Seeking True Intelligence

Tonight is a real topic to ponder. What are Christians to do with Artificial Intelligence (AI)? On the one hand, it is almost impossible to avoid it since it will become more and more part of the makeup of our culture. It is not just confined to computers or phones either. It is getting harder and harder to differentiate between a real video and one that's been doctored. They can add and remove things from a picture, and even change the face on any person in the picture and so much more. They can change the background or where the photo appears to be taken. They already have self-driving cars, appliances that can function without supervision, assembly lines, robots, and even AI that can write term papers, songs, contracts, and speeches. It seems impossible to avoid. To me, the danger is not in the ability to create and assist, but our dependence on them... and the misuse of the technology. I had been contemplating this concept for a while and have written a little about it but was reminded again by a video that I saw. It was a gentleman that was going to use Artificial Intelligence to write a daily devotion to send to people. I ran into the same thing with sermons. A company offers to have AI write sermons for me on any particular topic or passage. My response is the same as the gentleman writing devotions... it can only mimic what it has been given. It has no soul, no ability to be led by the Spirit, no conscience, and no faith. There are people that can appear to be good on the outside while they rot spiritually on the inside. The danger of not having the Spirit lead us is that, though it may sound very good and comforting, it lacks true faith. This also raises a point... will God guide His people and the AI so that many might come to faith? God can do this, but it seems His normal pattern is to work through people that are fully submitted to Him. Now, understand any moral, spiritual, or intellectual leaning is only as good as the person who creates it. How conservative or liberal will it be? How spiritual or humanistic will it be? All this is determined by the programmer. The more we rely on these technologies, the less room we will leave for God to lead our life. Don’t even get me started on having a friend that are AI run. Father, more and more the world is thinking and doing everything for us. Keep us faithful and strong in Your word and in You. Amen

Deciphering Language

I was at a medical facility today and was fascinated with the many disciplines. There were so many specialists in there. I overheard some conversations that were using words I wasn’t overly familiar with. The biggest issue was when they called out over the loudspeaker, “Code White” and then the location. I had heard of code blue and code red, but this was a new one. I looked it up and discovered it had to do with a patient that was harder to handle. I took note at where the nurses and security went, but they didn’t seem terribly worried. There are actually quite a few other codes that can be used. Now, I will be a little more attentive about what is happening around me. While I was sitting there, a medical specialist was visiting with friends. I tried not to listen in on the conversation, but I couldn’t help noticing how easy going she was and how friendly the conversation was. I couldn’t hear all that was said but seemed like she was very relatable. Our minds are constantly weighing what we hear and trying to make sense of it. The easier it is to comprehend, often the more pleasant the experience. The two factors I witnessed was needing to understand the words and directives and being approachable. These two can be very important as we are called to share our faith. There are many gifts and abilities, but they should all have the same goal... proclaiming Jesus. Now, being approachable can be an important gift if we are called to share with others. People don’t want to hear from someone unrelatable. So, are you approachable? The other factor, and one I have seen many people interested in evangelism fail. If you are trying to reach the unchurched, then the language has to be understandable/relatable. I know of pastors and laymen that use such big words and technical concepts that many who are listening have no idea what is really being said. If a doctor didn’t simplify the language and explanation of the analysis, the patient would leave somewhat confused. Why would we think it would be any different in the church? If the language is confusing and they don't feel welcome, they will likely not be back. Also, some faiths use the same word, but they have different meanings. We need to be very clear about what we proclaim. Thank You God, for the opportunity to serve you and others. Give us the gift of proclaiming Your truth in a way that makes sense. Amen

He Rules Over All

The other day, my wife was on the phone with my daughter who was traveling through some pretty big storms. One of the towns she drove through eventually ended up flooded. Anyway, my wife was looking at the weather radar on her phone and helping my daughter find the best route to avoid the worst of it. This afternoon, we got hit with a rainstorm or two. There was a tornado warning, strong winds, possibility of hail, and lots and lots of rain. In between some of the downpours, I went outside and just looked at the clouds. It was the strangest cloud movement I have ever seen. One layer of clouds was moving north. Another layer was moving southeast. Still a third layer was moving towards the southwest. I must admit I was wondering if it might be the beginning of a tornado. As the lightning struck and the thunder continued to rumble, I was just in awe of the power and unpredictability of the storm. This storm, however, was part of God’s creation that is subject to Him. It is not overwhelming or dangerous for God. He can change the weather as He desires by simply commanding it. Even your greatest obstacle in life is nothing for God. Because God is the Creator and rules over all, we owe Him our lives and worship. Psalm 8, “When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?” Psalm 19, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” Psalm 104, “How many are your works, O Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. There is the sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number — living things both large and small.” Psalm 148, “Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars. Praise him, you highest heavens and you waters above the skies. Let them praise the name of the Lord, for he commanded and they were created.” Psalm 96, “Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it; let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them. Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy;” Lord, As the Psalmist declares, You are the Creator of all things. Your creation declares Your praise. Praise God. Alleluia. Amen

