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Today, I went to the bank to get some cash. The parking lot was empty. Walking up to the door I saw a sign that said they were off for a Federal Holiday. I forgot it was Columbus Day. I know there are those that have tried to change the name and the celebration, but most of the world still recognizes the accomplishments of Columbus and the influence it was on our nation. The truth is, we could have about 10 celebrations everyday with different events and people, but then nothing would get done. My whole point was that I had something I had counted on, only to find the bank was unavailable because they had taken the day off. It got me wondering how available we are. I’m not talking about work either. If someone called and said they really needed to talk, would it matter who it was? I mean, would you only respond to close friends, or would you respond to those you don’t know as well? Would it make a difference what time of day it was? The next question is, would you go to someone that God put on your heart? You wouldn’t have to go alone. What if they were sick? What if they were recently widowed? What if they really needed someone to talk to? Do we pass that off to someone else or are we available to be used by God? This conversation is probably making most of us a little uncomfortable. It rocks the boat... shakes up our world... puts us outside our comfort zone. Jesus went to tax collectors and prostitutes and sinners. If we are waiting for them to come to us, it may never happen. God calls us to make disciples of all nations, but part of that command was to go... not wait. Who do you know that might enjoy a visit, a letter of encouragement, or an invitation to join you in worship? I’d love to say I have done well on this front, but I have failed in many ways. Maybe I am in the middle of doing something and it is not a good time. We might have to weigh what we thought we should be doing with the needs of the person in front of you. I think every one of us can be more available than we are. If you have determined you won’t do it personally, then be faithful in prayer for those in need and those God is calling to reach out to them. There was a time the church was the focus. Many have turned to the world. Father, give a vision for how You would have us serve Your people in our own area. Help your church connect with them. Amen

God Doesn’t Call Us to Do Good Things

That sounds like the words of a fool. Aren’t the 10 commandments rules to help us be good. Aren’t we told that the Devil is bad, and God is good. Yes, that is all true, but when we talk of doing good, we are keeping score. I was struck by the truth of this quote, “One of the greatest snares is the number of good things we might do. Jesus Christ never did the good things He might have done, He did everything He ought to do because He had His eye fixed on His Father's will and He sacrificed Himself for His Father.” You see, when we are focused on doing good, it is our works, not our worship. When we are doing what we ought to do, it is what naturally comes forth. We read in Matthew 6, "So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” It is who you are, not what you do, that God looks at. Who you are dictates what you do! In Matthew 25, we see a picture of the final judgement. Jesus separates the sheep (righteous) from the goats (condemned). Jesus tells the faithful, “Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” They ask Him when they saw Him and helped. His response? “The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'” They weren’t keeping score. They didn’t do it for the accolades. They weren’t trying to earn anything or impress anyone. They did it because it was the right. Faith leads to worship that bears action. Father, the world wants to keep score and check off accomplishments. Instead, we give You our hearts. Amen

It’s All a Matter of Perspective

Someone has a cell phone that works just fine, but they trade it in so that they can have the very latest, while someone else has almost nothing and finds that even the castoff phone is a great treasure. Everything we look at is seen through the eyes of our experience or exposure. When we are hungry, any food looks amazing, but when we are full, even something delicious might not be so enticing. The same thing is true for Christians. The Christian that has grown up going to church and sheltered from much of the world finds it easy to just coast through life, often with little spiritual urgency in mind. I’m not saying this is a good condition to find ourselves in. The one who was lost, but was rescued by God, finds every moment of every day as another opportunity to proclaim the good news. Some use big fancy “Christian” words because it makes them feel superior, while the visitor to the church struggles to understand the basic concepts. I think too many Christians have become comfortable in the world and no longer hunger for God. This is extremely dangerous because without a genuine faith in Jesus, we will suffer greatly in the depths of hell. When our hearts are right with God, the world does not seem so inviting, for in the world is sin, suffering, and despair. I read an interesting quote the other day, “This life is the only hell believers will ever know. But for those who die in their sins, this is their only heaven.” There is so much truth in this statement. In the church on earth, we see a shadow of the things to come, but the reality of heaven is so much beyond what we could ever conceive. The worst day in heave, if there could be such a thing, would be a thousand times better than the best day on earth. That being said, do you see how great the contrast is? Is your longing to be with Jesus beyond any love you have here on earth? Are you willing to give up everything, to take up your cross, and to follow Jesus? When you think of hell and those that are and will be condemned to this terrible judgement, does your heart break for them and does the thought of hell drive you into the hands of our savior, Jesus Christ? If we truly understood how great the differences were, we should be trying to reach any and every one that would listen. Father, too often we live for the present things in the world. Help us, even as we serve here, to long deeply for what is yet to come. Amen

