One of the reasons we like spring is because it tells us that something better is coming. When spring is announced on March 21, we know that birds and flowers and grass and longer days are coming. It is a prophetic event, leading to something better.
So it is with Palm Sunday. It tells us that Easter is coming. The Triumphal Entry of Our Lord Jesus into the city of Jerusalem is a grand event, but it is not the main event. The excited crowds of people that turned the carpenter-teacher’s donkey ride into a media event overshadowing all of the religious significance of the Passover Feast was a prelude to something much larger and grander.
The Palm Sunday crowd was expectant but they did not know where it was all going or just what the final impact might be. They would have to wait a week before they could participate in the event that shook the world. Like one long, loud trumpet blast Palm Sunday heralded the event that until now stands out as history’s most significant day.
As we repeat the ancient story this weekend we will not be able to contain the excitement that will start building in us as we retell the story. “The whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen: ‘Blessed is the King who comes in the Name of the Lord. Peace in Heaven and glory in the highest.’”(Luke 19:37-38 NIV)
There has never been a ticker tape parade to exceed this event. But it was not the main event. The best was yet to be. A peak! A valley! Then a higher peak! You need to join the preparation events this week: through prayer, Maundy Thursday with the Lord’s Supper observation, the musical celebrations, and quiet meditation.
Yes! It’s Palm Sunday, but Easter is coming. Hallelujah! Amen!
“Living Lord, it will be rewarding to our souls to contemplate how You
became our Substitute on the Cross of Calvary! Thank You so much! Amen”
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Friday, March 30, 2007
March 31: THE ORDINARY JESUS
The Jesus we meet in John 13 is so ordinary looking. See Him there, washing the disciples feet. Naturally the first disciples had a hard time thinking of Him as God in such a “non-glorified” state. Later on in Matthew 25 when He began to talk about the “least of these brothers of mine” it was hard to separate Jesus by appearance from them.
And so people debated among themselves. “Where did this man get this wisdom, and these miraculous powers: they asked ‘Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? Aren’t all of his sisters with us? Where did this man get all these things? And they took offense at him.’’ (Matthew 13:55-57 NIV) They liked the miracles and teachings of Jesus, but He did not look like God. They had grown up with Him and played with Him, how could He be divine? God washing feet didn’t make sense.
When John 1:14 (NIV) says “The word became flesh and made His dwelling among us,” we have the Bible trying to explain to us how God could incarnate (become human) and take on an earthly address. From the Biblical account, God created us to have fellowship with us, He intended to live in relationship with us. If He had not been like us, we could never have identified with Him.
Read about the problems that royal families have in trying to come across to their citizens as “ordinary”. Do most people in England identify with the Monarchy? Of course not, the gap is too large. If God had remained aloof, could we have identified with Him? No, that’s the problem of the Old Testament, the God who is too aloof. It is the God of the ordinary that we know in Jesus and therein is the profoundest thing that we can say about God.
“Thank You, God, for putting down the Heavenly Holy and coming to
live among unholy folks who need You so much. Help us not to ignore
You as you walk among us. Amen”
And so people debated among themselves. “Where did this man get this wisdom, and these miraculous powers: they asked ‘Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? Aren’t all of his sisters with us? Where did this man get all these things? And they took offense at him.’’ (Matthew 13:55-57 NIV) They liked the miracles and teachings of Jesus, but He did not look like God. They had grown up with Him and played with Him, how could He be divine? God washing feet didn’t make sense.
When John 1:14 (NIV) says “The word became flesh and made His dwelling among us,” we have the Bible trying to explain to us how God could incarnate (become human) and take on an earthly address. From the Biblical account, God created us to have fellowship with us, He intended to live in relationship with us. If He had not been like us, we could never have identified with Him.
Read about the problems that royal families have in trying to come across to their citizens as “ordinary”. Do most people in England identify with the Monarchy? Of course not, the gap is too large. If God had remained aloof, could we have identified with Him? No, that’s the problem of the Old Testament, the God who is too aloof. It is the God of the ordinary that we know in Jesus and therein is the profoundest thing that we can say about God.
“Thank You, God, for putting down the Heavenly Holy and coming to
live among unholy folks who need You so much. Help us not to ignore
You as you walk among us. Amen”
Thursday, March 29, 2007
March 30: THE WAY OF THE CROSS
It is such a contradiction that many cannot grasp the possibility of eternal salvation coming by way of a Cross. How could a symbol of weakness and shame give out a message of strength and hope? Before Easter arrives in a few days, let me tip you off to a few truths.
Actually, Easter has more than one paradox for us. Among the verses in the Bible that presents the paradox of the cross is Ephesians 1:7-8 (NIV) “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.”
God acted intentionally at the cross to make a way for us to return to Him. I know that blood and cross are not subjects that people like to talk about, but all need to internalize this truth. Only the precious blood of Christ, shed for us on Good Friday, can cover our sins and transgressions.
In Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, there is a grave of a Civil War soldier. The stone bears the date of his birth and death and these words: “Abraham Lincoln’s substitute”. In the woe and anguish of the war, realizing that thousands were falling in his place on the field of battle, Lincoln chose to honor one particular soldier as his substitute and make him as symbol, as it were, of the fact that the soldiers who perished in battle were dying that others might live. When you and I come to the Cross of Christ, each of us, supplying his own name, can say “My substitute”.
In response to this kind of experience, Issac Watts once penned, “But drops of grief can never repay the debt of love I owe; Here, Lord, I give myself away, it’s all that I can do.” The Cross is empty now, of course. It long ago gave up its victim to the Ressurection. The effect of that empty Cross is still powerful Think about it.
“Sometimes, Lord, special times get so overloaded with a secular or
consumer influence, that we miss the truth. We can’t really afford that! Amen”
Actually, Easter has more than one paradox for us. Among the verses in the Bible that presents the paradox of the cross is Ephesians 1:7-8 (NIV) “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.”
God acted intentionally at the cross to make a way for us to return to Him. I know that blood and cross are not subjects that people like to talk about, but all need to internalize this truth. Only the precious blood of Christ, shed for us on Good Friday, can cover our sins and transgressions.
In Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, there is a grave of a Civil War soldier. The stone bears the date of his birth and death and these words: “Abraham Lincoln’s substitute”. In the woe and anguish of the war, realizing that thousands were falling in his place on the field of battle, Lincoln chose to honor one particular soldier as his substitute and make him as symbol, as it were, of the fact that the soldiers who perished in battle were dying that others might live. When you and I come to the Cross of Christ, each of us, supplying his own name, can say “My substitute”.
In response to this kind of experience, Issac Watts once penned, “But drops of grief can never repay the debt of love I owe; Here, Lord, I give myself away, it’s all that I can do.” The Cross is empty now, of course. It long ago gave up its victim to the Ressurection. The effect of that empty Cross is still powerful Think about it.
“Sometimes, Lord, special times get so overloaded with a secular or
consumer influence, that we miss the truth. We can’t really afford that! Amen”
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
March 29: INSULTING GOD BY COMPLAINING
Sometimes, sensitive souls get tired of hearing people insulting God. Especially people who claim themselves religious and would deny ever making a direct attack on Divinity. But, realistically speaking, they insult God with complaining. People who are significantly blessed by living in this land of plenty complain about not having enough. People who are healthy whine about their problems. People “poor-mouth” God because they haven’t received as many blessings as others. Selfish people complain and grasp for more. Ungrateful people who have never learned to say “thank you” to God do much complaining.
Even churches have been known to complain because of a lack of money, members, or talented leadership. This is an insult to God who has blessed us daily with “daily bread”.
Paul said in Philippians 4:10 (NIV) “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” What a great lesson to learn. Paul made a further decisive conclusion in 1 Timothy 6:6-8 (NIV) “godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.” Contentment seems to be a rare commodity in many pantries, When you consider that Paul came to his conclusion from a prison cell that might help you with the key.
The secret to escaping the trap of insulting God is spiritual. When your heart is at peace, the rest of your life can be, also. If you have been born of God through a spiritual rebirth, stop complaining. Realize that you are a child of the King and it is not fitting to insult your father. There are always going to be irritating situations in life. There are always going to be “things” you don’t have. This is not a perfect world. Your part is never going to be perfect. Rise above your situation. Aim your energies at the higher level of a life pleasing to God and with God.
“When I have You, Lord, I know that I will be having what I need. Help
me not to crave the stuff and the location that would distract me from You.
Amen”
Even churches have been known to complain because of a lack of money, members, or talented leadership. This is an insult to God who has blessed us daily with “daily bread”.
Paul said in Philippians 4:10 (NIV) “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” What a great lesson to learn. Paul made a further decisive conclusion in 1 Timothy 6:6-8 (NIV) “godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.” Contentment seems to be a rare commodity in many pantries, When you consider that Paul came to his conclusion from a prison cell that might help you with the key.
The secret to escaping the trap of insulting God is spiritual. When your heart is at peace, the rest of your life can be, also. If you have been born of God through a spiritual rebirth, stop complaining. Realize that you are a child of the King and it is not fitting to insult your father. There are always going to be irritating situations in life. There are always going to be “things” you don’t have. This is not a perfect world. Your part is never going to be perfect. Rise above your situation. Aim your energies at the higher level of a life pleasing to God and with God.
“When I have You, Lord, I know that I will be having what I need. Help
me not to crave the stuff and the location that would distract me from You.
Amen”
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
March 28: GANG LIFE OR CHURCH FAMILY ?
A major concern across the country is the multiplication of youth gangs. Gangs at school have people fearing for the safety of their children. Bullying is a problem. Gangs are committing murder and mayhem and many are fearful at night.
My Mother used to say “Birds of a feather flock together” but that doesn’t explain what’s happening now because gangs stretch across racial, social, and educational lines. The one common expression is anger. When gangs get together, the anger boils over and someone gets hurt.
Gang life is imitation family life. There is a family name and insignia and lifestyle and a demanded loyalty to the gang by all members. These are the kind of traits that used to be used to describe family. But with the breakdown of family and parents going through multiple marriages or partners, youth have been stripped of identity and miss their family. Hence the search for a family unit and the gang is the closest thing they find.
