I don’t love him/her anymore.”
Before you use the word “love”, you should define it’s meaning. People will say about a new romantic interest “I think I love him” and do something drastic. Sad is the state of single women who find themselves pregnant and alone with only this chorus to sing “He said he loved me”. Because the word is used often in soap operas, popular songs, and seductive advertising, many children have no idea how to define love and start looking for some kind of elusive feeling.
Compare these definitions to the Biblical definition: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude. It is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-8 NIV) There is no idea of emotion. There is an intentional selfless concern for another person’s well-being and a commitment to act upon it. You don’t have to be married to live this definition but this definition will make a marriage last.
“Jesus, when we look at your sacrifice, it was all about love.
Send your Spirit to help us understand that secret. Amen”
Well, that’s one problem right there: describing love as an emotion. A minister once refused to marry a couple who wanted to change the Wedding Vows from “til death do us part” to “while love lasts”. Obviously, the latter is what some people have in mind because the Court docket is filled with papers that say “I don’t love him/her anymore.”
Before you use the word “love”, you should define it’s meaning. People will say about a new romantic interest “I think I love him” and do something drastic. Sad is the state of single women who find themselves pregnant and alone with only this chorus to sing “He said he loved me”. Because the word is used often in soap operas, popular songs, and seductive advertising, many children have no idea how to define love and start looking for some kind of elusive feeling.
Compare these definitions to the Biblical definition: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude. It is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-8 NIV) There is no idea of emotion. There is an intentional selfless concern for another person’s well-being and a commitment to act upon it. You don’t have to be married to live this definition but this definition will make a marriage last.
“Jesus, when we look at your sacrifice, it was all about love.
Send your Spirit to help us understand that secret. Amen”
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Feb. 14: VALENTINES DAY: READY FOR IT?
Right away, some of you are thinking “what a dumb question!” You are remembering December when you were greeted “Ready for Christmas?” That wasn’t a good question because it didn’t address the real issue. What people really meant in December was “Have you finished decorating?” or “Have you finished your buying?” They didn’t really want to know if you were ready to answer to God for the fact that “The Saviour” had come into the world.
So, if I say “Are you ready for Valentines?”, I don’t want to know if you have sent a card to your Mother or bought a heart-shaped box of chocolates for your sweetheart. God wants to know the condition of your heart. Jesus said in Matthew 12:34 (NIV) “for out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.” Further, He said in Matthew 15:19 (NIV) “for out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.”
Jesus often spoke of the need for individuals to examine their hearts. When Paul was writing to the Corinthian Christians (1 Corinthians 11) about celebrating the Lord’s Supper, one of the issues he raised was the need to examine the heart before participating.
I raise again my opening question “Ready for Valentines?” or “Ready for a heart examination?” Valentine’s Day is about love (that’s what all the advertisements say). It’s not about lust (using somebody for your own selfish desires). It’s not about liking someone or feeling good when you are around them. It’s not about friendship, even. It’s about intentionally caring more about someone else’s well-being. It’s about sacrifice. It’s about giving up having your way. It’s about wanting someone else to succeed. These new and different kinds of heart motivations can only come when you let Jesus clean out that old stuff and replace it with His stuff. Ready? Or not?
“”Take my heart, Lord, it is no longer mine. Give me a
new heart, just like your heart. Amen”
So, if I say “Are you ready for Valentines?”, I don’t want to know if you have sent a card to your Mother or bought a heart-shaped box of chocolates for your sweetheart. God wants to know the condition of your heart. Jesus said in Matthew 12:34 (NIV) “for out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.” Further, He said in Matthew 15:19 (NIV) “for out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.”
Jesus often spoke of the need for individuals to examine their hearts. When Paul was writing to the Corinthian Christians (1 Corinthians 11) about celebrating the Lord’s Supper, one of the issues he raised was the need to examine the heart before participating.
I raise again my opening question “Ready for Valentines?” or “Ready for a heart examination?” Valentine’s Day is about love (that’s what all the advertisements say). It’s not about lust (using somebody for your own selfish desires). It’s not about liking someone or feeling good when you are around them. It’s not about friendship, even. It’s about intentionally caring more about someone else’s well-being. It’s about sacrifice. It’s about giving up having your way. It’s about wanting someone else to succeed. These new and different kinds of heart motivations can only come when you let Jesus clean out that old stuff and replace it with His stuff. Ready? Or not?