Rock, Strength, Fortress

I was reading Psalm 28 recently and wanted to share this with you. The Psalms were a song book for God’s people. This one begins addressing God, “To you I call, O Lord my Rock; do not turn a deaf ear to me. For if you remain silent, I will be like those who have gone down to the pit.” He calls God his rock because he is the sure foundation that never fails. There is the deep understanding that if God were to turn away from us, we would all be condemned. This is why the Bible tells us that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. The only One who can condemn us to the depths of hell is God Himself. David, the author, doesn’t just cry out in hopes that some how, some way, this plea might be heard. “Hear my cry for mercy as I call to you for help, as I lift up my hands toward your Most Holy Place.” He lifts his hands in surrender and worship to God, toward the Most Holy Place where they attributed His presence. The next thing David does is pray for justice. He speaks of those that have no regard for God. David didn’t want to see the wicked prosper, but that they face the consequences of their deeds. How many times I have longed for justice, but then I remember if there was a true accounting of sin, none of us could stand. It is true, even though we all sin, there are those that have turned their back on God and rejoice in what is evil. David doesn’t leave us hanging here but turns our eyes back to God. “Praise be to the Lord, for he has heard my cry for mercy. The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.” David is rejoicing for God has indeed been merciful to him, even as He is merciful to us today. David knew that with God as his ‘strength and shield’, there was nothing that he need fear. David trusted God fully and rejoiced with much thanksgiving. There was a song on His heart. Have you ever been so thankful, on top of the world spiritually, that your heart is filled with praise. Lastly, “The Lord is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one. Save your people and bless your inheritance; be their shepherd and carry them forever.” Father, may a song of praise and thanksgiving always fill our hearts, for whether in plenty or in want, You alone are our God. Amen

Dream the Impossible Dream

Actually, that probably would be better understood as God being able to do the impossible. Dream the impossible dream only if it lines up with God. Then the sky is the limit. I believe that many Christians are afraid to believe that God is not limited. Let’s look at some of the things He has done throughout the Bible. Created a world without sin, which man managed to contaminate. Created man from the dust of the earth and breathed His own breath into him. Sent a flood to destroy a wicked world, saving Noah and his family and a pair of every living species to re-propagate the earth. He caused the sun to stand still for a few hours. He protected Daniel from the hungry lions in the den and saved his three friends from a fiery furnace. He caused a drought and brought the rain back again. He raised the dead and healed many sick. He calmed the storm by His command. He parted the Red Sea for His people to cross on dry ground. The list goes on. There is nothing that you can conceive (assuming it doesn’t go against God’s will) that He cannot accomplish. We shouldn’t wait until we are in dire straits to be seeking Him, for if we had been faithfully praying, we might not be in the state we are or we would have more strength and vision to know what God is calling us to do. When we think that we have hit a wall and that there is no hope, think of the lobster in the live tank on the titanic. Then realize that God can do so much more than we can imagine. When you pray, do you expect miracles? If not, why not. You are not going to overburden God. James sums it up nicely in chapter 4, “You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” How do we know when our motives are right? The more intimate our relationship with God, usually the clearer His will is. If we are walking close to God, we will know because there will be no agenda or thought of our benefit, but only the deep desire to bring that request before God. Relationships can take time. Don’t give up. Keep growing in Christ. Father, too often we want to do Your will and accomplish the impossible, but don’t want to change. Renew us each day. Amen

Why Remember?

