What Changed?

We hear of a horrific shooting in Minnesota where once again, a person with a gun tries to kill as many children as possible. There was a time, in my lifetime, when we didn’t hear of people doing such awful things. Kids in the country used to be able to bring their hunting rifles to school, leaving them on the rack in their pickup truck with unlocked doors. There are voices that cry out for more gun control, but outside of confiscating guns, most laws still wouldn’t change the outcome. There is a mental health problem. Are people mentally different today than they were years ago? I don’t think so, although I suppose their definitely could be something in the processed food, over-medication , and the like. I don’t think that is the full answer. I believe the three biggest factors are the nuclear family, a fundamental belief in God, and effective discipline. I know that many good people end up in broken families because of the lack of commitment and the ease of divorce. It is not just the laws though. The church needs to be more involved in helping families that are struggling, counselors need to be taught how to encourage couples to stay together, and families and friends need to help the couples navigate the struggles. God says He hates divorce. Discipline is a lost understanding. The Bible also says, “Spare the rod and spoil the child”. Physical and other forms of discipline should never be administered in anger. That is abuse, however, the correction does need to direct the child in the way that he should go. If the child doesn’t get it, it is not effective. For one child it might be a stern look and for another one, a spanking may be necessary. The schools used to be a big part of that discipline, but now when schools notify the parents, the parents often get a failing grade for their lack of correction. Faith is the biggest issue at hand. When we have nothing to believe in, our minds are easily misled or we make worldly choices... both usually have negative outcomes. When life becomes expendable (abortion, assisted suicide, euthanasia, and graphic video violence/games), it will translate into more death. God changes us from within. He also gives us strength. Father, soften the hearts of the people, removing hatred and replacing it with a deep desire to know You more. Amen

Experience God

We had driven north to see my mom. Pasties, like a meat pie wrapped in the crust, are a specialty in that area. We purchased a few to eat when we arrived. I was trying something quite different from my wife and mom. It was delicious. I had no desire to put ketchup or gravy on it, as many often do. I must say that I enjoyed every bite. My mom didn’t quite finish hers, so I chose to finish that one as well. If that had been the only one I had tasted, it would have been good, but mine was so amazing that the standard pasty fell short of expectation. I think in some circles, the concept of experiencing God is considered bad theology, because we are saved by grace and not by what we feel. I agree with that, but we can still know of God’s presence and leading. I think that there are many psalms that David wrote that spoke of more than who God was and what He did. Psalm 23 speaks of the Lord as our shepherd and the knowledge of all He has and continues to do for His “sheep”... us. The Psalm that really caught my attention was Psalm 34:8-10, “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. Fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing. The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.” Someone may put a wonderful meal before me with all the fixin’s, but until I actually taste it, I really don’t know what it is like. Maybe it is too sweet, salty, hot, cold, spicy, bland, etc. The same thing is true when it comes to faith. False prophets said many wonderful things that the people wanted to hear, but in the end, they were punished for not listening to God. David is challenging us to not just hear about God, but to really know Him, experience His presence, and see what He does. There is no shortage of lofty dreams that the world tries to sell to us... don’t be sad be happy... you have to look out for yourself... do what feels good... since God is love then He will accept what you are doing. David calls believers to fear God and that God will meet our needs... not to be confused with wants. To the non-believer, it is nonsense, but to Christians, it brings comfort and joy to the soul. Do you desire to know God so deeply that You taste His goodness? Father, I believe and trust in You even if I don’t feel Your presence, but fill my heart and spirit with the joy of Your salvation. Amen

Glorifying God

The other night there was an amazing sunset. When I took a picture, it looked as if the sky was on fire. I’ve said it before and I will say it again, God’s sunsets are so different every day and yet still magnificent in their own ways. But it is not just the sunsets that testify to God’s majesty. I watch the hummingbirds as they dart around and realize they will soon make a 2,000 mile trip southward. The flowers that are bursting forth in all their beauty. Flowers that we have around the church that go from white to pink as the season progresses. Even some of the flowers that are on weeds, if one can separate their classification, have some of the most gorgeous flowers. I used the zoom on my camera to take a picture of a weed flower that was only about a 1/16th of an inch in diameter that was filled with beauty. I’m not quite so excited to see some trees getting a little fall color on them. I’m not ready for Autumn yet. I see the still young fawn that is so precious. I’ve watched God’s power in the storms that have gone through. I’ve even seen it through God’s people that are faithfully representing Him in their actions and words. It is not just nature though. I see God’s glory in the talent and skills that He has given to individuals, even if those so gifted don’t acknowledge that. I hear it in the music that is played during worship and so many wonderful pieces that I have found on the radio, internet, etc. I think sometimes music is both the greatest testimony to God’s majesty and our greatest way to express our worship and devotion. There are so many other outward expressions of God’s supremacy. I can personally attest to knowing that power within my spirit... the joy of being in that intimacy with Him, seeing His hand of healing on others, and in the ways I have experienced His leading in my day-to-day life. We can open up God’s word and see the multitude of expressions and situations found there. There is His covenant that He kept with His people, leading the people through the desert from Egypt to the promised land, the angelic praise at Christmas, Jesus sacrificial act on the cross, the revelation of end times, and especially heaven. Father, we lift up our hands and voices in prayer and praise for You are worthy. Thank You for Your grace and mercy. Amen