“”Take my heart, Lord, it is no longer mine. Give me a
new heart, just like your heart. Amen”
Monday, February 12, 2007
Feb. 13: REAL TREASURES
I recently heard a person described as being rich in the things that money can’t buy. That’s a rare description. It indicates a person committed to swimming against the tide. If modern suburbia is noted for anything it is for the excess of things. Living in any major metropolitan area is to find your self constantly rubbing shoulders with people who have one major goal: the accumulation of toys. I met a childless couple who had just bought a huge house and asked me “Why did we do this?”
It is like an infection gets in the value system and causes a craving for possessions. Parents will work, even hold a second job, to buy more “stuff” for kids who hate ‘stuff”, they have enough. Yet, young adults will confess to me that they find themselves doing what their parents did to them: soothing a guilty conscience with things. Wake up! People don’t need riches and stuff. They need a value system that can’t be bought and sold. What Jesus said about moth-eating, rust-destroying, thief-stealing riches just won’t bring meaning to life, neither here nor after death.
In Matthew 6:20(NIV) Jesus said “Store up for yourselves treasures in Heaven.”
What kind of treasures is that? The kind that money can’t buy. You can’t go to a psychiatrist or counselor in a “fifty-minute hour”session, regardless of how big your bank account and buy “love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, faithfulness and self-control>’ (Galatians 5:22 NIV) Jewels money can’t buy! “The fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth.” (Ephesians 5:9 NIV)
Ask a trusted friend to evaluate your life. Are you rich in things bought by money or in things that are the fruit of a relationship with God? If your goal is “things”, that’s what you leave. If your goal is spiritual and moral values, you will leave many people richer for having known you.
“Help me not to be deceived by “fool’s gold”, Loving Father. Open
the eyes of my value system to true value. Amen”
It is like an infection gets in the value system and causes a craving for possessions. Parents will work, even hold a second job, to buy more “stuff” for kids who hate ‘stuff”, they have enough. Yet, young adults will confess to me that they find themselves doing what their parents did to them: soothing a guilty conscience with things. Wake up! People don’t need riches and stuff. They need a value system that can’t be bought and sold. What Jesus said about moth-eating, rust-destroying, thief-stealing riches just won’t bring meaning to life, neither here nor after death.
In Matthew 6:20(NIV) Jesus said “Store up for yourselves treasures in Heaven.”
What kind of treasures is that? The kind that money can’t buy. You can’t go to a psychiatrist or counselor in a “fifty-minute hour”session, regardless of how big your bank account and buy “love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, faithfulness and self-control>’ (Galatians 5:22 NIV) Jewels money can’t buy! “The fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth.” (Ephesians 5:9 NIV)
Ask a trusted friend to evaluate your life. Are you rich in things bought by money or in things that are the fruit of a relationship with God? If your goal is “things”, that’s what you leave. If your goal is spiritual and moral values, you will leave many people richer for having known you.
“Help me not to be deceived by “fool’s gold”, Loving Father. Open
the eyes of my value system to true value. Amen”
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Feb. 12: HANDLING CRITICISM
Do you get criticized very much? If so, remember, being criticized doesn’t have to be bad. It could mean that you are doing something good. Check out their criticism. Remember the words of the old Persian Proverb: “only fruit-bearing trees have sticks thrown at them”.
People who are wasting their lives are not criticized. People whose lives are characterized by ugly attitude or ugly speech or ugly actions are not criticized. People expect nothing from them. They are living down to their own low level of being. There has been no reason to raise the standard for them. People who aim to do good and be helpful to the community are visible by their efforts. It is clearly known they are living their lives to have the greatest possible impact.
A tree is known for it’s fruit. Hear Jesus in Matthew 7:16 (NIV) “By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.”
If you have committed your life to do good things, do good things. Criticism cannot hurt you or stop you. “In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16 NIV) You see, your motivation for your action will largely determine your reaction to criticism. A pure heart and good intentions doesn’t have to be explained. In fact, it is a definite compliment to be criticized by certain people. It clarifies for you sometimes that you are definitely on to something good.
