In Acts 5, we read where the apostles were jailed for having preached openly the Gospel of Jesus Christ. During the night, the Lord set them free and they returned to the temple square to resume their preaching.
The Sanhedrin Counsel had them brought back in to answer the charge that they were preaching in defiance to the Council's order to refrain. The apostles answer was line-drawing, "We must obey God rather than men" (Acts 5:29)!
Around the world, Christians are drawing that same line in the face of imprisonment and/or death in places like Iran, Syria and China. In this country I have been following cases where our servicemen are facing possible court martial action for expressing their views on traditional marriage as a part of their faith.
You and I are not likely (yet) to face criminal prosecution for expressing our faith publicly, but we may very likely face peer pressure to keep a lid on our views. We certainly can face employment sanction for expressing Christian views at the workplace, and we probably ought not be preaching on our employer's dime. However, their are times when it is our right to express our faith in the marketplace, such as in the parking lot or during breaks.
Here's the question: When you do have the right to speak out regarding matters of faith but peer or marketplace pressure is exerted to prevent or silence you, will you obey God rather than man?
Jus' Askn.
Monday, September 30, 2013
Sunday, September 29, 2013
I'm No Saint
To excuse their less than righteous behavior, many offer what they feel to be an unarguable and acceptable reasoning, "I'm no saint." That line is usually followed by "but," which precedes some kind of qualifier like, "I'm as good as the next guy" or "I'm not so bad."
The notion being advanced is that following God's will is so difficult to understand and/or follow that only a special kind of human, "saint," could possibly follow it. The rest of us, weak-minded and/or weak-willed sort, will just have to be satisfied with our equally poor life choices.
Really? Is God's will that difficult to discern or accomplish that we should just give up and give in to the mediocre spirituality that so many have come to accept or worse, accept our base desires as directive? Really?
Listen to Moses as he challenged that thinking in the ancient Israelites: "What I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach" (Deut 30:11). And listen to Jesus' call: "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me....For my yoke is easy and my burden is light" (Matt 11:28-30).
Understanding and following God's will is not too difficult for He has provided us the Spirit to direct and deliver us: "No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it" (1 Cor 10:13).
Yes, we will stumble and choose poorly at times, but we can choose better and our spiritual life can increase daily by His power within.
Jus' Sayn.
The notion being advanced is that following God's will is so difficult to understand and/or follow that only a special kind of human, "saint," could possibly follow it. The rest of us, weak-minded and/or weak-willed sort, will just have to be satisfied with our equally poor life choices.
Really? Is God's will that difficult to discern or accomplish that we should just give up and give in to the mediocre spirituality that so many have come to accept or worse, accept our base desires as directive? Really?
Listen to Moses as he challenged that thinking in the ancient Israelites: "What I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach" (Deut 30:11). And listen to Jesus' call: "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me....For my yoke is easy and my burden is light" (Matt 11:28-30).
Understanding and following God's will is not too difficult for He has provided us the Spirit to direct and deliver us: "No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it" (1 Cor 10:13).
Yes, we will stumble and choose poorly at times, but we can choose better and our spiritual life can increase daily by His power within.
Jus' Sayn.
Saturday, September 28, 2013
Prayers of The Righteous
As Christians, we believe in the power of prayer, even if we don't r actually pray all that often. When we're facing a difficulty, we tend to up our game a bit, however. We pray for ourselves and we pray for others.
But when we're in a big bind or really sick, we up the ante and call on someone we think has the ear of God, we ask our preacher to pray. If we're in a hospital, we're likely to ask for the chaplain. There may be someone else, but it is because we feel he/she is more righteous than us.
You likely have heard or may have quoted, what you thought was James 5:16, "The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective." Actually that is only half of the passage. The first half reads, "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed."
The prayer of the righteous, which we covent in times of duress, does not come from an ordination or a license or a degree. The prayer of the righteous comes out of a willingness to confess. James says confess to and pray for one another for healing, as those humbled, honest and authentic prayers come from righteousness and will be heard.
Jus' Sayn.
But when we're in a big bind or really sick, we up the ante and call on someone we think has the ear of God, we ask our preacher to pray. If we're in a hospital, we're likely to ask for the chaplain. There may be someone else, but it is because we feel he/she is more righteous than us.