Who Was Cain Afraid of?

Adam and Eve, the first people who were created by God, were kicked out of the Garden of Eden because they disobeyed Him. We are told of their first two children, Cain and Abel. Abel did what was right and pleased God while Cain didn’t. In jealousy, Cain killed Abel. When God judged (Genesis 4:13-14) “Cain said to the Lord, "My punishment is more than I can bear. Today you are driving me from the land, and I will be hidden from your presence; I will be a restless wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me." So the question is, if Cain and Able were Adam and Eve’s first two children, who was Cain afraid of? He may have been looking down the road. Adam ended up living 930 years. He could have had 300 kids. If each child had kids when they reached their teens, there could have been 40 generations and thousands of kids by the time Adam died. Another option is that when they were kicked out of the Eden, Eve was told in Genesis 3:16, "I will greatly increase your pains in childbearing; with pain you will give birth to children.” How can there be more pain if there had never been a child born in the Garden of Eden. Could God have created others in Eden that may have had children? After all, the Bible only focuses on a select few. If Eve’s disobedience brought sin to all mankind, maybe if there were others in Eden, they were cast out too! Understand that God is not bound by our limited knowledge...only His Word. There are many things that He did that are not recorded. We read in Genesis 6:1-2, “When men began to increase in number on the earth and daughters were born to them, the sons of God saw that the daughters of men were beautiful, and they married any of them they chose.” Who were these sons of God? There are many theories, and even though I don’t believe it plays in here, without absolute knowledge, this can’t be ruled out. Does it really matter? Not if we understand that God can create simply by His command. It does matter when it comes to sharing our faith with others because unanswered questions can create doubt in people's minds. Do I lose sleep over this quandary? Not at all. Cain moved to the land of Nod (which means wandering). A place or concept? Father, help us not to get bogged down by details not essential to faith, but give us understanding to share with others. Amen

The Truth Comforts in Sorrow

Anniversaries are such a wonderful time of celebrating a vow, a milestone in a relationship. The anniversaries can be celebrated with cards, a special meal, and on some major years, maybe even a trip or a cruise. This makes sense after all, since the commitment is to love and to cherish until death separates us. But what happens when the unthinkable does happen... that is that death does separate us? The anniversaries don’t stop. The memories don’t stop. The feelings don’t stop. This is when, I believe, the believer is better equipped to handle things. I am not saying we don’t grieve, but as the scriptures say, we don’t grieve as one without hope. When the loved one that has passed is a believer in Jesus Christ, we can be assured that they are no longer suffering... and that God is with us. This means that we don’t grieve for them, but we still experience the loss. It is a time to ask God for strength to deal with the emotions that tend to be a little more raw at this time. It is time to celebrate the years we had been given and maybe reminisce, sometimes comforted by being with those we love. That is something that the friends and family should keep on their calendar to ask if this individual would enjoy their company on this day, or if it was a day they wanted to walk through privately on their own. Sometimes the temptation is to try to distract the person from those memories or redirect with other things. My experience with such loss is that this person may find healing in being able to share in the stories and memories of years gone by. I’ve known of people that marry quickly after the loss of a spouse, but even in those situations, the memories of that love do not disappear. This is good to be remembered by the one that has remarried, for how he/she will react to their current situation. It is also important to be remembered by the one who married them, that they don’t take offense or become jealous over mourning the loss of this past relationship. We must also note that everyone is different. Some will express their feelings and some deal with it internally. Some will break down while others will seem unfazed. One size doesn’t fit all. Pray for them on these days. Ask if they would like company. Love them. Father, we lift up all those that have lost loved ones and continue to mourn the loss. Fill them with Your peace today. Amen

What Would You Do If You Had a Cure?

