Don’t Be Sad...Be Happy

Is this statement Biblical? I hear some parts of Christianity that paint the picture that you name it and claim it and God will do it. They talk about being positive and good things will come your way. Is the concept true that Christian’s should always be happy? Yes, but no. It is not a joy as the world would define it. The joy we have with the Lord is not the absence of things going bad in our life, but rather the hope we have in Jesus despite the things that go wrong around us. Even though we have that confidence, we are human and experience ups and downs. When it comes to the loss of a believer, we are told "not to mourn as one without hope”. That doesn’t sound like being happy. When Jesus heard that Lazarus had died, we are told that He wept. Being a Christian doesn’t make us into a happy robot, but the joy of the Lord should still be our strength. When things get tough, we should still be able to keep our head up high because we know that we have One that is by our side and will lead us if we let Him. On average, I think that Christians should be more positive than the world because we know that with God all things are possible. When a non-believer hears a doctor tell them that nothing can be done, they have no where to turn. When a believer hears the same diagnosis, we know that God is still able to bring healing, but even if He doesn’t choose physical healing, we have an eternity with God to look forward to... heaven. When we pray for healing or other specific requests, we should not doubt that God is able to accomplish this, but we also must pray, as our Lord did, “Not my will but Yours be done”. Ministers, like Joel Osteen, speak of being positive, happy, and claiming God’s blessings. They even speaks of forgiveness as a means of being set free, but I have rarely heard them speak of repentance and confessing our sins to God that we might be cleansed from all unrighteousness. If we want to have the joy of the Lord in our heart, that is not going to come from our efforts. We must recognize our sins and how it separates us from God. Then through repentance and confession, God cleanses us. Knowing what Christ has done, we walk in the victory that Christ has won for us, for we are powerless to help. Lord, We come before You with a broken heart and confess our sin. Cleanse us and fill our hearts with a deep joy from You. Amen

My Porridge Is Just Right

I remember growing up hearing many of the nursery rhymes. There was one about Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Goldilocks had arrived at the bears home and sat at the table. One chair was too hard, one too soft, and one just right. The porridge was the same thing, one too hot, one too cold, and one just right. The beds also were too firm, too fluffy, and just right. There is more to the story with the arrival of the three bears- papa, mama, and baby bear. I wasn’t as interested in the story as I was that everyone had a different taste or need – hard to soft, hot to cold, firm to fluffy. My mom had sent me a wonderful quote that tells us about God’s word. Just as the porridge remained food, God’s word remains His letter to us. It is just that it ministers to us in different ways depending on the depth of our knowledge and faith. It was a quote from St. Jerome and this is what it said, "The Scriptures are shallow enough for a babe to come and drink without fear of drowning, and deep enough for theologians to swim in without ever reaching the bottom." Just as the food that a baby eats is different from what a full grown adult eats, so we have differing levels of maturity in the faith and receptiveness to God’s word. We often hear the concept of water representing the Word of God or the Holy Spirit. We are also told to come and drink freely from the water that God gives, that we might thirst no more. The new believer has a great passion to read and learn from God, but they don’t have the foundation on which to build yet. If they read some of the challenging passages to understand, they might get frustrated or give up. There is plenty for them to drink and take in without drowning in a sea of doubt. On the other side is the theologian that often has a deeper and greater understanding of that Word that is given. This same Scripture that the new believer drinks from is the same word that the learned seek. The theologian dives in, as he studies and seeks God’s truth. The great teachers and preachers will never reach the depth of what we can learned on this side of heaven. I challenge you to read the Bible over and over, gaining deeper understanding each time. Holy Spirit, open up Your word to us that we might not just wade in the word, but discover deep truths. Amen

