What’s in Your Heart

I washed my car yesterday and today I had a shock. As I got out of my car, I noticed a big scratch in the newly washed surface. I didn’t know if it was there before the wash and was not visible, or if someone had deliberately scratched it today. I decided to put some spit on my finger and rub the scratch to see how deep it went. To my surprise, the scratch wiped right off. There must have been some dirt or soap that dripped down the side. What a pleasant relief. Isn’t funny how much focus we put on the outward appearance. I need to clean the inside of the car, but I was concerned about the outside. When I lived in Washington state, there were many people there that were more concerned about having a beautifully landscaped exterior of the house, than having much on the inside. The saddest commentary is on people's lives that are high maintenance on the outside, but the inside is empty, or worse yet, filled with undesirable things. I can’t help but think of Samuel when he was called by God to anoint who would become the next king. He was told to go to Jesse’s place and God would show which one of his sons was to be anointed. The first son looked to be a handsome and strong warrior. Samuel was sure this was the man. God said, “No”. There were a number of other sons, and each time Samuel saw them, God said, “No”. After all the sons, God had not accepted any. Samuel asked, “Are these all your sons?” Jesse said he had one more, a young boy that was shepherding the sheep. When Samuel saw him, God said, “Yes”. God also said, “Man looks at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart”. Sometimes we are so concerned about giving a good impression (outwardly) that we forget to take care of the inside in a godly way. What is more important to you? Your physical appearance or the condition of your heart? I’ve heard there are those that spend a lot of time getting ready in the morning. I wonder how many of those spend even a fraction of that time with God in prayer, in reading the Bible, and in worship. The next time you are tempted to judge a person by their outward appearance, pause and consider what is in their heart. Some of the best people I know have a rough exterior. Father, give me eyes to truly see the people around me for who they are and not just how they look. Give me loving heart. Amen

A Good Washing

I will find out tomorrow how bad my mistake was today. I was in town and noticed how bad the dirt was building up on the back of my car. The back seems to get dirty faster than any other car I have owned. I decided to go into a car wash. That isn’t a terrible idea, except that the temperature was about 13 degrees Fahrenheit (about 10 C). When I stopped shortly after the wash, I went around the car and opened every door so that they would not freeze shut on me. When I got home, I went to open my window to get the mail, and I heard the window motor strain before finally breaking loose from the ice. The car was cleaned, but not without some difficulties. Hopefully I can get into the car tomorrow morning. The other thing is, no matter how clean it was when I left the car wash, it will be dirty as soon as I drive. There is another One in the cleaning business. His name is Jesus. He doesn’t just clean the dirt off the outside. He doesn’t just remove the stains that have contaminated the whole body. He makes us into a new creation. He is not just fixing, but restoring to its original design. Will it get dirty again? On the outside by the things we say and do. Paul talks about this in Romans where he says the things he doesn’t want to do are the very things that he does and the things he wants to do are the things that he fails to do. He starts off saying the law is spiritual and when it points out my sin, then the law good. Then he ends that section with Romans 7:20, “Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.” If I am walking by faith, the law loses its power to condemn me. That is how Paul can say it is not me that is sinning, but the sin in me. I still need to seek God for forgiveness, but by faith, I am covered in the righteousness of God. Now if I were to willfully and deliberately sin, that is a different idea, but still forgivable. In the summertime, I might choose to wash the car myself. This is not an option when it comes to sin. Only God can cleanse me from all unrighteousness. If I am able, I should seek to make restitution for my sin as a sign of my remorse. Again, it is only in Christ that we can be fully cleansed. My job is to stay out of the mud in the first place. Thank You Jesus for all that You have done for me, but especially, for nailing my sin to the cross and restoring me. Amen

Security

We have been debating going to another internet provider. Even as I sit typing this pondering, the internet keeps dropping out. Each time that happens, the internet security also stops working. When the internet comes back on, it takes a while for the security to get back up and going. It has already disconnected and connected about 7 times just in the last few minutes. Imagine owning a business and hiring security because you had some very valuable products. Every time you went to check on how the security was going, they were outside smoking and not doing rounds to make sure everything is secure. I don’t think any of us would be ok with that, even if they were family or friends. Security is not something we play around with. We want our family secure, our businesses secure, our churches secure, our possessions secure. If what we had was valuable enough, you know it would be secured as best we can. The same goes for our internet. There are too many people that want to access things on our computers, so leaving it unsecured is not a good idea. If we suspected we were being followed or someone was stalking a family member, we'd call the police immediately. So, why is it that we don’t have the same concern for our eternal security. I’m not talking about paying for a program or hiring a bodyguard, although the security I am mentioning came at a great price. Our eternal security is found when we are walking in faith and obedience. We are told that if we believe and are baptized, we will be saved. Jesus gives that security to all who have true faith in Him. It doesn’t matter who you are or where you have come from. What matters is having our complete faith in God. The internet security will fail. Thieves can find ways to break in and get possessions. No one... I repeat again, no one can take away the gift that God has poured out generously upon those who will receive it, eternal life. There is forgiveness, being clothed in the righteousness of God, the working of the Holy Spirit in us, the full armor of God, and faith. That’s what we need the most. How do we know if we have enough faith? It isn’t how much, but the genuineness of that faith. If you don’t know if your faith is genuine, ask the Holy Spirit to lead you. O Holy Spirit, there are many that say they have faith, but lack genuineness. Instill in as a deep faith in You. Amen