Can We Overdo Our Faith?

I remember, when I grew up, there was a term for people that were overzealous about their faith. They were called Bible Thumpers. They were recognized by their big Bibles that they carried around with them all the time. They would speak to any one, at any time, and any where. They sometimes would get lumped in with those that would go around preaching that the end was near and that everyone should repent. Back in those days, I thought they were crazy. Looking back at who I was, I wasn’t exactly all in for Jesus. I believed, but surely God doesn’t expect us to represent Him 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365/366 days a year. It got me thinking and as I pondered that concept, my answer kept coming back, “Were they crazy, or was I?” If Jesus is our example, what was His life like. He was constantly devoted to healing, teaching, and preaching. He even made the comment once that the Son of Man has no place to lay His head. Translation? He is telling us He didn’t work out of home but traveled and stayed wherever He was invited. Now, consider how much of your day is actually devoted to God and His work... devotions, reading scripture, Bible studies, prayer, evangelism, worship, etc. You have 24 hours in a day, minus a generous 11 hours for sleeping, eating, showers, getting dressed, etc. That leaves 13 hours a day that you can serve God with. How much of that is given to God and His work? You can’t use work as an excuse because there are ways we can be intentional about our faith even there. I’m not saying you have to evangelize all the time but let the light of Christ shine in you through your work and actions. You might be thinking that just isn’t you, but maybe it would be if God had all of you... all of us. How much time do you spend on your phone, the computer, or TV compared to the time you spend devoted to God? (Is it getting sobering?) How about how much you spend on politics, hobbies, or sports compared to the time you spend focused on God’s work? Now re-read the beginning of this pondering and re-evaluate whether they were over-doing it or if we are under-doing it. By the way, I’m not talking about doing religion or doing church. I’m talking about living out our faith in everything we do. Father, I praise You because You are God and are worthy of all our worship and praise. Lead us each day to do Your will. Amen

How Important Is the Foundation?

The ground slopes down on the south side of our house. A stone wall had initially been put up when we arrived, but after about 10 years, the rocks were beginning to fall down. A new person was contacted, and another wall was built out of bigger stones. The wall is still standing, but I noticed that it is pushing into the house, and the siding is starting to get crumpled. When I asked a landscaper to look at it, his take was that the foundation under those rocks needed to be strengthened. The stone wall still looks good, but it has shifted somewhat. Basically, the wall will probably have to be dismantled and then a foundation must be put in before the wall is rebuilt. That’s a lot of work but replacing the wall every 10 years or having structural damage on the house will be worse in the long run. The foundation is the basics. In education, the basics have always been reading and writing and arithmetic. It has served well for years and centuries. Today, there are often other things pushed in the school and the end result is that we have many students that are not proficient in reading when they graduate. Without the basics, it is hard to build from there. I’m sure there are basics that every business has to build on. The same is true with our faith. The basic foundation is so fundamental to that faith. The foundation of our faith is found in the Bible. Like building that stone wall, if the foundation isn’t solid, everything we try to build from there will likely not withstand the storms of life. If we think the word of God is all we need, that is like the foundation without the wall on top, lacking purpose. What we build on that foundation needs to be quality material. This means that faith in Christ is what holds is together. God talks about the church as living stones, you and me. Also, part of the wall is confession and forgiveness, praise and worship, sharing the Gospel, the working of the Holy Spirit, and a living hope in God and what He has promised to all who believe. There are plenty of people that think they know what God is thinking, but unless we know His word, we probably really don’t know Him. Father, build Your church, one believer at a time, until we become that magnificent cathedral that points to the Heavens. Bind us together in love. Amen