However, there is another alternative: the church. Many churches see themselves as family and the members call each other “brother” and “sister”. Many people, cut adrift without a family of origin to give stability, found a positive alternative in the Body of Christ. “Yet to all who received Him, to those who believe in His name, He gave the right to become the children of God.” (John 1:12 NIV)
There is a brand new life when you become a child of God and then you are automatically linked up with all others who have ever had this experience. This new family (gang) life is strengthened by such instructions as Galatians 6:10 (NIV) “as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” As long as family life is deteriorating, gangs will multiply in number. Thank God He has provided a “good gang” alternative. I’m sure that you can find a real “family relationship” near where you live.
“Loving Father, I know that you do not want us to wander through life
cut adrift from meaningful relationships. Thank you for spiritual families.
Amen”
My Mother used to say “Birds of a feather flock together” but that doesn’t explain what’s happening now because gangs stretch across racial, social, and educational lines. The one common expression is anger. When gangs get together, the anger boils over and someone gets hurt.
Gang life is imitation family life. There is a family name and insignia and lifestyle and a demanded loyalty to the gang by all members. These are the kind of traits that used to be used to describe family. But with the breakdown of family and parents going through multiple marriages or partners, youth have been stripped of identity and miss their family. Hence the search for a family unit and the gang is the closest thing they find.
However, there is another alternative: the church. Many churches see themselves as family and the members call each other “brother” and “sister”. Many people, cut adrift without a family of origin to give stability, found a positive alternative in the Body of Christ. “Yet to all who received Him, to those who believe in His name, He gave the right to become the children of God.” (John 1:12 NIV)
There is a brand new life when you become a child of God and then you are automatically linked up with all others who have ever had this experience. This new family (gang) life is strengthened by such instructions as Galatians 6:10 (NIV) “as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” As long as family life is deteriorating, gangs will multiply in number. Thank God He has provided a “good gang” alternative. I’m sure that you can find a real “family relationship” near where you live.
“Loving Father, I know that you do not want us to wander through life
cut adrift from meaningful relationships. Thank you for spiritual families.
Amen”
Monday, March 26, 2007
March 27: A UNIQUE EVENT
As far as I know, it only happened one time. History never repeated itself on this one. I’m talking about the time the people of God were building a place to worship God and Moses asked the people to bring an offering to finance the project. The people were so grateful and joyful that they brought offerings every morning, not just on the day of Worship.
The people became a nuisance to the laborers with their liberality. Exodus 36:6-7 (NIV) records: “Then Moses gave an order and they sent this word throughout the camp: ‘no man or woman is to make anything else as an offering for the sanctuary.’ And so the people were restrained from bringing more, because what they already had was more than enough to do all the work.” Can you believe that? Quite a contrast to current ministries always asking for money. Of course, this is the complaint that many make about churches; always asking for money.
In this unique event, it was not a project funded by a wealthy few. Rather, ordinary people were overcome with joy and gratitude. That is the secret of Christian liberality. Gratitude springs out of the heart. When an individual seriously counts God’s blessings in life, gratitude is natural. You know it wasn’t an accident or “good luck”. You may ask “why” you are so fortunate but the source of your bounty becomes clear.
This gratitude gets immersed in joy, a kind of spontaneous thanksgiving. But you can only smile and talk about it so much, then there is the impulse to give. You give back to God and your joy in giving expands and you want to give more. Giving begets giving. I have noticed this in the Thanksgiving and Christmas season; people start giving, they like it, then they give some more. Try it Sunday. You will like it. Keep this in mind: you can’t outgive God! But you can have fun trying.
“God, the bible says that you love those who give to you cheerfully.
Through Your Spirit, dare us to adopt ‘smiley-giving’. Amen”
The people became a nuisance to the laborers with their liberality. Exodus 36:6-7 (NIV) records: “Then Moses gave an order and they sent this word throughout the camp: ‘no man or woman is to make anything else as an offering for the sanctuary.’ And so the people were restrained from bringing more, because what they already had was more than enough to do all the work.” Can you believe that? Quite a contrast to current ministries always asking for money. Of course, this is the complaint that many make about churches; always asking for money.
In this unique event, it was not a project funded by a wealthy few. Rather, ordinary people were overcome with joy and gratitude. That is the secret of Christian liberality. Gratitude springs out of the heart. When an individual seriously counts God’s blessings in life, gratitude is natural. You know it wasn’t an accident or “good luck”. You may ask “why” you are so fortunate but the source of your bounty becomes clear.
This gratitude gets immersed in joy, a kind of spontaneous thanksgiving. But you can only smile and talk about it so much, then there is the impulse to give. You give back to God and your joy in giving expands and you want to give more. Giving begets giving. I have noticed this in the Thanksgiving and Christmas season; people start giving, they like it, then they give some more. Try it Sunday. You will like it. Keep this in mind: you can’t outgive God! But you can have fun trying.
“God, the bible says that you love those who give to you cheerfully.
Through Your Spirit, dare us to adopt ‘smiley-giving’. Amen”
Sunday, March 25, 2007
March 26: PSALM 23
Many of you who are reading immediately had a warm feeling when you saw the subject being Psalm 23. Psalm 23 is probably the best known and most familiar chapter in the Bible. People reading it for the first time are touched by it’s message. Very few funeral services are held without these familiar words.
My question to you is this: do you know how David arrived at this place of spiritual maturity to be able to pen such words? Surely these words were not written by a fair-haired shepherd boy untested by the pressures of life but by a man who had gone through terrible experiences and came out on the trusting side with God. How did he know that God was like a shepherd? How did he know that God would provide for him? How did he know that God would deliver him from his enemies? How did he know that there was an answer to the fear of death?
He knew because God delivered him from sin’s destructive hold and gave him a victory. David started well. His father Jesse taught him about responsibility to God. During his youth David was faithful to God. But like so many, when he left home and became an adult, his faith was not as strong. He lusted after another man’s wife, had her husband killed, watched the child of his sinful adultery die, watched another son rebel and try to steal the throne from him and then grieved uncontrollably when the son was murdered.
Only then did he face up to his sin and come to grips with how he wasted his life. If you want to read his prayers of confession and repentance, read Psalms 32 and 51.
No, Psalm 23 is not just a nice thought; it is more than spiritual baby food. It is the testimony of one who tried the world’s offerings and found them lacking and gave his life totally to God and found nothing lacking. Read it closely, dear reader, read it closely.
“Thank you, Good Shepherd, for stooping low and picking up the wounded
and broken sheep. When you have set us on the right path again, keep us
there with loving discipline. Amen”
My question to you is this: do you know how David arrived at this place of spiritual maturity to be able to pen such words? Surely these words were not written by a fair-haired shepherd boy untested by the pressures of life but by a man who had gone through terrible experiences and came out on the trusting side with God. How did he know that God was like a shepherd? How did he know that God would provide for him? How did he know that God would deliver him from his enemies? How did he know that there was an answer to the fear of death?
He knew because God delivered him from sin’s destructive hold and gave him a victory. David started well. His father Jesse taught him about responsibility to God. During his youth David was faithful to God. But like so many, when he left home and became an adult, his faith was not as strong. He lusted after another man’s wife, had her husband killed, watched the child of his sinful adultery die, watched another son rebel and try to steal the throne from him and then grieved uncontrollably when the son was murdered.
Only then did he face up to his sin and come to grips with how he wasted his life. If you want to read his prayers of confession and repentance, read Psalms 32 and 51.
No, Psalm 23 is not just a nice thought; it is more than spiritual baby food. It is the testimony of one who tried the world’s offerings and found them lacking and gave his life totally to God and found nothing lacking. Read it closely, dear reader, read it closely.
“Thank you, Good Shepherd, for stooping low and picking up the wounded
and broken sheep. When you have set us on the right path again, keep us
there with loving discipline. Amen”
Saturday, March 24, 2007
March 25: A SHEPHERD'S PAIN
Did you ever ask or wonder what brings pain to your minister in his caring for your congregation? You might ought to ask him sometimes. It’s something you won’t hear him/her talk about too much. The Apostle John in his letter gave an explanation but it does not make the pain go away. “They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us, but their going showed that none of them belonged to us.” (I John 2:19 NIV)
It is a great pain to see a professing Christian turn his back on Christ. Church members come and go, that’s a natural. People grow spiritually and need to move on to another congregation or denomination to help them to another level spiritually. Nothing wrong with that! But when people who once were dedicated to the things of God begin to live the lifestyle of the worldly, that really hurts. I have met many people who thought they wanted to be Christians but when they became members of a church and realized it meant a change in lifestyle they dropped out. People are free to change their minds.
Most Pastors do have some insight into the human predicament. Although they are not seen as Prophets, they know from personal and prophetic experience that the individual who leaves God’s Word and God’s people behind are setting themselves up for a lot of pain. Regretfully, people always reap what they sow. (Galatians 6:7) The chickens come home to roost! That’s when the pain is multiplied. If you once were an active Christian but are now living a backslidden lifestyle, I expect somewhere today there is a Pastor grieving for what has happened to you.
If you are a faithful Christian, pray for your Pastor today as he deals with his “unseen flock”. Good Pastors (Shepherds) always miss sheep that leave the flock.
“Good Shepherd, thank you for Under-Shepherds that represent You
and give their strength in caring for their Church members and lost ones.
Give them healing for their hurting. Amen”
It is a great pain to see a professing Christian turn his back on Christ. Church members come and go, that’s a natural. People grow spiritually and need to move on to another congregation or denomination to help them to another level spiritually. Nothing wrong with that! But when people who once were dedicated to the things of God begin to live the lifestyle of the worldly, that really hurts. I have met many people who thought they wanted to be Christians but when they became members of a church and realized it meant a change in lifestyle they dropped out. People are free to change their minds.
Most Pastors do have some insight into the human predicament. Although they are not seen as Prophets, they know from personal and prophetic experience that the individual who leaves God’s Word and God’s people behind are setting themselves up for a lot of pain. Regretfully, people always reap what they sow. (Galatians 6:7) The chickens come home to roost! That’s when the pain is multiplied. If you once were an active Christian but are now living a backslidden lifestyle, I expect somewhere today there is a Pastor grieving for what has happened to you.
If you are a faithful Christian, pray for your Pastor today as he deals with his “unseen flock”. Good Pastors (Shepherds) always miss sheep that leave the flock.