Weakness Equals Strength

Imagine that you are on a team that has to answer a variety of questions before the other team answers. You have control of the buzzer. Every question that is asked, you buzz in quickly but then proceed to give the wrong answer. You have someone that is very bright on your team that has known every answer so far, but you have been so wrapped up in what people think of you that it never dawned on you to seek the direction of your teammate. Even though you could have easily won the whole tournament, you end up in last place because you couldn’t accept the help of others. Now let’s translate this parable to what God desires to do. God has the answers and everything that we need, but our own selfish desire and prideful strength doesn’t leave much room for God. The end result is that we stumble and fall further than if we had simply humbled ourselves in the first place. Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 12, “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” You see, it is when I finally realize that I can’t do it, that I lean on Jesus, who grants us His strength. Paul went on to say, “When I am weak, then I am strong”. We like to rely on ourselves, even though we have proven to be a bad investment instead of entrusting ourselves to the One that knows all things. Why do we find it so hard to trust God and submit to Him. In the southeast, when there is even mention of a snowstorm, people buy bread, milk, eggs etc., leaving the shelves bare. Coincidentally, when we speak of the end times, there is silence and inaction. In light of eternity, which one should get the greater response? The Apostle Paul was a man, zealous for the Lord and yet it wasn’t until Paul was humbled on the road to Damascus that he walks in the strength of the Lord. Jacob cheats his brother out of his birthright and inheritance and then runs for his life. If he had not humbled himself before the Lord, he never would have returned to receive what was rightfully his. Have you desired to serve God, but it just seems like your wheels are spinning? Seek God and His will. Holy Spirit, I want to serve You faithfully, but I know that I cannot do it alone. Help me to readily entrust my life into Your hands. Amen

Not My Will...

We live in a time where there are about as many versions of faith as there are people. We seemed to have created God into our image. That is never a good place to be. I have seen so many that are solid, faithful people of God that seem to change their theology based on their circumstances. Instead of seeking God and asking Him how I or we can get back to where He has called us to be, we change the rules. What was unshakable, we now have found a way to justify. I ran across a great quote from George Muller, “If the Holy Spirit guides us, He will do it according to the Scriptures and never contrary to them.” The claim that I need to accept someone because that is the way they were created completely denies God’s word. We have all been born with tendencies that are out of tune with God. That is called sin. There are those that are kleptomaniacs that say they can’t help themselves and yet you and I would never give them freedom to take whatever they want. They need to find a way to control that urge. We have been created with a leaning toward sexual sin. How do I know? Scripture is filled with warnings about sexual immorality, which would not be necessary if we don’t struggle with it. Good upbringing, satisfaction in relationships with other, confidence in our own identity, and faith can go a long way to right living. The point is, no one can claim that they are free to live a life out of line with God’s word because they were born that way. That is the very reason that Jesus died on the cross. This is also why the Apostle Paul writes in Romans 12 that we to “offer our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God”. We are to submit ourselves fully to God. He goes on to say that we must keep ourselves separate from the world. Through faith, submission, and obedience to His word, the Holy Spirit will transform us by renewing our mind, strengthening our faith, and revealing His will to us. We are not to make God’s word more palatable, but rather, through the working of the Holy Spirit, obedience to His word will be our greatest goal and desire. When using my phone gps, I would never ignore a warning that a bridge is out up ahead. Why do I think it is any wiser to not follow God’s word faithfully? Father, Your word is a lamp to my feet and light to my path. Reveal Your will and desire to us each day. Amen