Every Action Counts

I have watched children grow up in wonderful families. Their parents have sacrificed so much to help and support them and teach them new skills. I have seen these same kids that have been given so much turn their backs on their parents as if they were an inconvenience. I have seen adults at their workplace that have been taken under the wings of a boss that have immediately run to a new, higher paying job without any regard for the mentoring and encouragement that they received. Sometimes we are so focused on ourselves that we miss how much our actions can impact others. I read an interesting quote today, “One tree can produce a million matchsticks. One matchstick can burn a million trees. You can spend years of being good to people, but one wrong move can make them forget all you did.” I don’t know about you, but this really makes me think. We sometimes forget how powerful one in a million can be. Think of how long that tree took to be able to produce them. Each matchstick has the opportunity to burn bright. Each matchstick might be used for a different purpose... one might light the stove or barbeque, one might light the campfire, one might light a birthday cake, and so on. Just as one might help in wonderful ways, one can also create great harm. When a forest fire burns, no one is thinking of how many matches won’t be made, but rather how much damage that one match has done. We are called to shine brightly wherever God places us. Not everyone will be a preacher, missionary, or Sunday School teacher. Your light may burn differently, but we need to burn as brightly as we are able. If you work with others, let them see Christ in you. If your job is serving others in some way, shine brightly where you have been planted. If you are retired, don’t let that light burn out. It is true that one negative thing can erase many positive things, but that is not an excuse to stop trying. If, for a time, your light burns low and you say or do something that will cause others to stumble or question faith, be the first one to apologize and ask for forgiveness. It is our silence and pride that are often the fuel that causes the fire to become destructive. Actions have consequences, so think about what you should be doing. Lord, I am prone to sinning in ways that may hurt others. Give me grace and strength to take responsibility of my actions. Amen

By What Authority

I have watched news clips that are conservative and ones that are liberal. Both sides can make interesting commentary, but many of them do not bring receipts. By that, I mean that there is no supporting evidence. If I told someone in the middle of our country that the ocean tasted like salted caramel, I might be able to convince some people that this is true. However, just because it sounds good, doesn’t make it true. I could search for answers on the internet or speak to someone who has been there to prove the story false. Just because someone writes it doesn’t make it true. If someone writes from a big news agency, it doesn’t make it true. We have lost the concept of journalism seeking to present the truth. They now want to support an ideology. Always look for collaborating evidence. I hear many people using God’s word in the same way. They create the story or what they want to believe and then look for ways to support, even though it often twists God’s word to get there. We read in Luke 11, “Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute. When the demon left, the man who had been mute spoke, and the crowd was amazed. But some of them said, "By Beelzebub, the prince of demons, he is driving out demons. Others tested him by asking for a sign from heaven." We see how Jesus was saving the people from a situation that they could not get out of. That should be considered wonderful. The church leaders were jealous, but couldn’t refute the miracles that Jesus was doing, so they decided to push the story about it being done through the power of the Devil, or in this case Beelzebub. Today, instead of debating the foundation of different Christian denominations, some find it easier to cast broad doubts about them. For instance, the argument that they are not follow Christ, but rather, the denomination. If this is true for you, this priority needs to be reversed. All that we have is servant to God and not the other way. In the following verses, Jesus reminds us that a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand. Sometimes Christians have been their own worst enemy. We can debate differences, but in the end, we need to stand united in faith. Lord God, thank You for not only giving us Your word, but then backing it up from other Bible books and historic documents. Amen

A Catch 22

My understanding is that this phrase comes from a military rule that the only way someone is unfit for battle is if he is insane. Claiming to be insane is the most sane thing someone might do, for if he was truly insane, he would not be asking. So, whether one claimed to be insane or not, they would not be released from service for that reason. It’s a no win situation. Now, a commander can declare that, but then that individual, if he is faking it, will likely never live a normal life again, thus still being a losing strategy. We run into those circumstances from time to time. One such concept is that of humility. Scripture tells us that we should be humble. Those that may want to show that they are humble, by that very act show that they are probably prideful, wanting to justify themselves. Humility is something you are, not something you do. C.S. Lewis put it this way, “Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it's thinking of yourself less.” Jesus never had to defend being humble, for His identity was being One with the Father. He didn’t need man’s consent. We don’t see God trying to defend Himself... for to whom would He need to justify Himself. When He told Moses to go to Egypt and tell Pharaoh to let God’s people go, Moses asked for a sign that this was truly from God. The answer went something like this, “When you do what I tell you to do and then bring the people back here to this mountain, then you will know I have spoken.” Jesus humbled Himself at the Last Supper as he washed the disciple's feet to teach them to serve one another. In another passage it says, “If you want to be great in God’s kingdom, you have to be the servant of all.” In Romans 12 God tells us that we shouldn’t think of ourselves more highly than we ought, but to look at ourselves with somber judgement. The greatest example of thinking more of others than ourselves, is the journey to the cross, with all its suffering and shame. Jesus gained nothing personally from it, but through that act, He has opened paradise to us. So, if being humble is thinking more of others and less of ourselves, how are you doing? I’m not asking you to rate how humble you are, but rather what consumes much of your time and focus. The world points to our works, but humility points to God. Father, Help us to focus less on who we are and what we want to accomplish, and replace it with a deep devotion to You. Amen