I heard a pastor share this parable and was so struck by its clarity that I wanted to share it with you. He began, “Imagine if you had a cure for cancer and you put it in your shirt pocket. Then you proceeded to Oncology, where cancer patients were being treated. Maybe you walked into some of the patient's rooms and helped fluff their pillows, make sure they had water to drink, and tried to lift up their spirits. After spending some quality time, you leave those patients and head home. You would probably be wondering why, if I had the cure for cancer in my pocket, I just focused on doing nice things for the patients but didn’t bring the healing that was within my grasp”. From that parable, the speaker went on to compare it to our Christian lives. We usually live a fairly good life, trying to help other and do what is right. The problem is, if we are speaking with those who are not confident in their faith, those good works and kind words will not benefit them in eternity. Like the man in the parable that had the cure for cancer, we have the cure for sin, which results in forgiveness here and the assurance of eternal life with Jesus. We are nice to those that are walking in sin. The world cannot heal them, and they continue to die spiritually. Just like the man in the parable needed to present the cure to the patients, we need to speak life to those we meet. If you are not sure if they are a believer, share the words of life. If they believe, they will be encouraged by your words. If they say they believe, but are offended, there might be too much pride present. Either that, or they put on the appearance of faith, but their heart is not still hungering for God and His word. If, however, it is an unbeliever or a seeker of God, then a seed will be planted, and they know the hope that we have. You might consider yourself a physician's assistant. The physician, who has diagnosed sin and presented the cure (his sacrifice on the cross). He now sends you and me to bring the cure to those that have contracted this disease called sin. It is a lethal virus, as even the smallest amount means certain death. Don’t just take... deliver the cure to those you meet. Father, You have the words of eternal life. Alleluia. Heal us and send us into the world to bring the good news. Amen

How Do We See It?

How strong is your faith? Do you live your faith out on a daily basis? Do you see things through the eyes of the world, or with spiritual eyes? I heard an interesting insight into David and Goliath. The speaker said that David likely would have one of two possible reactions. The first reaction is that Goliath is very big, and I am very small, so I’d better be careful. This is how the world sees. The second reaction is through the eyes of faith. David looked at Goliath and said he is very big... how can I miss him? They both saw the size of Goliath, but the reactions were complete opposites. What about Jesus sleeping in the boat and the storm that threatened to destroy them? The disciples saw the storm as a natural force that would finish them. Jesus saw yet another thing that was subject to His authority. When Jonah saw the storm, as he was trying to run away from God’s call, he was terrified and ashamed. The crew and Jonah saw it as judgement from God and would not stop until Jonah was “sacrificed” to God. God saw it as a way of getting Jonah’s attention and even sent him an “uber” (large fish) to get him to his final destination. Then there is Joseph, Jacob’s son, who was sold into slavery. His brothers saw a way to end Joseph’s interference in their lives, while God saw a way to position Joseph to rescue their lives. There are so many other examples in God’s word. Does this apply to us today? Absolutely! Someone needs medical help. Do we first turn to doctors (which are used by God) or do we turn to God for a miracle or at least for His directions for the physicians? What about our prayers? Do we expect to see miracles and God’s clear intervention, or do we say the right things, but would be surprised if there was a miraculous outcome? When we worship, is it something we do because it is expected and something we need to do to get to heaven, or do we come to commune with God and fellowship with each other, longing to grow in our faith? The point is, do we see our lives as making the best of this world, or do we understand that we have been called to represent and serve the living God, the Creator of all things? 1 Cor. 15, “If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.” O Holy Spirit, give us eyes to see the world, the people, and our circumstances as You do. Amen