You likely have heard or may have quoted, what you thought was James 5:16, "The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective." Actually that is only half of the passage. The first half reads, "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed."
The prayer of the righteous, which we covent in times of duress, does not come from an ordination or a license or a degree. The prayer of the righteous comes out of a willingness to confess. James says confess to and pray for one another for healing, as those humbled, honest and authentic prayers come from righteousness and will be heard.
Jus' Sayn.
Friday, September 27, 2013
What, Me Worry?
Perhaps you remember the fictional cover boy of Mad Magazine and his tag line: "What, Me Worry?" Many Christians seem to have adopted a similar notion that we should have no cares, no anxiety, no worries.
Perhaps you would agree and, if so, likely you would point me to Scriptures like Matthew 6:25 , “Therefore I tell you, do not worry..." Or Philippians 4:6, “Do not be anxious..." You might argue that these passages seem plain enough that we are not to worry or be anxious.
I would agree that we need not worry, but the very fact that we are being instructed not to worry or be anxious tells me we have worries and anxiety in the first place. If we didn't, there would be no need for the Lord to address those concerns.
Rather than deny we have anxiety over some things or feel guilty for having any worries, we are told to redirect our fears: "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you" (1 Pet 5:7). If we had no worries, we would have nothing to cast.
It's OK to own up to your fears, worries and anxieties, but it is wrong to own them. We are to transfer ownership to the Lord, who will defeat them.
Jus' Sayn.
Perhaps you would agree and, if so, likely you would point me to Scriptures like Matthew 6:25 , “Therefore I tell you, do not worry..." Or Philippians 4:6, “Do not be anxious..." You might argue that these passages seem plain enough that we are not to worry or be anxious.
I would agree that we need not worry, but the very fact that we are being instructed not to worry or be anxious tells me we have worries and anxiety in the first place. If we didn't, there would be no need for the Lord to address those concerns.
Rather than deny we have anxiety over some things or feel guilty for having any worries, we are told to redirect our fears: "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you" (1 Pet 5:7). If we had no worries, we would have nothing to cast.
It's OK to own up to your fears, worries and anxieties, but it is wrong to own them. We are to transfer ownership to the Lord, who will defeat them.
Jus' Sayn.
Thursday, September 26, 2013
Bearing Fruit
You confront her about the bruises on her cheek and she confesses it was her husband, then she quickly adds, "but he's really a good husband." No he is not! I know this, not by judging his heart but rather by judging the fruit of his relationship with her: Bruises! A good husband does not beat his wife, a bad husband does.
She doesn't make sure her kids are up on time for school, she doesn't see to it that they have clean clothes, she doesn't even fix them breakfast because she's hungover again, "But she loves those children more than anything." Not! A mother who loves her children more than anything does everything she can to insure that nothing gets in the way of providing for their needs. A mother who loves her self more does less for her children.
A bad husband may have feelings for the wife he beats, but not truly love her. A mother who chooses alcohol over her children's welfare may have feelings for her children, but she doesn't really love them. Love is not a feeling, it is a choice - a choice to seek the greatest good of another. And the evidence or fruit of that choice is easily seen.
Listen to what the apostle James had to say, "let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth" (1 Jn 3:18). Love is not words or feelings, it is action: "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us" (1 Jn 3:16). Do you get that? Do you see that love and sacrifice for another go hand in hand. Good husband, loving mothers, real friends go to the mat for the ones they love and that fruit is as plain as apples on a tree.
Jus' Sayn.
She doesn't make sure her kids are up on time for school, she doesn't see to it that they have clean clothes, she doesn't even fix them breakfast because she's hungover again, "But she loves those children more than anything." Not! A mother who loves her children more than anything does everything she can to insure that nothing gets in the way of providing for their needs. A mother who loves her self more does less for her children.
A bad husband may have feelings for the wife he beats, but not truly love her. A mother who chooses alcohol over her children's welfare may have feelings for her children, but she doesn't really love them. Love is not a feeling, it is a choice - a choice to seek the greatest good of another. And the evidence or fruit of that choice is easily seen.
Listen to what the apostle James had to say, "let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth" (1 Jn 3:18). Love is not words or feelings, it is action: "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us" (1 Jn 3:16). Do you get that? Do you see that love and sacrifice for another go hand in hand. Good husband, loving mothers, real friends go to the mat for the ones they love and that fruit is as plain as apples on a tree.