Yesterday was the 2 year anniversary of the attack on Israel by Hamas. I have been very disappointed by how many people in the world seem to side with the Palestinians, thus supporting Hamas. It boggles my mind how many people are willing to stand with terrorist who willingly use their own people as shields, over the country that was attacked and are trying to get their own hostages back. Many in the world trust those that consistently lie, over a nation that God has protected over thousands of years. A tiny nation is attacked by a portion of the Arab world and yet they still stand. To understand the loss Israel faced, if the same percentage of our population were attacked and killed, it would be about 40,000 people. Any nation would have a right to defend themselves. So why remember? We remember here in other countries, realizing that we are not immune from attacks. Israel remembers so that they don’t drop their guard and a solemn remembrance of those that lost their lives. It is remembering a country that rose up to defend the land God gave them and honoring those that fought for freedom. To forget history is to allow history to repeat itself. God’s people were also asked to remember other things. There were several festivals that reminded them of God’s miracles, provisions, protection, etc. One in particular is the Passover. After many plagues sent by God to get Pharaoh to release the slaves (God’s people), the 10th plague would finally crack Pharaoh’s hardened heart. The angel of death would pass through the land and kill the eldest male of every family and livestock. The only remedy was to slaughter a lamb, a year old, without blemish and take its blood and paint it on the door. Only this shed blood caused the angel to “pass over” them. They celebrate the meal, depicting the haste in which they were to leave, as a reminder of God’s provision. Today, it would be good for Israel, as a nation, to turn fully to God, and in doing so, hopefully more would come to know Jesus. We too are called to remember, “Take, eat, this is my body/blood given for you for the forgiveness of sins. Don’t forget. Father, You have been faithful through all generations. Continue to watch over Israel and restore her once again. Amen

True Understanding

Today, when I went to the store to do some shopping, I saw a woman squatted down and looking at some bakery items on the bottom shelf. I was really taken aback by the fancy sling she had for her arm. Usually one sees a basic white fabric sling, but this one looked like it was made of leather and the strap was hooked into the sling, not by sewing, but by brass clasps. I was wondering how rich someone would have to be to have a sling that stylish or how long one would need to wear the sling to justify such a purchase. I was conjuring up in my mind what sort of person this might be, and then she stood up and turned. From a different angle, I realized that it wasn’t a sling, but a purse. The first angle I looked at, lined up the purse (between the body and elbow/arm) with the bend of the elbow so that it appeared to support the arm, but in reality did nothing. I had to laugh to myself and be thankful that no one knew what I was thinking. Sometimes what we see or assume we see can lead us in the wrong direction. I was reminded of Proverbs chapter 3 that stated, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” Our wisdom and thinking can be very deceiving, but we are invited (urged) to trust the One who knows all things and can direct us in the way the is good and right. King Solomon goes on to make it even more clear in the next few verses, “Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.” Not only are we to trust Him fully, but we are told that it will be good for our health as well. Stress and uncertainty can put a strain on any individual, but when we trust God, we have nothing to fear. Proverbs 5 goes on to what that trust might look like, “Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.” When I am trusting myself, I hold on to what I have tightly, but when I trust God, I realize that everything I have already belongs to God and so faith and trust allow me to be generous. We do it, not for the blessings, but for joy of servicing. Father, fill me with such an amazing faith and trust that I am not stingy with the gifts You have given, but praise You in all things. Amen.

What’s Left at the End?

I have often thought about the man from the Old Testament who is named Job. He loses everything in one day and his response is not anger, bitterness, or despair. His response reveals where his heart is. “Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.” Job knew that everything he had was a gift from God and that he was not going to be able to keep it forever. Even though he was probably the richest person of his day, his true riches came from his relationship with God. I heard a twist on Job’s words today, “When we come into the world, we have nothing. Then we spend all our time trying to gain everything. Then we leave the world with nothing. I just hope your soul hangs onto more than your hands do!” It is opposite to the monkeys that are caught in Africa. Where am I going with that, you might ask? Well, to catch the monkeys, the natives would carve out a hollow in a tree or dirt mound. They would leave an opening just big enough for the monkey to fit his hands in. Then they would put some food in the hollowed area. The monkey sticks his hand in, grabs the food, but then can’t remove the fist through the tight hole. Unwilling to let go of the food, the natives are able to easily capture the monkey. Using that concept, those that are grabbing what they can in the world are unwilling to let it go. The very act of hanging onto the world and not simply trusting God for our “daily food”, imprisons us. Hold on to the blessings found in the world with a loose grip, so that if we should lose it, our lives won’t be up ended. Hang on tightly to the things from God like love, joy, hope, faith, forgiveness, eternal life, etc. When we lose sight of God and the hope He brings us through His Spirit and His Word, we are also in danger of losing everything, including eternity with God. How tightly are you holding on to your finances, your possessions, your power and influence? Are they really worth dying for... or should I say dying without? As we read in Psalm 42, “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?” Father, may my heart always hunger and long for You, my rock and my salvation. Amen

