Rejected

We were in town today and realized that we needed to get gas. I put our credit card into the gas pump so that I could start pumping. When I tried to pull the card out, it would not budge. It locked me out and kept the card. I went into the station and asked what was going on. She hit a few buttons and said it should be fine. When I got back to the pump, it was still locked. I went back into the station. The clerk went back and reset the pump I was at. She told me it should be fine, but that I should try using a different pump. So I did. I went about as far away from the original pump as I could and.... it locked up on me again. I went back in yet again and asked if others were having problems too. She replied, "No. Only you”. I guess I was special or unique, but I didn’t want to be. I was rejected... multiple times. I didn’t want to get locked out yet again, so we went to a different station and then it worked. It doesn’t feel good to be rejected, even if it is just a credit card that wasn’t accepted. As I pondered a little more, I recalled times in elementary school and junior high where I was rejected there. Most of the time it wasn’t vicious. I’ve seen that happen and it is appalling. It is just the idea of being on the outside looking in... not fitting in well... treated differently... isolated. As a Christian, God tells us that we will be rejected by the world because of our faith. I believe that deep down, the world knows there is a God, but they don’t want to have to submit to Him or they want to change Him so that He supports their world view. It doesn’t work that way. We are a reminder of who God is, especially if we are faithfully living that faith in a way that the world sees. In school, I was rejected at times because I didn’t quite fit in. The world will reject us because of what we believe, what we say, and how we live our lives. There are times when the “world” rejects us that we need to continue to stand firm. There are other times that God places a desire in our hearts to continue to reach out. There are many missionaries that have been rejected over and over again, but they keep standing firm. There are some that were killed for their refusal to blend in. We are not to give up when rejected, but we are to try, try, try again with God’s help. Father, Forgive me for the times I have given up on those that haven’t accepted me/You. Prepare us for service. Amen

Low Visibility

Quite a few days ago, I noticed a smudge on my glasses. For those that don't wear glasses, it can be very distracting and can keep one from focusing clearly. I thought, as soon as I get home, I’ll get them cleaned. Then another day passed. I’d notice it when I was in my office doing things, like now, but I would often take my glasses off and then forget about it. Now I sit here again, knowing that my glasses have gone beyond a smudge. I know that it is affecting what I am able to see and focus on, and yet I haven’t had them cleaned yet. Why wouldn’t I just get up, go to the sink, and get them washed. Why do I allow things to get worse when clearing up the vision is so easy. Now that I put it that way, it does seem foolish. So that you know, I am leaving right now to get them washed. I will return in a few minutes. I want to see clearly... I am back from the kitchen... a second time. I told my wife I needed to wash my glasses and went to the sink. Realized I forgot to take some medicine, made a cup of coffee, came back into the office and realized I hadn’t washed my glasses. I’m sure others can relate. Why did I waste your time talking about cleaning my glasses? I want to talk about spiritual vision. Without Christ and the working of the Holy Spirit, my ability and desire to know Jesus would be clouded, like my vision was. Sin smudges that vision. The Devil distracts us from seeing what we need to get done. Our own sinful desires keep us from removing the worldly film that covers our vision. Our God is able to give us 20/20 spiritual vision. The longer we go without Christ, the dimmer our vision gets... spiritual cataracts. God doesn’t normally correct our vision by giving us glasses. He corrects the vision completely. They say carrots help with vision in the physical realm. God’s word, the Holy Spirit, and faith improves our spiritual vision. Just as my glasses got smudged and blurry a little at a time, our faith often weakens a little at a time too. We stop going to church... we start watching or reading material that is ungodly or unproductive... we stop reading God’s word, praying, or seeking God... and so the vision weakens. Pray for a deep faith, spiritual eyes to see, and a heart to serve God. Father, help us to see the things that cause our faith to weaken. Help us to keep our eyes focused on You. Open our eyes, Lord. Amen

What Happens After Death?