Consider the source of the criticism. Pray for the person criticizing. Do a prayerful review of the whole situation. If adjustment is needed, make it. Then proceed ahead doing good.
“Thank you, God, for your evaluation of my life. I learned so much
from it. Help me to learn from other’s criticism when I hear it. Amen”
People who are wasting their lives are not criticized. People whose lives are characterized by ugly attitude or ugly speech or ugly actions are not criticized. People expect nothing from them. They are living down to their own low level of being. There has been no reason to raise the standard for them. People who aim to do good and be helpful to the community are visible by their efforts. It is clearly known they are living their lives to have the greatest possible impact.
A tree is known for it’s fruit. Hear Jesus in Matthew 7:16 (NIV) “By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.”
If you have committed your life to do good things, do good things. Criticism cannot hurt you or stop you. “In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16 NIV) You see, your motivation for your action will largely determine your reaction to criticism. A pure heart and good intentions doesn’t have to be explained. In fact, it is a definite compliment to be criticized by certain people. It clarifies for you sometimes that you are definitely on to something good.
Consider the source of the criticism. Pray for the person criticizing. Do a prayerful review of the whole situation. If adjustment is needed, make it. Then proceed ahead doing good.
“Thank you, God, for your evaluation of my life. I learned so much
from it. Help me to learn from other’s criticism when I hear it. Amen”
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Feb. 11 : A SPIRITUAL GPS
Do you have a “G.P.S.” (Global Positioning System) in your vehicle? They are cool! I don’t have one but I have ridden with several friends who do. Boy, when I think of my life pastoring churches and searching for addresses at night, it would have been a great help. Instant directions! Even if I didn’t have a G.P.S. I always had God’s “spiritual” G.P.S. The Holy Spirit! When I gave my life to Jesus He gave me the Holy Spirit to maintain fellowship and followship. That’s the secret of living the Christian life. Many fear that if they become Christian they simply can’t live up to it. Of course! Read John 14:17 (NIV) “the world cannot accept Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you know Him, for He lives with you and will be in you.” Just like a GPS! “But when He, the Spirit of Truth, comes, He will guide you in all truth.” (John 16:13 NIV) There you are: the living Holy Spirit living in you guiding you all the time. Where you should go! What you should do! What you should say! You will never be left alone. “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you>” (Hebrews 13:5 NIV) So, what if you mess up? Or go the wrong way? If you go down the wrong street in your car, your GPS will say “recalculate” and in a few moments will tell you how to get back on the “right road.” If you try to go the wrong way and get away from God, the Holy Spirit will immediately whisper a correction to you. He will “provide a way out.” (1 Corinthians 10:15 NIV) Folks with the GPS keep their subscription paid up annually or it become worthless, because roads change. Folks with the Indwelling Holy Spirit stay activated by daily Bible Study, prayer, and obeying the guidance.
“Thank You, Holy Spirit, for providing constant guidance and I am
not left to chase after whimsical things on crooked roads. Amen”
“Thank You, Holy Spirit, for providing constant guidance and I am
not left to chase after whimsical things on crooked roads. Amen”
Friday, February 9, 2007
Feb.10: A SURE DESTINATION
There was a beautiful line in the obituary column recently about a lady who sied “sure of her destination.” I like that! That’s better than any sleeping pill! Or the latest claim of cure for cancer or AIDS. If you know where you are going, it will make the trip different.
I remember several times in my life getting in the car with my family, having a place to go but not knowing the location. The trip starts with everyone feeling nervous and unsure and it gets progressively worse. Several wrong turns and stops and the pressure just builds. That is a parable of life. If you don’t know your ultimate destination in life, you are in for some long days and restless nights.
One of my personal joys in reading The Revelation from the Bible is because it describes my final destination as a Christian. In the Revelation 7:9 (NIV) “after this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count from every nation, tribe, people, and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.” And it goes on to describe their praise and worship of God in Heaven.
I submit that if you know for sure your final destination, you and your family can better deal with daily, boring routine or critical crisis. Who are you? Why are you here? Where are you going? These three questions are the most important questions of life. Perhaps the last one is most important. Where will you spend Eternity?