“Good Shepherd, thank you for Under-Shepherds that represent You
and give their strength in caring for their Church members and lost ones.
Give them healing for their hurting. Amen”
Friday, March 23, 2007
March 24: GREATER THAN THESE
A long, long time ago in a period of transition God said to the Israelites “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV) Did they take God at His Word and live worry free? No, like us, they had a hard time just taking God at His Word.
Jesus said in Mark 9:23 “Everything is possible for him who believes.” Just trust Him? “Hey, that’s asking too much,” we reply. Jesus raises the stakes in John 14:13-14 (NIV) “And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” Will most Christians pick up the gauntlet on that? I don’t think so. Most fear that there is a hidden cost somewhere because this is an offer that none can afford to turn down.
Let’s go back to verse 12 where Jesus says that by faith in Him we will be enabled to do greater things than He did. “Greater than these!” Wow! Jesus overcame (this is publicly reported and recorded) temptation, attacks, rejection, misunderstanding, exhaustion, and such for three years during His public ministry and now tells me that I can do the same thing for a lifetime. God doesn’t need for us to be Miracle Workers and super stars, He has just provided a way for us to live victorious Christian lives. He has opened a reservoir of strength for us to make a difference in helping our families to be secure spiritually. He has given us the secret of living beyond the clutches of selfish materialism. He opens a pantry door of blessing so we can share with our neighbor.
Greater than these! We were not intended to barely get by on a meager spiritual subsistence. The resources of Heaven are ours. Daily! Accept them.
“God our Father, you sound just like God when you offer us such help
and power for our daily living. Forgive us for acting like beggars. Amen”
Jesus said in Mark 9:23 “Everything is possible for him who believes.” Just trust Him? “Hey, that’s asking too much,” we reply. Jesus raises the stakes in John 14:13-14 (NIV) “And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” Will most Christians pick up the gauntlet on that? I don’t think so. Most fear that there is a hidden cost somewhere because this is an offer that none can afford to turn down.
Let’s go back to verse 12 where Jesus says that by faith in Him we will be enabled to do greater things than He did. “Greater than these!” Wow! Jesus overcame (this is publicly reported and recorded) temptation, attacks, rejection, misunderstanding, exhaustion, and such for three years during His public ministry and now tells me that I can do the same thing for a lifetime. God doesn’t need for us to be Miracle Workers and super stars, He has just provided a way for us to live victorious Christian lives. He has opened a reservoir of strength for us to make a difference in helping our families to be secure spiritually. He has given us the secret of living beyond the clutches of selfish materialism. He opens a pantry door of blessing so we can share with our neighbor.
Greater than these! We were not intended to barely get by on a meager spiritual subsistence. The resources of Heaven are ours. Daily! Accept them.
“God our Father, you sound just like God when you offer us such help
and power for our daily living. Forgive us for acting like beggars. Amen”
Thursday, March 22, 2007
March 23: THE NEW NORMAL
I am now in my seventies. That means I have “passed through” several generations in my life. Every “passage” was different and ushered in a new time of change and adjustment in life. “Normal” changed several times as I matured. Like everyone else, during younger years I was so active and busy I hardly noticed the “new normals”. They are more clearly defined now. Arthritis in the knees says I can’t run five miles a day anymore. Heart problems say I can’t play full-court basketball anymore. Aging eyes say I can’t read fine print without glasses. See what I have just done? I focused on what I can’t do in the “new normal”.
I didn’t tell you that I play tennis three days each week or that I walk with Fay two miles per day. (weather permitting) For each of us there are “new blessings” in the now “new normal”. Let me use a Biblical comparison. Paul was in prison, ankles in chains! Sounds like a recipe for depression, right? Instead, he wrote Philippians 4:11-13 (NIV) “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.” All Bible readers know that Paul did not allow the jail time keep him from his life task of telling people about Jesus. Count your blessings! In your “new normal”, what are the “new” challenges and doors to be opened? You can feel sorry for your self and mourn for “the good old days’ if you want. Or you can look for the good you have in these days.
Paul talks about the peace of God guarding your heart and mind. (Philippians 4:7) Seek His face. Face each “new” day as a “new” gift to be enjoyed in your “now”.
“God of my Present, I don’t need to be looking back over my
shoulder at what used to be. Sharpen my vision to see Your vision
for me. Amen”
I didn’t tell you that I play tennis three days each week or that I walk with Fay two miles per day. (weather permitting) For each of us there are “new blessings” in the now “new normal”. Let me use a Biblical comparison. Paul was in prison, ankles in chains! Sounds like a recipe for depression, right? Instead, he wrote Philippians 4:11-13 (NIV) “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.” All Bible readers know that Paul did not allow the jail time keep him from his life task of telling people about Jesus. Count your blessings! In your “new normal”, what are the “new” challenges and doors to be opened? You can feel sorry for your self and mourn for “the good old days’ if you want. Or you can look for the good you have in these days.
Paul talks about the peace of God guarding your heart and mind. (Philippians 4:7) Seek His face. Face each “new” day as a “new” gift to be enjoyed in your “now”.
“God of my Present, I don’t need to be looking back over my
shoulder at what used to be. Sharpen my vision to see Your vision
for me. Amen”
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
March 22: LET US PRAY!
In religious services and in public gatherings we have heard the call “let us pray’. I raise it again with you now. “Let us pray!” This is a serious time and multiple challenges face our society, we would do well to pray. As long as war is raging, we must pray. “Let us pray!”
The Biblical challenge is simple in Hebrews 11: 6 (NIV) “Without faith it is impossible to please God. For whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.” Prayer changes things. The biggest change that prayer effects is in the life of the one praying. You cannot pray if you are angry. You cannot pray if hatred is in your heart. Your conscience just won’t allow it. You must change your attitude.
Those who pray must empty themselves of all things contrary to the Spirit of God. Prayer changes things as a result of faithful intercession. “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much with God.” (James 5:16) The fall of Communism in Europe some years ago was a result of prayer. Communism was not bombed into submission. No President or political party can take credit for that. History is dotted with these stories.
Talk to Doctors and nurses around the hospitals and they will tell you of healings that are unexplainable by medical science but only by prayer. (This prayer is not like what happens in the faith healer’s tent or hall.”) In every area of life, prayer changes things. “We ought to always pray and not give up.” (Luke 18:1) Digest that challenge!
In a relatively peaceful and ordinary time, we are invited to come together and pray. God is the Rewarder of those who seek Him. Prayer styles are different. Prayer vocabularies are different. Some pray quietly. Some pray aloud.
The key to prayer is praying “in Jesus Name”; that is the key to uniting with others in prayer. “Whatever you ask the Father in My name, He may give it to you.” (John 15:16 NIV) The challenge of effective prayer! This gets through to God! “Let us pray!”
Are you ready to join me? Are you nervous? Do you know where to start? Jesus told a story about a man who wanted to pray but wasn’t practiced at it; he would not even look up to Heaven. He started by saying “God, have mercy on me, a sinner”. (Luke 18:13) Just start there. “Let us pray!
“Thank You, Father, for the gift of prayer! What a blessing and help it is
for me to come and share my heart with You! Thank You for every answer.
I love You! Amen”
The Biblical challenge is simple in Hebrews 11: 6 (NIV) “Without faith it is impossible to please God. For whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.” Prayer changes things. The biggest change that prayer effects is in the life of the one praying. You cannot pray if you are angry. You cannot pray if hatred is in your heart. Your conscience just won’t allow it. You must change your attitude.
Those who pray must empty themselves of all things contrary to the Spirit of God. Prayer changes things as a result of faithful intercession. “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much with God.” (James 5:16) The fall of Communism in Europe some years ago was a result of prayer. Communism was not bombed into submission. No President or political party can take credit for that. History is dotted with these stories.
Talk to Doctors and nurses around the hospitals and they will tell you of healings that are unexplainable by medical science but only by prayer. (This prayer is not like what happens in the faith healer’s tent or hall.”) In every area of life, prayer changes things. “We ought to always pray and not give up.” (Luke 18:1) Digest that challenge!
In a relatively peaceful and ordinary time, we are invited to come together and pray. God is the Rewarder of those who seek Him. Prayer styles are different. Prayer vocabularies are different. Some pray quietly. Some pray aloud.
The key to prayer is praying “in Jesus Name”; that is the key to uniting with others in prayer. “Whatever you ask the Father in My name, He may give it to you.” (John 15:16 NIV) The challenge of effective prayer! This gets through to God! “Let us pray!”
Are you ready to join me? Are you nervous? Do you know where to start? Jesus told a story about a man who wanted to pray but wasn’t practiced at it; he would not even look up to Heaven. He started by saying “God, have mercy on me, a sinner”. (Luke 18:13) Just start there. “Let us pray!
“Thank You, Father, for the gift of prayer! What a blessing and help it is
for me to come and share my heart with You! Thank You for every answer.
I love You! Amen”
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
March 21: A PURITY BALL
I was surprised a few weeks ago on the Network Evening News when there was a segment about parental efforts to keep their daughters sexually pure until marriage. Called “Purity Balls” these are very nice, dress-up affairs that focus on the relationship between a Dad and his daughter, one key factor being the projection to the future to the day the Dad will “give his daughter” to the new man in her life. The father would present her as a virgin. The girl’s desire to please her Father is a strong force.
Most of these commitments were symbolized by rings or a lock and a key. The Father would hold the key until the Wedding Day and then give it to the groom. The solemn Service portrayed on television was very emotional. This is a kind of extension of the “True Love Waits” promise of virginity or pledge of sexual abstinence from some years ago. A couple of things concern me: (1) Surveys have shown that most people who signed abstinence cards had pre-marital sex and did not abstain until marriage. (2) If young women will not keep a promise to God I do not think they will be self-disciplined to keep a promise to Dad.
This focus implies that we expect boys to be sexually active and the burden of purity is on the girl. Regretfully, organized programs that carry a certain amount of “peer pressure” are doomed to failure. And where are the Moms? The key to pre-marital abstinence is Mom and Dad working together and modeling as well as teaching a Christian view of sex. This starts when the child is a toddler.
If your child can be taught the great principle of 1 Corinthians 6: 19-20 (NIV) it will guide the children through any pressure-packed, temptation-filled situation: “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your body.”