The world we live in is so filled with technology, science, and modern conveniences that we seldom think seriously about tomorrow... meaning after life on earth ends. So often life is comfortable and we can figure out ways of surviving. The question then is, “What happens when we take our last breath? What happens to all the possessions we may have?” Jesus told a parable of a rich man who had an abundant crop. Instead of sharing from his abundance, he says in Luke 12, “...'This is what I'll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I'll say to myself, "’You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry." ' "But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?' "This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God." Jesus makes it clear that we can’t take it with us, and no matter how much we own, it will not help with eternity. The rich man used what he had for his own comforts with no thought of others. The haunting words are, "This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God.” What we have and “enjoy” on earth is a spec of time compared with eternity. What does it mean to be rich toward God? It is the opposite to storing up things for us. It is investing in God, walking in faith, and being obedient to His will. The Bible says that faith in God is the only way to inherit salvation. I understand that there are those that have lost loved ones that may not know if they had faith in God. That can be heart breaking. We want to find someone who will say everything will be ok, but there are some cases we will never know. If everyone that was “nice” makes it to heaven, then it would appear Jesus death and resurrection were not necessary... but it was necessary. If we don’t understand that many will not enter heaven, we will not take our own faith seriously. We can’t change another’s heart, but we can grow in our Christian faith. May you find rest and assurance in knowing the Savior. Father, there are so many that don’t know You or haven’t fully committed to You. Change our hearts and turn us to You. Amen

Unexpected News

Life is full of unexpected surprises... some are good and some not so fun. I remember when I was in the hospital during Covid, I was waiting to hear those beautiful words, you can go home today. I expected a couple of days and then a trip home. One day extended t o two, and then four, and so on. In hindsight, I am very glad they didn’t release me when I wanted to go. I don’t think it would have ended well. Even in ICU, they gave me an extra day because once I transferred out, there wouldn’t have been room to return. What seems excessive at the time was needed for rest and care. I thought I was fine going home (on oxygen), but the power went off on the first night and I realized that a few days earlier, I might not have done well with it. Once home, it took a while to get my stamina going again, but I was finally ready to begin true recovery. I have visited many that have had similar experiences with different diagnosise' and obstacles, but sometimes the delay in release is what is needed. When we receive that news, it is a shock to the system, but often, over time, we recognized the wisdom in waiting. God doesn’t always give us the answers that we want. The Apostle Paul wanted to go east into Asia, but God had a different plan for him. The Apostle Paul accepted God’s plan. His ministry, by the power of the Holy Spirit, was powerful. Who knows what would have happened if he had gone east. Jonah, on the other hand tried to run away from God’s call and he faced some discipline but finally did as he was commanded and Nineveh was saved. What do you do with unexpected surprises when they are not what you had wanted or expected? Do you run like Jonah or are you obedient like the Apostle Paul? Just like the patient must wait patiently for the doctor, the therapist, or other specialist to tell them they can go home, so we, must be equally patient as we seek His face and direction. We may long to have earthly comforts, but there may be things God needs to work in us and things He has called us to accomplish that are a priority. God knows our longings better than we do, but we have been called first to serve Him. Do you pray for God’s leading? Will you stay on task serving? Father, wherever You call us to go, You also enable us to accomplish that task. Keep us focused on You and Your leading. Amen

The Law

I was on my way into town to visit someone at the hospital. A car passed me, which was fine, but then just a few minutes later puts on his turn indicator to make a turn. My first thought was, why did he pass me if he was going to turn so quickly ahead of me. I was going to try to pass him as he was turning. I looked behind me to see if anyone else was coming and there are flashing red and blue lights. I was concerned with what I thought was a rude car in front of me while failing to know my own surroundings. Ironically, after the visit at the hospital, I was going to go to a local fund raiser that supports our area law enforcement. People have different ideas of law enforcement and I understand that there are places overseas that are notorious for corrupt law enforcement. In the USA, my experience has been that the vast majority of them definitely help to keep law and order. Many of the issues I have seen in the news center around people that were resisting or being disrespectful to the law. In areas where cities have tried to remove or greatly reduce law enforcement, the crime and violence has gone up. The truth is, without that enforcement, we would see great chaos and find the battle belongs to the wicked and most conniving. Law is a necessary thing for a civilized society because there will always be law-breakers. The Bible is clear about there being lawbreakers... that is the whole purpose of the law... to create boundaries that deter the wicked and produce safe and peaceful neighborhoods. The purpose of the law is not designed to punish people, but to attempt to encourage everyone to follow a standard where all can prosper. Likewise, God’s law was never made to hold back or punish His people, but to define the boundaries that were safe to operate within from the boundaries that lead to destruction. God doesn’t chase us down with squad cars or force us to pay fines. Breaking God’s law brings eternal condemnation. However, Romans 3 tells believers, our righteousness has been secured. “Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? On that of observing the law? No, but on that of faith. For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law.” Father, we keep wanting to feel we somehow helped with our salvation, but clearly we are saved by faith and not our works. Thank You. Amen

Who’s the Driver?