Life at it’s longest is short. Compare it to a trip again: when you have a clearly marked map in hand and the destination clearly designated, the trip is meaningful and the arrival pure joy. Your destination? Are you sure?
“Thank you, Jesus, for saying ‘I am the Way and no one comes to
the Father except through me’. I was about to make a wrong choice.
Amen”
I remember several times in my life getting in the car with my family, having a place to go but not knowing the location. The trip starts with everyone feeling nervous and unsure and it gets progressively worse. Several wrong turns and stops and the pressure just builds. That is a parable of life. If you don’t know your ultimate destination in life, you are in for some long days and restless nights.
One of my personal joys in reading The Revelation from the Bible is because it describes my final destination as a Christian. In the Revelation 7:9 (NIV) “after this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count from every nation, tribe, people, and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.” And it goes on to describe their praise and worship of God in Heaven.
I submit that if you know for sure your final destination, you and your family can better deal with daily, boring routine or critical crisis. Who are you? Why are you here? Where are you going? These three questions are the most important questions of life. Perhaps the last one is most important. Where will you spend Eternity?
Life at it’s longest is short. Compare it to a trip again: when you have a clearly marked map in hand and the destination clearly designated, the trip is meaningful and the arrival pure joy. Your destination? Are you sure?
“Thank you, Jesus, for saying ‘I am the Way and no one comes to
the Father except through me’. I was about to make a wrong choice.
Amen”
Thursday, February 8, 2007
Feb.9: McChurch
While you weren’t looking, something happened on the social scene. Especially, some people from the church weren’t looking.
We live in a fast-paced world; some people can’t keep up. We live in a busy world; people are neglected who need someone to spend time with them. We live in a world that thrives on communication. (Remember: The Information Highway?) Yet many people don’t have anyone with whom to talk. Widows, widowers, single parents, unemployed; many people fall into this category.
Because of this, fast-food restaurants and convenience stores have become the morning hang-out for a different group of people.
Over fast food, many deal with a slow-paced grief recovery. Many single, senior adults go to a convenience store for their first cup of coffee just to hear a personal word and enjoy a little conversation before returning to their world of isolation. Conversation comes easy and introductions don’t have to be formal when all you want to hear is a friendly word. These people bring in good business, they have money to spend and they don’t cause trouble so businesses are glad for them to “hang-out”.
The church needs to be sensitive to this group. It is a wonderful place to share the Gospel, in fact, many church contacts are made there. Proverbs 20:29 (NIV) says “the glory of young men is their strength, gray hair the splendor of the old.” Proverbs 23:22 (NIV) says “listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.” A reminder perhaps?
The church needs to be aware that lonely people are looking for companionship. Meaningful activity and opportunities for ministry to others could give some people a reason to get up in the morning. I certainly have nothing against people congregating at fast-food restaurants or convenience stores. I just wonder if that is their first choice. Maybe the church could be an alternative?
“Make us aware, Lord of all Comfort, of the multitude of people who
live with the weight of loneliness. Amen”
We live in a fast-paced world; some people can’t keep up. We live in a busy world; people are neglected who need someone to spend time with them. We live in a world that thrives on communication. (Remember: The Information Highway?) Yet many people don’t have anyone with whom to talk. Widows, widowers, single parents, unemployed; many people fall into this category.
Because of this, fast-food restaurants and convenience stores have become the morning hang-out for a different group of people.
Over fast food, many deal with a slow-paced grief recovery. Many single, senior adults go to a convenience store for their first cup of coffee just to hear a personal word and enjoy a little conversation before returning to their world of isolation. Conversation comes easy and introductions don’t have to be formal when all you want to hear is a friendly word. These people bring in good business, they have money to spend and they don’t cause trouble so businesses are glad for them to “hang-out”.
The church needs to be sensitive to this group. It is a wonderful place to share the Gospel, in fact, many church contacts are made there. Proverbs 20:29 (NIV) says “the glory of young men is their strength, gray hair the splendor of the old.” Proverbs 23:22 (NIV) says “listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.” A reminder perhaps?
The church needs to be aware that lonely people are looking for companionship. Meaningful activity and opportunities for ministry to others could give some people a reason to get up in the morning. I certainly have nothing against people congregating at fast-food restaurants or convenience stores. I just wonder if that is their first choice. Maybe the church could be an alternative?