Serving Our Community

A few times a year, Spring and Fall, our youth would help to keep the highway clean in front of the church. The number of youth have gone down considerably, but it still seems like a good way of serving our community. It is amazing to see how quickly things can be cleaned up when people put their mind to it. I’m not sure how much longer we will be able to do it, but I think it is important for people to see us serving outside of the church. Not only is it good for the community to see, but the youth that help get to see that it is not about what others can do for me, but a chance to give back...to show how much we appreciate what we have been given. The concept of servanthood is all through the Bible. First, there were servants in some of the households that were from “war plunder”, those that had been purchased, and even some that sold themselves to pay off debts. The Gospel today implied that a servant shouldn’t expect any special acknowledgment for doing what they were supposed to do. Then we get a comparison to faith in Luke 17:10, “So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.'" The word for servant also means slave. Wouldn’t it be a little harsh for Christian’s to be known as slaves before God? We like to think of ourselves as friends filled with warm fuzzies. We must understand that we are not equals. We don’t bring anything to the table as if we were deserving. Communicating with God through prayer is a privilege that God gives us and we would be foolish not to use it often... to praise, lift requests, confess, and to seek wisdom and direction. Forgiveness again is by the grace of God. We are saved fully and completely by what God has already done for those who walk by faith. We are not just servants of God, but we are called to serve those around us. Romans 12 states, “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality." Father, Forgive us for the times we think of ourselves more highly than we ought. Help us to serve You and those around us. Amen

Character Matters

Sometimes we get caught looking at whether the job gets done and we don’t always look at the attitude and character of those working. I think good character changes both the attitude and productivity of the one working and also gives a positive view on the work that is done. I sometimes watch clips of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). Many of the clips are underwhelming compared to the men’s version, but that is ok... they are not the same. What I have noticed plaguing the WNBA the last couple of years is the terrible play calling by the refs, poor oversight over the league, and awful sportsmanship, or should I say awful sportswomanship. There are some players that are fun to watch, but there seem to be teams that are favored and teams that become the scape goats. There was good attendance through the playoffs until the Indiana Fever got knocked off. Now, as they approach the big playoff, the attendance is very low. I’m thinking most high school games have a better draw on a regular game. Why can’t the WNBA get anyone to cheer on the finals? They don’t trust the winner to necessarily be the best players. People are tired of seeing dirty plays winning over good talent. The players that most people wanted to see, because they play hard and expect to receive the fruit of that labor - playoffs, didn't make it. Even with the tickets dropping to an incredibly low price, people still aren’t buying them. When there are more people at a playoff game than at the finals, there is a major problem. Instead of being honest about the referee calling and lack of justice with each dirty play, and trying to protect the few players that are really drawing in the fans, the response is either one of blaming or thinking that maybe things will eventually work themselves out. In our Christian walk, our character matters. If we say one thing and do another, people aren’t interested. If we regularly attend church, but do not live a particularly Christian life, people aren’t going to be attracted. If we make excuses for why people aren’t filling the pews, instead of seeking the real issues, things will likely not improve. Character matters. Father, we do want to see Your house filled with seekers and worshipers. Show us how we might serve others. Amen

What Are You Willing to Do?