I was in town today and saw a couple pull into a fast food location. I didn’t notice who drove, but the young woman took control of the situation. She knew what she wanted to eat and drink. She chose not to stay there, but to eat in the car. I looked around the small parking lot a figured they had the big pick up truck. As she took control of everything else, I knew that she would also be the driver, but I was wrong... sort of. She walked right to the passenger side and climbed in, waiting for him to catch up so that they could go. As he got in, I could see that she was continuing to take control and decide what they would be doing. He seemed to gladly follow, but even though he was in the drivers seat, I don’t think he was really driving. I’m not making a statement of what the man and woman should be doing. They both looked content and it worked for them. I was struck by the fact that even though he had the big “macho” truck, she was the one that seemed to drive (direct which way the truck was going to go). The passenger, male or female, should not be calling the shots when it comes to driving. The driver is solely responsible for what happens when behind the wheel. If anything goes wrong, it is the driver that gets blamed. I’m sure you have all heard the quip, “If Jesus is your co-pilot, He is in the wrong seat!” I was reminded that even though many Christians claim to be surrendered to God, they often try to drive from the passenger seat. When they pray, sometimes they have already figured out how God should answer. We are more likely to bring our requests to God rather than consider what other things should be lifted up to HIm. We seek to accomplish our goals while ignoring what God’s word calls us to do... make disciples by going, baptizing, and teaching others to obey the Word. God says, “Be still and know that I am God”, but the whole time we are still, we are thinking about what we should be doing, instead of praising and worshiping our king, our redeemer, and our hope. I’m not going to ask you if you are a back-seat driver, but I would like to know what seat God is in? If you have surrendered the driver's seat, do you let God lead, or are you trying to get God to do what you want Him to. Lord, the world is telling us that we need to look out for number one, which is us. God, help us to deny ourselves and follow you. Amen.

Priceless Treasure

The world is filled with people that are searching for a priceless treasure, assuming their life will then be complete. People pan for gold, hoping to find a big nugget that will make them rich. Some use metal detectors, hoping to find something of great value in the soil or sand. Some go to garage sales and private sales, finding things that they can resell at a profit, hoping to find something no one else recognized the value of. The funny thing is that a lot of people that find this great treasure end up not selling it, but keeping it for their own pleasure, gaining them no financial benefit, only selfish pride. It has always amazed me that with all the valuable things found at garage sales and auctions, the owners don’t realize their value... an old picture, a book, an old toy etc. It is strange how those searching are willing to give up everything else for what they see is of value. If you find a violin of great value, but you don’t play, how can the world enjoy what makes it priceless. Some of the things that people that are willing to pay a price for, seem unimportant to me. They say the beauty, or in this case, the value is in the eye of the beholder. There is one thing that is worth more than all the money in the world that many people fail to recognize. One of the Bible readings for this Sunday is from Matthew 13. It is talking about those who recognized the value God’s heavenly kingdom. There are several parables that say “The Kingdom of heaven is like...” a treasure in a field or a pearl of great value. The one who discovers it is willing to sell everything in order to gain this treasure. The third parable speaks of separating the good and the bad... the righteous and the wicked. The wicked will be thrown into the fiery furnace at the end of time. I have to ask this question, “Of what value is the kingdom of heaven to you?” According to God’s word, the way to enter the kingdom of God is by grace through faith in Christ. It is not by works or choice, but by a relationship through faith in God. Are you willing to give up everything, and by so doing, profess that Jesus is the only way? God may not call you to give up everything... finances, home, material things, reputation, security, etc., but He wants to have all of us. Father, help is first to walk with You through faith, then to recognize what is truly important, and lastly to surrender our all to You. Amen