“O God, our children are so precious! Help us not to stand by and let the
secular world teach our children their moral values and behavior standards. Amen”
Most of these commitments were symbolized by rings or a lock and a key. The Father would hold the key until the Wedding Day and then give it to the groom. The solemn Service portrayed on television was very emotional. This is a kind of extension of the “True Love Waits” promise of virginity or pledge of sexual abstinence from some years ago. A couple of things concern me: (1) Surveys have shown that most people who signed abstinence cards had pre-marital sex and did not abstain until marriage. (2) If young women will not keep a promise to God I do not think they will be self-disciplined to keep a promise to Dad.
This focus implies that we expect boys to be sexually active and the burden of purity is on the girl. Regretfully, organized programs that carry a certain amount of “peer pressure” are doomed to failure. And where are the Moms? The key to pre-marital abstinence is Mom and Dad working together and modeling as well as teaching a Christian view of sex. This starts when the child is a toddler.
If your child can be taught the great principle of 1 Corinthians 6: 19-20 (NIV) it will guide the children through any pressure-packed, temptation-filled situation: “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your body.”
“O God, our children are so precious! Help us not to stand by and let the
secular world teach our children their moral values and behavior standards. Amen”
Monday, March 19, 2007
March 20: ECUMENICAL
The Random House College Dictionary defines “Ecumenical” as “pertaining to the whole Christian church, promoting or fostering Christian unity throughout the world.” Doesn’t that sound like a good thing? You know my Baptist background by now. So, you should not be surprised that anyone who believes in the Priesthood of every Believer, Individual Soul Competency, The Autonomy of the Local Church, The Separation of Church and State, and The Lordship of Jesus Christ would want to promote and foster Christian unity. The Lordship of Jesus Christ demands obedience to His command “love one another”. (John 15:17) Last Sunday I worshipped in a non-Baptist congregation. It was wonderful. I was blessed. And as I sat there I thought about the large number of people who would drive by that building and never consider entering just because of the sign out front. Mind made up! Convinced that God only works in “their kind” of church! Missing out on a great blessing!
All of us need to get out of our religious comfort zone and worship with Christians of different races and doctrinal distinctives just for the surprise blessing that is waiting. Shake hands and hug necks in another place! That’s what Heaven will be about. I have several non-negotiables in my belief box but if you pin me down there is only one non-negotiable in the Bible. Ready for it? The Lordship of Jesus Christ! Anytime you find people who claim that; you are with family.
If you want an inconspicuous time to visit another church, the Lenten Season is great. Most large cities and even rural villages tend to have Joint Lenten Worship. It won’t be noticed that you did something different. Don’t ask me to explain why Christians will share a little in the Easter time and not the rest of the year. I suggest: confess “Jesus is Lord”, then read Acts 2:1-11, and then get on with the business of promoting Christian unity.
“Lord, You have already made us “one”. All we have to do is begin
living out the reality of “oneness”. May this be the year we start. Amen”
All of us need to get out of our religious comfort zone and worship with Christians of different races and doctrinal distinctives just for the surprise blessing that is waiting. Shake hands and hug necks in another place! That’s what Heaven will be about. I have several non-negotiables in my belief box but if you pin me down there is only one non-negotiable in the Bible. Ready for it? The Lordship of Jesus Christ! Anytime you find people who claim that; you are with family.
If you want an inconspicuous time to visit another church, the Lenten Season is great. Most large cities and even rural villages tend to have Joint Lenten Worship. It won’t be noticed that you did something different. Don’t ask me to explain why Christians will share a little in the Easter time and not the rest of the year. I suggest: confess “Jesus is Lord”, then read Acts 2:1-11, and then get on with the business of promoting Christian unity.
“Lord, You have already made us “one”. All we have to do is begin
living out the reality of “oneness”. May this be the year we start. Amen”
Monday, March 12, 2007
March 19: CONSUMERISM AND THE CHURCH
Why are many churches one-half empty at their prime worship hour? OK, be an optimist; Why are so many churches half-full at their prime worship hour? The church has gotten away from her roots. In this world where consumerism is the driving force, consumerism has gotten into the church. The church now focuses on giving people what they want, even if she must sacrifice doctrine and compromise standards to do so. Entertain them or they won’t come back !
Jesus founded His church to lay an attack against the gates of Hell (Matthew 16:18). He loved the church so much that He died for it. The church was founded to be about the work of God, not entertainment. The church was a gathered group (literally “called out”) of people focusing on preaching the Gospel, teaching the Word of God, discipling believers in personal holiness and equipping believers to minister in a broken world: serious business because the world was in such a mess. Being a follower of Christ meant being caught up in this process and giving the best of your life to help it along. Sound demanding? Absolutely! Passionate? Of course.
A far cry from current church visitors asking “What does your church have to offer?” or “What can your church do for us?” It sounds like people shopping for socks or underwear. Whatever happened to people asking “Is there a place for me to serve here?” or “How can I help this church fulfill her ministry?” It might have a greater impact than just being spiritually entertained in a “Super” Church.
Vibrant, vital, and fruit-bearing churches are those that are striving to please the Lord, not the whims of a consumer-driven society. If a church will be true to her mission of clearly proclaiming the truth, the Lord of the church will give her people who understand that call. This will be more challenging than fund-raising and covered dishes.
To put it another way “ask not what the church can do for you but what you can do for the church”.
“Lord of the Church, grant us a passion like Jesus. We know it can’t be as
strong as His but it can be like His and that would change our churches. Amen”
Jesus founded His church to lay an attack against the gates of Hell (Matthew 16:18). He loved the church so much that He died for it. The church was founded to be about the work of God, not entertainment. The church was a gathered group (literally “called out”) of people focusing on preaching the Gospel, teaching the Word of God, discipling believers in personal holiness and equipping believers to minister in a broken world: serious business because the world was in such a mess. Being a follower of Christ meant being caught up in this process and giving the best of your life to help it along. Sound demanding? Absolutely! Passionate? Of course.
A far cry from current church visitors asking “What does your church have to offer?” or “What can your church do for us?” It sounds like people shopping for socks or underwear. Whatever happened to people asking “Is there a place for me to serve here?” or “How can I help this church fulfill her ministry?” It might have a greater impact than just being spiritually entertained in a “Super” Church.
Vibrant, vital, and fruit-bearing churches are those that are striving to please the Lord, not the whims of a consumer-driven society. If a church will be true to her mission of clearly proclaiming the truth, the Lord of the church will give her people who understand that call. This will be more challenging than fund-raising and covered dishes.
To put it another way “ask not what the church can do for you but what you can do for the church”.
“Lord of the Church, grant us a passion like Jesus. We know it can’t be as
strong as His but it can be like His and that would change our churches. Amen”
March 18: HONESTY NEEDED
I overheard a report being given on the radio concerning honesty. A Business School professor in Dayton had interviewed 3,000 Business School graduates from across America: 90% admitted cheating in college and 95% admitted to lying regularly. If this is the future leadership of America, watch out. Savings and Loan fraud and insider trading schemes will be multiplying.
This survey says there is a bigger moral sickness in America that pre-marital sex and illegal drug use. The latter two affects a much smaller percentage of the college graduate world. Of course, dishonesty and lying are roots of marriage infidelity that bears fruit in divorce and a whole generation of children of divorce that seek solace in illicit sex and drugs.
This problem of dishonesty has ugly tentacles that stretch out in all directions. Wake up, parents and grandparents, what have you been teaching the children about honesty? Are you saying one thing but doing something else? (We are in the tax season!)
The Bible teaches honesty as the natural way of the Christian with no mixture of half-truth. Romans 13:13 (NIV) “Let us walk honestly as in the day” implies that Christians have nothing to hide. Our lives should be open books all the time. Christians pray for one another so that in all things they may “walk honestly” (Hebrews 13:18) Philippians 4:8 challenges us to think about “whatsoever things are honest”.
A whole society crumbles when honesty is dying. The Honor Code at the military academies and medical schools and certain universities says to society that the product of these schools is trustworthy. In Acts 6:3 and other places, we see that honesty was a requirement for leadership in the Church. Today, several churches are in trouble because of dishonest leadership.
Will you make a promise to God today to be totally truthful and honest in all thing? You know,”the truth and nothing but the truth”? If so, seal it with a prayer.
“God of all Truth, set a guard at my lips so nothing dishonest can
escape. Help us to always be walking in the truth with no lies. Amen”
This survey says there is a bigger moral sickness in America that pre-marital sex and illegal drug use. The latter two affects a much smaller percentage of the college graduate world. Of course, dishonesty and lying are roots of marriage infidelity that bears fruit in divorce and a whole generation of children of divorce that seek solace in illicit sex and drugs.
This problem of dishonesty has ugly tentacles that stretch out in all directions. Wake up, parents and grandparents, what have you been teaching the children about honesty? Are you saying one thing but doing something else? (We are in the tax season!)
The Bible teaches honesty as the natural way of the Christian with no mixture of half-truth. Romans 13:13 (NIV) “Let us walk honestly as in the day” implies that Christians have nothing to hide. Our lives should be open books all the time. Christians pray for one another so that in all things they may “walk honestly” (Hebrews 13:18) Philippians 4:8 challenges us to think about “whatsoever things are honest”.
A whole society crumbles when honesty is dying. The Honor Code at the military academies and medical schools and certain universities says to society that the product of these schools is trustworthy. In Acts 6:3 and other places, we see that honesty was a requirement for leadership in the Church. Today, several churches are in trouble because of dishonest leadership.
Will you make a promise to God today to be totally truthful and honest in all thing? You know,”the truth and nothing but the truth”? If so, seal it with a prayer.
“God of all Truth, set a guard at my lips so nothing dishonest can
escape. Help us to always be walking in the truth with no lies. Amen”
March 17: FLUSHING OUT THE FAITHFUL
Did you ever watch a bird-dog hunt? Probably not. It’s a thing of beauty. This specially trained animal will sniff around through grasses and bushes in a field until he finds the hiding birds; immediately his nose will point and his tail will become rigid and then he will “flush them out” for your joy. A great spectacle! Just fascinating!
I have officiated at many Funeral Services. Many years ago faith was obvious at funerals. In this new millennia many people attend funerals from a sense of tradition and duty. But God can always be sensed ( and sometimes seen) very much “working” the crowd. Sort of like the bird-dog I described.
