Once again the News has been dominated by vivid pictures of natural disasters. Once again familiar themes have been raised. The people of California wonder aloud how they could have protected themselves against the ravages of the forest fires. The devastation was thorough. The citizens of Haiti are reeling from the flood damage today that left a trail of destruction and death. Remember how the Japanese voiced frustration that the best theories of “earthquake proofing” their buildings and infrastructure had not saved them from death and destruction. Live interviews with the survivors included people who said they thought it was the end of the world.
Jesus declared in Mark 13:8 that “earthquakes and famines” are the prelude to the end, not the end of the world.
This does not encourage Californians, for instance, who are being told by seismologists that a massive earthquake is coming. More people are moving away from the west coast to the east coast than ever before.
Is there a more important lesson to be learned? Can apocalyptic events in nature be a wake-up call spiritually?
Yes, and there are people who make a positive response in their spiritual lives. It is like the experience some have in reading the Book of Revelation in the Bible. Although it was not intended to scare people away from hell and into heaven, the graphic nature of the symbols used often serves that purpose. That is to say, the smell of fire and brimstone effects a spiritual awakening. Better a fear-induced conversion than none at all.
A more positive response would be to “be prepared in season and out of season”. (2 Timothy 4:2) Many are great at procrastinating. The path of least resistance is to push spiritual issues and truths aside until a crisis presents itself, then to make a response under pressure. David appeals in Psalm 95:7 is, “today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts”.
You can’t avoid natural disasters, every country has them. You can avoid being unprepared to handle it spiritually.
“Sometimes, O God, when sudden and shocking events occur, we tend to
forget both our reason and our faith. Save us from saying something dumb.
Amen”
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
October 31: TRICK OR TREAT ?
If you hadn’t noticed, it’s Halloween again! It’s a festival celebrated on October 31. Its name means “hallowed evening” or “holy evening” because it takes place on the day before some Christians celebrate a day called All Saints Day, which is supposed to honor all Christian saints.
Many superstitions and symbols are connected with Halloween: jack-o-lanterns, ghosts, fairies, witches, elves, and black cats all got started with Halloween.
Just goes to show you that something that started as a religious event can end up with no religious meaning at all or the reverse, a pagan festival can be baptized and Christianized by some folks and they receive spiritual help from it.
In America, the advertising world has done a great job in making another big “money” day for stores that sell a lot of Halloween costumes and pumpkins.
Most kids see it as an excuse to eat too much candy and try to fool the neighbors with false faces. People who believe in the occult use the occasion to promote their ideas and actions.
What is a Biblical perspective? You can ignore it as far as spiritual significance is concerned. In the present environment you could celebrate it simply as a bit of “Americana”. Or you could try to take your current community idea about Halloween and turn it around to make it a happy Christian celebration without threat or danger. Or, if you are a Christian, you know that you are a saint already and that every day is a special day for saints and let your joy overflow because of Jesus.
In the Bible you will find no “trick or treat”, only blessing. John 20:31 says, “but these things are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”
No trickery. No fear. No scary stuff. Just a sure promise. Be glad about that today.
“O Unchanging God, thank You for not tricking us or playing games
to tease us about our possibility of a new and joyful life with You. Amen”
Many superstitions and symbols are connected with Halloween: jack-o-lanterns, ghosts, fairies, witches, elves, and black cats all got started with Halloween.
Just goes to show you that something that started as a religious event can end up with no religious meaning at all or the reverse, a pagan festival can be baptized and Christianized by some folks and they receive spiritual help from it.
In America, the advertising world has done a great job in making another big “money” day for stores that sell a lot of Halloween costumes and pumpkins.
Most kids see it as an excuse to eat too much candy and try to fool the neighbors with false faces. People who believe in the occult use the occasion to promote their ideas and actions.
What is a Biblical perspective? You can ignore it as far as spiritual significance is concerned. In the present environment you could celebrate it simply as a bit of “Americana”. Or you could try to take your current community idea about Halloween and turn it around to make it a happy Christian celebration without threat or danger. Or, if you are a Christian, you know that you are a saint already and that every day is a special day for saints and let your joy overflow because of Jesus.
In the Bible you will find no “trick or treat”, only blessing. John 20:31 says, “but these things are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”
No trickery. No fear. No scary stuff. Just a sure promise. Be glad about that today.
“O Unchanging God, thank You for not tricking us or playing games
to tease us about our possibility of a new and joyful life with You. Amen”
Monday, October 29, 2007
October 30: A SHOCKING THOUGHT
I don’t know why it had a shock effect on me when I heard someone say, “People have the right to go to Hell if they want.” I knew that but to hear it our loud made me stop.
It reminded me of that man George Wilson back in 1861 who refused to accept the governor’s pardon and was executed. They tried to force him to accept it. But Chief Justice John Marshall had ruled during his life that a pardon is just a piece of paper until it is received. To become effective, it must be executed publicly by all parties. Media coverage wasn’t great in those days but all were amazed when they heard it. The spiritual implications here are heavy.
“It is appointed to every person to die and after that the judgement.” (Hebrews 9:27) “The wages of sin is death but the free gift of God is eternal life.” (Romans 6:23) “This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.” (Deuteronomy 30:19)
Yes, the Bible very clearly and directly declares that each of us has a choice to make. God made us but he will not make a choice for us. He gave us the freedom to decide where we would spend eternity.
Is it blindness? Stubbornness? Foolishness? When there is a choice between life and death, why would anyone choose death?
This must be the work of the Great Deceiver. The Prince of Darkness blinds people and they do not know where they are going. (! John 2:11)
When people have been deceived (2 John 1:7) and reject life, we can only gratefully say, “There, but for the grace of God, go I”.
Urge anyone you know who is making the wrong decision to please consider their choice again.
“Open our blinded eyes to see the truth, Mighty God, and grant us the
wisdom to make the right choice. Amen”
It reminded me of that man George Wilson back in 1861 who refused to accept the governor’s pardon and was executed. They tried to force him to accept it. But Chief Justice John Marshall had ruled during his life that a pardon is just a piece of paper until it is received. To become effective, it must be executed publicly by all parties. Media coverage wasn’t great in those days but all were amazed when they heard it. The spiritual implications here are heavy.
“It is appointed to every person to die and after that the judgement.” (Hebrews 9:27) “The wages of sin is death but the free gift of God is eternal life.” (Romans 6:23) “This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.” (Deuteronomy 30:19)
Yes, the Bible very clearly and directly declares that each of us has a choice to make. God made us but he will not make a choice for us. He gave us the freedom to decide where we would spend eternity.
Is it blindness? Stubbornness? Foolishness? When there is a choice between life and death, why would anyone choose death?
This must be the work of the Great Deceiver. The Prince of Darkness blinds people and they do not know where they are going. (! John 2:11)
When people have been deceived (2 John 1:7) and reject life, we can only gratefully say, “There, but for the grace of God, go I”.
Urge anyone you know who is making the wrong decision to please consider their choice again.
“Open our blinded eyes to see the truth, Mighty God, and grant us the
wisdom to make the right choice. Amen”
Sunday, October 28, 2007
October 29: SOMEBODY NEEDS YOUR LOVE
The natural tendency of us all is self-love. At Valentine Day celebrations folks wonder if they are loved. They wonder if they will get cards from folks reminding them of how they are loved. Regretfully, other people wait out each day in quiet desperation for the assurance of being loved. As you read this, do you feel loved?
I remember as a boy plucking the petals from a daisy saying, “She loves me, she loves me not, she loves me, she loves me not”. And if it didn’t turn out as I wanted, I plucked another daisy and started over. Did you ever do that?
In a very real sense, you are rubbing shoulders daily with people who have run out of roses. Someone has to step up and surprise them with love. Many of them will live out their lives in quiet sadness. Some will break out in violent acts of desperation because of their loveless situation.
Stop looking at the mirror on the wall recounting all of the lovable things about you. Love somebody else today. Love begets love! The Bible says, “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God.” (1 John 4:7 NIV)
I won’t waste your time today on the question, “Does God love you?” You and I both know he does. I am challenging you to get up and do an intentional love act for someone else’s benefit.
Each of us has received many love gifts in our lives, now is the time to pass it on. “Let us not love with words or tongues but with actions and in truth.” (1 John 3:15 NIV)
There are many widows and widowers, many aged and alone, many divorced, many children of divorced, many powerless and disenfranchised, many foreigners and refugees who don’t speak English well enough to get around; get out and show some love to some of these people. Don’t wait to be asked.
Somebody needs a piece of your love today. It will be a happier day for you and you will sleep more contentedly tonight if you love somebody today. Your heart may tell you that is what you really needed to make your life meaningful.
“Thank You God, for loving us! Forgive us for being hoarders of your
love and not sharers. Set us free to give some love away, in Your Name.
Amen”
I remember as a boy plucking the petals from a daisy saying, “She loves me, she loves me not, she loves me, she loves me not”. And if it didn’t turn out as I wanted, I plucked another daisy and started over. Did you ever do that?
In a very real sense, you are rubbing shoulders daily with people who have run out of roses. Someone has to step up and surprise them with love. Many of them will live out their lives in quiet sadness. Some will break out in violent acts of desperation because of their loveless situation.
Stop looking at the mirror on the wall recounting all of the lovable things about you. Love somebody else today. Love begets love! The Bible says, “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God.” (1 John 4:7 NIV)
I won’t waste your time today on the question, “Does God love you?” You and I both know he does. I am challenging you to get up and do an intentional love act for someone else’s benefit.
Each of us has received many love gifts in our lives, now is the time to pass it on. “Let us not love with words or tongues but with actions and in truth.” (1 John 3:15 NIV)
There are many widows and widowers, many aged and alone, many divorced, many children of divorced, many powerless and disenfranchised, many foreigners and refugees who don’t speak English well enough to get around; get out and show some love to some of these people. Don’t wait to be asked.
Somebody needs a piece of your love today. It will be a happier day for you and you will sleep more contentedly tonight if you love somebody today. Your heart may tell you that is what you really needed to make your life meaningful.
“Thank You God, for loving us! Forgive us for being hoarders of your
love and not sharers. Set us free to give some love away, in Your Name.
Amen”
Saturday, October 27, 2007
October 28: WHEN SUCCESS FAILS
Success is not always success, if in the success you fail God. I think that’s why some people never enjoy their success. They get what they strive and work for to get approval from men but result in disappointment from God.