Diamond in the Rough

My mom has downsized her living space. She has had to downsize quite a few times over the last ten years. Each time she moves, there are more items that need a new home...some with precious memories and use have found their way into the homes of her kids. I have a coffee table that was cut from a tree in Papua New Guinea, where I grew up. That’s not the most interesting part of this piece of furniture. The wood is called Rain Tree, but most of the natives consider it garbage wood. It is so soft that they can’t carve it. It has no value for burning. A tree would fall, and with all the humidity of a tropical climate, it would begin to deteriorate fairly quickly. This is why this table is of such great value to me. Someone figured out that if you cut the trunk and large branches at an exact angle, this garbage actually had some holding power. It would be cut, sanded, and varnished well. Three legs are screwed onto the bottom, and it ends up being one of the most beautiful coffee tables I have seen. Imagine... taking something that the professionals of the world thinks is garbage and turning it into a masterpiece. It’s a miracle. Likewise, if you have submitted to God and walk by faith, you also are that miracle. What do I mean? God’s design was that you live in perfect unity and harmony with God, free from sin and un-effected by sin. But instead, because of what Adam and Eve did by sinning in the garden, you were born in sin... garbage, refuse, and of no heavenly value. Then along came the Master who knew just what to do to make that sinful life good again. How? By removing our debt so that we no longer belonged to Satan. Through God's forgiveness, you not only have purpose, but you are a master -piece, created to glorify God. As the cut lumber was varnished to protect the wood and bring out its natural beauty, so in Christ, you have been made new. When you came to Him in faith, He covered you in His blood which brings out your true beauty... righteousness, Holiness, and true freedom. Praise God! Just as I don’t need to keep varnishing the wood, Jesus doesn’t need to keep being sacrificed. Let your beauty shine so the world might see Jesus in you. Father, thank You for sending Jesus to rescue us. Help us understand that is not by our might or power, but by Your Spirt we are saved. Amen

We’re Not All That!

My wife and I were trying to enjoy a meal today, but there were two gentlemen nearby having a conversation. I tried not to listen in, but they were fairly loud and every now and then it just caught me off guard. They were young enough that they probably could still played some sports, but I am guessing nowhere near as well as they once did (at least not without getting injuries). The way the one many in particular talked, they sounded like a group of young kids trying desperately to make people believe they were more than they were. The one spoke of how well he played basketball. Maybe he was good. He actually criticized the professional players saying that they weren’t playing that well. He actually declared that he was better than the professionals and then proceeded to describe how well he play. With an ego as big as he had, even if he was that good, I am convinced he would have played for both the personal glory and the money. I don’t think he could have helped himself. He wasn’t quite as boastful about his golfing ability compared to the professionals, but he stated how he was better than those he played with. I don’t believe humility was one of his strong suits. I know of pastors that get together where each one is trying to indicate how their church is doing better than most. I know of parishners that want others to see how good they are doing. (I also know of parishners that faithfully serve that consider it a privilege to serve God and are not doing it for praise). In the end, we have to understand that no matter how we try to sell ourselves as better than we are, we cannot deceive God. I saw an interesting quote that said, “Acting perfect in church is like dressing up for an x-ray”. We are called to humble ourselves and come like a little child before God, not with a list of why God should love us, but an unshakeable faith that He does. We understand we don’t have to have everything figured out in order to love and serve God. Pretending that we are perfect or don’t have an overwhelming need for God’s mercy and forgiveness is pure foolishness and actually holds us back from experiencing true healing. As Paul says, “If we boast, we are to boast in the Lord”. I’m not all that. Father, I don’t want to be forced to my knees, but I also don’t want to walk in pride and foolishness. Help us, Lord. Amen

Memories

Memories can be a tricky thing. Sometimes we remember things that we wish we could forget. Sometimes two people are remembering the same event and yet it seems like they were in two different places at two different times. I remember our huge childhood yard we had at our house that wore me out running from one end to the other. It doesn’t look so big anymore. Ok, so memories are not perfect, but they are important. God has blessed us with memories of family and friends. Often, these memories can comfort us after they have passed. God tells us that we are not to contact the dead. To go to the cemetery to be close to where the body is, can be therapeutic, but we must understand that they are no longer there. God gives us memories to appreciate the life they had. We can treasure those, but it is ok to move forward too... making other memories with family and friends. It is good to treasure family and personal memories, but something that needs to be planted deep in our memories is the word of God. We must be careful that we remember it well. If you are able to memorize, which I think most people are able, we need to start putting God’s word in there. Maybe we focus on one verse for a week. Put it on the bathroom mirror and read it every morning and evening so it becomes part of us. With age it may get harder, but we still need to be trying. Also, we need to be careful what else we are putting into our memory. When someone sees something particularly gross, they often say that they can’t un-see it. There is truth to that and so we must be careful what not to put in. Be careful of the movies, books, social media, and the internet for starters. There is a lot we should avoid there. Also, the places we go and the language and topics covered can be dangerous for our hearts and minds too. In the Old Testament, when they were trying to make sure people didn’t forget something they spoke of telling it to your children, writing it on the door and/or fence post, tie it on your finger, or wrap it around your head. In other words, keep it close to you. I know someone who, when they hear a good point or quote at worship or in a Bible study will write it with a dry erase marker on the bathroom mirror to guide them. Father, help us to remember what is good and beneficial while also forgetting what is spiritually unprofitable. Amen

What Can Jesus Do?