“Make us aware, Lord of all Comfort, of the multitude of people who
live with the weight of loneliness. Amen”
Monday, February 5, 2007
Feb.8:DOING GOOD
“If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Do good anyway! What you spent years building may be destroyed overnight. Build anyway. People really need help but may attack you if you help them. Help people anyway. Give the world the best you have and you’ll get kicked in the teeth. Give the world the best you’ve got anyway.” This statement was from “Mother Teresa: A Simple Path” (Ballantine Books, 1995)
You simply have to do what you have to do as a believer. Do Good!
From Ecclesiastes 9:10 (NIV) we hear “whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.” Just think about yourself, for example. How many good intentions have you had in the last month? How many noble plans have you made that came to nothing just because you wouldn’t do it?
So many people could be helped and many problems solved if each of us could implement every great idea that God has given us? Sometimes we talk ourselves out of it because we are lazy. Sometimes we miss the opportunity through procrastination.
Proverbs 6:6-9 (NIV) challenges us: “Go to the ant, you sluggard: consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. How long will you lie there, you sluggard?” It is an insult to be challenged to watch the ants and learn a lesson about resourcefulness, but if that will wake us up, so be it. The life of Jesus was summed up by Simon Peter when he said that Jesus went around doing good. (Acts 10:38) Not talking about doing good but doing good is the need. Not planning to do good, but doing it.
“Help us to understand that being a do-gooder is not a
bad thing but what our lives are to be all about. Amen”
You simply have to do what you have to do as a believer. Do Good!
From Ecclesiastes 9:10 (NIV) we hear “whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.” Just think about yourself, for example. How many good intentions have you had in the last month? How many noble plans have you made that came to nothing just because you wouldn’t do it?
So many people could be helped and many problems solved if each of us could implement every great idea that God has given us? Sometimes we talk ourselves out of it because we are lazy. Sometimes we miss the opportunity through procrastination.
Proverbs 6:6-9 (NIV) challenges us: “Go to the ant, you sluggard: consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. How long will you lie there, you sluggard?” It is an insult to be challenged to watch the ants and learn a lesson about resourcefulness, but if that will wake us up, so be it. The life of Jesus was summed up by Simon Peter when he said that Jesus went around doing good. (Acts 10:38) Not talking about doing good but doing good is the need. Not planning to do good, but doing it.
“Help us to understand that being a do-gooder is not a
bad thing but what our lives are to be all about. Amen”
Feb. 7: THE CHURCH TOGETHER
I don’t think serious Christians have trouble visualizing the unity of Heaven when all of the family will be gathered. Most can see with ‘spiritual eyes” when all races and denominations will gather at the throne of Jesus. The only thing that will matter on that day will be faith in Jesus, a love of Jesus and surrender to Him as the only Lord.
It is the perfect answer to the prayer of Jesus in John 17 for oneness in the family of faith. Verse 23 reads “may they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that You sent me.” If it’s true in Heaven, why can’t Christians experience it here and now?
I remember a conference I attended of National Clergy; about 42,000 ministers gathered in Atlanta for worship and study. Many racial and ethnic groups were represented. Many denominations were represented. It was unique in many ways. What was the Agenda? Praising Jesus the Lord! What was the theme? Praising Jesus the Lord! There were speakers from several denominations. There was worship in several forms. There were doctrines of every sort in the crowd. It was OK because the focus was on “Jesus the Lord”.
This is the core of our unity. Churches need to work together in this way. Churches don’t need to compete with each other and certainly don’t need to criticize each other. The enemy is the Devil, not a denominational doctrine.
“So the world may believe” is the reason Jesus gave in praying for unity. It is the truth: Not one single non-Christian will ever want to go to Heaven and be with Christians until he sees oneness down here and Christians constantly loving each other.
The world has enough division. A force that unites will be a force that’s accepted.
“Help your children to love the whole family. Heal up the
divisions that now exist. Prompt the Pastors to love fellow Pastors.
Amen”
It is the perfect answer to the prayer of Jesus in John 17 for oneness in the family of faith. Verse 23 reads “may they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that You sent me.” If it’s true in Heaven, why can’t Christians experience it here and now?