Standing on the Word of God

With a world full of all kinds of races, religions, ideologies, and governments, it is amazing that we have been able to find common ground, or at least common agreement in nations. I know that there are some differences amongst all the different people, but you and I could probably travel to the majority of the countries in the world, assuming we had all the right passports, visas, and immunizations done, and could probably visit that land in relative peace. Most countries have many of the same laws to govern their people. Most would say that murder is not acceptable. Most would see stealing, without cause, damaging to the fabric of the nation. There is usually some regulation on bearing false testimony and lying. The nations that allow this to go unchecked are often oppressive regimes and it is the ones in higher levels of authority that get a pass. How can a whole world exist together with such great variations? I believe that God has created us with a conscience that adheres to basic principles. We are told in the Old Testament that God’s law was written on their hearts. It was also written on the hearts of the pagans, but their hardness of heart desensitized their understanding. We not only have the 10 commandments, but the entirety of the Bible to understand God’s heart. I am not aware of nations that have strayed from God’s laws that continue to provide a safe and peaceful country for all. I heard someone speaking about the constitution of the USA, which brings freedom and acknowledges God-given rights. The comment was made that there are many who don’t believe its values but use portions of the constitution to try to control other people's actions, while ignoring its directions for their own lives. Often, the same people will do the same thing with God’s word. They lack faith in God’s word and truth, but they will try to cherry pick parts of it in an attempt to control other voices, while denying the parts of God’s word that speaks to and about them. We must understand that God’s word trumps any human thinking. Those who deny it, in the end, will still be judged by God's standard. Rejoice in God’s word. Father, thank You for putting Your word in our hearts. Strengthen our faith and direct our ways. Amen

Sometimes I Think We Are Living in Jeremiah’s Days

We have been going through the book of the Bible, Jeremiah. The Scripture reading today was right in the same area we have been studying. God’s people were not doing a good job of listening to Him. Chapter after chapter, we hear God warning His people to turn from their wicked ways, but they keep walking in wickedness. We hear the leaders of the church being warned, but they scoff at Jeremiah’s prophesy and continue to tell the people that things will be ok. We even hear details of how God was going to destroy them and allow enemy nations to come in and capture them. It is heartbreaking to see Jeremiah pleading with and for the people, but they seek to silence him. Finally, Jeremiah is getting to the point where he is starting to ask for God to begin to bring on His judgement. I look at our nation, the USA, and have to wonder where we are compared to Jeremiah’s time. We see some churches that are teaching and celebrating things that God’s word seems to be pretty clear on that are contrary to God’s will. We have gone from being described as a Christian nation to possibly one of the biggest and most dangerous mission fields because of our materialistic worldview. The good news is that God has not given the same warning and prophesies that He did for Jeremiah, but God gives us enough warnings in His word. The other positive thing is that there seems to be a resurgence of young men (especially) that seem to be desiring the understanding and worship of their grandparents... a more traditional understanding, going back to God’s word. The political climate seems to be bringing many back to foundational values, who felt silenced for many years. It is time for us to take advantage of the opportunities that might be available. Pray that the Lord of the Harvest might put a hunger in the hearts of those seeking and for wisdom to know how to meet their longings. Be bold in your conversations that no one can mistake you for anything else other than a child of the King. When we look back at Jeremiah or any of the other books of the Bible, one thing that always stands out is God’s patience and mercy, wanting all to have the opportunity to come to Him. Lord, help us to feel that urgency to proclaim the Gospel to all who will listen. Bind us together as believers. Amen

Falling Asleep at the Wheel

I have to state that I didn’t actually fall asleep at the wheel, but I definitely have been more tired than usual. When we get to that tired point, we not only start struggling to keep our eyes open, but it seems my brain begins to shut down too. I can sit at the computer and stare with my mind completely blank. I can try to write something, but the next day when I look at it, so much of it seems like gibberish. Everything that I do, I do out of habit because my brain has already shut down. Every now and then, I will do something foolish because I am not engaged in what task is before me. This might include putting the milk in the cupboard instead of the refrigerator. I’ve caught myself do that a few times. So why am I taking time to tell you about being tired? I believe that we sometimes live our faith in the same way. We go to church and have our devotion and prayer time, but then we fall asleep at the wheel. Maybe we are just reading and don’t remember a thing that we read. We go to worship, but our mind keeps wandering or even goes blank, not registering the words of the hymns, the Scripture readings, or the message. I think sometimes we are in more danger of falling asleep spiritually than we are physically. We worry about being physically tired when we are driving for obvious reasons, but I believe that we are in even more danger if we fall asleep in our walk with God. When we are walking through the motions in our faith, we get a feeling that we are still ok because we are “doing” church things. How would your relationship with your kids, spouse, or friends be if you didn’t’ pay attention or kept dozing off when they were trying to communicate with you? Do you think God might also be offended? I know there are some that have a long prayer list and sometimes fall asleep in the middle of it. Although one falls asleep, it is in the process of serving God and is the last thing on our minds. I think if we fall asleep talking to God, it is like sleeping in His arms. That being said, if we fall asleep interceding for others too often, it might be good to start earlier, before we get tired or find another time of day when we can stay engaged. Physically we need sleep. Spiritually we need to rest in the Lord as He renews our strength. Stay alert. Father, forgive us for the times we sluff off spiritually. Create in us a clean heart and put a new and right spirit within us. Amen