Not all success is god-given. Success that takes you away from fruitfulness for God’s Kingdom is a miserable failure. “They loved praise from men more than the praise of God” is the way Jesus evaluated it in John 12:43 (NIV).
I know that the world’s applause is pretty heady stuff. When you beat out a lot of your companions in competition for a position, it can turn your head around. But at what cost? If you become more and more preoccupied with your self accomplishment, your attention to spiritual responsibility will lessen. Eventually people get around to making an official resignation for their spiritual responsibility but the harm has been done because they “quit” before they “resigned”.
This is often a sad event in the life of the church family. For example, here is a man or woman who is floundering. No direction! They meet Jesus, He gives direction and purpose to life. This “born again” person begins to live a new life, now open under “new management”. Talents or abilities hopelessly buried in fear, sin, and insecurity begin to emerge. Fellow workers and supervisors notice the change in productiveness. Promotions come. Perks increase. And this person suddenly gets the big-head and thinks he or she has done it by himself. Then they begin to forget God. The success becomes a failure with God.
This was a major concern of God when He delivered the Israelites from Egypt and gave them Canaan. Read the Book of Deuteronomy. Success seems to be a bad eraser of grateful memories for past blessing.
Go ahead, be successful. Success is good. Just remember where it came from. Live gratefully daily. Be faithful to God who gave you success.
“Dear God, sensitize our memories so we will always remember where
we were when You found us. Thanks for saving us from destruction. Amen”
Not all success is god-given. Success that takes you away from fruitfulness for God’s Kingdom is a miserable failure. “They loved praise from men more than the praise of God” is the way Jesus evaluated it in John 12:43 (NIV).
I know that the world’s applause is pretty heady stuff. When you beat out a lot of your companions in competition for a position, it can turn your head around. But at what cost? If you become more and more preoccupied with your self accomplishment, your attention to spiritual responsibility will lessen. Eventually people get around to making an official resignation for their spiritual responsibility but the harm has been done because they “quit” before they “resigned”.
This is often a sad event in the life of the church family. For example, here is a man or woman who is floundering. No direction! They meet Jesus, He gives direction and purpose to life. This “born again” person begins to live a new life, now open under “new management”. Talents or abilities hopelessly buried in fear, sin, and insecurity begin to emerge. Fellow workers and supervisors notice the change in productiveness. Promotions come. Perks increase. And this person suddenly gets the big-head and thinks he or she has done it by himself. Then they begin to forget God. The success becomes a failure with God.
This was a major concern of God when He delivered the Israelites from Egypt and gave them Canaan. Read the Book of Deuteronomy. Success seems to be a bad eraser of grateful memories for past blessing.
Go ahead, be successful. Success is good. Just remember where it came from. Live gratefully daily. Be faithful to God who gave you success.
“Dear God, sensitize our memories so we will always remember where
we were when You found us. Thanks for saving us from destruction. Amen”
Friday, October 26, 2007
October 27: ARE YOU A FRIEND OF JESUS?
Have you noticed the bumper sticker “I’m a FONZ”? It is the symbol for a group of people who love and support our National Zoo in Washington, D.C. A F.O.N.Z. is a Friend of National Zoo. Very catchy, isn’t it? I have discovered another group of people that need to get organized and sell bumper stickers. These are the Friends of Jesus. (FOJ)
For years I have tried to figure out this large group of people who show up for church services at Christmas and Easter. They consider themselves to be Christian folk but would never make a commitment to follow Jesus but are friendly toward Jesus. Usually they have several Bibles in their homes, watch religious specials on the television, and fondly remember events from childhood about “going to church”.
Yes, they are friends of Jesus! These folks hold to the ethical teaching of Jesus, maybe not too tightly, but hold on to them nonetheless.
A friend of Jesus is so sure of this “friendly” relationship that he doesn’t have to trouble himself with such trivia as going to church every Sunday to listen to someone talk who knows no more than he does. Friends of Jesus believe that America is still a Christian nation because so many people are friendly toward Jesus.
Are you a FOJ? The problem is that being a friend of Jesus is more than feeling friendly toward Jesus. In John 15:14 (NIV) Jesus said, “You are my friends if you do what I command.”
To be a real “FOJ” involves the total surrender of your life to Jesus. It’s giving him control of your life. Two or three days a year doesn’t measure up.
There is a tendency in western society to trivialize Christianity to nothing more than a holiday. Familiarity may not breed contempt for Christianity but certainly a tendency not to take it seriously.
“Father, we love to sing the old hymn about ‘what a friend we have in
Jesus’ without counting the cost of living up to the words. Help us! Amen”
For years I have tried to figure out this large group of people who show up for church services at Christmas and Easter. They consider themselves to be Christian folk but would never make a commitment to follow Jesus but are friendly toward Jesus. Usually they have several Bibles in their homes, watch religious specials on the television, and fondly remember events from childhood about “going to church”.
Yes, they are friends of Jesus! These folks hold to the ethical teaching of Jesus, maybe not too tightly, but hold on to them nonetheless.
A friend of Jesus is so sure of this “friendly” relationship that he doesn’t have to trouble himself with such trivia as going to church every Sunday to listen to someone talk who knows no more than he does. Friends of Jesus believe that America is still a Christian nation because so many people are friendly toward Jesus.
Are you a FOJ? The problem is that being a friend of Jesus is more than feeling friendly toward Jesus. In John 15:14 (NIV) Jesus said, “You are my friends if you do what I command.”
To be a real “FOJ” involves the total surrender of your life to Jesus. It’s giving him control of your life. Two or three days a year doesn’t measure up.
There is a tendency in western society to trivialize Christianity to nothing more than a holiday. Familiarity may not breed contempt for Christianity but certainly a tendency not to take it seriously.
“Father, we love to sing the old hymn about ‘what a friend we have in
Jesus’ without counting the cost of living up to the words. Help us! Amen”
Thursday, October 25, 2007
October 26: UNITY AND ONENESS IN CHRIST
As I left my house there was a most beautiful picture in our living room. My wife was hosting a meeting of the different racial and ethnic groups represented in our church. It was an international breakfeast that looked like a sub-committee of the United Nations.
I was so glad because I saw a scene from the Bible in living color. In Revelations 5:9 (NIV) the enthroned Jesus is praised in this way, “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.”
Soon after in Chapter 7:9, there is a scene of worship described in this way: “after this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people, and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb.”
Those are the goals of unity and oneness that God is moving us to in the Christ family. You may have to learn a whole new language or liturgy in Heaven. Your present one may have too much pride and exclusivism in it. You may have to learn about and join a whole new denomination in Heaven, such as, the “Christians for Jesus” denomination. Your present denomination may have divided people and fostered spiritual pride too much to be recycled for Heavenly use.
You just don’t see spiritual and racial pride in Heaven. If you are carrying some of that baggage now, you might as well pitch it in the trash; it will never make it past the Spiritual Security Forces at Heaven’s Gate.
1 John 4:20 (NIV) is still in my Bible, “for anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.” The message is clear for His Church!
“Lord, make us one, bind us together and keep us together. Show us the
ugliness of Christians being divided over silly things. Amen”
I was so glad because I saw a scene from the Bible in living color. In Revelations 5:9 (NIV) the enthroned Jesus is praised in this way, “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.”
Soon after in Chapter 7:9, there is a scene of worship described in this way: “after this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people, and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb.”
Those are the goals of unity and oneness that God is moving us to in the Christ family. You may have to learn a whole new language or liturgy in Heaven. Your present one may have too much pride and exclusivism in it. You may have to learn about and join a whole new denomination in Heaven, such as, the “Christians for Jesus” denomination. Your present denomination may have divided people and fostered spiritual pride too much to be recycled for Heavenly use.
You just don’t see spiritual and racial pride in Heaven. If you are carrying some of that baggage now, you might as well pitch it in the trash; it will never make it past the Spiritual Security Forces at Heaven’s Gate.
1 John 4:20 (NIV) is still in my Bible, “for anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.” The message is clear for His Church!
“Lord, make us one, bind us together and keep us together. Show us the
ugliness of Christians being divided over silly things. Amen”
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
October 25: ARE YOU IN THE FAITH?
I always read with interest the religious polls and surveys that are reported in the news or sent to me. It amazes me that so many people can claim religious feelings or principles in answering an anonymous question but show little evidence in the life of the community of life-changing convictions. Then I read 2 Corinthians 13:5 (NIV), “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves.”
Here is a challenge to conduct a poll of one: With yourself! No one is taking notes. No one will read the results. The only question is: “Are you in the faith?” Not, “Are you in the church?” Not, “Are you a religious person?” Not, “Do you believe in a Supreme Being?” Not, “Do you think elected officials should be religious?” Just a simple question, “Are you in the faith?”
This will clear away all of the side issues. This has nothing to do with traditional values or community acceptance.
“Are you in the faith?” If you are, you should start living up to your faith. It will be the controlling force of your life. It will define you. It will give purpose to your life.
Many ask, “How can this be such a religious country and yet have so many moral and ethical problems?” That’s it! We are a religious country, we have many religious people. We are not a people of faith. People of faith are controlled by their faith, people of religion control their religion. They master it, they determine the appropriate time to use their religion. Not so with faith. Faith demands to be heard in every situation.
The polls may reveal nothing about you. Your faith will reveal all about you. In James 2:18 (NIV) the declaration is, “I will show you my faith by what I do.” Religious people will disappoint you. Faith people do not disappoint.
“God, save me from being a phony! Save me from talking about faith
and then not living up to what I profess to believe. Amen”
Here is a challenge to conduct a poll of one: With yourself! No one is taking notes. No one will read the results. The only question is: “Are you in the faith?” Not, “Are you in the church?” Not, “Are you a religious person?” Not, “Do you believe in a Supreme Being?” Not, “Do you think elected officials should be religious?” Just a simple question, “Are you in the faith?”
This will clear away all of the side issues. This has nothing to do with traditional values or community acceptance.
“Are you in the faith?” If you are, you should start living up to your faith. It will be the controlling force of your life. It will define you. It will give purpose to your life.