Bracing for the Cold

The weather predictions indicate that this coming weekend could be very cold, at least for our area. The wind chills may exceed -40 degrees Fahrenheit, which coincidentally is also -40 degrees Celsius. How does one get ready? Some make sure their vehicle is prepared in case the engine stalls or their car becomes disabled (maybe hits a deer). They make sure there is high carb food to keep the system going, extra clothing (ie. heavy coat), water, flashlight, a source of heat, etc. We can plan to only be outside for short times, if our job doesn’t require us to be out. We can dress for the weather. Some risk the elements and go on with life. Maybe they will be ok, but if things turn bad, they may be in for a world of hurt. Preparing isn’t just having some hot chocolate at home, but as mentioned above, be prepared for all things. God also tells us to be prepared... not for a snowstorm, but in our spiritual walk with Him. In 2 Timothy 4, we read, “In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage — with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine.” We know that the day will come when we will stand, or rather, fall before Jesus to be judged. We are charged to be prepared at all times. That is more than making sure the car has all the appropriate survival gear. This preparation is referring to our spirit or soul. It seems to indicate a need to be helping others to be ready as well. This is not a passive waiting, but an active preparation for us and those we meet. Peter tells us a little more specifically in 1 Peter 3, “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” We are being instructed to be prepared to defend our faith... why do we believe what we do and what difference does that make? These questions are not to be taken lightly, but they should constantly draw us back into God’s word and challenge us to put our faith into words so that others might know! Heavenly Father, there are so many things we prepare for on earth but knowing and walking with You need to be our hearts desire. Amen

Lifting Up our Voices

I have found that so many of the traditional hymns are a great source of meditation and worship. Often in the singing, we miss some of the message. I find reading each verse can bring out a deeper understanding. Many of the modern praise choruses miss the intimate connection between our praises and God’s character. Notice I didn’t say, “... what God has done.” We are not praising Him because of what He has done but praising Him for who He is. The first verse - “O worship the King all-glorious above, O gratefully sing his power and his love: our shield and defender, the Ancient of Days, pavilioned in splendor and girded with praise.” We recognize that He is powerful, loving, a fierce defender, eternal, and surrounded with praise. Praise from who? Us? Yes, but also from angels, and God’s own creation. Verse 2 - “O tell of his might and sing of his grace, whose robe is the light, whose canopy space. His chariots of wrath the deep thunderclouds form, and dark is his path on the wings of the storm.” As I praise Him, again, it is not just for what He has done, but our praise is declaring who He is. Let us declare to others our mighty God who is gracious and merciful. A picture is also painted of His wrath being compared to a thunderstorm, full of power and unstopable. Verse 3 - “Your bountiful care, what tongue can recite? It breathes in the air, it shines in the light; it streams from the hills, it descends to the plain, and sweetly distills in the dew and the rain.” God is life itself. As He watches over and cares for His creation, He watches over His children as well. Verse 4 - Frail children of dust, and feeble as frail, in you do we trust, nor find you to fail. Your mercies, how tender, how firm to the end, our Maker, Defender, Redeemer, and Friend!” Here we see our great dependence on Him. It reminds me of Ash Wednesday as we receive the sign of the cross, in ashes, on our foreheads and hear, “From dust we came. To dust we return”. Note who He is... “our Maker, Defender, Redeemer, and Friend!” The last verse - “O measureless Might, unchangeable Love, whom angels delight to worship above! Your ransomed creation, with glory ablaze, in true adoration shall sing to your praise!” Lift up holy hands to Him. Father, to You be all glory and praise. By Your word, every living thing that we see has been given life by You. Praise God! Amen

What Does It Mean to Be a Christian?

I think that when we consider that question, we tend to go to what we do instead of who we are. What do I mean by this? Well, our worldly standard is based on how well we perform in given circumstances. When it comes to faith, that would then indicate we are banking on our works and not our faith. If you take your car into the shop and ask if the mechanic is good, he will most likely not point you towards his certificates on the wall but rather point to his success in fixing cars. For a Christian to focus on what they do instead of who they are, is like the mechanic pointing to the wall. I know some mechanic that didn’t do all that well in school but can take a car apart and put it back together like it is child’s play. What we do is a response to what God has already done for us and in us. Someone can be loving, forgiving, kind, and caring and still not believe in Jesus Christ. I guess that gives away what a Christian is... one who believes and models their life after Him. A Christian is defined by their faith in Christ. If I love God, I will be loving, forgiving, kind, and caring. A Christian is not someone who is perfect but rather is a forgiven sinner that has submitted to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. We carry in our bodies the death of Jesus Christ, therefore living our life fully in and through Him, who is Lord of all things. A true Christian may plan for, but is not concerned about, what the future holds because we know that it is God who holds the future. In God’s eyes a Christian is holy, clothed in the righteousness of Christ. We have died to our own sinful self so as to rise to the newness of life through the saving work of our Savior, Jesus. We understand Paul’s words that, “to live is Christ... to die is gain”. Each moment we have been given here is an opportunity to serve God, and when our last day on earth is over, we begin that eternity in heaven. So, I am a Christian because I have submitted myself to Christ, am born again, and live under the headship of Christ, and not under the law that convicts humanity. As the Apostle Paul says, “I am saved by grace through faith in Christ, not by works lest any man boasts”. If I am saved, then James’ words help, “Faith without works is dead!” Lord, help me first and foremost to have my hope in You, and You alone. Then lead me to faithful works in Your name. Amen