How Precious Is God’s Love

I’m sure you have heard the definition and difference between God’s mercy and grace. Grace is the good that God gives us that we don’t deserve and mercy is not getting the punishment that we do deserve. This truly is an expression of God’s love for us. When you opened your eyes this morning, that was a gift that God gave you that you might invest it wisely. If you had a living faith with God and your eyes didn’t open, then you will awake in God’s presence which would be better by far. We can see God’s love as Jesus willingly went to the cross to take God’s wrath that we deserve because of our sin. We tend to focus on the cross and Jesus’ suffering. Interestingly in Hebrews 12:2, we read, “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.” Even though He suffered, even though He asked the Father if the cross could be avoided, God’s word tells us that ‘for the joy set before Him, He endured the cross’. How can there be joy in suffering. Jesus knew the hope that would be ours after his death and resurrection. That is an amazing expression of love, finding joy by laying down His life for us. I read a quote recently, “The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us.” (C.S.Lewis) We don’t come before Jesus as a finished product, but we are under construction. I’m not saying we have to be a completed “project” in order be saved. We are told that if we a genuine faith, no matter how great or small, that we have that assurance. Each day that we walk with God, we are being molded, shaped, disciplined, etc. Praise God that He is able to make us into a new creation! It is that knowledge that “God will make us good” that keeps me going, for I know I cannot by my own doing get to where God wants me to be. Knowing what Jesus has done for us, we are called to love others and to joyfully give of ourselves so that they too might know Jesus. Can you see God's changes in you that are a result of your faith in Christ? Are we willing to suffer for Christ and for the Gospel? Do we find joy in seeing one that is lost, find life in Christ? Lord, Continue to work on me and direct my ways. Help me to find joy in testifying to others. Amen

What Are You Seeking?

I have found that when someone I know gets a “new to them” car, I begin to notice that model everywhere. It is not that these cars were not already on the road, but there was no reason for me to notice them before. Once I became aware of that model, I start noticing them everywhere. If we are angry or jealous of someone, we rarely see their good qualities, only that which is negative. Not only that, but negatives become the identity of that person. I think that it is clear that we begin to see or notice more things when we begin searching for them. It is not just physical things that are affected by this mindset. I ran across the following quote. I have no question in my mind that when we begin searching for particular traits and qualities, we will tend to find them. “If you go to church looking to become offended, you’ll succeed. If you go to church looking for places where people fall short, you’ll find them. If you go to church looking for imperfections, you’ll see it. But if you go to church looking for an opportunity to worship alongside broken people (just like you), you’ll find it. If you go to church looking for a place to serve, you’ll find one. If you go to church to love people like Jesus, you can. Much of the time... you find what you’re looking for. Look for Jesus!” I probably shared this illustration before, but it is so appropriate right now. A member of the church goes to the pastor and tells him that they want to leave the church and transfer elsewhere. The pastor politely asks why they wants to leave. The response is that the church is filled with hypocrites. The pastor then asks this member if they would do him a favor. When they agreed, the pastor fills a glass with water...almost to the rim, He then asked this person to carry the cup all around the church without spilling it. When this member returned to the pastor, he asked if any of it was spilled. They proudly state that they didn’t even think they had spilled a drop. At this, the pastor asked how many hypocrites they saw while carrying the water. They hadn’t noticed anything since they were focused on the cup not spilling. Then it dawned on them that they had been focused on the wrong things. Hopefully you chose to focus on Jesus. Lord, take away the world’s power over us and fill us instead with a deep faith that always seeks Your will and leading. Amen