Jus' Sayn.
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
The Answer
When I was a young preacher, I thought I had to have the answer for everyone's problems. I studied hard, dug deep for biblical insights, filled a personal library with the books I read on theology and psychology, took every faith-based seminar I could, earned enough degrees to be a thermometer - I was the answer man; so I thought.
As a maturing minister, I came to believe that people didn't need me to provide the answer, rather they needed help finding the answer. So, I began to point them to the Truth and the Spirit of Christ found in the biblical text, in faith-based concepts and in life's experiences. I sought to point them to the Answer: Jesus.
As a grey-haired chaplain, I have finally come to understand that I am not to have the answer nor point to the answer, I am to be the answer. I am to roll up my sleeves, step into the muck another finds himself in and let the Spirit of Christ minister to him through me. As The apostle John put it, "This is how love is made complete among us...in this world we are to be like Jesus" (1 Jn 4:17).
Do you remember WWJD - what would Jesus do? It really was the answer and it still is. We are to be disciples and disciples follow in the steps of the Master - they do what Jesus would do. When someone is struggling, don't just tell them what to do or where to find help, love them like Jesus and get in there with them, helping them along the way.
Jus' Sayn.
As a maturing minister, I came to believe that people didn't need me to provide the answer, rather they needed help finding the answer. So, I began to point them to the Truth and the Spirit of Christ found in the biblical text, in faith-based concepts and in life's experiences. I sought to point them to the Answer: Jesus.
As a grey-haired chaplain, I have finally come to understand that I am not to have the answer nor point to the answer, I am to be the answer. I am to roll up my sleeves, step into the muck another finds himself in and let the Spirit of Christ minister to him through me. As The apostle John put it, "This is how love is made complete among us...in this world we are to be like Jesus" (1 Jn 4:17).
Do you remember WWJD - what would Jesus do? It really was the answer and it still is. We are to be disciples and disciples follow in the steps of the Master - they do what Jesus would do. When someone is struggling, don't just tell them what to do or where to find help, love them like Jesus and get in there with them, helping them along the way.
Jus' Sayn.
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
A Living Sacrifice
When the apostle Paul tells I'd that we are to "offer your bodies as a living sacrifice" (Rom 12:1), just what is he really saying? How does one offer self as a living sacrifice?
To understand this call, we first must wrap our minds around the biblical concept of sacrifice, which is a far cry from what we tend to think of as sacrifice.
Sacrifice, in modern usage, normally means anything we do that is burdensome or costs us something in time, effort or money. We sacrifice part of our day to help a friend. We sacrifice part of our paycheck to a good cause. We offer some of our talent for a worthy project.
The problem is, however, biblical sacrifice is not something done partially. You couldn't cut off just one leg of your lamb and put it on the altar - sacrifice required you to give it all. Once sacrificed, you could not reclaim it, it belonged to God. Acceptable sacrifices were not leftovers or what one could easily spare - acceptable sacrifices were the best of your flock.
Here's the deal: to be a living sacrifice, your life is given to God in full with no expectation of reclaiming it. It is not acceptable to offer part of your time or efforts or resources, all are laid upon the altar, released to the Lord.
Your life is no longer your own to live and give here and there as you decide. Leftover funds or extra time are not acceptable - all you have and all you do are now to be used for His glory. "Whatever you do, in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord" (Col 3:17). How you talk, how you work, how you play, how you eat...is to reflect His glory. A sacrificed life is not your own.
Jus' Sayn.
To understand this call, we first must wrap our minds around the biblical concept of sacrifice, which is a far cry from what we tend to think of as sacrifice.
Sacrifice, in modern usage, normally means anything we do that is burdensome or costs us something in time, effort or money. We sacrifice part of our day to help a friend. We sacrifice part of our paycheck to a good cause. We offer some of our talent for a worthy project.
The problem is, however, biblical sacrifice is not something done partially. You couldn't cut off just one leg of your lamb and put it on the altar - sacrifice required you to give it all. Once sacrificed, you could not reclaim it, it belonged to God. Acceptable sacrifices were not leftovers or what one could easily spare - acceptable sacrifices were the best of your flock.