Getting Fed

I love food. Maybe a little too much. In the USA, many of us have been spoiled and take for granted that there will always be something there for us. Even though I love taste, variety, and filling my stomach, the main purpose is to provide nutrients for the body. I love to go to a Wednesday morning Men’s Study to get fed spiritually. Do we always agree on everything? Not always. I don’t always eat everything at a buffet either... only that which I believe to be good. I really wanted to go today, as I desire every Wednesday, but before going to bed last night, it became obvious that it would not be wise due to the infection in my leg. It still needed rest. I don’t know if we always think about feeding our spiritual needs. Physically, if I don’t eat for a while, my stomach will let me know with hunger pains. Is our spiritual life intimate enough to feel the hunger to know Jesus more? Our spiritual hunger should not be fed only when we feel the need, but to continue to satisfy the longing that God places in the hearts of those that have surrendered to Him. With physical food, if we eat too much, we get overweight, and it starts affecting our health. This is not true for our spiritual growth. The more we grow in our understanding of God and His word, the stronger we become, and the better we are able to serve Him. Knowledge for the sake of knowledge can lead to complacency, pride, or a false sense of security. Without the Holy Spirit’s leading, the knowledge may be of little consequence. Like food, our spirit craves to be fed. Are we still drinking milk, satisfied with bare essentials, or are we desiring more nourishment in God’s word, to grow strong, healthy, and productive? Are we eating spiritual junk food, things that make us feel good, but don’t really nourish the soul? Are you faithfully worshiping, with other believers if possible? Are you spending time in God’s word, not just reading, but studying, memorizing, and applying what you learn? Are you spending time with other believers in studying God’s word (at church or in homes) so that you can challenge and sharpen each other in your faith? We want an assurance of eternity with God and yet we often don’t live in that frame of mind. Yes, we are saved by grace, but we need to live our faith out. God of all mercy, we can become spiritually malnourished by seeking “sweets” instead of a nourishing meal. Feed us on Your word. Amen

It’s Just a Little Problem

While on vacation, I had noticed my leg gradually getting sore. A little over halfway through, it became obvious that there was a problem. Fortunately, I was able to get it diagnosed from a video call. They prescribed an antibiotic, and my hiking had to come to an end. All of a sudden, I felt like a nuisance. I couldn’t go out and do everything we had planned, and my wife and daughter ended up having to do more work than any of us had planned. Even packing the car to leave was not an option for me. What happened? Apparently, I am more susceptible to this infection and sometimes all that is needed is a small crack or sore to introduce it to my system. It started off as such a tiny problem and grew into something that sidelined me. It has the potential, if not taken care of to be fatal. Even the small amount I had, made walking very difficult from time to time. Such a small infection can create such big problems. If it wasn’t for the pain, I might never really have noticed how bad it had gotten. If I had waited until we got home to see a doctor, my recovery would have been much greater. It must be taken seriously or else! A constant struggle in our Christian walk is sin. If it seems big and serious, we know we need to do something about it. Too often, the small sins, the unkind or judging thoughts, our justification for our actions, and the like can seem insignificant. No one else even knows it is going on. That is sometimes when it is most dangerous. When I saw the redness on my leg, having had this issue before, I knew I couldn’t wait. We need to understand the same with sin, no matter whether great or small. The thoughts that are left unattended become actions. Even if they remained thoughts, it would still condemn us. We can be good at praying for others and for requests that are on our prayer list, but confession isn’t always part of that prayer. Martin Luther talked about confessing not only the sin that bothers us, but before God, the “small” sins, and even the sin we are not aware that we have committed. Like the infection, we must first identify it and realize its danger. Unlike antibiotics, forgiveness is instant and complete. Father, I am an unclean person with a heart and mind that is prone to wandering. I am sorry. Cleanse me from all unrighteousness. Amen