Deeply Challenged

Every now and then someone comes up with unique idea or a specific take on how to do something that really catches my attention. There are many times, when I am reading God’s word, that something strikes me in a new way. Today, I heard something that I knew... something that should be common sense... something every believer should be doing, but most are falling way short. It was a woman in her twenties that was claiming that she didn’t believe that Christianity was real. That got my attention and put my defenses up. The person she was talking began to disagree with her, but she went on. She said if there really was a God, and if not believing in Him would condemn someone to Hell, and believing in Him opened the gates of heaven (my interpretation of what she said), why aren’t they going to their friends house at three in the morning, getting right in their face and saying, “You have to believe in Jesus or you are going to go to Hell”. I don’t know that this would be the best evangelistic model, but it shook me to the core. If we believe that Jesus is the only way, shouldn’t we be pressing those we know to reconsider their faith choices, or lack thereof. I know that every case is different, but I think this young woman has a very real point, and I think many churches and members are failing badly. She said her grandma believed because she calls her every night, telling her that she is praying for her and really wants her to know Jesus, since that is her only hope. At the very least we can be praying fervently for the lost. We can be sending them encouraging messages or articles that we have read that encourage us in faith. Maybe it is time to make a list of those that we know that don’t know Jesus or that we may not be sure of their eternal life. Now is not a time to protect our family and friends. Just because they are friends or we are related doesn’t automatically make them believers. Encourage them in faith. If they believe, they will rejoice in that. If they are not believers, they desperately need what we offer, Jesus Christ. I’ve preached on this before, but when a twenty something person states that Christians don’t believe because they remain silent, I must listen. Holy Spirit, open my eyes to see the people around me that don’t believe or those that need an extra encouragement. Amen Every now and then someone comes up with unique idea or a specific take on how to do something that really catches my attention. There are many times, when I am reading God’s word, that something strikes me in a new way. Today, I heard something that I knew... something that should be common sense... something every believer should be doing, but most are falling way short. It was a woman in her twenties that was claiming that she didn’t believe that Christianity was real. That got my attention and put my defenses up. The person she was talking began to disagree with her, but she went on. She said if there really was a God, and if not believing in Him would condemn someone to Hell, and believing in Him opened the gates of heaven (my interpretation of what she said), why aren’t they going to their friends house at three in the morning, getting right in their face and saying, “You have to believe in Jesus or you are going to go to Hell”. I don’t know that this would be the best evangelistic model, but it shook me to the core. If we believe that Jesus is the only way, shouldn’t we be pressing those we know to reconsider their faith choices, or lack thereof. I know that every case is different, but I think this young woman has a very real point, and I think many churches and members are failing badly. She said her grandma believed because she calls her every night, telling her that she is praying for her and really wants her to know Jesus, since that is her only hope. At the very least we can be praying fervently for the lost. We can be sending them encouraging messages or articles that we have read that encourage us in faith. Maybe it is time to make a list of those that we know that don’t know Jesus or that we may not be sure of their eternal life. Now is not a time to protect our family and friends. Just because they are friends or we are related doesn’t automatically make them believers. Encourage them in faith. If they believe, they will rejoice in that. If they are not believers, they desperately need what we offer, Jesus Christ. I’ve preached on this before, but when a twenty something person states that Christians don’t believe because they remain silent, I must listen. Holy Spirit, open my eyes to see the people around me that don’t believe or those that need an extra encouragement. Amen