The Perfect Substitute

I love to cook. I have some recipes that call for buttermilk. I don’t usually have that on hand, but I there are things that can be mixed together to create a similar flavor and consistency. There are some recipes that I rather enjoy the substitute over the real thing. There are many other substitutes that can be made, but most of them don’t really compete with the real thing. Some off-brand items don’t offer the same quality as the original. I was listening to a conversation about a substitute... Jesus on the cross for us. An interesting question was asked that I hadn’t contemplated in that way, but I liked the question and the answer. The question started with the premise that in order for Jesus to be able to take our place on the cross, He must be perfect in every way. This is both logical and true. If he was a cat or just a divine being, what is He substituting for. With this truth understood, the man asking the question continued, “Since humans have a fallen nature, everything that is brought into this world is touched by that fallen nature which produces sin, disease, weeds, carnivores, more pain in childbirth, etc. If Jesus was human, how could He be without sin. It is a good question. The problem with the thinking is that God created Adam and Eve, fully human, to be without sin. Being human doesn’t determine the sinfulness, but inheriting the fallen nature. Jesus was not just 100% human but was also 100% God. The Holy Spirit caused Mary to become pregnant, guaranteeing Jesus' absolute humanity. The Holy Spirit was able to ensure that Jesus was born without sin. Now he was tempted, just as Adam and Eve were, but was without sin. Because of our sin, God’s word tells us that we are deserving of death. The only way I could be assured of life is if the Father’s wrath (against sin) is satisfied through One who is perfect taking my place... and yours. Jesus was that substitute. Unlike cooking, this substitute, Jesus, didn’t just mimic (a flavor or texture), but replaced the imperfect with the real thing. By faith, my sin was nailed to the cross and my life is made new through what Christ did. Father, thank You for rescuing us from a permanent separation from You by giving us new life in Christ. Amen

Cruise Control

I have put on quite a few miles driving and will continue driving for a number of days yet. One of my great “friends” has been the cruise control on the car. It was nice to just get the car to the right speed and then press a button and the car continues at that speed until I choose to change it. The real danger is getting too comfortable because technology is doing the work and the temptation was to not focus clearly. What if I missed a change in the speed limit? That could be dangerous for others and expensive for me if a police officer caught me. I might not see an animal crossing the road, like a deer, or see it and not be able to hit the brake instantly because my foot is resting away from the brake pedal. It also can take away some instinctive driving like accelerating into a turn, not going into a passing gear on a hill, or losing control more easily through hydroplaning on freshly fallen rain. The blessing is making a long drive less tiresome but can in turn into a disconnect from what I should be doing. Do you ever just push the cruise control button and not stay engaged? I’m not talking about driving any more. It might apply to your daily life, but I’m more concerned about your spiritual wellbeing. Is your relationship with God a living relationship? By that, I mean, does this relationship continue to grow? Are you learning more about God every day? Is your prayer more thoughtless repetition, or do you approach God in awe and wonder, expecting Him to direct you and those for whom you pray? Do we see the passage that Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow and incorporate our version of that which shows that I haven’t changed in years. For God, this is a wonderful attribute, but for man, it is a great shame. Think about the spiritual growth of Abraham, Job, David, and especially the Apostle Paul. Are there parts of your life that you need to take the cruise control off? Are you mindlessly going to church, but failing to worship, because your heart and soul are in neutral? A song we sang for Vacation Bible School went something like this, “Lord, do not let me park here while waiting for you. Put me in drive and steer my way...” Is your spiritual walk in neutral? It is time to ask God to stir in your heart, so as to actively serve our King. Father, too often I find myself coasting when I should be actively pushing forward. Direct my way, O Lord. Amen

A Parent’s Love

Our daughter’s internship was drawing to a close. She had some medical issues that came up that raised questions on her ability to move herself back to the town she will begin schooling again. What parent, if it is within their ability would not drop everything to come to her aid. By the time we got there, she was doing better than we expected, but was not free from symptoms. We helped to get her home and get some more testing done to determine exactly what is going on. If you are blessed to have a good relationship with your kids, the love doesn’t end when they move away from home. Even if they are not perfect, there is still some love that remains in our hearts. I don’t know what I would do if something happened to one of my kids. God would still be in control, but the struggle would be real and heartbreak unfathomable. We have an amazing example of love in what God did for and through His Son. He watched His Son suffer for our sins and didn’t intervene, for our sake... so that we might have an unshakable hope through faith. Even when His son pleaded in the garden that if there was some way to avoid the crucifixion, that would be His desire. Jesus, in obedience to His Father, went to the cross to take the punishment we deserved. What an example of love, obedience, and faithful service. With that example set, God now expects us to carrying on this ministry. We are not called to serve only those that are pleasant, but to serve all people. What does that have to do with parenthood? God is calling us, as part of the family of God, to adopt (figuratively) those in our community so that they might know the love the Father has for us through how we love and care for them. As a family, made up of believers in Jesus Christ, let us develop deep fellowships with others. We are to love, as we are able, those that God places in or lives. Don’t ever underestimate someone feeling loved and accepted. We have to ask ourselves, “Are we really the family of God?” “How are we reaching out to “relatives” that are lost in this world?” How far will your love for the family of God move you? Will you welcome them into the family? Father, fill our hearts with Your love and give us opportunity to show that love to the lost and rejected among us. Amen