The Joy of Family

My wife and I were able to take a mini vacation to see our daughter. We left early in the morning so that we could spend more time with her. We were able to get a place that had a stove, microwave, and enough beds for all three of us. Sunday was a blessing as it has been a while since the three of us have been able to worship together. Well, that and the fact that I could be fed on God’s word and not have to focus on preparing it. After that, the three of us were able to explore stores and touristy things, but the greatest was to get out into God’s creation and enjoy the beauty as we did some hiking and exploring. In the evening, we played some games and just enjoyed some fellowship. Sadly, I was using my phone to search different topics, but now I wished I had just turned the phone off. I missed out of some of the fellowship because I was searching for answers instead of appreciating the gift God was giving us. To say that fellowship wasn’t important would be an understatement. Why don’t we long for that same fellowship in the church? So often, the church is made up of a lot of individuals that gather for an hour and then they are gone. We should be gathering together for fellowship at church and out of church. Maybe it would be to gather for a meal or picnic. Make it a potluck so one person isn’t stuck doing everything. Gather together to study God’s word. Find a study at a Christian bookstore and invite people to meet together, alternating people's homes. Maybe find someone that will join you in a ministry outreach - handing out tracks, food pantries, visiting shut-ins and people in nursing homes, etc. Don’t have worship as your only community event. When you are done with worship, pick someone new (that you don’t know as well) and see if you can visit a little and find ways to pray and encourage them. If something happened to my son (and his wife) or my daughter, there is nothing I wouldn’t do to help. Do we have that same drive and passion for our own church family? When someone doesn’t show up for a few weeks, why aren’t people calling to see if they are ok? Do you just pray for friends and those that are sick, or are you lifting up each member... maybe not all at once. God’s people are our family and should be treated that way. Father, just Your name indicates family relationship. Help us not to be hypocrites by denying our brothers and sisters. Amen

The Straight and Narrow

I remember when I was first learning how to drive a rider mower, my direction seemed to always get curves instead of a straight line. I was trying to follow the tire tracks from the last pass, but that became a very unreliable way. I was instructed by someone who used to mow for a golf course that the easiest way was to look at a point on the other side of the field and just keep heading for that. Amazingly, once I got comfortable with where that target should be, my lines became straight. When I tried to make decisions based on where I was, I failed more than I succeeded. When I kept my eyes focused on where I was going, my success greatly improved. We read in Hebrews 12:1-3, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Just as my eyes needed to focused ahead for mowing, so our eyes need to be focused on Christ. There are no shortages of things that distract us, but they don’t have to be our undoing. We have the author and perfecter of our faith who endured the cross because He knew how desperately we needed help. If we want to succeed, it requires us to be more serious about our faith. In1 Corinthians 9:24-27, “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” Are you prepared. Have you been studying God’s word, worshiping, praying, serving? Lord, I am truly undeserving to be Your servant and yet You invite us to follow You. Put Your word in our hearts. Amen

Don’t Put Anyone in a Box

How many times have we judged someone because they are not like us? We look at their clothes, their jobs, their families, and how they act. When we are doing that, how do we see ourselves? I don’t know if you have ever seen one of those crazy mirrors at a circus that distort the image of the person looking, to make them look fatter or skinnier or some other image. I think we do that spiritually. We can look at ourselves, a sinner in need of God’s redemption, and somehow see someone who is almost perfect. We would never be so presumptuous as to think we were perfect. Have you thought about what God sees when He looks at us? If someone had a right to point out all our faults and weaknesses, it would surely be God... but He doesn’t. Why? Because He is less interested in identifying who you were and more interested in giving you the opportunity of being new and improved. As we talk about putting someone in a box, aren’t we guilty of doing that to God? Many of the Jews did that with who they thought their Messiah would be and so they didn’t recognize Jesus. They crucified Jesus because He didn’t fit in their box. There were many times in the Old Testament that the people had a very small box for God’s ability to protect them, or at least that is what their actions showed. King Solomon understood that God cannot be contained. We read in 2 Chronicles 2, “The temple I am going to build will be great, because our God is greater than all other gods. But who is able to build a temple for him, since the heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain him? Who then am I to build a temple for him, except as a place to burn sacrifices before him?” When we go to church to worship God, He is not contained in that building. The building is actually more there for us to have a place to corporately worship Him. Worship is not about seeking what God can do for us but rather being equipped to go out and do God’s work. We have our work box, our home box, our church box, and so on. God cannot be contained. We need to go back and look at what box God is in. Any limiting walls we erect around God are foolish and unspiritual. O Holy Spirit, Convict our heart of the areas that we limit You in. I don’t want anything to stand between You and me. Amen