Unreadable

I was trying to get some paperwork printed from my computer. I made sure I had downloaded what I wanted from another drive and went to print it. I picked how many pages I was printing, how many copies I needed, if it was going to be two sided, and if I wanted it in color. I made sure everything was just right and then I hit print. The first few pages went just fine, but slow because it was in color. Then I was relieved to print the black and white portion, but sadly it had a paper jam. I cleared it out and started to print again, and again there was a paper jam. Finally, after repositioning the paper, it started to print better. I started to see how similar this was to being a Christian. The printer is us. We are called to proclaim the Gospel to all we meet. The master copy that we are printing is what the Holy Spirit has given to us, but it is meant to be shared... to be reproduced. The paper is us, reproducing what God has placed within us. Sometimes, even with our best efforts, we can’t get it out right. That would be the paper jam. I know of very few copiers that can get the jams unstuck on their own. We need the One in charge to free us from whatever holds us back. When we allow the Holy Spirit to have control, it amazing what can be done. Jesus would tell the people that He wasn’t trying to bring glory to himself, but giving it to God. He would tell the people that He only relayed on what the Father had told Him. A printer needs to be maintained, to be filled with the ink or toner to print, to be able to copy the Original, and to operate from a power source. If any of these things are missing, it will either not print or the print will be unreadable. How is the message that you are producing? Is it glorifying God? Is it clearly understood? Are you producing a clear copy of what you have been given or is it hard for others to read or understand? If we put inferior products or knowledge in us, the output will not be good. Printers today need updates to make sure they are functioning at their peek. We too need to be growing daily. A copier left unchecked will eventually break down. If we think that we don’t need to continually grow, our faith will likely get stagnant and will not be beneficial to us or anyone else that we come in contact with. Father, I need Your help so that I can reproduce what You have taught me and live my life in such a way that Your word is clearly seen. Amen

An Unpredictable World

I remember in the 1990's that there was this big push to change for change so that we didn’t cause the earth to overheat - global warming. We were told that there was a consensus of scientist, but science was never built on consensus, but fact. We were also told that much of the US coastline would go underwater in 10 years if we failed to drastically change. Every storm and hurricane was supposedly a result of this. 10 years pass. 20 years pass. Nothing. Somewhere in the midst of things, it was no longer global warming, but global change. Still no conclusive science. Also, if this was going to end the world, why isn’t there a bigger push for China and other countries that have greater violations. The world may be unpredictable, but there are always people that will try to twist the unknown for personal gain. If we were truly concerned about the way the world is going physically, politically, etc, the answer is not found in our abilities. As a matter of fact, it was our poor abilities that get us into most of these situations. The answer is truly found in God alone. I’m not just talking weather either. What we witness, this unpredictability, is a result of original sin, not excess carbon or whatever else we might blame. When sin entered the world, what was perfect became flawed, and this brokeness began to tear away at the world. Diseases began to grow. Hatred took hold of man's heart. Animals that lived side by side now hunted one another. We become so conceited that we think we change the world, but every time we try to introduce change something to restore things, it usually gets worse. It is truly unpredictable. We have been called to be wise stewards - avoiding pollution and caring for the world - but God holds the ultimate control. Even as we speak of the worlds end, that rests in God’s hands. No one will know the time or hour when He will return to take all believers home with Him. You and I will neither speed up or slow down Jesus’ return. If the world is unpredictable, we need to turn to Him who is trustworthy... God and His word. We can’t change the weather, but we can allow God to change us. Father, watch over this world and give us wisdom to know how to care for this creation. The changes needed are a surrendered heart. Amen