I have tried to keep my ponderings as unoffensive as I can. I want people to be able to read, think, and hopefully draw a little closer to God. Today, this post might be a little more offensive to some, but I believe firmly matches up with God’s word. I think whenever political ideas and rhetoric clash with God’s word, there is no question that God’s word must win, even if it wasn’t my choice. If you are offended, please read God’s word, not a search of the internet or political position. I watched a news clip the other night where a young woman stole a bumper sticker that was supporting the life of an unborn child. She then contacted the person from whom she had stolen from and put the sticker up for ransom. If that were no wicked enough, she proudly declared that she would use the money to support organizations that take the innocent lives within the mother’s womb, followed by vulgar gestures. As I was shocked in horror that anyone could do such a thing, that same woman, now some five years later, had come to know Jesus. That changed everything for her. It wasn’t that once she became a Christian, she must now adopt the positions of another group. She said once she got to know Jesus, her life was transformed and she understood that what she had been doing was in violation of God’s will. I believe her conscience was strengthened and focused as the Spirit of God moved within her. She admitted that she was not influenced much by her community, her social media, or all the profound debates. She was simply and fully changed as she surrendered to God. I could try to point to passages that talk about God knowing the child in the womb, having plans for them, or declaring their future before birth as we see with Jacob and Essau. I could make some great arguments, but truthfully, I believe that a true transformation is only brought through faith in Christ. Some people look for a church that supports their ideology. That doesn’t really say much about the influence and power of God in our lives when we want God to look like us. Some people look for churches that seek to understand God, His word, and how it speaks to us today. There are others that are so locked into a political stance that not even the end times would cause them to question their stance. Father, help us not to seek the worlds wisdom, but fill us with the Holy Spirit and transform our hearts and minds. Amen

Is God Loving or Demanding

I’ve grown up in a Christian family surrounded by God’s word and fellow believers. I have always heard that God is love. I have never once though of God as demanding and unfair. I guess when one understands that we belong to God, He has the right to set rules. If you look at the Garden of Eden, it talks about God walking with them in the cool of the evening. However, as the hearts of people change, they change the image of God to match what they want and not what God’s word reveals. I believe that God’s Spirit lives within us and the deeper our walk with God, the sharper our conscience is. Those that desire to walk in the ways of the world still have a deep desire to know God, but due to the hardness of their hearts, their understanding is numb. As a way of justifying not needing to follow God, I heard someone recently speaking of how demanding and unfair God was. Their reasoning? If God was love, how could He put an ultimatum on our relationship. This comes from the concept that all who don’t walk with God will be eternally condemned. The claim was that God has conditional love and demands full allegiance or He will condemn us to Hell. They went on to say how can it be a relationship when God is threatening punishment if we don’t do what He wants. It is an interesting concept, but it forgets one very important fact... because of sin (starting with Adam and Eve), we already are headed to hell. The wages of sin is death and we are already guilty. God is not telling us to love Him or else. He is throwing a lifeline. He knows we are already drowning in sin and tells us if we come to Him, we will be saved. That paints a whole different picture. If someone is in a building that is fully engulfed and they are on the second or third story with no stairway available to escape on, they cannot save themselves. Now imagine that the fire department puts a ladder up to the window and calls for that individual to come to them so that they can be saved. Would we say the firemen are being unreasonable or putting an ultimatum on their life? No! A person would have to be foolish not to accept the firemen help. It is not ultimatum, it is God offering to save us. Father, too often we don’t see the dire consequence or our worldly. Rescue us from our own selfish desires and draw us nearer to You. Amen