Better Than the Next Person

I sometimes hate watching boasting athletes, especially those that really aren’t that good, trying to lift themselves up as if the world couldn’t live without them. A trend that I see is, that if the player isn’t able to be superior based on skill, they will resort to deception. There has been such a rise of athletes faking being fouled; first in soccer, then in basketball, and now it is infiltrating football too. We have lost the self-respect of earning our victories and now have moved to winning no matter what. People want to boast, but not always in what is worth boasting about. I think there is a part of every person that boast a little. Oh, it doesn’t have to be really cruel. It might just be a little comment that indicates how well we did, sadly at the expense of putting someone else down. When we sit around the table to visit, somehow stories are told about what we did. Especially in guy circles, there gets to be a competition for who is the best. Even pastors can be guilty of this. When visiting with other pastors, somehow the conversation seems to get to how big is the congregation and what amazing things is the church doing. I rarely hear pastors talking about how God has transformed them and their church or the individual that has been transformed. If there are no stories of spiritual growth, that may indicate a church that is focused in the wrong place. We read in Galatians 6, “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” I must see others through the eyes of Christ. I cannot save anyone from hell. I can only point them to what Jesus did for them on the cross. In Christ we are equal. God can take the worst person on death row or most respected person in the church and transform them, if they are willing. What counts is not what I have done or who I think I am, but rather that I have been made into a new creation. I cannot be a new creation unless I first surrender to God and receive his grace and mercy. The next time you’re tempted to lift yourself up, ask these questions - “Have I been faithful in lifting up Christ?” or “Who do I lift up most... myself or God?” Or “Do I walk in my sinful nature, or have I been made into a new creation?” Lord, help me to never boast except in what You have done for me on the cross. Put Your word in my heart that I might declare You. Amen

Building Blocks

If I were planting a garden, there are certain steps that should be taken. If I just got vegetable seeds and threw them into the weeds, I would not have much hope for produce. First, we have to work up the ground to make sure the weeds are not growing and that the soil is in a condition to grow these seeds. After a while, the weeds find a way to start growing again. We need to find the best way to control the weeds and what the optimal conditions are for the seeds we planted. Then the vegetable plants begin to bear fruit and now provide rewards for the Sower. In some ways, short of the harvest, these are some of the basic steps, or the building blocks, to having a great garden. What about our own walk of faith. I ran across the following quote, “God formed us. Sin deformed us. The Bible informs us. But Jesus transforms us.” God made the seeds, and He made the people. He formed Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden and He created us in our mother’s womb. God is the Creator of all things. Each person is unique, with specific gifts and abilities and a group of people that they are part of. God created us to use these gifts to plant the seeds of hope in their hearts. Even though God has done amazing things, the Devil is working hard to undo it all. In the garden it might be fungus and disease and drought. In life, it is sin. Through sin and the work of Satan, our relationship with God is imperfect and strained. You were created in the image of God, but Satan has been instrumental in my temptations and falling away from God. The Good News is that God has a better way. Unlike the ads on the internet that give you some information about their product and then try to suck you into following them, God’s word gives us the whole truth. It informs us about the mercy and grace of God and the work of Jesus on the cross. As you see the plants bear fruit, we go from a person, diseased by sin, to a marvelous creation, bearing spiritual fruit. As seeds become fruitful plants, we are transformed from a flawed individual with no eternal hope to a flawed individual that has been renewed in Christ through the work of the Holy Spirit. All this is done that we might perform as we were created to do. Lord, may our lives be a living testimony to who You are. May our lives declare Your praises all of our days. Amen

Do You Know Your Worth?