The minister describes how faith overcomes death, he gets a lot of blank stares at the beginning. Then, as God’s Word begins to speak and faith is awakened, those with faith are “flushed out”. A little smile here, a head nod there, or a hardly audible “amen” is whispered. As soon as the service is over, on the way to the cars, some of these strangers will stop by the minister and identify themselves as “believers” who have been blessed. And I rejoice and revel in it. After all, the Bible says the Lord knows those who are His. The Lord tells those who are redeemed to “say so”.
It is good to see God at work at funerals. Those of us who are people of faith shouldn’t wait to be “flushed out”. When we go to the family Visitation the night before or we join with the mourners at the Memorial Service, we must remember that faith has the final word and we should be ready to speak it.
Christians are uniquely equipped to attend funerals. “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on it’s stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.” (Matthew 5:14-15 NIV) Identify your self. Don’t wait for the Heaven-sent bird-dog (aka: Holy Spirit) to move you.
“Father, the quiet moving of your Spirit in our hearts is always a
blessing to us and then to others as we obey. Keep us alert and ready. Amen”
I have officiated at many Funeral Services. Many years ago faith was obvious at funerals. In this new millennia many people attend funerals from a sense of tradition and duty. But God can always be sensed ( and sometimes seen) very much “working” the crowd. Sort of like the bird-dog I described.
The minister describes how faith overcomes death, he gets a lot of blank stares at the beginning. Then, as God’s Word begins to speak and faith is awakened, those with faith are “flushed out”. A little smile here, a head nod there, or a hardly audible “amen” is whispered. As soon as the service is over, on the way to the cars, some of these strangers will stop by the minister and identify themselves as “believers” who have been blessed. And I rejoice and revel in it. After all, the Bible says the Lord knows those who are His. The Lord tells those who are redeemed to “say so”.
It is good to see God at work at funerals. Those of us who are people of faith shouldn’t wait to be “flushed out”. When we go to the family Visitation the night before or we join with the mourners at the Memorial Service, we must remember that faith has the final word and we should be ready to speak it.
Christians are uniquely equipped to attend funerals. “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on it’s stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.” (Matthew 5:14-15 NIV) Identify your self. Don’t wait for the Heaven-sent bird-dog (aka: Holy Spirit) to move you.
“Father, the quiet moving of your Spirit in our hearts is always a
blessing to us and then to others as we obey. Keep us alert and ready. Amen”
Sunday, March 11, 2007
March 16: THE CHURCH AS A HOSPITAL
If a church is healthy, it’s probably because it is operating as a hospital. Contradiction? No! In our ongoing effort to make the New Testament Church relevant to this generation, one explanation may be the comparison to the hospital. Many have their first experience with the hospital when they come to the Emergency Room. After the basic problems are clarified, the patient is transferred to the Intensive Care unit. The care given is more problem-specific and the medical solutions have urgency.
If the patient begins to respond and shows a strong move toward healing, the Progressive Care unit will receive the person and treatment will begin that will normalize their life situation. Evidence being shown that healing is under way, the patient is placed in the wards with the rest of the population on the road to “wholeness” or “wellness”. Then the patient is released back to the real world, where the problem started, returning to the hospital on a outpatient basis.
OK, Compare this: When you recognized that you were lost and separated from God, it was a spiritual emergency that took you to a church building. Because of your condition, you were given intensive care of prayer and Bible teaching by loving, care-giving believers. When you came to faith, you were progressively taught to walk by faith, following the example of those Christians who had already learned. Then you joined the whole body of believers in regular worship and ministry as your faith experience grew stronger.
When you made your first “outpatient” visit to your old past environment, you rejoiced in the new life you had been given. Final release? Big question? Not until you die! Then you will get to “go home”. (In John 14:2 Jesus said “I go to prepare a place for you.”)
You see, as our healing progresses, we walk back in with our new strength for feeding, therapy, and care and then go back out to tell the story of our “new life”.
Does your church home operate as a “Hospital”? Forward this Devotional to as many of the members as you can and ask their opinion?
“Jesus, in the First Century they called you ‘The Great Physician’ so
You must have been comfortable with the idea of our needing Your
Church to fulfill a Clinic role, at least, in our town. Amen”
If the patient begins to respond and shows a strong move toward healing, the Progressive Care unit will receive the person and treatment will begin that will normalize their life situation. Evidence being shown that healing is under way, the patient is placed in the wards with the rest of the population on the road to “wholeness” or “wellness”. Then the patient is released back to the real world, where the problem started, returning to the hospital on a outpatient basis.
OK, Compare this: When you recognized that you were lost and separated from God, it was a spiritual emergency that took you to a church building. Because of your condition, you were given intensive care of prayer and Bible teaching by loving, care-giving believers. When you came to faith, you were progressively taught to walk by faith, following the example of those Christians who had already learned. Then you joined the whole body of believers in regular worship and ministry as your faith experience grew stronger.
When you made your first “outpatient” visit to your old past environment, you rejoiced in the new life you had been given. Final release? Big question? Not until you die! Then you will get to “go home”. (In John 14:2 Jesus said “I go to prepare a place for you.”)
You see, as our healing progresses, we walk back in with our new strength for feeding, therapy, and care and then go back out to tell the story of our “new life”.
Does your church home operate as a “Hospital”? Forward this Devotional to as many of the members as you can and ask their opinion?
“Jesus, in the First Century they called you ‘The Great Physician’ so
You must have been comfortable with the idea of our needing Your
Church to fulfill a Clinic role, at least, in our town. Amen”
March 15: SUFFERERS ARE CALLING US
From time to time there stands out someone who has shown great faith and courage in adversity and beams a lasting inspiration to many. Such was the challenge I received some years ago from the story of Dave Dravecky, a former Major League pitcher. In his prime, cancer caused the surgical removal of one arm and ended a fine baseball career. In his book “When You Can’t Come Back” he wrote “In America, Christians pray for the burden of suffering to be lifted from their backs. In the rest of the world, Christians pray for stronger backs so they can bear their suffering. It’s why we look away from the bag lady on the street and to the displays in store windows. It’s why we prefer going to the movies instead of hospitals and Nursing Homes.”
I find that quite an indictment, don’t you? Did Dravecky have to experience suffering to learn that truth? Do you? Do I? I remember one Mother’s Day when it was the turn of our Church to go to the Nursing Home for a Service. I was surprised at the small number of visitors there and the large number of Senior ladies alone in their rooms. One of the obvious things that Jesus did in His ministry was to search out sufferers to encourage them.
Many people suffer alone from a variety of physical, mental, and emotional pains. People who are healthy should make the effort to comfort them. Jesus said “I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” (Matthew 25:35-36 NIV) His explanation to His shocked listeners was if you did this for anyone you did it for Him.
We all know there is a world full of suffering today; it is not in hiding either. Will we be “Jesus” to those folks?
“When I was a kid, Lord, we used to sing a song in Church that said
‘Brighten the corner, where you are’. I’m sure you were behind those
words. Amen”
I find that quite an indictment, don’t you? Did Dravecky have to experience suffering to learn that truth? Do you? Do I? I remember one Mother’s Day when it was the turn of our Church to go to the Nursing Home for a Service. I was surprised at the small number of visitors there and the large number of Senior ladies alone in their rooms. One of the obvious things that Jesus did in His ministry was to search out sufferers to encourage them.
Many people suffer alone from a variety of physical, mental, and emotional pains. People who are healthy should make the effort to comfort them. Jesus said “I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” (Matthew 25:35-36 NIV) His explanation to His shocked listeners was if you did this for anyone you did it for Him.
We all know there is a world full of suffering today; it is not in hiding either. Will we be “Jesus” to those folks?
“When I was a kid, Lord, we used to sing a song in Church that said
‘Brighten the corner, where you are’. I’m sure you were behind those
words. Amen”
March 14: THE SCRATCHY PEN
I’m going to reveal my age group to you now. When I was a child, people still wrote with ink pens. I could never do it smoothly. It was really bad when you got a scratchy pen, one with a point where the ink did not flow evenly or became snagged in the paper. The end product would be very rough and uneven.
I recently read about Hannah Moore, a 19th century Christian. She wrote about her spiritual penmanship, a source of discouragement for her. She had a low opinion of her spiritual effectiveness. In one of her self-appraisals she wrote: “God is sometimes pleased to work with most unworthy instruments. It always gives me the idea of a great author writing with a very bad pen.”
Some of you readers have never used a pen but I am sure you have used a ball-point pen that skips and blots, not attractive either. Christian life stories are written like that; some days the prose is smooth and descriptive but on other days the sentences are disjointed. Some days our poetry just won’t rhyme.
What kind of story is God writing with you today? The main question is legibility. Is it readable? You see, even if a pen didn’t write smoothly it would still be legible. The message was readable.
The Bible instructs us “let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ.” (Philemon 1:27 (NIV). Titus 1:15 (NIV) says “to the pure all things are pure.” When your inner heart and mind are kept pure, the life message you write will be clear and consistent. An occasional misspelled word will not betray the whole body of the message.
Even a dirty face can’t hide a pure heart. Daily submit your life to the Lord and ask Him to write someone a love letter through you. His hand is not shaky, the writing will be legible.
“God, someone said you could draw a straight line with a crooked
stick. If that is still true, Forgiving Lord, use my life today. Amen”
I recently read about Hannah Moore, a 19th century Christian. She wrote about her spiritual penmanship, a source of discouragement for her. She had a low opinion of her spiritual effectiveness. In one of her self-appraisals she wrote: “God is sometimes pleased to work with most unworthy instruments. It always gives me the idea of a great author writing with a very bad pen.”
Some of you readers have never used a pen but I am sure you have used a ball-point pen that skips and blots, not attractive either. Christian life stories are written like that; some days the prose is smooth and descriptive but on other days the sentences are disjointed. Some days our poetry just won’t rhyme.
What kind of story is God writing with you today? The main question is legibility. Is it readable? You see, even if a pen didn’t write smoothly it would still be legible. The message was readable.
The Bible instructs us “let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ.” (Philemon 1:27 (NIV). Titus 1:15 (NIV) says “to the pure all things are pure.” When your inner heart and mind are kept pure, the life message you write will be clear and consistent. An occasional misspelled word will not betray the whole body of the message.