Many ask, “How can this be such a religious country and yet have so many moral and ethical problems?” That’s it! We are a religious country, we have many religious people. We are not a people of faith. People of faith are controlled by their faith, people of religion control their religion. They master it, they determine the appropriate time to use their religion. Not so with faith. Faith demands to be heard in every situation.
The polls may reveal nothing about you. Your faith will reveal all about you. In James 2:18 (NIV) the declaration is, “I will show you my faith by what I do.” Religious people will disappoint you. Faith people do not disappoint.
“God, save me from being a phony! Save me from talking about faith
and then not living up to what I profess to believe. Amen”
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
October 24: RESOLVING THE UNRESOLVED
There are many questions that American society feels it has reached an intellectually correct and emotionally satisfying answer. It is a part of what we call “progress”, some would even call it a part of our evolution to a higher level of life.
That’s partly why I don’t understand our lagging behind other advanced countries resolving the question of capital punishment. There are only a few countries that persist in this form of punishment for crime, none of whom we would want to emulate otherwise. So, we continue to act out a tragicomedy at the prisons whenever there is an execution, a macabre dance of the absurd.
One group holds candles and prays quietly while a few yards away a placard-carrying group shouts further denunciation on the victim.
One group calls for justice while the other calls for mercy. No one changes their mind and the actors will reassemble at the next scheduled execution.
I call it absurd because legalized murder is still taking a life. From my perspective, giving and taking of life is divine right, only. If God had wanted us to use capital punishment to deal with murders, the book of Genesis in the Bible would have been the ideal place to teach it. Genesis 4 records how God dealt with the first murderer. Cain received a physical mark that identified him as a murderer and the whole community recognized it.
A lasting punishment without a parole system, that’s better than adding to the murders committed. Murder is such a serious crime. God says in several places, “it is mine to avenge, I will repay.” (Romans 12:19)
The heavy matter of final disposition of every case is in the hands of the Righteous Judge. Spiritual people ought to find a peaceful resolution. Churches ought to be strong towers affirming life and never joining the world in the lust for blood revenge.
“Jesus, Son of God, You taught us to love and forgive our enemies and
to be agents of healing in this broken world. Remind us again of this! Amen”
That’s partly why I don’t understand our lagging behind other advanced countries resolving the question of capital punishment. There are only a few countries that persist in this form of punishment for crime, none of whom we would want to emulate otherwise. So, we continue to act out a tragicomedy at the prisons whenever there is an execution, a macabre dance of the absurd.
One group holds candles and prays quietly while a few yards away a placard-carrying group shouts further denunciation on the victim.
One group calls for justice while the other calls for mercy. No one changes their mind and the actors will reassemble at the next scheduled execution.
I call it absurd because legalized murder is still taking a life. From my perspective, giving and taking of life is divine right, only. If God had wanted us to use capital punishment to deal with murders, the book of Genesis in the Bible would have been the ideal place to teach it. Genesis 4 records how God dealt with the first murderer. Cain received a physical mark that identified him as a murderer and the whole community recognized it.
A lasting punishment without a parole system, that’s better than adding to the murders committed. Murder is such a serious crime. God says in several places, “it is mine to avenge, I will repay.” (Romans 12:19)
The heavy matter of final disposition of every case is in the hands of the Righteous Judge. Spiritual people ought to find a peaceful resolution. Churches ought to be strong towers affirming life and never joining the world in the lust for blood revenge.
“Jesus, Son of God, You taught us to love and forgive our enemies and
to be agents of healing in this broken world. Remind us again of this! Amen”
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
October 23: BEING ACCOUNTABLE
Nathan and David shared a close relationship. Drawn together by God’s hand in the history of Israel, they had a strong mutual respect.
Both prophet and king were men of God’s own choosing and shared the spiritual leadership of the people of God. Mutual support. Mutual admiration. Mutually holding each other accountable to God and their calling.
David the King and Nathan the prophet were naturally close to each other. But then the day came when Nathan had to take an action that would threaten their whole relationship. 2 Samuel 12:7 records the famous line spoken by Nathan to David, “You are the man.”
As men of power often do, David let his power go to his head. As king, there was none higher, why shouldn’t he do what he wanted, after all, God had put him in power.
When his power made it easy to seduce another man’s wife, he sought to use his power again to extricate himself from the mess he created.
Innocent people did not cooperate in his plot. His sin was a shameful blot on the people of God. So God sent prophet Nathan with the single task of exposing the sin of his friend, King David. It was an unpleasant and even life-threatening task. With a masterful story he created an atmosphere where David pronounced judgement on himself.
Everybody needs a Nathan, whether he is a prophet or not. Probably best if he is a prophet of God because he will have a Biblical perspective on how to clean up the mess.
You need someone who will be so honest with you that they will point out your sins and shortcomings that everyone else sees but won’t tell you. Best friends won’t let you get by with trying to cover up your sin by ignoring the consequences.
Is there a Nathan in your life? Find one soon and ask him to help you maintain your witness.
“Thank You God for friends who are more concerned about our daily
walk with You than in just making us feel good about life. Amen”
Both prophet and king were men of God’s own choosing and shared the spiritual leadership of the people of God. Mutual support. Mutual admiration. Mutually holding each other accountable to God and their calling.
David the King and Nathan the prophet were naturally close to each other. But then the day came when Nathan had to take an action that would threaten their whole relationship. 2 Samuel 12:7 records the famous line spoken by Nathan to David, “You are the man.”
As men of power often do, David let his power go to his head. As king, there was none higher, why shouldn’t he do what he wanted, after all, God had put him in power.
When his power made it easy to seduce another man’s wife, he sought to use his power again to extricate himself from the mess he created.
Innocent people did not cooperate in his plot. His sin was a shameful blot on the people of God. So God sent prophet Nathan with the single task of exposing the sin of his friend, King David. It was an unpleasant and even life-threatening task. With a masterful story he created an atmosphere where David pronounced judgement on himself.
Everybody needs a Nathan, whether he is a prophet or not. Probably best if he is a prophet of God because he will have a Biblical perspective on how to clean up the mess.
You need someone who will be so honest with you that they will point out your sins and shortcomings that everyone else sees but won’t tell you. Best friends won’t let you get by with trying to cover up your sin by ignoring the consequences.
Is there a Nathan in your life? Find one soon and ask him to help you maintain your witness.
“Thank You God for friends who are more concerned about our daily
walk with You than in just making us feel good about life. Amen”
October 22: BEWARE A DYING CHURCH
It certainly sounds contradictory to say a “dying church”. Does it sound better to say “a dying congregation”? No! Both sound dreadfully wrong.
Yet it is not unusual today to see former houses of worship being used as restaurants, museums, pool rooms, and the like. How did that come to be? A place formerly dedicated to the worship of God going to the highest bidder?
It is happening in all denominations. Sometimes the racial balance in a community changes and a congregation refuses to adjust. Sometimes a factory closes and the economic base of the community leaves and the remaining people say they cannot afford this luxury of keeping up a big building. Sometimes the second or third generation of the founders move away and the original care group that kept it active dies.
It is always sad, no matter the reason. Some churches die long before the congregation does. “The church” is the people of God who make up the congregation and when they lose sight of their identity, sad days follow.
You can visit these congregations and see a lot of activity but not experience the holiness of God. This “consumer generation” wants the church to give them what they “want”, not what they “need”.
So you may find a congregation focusing on feeling good or political action or social work or intellectual challenge and feeling good about what they are ‘offering” the community but there is no reality of the Presence of God. It may be a congregation going actively down the road to experiencing “extinction”.
The key to avoiding a dying church or dying congregation? Look for the characteristics described in Acts 2:42-47 climaxing with the last phrase: “and the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”
This kind of congregation will never die because the church in the congregation cannot die.
“Dear Lord of the Church, You have called us your co-workers in the task
of nurturing the church and building up her impact on the world. Thanks! Amen”
Yet it is not unusual today to see former houses of worship being used as restaurants, museums, pool rooms, and the like. How did that come to be? A place formerly dedicated to the worship of God going to the highest bidder?
It is happening in all denominations. Sometimes the racial balance in a community changes and a congregation refuses to adjust. Sometimes a factory closes and the economic base of the community leaves and the remaining people say they cannot afford this luxury of keeping up a big building. Sometimes the second or third generation of the founders move away and the original care group that kept it active dies.
It is always sad, no matter the reason. Some churches die long before the congregation does. “The church” is the people of God who make up the congregation and when they lose sight of their identity, sad days follow.
You can visit these congregations and see a lot of activity but not experience the holiness of God. This “consumer generation” wants the church to give them what they “want”, not what they “need”.
So you may find a congregation focusing on feeling good or political action or social work or intellectual challenge and feeling good about what they are ‘offering” the community but there is no reality of the Presence of God. It may be a congregation going actively down the road to experiencing “extinction”.
The key to avoiding a dying church or dying congregation? Look for the characteristics described in Acts 2:42-47 climaxing with the last phrase: “and the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”
This kind of congregation will never die because the church in the congregation cannot die.
“Dear Lord of the Church, You have called us your co-workers in the task
of nurturing the church and building up her impact on the world. Thanks! Amen”
October 21: GOD'S ANNUAL PARADE OF COLOR
When the poet said, “I think that I will never see a poem as lovely as a tree” it must have been in the fall.
The annual parade of color is such a blessing for us. Beauty makes everybody feel better. Of course, it is a reminder of things to come, and we need to prepare for winter. Let’s just enjoy the beauty for a while!
In Psalm 27:4 David said, “One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord.” Since this world is His, we can be sensitive to all the beauty he has in his house. I am not a pantheist to believe that God is nature and nature is God but I believe that God has made all of the beautiful things of nature for us.
So many beautiful trees and flowers have been buried under concrete and asphalt in our metropolitan areas that we have to appreciate what we have. “Worship the Lord in the beauty of His holiness; tremble before Him, all the earth.” (Psalm 96:9)
In the Bible there is a definite connection between beauty and worship. We have many great museums in our country and they have many beautiful and expensive paintings. But even the poorest of men can stroll around a wooded area and experience first-hand a beauty that can never be captured on canvas.
Even the famous atheist of many years ago, Robert Ingersoll, said there were some things that he couldn’t explain; they were too special to have just happened by accident.