Seeking Easy Solutions

We live in a time and place where people work harder to find easy solutions than they work on simply doing what is right. I drive along the highway and see so many signs that are lawyers looking to get you the most possible money in an accident or the like. Now some may really need that help and have been truly wronged, but many just see dollar signs and are looking for ways to cash in. I’ve seen some that have done something wrong, and instead of ‘fessing up, they create an elaborate lie to explain away what happened. We see those in Minnesota that appear to have been taking advantage of many of its people by stealing billions of dollars (fraud). Always looking for the easy solution and hoping never to get caught. We can also be guilty of that in our own walk with God. We try to come up with the solutions by our own ability instead of seeking God’s direction. We want to see someone healed? We look to Doctors. We want to be successful? We seek earthly riches. It is amazing the length people are willing to go to achieve what they want instead of asking God. I ran across a great quote, “The shortest distance between a problem and a solution is the distance between your knees and the floor”. We try to seek out the right program to attract more people. We try to imitate other big or successful churches rather than imitate the One who can truly build a church that is life changing. The real solution, and often the easiest solution, is to fall on our knees before God seeking His face and His direction. If I build a beautiful large and ornate church, but the Holy Spirit is not present at the heart of it, it might end up being a great country club. If I am led by God to start a small church in our home, even if it never grows into a mega-church, I know it will achieve what God intends. Lives will be changed, hearts will be surrendered to God, and God’s word will get planted in the hearts of the listeners. A few people fully surrendered to God can accomplish more than a mega-church that is operating off of earthly principals. Let us be praying together for God to open our eyes and our heart to His leading. Pray that God would draw many to Himself and that He would lead us according to His will! Father, In Your prayer, we pray, “Thy will be done...” and yet we often don’t live that out. Show us how we can declare Your praise. Amen

They Don’t Need My Help

It is amazing how many people think that because they are not a big shot, a CEO, or someone of influence, that they have not power. When you see a littered road, realize that the junk wasn’t thrown there all at once. It got there a little at a time. You may look at your gifts and abilities and conclude that you are of no use in the kingdom of God. I remember a woman from our congregation that went down south after a hurricane to help build things up again. She couldn’t swing a hammer... actually, she probably could if she had wanted, but she was a wonderful cook. There were quite a few people in the kitchen cooking. They were from a background known for great cooking. To make a long story short, they ran out of a mix for making biscuits. Surprisingly, no one had a recipe for homemade biscuits except for the lady from our church. She saved the day. She didn’t have any supernatural gift... at least not showing, but she used what she had and made a lot of workers very happy. The thing that got me thinking about all this is that some of the warning lights came up on our vehicle dash. I thought I knew what it was but didn’t have the capability to fix it. I took the vehicle in, had it tested, and sure enough, there was one small part that wasn’t working. The failure of that one part put the whole vehicle at risk. One small part not working can bring things to a halt. Also, one small thing that is working well can save the day. Have you ever expected someone else to pick up the pieces because you didn’t feel like you would make a difference? Have you ever avoided certain jobs and responsibilities because you thought your skills weren’t amazing enough? That action can literally bring the whole body of Christ to its knees. If you are shut in, you can pray or write letters of encouragement. If you are wheelchair bound, you can do handwork, crafts, writing, and phone calls. If you have an injury, figure out what you can still do and do it well. Our part may seem insignificant on its own, but the body of Christ needs you. Try making a milkshake without ice cream. You end up with just flavored milk. Pray for gifts to use to glorify God. Pray for wisdom to know how to use the gifts and talents that God has given you to serve Him. Father, You have a plan for each one of us. Help us to understand what our gifts are and how to use them to honor You. Amen

Anticipating and Not Just Doing

I remember years ago, when I was in a community theater, I was more focused on knowing what I should do than I was paying attention to what was really happening. I was playing the son of one of the characters. A stagehand pushed me out to do my part. It was actually too early. I didn’t know what to do, so I was just standing there. Fortunately, my “father” realized what was happening and he asked me if I had gotten my chores done. I looked blankly at him. Then he told me to go back to my room and finish my chores. I only knew enough to accomplish what I had memorized, but I was unable to adapt to a setting that I had not trained for. I was young, but I still should have known better. I think that sometimes as Christians, we may know what the word says, but we have no idea how to put it into practice when we speak with others. I have actually run into a number of Jehovah’s Witnesses, whose Bible is a bad translation, that have studied the part they want to tell you. They are prepared for many of the normal questions that might come up. If, however, the conversation goes outside of that which they have prepared for, they often fumble with their words or come up with something that is not part of their normal teaching. Again, many of them are only able to work with what they had specifically trained for. We need to keep learning about what God’s word says, but we also need to be putting it into practice. More than memorizing a section, we need to know how all the pieces fit together. Knowing and living out that word are two totally different things. It’s like being in a theater production, knowing your line, but not listening to know how it all gets put together. When asked a serious question, we need to give that our attention. If we can answer or put it in context, that is good. If we are not sure, instead of guessing, we need to tell them we will do some research, find out, and then come back and share what we find. That pushes us to dig deeper, ask others for help, and get a chance to share a little longer. Keeping reading? Yes! Keep sharing what we learn with others? Yes! Admit when a question is stumping us? Yes... and make sure to find answers. Pay attention to where others are coming from! Father, Give me wisdom as I have devotions and dig deeper in Your word. Show me how to share my faith with others. Amen