Even a dirty face can’t hide a pure heart. Daily submit your life to the Lord and ask Him to write someone a love letter through you. His hand is not shaky, the writing will be legible.
“God, someone said you could draw a straight line with a crooked
stick. If that is still true, Forgiving Lord, use my life today. Amen”
March 13: SAD REMINDERS
Those little solitary memorials to tragedy multiply along our roads. Even if it is another youthful fad, this one is accompanied by tears and anger and denial. We see the picture on the front page of the paper or the television news about the auto accident. Then follows the tearful teenagers at the scene and later at the funeral home.
The school will provide extra counselors for the students to “talk” about their feelings. And then another cross will appear at the roadside. And then the following weekend, some of the same grieving kids will be partying and drinking and driving as if it never happened. And even when youths themselves raise the memorials, they often are the first to forget.
Why? Because we are dealing with a question of inner meaning and purpose in life that gives a young person direction. The futility of all the “don’t drink and drive”, “safe sex”, or “clean needle” programs is at this point. To say to a teenager “Don’t do this or you will hurt yourself” is wasting your breath unless you have given the child a moral and spiritual set of values on why “saying no” is the right choice. Too many reckless youth do survive to make any kid believe it will never happen to him or her.
The “beach week” tragedies of Spring break continue to be reported: rapes, murders, fatal accidents, alcohol poisoning, etc; the little memorials will continue to be planted but now by the college students.
The Bible says “train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.” (Proverbs 22:6 NIV) That begins with a Biblical basis of truth and builds on a rational faith. “The truth will make you free” Jesus said in John 8:32. Yes, parents and guardians, it is hard work. But that work will eliminate the need of these sad reminders and give us more time to place “Ebenezer stones”. (1 Samuel 7:12)
“God of All Life, both young and old, soften our hearts to be
genuinely touched by a wasted life and to commit ourselves
to helping the youth make right decisions. Amen”
The school will provide extra counselors for the students to “talk” about their feelings. And then another cross will appear at the roadside. And then the following weekend, some of the same grieving kids will be partying and drinking and driving as if it never happened. And even when youths themselves raise the memorials, they often are the first to forget.
Why? Because we are dealing with a question of inner meaning and purpose in life that gives a young person direction. The futility of all the “don’t drink and drive”, “safe sex”, or “clean needle” programs is at this point. To say to a teenager “Don’t do this or you will hurt yourself” is wasting your breath unless you have given the child a moral and spiritual set of values on why “saying no” is the right choice. Too many reckless youth do survive to make any kid believe it will never happen to him or her.
The “beach week” tragedies of Spring break continue to be reported: rapes, murders, fatal accidents, alcohol poisoning, etc; the little memorials will continue to be planted but now by the college students.
The Bible says “train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.” (Proverbs 22:6 NIV) That begins with a Biblical basis of truth and builds on a rational faith. “The truth will make you free” Jesus said in John 8:32. Yes, parents and guardians, it is hard work. But that work will eliminate the need of these sad reminders and give us more time to place “Ebenezer stones”. (1 Samuel 7:12)
“God of All Life, both young and old, soften our hearts to be
genuinely touched by a wasted life and to commit ourselves
to helping the youth make right decisions. Amen”
March 12: THE EVIL OF RACISM
You will be glad to know that some ministers and churches are working together seriously to defeat racism. Sadly, not all are working to that end. Racism is very deep-seated and some view it as a hopeless chance to change it. Others have come to the conclusion that we can no longer ignore the message of 1 John 2: 9-11: “anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness. Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble. But whoever hates his brother is in darkness and walks around in the darkness; he does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded him.”
When I went to my study this morning, it was dark outside. But little by little the sun was coming up. Then all was light. I was born in a racist community and raise in a racist environment. Then the Son came up in my life and at the age of 17 I had a radical wake-up call about the evil of racial prejudice.
I am saddened that it did not happen in church. Many churches yet remain silent on racism. If they are going to have a speaker of another race it will be advertised so any members with racist feelings may stay at home. Is the Light on at your house? Is the Light on at your church? When you can see other people as your brothers and sisters you know that the Light is on. “But if we walk in the Light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7 NIV)
That word “fellowship” is a wonderful word: it means sharing life. My definition is “joined together at the heart”. How can you possibly reject someone because of one thin layer of pigmentation (epidermis) when you are joined together at the heart?
“As we progress through the Lenten season, O Ressurected Christ, may
we use this an opportune time to share with other Christians in prayer. Amen”
When I went to my study this morning, it was dark outside. But little by little the sun was coming up. Then all was light. I was born in a racist community and raise in a racist environment. Then the Son came up in my life and at the age of 17 I had a radical wake-up call about the evil of racial prejudice.
I am saddened that it did not happen in church. Many churches yet remain silent on racism. If they are going to have a speaker of another race it will be advertised so any members with racist feelings may stay at home. Is the Light on at your house? Is the Light on at your church? When you can see other people as your brothers and sisters you know that the Light is on. “But if we walk in the Light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7 NIV)
That word “fellowship” is a wonderful word: it means sharing life. My definition is “joined together at the heart”. How can you possibly reject someone because of one thin layer of pigmentation (epidermis) when you are joined together at the heart?
“As we progress through the Lenten season, O Ressurected Christ, may
we use this an opportune time to share with other Christians in prayer. Amen”
Saturday, March 10, 2007
March 11: THE HIGHER POWER
We have many different support groups actively at work in our community and they do good work. Lives are being changed and futures are brightened. Most of these groups recognize a Higher Power. The Higher Power is not usually described or defined but always recognized as the real enabler in breaking the hold of bad habits or destructive actions.
There is an underlying recognition that most problems have some sort of spiritual cause. This makes it vitally important that the church always have an “open-door” policy to anyone who comes for help while working through the “recovery” process. Many of these people have been shunned and rejected by the church because of their addiction. Many of these folks are Christians who desire to return to the church after previously being “turned off” by an insensitive religious group.
Some may have found the church not interested in ministering to real people with real problems even though the Lord of the Church said He “came to minister and give His life to ransom many.” (Mark 10:45 NIV)The church has a two-pronged responsibility to those who are lost and looking for help. First, imitate the Apostle Paul in Athens (Acts 17:23) by identifying the higher power “what you worship as something unknown I am going to introduce to you.”
Secondly, show by your own attitude of openness and understanding that you have a dynamic personal relationship with this higher power now identified. The Bible says that when these Athenians saw Paul “flesh-out” his higher power, they became his companions.
If your Higher Power is Jesus, introduce Him as such. Jesus said “All power in Heaven and on earth has been given to me.” (Matthew 28:18). That power raised Him from the dead. As a popular Christian song says “Ain’t no power on earth can tie Him down.” He is my Higher Power, too. Have you identified yours?
“Thank You, Father, for offering Your power so we could be cleansed
and forgiven and enabled to leave behind destructive behavior. Amen”
There is an underlying recognition that most problems have some sort of spiritual cause. This makes it vitally important that the church always have an “open-door” policy to anyone who comes for help while working through the “recovery” process. Many of these people have been shunned and rejected by the church because of their addiction. Many of these folks are Christians who desire to return to the church after previously being “turned off” by an insensitive religious group.
Some may have found the church not interested in ministering to real people with real problems even though the Lord of the Church said He “came to minister and give His life to ransom many.” (Mark 10:45 NIV)The church has a two-pronged responsibility to those who are lost and looking for help. First, imitate the Apostle Paul in Athens (Acts 17:23) by identifying the higher power “what you worship as something unknown I am going to introduce to you.”
Secondly, show by your own attitude of openness and understanding that you have a dynamic personal relationship with this higher power now identified. The Bible says that when these Athenians saw Paul “flesh-out” his higher power, they became his companions.
If your Higher Power is Jesus, introduce Him as such. Jesus said “All power in Heaven and on earth has been given to me.” (Matthew 28:18). That power raised Him from the dead. As a popular Christian song says “Ain’t no power on earth can tie Him down.” He is my Higher Power, too. Have you identified yours?
“Thank You, Father, for offering Your power so we could be cleansed
and forgiven and enabled to leave behind destructive behavior. Amen”
Friday, March 9, 2007
There is a fast-growing religion developing across America currently. I’m sure you have noticed. This god spends a large sum of money for television advertising but also advertises through other media as well. This is the worship of “The God of Fate”. The primary form of worship is through the purchase of a lottery ticket: for the masses this is the simplest way to worship. The temples of this god are very accessible; it’s the local convenience store. There may be more exotic temples in resort cities or riverboat casinos for those who can afford a pilgrimage but local devotees have many available temples open around the clock.
This god is really a god of illusion promising every worshipper something they cannot see. The donations (offerings) can be either small or large, it will be happily received. No one will hound you for contributions or put a collection plate in front of you like they do in churches. If you wish to worship, you voluntarily approach the altar. I hope you will not be deceived by this religion. It is really designed to deceive you. For instance, worship is described as “playing the lottery”; certainly nothing threatening in those words. Playing sounds harmless.
On the other hand, there is a sure investment you can make. Jesus said “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and everything else will be added to your life.” (Matthew 6:33 NIV) Personal, experimental knowledge is better than chance. Job 19:26 (NIV) says “I know that my Redeemer lives and I will see God.” Paul said “I know whom I have believed and am convinced that He will keep what I have committed to Him.” (2 Timothy 1:12 NIV)
Worshipping the god of Fate is very addictive, very enslaving, while the God of Faith is liberating. Personal assurance of life with God both here and for Eternity is not an illusion.
“True God, it is very tempting to chase luck and illusion when
life seems empty and boring. Help us to invest in Your assurance. Amen”
This god is really a god of illusion promising every worshipper something they cannot see. The donations (offerings) can be either small or large, it will be happily received. No one will hound you for contributions or put a collection plate in front of you like they do in churches. If you wish to worship, you voluntarily approach the altar. I hope you will not be deceived by this religion. It is really designed to deceive you. For instance, worship is described as “playing the lottery”; certainly nothing threatening in those words. Playing sounds harmless.