Time Is Fragile

We live our lives day by day, often just in the moment. We might set our plans for next week, a special trip, or meeting up with a friend. When we make those appointments, we usually don’t follow the thought with “God willing”. We expect that tomorrow will come just like today. Sure, there are seasons, but how much can life change in a few days? I’m finding out that a lot can happen. I have visited a number of people lately that were just fine the last time I saw them and now there are medical issues going on. There was no reason to believe that things would change, but they do. Sometimes in a very short time. Why am I bothering to tell you this? I want you to treasure the time, the people, the opportunities that you have each day. Are you shut in? Take time to pray... pick up the phone and connect with someone... send an email... better yet, write an old fashioned letter (if you can afford the stamp). You’re not shut in? Visit someone... give a helping hand to someone in need... bake some cookies and pay someone a visit orvisit someone over a cup of coffee, or tea, or whatever... find new ways to encourage others... give an elderly person a ride to appointments or take them shopping. Included in these activities should be some way of expressing your faith. We don’t need to force it on anyone, but if they don’t know Jesus and don’t know that we know Jesus, how will they learn to love Him? How will they be saved? Invite someone to join you at church for you don’t know when your last day is. Bring someone to Bible study so that they can grow in faith. If you aren’t going, you could come together or start coming on your own first. After all, Romans tells us that faith comes by hearing and hearing comes from the word of God. Our days are numbered here and some of those numbers could be pretty low. There are accidents, medical issues, alzheimers, injuries, etc. All these events are within the realm of possibility and most will be life altering. Think of those in your own sphere of friends that might not be doing well or facing obstacles. We are not promised tomorrow. Without faith, we are promised an eternity in Hell. How will you live the moments you have been given. Father, instill in us the urgency to plant the seeds of Your truth into the hearts of those we meet. Stir up faith in their hearts. Amen

Purify Us, Lord

I don’t know if you have ever had the joy of sitting around a campfire, watching the flames dance around and seeing the tiny sparks jump from the flames. There is always a little smoke that goes with that. I don’t like it directly in my face, but there is something about that smoke smell that brings back memories of yester-year. That same smoke that comes from a forest fire that settles in the air around me for several days loses that nostalgic feeling. Pretty much the same smell, but now it is suffocating, irritating, and dangerous. I know that there were many that experienced weeks and even months in Northeast Minnesota, some having health issues due to a constant barrage of smoke. You see, what might have seemed nice, or at least acceptable as a small campfire becomes destructive as the impurities remain in the air around us. How do I find relief? I could relocate, but there could be fires there as well. I could try to put on a special mask that can filter the air out for me, but this is both expensive and irritating. We could wait for the winds and weather patterns to change, but the smoke would continue to be a threat. The best and most complete action would be to put out the fires that are burning in Canada and causing our polluted air here. The source must be stopped and the air must be renewed. What if that fire represented sin that pollutes our lives. How do we find relief? We can’t run away from it for sin will follow us and maybe even lead the way. The mask we might use could be the sacrificial system of the Old Testament that removed the sin, but Jesus states that the sin beforehand had not been punished. Helpful, but not a final solution. We could wait for Jesus to return, but what do we do in the mean time. As the putting out the fire was the solution for the smoke, Jesus fulfilling the law and sacrificing himself snuffs out the power of sin for those that truly believe. Just as Canada claims they are not able to put out the fire, so we are unable to snuff out the consuming power of sin... but Jesus can. Isaiah 53 tells us, “...the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.” Our hope, Psalm 51, “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Father, forgive us when we don’t recognize the stench of our own sin and how it threatens to destroy us. Help! Amen

Thankfulness

I was at a study today where the conversation was on being thankful. I had recently been reading from Daniel where, on two separate occurrences, they were asked to bow down to a foreign God and they refused to do so. The punishment? For Daniel it was being thrown into the lion’s den where, humanly speaking, he would become cat food. For Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, failure to bow down to the statue of the king would put them in a hot spot... a furnace. I treasure the words that one of them spoke stating that they knew that God was able to rescue them from the furnace, but even if He chose not to rescue them in this world, they knew they could not deny their Lord. I had to ask myself whether these four men had hearts filled with gratitude? I’d have to say yes, for none of them sought their own survival. If I am lifting myself up, my efforts would be to protect myself. If you don’t already know, God shut the mouths of the lions and Daniel was unharmed. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were thrown into the fiery furnace and the king literally saw a divine figure who rescued these three men. There was definitely a lot of gratitude after they were rescued. The reality is that God calls us to be thankful in all things, not just in the things that we like. We can thank God in all situations because we know that God is always in control. If we are obedient and faithful, what happens to us will serve a greater purpose. Maybe, if I was in a car accident, which doesn’t seem to be the kind of thing to be thankful for, God has a great plan even there. We are looking for how God can use that situation to help us, but maybe our answer is not about us, but how God will use us to minister to someone else... fireman, law enforcement, medics, and even those we meet at the hospital. It is a very shallow thanksgiving if it is just tied to all God has done for us here. A true attitude of gratitude is thankful for who God is in spite of our circumstances. Does your life represent an attitude of gratitude? Do you turn most quickly to gossip and complaining, or will your heart be filled with joy and service? We paint a picture of how we think God should be helping us, when in reality, our faith needs reflect that Jesus is our Master and we serve Him. Father, forgive us for the many times we think in terms of what You can do for us. Fill us with a grateful servants heart. Amen