We Need to Stay Focused

A busy week of Vacation Bible School in the books. The whole week I was able to stay focused and get done what needed to get done. Saturday was a day to recover and recuperate. Since it was our daughters last Sunday while on her internship, I asked my wife if the church, or members she had gotten close to, did anything special for her. We were headed over to the church to get the bulletins ready. My wife texted her to find out how the worship had gone. The response from our daughter was, “It’s Saturday”. My wife started laughing at having made such an obvious blunder. She looked at me and I was going red from laughter. I then had to confess that I actually was thinking that it was Monday. One day blurs into another day, but in the midst of everything, we had lost our focus. Our blunders might not always be so obvious, but we all lose focus from time to time. Maybe we are spending time with God in prayer, and we fall asleep. Maybe we are sitting in worship on Sunday thinking about what we are going to do later on. How about when we are having devotions or studying God’s word and get sidetracked doing something else? We read in Matthew 6:33-34, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” There is only one thing that is truly worth seeking and when we find Him, everything else is secondary. In Galatians 6, Paul talks about the only thing that mattered was a new creation. In other words, he was dead to the world and the world was dead to him. He was talking about being made new in Christ. Again, in Colossians 3:2-3, “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.” What are the things that are distracting you and causing your mind to wander from God. I think sometimes phones and computers have become one of the greatest culprits in losing our focus. Believe, identify, Confess, and then trust God to make you into a new creation. Even when we are feeling overwhelmed we need to stand strong on God’s word and promise. He is my hope and my salvation. Father, forgive me for the times my mind has wandered and replace it with a faithful heart, mind, and spirit. Amen

A Chance to Share

This was the last day of Vacation Bible School. We had learned a lot of songs, studied some Bible passages, made crafts, and had fellowship. With all the work that was put in, we finally get a chance to share that with others. The groups seem to be getting smaller, but each child is worth investing in. We had a chance to put on a program where we could share what we had learned. There is never enough time to fully prepare, so I always try to be on my toes for what might happen. The kids did great, and I think the parents and friends appreciated what they had done. It was a sea theme, and we had decorated with some netting. I had a cordless mic, off for when we sang and on for when I was leading the program. For some reason, the cord kept getting stuck on my guitar and pulling the mic off. Toward the end of the program, the mic fell off and landed in the netting. I tried to pick it up but realized it was too tangled and did the rest without a microphone. Our best plans always have obstacles. We can get so caught in how we want to do that we miss out on where God is leading us. By the way, when I finally tried to remove the microphone from the netting, it took me quite a while to untangle. Had I stayed focused on the mic, the program would have suffered a little. Trying to apply this to our spiritual life, God still calls us to share His word. He gives chances... maybe not in a public program, but as opportunities along the way. Some of the best sharing has taken place when I least expected it. Some of the most awkward sharing has been when I have tried to over-plan my approach. Stay focused on the goal and don’t get sidetracked when things don’t go as planned. We will never account for every variation, but we can know Jesus. If you are praying for God to open up doors to share the gospel, then you need to keep your eyes open for God’s leading. If you are not praying for God to open up doors, I can’t stress enough how important the leading of the Holy Spirit can be. Preparation is good, but growing in faith and the knowledge of the Lord is vital. May God reveal His will in your life and open up doors to share. Father, help Your church to not only be a growing and faith building church, but teach us how to share the Good News. Amen

Engaged in Worship

In Vacation Bible School, we covered the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus. It is so easy sometimes just to use Christian phrases without really giving them much consideration. Let us start with worship. I wonder how many people, before they leave home to go to worship, spend some time in prayer, seeking the leading of the Holy Spirit for the service, for the pastor, and for each person in attendance. It is not just going to the church but going to worship. Words and intent make a world of difference. Before we get to a time of confession, if that is part of worship, do you spend time considering what areas of your life may be in great need of God’s cleansing? Is it just words, or have you spent some time considering your need before God and others. Do you take time before worship to read the hymns ahead of time so that the message may be clearer. During Covid, we discovered that the service where the hymns were read, instead of sung, the words seemed so much more powerful. There should be no part of worship that is just done purely out of habit. Is your heart and mind engaged when you hear the Scripture read, the message shared, the confession of faith, the Lord’s prayer, etc. It is so easy to fall into habits. Now, what about our actually sharing of faith? Do we really think about what we are saying, of do we use Christianese, catch phrases that may be true but not always pondered. We talk about the hope that is ours because Jesus died and rose on the cross, but have we ever understood why or go back to ponder what actually happened? Most often, we simply say He died and rose, and then leave it there. Why did Jesus have to be sinless? What did Jesus' death accomplish? What did His resurrection prove? Why is Jesus necessary to enter the gates of Heaven? Sin doesn’t exist in heaven, so without help, none of us can make it. Since I couldn’t do it, someone, who was without sin had to take my place. His death satisfied God’s wrath. His resurrection conquered death. Our faith in Jesus qualifies us to enter heaven. I think we need to pick one thing each week to ponder and study to avoid falling into the spiritual repetition without faith. Holy Spirit, open my eyes, my heart, and my mind so that my worship may be deeper and my faith more vibrant. Amen