Its tough to be an atheist on a beautiful fall day. “God saw all that He had made, and it was very good.” (Genesis 1:31)
“God of all beauty, it all begins in You and is a reflection of Your great
compassion for us. What a joy to see You at work in this world. Amen”
The annual parade of color is such a blessing for us. Beauty makes everybody feel better. Of course, it is a reminder of things to come, and we need to prepare for winter. Let’s just enjoy the beauty for a while!
In Psalm 27:4 David said, “One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord.” Since this world is His, we can be sensitive to all the beauty he has in his house. I am not a pantheist to believe that God is nature and nature is God but I believe that God has made all of the beautiful things of nature for us.
So many beautiful trees and flowers have been buried under concrete and asphalt in our metropolitan areas that we have to appreciate what we have. “Worship the Lord in the beauty of His holiness; tremble before Him, all the earth.” (Psalm 96:9)
In the Bible there is a definite connection between beauty and worship. We have many great museums in our country and they have many beautiful and expensive paintings. But even the poorest of men can stroll around a wooded area and experience first-hand a beauty that can never be captured on canvas.
Even the famous atheist of many years ago, Robert Ingersoll, said there were some things that he couldn’t explain; they were too special to have just happened by accident.
Its tough to be an atheist on a beautiful fall day. “God saw all that He had made, and it was very good.” (Genesis 1:31)
“God of all beauty, it all begins in You and is a reflection of Your great
compassion for us. What a joy to see You at work in this world. Amen”
October 20: A WORD FROM THE LORD!
As I write this Blog today I am aware of the fact that I have been doing this for 10 months. And some of you have been reading this for 10 months. Thank you very much!
The purpose of these writings can be found in Proverbs 25:11 (NIV), “A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.”
Sometimes it only takes a word for God to get us back on track. Just a word of encouragement or correction or discipline can be used by the Holy Spirit of God to turn a life around. With a liberal use of verses from the Bible and practical commentary from life, I hope to speak ‘aptly’ to you.
One of the worst disasters that could come to a life would be to experience a famine of the Word of the Lord. This Blog could become a spiritual oasis for people trapped in that predicament.
Amos 8:11 (NIV) says, “the days are coming,” declares the Sovereign Lord, “when I will send a famine through the land, not a famine of food or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the Lord.” For people lost in the desert of their own thinkings and wonderings, the word of God can point people to the way of truth.
Once you read this daily “thought” then you become responsible to share it with someone else. If a message from the Lord can be compared to silver and gold in beauty and value, surely, we would be empowered to tell someone else the encouraging word. Until they can overcome the barrier built in their mind against going back to a Church again, you could help them to read these words daily and the Holy Spirit could gradually remove the barrier.
Consider the words you read and speak very closely, someone’s future may be depending on it. As God sometimes reminds me of what He said away back in Genesis that I am my “brother’s keeper”.
“Thank You, God, for the way You speak to us in surprising places and
in surprising ways. As we are refreshed, help us to be refreshment, too! Amen”
The purpose of these writings can be found in Proverbs 25:11 (NIV), “A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.”
Sometimes it only takes a word for God to get us back on track. Just a word of encouragement or correction or discipline can be used by the Holy Spirit of God to turn a life around. With a liberal use of verses from the Bible and practical commentary from life, I hope to speak ‘aptly’ to you.
One of the worst disasters that could come to a life would be to experience a famine of the Word of the Lord. This Blog could become a spiritual oasis for people trapped in that predicament.
Amos 8:11 (NIV) says, “the days are coming,” declares the Sovereign Lord, “when I will send a famine through the land, not a famine of food or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the Lord.” For people lost in the desert of their own thinkings and wonderings, the word of God can point people to the way of truth.
Once you read this daily “thought” then you become responsible to share it with someone else. If a message from the Lord can be compared to silver and gold in beauty and value, surely, we would be empowered to tell someone else the encouraging word. Until they can overcome the barrier built in their mind against going back to a Church again, you could help them to read these words daily and the Holy Spirit could gradually remove the barrier.
Consider the words you read and speak very closely, someone’s future may be depending on it. As God sometimes reminds me of what He said away back in Genesis that I am my “brother’s keeper”.
“Thank You, God, for the way You speak to us in surprising places and
in surprising ways. As we are refreshed, help us to be refreshment, too! Amen”
October 19: SUPPORTING THE KINGDOM
The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 16:2, “On the first day of every week (that’s Sunday), each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.”
This principle guides the financial support and well-being of most Christian churches. Since churches are voluntary organizations, the giving is entirely voluntary. The premise is that God has enough financial blessing in every congregation to support His work. It shouldn’t be by force or pressure. It should not be by manipulation or guilt inflicted.
As God prospers His children, they in turn set aside a liberal amount to give to God as a love gift and participating gift in building the Kingdom of God. Some give one-tenth of their income, some give more. The verse said “in keeping with his income”, in other words “to whom much is given, much is expected.” That is only fair and keeps the church finances sufficient.
When you go to worship God, you go to worship with your “presence” and your “presents” of money gifts. Both parts are uniquely you. Both parts really represent the depth of your commitment to our Lord and the work of His Kingdom here on earth. And, the people around you in Worship are blessed by both your “presence” and your “presents”.
The truth of the matter of giving is this: A true worship experience of the Living God who gave His Only Son to die on the cross (John 3:16) will cause the people of God to give more liberally than ever before. A Vision of God’s generosity provokes a spirit of grateful giving. Prepare today for Sunday’s worship. Pause right now. Reflect a moment on God’s liberality with you. Plan today for a “right amount” on Sunday. Don’t put it off until Saturday.
“I love your church, O Lord, it is the joy of my life to be a part of
nourishing her and helping her grow in every way. Amen”
This principle guides the financial support and well-being of most Christian churches. Since churches are voluntary organizations, the giving is entirely voluntary. The premise is that God has enough financial blessing in every congregation to support His work. It shouldn’t be by force or pressure. It should not be by manipulation or guilt inflicted.
As God prospers His children, they in turn set aside a liberal amount to give to God as a love gift and participating gift in building the Kingdom of God. Some give one-tenth of their income, some give more. The verse said “in keeping with his income”, in other words “to whom much is given, much is expected.” That is only fair and keeps the church finances sufficient.
When you go to worship God, you go to worship with your “presence” and your “presents” of money gifts. Both parts are uniquely you. Both parts really represent the depth of your commitment to our Lord and the work of His Kingdom here on earth. And, the people around you in Worship are blessed by both your “presence” and your “presents”.
The truth of the matter of giving is this: A true worship experience of the Living God who gave His Only Son to die on the cross (John 3:16) will cause the people of God to give more liberally than ever before. A Vision of God’s generosity provokes a spirit of grateful giving. Prepare today for Sunday’s worship. Pause right now. Reflect a moment on God’s liberality with you. Plan today for a “right amount” on Sunday. Don’t put it off until Saturday.
“I love your church, O Lord, it is the joy of my life to be a part of
nourishing her and helping her grow in every way. Amen”
October 18: POLITICAL ACTIVISM AND YOU
It’s that time of year when some churches and ministers embarrass themselves. Hungering for public attention or the elusive “impacting society” goal they will publicly endorse a certain party platform or candidate.
When the voting is over they will see that they have been used by a political machine and have not gained any respect. It’s tempting to the church to want political influence, that’s why the church is married to the government in many countries.
It was that way in the early days of Virginia. We must remember that the period of history when church and state were totally married is called “the Dark Ages”. “It is not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit” says the Lord (Zechariah 4:6) that changes in society are made. Just as the Iron Curtain and Berlin Wall fell without a shot being fired, so God can destroy any government that is hurtful to his people. Political activism can be a very dangerous fruit for the church to taste.
The Apostle Paul offered a radical alternative to political activism. Being the great student that he was of the life and ministry of Jesus, he knew that Jesus never started a policy party nor did he tell his disciples to do so. He told them to be the “salt of the earth and the light of the world.” (Matthew 5:14) In so doing they would change the world!
Jesus came to the world to solve the “sin problem” of men and women. He did that perfectly. The first century was a terrible time of human abuse and pain. Paul’s answer to the problems of his time was to lead people to a saving personal relationship with Jesus Christ. He changed his world one life at a time not by taking over a political party.
Politics can’t change the world, but Jesus can and that’s what churches are supposed to teach. Don’t allow Satan to take down the “wall of separation” between the Church and the State where you live.
“Help us to be good citizens, O God, of this democratic land You have
given us. Help us not to bully other people with our ideas. Amen”
When the voting is over they will see that they have been used by a political machine and have not gained any respect. It’s tempting to the church to want political influence, that’s why the church is married to the government in many countries.
It was that way in the early days of Virginia. We must remember that the period of history when church and state were totally married is called “the Dark Ages”. “It is not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit” says the Lord (Zechariah 4:6) that changes in society are made. Just as the Iron Curtain and Berlin Wall fell without a shot being fired, so God can destroy any government that is hurtful to his people. Political activism can be a very dangerous fruit for the church to taste.
The Apostle Paul offered a radical alternative to political activism. Being the great student that he was of the life and ministry of Jesus, he knew that Jesus never started a policy party nor did he tell his disciples to do so. He told them to be the “salt of the earth and the light of the world.” (Matthew 5:14) In so doing they would change the world!
Jesus came to the world to solve the “sin problem” of men and women. He did that perfectly. The first century was a terrible time of human abuse and pain. Paul’s answer to the problems of his time was to lead people to a saving personal relationship with Jesus Christ. He changed his world one life at a time not by taking over a political party.
Politics can’t change the world, but Jesus can and that’s what churches are supposed to teach. Don’t allow Satan to take down the “wall of separation” between the Church and the State where you live.
“Help us to be good citizens, O God, of this democratic land You have
given us. Help us not to bully other people with our ideas. Amen”
October 17: THE SOUNDS OF HARVEST
It’s a beautiful time of the year to live in a rural area. It is the climax of the Harvest season. The Roadside Farmer’s Market and the giant harvesters in the fields give evidence of a good harvest. Now, who will get to enjoy all of the harvest becomes the big question. If history is any reflection of fact, the majority of the harvested food will go to homes that already have filled pantries and filled freezers. Sad! Those living below the poverty level will still have to worry about their next meal.
Ample food is being produced in the world to feed every person but we are woefully weak in our distribution. We don’t demand of our politicians that they pass laws that will facilitate food distribution to the hungry of the world so they focus their attention on the distribution of weapons of destruction and ammunition.