We live in a time where most Americans have experienced some semblance of peace. There have not been any new wars within the country, although there have been heated disagreements. We expect to be able to go to work, earn a living, come home to a place we relax at and call home. We have so many expectations of what life should be like, how the government should be run, and who will be part of our life. We look for some sort of prosperity, maybe material possessions, and a freedom to worship. Then I read the second lesson for this Sunday and see Paul talking about being in chains for the gospel. We read in 2 Timothy 1, “So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, who has saved us and called us to a holy life — not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace.” We have not experienced this sort of trial for having faith, although other parts of the world have. Does your faith have a breaking point? Are you willing to face ridicule? Slander? Abuse? Prison? Torture? Paul not only asks them not to be ashamed of him, but not to be ashamed to proclaim the good news of what Jesus Christ has done for all who would believe. On top of that, he calls fellow believers to suffer with him for the sake of proclaiming God’s word. Paul isn’t saying that he desire them to suffer, but rather that because suffering seems inevitable for all who are faithful, to boldly stand up for the truth. Martin Luther did this when the church of his day called him to recant everything he had written. Luther refused. The leader of the church removed their protection from Martin Luther... basically putting a bounty on his head. Did Luther back down? NO! He was not afraid to die for what he believed. The Apostle Paul, Martin Luther, Charlie Kirk, and many other believers make it clear why they are willing to die in service to God, the Creator of heaven and earth. “Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.” If God protects us, we have another day of service... if not, eternity with God awaits us. Father, give us faith and a boldness to stand on Your word, even when the world comes against. You are our only hope! Amen

What Does Jesus Say?

There are many times through my life that I have faced hard times or just felt lost and alone. So often there was someone (parents, wife, friends) who wrapped their arms around me and comforted me. Even though I was broken, I was not destroyed. I seldomly found that comfort from strangers since there was no relationship or connection. God offers us so much comfort throughout His word. I was just thinking about a hymn called, “I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say”. The natural response is, “What did He say?” The first verse - “I heard the voice of Jesus say ‘Come unto me and rest. Lay down, thy weary one lay down thy head upon my breast. I came to Jesus as I was weary and worn and sad. I found in Him a resting place and He has made me glad”’" In this world that is filled with such diverse opinions and feelings, it is indeed comforting to know that Jesus calls us to find rest in Him. This rest is connected to faith and relationship. Even on your worst day, this invitation is extended. It does not mean the burdens will always be removed, but it does mean that we are not alone and He is able to give us strength to carry on. There is no other place as precious and healing as in His arms. Let Him turn your sadness to joy. The second verse - “I heard the voice of Jesus say ‘Behold, I freely give the living water, thirsty one stoop down and drink and live.’ I came to Jesus, and I drank of that life-giving stream. My thirst was quenched, my soul revived and now I live in Him”. Like the woman at the well that didn’t even know what Jesus had to offer, He said that He had water for her to drink that would satisfy all thirsting. He was speaking spiritually of the word and the Holy Spirit, not a physical water. Right now, there seems to be a fresh thirsting for the truth of God’s word. May we lead them to and may they find revival. The third verse - “I heard the voice of Jesus say, ‘I am this dark world's light. Look unto me; thy morn shall rise and all thy days be bright.’ I looked to Jesus, and I found in Him my star, my sun. And in that light of life I’ll walk till traveling days are done”. We never realize how dark it was until we stand in His light. Father, we come before You, weary, worn and in darkness. Thank You for rest. Feed our hungering spirit. Amen

Why Do I Need to Know the Whole Bible?

There are two parts to the Bible... the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Old Testament points to the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, and the New Testament tells of the life and times of Jesus and the growth of the early church. I’m always a little bothered when I hear Christians say they are New Testament Christians, as if the old was just rules and regulation without value. I remember an old fable told of six blind men that never knew what an elephant was. Each was to try to determine what this object was before them. The first person went to the elephant and felt what was in front of him. He said, “It is long, thick, powerful, and has air flowing through it (trunk). The next said that it was large, flat, and leathery (ears). Another said it was tall, round, and solid (body). Another said it was thin, long, and a little twirly (tail). Still another spoke of large stumps, too big to lift (feet). The last one spoke of something long, smooth, and pointed (tusks). They all felt the same animal, but what they learned seemed unlikely to be one creature. Now, I’m sure I am drawing a different conclusion from the original fable but think it can describe God’s word. There are parts that speak of history, parts are poetry, parts are from journals, a song book, prophesies of future events, life and times of Jesus, the growing of the early church, and books that speak of end times and what is yet to come. It speaks of war and of peace, law and gospel, judgement and mercy, condemnation and unconditional love, and so on. It is hard to imagine that one book (the Bible) can contain such varied writings and still be united in its presentation. Even though God makes His word available to us, I sometimes wonder if those blind men would “see” more than those of us that claim to see. To understand the elephant, one needs to know more about it than a trunk, or tusk, or tail. To understand God’s word, we need more than just the gospels that tell of Jesus life... we need to know the fullness of Scripture. On top of knowing what God’s word says, we need the help of the Holy Spirit to give us wisdom and understanding. Reading the cliff notes doesn’t work with God’s word... we need to know Him fully and serve Him. Father, Open my mind to know Your truth, open my eyes to see Your will, and open my heart to love unconditionally. Amen