It Never Fails

I remember when we were younger, there was a company that made drinking glasses that were advertised as unbreakable. One day, one of those glasses fell to floor at the store and, you guessed it... it broke. Supposedly it wouldn’t fail, but it did. I have had friends that have promised not to fail concerning certain things, but they still failed... and I guess I have failed others before, too. So many things are advertised as something that would never fail. Is there anything that never fails? The obvious answer would be Jesus never fails, which is true, but I wanted to talk again about His word. In Isaiah 55 we read, “As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” We understand how the eco system works. Well, at least enough to know that rain comes down to water the earth and it evaporates, creating moisture in the sky once again. Isaiah is not just talking about the scientific process but pointing us even deeper to the One that sends the rains and causes the crops to grow and bear fruit. This produce then is used for food, all the while also providing seed for the next planting. God uses this cycle of life to describe His holy word. God not only sends the rains, but He sends His word into the world through prophets, priests, and you. The next sentence is where we normally mess up. When we share God’s word, we try to determine our success based on how well people respond. Where is the mess up? God says it will accomplish what He desires and achieve the purpose for which He sent it. Our only job is to be faithful to share that word. God is the one that brings the growth. We are not responsible for the response. Thus, we share, encourage, pray for, and build others up because it is the right thing to do. No pat on the back is necessary. We serve God and thus are simply doing our duty. Our response to God’s word going out? “You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you...” Lord, too often we long more for the accolades than a heart of obedience to You. Show us how we might reach out. Amen

Beyond our Knowledge

A family member had to downsize recently and so we were helping to sort things. There were still items to stay, items to consider, items to donate, and items to remove. On the items we were given to decide on, one brother would act like an auctioneer, trying to get family members to take things so they would have a home. One such item was a “canister” vacuum cleaner. As he described the vacuum in exaggerated tones and motions, he picked up the vacuum which was not plugged in and said, “All one has to do is flip this switch...” Before he finished the sentence, the vacuum cleaner roared to a start. My brother’s eyes looked halfway between a deer caught in the headlights and standing on the tracks with a locomotive bearing down on him. Needless to say, none of us realized it was battery operated. We laughed so hard. We were all familiar with vacuum cleaners, but we all were caught off guard by features we didn’t know existed. This is a fairly good picture of our daily walk with God. We know most of the ordinary things that we should be doing and what we understand God is doing. At times we talk a good talk about what God can do, but we don’t always expect it to happen. I think there are times that if God answered our prayers in a supernatural way, we might also be caught off guard. We’ve developed a very comfortable relationship with God, not expecting too much and not always giving too much. It’s like filling a bookshelf with amazing books and never reading them. God doesn’t need to be “plugged” in, coaxed, or bargained with. All power in heaven and earth have been given to Him. God wants to do so much more than we can even imaging and yet we remain quiet. We serve a God who created the whole world, flooded the world (saving only one family), caused the sun to stand still, a donkey to talk, the thick walls of Jericho disintegrated, miracles, a willing death and resurrection, and so much more. And what do we pray for? That we might have a nice day to accomplish what we desire. We might say the right words, but many never anticipate them being answered in a miraculous way. Why? Do we think he has changed or become weak? Don’t limit yourself to what you can do. Father, You are indeed an awesome God. Nothing is too great for You to accomplish. Lead us to do Your will. Amen

The Power of Prayer

As Christians, we speak of prayer all the time, but I've never heard anyone preach about the armor of God (Ephesians 6) that focused on prayer as a weapon, not a response... “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.” This was included in the same section as putting on the shield of faith, helmet of salvation, belt of truth, etc. Immediately following this verse, Paul asks that they pray for him as well. Another passage goes something like this, that the prayer of a righteous man accomplishes a lot. Prayer is mentioned over and over again from Genesis on. It is not, however, to be taken lightly. I have heard some who became aware of a challenge in another’s life say, “I will pray for you”. I know sometimes they are faithful in prayer. I know sometimes they want to be faithful, but get distracted and are silent. I think there are many who say, “I will pray for you” that have no intention of actually doing it. It is a Christian response that is void of true meaning and power. I read a quote recently that said, “Prayer is not the preparation for battle... it is the battle”. I believe we make a mockery of God when we speak of the necessity of prayer, but fail do actually do it. Whether you are on a prayer chain, lifting up prayers of the church, or come privately before God in prayer, pray with a deep understanding of God’s ability and desire to answer it. If we pray for rain, do we bring an umbrella? When we pray for revival, do we then invite others to join us in worship? When we pray for healing, would we be surprised if someone was healed miraculously? I heard of someone recently that was healed of heart and back issues that he had suffered with for many years. Prayer is the communication God has given us to enter into the throne room of God to present our praises and petitions. Prayer is not for show, but to call on Almighty God. The Holy Spirit is able to lead us, even speaking to the Father on our behalf of things we can’t even put into words. Concerning prayer, we need to first lift our voices in praise and worship, without any strings attached. Second is praying for the church to be faithful. Next, I believe we should be calling on God for revival, including our own hearts. O Holy Spirit, stir in our hearts, giving us passion and compassion for the lost souls. Lead us each day into a deeper prayer life. Amen