Is His Bark Is Bigger Than His Bite?

I remember snorkeling in the ocean in Papua New Guinea. One day I dove down in an area beyond the coral. It was deeper than I normally dove and as I came around the edge of a reef, I saw a roundish spiny fish. From today's lesson, I realized it was probably a porcupine fish. My memory tells me it was about a foot long or more, although looking back, I might have over-exaggerated the size due to my fear. Yes fear. It was an ugly and intimidating fish. I think it might have been in the process of taking in a lot of water and expanding in size. I made it back to shore in record time. After reading about that fish, I realize that it is a defensive fish. It creates the appearance of danger and makes it difficult for another fish to eat it, but I was probably perfectly safe... at least from that fish. I couldn’t help but think of the Devil again. Is his bark bigger than his bite? In other words, is he made to appear more powerful than he is? The answer is both yes and no. We should never take lightly the power that the Devil holds. We are told that he is like a hungry lion looking for some soul to devour. There is good reason why we are warned against his power. To put it differently, without God, we are no match against the Devil’s power. For the believer, however, Satan has no power that God does not allow him to have. In Ephesians 6, we are told that our battle is not against flesh and blood. There is a spiritual battle that takes place around us between the Devil and his demons against God and the angels of light. It is not our earthly success that matters, but rather our faithful service to God. We are told to resist the Devil and he will flee from us. That takes faith. It takes a confidence in the power that God wields in the World. Do I have to fear the lion in a cage at the zoo? Probably not. As long as I walk in the power of the Holy Spirit, Satan is as powerful as that caged lion. I know that God has the power and authority to limit what the Devil can do, but the Devil will never stop trying to cause us to stumble and turn away from God. Live your life boldly in the confidence that nothing can happen to you outside of God’s will. If God allows the Devil power, if we are faithful, God will prepare us to stand our ground. Father, in the name of Jesus I bind Satan and his dominions from destroying the church and ask to be filled with the Spirit. Amen

The Desires of the Heart

As we were decorating the church yesterday for Vacation Bible School, I hadn’t eaten much, and I knew that my wife would often bring something to munch on. As I am tired and hungry, she says, “There is a bag of apples in the refrigerator." I was thinking that an apple would really hit the spot. Then she follows up, “Don’t eat any of them. They are going to be used by a teacher tomorrow.” The lesson for that day was on Adam and Eve being tempted by the “apple” in the garden. I had to chuckle about that one. Good news. My wife had brought some other things to eat so all was good. How easily our heart desires things. We long for things that are not our own. We are jealous of people that may seem better than we are. In our effort to be seen as upstanding, we willing hide our sins and faults from others instead of seeking forgiveness. We can all relate to be tempted by one thing or the other, but what we cannot fathom is being without sin. Adam and Eve didn’t have a natural desire to sin... to be prideful, jealous, tempted, egotistical, covetous, etc. They had a perfect relationship with God where they walked and talked with Him in the Garden. They longed for nothing. They had everything that any human could need. Sadly, included with the freedom that God gave us is also the ability to make bad choices. The serpent (the Devil) that tempted them first planted doubt about what God had said. Then He replaced it with an option that seemed good to them (eating the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil). We know that because of sin, we fall short of what God desires of us. Just think how far that fall is to go from a perfect sinless relationship with God to the condemnation of sin. The only way we will experience that true and perfect relationship with God is when God calls His faithful home to Heaven. He did, however, make it possible for us to be made new in Him through faith, forgiveness, and obedience. I heard someone say that there is a reason the serpent was cursed to crawl in the dust without legs or hands. Why? Because through Jesus, Satan has been (de)feeted and (dis)armed. Praise God! Father, I wish I could serve you perfectly without sin or unfaithfulness. Wash me and prepare me for service. Amen