What People Want

I know if I asked people what they wanted most, the answers would vary quite a bit. I’m sure the desire for money, a good job, a healthy church, good friends would all be high on the list. My experience lately is that people just want to be seen. I’m not talking about just being looked at, but to be recognized as a person with real ideas, feelings, struggles, desires, etc. We have become good at arguing, yelling, accusing, and disrupting others, but do we know them? I read something on the internet that sounds so terrible, although it also sounds very refined and rehearsed. There are pictures to back up the article, but looking in the background, it tells a different story... creating a storyline instead of opening a dialogue. I think one of the reasons the death of Charlie Kirk was so hard for those that knew him, and for those that had seen him on the internet. is that he was saying the things that they believed, only were too afraid to stand up and say it. In their hearts, many were cheering him on, but in practice, they were silent. Like it or not, Charlie brought the conversation into the public arena, listening to what was being said and sharing what he saw going on (with facts). Those attacking from hate often left angry. Those asking serious questions were left with things to ponder. I think many felt like Charlie knew them, saw them, and was standing up for them. When he was martyred, they realized the need to be seen more publicly, not passively, but standing up for what they believed. There are people turning to God’s word, going to church, and desiring to present themselves as someone with honor. We see them, and hopefully are praying that God would use terrible circumstances to bring about revival in the heart of the nation. I go to a men’s study where those in attendance feel they are a part of something greater than themselves. It is a place where they are seen, not just background decoration. I join in another Bible study and part of that time is sharing what is going on in our lives. I think that those in attendance feel seen and have a voice. Instead of name calling, maybe we can have an actual conversation... really seeing each other. Father, forgive us for putting labels on everyone and failing to listen and understand. Use us to bring open dialogue. Amen

Why Do We Have Church?

I grew up going to church. My dad was a pastor, and it was just expected. I didn’t stop to think why. I never had a “come to Jesus” moment. It was a gradual day by day walk with God. There have been moments where I have seen the hand of God at work and there are times that nothing earth-shattering was happening. I always knew that God was there. I have heard hunters and fishermen saying that they can worship God just as well from their deer blinds and boats as they can in a church. We have a men’s study group that is attended by people from many different denominations and non-denominational backgrounds that have said that they find that group more church to them than their own churches. We can pray and study at home, listen to the radio, and even go to church via radio or internet. So, what’s the point of going to church? I can understand that thinking if you think of it as going to church and not going to worship. The country I grew up in spoke of “seeing church”. I think many of those that wonder why they need to go to church are not focused on fellowship with God and with others or joining with other believers in lifting their voice and spirit in praise and worship. We go to worship because God said, “Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in their midst.” There is a unity in our hearts as we worship together. If I study and worship at home, it is easy to fall into a rut or focus on what I want to hear and not what might need to be said. Even as a pastor, I sometimes find myself going through the motions. When we come together, our conversations can encourage and challenge one another... including the pastor. Hopefully the pastor has good training and theology so that he can open a deeper understanding that we might not find on our own. If we think that we can find everything we need on the internet, we are only half right. The internet is filled with good and bad teaching. If you do not know God's word, you are just as likely to follow the wrong thing as you are to go the right way. The Old Testament talked about false prophets teaching what the people’s itching ears wanted to hear. What we want to hear may not be what God is saying. Father, draw us all into Your house and bind us together by Your love. Amen