No Difference

I have watched a number of movies over the last few months and one of the themes that seems to have come up more and more is that of a double standard. What do I mean by that? One character is treated unfairly. When they finally get called out on it and find out who they were mistreating, their answer is always the same... If I knew who it was, I would not have done anything. The reality is that it shouldn’t matter who it is, for we should treat everyone equally. God tells us that for those who have faith in Christ there is no difference. Galatians 3 states, “You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” The body of Christ is made up of all kinds of people from different races, economic backgrounds, and education levels. The church is likely living in sin if they are ok with any division of true believers other than that of non-Christian faith. As a matter of fact, Hebrews tells us that as we faithfully serve God, we may actually be encountering angels. We see that in Hebrews 13, “Keep on loving each other as brothers. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.” I think that many American believers have become too selective when it comes to who we evangelize and who sits with us in church. I remember the story of a poor man entering a well-to-do church one Easter. The church was full as the man searched for a place to sit. The congregation was feeling uncomfortable and wishing the ushers would remove that man. The congregation was horrified when that young man sat on the floor near the front. An older, well-respected usher walked toward this poor gentleman. The congregation gave a sigh of relief believing the problem would be dealt with. This is when the usher did the unexpected. He paused by this young man and then sat down beside him. This should be a picture of the church. All are welcome here! Father, we sure mess things up. Help us to be less concerned about who comes and more concerned that all come. Amen

John the Baptist

We know so much about him and yet we hardly know anything. He was prophesied to prepare the way for the Messiah and yet many thought he might have been the Messiah. He was preparing the way for the King of kings and yet he was about as far from a palace as one can get. He said that he wouldn’t have known who Jesus was if the Holy Spirit had not landed on Him as a dove and yet both John and Jesus’ moms had spent three months together when they were pregnant. John helped people to hunger spiritually for righteousness by calling them to repent while John’s physical food locust and wild honey. John knew how to prepare the people for the Messiah while not really understanding who the Messiah would be. What was Johns most revealing statement about Jesus? “Behold, the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world”. People were generally not called lambs. That has its roots in the sacrificial system and in the keeping of the Passover where a lamb was slaughtered so that the angel of death might pass over God’s people. John the Baptist points to Jesus’ ultimate calling. “The lamb who takes away the sin of the world” points to what the people would consider impossible. No one except God alone had the power to forgive sin and yet John says Jesus is that person... pointing us to what would take place on the cross. John the Baptist called for people to repent while Jesus was going to cleanse the whole body from all unrighteousness. John the Baptist was killed for condemning Herod for marrying his brother’s wife, while Jesus died at the hands of those He was trying to save. When Jesus’ ministry began to flourish, John was trying to remove himself from the public eye so that Jesus might have full attention put on Him. Both Jesus and John were miracle children as one (John) was born of a barren woman long past her childbearing age while the other was a virgin when she gave birth. Both were announced by angels. Both knew God’s plan. Both ministered to all people, including the worst, tax collectors, while the Pharisees and teachers of the law failed to recognize God. John had no gifts or stature that enabled him to serve, and yet he served faithfully, even to the point of death. How about you? Lord, Help us, like John, to call people to repentance and back to You. Help us to be faithful to Your call. Amen

Life and Death

Today, I went to a funeral and also a birthday party. Actually, the funeral was a celebration of life that looked back at the life that this man had lived and how he touched so many lives. One might say it was a remembrance of him sprinkled with Scriptures. The other one, the birthday, was also a celebration of life. The difference was that at the birthday, the one being celebrated was a living being. Some would see death as the end and the birthday was still on the road. The reality is, that if the one that dies is walking with God by faith, it is actually the beginning of life... a life with the Father for all eternity. Interesting how that works. The birthday that celebrates life here has a number that signifies the years of life. In heaven, I don’t believe we will be celebrating birthday, for life will be eternal. There is no need to celebrate the years given, for the years will never end when in eternity, whether in heaven or in hell. As Christians, we live each day, longing for that day that God calls us home, either in death or when Jesus returns. When we die, if we have that living faith, it is when our eternity begins. We read Paul’s thoughts on death in Philippians 1:20-26, “I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.” Whether celebration our life here or look at our celebration of life in heaven, it will be glorious. Do I miss many that have gone into the Kingdom of Glory already? Terribly at times. Do I ever wish that they could come back to me here. Absolutely not. Why? Why would I want to take somebody away from God’s presence to satisfy my longings? Instead, I long to join them some day. Father, fill us with faith for our walk here on earth and with a desire to join all the saints in Your Heavenly Kingdom. Amen