Monday Quarterback

Those that love football will recognize this phrase. It means that the day after the game has been played, after everyone has watched the game and the replays, often in slow motion, all of a sudden they think they are the experts with all the answers. There is also a phrase, “Hindsight is 20/20". That means that we can usually see things much more clearly after things have already taken place. After all, we know who the players are, what complications might come up, what the desired outcome should be, and no one can double check our strategy because it is already past. Now in church, it is not a Monday quarterback, but rather a Sunday Planner. We talk about what God has done based on His word. We talk about who we should be and what we should be doing. Just as a Monday Quarterback can’t change the past, the Sunday Planner doesn’t seem to take the message forward. In both cases, the end result is not worth that much. Knowing about Jesus is worth very little if we don’t live out that faith... in our homes, among friends, and in the community. There is no point looking back at what was done if we are not willing to learn and take it forward to others that need to know. We need to change that image. Church is not to be the end of the week where we unwind, but the beginning of the week where we are encouraged and equipped. There is no point to dig into His word if we are also not interested in putting it into practice. We can probably all think of people that started a project only to give up on it. They may have bought a lot of the parts and studied the necessary books, only to stare blankly at what they never completed. Maybe it is an incomplete novel, a quilt that hasn’t been finished, am old car that sits in the garage, a pile of lumber that has not been made into that desired project. That describes far too many Christians today... some knowledge, some desire, but we fall back into silence again. I believe we need to first be faithful in prayer, seeking God’s will and praying for wisdom. I believe we then need to be in God’s word to grow in faith and understanding. Somewhere in the midst of that, God will speak... will direct your heart... will use you to bring Him glory. We need to break bad habits and learn good ones. Lord, help us to get out of our rut and focus our heart on what is important to You. Stir in each of us. Amen

Why Should I Believe in Jesus?

I have known people that play life as if it was some great strategic game. When someone is extremely sick or facing dire circumstances, they turn to bargaining. God, if you do this, then I will do that. Do you think God really needs our help or feels obligated to accept people with strings attached? No! Bargaining is an automatic fail. I know others that want to cover all possible angles. They seek psychics, superstitions, plus various religions, including Christianity. Let’s play this out. If, and I truly believe this, God is the only true God, how do you think He would react if we went to all these other “powers” too. We are clearly telling Him that we don’t trust His power alone to answer our needs, or there are other powerful “gods” that can also help if God fails. Again, that is an automatic fail. God is not a genie or someone we only call on when the chips are down. When God created Adam and Eve, He wanted to be in relationship with them. They walked with God... until sin entered the world. God is not a backup plan... He is the final answer. When I stated that there were certain actions that were an automatic fail, that doesn’t have to be the final answer. God calls us to love Him with all our heart, soul, strength, and mind. When we fail, and we will all fail at times, there is forgiveness and a new start. So, why believe in Jesus? Because the Bible says that Jesus is the only way to heaven. How do I know I can trust the Bible? Because there are almost thirty authors, covering thousands of years, written in 66 books, and they all agree with each other. Do you know how impossible that would be based on man’s wisdom? Without Jesus, there is only hell that awaits us with all its suffering, also known as the second death. We do not believe just in case the Bible is real, for that is not faith. We believe because God’s word has never changed from creation till now. God sent His son Jesus (a historical figure) to rescue those that walk by faith. God is not bitter or angry or holding grudges. Exactly the opposite. God loves everyone and it is by grace through faith in Christ that we are saved. Why believe? Because He is the only hope that will never fail. Father, Open the eyes of the world to see Your great love for them and convict them of their sins, restoring them to Yourself. Amen

COME, HOLY GHOST, GOD AND LORD

This is the name of a hymn about the Holy Spirit. Since the 8th is Pentecost Sunday, I thought now might be a good time to look at it. The first verse is focused on the Holy Spirit transforming us in mind and heart and equipping us to stand strong in faith. The tune was a little challenging to sing, but the first verse says, “Come, Holy Ghost, God and Lord with all your graces now outpoured on each believer's mind and heart Your fervent love to them impart. Lord, by the brightness of your light in holy faith your church unite from ev'ry land and ev'ry tongue - this to your praise, O Lord, our God, be sung - Alleluia! Alleluia.” As Luther would declare, it is the Holy Spirit that calls, gathers, and enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian church. How does this happen? The Holy Spirit calls me by the gospel, enlightens me with His gifts, and He sanctifies and keeps me in the one true faith. The second verse is seeking purity from false doctrines and filling our heart with a great joy that comes from true faith. The second verse, “Come, holy Light, guide divine now cause the word of life to shine. Teach us to know our God aright as loving Father, our delight. From ev'ry error keep us free. Let none but Christ our teacher be, that we in living faith abide in Him, our Lord, with all our might confide. Alleluia! Alleluia”. That needs to be our prayer and desire... to know God as He desires to be known and not as we want Him to be. Again, “From every error keep us free”. Let not the world contaminate our thinking with false hopes and selfish desires. The third verse refers to the Holy Spirit as holy Fire. Fire can purify what is contaminated, but it also can give warmth, comfort, and light. We pray not only for the ability to serve, but for the will to carry it out. May God strengthen our heart and focus so that we will boldly serve God whenever, wherever, and however He calls us. The verse says, “Come, holy Fire, comfort true. Grant us the will your work to do, and in your service to abide. Let trials turn us not aside. Lord, by your pow'r prepare each heart and to our weakness strength impart that bravely here we may contend through life and death to you, our Lord, ascend. Alleluia! Alleluia”. Holy Spirit, prepare us. Come, Holy Spirit. Fill us with Your presence. Give us wisdom to understand Your word and faith to live it out each day. Amen