Being Humble in Blessings

Have you ever met someone that complained that they never succeeded at anything and that they weren’t any good. Then they suddenly achieve something great and all of a sudden, they are a pain to be around. They want everyone to know what they did. It is sometimes easier to be humble when we don’t have much, for what do we have to boast about... and yet even then, the human nature tends to find someone that we can still be better than. Our second lesson tomorrow is from 1 Timothy chapter 6. It starts in verse 6 saying, “Godliness with contentment is great gain.” If it is true godliness, it seems that contentment is part of the fruit of that faith, but apparently, even then, our sinful nature can create issues. I can’t help but think about Job, maybe the richest man in the Old Testament, when he lost his livestock, servants, and children, all on one day. His response was, “The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away. Praise be to God”. Even in great loss, he found strength and hope in God. If you need more than God and His word to be content, you might need a faith lift. Money is one of the most mentioned topics in the Bible and yet it is one of the least talked about. God makes it very clear that seeking after riches has been the downfall of many people. Actually, we can go back to the garden. Eve (and Adam) listened to the serpent and then found herself not feeling content, for she longed to be wiser, knowing things that God knows. Coveting things that we do not have can be a very dangerous pursuit... one that might destroy us. It is that love of money that will get us every time. Timothy is told to flee from this temptation with the words, “flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Replace that desire with something that is better and more satisfying. A few verses later we read, “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment”. We are to be rich in deeds, being generous and willing to share. We may have longed to be rich, but with wealth comes great responsibility. Be content in all things. Father, I hear the voice of the world telling me to seek my own desires, but Your desire is that we always walk according to Your word. Amen

Accept By Faith

I have had times that I knew God was calling me to do something by faith. I have been faithful in some and have failed at others. There were many times God expected His people to trust his promise even when they didn’t see immediate results. I was reading some of 2 Kings the other day and was struck by something that didn’t quite make sense. I had read that if someone had leprosy, they were considered unclean and had to isolate themselves from contact with society. Only a priest could restore them if they had been healed. Well, my struggle begins in chapter 5. The prophet Elisha’s servant, Gehazi, had taken some things that didn’t belong to him. Elisha told the servant that because of this, leprosy would stick to him and his descendants. He became leprous, as white as snow. In chapter 8, we find the king having a discussion with Gehazi, the servant. This bothered me, because if he had leprosy, the king would not have him in his presence. Without any further information, I would have to accept this is possible because of faith or find how I misunderstood the passage. There are a number of possibilities. God could have healed the servant again. The chronology could be out of order as it has happened in other places. The king may have ignored the law, which he had done before, but then he risks contracting it. Lastly, he might not have had a contagious strain. I found out that in Leviticus 13 that the body can be covered with leprosy, the skin can be found white, and the individual can be deemed clean. I trust it no more or no less because of the added details, for I have believed it by faith. Knowing the “why” can help in discussing the content with others. It is good that God allows us to find answers to sooth the mind. Those that trusted God’s leading often found themselves helped by God. In chapter 8, we find that Elisha had told the family of the boy. he had raised to life. to leave the area for seven years, as a drought was imminent. The mom of the healed boy and her family were now returning home, after living among the Philistines. She went to ask the king if he could help her get her land and home back, just as Gehazi was telling the King about Elisha’s help. The king instantly restored the woman and her property. Father, give us faith to be obedient to Your call, persistence to follow it, and a heart of worship as we see Your victories among us. Amen

What Do We Do with Roadblocks?

Today, on my way to a 6:30 am Men’s “Bible” Study, I took a shortcut, which today did not save me any time. I heard a loud bang under my car and then saw a tree had fallen across the road. I think someone put two large pieces of wood to warn drivers, but in the 6:15 am darkness, I didn't’ see them. The warning, if that is what it was, was almost more dangerous than the tree. The road was blocked. Now what? I called the non-emergency number for dispatch to report the blocked road and then redirected to the new route. I don’t know if I should have moved those blocks of wood, but moving the tree was beyond my ability. Telling someone who could find a solution was something I could do. I wonder how many people turned around without telling anyone. I wonder if anyone was on their way home or back with a chainsaw to remove the tree. I can’t assume what someone else will do, but I can let the right people know. Do you ever find roadblocks or construction in your life? Maybe your plans got changed (involuntarily). Maybe something you thought would happen at work or through work fell through. Maybe you are facing medical issues or hardships that make God’s plan look out of reach. Do we stop trying? If God closes a door, he will open another one, or at least a window to get you some fresh air while you seek God’s will. Moses was leading the army out of Egypt, but the Red Sea was before him, mountains on the side of him, and the Egyptians behind him. Pretty big roadblock, but God brought them through. King David faced a roadblock after committing adultery with Bathsheba, and he didn’t handle that one so well, but God did forgive him, when he finally repented. There was Goliath, wicked kings in Israel and Judah, captivity by enemies, and the biggest roadblock?... our sin! The Devil, the world, and our own sinful nature are trying to detour our lives, but the God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are determined to keep you on track. If you listen too closely to the world, you will not only find road work, but you will eventually hit a dead end. Who are you going to call? The only One who can help. Father, we face all sorts of detours in life, but You were already aware of them and had a way out. Give us ears to hear. Amen