Small But Powerful

As I sit here pondering, my wrist is itching pretty badly. It doesn’t hurt, but it sure is annoying. It is amazing how such a small itch can seem to infiltrate every part of the body. I’m not going to say that I would rather have pain, because I have been there, but a small itch can change everything. Jesus was talking about if we had the faith the size of a mustard seed, that we could tell the mountain to be thrown into the sea and it would obey. I fear we often think that if we are going to be saved, we must know all about the Bible and have done many great works before we can even have a little hope of entering eternity. Why does Jesus think that such a small amount of faith can make such a big difference? Just like that itch, it doesn’t take much faith to transform even the greatest of sinners. This faith isn’t just speaking of knowing God, but rather a genuine hope in Christ. Even if the faith is young or not very strong, if our hearts are submitted to God, He can use that to change us. Our first love is often one that is overwhelming because of our emotions. Just like life's first love, we feel that we can conquer everything. With faith, this is true, but there is often a time of maturity that takes that initial excitement and turns it into a deep intimate love. It is no longer based on feelings, but on the knowledge the Holy Spirit gives and through daily obedience. Going back to faith the size of a mustard seed. Though it is a very tiny seed, it produces a small tree that even the birds can roost in. That is a true comparison of our faith. Even though it may start off small, it is not based on our efforts, but that the Holy Spirit can cause it to grow and bear much fruit. Can we really move a mountain. With God all things are possible, but it is not a power by which we test God. It is the Holy Spirit, not us, that does these things, and true faith would only desire to move mountains if it was beneficial to God’s people. The parting of the Red Sea is a great example of that. Instead of focusing on whether the mountain can be moved, we need to understand that God is telling His faithful people that He can do more through us than we could possibly imagine. The next time we feel that there is no way out, begin praying earnestly for God’s great solution. Father, remind me that I don’t need to know all the answers, but rather to know the one who has all the answers. Amen

Be Cautious of False Teachers

I have recently been watching someone on the internet that is trying to explain some of the harder or awkward passages. He pretends that he is having a conversation with the Apostle Paul about what he had written. There were a few that intrigued me and made we me want to go back to some of the Greek. Then I ran across a few of his theological explanations that left me feeling very nervous. One particular one was concerning divorce. It isn’t a topic we like to discuss, and I know that there are many that want remarriage but wonder what God’s word says concerning that. The one explaining rightly said that there was a time where divorce was far too easy. A wife could be divorced for simply burning the meal. He then tried to explain that when God was talking about people not getting divorced was simply to protect the women from being mistreated. He made it sound like divorce wasn’t a big deal and seemed to indicate that we shouldn’t be so concerned about it. The problem is that God said, in the Old Testament, that He hates divorce. We read in Matthew 19, “Jesus replied, ‘Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning...’ There is a big difference between what God allowed and what was God’s design. Divorce was not in God’s design. Then, there are only a few reasons in the New Testament when divorce is allowed... not required. These reasons are for marital unfaithfulness and if an unbelieving spouse walks away. It isn’t stated in the Bible, but I would really struggle to think that God would be ok with an abusive relationship. Note that walking away from a marriage is different than divorce, and a long way from remarriage. God tells us earlier in Matthew 19, “...at the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female,' and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh'? So, they are no longer two, but one. Therefore, what God has joined together, let man not separate." To say divorce is acceptable is to deny God’s word. Be careful of false teachers who tell people what their itching ears want to hear. We live by God’s truth, not loopholes. Father, You have given us marriage as a wonderful bond between a man and woman. Draw the husband and wife closer to You. Amen