I remember a conference I attended of National Clergy; about 42,000 ministers gathered in Atlanta for worship and study. Many racial and ethnic groups were represented. Many denominations were represented. It was unique in many ways. What was the Agenda? Praising Jesus the Lord! What was the theme? Praising Jesus the Lord! There were speakers from several denominations. There was worship in several forms. There were doctrines of every sort in the crowd. It was OK because the focus was on “Jesus the Lord”.
This is the core of our unity. Churches need to work together in this way. Churches don’t need to compete with each other and certainly don’t need to criticize each other. The enemy is the Devil, not a denominational doctrine.
“So the world may believe” is the reason Jesus gave in praying for unity. It is the truth: Not one single non-Christian will ever want to go to Heaven and be with Christians until he sees oneness down here and Christians constantly loving each other.
The world has enough division. A force that unites will be a force that’s accepted.
“Help your children to love the whole family. Heal up the
divisions that now exist. Prompt the Pastors to love fellow Pastors.
Amen”
FEB. 6: SELF-INFLICTED DEAFNESS
Deafness is a terrible handicap, especially if it is self-inflicted deafness. Has your spouse or parent ever said to you, “Are you listening to me?” or “I know I told you a thousand times” ? The implications are that you have the ability to hear but are intentionally refusing to listen.
I have known of people who simply turned off their hearing aids when they didn’t want to hear or listen. It’s not a new problem. Jesus dealt with it. Often He completed a teaching by saying, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” (Mark 4:9 NIV) Or, in other words, “use your ears; you need to be responding positively to what I am saying.”
There are two ways of listening to someone: (1) at a sensory level, simply registering the sounds coming from another person or (2) at an emotional level by receiving the words in the context they are given and responding in the proper emotional and intellectual way. Some thought they could pretend not to understand and thereby escape accountability. Jesus could see their motives and games and confront them with “You had better listen closely to this.”
What have you heard from God? Or hearing now? What message was spoken to you from the Bible? I know you heard it with your ears, did you heart it with your heart? “Speak, Lord, your servant is listening” is a proper response. (1 Samuel 3:10 NIV) God is Alive and He is not silent!
“Break into our hard-closed hearing, O God, we need desperately
to hear a fresh word from You and to respond . Amen”
I have known of people who simply turned off their hearing aids when they didn’t want to hear or listen. It’s not a new problem. Jesus dealt with it. Often He completed a teaching by saying, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” (Mark 4:9 NIV) Or, in other words, “use your ears; you need to be responding positively to what I am saying.”
There are two ways of listening to someone: (1) at a sensory level, simply registering the sounds coming from another person or (2) at an emotional level by receiving the words in the context they are given and responding in the proper emotional and intellectual way. Some thought they could pretend not to understand and thereby escape accountability. Jesus could see their motives and games and confront them with “You had better listen closely to this.”
What have you heard from God? Or hearing now? What message was spoken to you from the Bible? I know you heard it with your ears, did you heart it with your heart? “Speak, Lord, your servant is listening” is a proper response. (1 Samuel 3:10 NIV) God is Alive and He is not silent!
“Break into our hard-closed hearing, O God, we need desperately
to hear a fresh word from You and to respond . Amen”
Sunday, February 4, 2007
FEB. 5: GOING IN CIRCLES
I still chuckle about the story, even though it was several summers ago. It seems this man got out of his car at a strip mall and left the motor running while he ran in the store to pick up something. Somehow, the car slipped in gear and when he came out the car was slowly running around in a circle. He couldn’t stop it to get in his car. Police were called. They finally decided that the best thing to do was simply let the car continue to circle until it ran out of gas. Then the man could retrieve his car. And so for several hours crowds watched the car going in a circle.
I think I know some people like that. They can no longer control their situation. No one else knows what to do except to stop them by force but like the automobile going in circles, a forced stop could cause great harm.
Did you ever feel that your life was like that car? Do you ever feel like you are just going around in circles? Years of going in circles could really be depressing. If life has become for you a fruitless repetition of days, your need is for a new start. You need a direction.