Shame on us! We want the world to look up to us so we try to achieve it by force. God’s Word says, “If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, and if you spend yourselves on behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.” (Isaiah 58:9a-10) We look for world dominance through power but it can only come through serving the needy and working for justice.
Regardless of the religion we profess by mouth, the Judgement Day that Jesus describes in Matthew 25:31-46 hinges on the hard, cold reality of “For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink.” (v.42) Does your church have a on-going focus on relieving World Hunger? Are you teaching the children how to practically share with the hungry? Feeding the hungry aligns you with Jesus.
“It is such a simple and clear lesson that You teach us, Dear Lord, about
feeding the hungry. Forgive us, please, our hard and cold hearts. Amen”
Ample food is being produced in the world to feed every person but we are woefully weak in our distribution. We don’t demand of our politicians that they pass laws that will facilitate food distribution to the hungry of the world so they focus their attention on the distribution of weapons of destruction and ammunition.
Shame on us! We want the world to look up to us so we try to achieve it by force. God’s Word says, “If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, and if you spend yourselves on behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.” (Isaiah 58:9a-10) We look for world dominance through power but it can only come through serving the needy and working for justice.
Regardless of the religion we profess by mouth, the Judgement Day that Jesus describes in Matthew 25:31-46 hinges on the hard, cold reality of “For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink.” (v.42) Does your church have a on-going focus on relieving World Hunger? Are you teaching the children how to practically share with the hungry? Feeding the hungry aligns you with Jesus.
“It is such a simple and clear lesson that You teach us, Dear Lord, about
feeding the hungry. Forgive us, please, our hard and cold hearts. Amen”
Monday, October 15, 2007
October 16: SENSITIVE TO HUMAN NEED
It’s a beautiful time of the year to live in a rural area. It is the climax of the Harvest season. The Roadside Farmer’s Market and the giant harvesters in the fields give evidence of a good harvest. Now, who will get to enjoy all of the harvest becomes the big question. If history is any reflection of fact, the majority of the harvested food will go to homes that already have filled pantries and filled freezers. Sad! Those living below the poverty level will still have to worry about their next meal.
Ample food is being produced in the world to feed every person but we are woefully weak in our distribution. We don’t demand of our politicians that they pass laws that will facilitate food distribution to the hungry of the world so they focus their attention on the distribution of weapons of destruction and ammunition.
Shame on us! We want the world to look up to us so we try to achieve it by force. God’s Word says, “If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, and if you spend yourselves on behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.” (Isaiah 58:9a-10) We look for world dominance through power but it can only come through serving the needy and working for justice.
Regardless of the religion we profess by mouth, the Judgement Day that Jesus describes in Matthew 25:31-46 hinges on the hard, cold reality of “For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink.” (v.42) Does your church have a on-going focus on relieving World Hunger? Are you teaching the children how to practically share with the hungry? Feeding the hungry aligns you with Jesus.
“It is such a simple and clear lesson that You teach us, Dear Lord, about
feeding the hungry. Forgive us, please, our hard and cold hearts. Amen”
Ample food is being produced in the world to feed every person but we are woefully weak in our distribution. We don’t demand of our politicians that they pass laws that will facilitate food distribution to the hungry of the world so they focus their attention on the distribution of weapons of destruction and ammunition.
Shame on us! We want the world to look up to us so we try to achieve it by force. God’s Word says, “If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, and if you spend yourselves on behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.” (Isaiah 58:9a-10) We look for world dominance through power but it can only come through serving the needy and working for justice.
Regardless of the religion we profess by mouth, the Judgement Day that Jesus describes in Matthew 25:31-46 hinges on the hard, cold reality of “For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink.” (v.42) Does your church have a on-going focus on relieving World Hunger? Are you teaching the children how to practically share with the hungry? Feeding the hungry aligns you with Jesus.
“It is such a simple and clear lesson that You teach us, Dear Lord, about
feeding the hungry. Forgive us, please, our hard and cold hearts. Amen”
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
October 15: OVERCOME OR BE OVERCOME?
Everyone has either been overcome or is an overcomer. Your situation in life gets so difficult or your problem becomes so large that it simply overcomes you. Your habit gets so deeply ingrained or your vice gets so deeply entrenched in your life that it overcomes you.
In the last church that I pastored, we had a support group that we called “Overcomers”. It was for anyone, who through faith in Jesus Christ, was overcoming any kind of addictive or obsessive behavior.
Jesus is the Great Overcomer. In John 16:33 Jesus says, “in this world you will have trouble. But, take heart! I have overcome the world.”
The whole story of the Christian experience is a story of overcoming. One man said at the beginning of his faith, “Jesus, I do believe, help me overcome my unbelief.” (Mark 9:24) The victory that has overcome the world for the true believer is faith in Jesus Christ. (1 John 5:4)
Christians are commanded in Romans 12:21, “do not be overcome with evil but you overcome evil with good.” How can this be? 1 John 5:5 has the answer: “who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.”
It is sad to think of so many people around us broken and despondent about their situation when a releasing answer is so clear.
It started as a possibility for you when Jesus started his church and said “the gates of Hell itself will not overcome my church.” (Matthew 16:18) This confident statement still stands! Hell itself cannot defeat you.
You may reply, “I tried the church but it just did not work for me.” My question: “Whose church did you try?”
The church founded by Jesus offers overcoming power, the power he used when he overcame death and the grave. If he could overcome man’s greatest enemy through his resurrection, you should try him,
Your choice today: Overcome or be overcome?
“We shall overcome, Victorious Lord, in every circumstance that we
confront in life through Your mighty power. Amen”
In the last church that I pastored, we had a support group that we called “Overcomers”. It was for anyone, who through faith in Jesus Christ, was overcoming any kind of addictive or obsessive behavior.
Jesus is the Great Overcomer. In John 16:33 Jesus says, “in this world you will have trouble. But, take heart! I have overcome the world.”
The whole story of the Christian experience is a story of overcoming. One man said at the beginning of his faith, “Jesus, I do believe, help me overcome my unbelief.” (Mark 9:24) The victory that has overcome the world for the true believer is faith in Jesus Christ. (1 John 5:4)
Christians are commanded in Romans 12:21, “do not be overcome with evil but you overcome evil with good.” How can this be? 1 John 5:5 has the answer: “who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.”
It is sad to think of so many people around us broken and despondent about their situation when a releasing answer is so clear.
It started as a possibility for you when Jesus started his church and said “the gates of Hell itself will not overcome my church.” (Matthew 16:18) This confident statement still stands! Hell itself cannot defeat you.
You may reply, “I tried the church but it just did not work for me.” My question: “Whose church did you try?”
The church founded by Jesus offers overcoming power, the power he used when he overcame death and the grave. If he could overcome man’s greatest enemy through his resurrection, you should try him,
Your choice today: Overcome or be overcome?
“We shall overcome, Victorious Lord, in every circumstance that we
confront in life through Your mighty power. Amen”
October 14: IT'S HIS DAY TO SHINE
I don’t care if it rains on Sunday, its going to be a sunny day. Whatever the weather forecaster reports on the late news, it will have been a sunny day for me.
It’s the Son’s Day! It’s His day to shine!
It was a “sonny day” when Jesus was baptized. The heavens opened and the voice of God declared: “this is my son, whom I love, with him I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17) A “sonny day” always makes a “sunny day”.
You see, the idea of “Sunday” is the idea of a resting day, the seventh day, the seventh day of the Genesis Creation because God rested from his laboring. That’s why the early American Pilgrims enforced Sunday in the New World so everyone would rest and worship God. The resting they accepted, the enforced worship was another question.
But, the Resurrection changed that outlook for the Christians. When Jesus came alive out of the grave on Sunday, it automatically became the most important day on the calendar. Resurrection Day!
They could not believe their good fortune. Since their salvation was based on the Resurrection of Jesus, then the day of his resurrection became the “first day of the week”, the premier day of days.
They weren’t tired anymore. They didn’t want to rest, they wanted to “be about the father’s business” on Resurrection Day. Surely, they could go along with the Sabbath worship as was the custom and tradition of the first century. But Resurrection Day would be forever celebrated by Christians, regardless of how the government of their particular country viewed it.
Around the world on Sunday, many Christians will die for no other reason than their refusal to stop celebrating Resurrection Day. It will be a “Sonny Day”! “But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.” (1 Corinthians 15:20 NIV)
“God of all days, we are grateful for the special meaning that has
come to Sunday because that was the day Your Son resurrected. Amen”
It’s the Son’s Day! It’s His day to shine!
It was a “sonny day” when Jesus was baptized. The heavens opened and the voice of God declared: “this is my son, whom I love, with him I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17) A “sonny day” always makes a “sunny day”.
You see, the idea of “Sunday” is the idea of a resting day, the seventh day, the seventh day of the Genesis Creation because God rested from his laboring. That’s why the early American Pilgrims enforced Sunday in the New World so everyone would rest and worship God. The resting they accepted, the enforced worship was another question.
But, the Resurrection changed that outlook for the Christians. When Jesus came alive out of the grave on Sunday, it automatically became the most important day on the calendar. Resurrection Day!
They could not believe their good fortune. Since their salvation was based on the Resurrection of Jesus, then the day of his resurrection became the “first day of the week”, the premier day of days.
They weren’t tired anymore. They didn’t want to rest, they wanted to “be about the father’s business” on Resurrection Day. Surely, they could go along with the Sabbath worship as was the custom and tradition of the first century. But Resurrection Day would be forever celebrated by Christians, regardless of how the government of their particular country viewed it.
Around the world on Sunday, many Christians will die for no other reason than their refusal to stop celebrating Resurrection Day. It will be a “Sonny Day”! “But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.” (1 Corinthians 15:20 NIV)
“God of all days, we are grateful for the special meaning that has
come to Sunday because that was the day Your Son resurrected. Amen”
October 13: SPEAKING IN LOVE
Earrings have arrived! More people are wearing earrings than ever before. Women have always had them. Now it is culturally acceptable for men. So, there are more and more “designer earrings” available, if you can afford to buy.
God has an earring on the market that we need to consider. In Proverbs 25:12 (NIV) it says, “Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man’s rebuke to a listening ear.” Decorate your ear with a wise man’s mouth. Now God has pointed out an accessory that we all need.