On the other hand, there is a sure investment you can make. Jesus said “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and everything else will be added to your life.” (Matthew 6:33 NIV) Personal, experimental knowledge is better than chance. Job 19:26 (NIV) says “I know that my Redeemer lives and I will see God.” Paul said “I know whom I have believed and am convinced that He will keep what I have committed to Him.” (2 Timothy 1:12 NIV)
Worshipping the god of Fate is very addictive, very enslaving, while the God of Faith is liberating. Personal assurance of life with God both here and for Eternity is not an illusion.
“True God, it is very tempting to chase luck and illusion when
life seems empty and boring. Help us to invest in Your assurance. Amen”
Thursday, March 8, 2007
March 9: IS THERE AN EYE IN THE SKY?
The very idea seems shocking but as it was explained “it is a sign of the times”. Go to large traffic corners and see them peering down at you. Surveillance cameras! Several Universities have announced that surveillance cameras will be installed throughout their campuses. There has been such a rash of robberies, rapes and personal attacks that the cameras are supposed to add to the security of the students.
Feeling safe is a very important emotional need. Voices have been raised in objection. This invasion of privacy is not acceptable to many people. However, one girl was interviewed for television who said “I don’t do anything wrong so I don’t mind being filmed and I would like to be filmed if someone attacks me.” Well said! It brought to mind Paul’s instruction in Romans 13:1ff “everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against what God has instituted, and those who do will bring judgement to themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God’s agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.”
Honestly, do you object to the radar gun when you are obeying the speed limit? Do you mind a policeman’s car when you have stopped at a traffic light? “Of course not” to both questions. You are glad it is there. Likewise, surveillance cameras.
A life of freedom is experienced by those who are doing good and obeying the law. Cameras or none. So what is the real problem ?
“Gracious Lord, help us not to be afraid of surveillance cameras, Grant
us the peace of mind of those who are walking in the Light. Amen”
Feeling safe is a very important emotional need. Voices have been raised in objection. This invasion of privacy is not acceptable to many people. However, one girl was interviewed for television who said “I don’t do anything wrong so I don’t mind being filmed and I would like to be filmed if someone attacks me.” Well said! It brought to mind Paul’s instruction in Romans 13:1ff “everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against what God has instituted, and those who do will bring judgement to themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God’s agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.”
Honestly, do you object to the radar gun when you are obeying the speed limit? Do you mind a policeman’s car when you have stopped at a traffic light? “Of course not” to both questions. You are glad it is there. Likewise, surveillance cameras.
A life of freedom is experienced by those who are doing good and obeying the law. Cameras or none. So what is the real problem ?
“Gracious Lord, help us not to be afraid of surveillance cameras, Grant
us the peace of mind of those who are walking in the Light. Amen”
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
March 8: THE GOD WHO SEARCHES
Who could imagine such a thing? A God who looks for the lost and sinful in order to have a relationship with them? Unbelievable! That’s what the professional religionist thought in Jesus’ time, especially the Pharisees. Everyone knows that God hates sin, right? Everyone knows that God won’t fellowship with sinners, right? This way of thinking was exploded by Jesus in Luke 15. It doesn’t matter how the lost got lost, if through ignorant following natural desire like a sheep for grass or carelessness by the woman with her money.
It doesn’t matter. Lost is lost. It can never find itself. It is helpless and hopeless. There we have a definitive statement on the lost condition of man. The Pharisees reaction? Good riddance! They were not worthy of God’s love anyway. God would take care of it someday and burn all that rubbish in Hell.
But Jesus says “No”. In verses 8 through 10 He describes God as having the same emotional reaction as a poor peasant woman who has lost a coin. The woman conducts a grief stricken search for the coin. God conducts a search for lost people. All the way to Mount Calvary is God’s “trail of tears”.
A basic question: What kind of Father is God anyway? Haughty and rejecting? Tender and seeking? God is persistent in His search for His lost children. He found one among the miserable at the Pool of Bethesda. He found another, Bartimaeus, begging on the roadside.
Has He found you yet? Where were you when you found God, or better said, when He found you? If you have not yet been found by God, stop where you are, stop running and shout “God, here I am. I want to be found today.” Isaiah 65:1 (NIV) says “I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me; I was found by those who did not seek me.”
“O Blessed Hound of Heaven, thank You for keeping up the pursuit
for Your lost creations. I pray we all get tired of running from You. Amen”
It doesn’t matter. Lost is lost. It can never find itself. It is helpless and hopeless. There we have a definitive statement on the lost condition of man. The Pharisees reaction? Good riddance! They were not worthy of God’s love anyway. God would take care of it someday and burn all that rubbish in Hell.
But Jesus says “No”. In verses 8 through 10 He describes God as having the same emotional reaction as a poor peasant woman who has lost a coin. The woman conducts a grief stricken search for the coin. God conducts a search for lost people. All the way to Mount Calvary is God’s “trail of tears”.
A basic question: What kind of Father is God anyway? Haughty and rejecting? Tender and seeking? God is persistent in His search for His lost children. He found one among the miserable at the Pool of Bethesda. He found another, Bartimaeus, begging on the roadside.
Has He found you yet? Where were you when you found God, or better said, when He found you? If you have not yet been found by God, stop where you are, stop running and shout “God, here I am. I want to be found today.” Isaiah 65:1 (NIV) says “I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me; I was found by those who did not seek me.”
“O Blessed Hound of Heaven, thank You for keeping up the pursuit
for Your lost creations. I pray we all get tired of running from You. Amen”
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
March 7: MOLDING OUR CHILDREN
My wife loves Pre-school children, all of hem. She loves to teach them and watch them grow. She is one of those people who learned long ago that it is easier to mold a child than reshape an adult. Many adults will confess today that they wish someone had taught them the truth before they became hardened adults.
It is so hard watching children come out of homes where the adults don’t care about the impression being made on he children. Young lives are so pliable and responsive. The old saying about “as the twig is bent” is very true.
Adults need to exercise control over what television programs the children watch. Some of the results will not be seen immediately but the seed planted will bear fruit. It is comparable to the “copy-cat” crimes that are regularly reported on the Evening News. Some of the grosses and most shocking are the ones perpetrated by children after watching adult TV.
Parents who read worthless fiction or watch immoral television shows or use any kind of drug (even prescription) can be sure that their children will follow their example, not their words. Jesus said “If anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.” (Matthew 18:6 NIV)
Jesus has great compassion for children. Its easy to understand. Children are so vulnerable. In a metropolitan area people get so preoccupied with making a living that it’s easy to neglect time spending time teaching the children how to “make a life”.
Caring for their diet and physical well-being is important in raising children; caring for their spiritual and emotional development is critical. Reader: check out your children and grandchildren. If you see actions, hear words, notice attitudes that they learned from you: go to them and apologize.
“Father of All, these precious young lives who copy so much after us;
help them to sort out what is worth copying and ignore the rest. Amen”
It is so hard watching children come out of homes where the adults don’t care about the impression being made on he children. Young lives are so pliable and responsive. The old saying about “as the twig is bent” is very true.
Adults need to exercise control over what television programs the children watch. Some of the results will not be seen immediately but the seed planted will bear fruit. It is comparable to the “copy-cat” crimes that are regularly reported on the Evening News. Some of the grosses and most shocking are the ones perpetrated by children after watching adult TV.
Parents who read worthless fiction or watch immoral television shows or use any kind of drug (even prescription) can be sure that their children will follow their example, not their words. Jesus said “If anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.” (Matthew 18:6 NIV)
Jesus has great compassion for children. Its easy to understand. Children are so vulnerable. In a metropolitan area people get so preoccupied with making a living that it’s easy to neglect time spending time teaching the children how to “make a life”.
Caring for their diet and physical well-being is important in raising children; caring for their spiritual and emotional development is critical. Reader: check out your children and grandchildren. If you see actions, hear words, notice attitudes that they learned from you: go to them and apologize.
“Father of All, these precious young lives who copy so much after us;
help them to sort out what is worth copying and ignore the rest. Amen”
Monday, March 5, 2007
March 6: DISCIPLESHIP VERSUS LAZINESS
When Jesus started talking about the cost of discipleship, many decided that they didn’t want to be Christians. Read John 6. Being a disciple means being a student or learner. Being a disciple of Jesus means being controlled by Jesus. There is a crisis in Christianity today. Jesus said His disciples are to be taught “to obey everything I have commanded” (Matthew 28:20) and many professing Christians reject that responsibility.
How many Christians do you know who are actively involved in a discipling process? Acts 2:42 says the early disciples “devoted themselves to the apostle’s teaching”. A profession of your faith in Jesus Christ is the front end of the Christian experience, not the final end. Discipleship will enable you to apply the Word of God in your life and live a victorious Christian life. Christian ethics and morality, a Christian lifestyle, Christian family life; all of this is the fruit of Christian discipleship.
The real purpose of the Christian life is to reproduce but only a discipled life knows how to reproduce. Anyone can open the Bible and discover the truth but the definite application of the truth is a guided experience! This is hard work! Each Christian must realize the seriousness of the need for spiritual growth. The Bible never says or implies that there is a blessing in being ignorant.
Would you like a key verse for a discipling emphasis in your life and Church? Try 2 Timothy 2:2 “and the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.”
The Kingdom of God will grow with this kind of spiritual multiplication. “Our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces of evil.” (Ephesians 6:12 NIV) This is a word from Paul. To win this struggle will demand disciplined followers not just emotional believers. Are you up to it?
“Lord God, save me from spiritual laziness. Help me to commit to
the spiritual discipline needed to grow in the things of the Spirit. Amen”
How many Christians do you know who are actively involved in a discipling process? Acts 2:42 says the early disciples “devoted themselves to the apostle’s teaching”. A profession of your faith in Jesus Christ is the front end of the Christian experience, not the final end. Discipleship will enable you to apply the Word of God in your life and live a victorious Christian life. Christian ethics and morality, a Christian lifestyle, Christian family life; all of this is the fruit of Christian discipleship.
The real purpose of the Christian life is to reproduce but only a discipled life knows how to reproduce. Anyone can open the Bible and discover the truth but the definite application of the truth is a guided experience! This is hard work! Each Christian must realize the seriousness of the need for spiritual growth. The Bible never says or implies that there is a blessing in being ignorant.
Would you like a key verse for a discipling emphasis in your life and Church? Try 2 Timothy 2:2 “and the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.”