The Healing Touch

Medical technology has come a long way. The things that they can do today make technology from years ago look ancient. Each year we seem to find more and more ways to heal and restore the body. It also appears that some of the bacterial infections are also becoming immune to the antibiotics. As we learn more, new and different things happen around us. I was interested in reading about a treatment that used shockwaves. These waves “pound” the area that is experiencing trauma and fool the body into believing there is new damage. The body then sends blood and healing cells to that area to restore things. In theory, it sounds great and may very well be a great blessing. It is, however, puzzling that the body must be tricked into false belief in order for it to bring the help needed. In this world, there is no end to the deceit that takes place. People try to manipulate the stock market to create a preferred outcome... so long as they don’t’ get caught. In sports, the most effective players are often the ones that can get you to think they are doing one thing, when in reality, they have a different plan. In God’s house, there is meant to be no such manipulation. We are called to speak the truth in love. When Jesus (and the disciples) healed someone, they never had to give them false hope. There is power in God’s word. If we have to twist and manipulate that word to present our finding, it is likely not as God intended. Does God word need some explanation? Sometimes. We, however, are to find that truth, not in our imagination and human ability, but by seeing what God has already done and the foundation He has already laid. We need to allow Scripture to interpret Scripture. We need to always start with what we know to be true. The context will often fill in the rest. When we call on God, we don’t have to convince Him or trick Him into doing what we want Him to do, for He already knows our heart before we ever speak. Actually, the very act of trying to manipulate God would be a great sin. So, if the church tries to make you feel guilty, that is man’s doing. The Holy Spirit convicts us, renews us, leads us, and heals us as He desires. Father, You know the needs and wants of the heart. You know the healing and renewal that is needed. Lead us by Your truth. Amen

Trust God’s Leading

Our first lesson from last Sunday was from Acts chapter 1. In it, we see Peter standing up and addressing 120 disciples. I find it interesting that Peter, who now seems to be in a leadership role, was the disciple who denied Jesus three times. He had told Jesus, before Jesus was arrested, that even if everyone else ran away, he would die for Jesus. Then he denied , knowing Jesus, to servants... not soldiers. Jesus, after the resurrection, asked Peter three times if he loved Jesus. Each times Jesus asked Peter, the disciple was hurt more and more. Each time Jesus responded, “Feed my sheep/lambs”. Now, this denier of Jesus, was leading the disciples and preparing them for ministry (or feeding the sheep or lambs). O, the mercy of God, to allow His people a second, third, or seventy seventh chance. Even though God’s grace abounds, not all will receive it. This section also tells that Judas, who betrayed Jesus, went out and hung himself. Could Judas have been saved? In Acts 2:21, we are informed, “Anyone that calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Whether it was extreme guilt, a hardened heart, remorse, or some other reason, Judas never turned back to God. It appears that, according to prophesy, Judas was destined to destruction, not because God caused it, but rather God’s foreknowledge knew what Judas would do. Even though God’s grace and mercy is available to all, not everyone will submit fully to God. This passage then continues to tell us that someone needed to take Judas’ place in ministry. I am always struck by the method. They basically used a means, similar to flipping a coin. Does God want us to entrust our future, and His ministry, to chance? Absolutely not! We must note that before “casting lots”, they lifted everything in prayer, asking and trusting God to determine the outcome, so that it is according to God’s will. By this method, the 12th disciple was called or appointed. It is, however, by God’s grace and strength that the Apostles went out to proclaim the gospel (good news) of Jesus Christ. Today, anyone who surrenders to God, is called to be an ambassador, representing God to a fallen world. Lord, You have called us to go and make disciples of all nations. You call, gather, and enlighten Your people to serve. Amen