Most don’t take rebuke too well. We get defensive, or angry, or our feelings hurt. We don’t want to hear rebuke. None are perfect. None is above reproach. We need someone to love us enough to point out our mistakes.
If we don’t love someone, we can just let them go on in an offensive manner rather than telling them what they have done wrong. They may be blind to their actions (I doubt it!) because no one has ever cared enough to correct them.
In Proverbs 27:6 (NIV) God says, “words from a friend can be trusted.” “Speaking the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15) is our self-test to be sure that our motivation is healing, not hurting. “If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over.” (Matthew 18:15 NIV)
What a pity to let a brother or sister act unwisely or offensively and not rebuke them in a loving manner. Lest you be the self-appointed rebuker of friends, ask yourself how you would respond to this kind of rebuking. Would you thank God for such a good friend?
Do you have a trusted friend or prayer partner that you could ask or give permission to be your new earring?
“Lord, help us to always speak the truth in a spirit of love that we might help
our brothers and sisters correct their words or deeds done offensively. Amen”
God has an earring on the market that we need to consider. In Proverbs 25:12 (NIV) it says, “Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man’s rebuke to a listening ear.” Decorate your ear with a wise man’s mouth. Now God has pointed out an accessory that we all need.
Most don’t take rebuke too well. We get defensive, or angry, or our feelings hurt. We don’t want to hear rebuke. None are perfect. None is above reproach. We need someone to love us enough to point out our mistakes.
If we don’t love someone, we can just let them go on in an offensive manner rather than telling them what they have done wrong. They may be blind to their actions (I doubt it!) because no one has ever cared enough to correct them.
In Proverbs 27:6 (NIV) God says, “words from a friend can be trusted.” “Speaking the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15) is our self-test to be sure that our motivation is healing, not hurting. “If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over.” (Matthew 18:15 NIV)
What a pity to let a brother or sister act unwisely or offensively and not rebuke them in a loving manner. Lest you be the self-appointed rebuker of friends, ask yourself how you would respond to this kind of rebuking. Would you thank God for such a good friend?
Do you have a trusted friend or prayer partner that you could ask or give permission to be your new earring?
“Lord, help us to always speak the truth in a spirit of love that we might help
our brothers and sisters correct their words or deeds done offensively. Amen”
October 12: INVESTING IN HEAVEN
A friend asked me to explain James 5:1-5 in this day of wealth and affluence. It says: “Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you. Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver are corroded. This corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. Look! The wages you failed to pay the workmen who mowed your field are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. You have lived on the earth in luxury and self-indulgence, you have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter.”
Unemployment has nearly disappeared in this area. The rich almost never have opportunity to feel guilty about living splendidly.
Yet, God is not impressed. Sumptuous houses of worship, richly appointed, that far outclass the public arenas now dot the landscape. The brand of automobiles and pickup trucks in the church parking lot seem to say “the poor Christians have been blessed.” (The Beatitudes) Even the clothing of the participants smack of worldly success. Giving 10 percent is a mere drop in the bucket and can be written off on the tax form.
If wealth is a sign of blessing, why does the deacon during the Offertory prayer always ask God to bless our “little offering”? Why don’t we give lavish, outlandish offerings to match our lifestyle?
Is it time for us to remove this section from the Bible? Or time to take it seriously?
Jesus was definitely more concerned about how many treasures we were laying up in heaven than how much money was left when we died. (Matthew 6:19)
The Bible definitely says it will be hard for “the rich” to get into heaven. (Matthew 19:24)
By the way, how do YOU explain James 5:1-5?
“In spite of being created in Your image, Dear God, we have this
strong tendency to selfishness. Please free us from things. Amen”
Unemployment has nearly disappeared in this area. The rich almost never have opportunity to feel guilty about living splendidly.
Yet, God is not impressed. Sumptuous houses of worship, richly appointed, that far outclass the public arenas now dot the landscape. The brand of automobiles and pickup trucks in the church parking lot seem to say “the poor Christians have been blessed.” (The Beatitudes) Even the clothing of the participants smack of worldly success. Giving 10 percent is a mere drop in the bucket and can be written off on the tax form.
If wealth is a sign of blessing, why does the deacon during the Offertory prayer always ask God to bless our “little offering”? Why don’t we give lavish, outlandish offerings to match our lifestyle?
Is it time for us to remove this section from the Bible? Or time to take it seriously?
Jesus was definitely more concerned about how many treasures we were laying up in heaven than how much money was left when we died. (Matthew 6:19)
The Bible definitely says it will be hard for “the rich” to get into heaven. (Matthew 19:24)
By the way, how do YOU explain James 5:1-5?
“In spite of being created in Your image, Dear God, we have this
strong tendency to selfishness. Please free us from things. Amen”
October 11: A NEW INSIGHT ON PRAYER
I recently came across a different definition of prayer that may revolutionize your prayer life. Sadly, many Christians as well as non-Christians, think prayer is something you do rather than a living dialogue with God. Prayer means to speak the whole day in such a way that after everything you say you might be able to say “Amen”. That means living in a continual awareness of the presence of God.
Every moment is a sacred moment. Every place is a holy ground. I cannot escape God’s breath since the day I invited him into my life. He is my constant companion. He has an opinion about all I do. He has guidance for my steps. He is there. He is not silent.
My lifestyle is a reflection of my “prayer life” not just my “said prayers.” If my life is a doxology of praise to God for what he means in my life, certainly an “amen” would be appropriate at any minute.
No lie will come out of my mouth nor anything hurtful against another. My lips will not be used for gossip nor for cursing. “Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.” (James 3:10 NIV)
It is not just the literalness of speaking that craves an “amen”, but the whole of my life. If my life is a dialogue with God, a constant communion with the Almighty, then my actions at all times are “amenable”. I will not go anywhere. I will not do anything. I will not waste my time in anything that is not approved by God’s “amen” or “so be it”.
Religion has nothing to offer but memorized or repetitious prayers, written by a third party. They are uttered periodically. They are divorced from life. Prayer from relationship is conversational, constant, and presentable to God. (Romans 12:1 NIV).
“How good it is, Holy God, to live constantly in your presence and know
that You are the silent listener to every conversation I have. Amen”
Every moment is a sacred moment. Every place is a holy ground. I cannot escape God’s breath since the day I invited him into my life. He is my constant companion. He has an opinion about all I do. He has guidance for my steps. He is there. He is not silent.
My lifestyle is a reflection of my “prayer life” not just my “said prayers.” If my life is a doxology of praise to God for what he means in my life, certainly an “amen” would be appropriate at any minute.
No lie will come out of my mouth nor anything hurtful against another. My lips will not be used for gossip nor for cursing. “Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.” (James 3:10 NIV)
It is not just the literalness of speaking that craves an “amen”, but the whole of my life. If my life is a dialogue with God, a constant communion with the Almighty, then my actions at all times are “amenable”. I will not go anywhere. I will not do anything. I will not waste my time in anything that is not approved by God’s “amen” or “so be it”.
Religion has nothing to offer but memorized or repetitious prayers, written by a third party. They are uttered periodically. They are divorced from life. Prayer from relationship is conversational, constant, and presentable to God. (Romans 12:1 NIV).
“How good it is, Holy God, to live constantly in your presence and know
that You are the silent listener to every conversation I have. Amen”
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
October 10: INVOLVEMENT OR ENTANGLEMENT?
“To the weak, I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessing.” (1 Corinthians 9:22-23 NIV) What a great statement by Paul! He was able to do it! To identify with individuals who are sinning against God and not get involved in their lifestyle is quite an accomplishment.
For example, I’ve known newly converted alcoholics who wanted to go back to their favorite bar to “witness” to their old friends and never made it out to sobriety again.
This current political campaign with so many candidates reminds me of some Christians who entered politics to “make a difference” but the taste of power was more than they could handle and they became entangled in hurtful things.
We are not called to be isolationist. Nor can we spend our time exclusively with Christians or we will not fulfill our salt and light destiny. How can we effectively walk with our feet firmly planted on the earth and our heads in the clouds? How can we walk daily with one foot on the earth and one foot in Heaven?
The worldly system needs our influence and input because the spiritual focus we can give will keep the government treating all equally and fairly. While doing this we are told to keep ourselves “unspotted from the world.” (James 1:27) We can “put on the full armor of God so that we can stand against the Devil’s schemes” (Ephesians 5:11)
Matthew 16:18 is clear that the church is on offense, while not acting offensively, to be a change agent in the world and the “gates of Hades will not overcome it.”
If we are going to make an impact this coming year it will not be as Democrats, Republicans, or Independents but as children of God on mission in the world.
“Help us, O God, to be in the world but not of the world. Keep us pure,
O Lord, even while we deal with impure things. Amen”
For example, I’ve known newly converted alcoholics who wanted to go back to their favorite bar to “witness” to their old friends and never made it out to sobriety again.
This current political campaign with so many candidates reminds me of some Christians who entered politics to “make a difference” but the taste of power was more than they could handle and they became entangled in hurtful things.
We are not called to be isolationist. Nor can we spend our time exclusively with Christians or we will not fulfill our salt and light destiny. How can we effectively walk with our feet firmly planted on the earth and our heads in the clouds? How can we walk daily with one foot on the earth and one foot in Heaven?
The worldly system needs our influence and input because the spiritual focus we can give will keep the government treating all equally and fairly. While doing this we are told to keep ourselves “unspotted from the world.” (James 1:27) We can “put on the full armor of God so that we can stand against the Devil’s schemes” (Ephesians 5:11)
Matthew 16:18 is clear that the church is on offense, while not acting offensively, to be a change agent in the world and the “gates of Hades will not overcome it.”
If we are going to make an impact this coming year it will not be as Democrats, Republicans, or Independents but as children of God on mission in the world.
“Help us, O God, to be in the world but not of the world. Keep us pure,
O Lord, even while we deal with impure things. Amen”
Monday, October 8, 2007
October 9: THE POWER OF THE NAME
Please read very carefully the following words: “And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death, even death on a cross! Therefore, God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:8-11)
There is something about that name that causes me to think. It is not a rare name. It is a very commonly used name if you are of Hispanic descent. It is often heard in a cursing form. But the name itself? That’s a different matter!