The Majesty of God

Tonight was meant to be an amazing night of beauty in the sky. The moon was supposed to be full and the closest to the earth that it gets. On top of that, there were meant to be “shooting stars” of sorts streaking across the sky. What a majestic sight that must be. The only problem is that we have cloud cover, and I can’t see any of it. It doesn’t matter that the majesty is around us if we are unable to see. What prevents that vision when it comes to God’s majesty. I think about the times that God’s majesty was on display, but some missed it. When Moses went up on Mount Sinai to receive the 10 Commandments, he communed with God for 40 days. God’s people, at the bottom of the mountain, were terrified because they saw what was described as a consuming fire. One feared and turned idols, worshiping a golden calf, while the other fellowshipped with God and received His commands. When Jesus was baptized, it seems that some heard thunder, while others saw the Spirit descend on Jesus like a dove and heard the voice of the Heavenly Father. On the day of Pentecost, when the Spirit of God was poured out upon the disciples, He pushed them to declare the Gospel. Some heard the message in their own language (there were at least 15 language groups present) while others heard what would appear to be gibberish because they thought they were drunk men. Even though everyone was at the same events, it appears that they didn’t experience the same presence of God. God is still present in the world and in our lives today, but I fear that many are unable to enter into His presence. I think much of our worship, private and public, has become sterile or clinical. We are doing the right outward actions, but we are either not fully engaged or have pushed the Spirit of God away. Worship often becomes dry and boring when God created it to be vibrant and engaging. Do we truly seek God and His will or are we seeking to accomplish our duty? I think too often we experience a dry and barren spiritual life because we find ourselves just going through the motions. We need to allow the Holy Spirit to stir our faith, trust in the truth and promises of God’s word, and experience the streams in the desert that cause life to burst forth. Father, I don’t want to be a Christian by name alone. I want to fear, love, and trust You above all else. Amen

How Should We Address God?

There were times as I was growing up, that other kids called me names. Some were just nicknames, some were meant to embarrass me, and sometimes they were positive names that were encouraging. Most of us have been called names other than the one we were given at birth. So, what names are we meant to use for God? The answer most of us would think about is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit... and Jesus. Actually, there are over 200 different names given for God? Really? Why so many? Well, just as I was called names based on how other kids felt or based on things I have done or was doing, God has names that also identify who He is. Do we have to memorize them all? No. Are there any others that are not listed in the Bible? That’s up to you. Can we give God whatever name we want? No. The names must fit His character and the limitations we have in Scripture. Let me explain. We are told God is our Rock. That doesn’t describe a physical attribute, but that He is a solid foundation on which we can build our lives. God is our Savior... that is, He is able to rescue us from the Devil, but equally important, He can save us from our sin. His name is Comforter. That doesn’t mean He is a nice warm blanket of sorts but rather in the midst of struggles and trials, if we are trusting Him, we will find rest for our soul. He is Mighty to Save. There is no force or living being that can win the victory over God and so we can, by faith, know His powerful arms around us is more than enough. He is Friend of Sinners (who believe) for He doesn’t reject us for or failures and weaknesses but wants to help us know His great love. He is Jehovah Jirah, our provider, who is not limited in any way. He is the Wisdom of the Ages, and in so knowing, we seek to understand His word. He is the Light of the World, Shepherd of His sheep (us), He is Truth, He is Love, He is Judge, He is Merciful, He is Righteous, and the list goes on. The purpose for all these names is so that, no matter what we are going through, there is a name that reflects how God is our All in All. When sick, pray to the Physician. When struggling with pride, it is good to be reminded that He is our Master. The name reflects God’s power. Almighty God, Help us to grow in our understanding of You and desire a greater intimacy through faith. Come, Lord Jesus. Amen

Another Year

I remember when a year took forever to complete. I couldn’t wait for school vacation, but the clock and calendar seemed to drag their feet. Now, I need hydraulic brakes to try slowing time down. It seems like yesterday that I was mowing the lawn and now I’m worried about getting stuck in the snow. Time may seem to change, but what we do with it is what matters. New Years resolutions usually are broken by the second or third week, or maybe day, of the year. So, why do we make such a big deal about a new year? It gives us a reset. We can make a new start, new goals, and a new approach. It is a reminder not to spend all our time looking back, but looking forward to what God is calling us to do. How do we know what that is? Pray that God would reveal that to you... in His word, through what others might say, and that God would impress it upon our hearts. I want to share a hymn we always sing on New Years Eve.

Another Year Is Dawning

1 Another year is dawning: Dear Father, let it be,

In working or in waiting, Another year with Thee;

Another year of progress, Another year of praise,

Another year of proving Thy presence all the days.

2 Another year of mercies, Of faithfulness and grace;

Another year of gladness In the shining of Thy face;

Another year of leaning Upon Thy loving breast;

Another year of trusting, Of quiet, happy rest.

3 Another year of service, Of witness for Thy love;

Another year of training For holier work above.

Another year is dawning: Dear Father, let it be,

On earth or else in heaven, Another year for Thee.

You have been given another year. What will you do with it? Are you the number one investment, or are you going to invest in a deeper relationship with God? Father, as we enter this new year, we need You to be Lord of our lives, our church, and our nations. Amen