It is fascinating how people see themselves. I have met far too many people that think they are the answer to all the world's problems. You don’t have to ask them what they think of themselves because they will usually tell you. Then, on the other side, I have known people that are very humble and unassuming. They have impacted the world in ways that most of us could only dream of and yet when asked, they usually say, “I didn’t do anything that everybody else wouldn’t do.” Where do we find our self-identity? Many look for it in their job and their success. Some find it in their financial status and the “toys” they’ve accumulated. Some identify themselves by the friends they have or who they know. Are they all right? Are they all wrong? I think too many people are looking for the world to validate who they are and praise them for what they have done. I ran across an interesting quote, “Ponder how valuable your soul must be for Satan to tirelessly pursue it, and the King to lay down His own life for it.” Take some time to soak in the depth of that statement. The Devil and His dominions can only be in one place at a time and yet they may very well be choosing you to attack because you are a great threat to hell. The Devil doesn’t need you to hate God, just not live for Him. He can’t push you into the abyss, but he can distract you so that you don’t see God reaching His hand down to rescue you. You are valuable enough for the Devil to target you. Even greater than that is the King over all creation believed that you were worth dying for. Your worth is directly connected to what the one who oversees you finds beneficial. You may be looked down on by your fellow workers, but if the boss sees value in you, your co-worker's thoughts are meaningless. The Devil, the world, and our sinful nature keep telling us that spiritual things are holding us back. Jesus says that if you are a believer, you are so important to Him that he is preparing a place for you in heaven. Which of those two opinions really matter? If you said the Devil, then your faith is in the wrong person... for you will never succeed without Christ. If you said Jesus, then never forget how much you are loved. Father, when I am tempted to throw in the towel, remind me of who I am and whose I am. Amen

Memory Lapses

As I went to a study early this morning, I was following a slower vehicle. I was thankful that the driver didn’t turn down the road I normally took. Relieved, I joyfully headed down the road till I remembered that part of the road was under construction. I have been so used to going that way that I am on auto pilot. By the time I realized my mistake, it would have taken too long to back-track. I know my memory isn’t what it used to be, but I know better. The study that we had was talking about the glory of God. It focused on Moses in the wilderness when God spoke with him. One time, after an amazing interaction with God, he returned from the mountain with his face shining so bright that the Israelites couldn’t look at him. I think about the 10 plagues that God brought on Egypt so that Pharaoh would let the people go into the wilderness to worship God. I think about the sea being parted and several million walking through on dry ground, but the waters returned to drown the Egyptian army that was in chase. They saw manna, bread from heaven, every day. They saw bitter water turned sweet. They won impossible victories. Their shoes and clothing didn’t wear out. They saw the presence of God on Mount Sinai as the 10 commandments were given. They saw wicked Israelites destroyed. The list goes on. I started off looking at my memory. Then I looked at the memory of the Israelites. After all they saw, even though there may have been months between miracles, they still forgot about God. How could they know God and see His work as they did and yet not believe? Then I have to ask about us as well. How is our memory? Instead of remembering the many times God has answered our prayers, somehow, we only seem to remember the times they weren’t answered the way that we wanted. We may have seen the hand of God at work but have quickly forgotten. We may have heard the testimony of others that we trust that testify to what God has done, but we quickly forget. We read God’s word and can see how these words are validated by many historical events recorded in other places and yet we forget God’s word too. Is it a sickness? In a way. It is our own sinful self and sin that pulls us down. Let us not forget there is only one God! Serve Him. Lord, help us to remember You, Your word, Your promises, and Your grace and mercy, for without it, we would be lost. Amen

Studying God’s Word

I love to get together with some of the faithful people in our church to study God’s word. We have been going through the Catechism and looking at many of the verses that are tied to each meaning that is given. I love it when we have conversations about God’s word and not just being told information. Anyway, I love that time of fellowship and being able to dig into God’s word. I have had questions asked that I had never thought about before, so it forces me to dig in just a little deeper. Reading, and more importantly, studying God’s word is so fundamental to the Christian walk. When just reading, and not wrestling, we can be persuaded by people around us. We always need to be open to what others say, but if we don’t have a solid foundation in knowledge, we will be attracted to what the crowd says or what sounds good to us. God doesn’t give His word to sound good, but to instruct us and prepare us to serve. There are times that standing on what God’s word says may cause friction and division to those that think differently. There are different circumstances that may determine how we approach God’s word. I believe the Bible studies are a good place to dig deeper and understand the foundation of good theology and explaining meanings of texts and words. Church is a good place to teach that foundation too, but because there may be some people that are searching that may not familiar with Christian “words and concepts”, I believe that it should be a little more user friendly, always being available to answer any questions. I go to a fairly conservative men’s study, which is wonderful, but I believe we should be trying to find what is beneficial to everyone. Every time someone tries to push a denominational explosive topic, it almost always ends in division and people leaving bitter. I’m not saying that these topics should be banned, but that we don’t need to dig into them as deeply in that setting. I have had many wonderful one on one conversations with different men. When addressing the unbeliever, we should be sharing what we believe about God and His word, not what they should believe. The Spirit is to convict their hearts, not us. Holy Spirit, not only do we need to learn more from You, but teach us also how we might share with others. Amen