Most of the world and its inhabitants still divide history into BC and AD, all because of the impact on history of the god-man Jesus.
Regardless of what you think of religion, the organized church, or political organizations that try to hide their actions behind a “Christian” title, all of that may “turn you off” or make you angry about religious things, but that doesn’t negate the effect of the name..
Efforts to bury Jesus in twisted art, cynical literature, or warped entertainment haven’t been able to destroy the power of his name.
In several countries of the world today the people are forbidden to use the name, death comes to many daily simply because they say, “Jesus is Lord”.
During the coming weeks and months you will see the name frequently and hear it mentioned often in various places. When you hear it, remember what you read above.
My question to you today is a very simple one: where are you on the road to surrender to Jesus and agreeing that HE is Lord?
“Indeed, Lord Jesus, there is no name like yours that can change a
life totally and completely and fix the direction on Eternity. Amen”
There is something about that name that causes me to think. It is not a rare name. It is a very commonly used name if you are of Hispanic descent. It is often heard in a cursing form. But the name itself? That’s a different matter!
Most of the world and its inhabitants still divide history into BC and AD, all because of the impact on history of the god-man Jesus.
Regardless of what you think of religion, the organized church, or political organizations that try to hide their actions behind a “Christian” title, all of that may “turn you off” or make you angry about religious things, but that doesn’t negate the effect of the name..
Efforts to bury Jesus in twisted art, cynical literature, or warped entertainment haven’t been able to destroy the power of his name.
In several countries of the world today the people are forbidden to use the name, death comes to many daily simply because they say, “Jesus is Lord”.
During the coming weeks and months you will see the name frequently and hear it mentioned often in various places. When you hear it, remember what you read above.
My question to you today is a very simple one: where are you on the road to surrender to Jesus and agreeing that HE is Lord?
“Indeed, Lord Jesus, there is no name like yours that can change a
life totally and completely and fix the direction on Eternity. Amen”
Sunday, October 7, 2007
October 8: THE CHRISTIAN VIEW OF DEATH
In 2 Corinthians 6:17, Paul throws down the challenge to Christians to break out of our cultural mold when he quotes our Lord saying, “Therefore, come out from among them and be separate.” At no place is this more evident than in overcoming the “American way of death.”
We should celebrate death as a victorious experience that releases us to the presence of God for Eternity. This is our real life! This is what we have been hoping to begin! We don’t need to spend a lot of money on a beautiful wooden box that will be sealed in another steel box or concrete box that will keep us dry.
Ancient Egypt was famous for mummifying bodies and decorating them to look attractive for the next life, but we know there is no way to make a corpse “look good”. The ugliness of death is mocked by 1 Corinthians 15:55: “Where, O Death, is your victory? Where, O Death, is your sting?”
Surely, we weep at the feelings of loss when a dear one leaves us, but “God will wipe away every tear from our eyes” (Revelation 7:17). We don’t sorrow or “grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again” (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14).
The Resurrection of Jesus has turned it all around for us. Our goal should be that our dying not be remembered by expensive flowers that will wither in a few days but by simple words that can testify to the reality of our commitment to Jesus as Lord of our lives.
Our best memorials will not be carved in stone but living memorials of people who were changed by our loving them in Jesus’ name!
“Death has been swallowed up in victory!” (1 Corinthians 15:54). The day they bury your earthly remains deserves a great celebration at the church house where you currently attend.
“Thank You, Father, that death has no threat over us and that we truly
have victory over death through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen”
We should celebrate death as a victorious experience that releases us to the presence of God for Eternity. This is our real life! This is what we have been hoping to begin! We don’t need to spend a lot of money on a beautiful wooden box that will be sealed in another steel box or concrete box that will keep us dry.
Ancient Egypt was famous for mummifying bodies and decorating them to look attractive for the next life, but we know there is no way to make a corpse “look good”. The ugliness of death is mocked by 1 Corinthians 15:55: “Where, O Death, is your victory? Where, O Death, is your sting?”
Surely, we weep at the feelings of loss when a dear one leaves us, but “God will wipe away every tear from our eyes” (Revelation 7:17). We don’t sorrow or “grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again” (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14).
The Resurrection of Jesus has turned it all around for us. Our goal should be that our dying not be remembered by expensive flowers that will wither in a few days but by simple words that can testify to the reality of our commitment to Jesus as Lord of our lives.
Our best memorials will not be carved in stone but living memorials of people who were changed by our loving them in Jesus’ name!
“Death has been swallowed up in victory!” (1 Corinthians 15:54). The day they bury your earthly remains deserves a great celebration at the church house where you currently attend.
“Thank You, Father, that death has no threat over us and that we truly
have victory over death through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen”
Saturday, October 6, 2007
October 7: MONDAY IS COMING
To all of my Christian brothers and sisters reading this Blog this weekend, I have a personal question: How is your Monday Connection? While you are in your Bible Class and Discipling group and worshipping congregation, don’t forget your Monday Connection. During all of the sweet fellowship you enjoy with your faith family, don’t forget your Monday Connection. As you have extra time to relax and meditate on the great truths of God, don’t forget your Monday Connection. On Sunday night you will leave your weekend spiritual paradise and go back to the Mainland. Most of the people you will see and work with did not have a weekend of spiritual delight and blessing. They have desperately been trying to “catch up” on all they had to do or frantically running here and there “in the pursuit of happiness”. Don’t forget your Monday Connection.
At sometime you must bring yourself and the tools of your trade to God’s altar for a time of consecration. If not, you will not be able to connect in a significant way with all these people. Your Monday Connection is waiting.
James 2:14ff (NIV) reminds: “What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? I will show you my faith by what I do. You see that faith and actions work together and faith is made complete by deeds. You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.”
Just imagine, on Monday morning you have all these people waiting for you to come back to work to show them how a man or woman of faith conducts themselves in the marketplace. They really want to know. So get prepared and be “practically spiritual” all day Monday. “Christ in you” is not only your “hope of glory” but theirs as well. Try not to fail the test.
“Thank You, God, for Monday; for a day when the people we work with
all the time examine us closely for evidence of the changing work of Jesus.
Amen”
At sometime you must bring yourself and the tools of your trade to God’s altar for a time of consecration. If not, you will not be able to connect in a significant way with all these people. Your Monday Connection is waiting.
James 2:14ff (NIV) reminds: “What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? I will show you my faith by what I do. You see that faith and actions work together and faith is made complete by deeds. You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.”
Just imagine, on Monday morning you have all these people waiting for you to come back to work to show them how a man or woman of faith conducts themselves in the marketplace. They really want to know. So get prepared and be “practically spiritual” all day Monday. “Christ in you” is not only your “hope of glory” but theirs as well. Try not to fail the test.
“Thank You, God, for Monday; for a day when the people we work with
all the time examine us closely for evidence of the changing work of Jesus.
Amen”
Friday, October 5, 2007
October 6: A TWO-MINUTE DRILL
The myth now lies crumpled on the ground around us. Some tried to pretend that it had not fallen. Some tried to prop it up, hoping no one would notice its condition. Some denied it; the idea being too frightening to accept as true. I speak of the myth that our country is a “Christian nation”.
It is time for us to face up to the fact and begin to deal with it in a realistic way. That can be a major challenge for us the rest of this year. Crime of all kinds, corruption in high political places and local jurisdictions, rejection of biblically-based values; these are just a few signs to say “the myth is dead”.
That’s why I want to suggest that we turn to a “two-minute drill”. This is nothing new, professional football teams practice a two-minute drill all the time. It is an intense effort to try to change the situation that exists. For the sensitive Christian this will be a reminder that things are not what they should be for a would-be Christian nation.
Rather than be thrown into times of grief, hand-wringing, or blaming, enter a two-minute period of prayer. Just draw aside in the chapel of your heart to repent of your part in the death and ask God to renew your faith. Ask God to restore genuine joy to your life.
Pray David’s prayer from Psalm 51:12, “restore to me the joy of your salvation.” Pray for the people around you to come to know personally the Prince of Peace. Ask God to give you an opportunity to tell them about the “Son of Man who has come to seek and to save those who are lost.” (Luke 19:10)
The death of the myth now puts the gospel in our hands to proclaim each day. Ours is a pluralistic culture now. We can never reclaim the state of being a “Christian nation”, but we can gradually work and pray until the number of Christians multiply far beyond what it is today. We do not need a state-coerced religion; we need a spontaneous celebration of the Christian faith.
“Forgive us, O God, for assuming that You were always on our side
regardless of what we did or refused to do. Help us to join You. Amen”
It is time for us to face up to the fact and begin to deal with it in a realistic way. That can be a major challenge for us the rest of this year. Crime of all kinds, corruption in high political places and local jurisdictions, rejection of biblically-based values; these are just a few signs to say “the myth is dead”.
That’s why I want to suggest that we turn to a “two-minute drill”. This is nothing new, professional football teams practice a two-minute drill all the time. It is an intense effort to try to change the situation that exists. For the sensitive Christian this will be a reminder that things are not what they should be for a would-be Christian nation.
Rather than be thrown into times of grief, hand-wringing, or blaming, enter a two-minute period of prayer. Just draw aside in the chapel of your heart to repent of your part in the death and ask God to renew your faith. Ask God to restore genuine joy to your life.
Pray David’s prayer from Psalm 51:12, “restore to me the joy of your salvation.” Pray for the people around you to come to know personally the Prince of Peace. Ask God to give you an opportunity to tell them about the “Son of Man who has come to seek and to save those who are lost.” (Luke 19:10)
The death of the myth now puts the gospel in our hands to proclaim each day. Ours is a pluralistic culture now. We can never reclaim the state of being a “Christian nation”, but we can gradually work and pray until the number of Christians multiply far beyond what it is today. We do not need a state-coerced religion; we need a spontaneous celebration of the Christian faith.
“Forgive us, O God, for assuming that You were always on our side
regardless of what we did or refused to do. Help us to join You. Amen”
Thursday, October 4, 2007
October 5: THE SONG OF ASCENT
“I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.’”(Psalm 122:1) That simple little chorus will be sung this Sunday by more people than you can imagine.
If you take all the people going to a college stadium Saturday singing their favorite “fight song”, add to this all of the people going to the stadium on Sunday cheering their favorite professional football team singing “Hail to the Redskins” (or whatever) plus all the people going to Playoff baseball games singing “Take me out to the ballgame”, you still won’t have as many people as those singing the little chorus “I Was Glad When They Said Unto Me.”