Unusual Evangelistic Approach

I was listening to a comedian recently that was giving his testimony. He called himself an atheist and ended up treating the people around him badly. He wanted to change, but every time someone tried to point him to Jesus, he would always get mad and walk away. He went so far as to buy a bunch of self-help books, but they didn’t do too much for him either. One day a rich comedian (wealth from former occupation) was having a conversation with him and the dreaded topic came up. He brings up the bible. The atheist says, “Don’t give me that Bible. I don’t want to hear it.” The friend said, “What do you mean?” To which the first replied that he was an atheist and didn’t believe that garbage. So, the friend responded, “What is it in the Bible that you don’t think is true?” The atheist said, “I don’t know. I never read it.” To which the friend proclaimed, “You’re not an atheist. You’re a moron!” Asking him to explain himself, the friend responded, “A true atheist is not only a Bible scholar but is scholarly in all the faiths of the earth, and after a long intellectual journey has come to the conclusion that there is no God in the universe. You on the other hand want to circumvent the whole process and still come to the conclusion that there’s no God. That’s lazy and moronic”. I must admit I was rolling on the floor laughing. Although this approach may work with some, I would not recommend calling people names as a way to witness your faith in the living God. It does make an interesting point though that many atheists today do not do so from a point of knowledge, but from a place of lazy avoidance. It is a way to not have to deal with faith, God, or the meaning of life. I think understanding that many that don’t want to talk about their faith are not doing so from a place of understanding, but from a place of not wanting to understand. This is so heartbreaking because their unwillingness to listen and consider what God says in the Bible brings them to a verdict of guilty, having the depths of hell as their final destination. It’s not trying to get them to become members of our local church but desiring to see them as a people that have been redeemed and made new in the presence of God. Father, there are so many that don’t know You. Open our eyes to see the lost and searching. Use us to bring them to You. Amen

Gracious and Merciful

Last nights pondering may have been a little harsh in my examples, but I get so frustrated when people make statements as if God agreed with them when there are passages in the Bible that cast a shadow on their interpretation. What I never intended to say was that God is heartless. He is just, yes... heartless, no! Going back to the woman caught in adultery. Yes, what she did was wrong and Jesus does call it a sin. We must note that God is indeed merciful. What was really going on? Were they really seeking justice? Absolutely not. It was a way of trapping Jesus, for the law said that adultery was punishable by stoning them, but the Jews were not allowed to take a life without Roman approval. (This is why Jesus had to be taken before Pontius Pilate to get permission for the crucifixion.) The second key thing to note is that it takes two to commit adultery. Where is the man that was involved? Jesus also points out that not one person in the crowd was completely innocent. The woman was already terrified because of the charge against her. When the crowds left embarrassed, and the woman realized her culpability, I believe her heart was broken. When Jesus offered her freedom, it had a directive , “Go and sin no more”. In other words, if she didn’t repent and turn to God, she would find herself charged again only without help. As we get honest before God, we must all be aware of the wickedness of our sinful nature. Instead of someone else hauling us before God and accusing us, we must bring ourselves before God and fall down before Him to confess our sins. God is extremely merciful, but He is also equally just. By that I mean that an ungrateful heart will probably find no mercy. God’s justice - the wages of sin is death. God’s mercy - salvation to believers. Does God continue to be merciful? We wouldn’t be here if He wasn’t. I do, however, believe that there are many today that neither believe nor are grieved by their wretched life. As the author of Amazing Grace proclaims, I once was lost, but now am found. Was blind but now I see”. Are we as gracious to those we meet? May God’s grace overflow from our lives to others. Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your mercy and grace that keeps us going in this life and gives us a hope of what is yet to come. Amen