Jesus said “You must be born again ” (John 3:7 NIV) to a man who was going in circles. All the play things that you can afford materially will not help if there is no meaning and purpose in life. Ask God to deliver you immediately from this “going in circles.” King David prayed in Psalm 69: 14 (NIV) “Rescue me from this river, do not let me sink.”
In the rut, you just get deeper and deeper. Find the straight path! There is a straight path that leads to Heaven. You must know that.
“Thank you, O Truthful One, for breaking through my confusion. Now give
me the courage to step out and follow You. Amen”
I think I know some people like that. They can no longer control their situation. No one else knows what to do except to stop them by force but like the automobile going in circles, a forced stop could cause great harm.
Did you ever feel that your life was like that car? Do you ever feel like you are just going around in circles? Years of going in circles could really be depressing. If life has become for you a fruitless repetition of days, your need is for a new start. You need a direction.
Jesus said “You must be born again ” (John 3:7 NIV) to a man who was going in circles. All the play things that you can afford materially will not help if there is no meaning and purpose in life. Ask God to deliver you immediately from this “going in circles.” King David prayed in Psalm 69: 14 (NIV) “Rescue me from this river, do not let me sink.”
In the rut, you just get deeper and deeper. Find the straight path! There is a straight path that leads to Heaven. You must know that.
“Thank you, O Truthful One, for breaking through my confusion. Now give
me the courage to step out and follow You. Amen”
Saturday, February 3, 2007
Feb. 4: MONEY DOES NOT EQUAL SUCCESS
I’ve been a sports fan all of my life. Following sports for so long, I have in my mind a long trail of names of very wealthy individuals who thought they could “buy” a success or a World Championship by paying enormous sums of money to gather “star players” for his team. Time after time it fails. The larger the amount paid, the larger the disappointment.
It is a mistake often made in life. People who win big in the Lottery or the stock market and suddenly find themselves rubbing shoulders with the so-called “beautiful people” are often disappointed because having the money to buy what you want doesn’t guarantee success. A lot of people would have second-guessed Jesus (who was God and should have known better) about His choice for the first twelve disciples. Surely there were a lot of “rich, young rulers” who would have been better choices. But Jesus turned the world upside-down with His ragtag crew.
Or in writing the Bible, why didn’t God hire a team of well-trained professionals to tell His story, He had the resources. Instead, He uses an itinerant missionary who is constantly on the move and writing letters to some group. Or He uses the poetry of a grown-up shepherd-boy who keeps forgetting how important God is in his life.
Or in starting His church, surely there must have been a professional management team out of Jerusalem who could have organized that project better rather than leaving it to an unseen Holy Ghost.
“But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things to nullify the things that are, so that no one can boast before Him.” (1 Corinthians 1:27-29)
I like God’s way best.
“God, we are deceived so easily by outward appearances and worldly gimmicks for success. Teach us to trust and obey You. Amen”
It is a mistake often made in life. People who win big in the Lottery or the stock market and suddenly find themselves rubbing shoulders with the so-called “beautiful people” are often disappointed because having the money to buy what you want doesn’t guarantee success. A lot of people would have second-guessed Jesus (who was God and should have known better) about His choice for the first twelve disciples. Surely there were a lot of “rich, young rulers” who would have been better choices. But Jesus turned the world upside-down with His ragtag crew.
Or in writing the Bible, why didn’t God hire a team of well-trained professionals to tell His story, He had the resources. Instead, He uses an itinerant missionary who is constantly on the move and writing letters to some group. Or He uses the poetry of a grown-up shepherd-boy who keeps forgetting how important God is in his life.
Or in starting His church, surely there must have been a professional management team out of Jerusalem who could have organized that project better rather than leaving it to an unseen Holy Ghost.
“But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things to nullify the things that are, so that no one can boast before Him.” (1 Corinthians 1:27-29)
I like God’s way best.
“God, we are deceived so easily by outward appearances and worldly gimmicks for success. Teach us to trust and obey You. Amen”
Friday, February 2, 2007
Feb. 3: THE DESPERATION SHOT
I recently attended a professional basketball game. It was exciting! As the half was about to end, one team was losing by three points. With two seconds remaining, the losing team took possession of the ball on their end of the court. The ball was passed in and the player desperately shot it three-fourths the length of the court. Miraculously, he made it! Everyone yelled in amazement and disbelief.