The Kingdom of God will grow with this kind of spiritual multiplication. “Our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces of evil.” (Ephesians 6:12 NIV) This is a word from Paul. To win this struggle will demand disciplined followers not just emotional believers. Are you up to it?
“Lord God, save me from spiritual laziness. Help me to commit to
the spiritual discipline needed to grow in the things of the Spirit. Amen”
Sunday, March 4, 2007
March 5: THE BLESSING OF DISCIPLINE
It takes a mature person in faith to accept discipline and be grateful for it. From our childhood, most of us view discipline as punishment, deserved or undeserved. David had grown spiritually when he said in Psalm 141: 5 (NIV) “let a righteous man strike me, it is a kindness; let him rebuke me, it is oil on my head. My head will not refuse it.”
When was the last time you prayed, “Lord, discipline me”? Much more easily do we say “bless me”. Haven’t you read The Revelation 3:19 (NIV) “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent”. I hope you wouldn’t allow your child or grandchild to remain on a destructive path. In the same way the Lord has to chasten us. The wise man in Proverbs 19:18 says “discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to his death.”
It often seems that society has forgotten how to discipline. When a teacher or person in authority gives discipline to children, it often results in a legal charge. Parents who were never disciplined don’t discipline their children nor do they want others to do so. Love and caring expresses itself through discipline. It means “I love you too much to allow you to continue on this path to destruction.” “The Lord has chastened me severely, but He has not given me over to death” was David’s testimony. (Psalm 118:18 NIV)
The road to destruction has no stop lights or barricades. Discipline is often painful, always restrictive, but the results are worth it. “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” (Hebrews 12:11 NIV) You can trust God, He will do it right. If things are not turning out right in your life, ask Him to discipline you. His discipline will be in love and will do you good.
“God, there are a lot of crooked paths in my life. I give You permission
to straighten them out and give me strength to walk on them. Amen”
When was the last time you prayed, “Lord, discipline me”? Much more easily do we say “bless me”. Haven’t you read The Revelation 3:19 (NIV) “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent”. I hope you wouldn’t allow your child or grandchild to remain on a destructive path. In the same way the Lord has to chasten us. The wise man in Proverbs 19:18 says “discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to his death.”
It often seems that society has forgotten how to discipline. When a teacher or person in authority gives discipline to children, it often results in a legal charge. Parents who were never disciplined don’t discipline their children nor do they want others to do so. Love and caring expresses itself through discipline. It means “I love you too much to allow you to continue on this path to destruction.” “The Lord has chastened me severely, but He has not given me over to death” was David’s testimony. (Psalm 118:18 NIV)
The road to destruction has no stop lights or barricades. Discipline is often painful, always restrictive, but the results are worth it. “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” (Hebrews 12:11 NIV) You can trust God, He will do it right. If things are not turning out right in your life, ask Him to discipline you. His discipline will be in love and will do you good.
“God, there are a lot of crooked paths in my life. I give You permission
to straighten them out and give me strength to walk on them. Amen”
Saturday, March 3, 2007
March 4: THE COLOR OF GREED
The grass is not the only thing turning green. The world of sports is showing us very clearly how much greed devours our society. We have hardly settled down from the shock of astronomical salaries being paid to baseball players. Now, during this time of “free agency”, the football players are making headlines with huge salaries. Allegiance to certain teams, once a sure thing, has been neutralized as players jump from one team to another, going to the highest bidder.
Baseball players, already richer by far than the average person, can threaten to go on strike for more money. And since sports is such a big industry in our country, the trickle down effect is great. That greedy people can evoke sympathy getting rich is a phenomenon in itself.
Want to hear what God says about greed? Proverbs 15:27 (NIV) says “a greedy man brings trouble to his family.” Proverbs 21:25-26 (NIV) says “the lazy man’s greed will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work, all day he covets greedily”. The Apostle Paul tells Timothy that a sign of a mature man is that he is not greedy for money. (1 Timothy 3) Greed has the effect of generating a class-conscious society where success is determined by the kind of house you live in, the kind of car you drive, and the brand-name clothes you wear. Greed kills sensitive concern for your fellow man.
This greed is in stark contrast to the life of Jesus where liberality and giving to others is clearly proclaimed and exemplified by Jesus. Jesus went so far as to say even if your enemy asked you for help, give to him liberally. (Luke 6:30) Maybe the reason the sport’s scene is so distasteful to some of us is because we wish we had that kind of financial power and leverage. If it would force all of us to do something about our own greediness, that would be good.
The next time you are overcome with feelings of greed, even in Church, think of Jesus who had “no place to lay His head”.
“Father God, we all know that we can’t take money with us when we
leave this world. Enlighten us to use money wisely and helpfully. Amen”
Baseball players, already richer by far than the average person, can threaten to go on strike for more money. And since sports is such a big industry in our country, the trickle down effect is great. That greedy people can evoke sympathy getting rich is a phenomenon in itself.
Want to hear what God says about greed? Proverbs 15:27 (NIV) says “a greedy man brings trouble to his family.” Proverbs 21:25-26 (NIV) says “the lazy man’s greed will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work, all day he covets greedily”. The Apostle Paul tells Timothy that a sign of a mature man is that he is not greedy for money. (1 Timothy 3) Greed has the effect of generating a class-conscious society where success is determined by the kind of house you live in, the kind of car you drive, and the brand-name clothes you wear. Greed kills sensitive concern for your fellow man.
This greed is in stark contrast to the life of Jesus where liberality and giving to others is clearly proclaimed and exemplified by Jesus. Jesus went so far as to say even if your enemy asked you for help, give to him liberally. (Luke 6:30) Maybe the reason the sport’s scene is so distasteful to some of us is because we wish we had that kind of financial power and leverage. If it would force all of us to do something about our own greediness, that would be good.
The next time you are overcome with feelings of greed, even in Church, think of Jesus who had “no place to lay His head”.
“Father God, we all know that we can’t take money with us when we
leave this world. Enlighten us to use money wisely and helpfully. Amen”
Friday, March 2, 2007
March 3: FAITH AND THE SPECTACULAR
Hebrews 11:1 (NIV) says “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” And then follows a long list of names of people who died, some heroically, assured in their hearts that they were going to Heaven and be with God. They just knew! They trusted God’s Word and invitation. The key to Eternal Life is just placing your life in God’s hand. Even though you don’t see anything! Even without God giving you a spiritual display of power. The story from Luke 16: 19-31 is very appropriate here. Lazarus died and went to Heaven because of his faith. A rich man died and went to Hell. Of course, he wanted out. He was told that was an impossible request. So he asks for a messenger from Hell to be sent to warn his brothers to avoid Hell. He is told they already have the Word of the Lord. The man protests that they would be more likely to “repent” if someone came directly from Hell. The conclusion is that if the brothers won’t respond to the Word of the Lord, nothing can convince them. Paul concurs in Romans 10:17 “faith come from hearing”. No showtime required: hear the Message and take it in. Some churches and Christian organizations are regularly producing “spectaculars” to convince doubters that they should believe. Famous people are invited to give testimonies that Jesus is “worth following”, even well-known athletes. I’m reminded of the crowd around the Cross where Jesus was hanging shouting out “if You will come down, we will believe.” (Mark 15:32) Sorry, no more spectacular events like walking on the water or raising dead people. It’s just faith! Trust and OK! Blaise Pascal, the Christian philosopher (and former atheist) said ‘faith has it’s reasons that reason knows not of”. If it took a “spectacular” to convert you, it would demand a daily spectacular to keep you convinced.
“Help me Lord, not to stumble over doubt or any other hard-hearted
thing on the way to trusting You with my life. Amen”
“Help me Lord, not to stumble over doubt or any other hard-hearted
thing on the way to trusting You with my life. Amen”
Thursday, March 1, 2007
March 2: THE PRACTICAL BIBLE
One reason that I love the Bible is because it is so practical. In the Bible I met Jesus and became a Christian, the most practical good thing that has happened in my life. Every situation is spoken to in a direct and practical manner. One example: David said to God in Psalm 18: 36 (NIV) “You broaden the path beneath me so that my ankles do not turn.” Here is a picture of God’s love that cares for such details as removing loose rocks from the path so the shepherd does not turn an ankle. Imagine a shepherd with his flock of sheep, far away from any human companionship, dealing with the consequences of a twisted ankle. There would be no help for him. The sheep would scatter without food or water. Some like to say that spiritual truths are worthless philosophy or dreamy theories, no possible practical good would come from it.
But that ignores the facts. Check the roots of many of the greatest institutions of higher learning or medical care and you will find the practical application of Christian truth. The majority of international helping organizations have the same kind of spiritual roots. The more you understand your faith, the more practical you will become in applying it. Let the insult never apply to you that states, “he is so heavenly-minded that he is no earthly good.”
If we are truly heavenly-minded people we will be able to help so many ordinary people in ordinary ways that they will be interested to meet our Extraordinary God. Jesus said we must express our faith practically: things such as giving a cup of cold water to the thirsty, food to the hungry, warm clothing to the cold, and visiting the sick. (See Matthew 25) Matthew 5:13-14 also talk to us about being the “salt of the earth” and “the light of the world”. You know, its not too late to promise yourself that you will read this very, very practical Book daily.
“Yes, God, your Bible is a light for my path and illumination for my
meanderings. Help me to stay focused. Help me to read daily. Amen”
But that ignores the facts. Check the roots of many of the greatest institutions of higher learning or medical care and you will find the practical application of Christian truth. The majority of international helping organizations have the same kind of spiritual roots. The more you understand your faith, the more practical you will become in applying it. Let the insult never apply to you that states, “he is so heavenly-minded that he is no earthly good.”
If we are truly heavenly-minded people we will be able to help so many ordinary people in ordinary ways that they will be interested to meet our Extraordinary God. Jesus said we must express our faith practically: things such as giving a cup of cold water to the thirsty, food to the hungry, warm clothing to the cold, and visiting the sick. (See Matthew 25) Matthew 5:13-14 also talk to us about being the “salt of the earth” and “the light of the world”. You know, its not too late to promise yourself that you will read this very, very practical Book daily.
“Yes, God, your Bible is a light for my path and illumination for my
meanderings. Help me to stay focused. Help me to read daily. Amen”
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