The little chorus will be sung by Christians all over the country. In large cathedrals, in country chapels, in suburban auditoriums, and storefront churches, people will be excited and happy about going to worship.
Yes, there will be a lot of Sunday morning grumps who won’t have anything to sing about. There will be some guilt-ridden people who will stay in bed because they have lost their song.
But this large multitude that knows no class, color, or cultural boundary will be joyfully going to worship, singing the chorus as they go, “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.’”
This chorus is called a song of Ascent in the Bible. It is a song for people going to worship. It is a song for people who live with one eye on eternity. It is a song for people who refuse to get trapped in the “here and now” and lose sight of the Ultimate Reality which is God.
The problems of this world will not defeat them, the sorrows of life will not get them down. Perhaps you would like to join them Sunday? It would be a good time for you to show the world whose side you are on.
“So many of us, Dear God, learned that chorus when we were young but
somehow we forgot the tune while fighting life’s battles. Remind us! Amen”
If you take all the people going to a college stadium Saturday singing their favorite “fight song”, add to this all of the people going to the stadium on Sunday cheering their favorite professional football team singing “Hail to the Redskins” (or whatever) plus all the people going to Playoff baseball games singing “Take me out to the ballgame”, you still won’t have as many people as those singing the little chorus “I Was Glad When They Said Unto Me.”
The little chorus will be sung by Christians all over the country. In large cathedrals, in country chapels, in suburban auditoriums, and storefront churches, people will be excited and happy about going to worship.
Yes, there will be a lot of Sunday morning grumps who won’t have anything to sing about. There will be some guilt-ridden people who will stay in bed because they have lost their song.
But this large multitude that knows no class, color, or cultural boundary will be joyfully going to worship, singing the chorus as they go, “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.’”
This chorus is called a song of Ascent in the Bible. It is a song for people going to worship. It is a song for people who live with one eye on eternity. It is a song for people who refuse to get trapped in the “here and now” and lose sight of the Ultimate Reality which is God.
The problems of this world will not defeat them, the sorrows of life will not get them down. Perhaps you would like to join them Sunday? It would be a good time for you to show the world whose side you are on.
“So many of us, Dear God, learned that chorus when we were young but
somehow we forgot the tune while fighting life’s battles. Remind us! Amen”
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
October 4: GROWING OLD TOGETHER
Maybe something good is about to happen if we listen to the teenagers. What may seem like an old-fashioned concept in the age in which we live, surprisingly reflects what many teens are thinking. A survey of teenagers (by George Barna) found that one of their highest-rated goals for the future was to “get married and have the same spouse for their entire life.” Imagine being a kid whose parent or parents have been married several times or had a series of live-in lovers and never knew how to sort out the adults around them. So now the teenagers want what God planned without even realizing it. Good for them!
This would be a good time of the year to teach Biblical truth about families since the television seems to have more programs than usual that put down monogamous marriage. I just heard a famous star say yesterday that “spiritual marriages would be the wave of the future.” Spiritual marriages defined as living with someone who allowed you to realize your full potential. Parents and grandparents: it would be very easy for you to apologize to your offspring for not teaching them the truth about Biblical marriage, even though it was unintentional. It could give you a “teachable moment” with them.
Teach them the most basic truth of marriage from the Bible: Genesis 2:24 (NIV) “for this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be untied to his wife, and they will become one flesh.”
Urge them to have Biblically-based pre-marital counseling so they can build their marriage on a firm foundation. Help them to see that you can’t build a lasting marriage on fluctuating emotions. Jesus warned of the danger of building a house on the sand without any foundation. (Matthew 7:24-29) If it is true of a house, it is surely true of a marriage. People get married for a lot of reasons, not all good, maybe you did. If you have now seen the light point your children in that direction. “The rain came down, the wind blew and beat against the house; yet it did not fall.” Jesus is the Rock to be your marriage foundation.
“Dear God, we know that marriage for life was your idea for the safety
and security of the couple as well as their children. What a truth! Amen”
This would be a good time of the year to teach Biblical truth about families since the television seems to have more programs than usual that put down monogamous marriage. I just heard a famous star say yesterday that “spiritual marriages would be the wave of the future.” Spiritual marriages defined as living with someone who allowed you to realize your full potential. Parents and grandparents: it would be very easy for you to apologize to your offspring for not teaching them the truth about Biblical marriage, even though it was unintentional. It could give you a “teachable moment” with them.
Teach them the most basic truth of marriage from the Bible: Genesis 2:24 (NIV) “for this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be untied to his wife, and they will become one flesh.”
Urge them to have Biblically-based pre-marital counseling so they can build their marriage on a firm foundation. Help them to see that you can’t build a lasting marriage on fluctuating emotions. Jesus warned of the danger of building a house on the sand without any foundation. (Matthew 7:24-29) If it is true of a house, it is surely true of a marriage. People get married for a lot of reasons, not all good, maybe you did. If you have now seen the light point your children in that direction. “The rain came down, the wind blew and beat against the house; yet it did not fall.” Jesus is the Rock to be your marriage foundation.
“Dear God, we know that marriage for life was your idea for the safety
and security of the couple as well as their children. What a truth! Amen”
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
October 3: PRACTICING WHAT WE PREACH
In James 2:14-17 (NIV) we read, “what good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without food or clothes. If one of you says to him, ‘Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed’ but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”
Christians, we simply have to start doing a better job of practicing what we preach. We must walk the walk as well as talk the talk. Across America we must sound the call for a revival of authentic Christian living. Consider: Tulsa, Oklahoma has more churches per capita than any city in America but that doesn’t keep their crime rate down. Colorado Springs, Colorado is home base for at least 70 different ministries and more than 400 churches, yet El Paso County, in which Colorado Springs is located, has the highest divorce rate in the state.
These things are an embarrassment to the Kingdom of God. I wonder what non-believers and cynics who live next door to a church, think about the way worship attendance shrinks at local churches during the summer months, some even having to eliminate services because no one wants to attend.
Does God not require faithfulness from His people during every season? A constant and consistent living out of our faith is the only way we will ever persuade the world that Jesus is lord.
Could it be that the way you are living is speaking so loudly that a lost and wandering neighbor can’t hear a word you say about the truth of God’s Word?
Let us do good! Let us act right! Let us prove our faith by proper conduct.
“O God of our strength, enable us to always practice what we preach.
Forgive us for talking more about religion than living the truth. Amen”
Christians, we simply have to start doing a better job of practicing what we preach. We must walk the walk as well as talk the talk. Across America we must sound the call for a revival of authentic Christian living. Consider: Tulsa, Oklahoma has more churches per capita than any city in America but that doesn’t keep their crime rate down. Colorado Springs, Colorado is home base for at least 70 different ministries and more than 400 churches, yet El Paso County, in which Colorado Springs is located, has the highest divorce rate in the state.
These things are an embarrassment to the Kingdom of God. I wonder what non-believers and cynics who live next door to a church, think about the way worship attendance shrinks at local churches during the summer months, some even having to eliminate services because no one wants to attend.
Does God not require faithfulness from His people during every season? A constant and consistent living out of our faith is the only way we will ever persuade the world that Jesus is lord.
Could it be that the way you are living is speaking so loudly that a lost and wandering neighbor can’t hear a word you say about the truth of God’s Word?
Let us do good! Let us act right! Let us prove our faith by proper conduct.
“O God of our strength, enable us to always practice what we preach.
Forgive us for talking more about religion than living the truth. Amen”
Monday, October 1, 2007
October 2: RESPECTING HUMANITY
There is an old American culture act that has almost been lost, but I saw it again recently. I have been thinking about it. I’m referring to those people who stop on the side of the road when a funeral procession passes by, out of respect for the person who has died. It’s just a momentary act but it says a lot about respecting humanity and your fellow man. Maybe these people came from a part of rural America where human life is still important.
This quiet, solemn testimony to a human life being gone moves me much more than “pro” and “anti” abortion foes shouting at each other or the “pro” and “con” capital punishment circus that accompanies every current execution.
Every life is precious. That’s why we have a team of doctors and nurses always waiting in the Emergency room to try to save the life of anyone brought in, rich or poor, black or white. That’s why war is terrible; human life is wasted for no good reason. (Have you been watching the current series on World War 2 on Public television?)
How do you measure up in having respect for people? Jesus said you should “love your neighbor as much as you love yourself”. (Matthew 19:19)
Do you tend to categorize people and put them in the proper place? White? Black? Educated? Officer? Enlisted? I understand that homogeneous groups do well, but that is no reason to think less of those who are different. “God so loved the world” (John 3:16) all in the same way, and with the same intensity. The world endured the shame of South Africa for too long while the government enforced a pigment test. We must always be alert to any temptation to divide people, regardless of the suggested dividing device.
The lesson must be learned in every community. Until we agree with God in not being “respecter of persons” (Acts 10:34) the garment of our community will continue to be torn.
“Thank You, God, for making us all the same under the outer layer of
skin and for providing only one Savior so we could not mistake that. Amen”
This quiet, solemn testimony to a human life being gone moves me much more than “pro” and “anti” abortion foes shouting at each other or the “pro” and “con” capital punishment circus that accompanies every current execution.
Every life is precious. That’s why we have a team of doctors and nurses always waiting in the Emergency room to try to save the life of anyone brought in, rich or poor, black or white. That’s why war is terrible; human life is wasted for no good reason. (Have you been watching the current series on World War 2 on Public television?)
How do you measure up in having respect for people? Jesus said you should “love your neighbor as much as you love yourself”. (Matthew 19:19)
Do you tend to categorize people and put them in the proper place? White? Black? Educated? Officer? Enlisted? I understand that homogeneous groups do well, but that is no reason to think less of those who are different. “God so loved the world” (John 3:16) all in the same way, and with the same intensity. The world endured the shame of South Africa for too long while the government enforced a pigment test. We must always be alert to any temptation to divide people, regardless of the suggested dividing device.
The lesson must be learned in every community. Until we agree with God in not being “respecter of persons” (Acts 10:34) the garment of our community will continue to be torn.
“Thank You, God, for making us all the same under the outer layer of
skin and for providing only one Savior so we could not mistake that. Amen”
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