As I reflected on this, it became a commentary on life. Many live for the desperation shot. It's the mind-set of those who constantly play the lottery or haunt gambling casinos. Life is dull and boring, filled with hardship or handicaps that hopefully can be changed by a magical waving of a wand. People gamble the future on a desperation move. People get involved in a destructive relationship because they think that this is their "last chance" for happiness. These kinds of marriages are doomed for failure.
We observe young people, not yet experienced in life, taking desperate measures to win friends and acceptance. If the desperation move is based on a real promise, it can be good. If the object of the desperation move has a long-standing record of producing good results, that is a different call.
When Jesus asked the disciples if they would desert Him, Peter replied "where can we go, You alone have the words of eternal life." (John 6:68) That has a certain desperation sound to it, but gratefully, Jesus came through and Peter's life was positively changed. Indeed, Jesus has been the "Court of Last Resort" for many people. Having tried everything in the world to give meaning and purpose to life and coming up empty, many turn to Christ and find the satidfaction to the thirst of their sould.
Yes, He did say "I have come that you might have life and have it to the full." (John 10:10 NIV)
"Thank You, Jesus, that I can come to surrender to You now and not wait until I am
caught in the web of desperation. Forgive me for all the past invitations I rejected. Amen"
As I reflected on this, it became a commentary on life. Many live for the desperation shot. It's the mind-set of those who constantly play the lottery or haunt gambling casinos. Life is dull and boring, filled with hardship or handicaps that hopefully can be changed by a magical waving of a wand. People gamble the future on a desperation move. People get involved in a destructive relationship because they think that this is their "last chance" for happiness. These kinds of marriages are doomed for failure.
We observe young people, not yet experienced in life, taking desperate measures to win friends and acceptance. If the desperation move is based on a real promise, it can be good. If the object of the desperation move has a long-standing record of producing good results, that is a different call.
When Jesus asked the disciples if they would desert Him, Peter replied "where can we go, You alone have the words of eternal life." (John 6:68) That has a certain desperation sound to it, but gratefully, Jesus came through and Peter's life was positively changed. Indeed, Jesus has been the "Court of Last Resort" for many people. Having tried everything in the world to give meaning and purpose to life and coming up empty, many turn to Christ and find the satidfaction to the thirst of their sould.
Yes, He did say "I have come that you might have life and have it to the full." (John 10:10 NIV)
"Thank You, Jesus, that I can come to surrender to You now and not wait until I am
caught in the web of desperation. Forgive me for all the past invitations I rejected. Amen"
Thursday, February 1, 2007
Feb. 2: A WORD OF CAUTION
Be careful about your pronouncements! Something you feel strongly about today may look different tomorrow when a member of your own family is involved. I remember the famous Pastor of a large Baptist Church who preached often against divorce.He went so far as to proclaim that no divorced person would ever hold a office or lead in Worship in his Church. And then his soloist daughter got a divorce. He immediately changed his doctrine. Your own flesh and blood involved will change your outlook. Many people who favored an aggressive campaign of spreading democracy by military means have now changed their minds because their own children are in the combat zone. Many people spoke loudly against gays and lesbians until their own child "came out of the closet". Many people have discovered deep down feelings of racism when their own child wanted to marry a person of color or foreign birth. Some who testified to having a strong faith retreated into fear when attacked by a debilitating disease.
Be careful before you make a pronouncement. Maybe you don't have all the facts? Maybe there is another side to the story? And you don't have a clue how that situation feels. Ezekiel the Preacher relates "I came to the exiles who lived at Tel Abib near the Kebar River. And there, where they were living, I sat among them seven days---overwhelmed." (Ezekiel 3:15 NIV) He just sat there! Non-judgemental! No trite observation! He didn't want to add to their discomfort. I call that a "ministry of presence". James 1:19 (NIV) instructs "My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak." Don't speak judgementally. "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." (Matthew 7:1-2 NIV)
"Lord, help us to be gentle with one another. Help us not to jump to conclusions,
but if we do, help us to keep it to ourselves. Forgive for speaking hurtful things. Amen"
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