Absolute Control

I found out today, in church, that a Christian singer, who has an amazing gift of music and testimony, was doing an outdoor concert in a neighboring town. The weather did not look good, with storms working their way to us. We took our umbrellas, towels, and an extra set of clothes. I wasn’t looking forward to what might happen. When we arrived, I believe that there were many people lifting the concert in prayer. I know that I, and I am guessing others too, were not praying for our comfort, but for the gospel to be proclaimed. I knew God could stop the storm, but if it was for selfish reasons, for my comfort, I wasn’t as worried if God would answer. I did however believer that if God had brought this singer, He would also take care of the details. Having been on a music ministry team, I have seen God do that over and over again. Long story short, the winds picked up, there was some amazing lightning, and the thunder seemed to always rumble as he was in between songs, but not one drop fell where we were. The most amazing strike was when the lightning branched out across the sky, but it was both vertical and horizontal and looked much like a fishing net. I suppose one might say that we were all being called to be fishers of men. As the songs testified to a powerful and gracious God, I was saddened to think how many more could have come. I wasn’t in charge, but I think that when we are sponsoring someone, we are disappointed that others don’t show, but then when someone else is sponsoring someone, we find ourselves too busy. Imagine the amazing worship we miss out on. The day had started heating up, and I remember thinking how hard it was going to be to play guitar when perspiring and dehydrated. The reality was that the temperature and cloudiness made things extremely comfortable... maybe even a little on the cool side. Why do we ever doubt God? He heals the sick, casts out evil spirits, and calms the storm. What are we worried about? Ourselves? Whether we are going in the mission fields or proclaiming the gospel in our own neighborhood, what should we be concerned about? We need to weep for the souls dying without hope. Father, Your desire is that none be lost and yet there are so many unbelievers. Use us to plant seeds of truth. Amen

Where Is God?

There are times that life gets tough and we get so focused on the obstacles in front of us that we, sadly, forget to seek God’s leading. It often isn’t until we stop and ask God for help that our focus begins to change. We might not even notice the answers until a while after we have passed the situation. We can get frustrated asking where God is in the midst of everything going on. Other times, there may be fear and emptiness and so we think we stand alone. What should we do? I recall so many times in my past, when I had to see a doctor to get stitches or have a dental procedure done, that the numbing agent didn’t seem to work on me. There were many procedures that I questioned my tolerance since everyone else seemed to face these procedures with limited pain. Why didn’t that medicine seem to fail me so often. It wasn’t until about 10 years ago that I discovered that the medicine took longer to become effective in my system. I asked the dentist to give me a shot at least 20 minutes before working on my teeth. I had to sit and wait patiently until it took effect. Did I want to have to wait? Absolutely not. Did I want to proceed without the pain medication working? Definitely not! When I waited patiently on the medication, it brought relief that I didn’t even know was possible. Likewise with the Holy Spirit. We want God to do for us as we wish. Problem is my will is often not God’s will. I remember the disciples arguing about who was greatest and who would sit in a position of prominence in God’s kingdom. Matthew 20, “Then the mother of Zebedee's sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him. "What is it you want?" he asked. She said, "Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom." ... Jesus said to them. "Can you drink the cup I am going to drink (suffer)?" "We can," they answered. Jesus said to them, "You will indeed drink from my cup, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father." Even the denied disciples couldn’t persuade Jesus to give them what their selfish hearts wanted. God will not forget you. Be patient and stay actively faithful as You wait. Father, I don’t like the feeling that You are not present, but I am even more concerned about not walking by Your will. Amen