More Than Conquerors

Romans chapter 8 is a wonderful chapter that begins with the words, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”. Paul goes on to tell us how, through Christ, the law has been fulfilled, freeing us from sin and death. It goes on to say, “For what the law was powerless to do..., God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering, in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us”. By faith, we have been set free, not to indulge in our sinful desires, but free to serve God with all our being. Then we jump all the way down to Romans 8:31, “What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?” The answer to this question is so fundamental to our faith and dictates all that we do. How can I say that? Imagine if you saw a power line down from a storm. Someone told you that they heard the power had been turned off. How confident would you be to walk over the area where the power line was? For me, I don’t think I could do that. If I saw someone else walk over to the downed wire, then I would feel ok. I would want proof. This is the same mind set that we see in this passage. It is one thing to say, “If God is for us, who can be against us”, but it is an entirely different thing to act accordingly. So, how does that affect me in real life. Picture being called to serve as a missionary, even if it is a short term mission, in a area of the world that is hostile to Christianity. Do you have the confidence to leave everything and go? If you do go, will you proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ as God enables you to? Do you really trust that God can protect you, and if God doesn’t rescue you physically, are you willing to die for Him? That might seem extreme. What about when the world mocks us and accuses us because of our faith? Is there anything that has the power to pull us from God? Not for those walking by faith. We are even told in James to resist the Devil and he will flee from us. Romans goes on to say, “...in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that [nothing] will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord". So... what is holding you back? Father, fill us with that absolute confidence in You and Your word so that the Devil, the World, and our sinful nature has no power. Amen

Did God Really Say You Shall Not Kill?

Over the years, I have had multiple people question whether the Bible was in error with its position on killing. If God said, “You shall not kill”, why did he also order His people, on multiple occasions, to kill and destroy everyone from a certain town or battle? Don’t they conflict with each other? This is one of those situations that we have heard things over the years and assume we know what the 10 commandments say. If you go back and look at Exodus chapter 20, you will find it does not forbid us from killing someone but rather commands us not to murder someone. Isn’t that the same things? Aren’t we just splitting hairs? Killing just refers to taking a life while murder indicates an unjustified, premeditated, self-serving taking of a life. If I shoot someone that is breaking into my house and means me harm, I have the right to defend myself. That doesn’t mean I have to use lethal force, but it is not forbidden. Where do I get that idea from? Romans 13:4, speaking of earthly rulers, tells us, “For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.” Our leaders have the authority to take lives to protect the nation. If this leader chooses to destroy a city or people for his own personal gain, then that becomes murder. When God ordered that a people group be destroyed, it wasn’t out of anger or a need for control, but to protect His own people from spiritual harm. When Israel failed to carry out the command to destroy a nation, the idolatry of that nation usually was the downfall of Israel. I believe that any individual who turned to God would be saved. We find out in the New Testament that there was a place for Gentiles (non-Jews) in the temple worship. So, does God choose beforehand who will be saved? What about when God hardened Pharaoh’s heart so that he would refuse to let God’s people leave Egypt? Did God condemn Pharaoh through this act? No. We find that even when Pharaoh saw the might of God performed through plagues, he continued to oppose God. It is hard to understand that even though God knows we will sin, He doesn’t cause it... we do! Lord, You tell us that life is precious in Your eyes. Even though killing may be permitted, may Your love shine brighter through us. Amen