Should We Forgive the Unrepentant?

This is a touchy issue on the best of days, but it is even tougher in light of what Charlie Kirk’s wife said at her husband's funeral. Erika spoke of the mission that Charlie had to reach the youth that were confused and misguided. Then she uttered the heart wrenching words, “I forgive him!” Who? She forgave the gunman that assassinated her husband because she knew he was exactly the type of person that Charlie was trying to rescue. It is hard to imagine that depth of faith and love. But how can she forgive if there is no repentance or recognition of his sin? I think the technical and theological answer is that there cannot be forgiveness of sins without repentance. We read in Luke 17, “So watch yourselves. "If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, 'I repent,' forgive him." Clearly repentance is part of God’s design. Then again, we have Jesus on the cross and Stephen when he is being stoned saying, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they are doing.” Notice he doesn’t say, “I forgive you”. He is asking the Father not to hold this against his executioners. So, was Erika Kirk wrong for forgiving the man? We have to understand that her forgiveness is different than God’s forgiveness. Her forgiveness does not absolve him from the consequence of his sin... murdering Charlie Kirk. What she is saying is that she chooses not to hold her anger, bitterness, and pain against him. She will not carry it with her as she moves on in ministry. Since the shooter has not repented, if he did shoot Charlie, he still stands guilty before the law of the land and before God. In light of this, not only do we rejoice in the example set by Erika Kirk, to not stand in judgement over the shooter, but we must pray for his soul, that he might come to faith in Jesus and have the hope of eternity that Charlie longed for them to have and that God has made available to all people by His death on the cross. He is still subject to the laws of this land. Our forgiveness is not standing in judgement over him. The laws forgiveness is freedom from consequences. God’s forgiveness, after true repentance is total spiritual freedom. Father, may we have a forgiving heart that releases our right to judge and fill our heart with love. Holy Spirit convict and restore them. Amen

Staying in Shape

Today, we had the furnace company come and inspect the furnaces and make sure that they are ready for the winter. A few days ago, it almost got up to 90 degrees (F). It is hard to start thinking about frost, cold Autumn winds, and snow. The reality is, if we don’t get ready for it now, it might not work when we need it. How well do think an athlete would do if he/she didn’t start training until the day of the race? How well do you think the military would do if they started training when they saw the enemy advancing? The need to stay in shape and tuned up is vital for most things in our world. Actually, it is no different with our faith. Do we want to start memorizing or learning God’s word after we meet someone seeking God, or should we be familiar with that word? Is it ok to wait until the Lord returns before we start entrusting our lives to Him? If a car doesn’t stay tuned, someday it will cease to work. Just because we changed oil 5,000 miles ago, doesn’t mean we will not need to keep up with the maintenance. Very few things will keep improving with time, unless you are a fine wine, which is very doubtful. God is speaking to the seven churches in the book of Revelation about their condition. Laodicea may be more like us than we would like. In Revelation 3, it says, "To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm — neither hot nor cold — I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” God declared that He knew them and they were not doing well. They had begun to trust their own ability and resources and their faith had ceased to grow. Not only didn’t it grow, it appears that it was fading. They were no longer on fire for God, but more like a smoldering fire... enough to know they are there, but not enough to be good for much of anything. The image of God spitting out the church is terrifying. The comment about wishing they were either hot or cold indicates that if we take a direction, good or bad, we can be guided. How are you doing? Father, it is terrifying to think that there will be many who will not enter Your kingdom. May Your fire burn within us. Amen