Here's the deal: to be a living sacrifice, your life is given to God in full with no expectation of reclaiming it. It is not acceptable to offer part of your time or efforts or resources, all are laid upon the altar, released to the Lord.
Your life is no longer your own to live and give here and there as you decide. Leftover funds or extra time are not acceptable - all you have and all you do are now to be used for His glory. "Whatever you do, in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord" (Col 3:17). How you talk, how you work, how you play, how you eat...is to reflect His glory. A sacrificed life is not your own.
Jus' Sayn.
Monday, September 23, 2013
The Best Revenge
Perhaps you've heard the old adage, "Revenge is a meal best served cold." The notion is that revenge is so much sweeter when you take the time to savor it with anticipation. The notion is wrong! Revenge requires that one holds on to the bitterness of the offense, which sours the soul.
Revenge, rather, is a meal best served by the Master Chef, which He plainly reveals in Romans 12:19. We, are not to seek revenge but God's justice (see Mal 6:8) and His justice requires that "each one will have to give an account to God" (Rom 14:12).
For our part, we are called to free ourselves from the burden and bitterness of revenge and grudge bearing. Instead, we are called to, "as far as it is possible with you, be at peace with all men and leave room for God's wrath for it is mine to avenge, I will repay says The Lord" (Rom 12:18:19).
As Christians, we are not to repay evil with evil (Rom 12:17), which perpetuates evil. Rather, we are to do good, which may plant a seed of God's love in the other's heart, bringing about true good and thereby defeating your enemy by turning him into a friend and perhaps a fellow disciple in time. If not, he will yet answer to God.
Don't pay back evil, don't get even with evil doers, get right with God. His love and grace are so much sweeter than revenge.
Jus' Sayn.
Revenge, rather, is a meal best served by the Master Chef, which He plainly reveals in Romans 12:19. We, are not to seek revenge but God's justice (see Mal 6:8) and His justice requires that "each one will have to give an account to God" (Rom 14:12).
For our part, we are called to free ourselves from the burden and bitterness of revenge and grudge bearing. Instead, we are called to, "as far as it is possible with you, be at peace with all men and leave room for God's wrath for it is mine to avenge, I will repay says The Lord" (Rom 12:18:19).
As Christians, we are not to repay evil with evil (Rom 12:17), which perpetuates evil. Rather, we are to do good, which may plant a seed of God's love in the other's heart, bringing about true good and thereby defeating your enemy by turning him into a friend and perhaps a fellow disciple in time. If not, he will yet answer to God.
Don't pay back evil, don't get even with evil doers, get right with God. His love and grace are so much sweeter than revenge.
Jus' Sayn.
Sunday, September 22, 2013
Being Holy
A precursor to, what is often, very bad behavior is the phrase, "God just wants me to be happy." Then a man leaves his wife of 20 years, a mother leaves her preschool children or a teacher becomes involved with a student.
They argue that God, being our Father, wants what every loving parent really wants, "Just for their child to be happy." Really? What if that which the child thinks is going to make him/her happy actually leads to their demise? What if experimenting with drugs brought a smile to your child's face, would you tell him to go for it? What if she found that breaking the law gave her a rush of excitement, would smile and say that's nice dear?
Is feeling happy, your only concern as a parent or is is not that your children also be healthy and whole? And, by the way, where does God's Word say that he just wants us to be happy? It doesn't. What is does say is, "Be holy because I am holy" (1 Pet 1:16).
Holiness, however, will produce happiness as a side product. In fact "the pursuit of happiness," although a constitutional right, is wrong thinking for true happiness is always a side product of doing what is right and good.
Holiness, which means to be set apart, or as Peter put it in verse 17, to "live out your time as foreigners here," is to choose God's ways over man's ways or even your own impulses. Holiness draws us toward God and the kingdom of Heaven, which leads to true happiness.
Jus' Sayn.
Saturday, September 21, 2013
Who Made The Salad?
When I was a young man, there was a TV commercial, where people enjoying their salad, asked the host, "Who made the salad?" The answer came back, "Caesar did!" It was when Caesar salad dressing came out and they wanted to give credit to the true source of the wonderful flavor. Not having arrived at a point in life where salads ever crossed my lips, I cannot vouch for the taste. But I do endorse the truth of giving credit where credit is due.
This concept is especially important when it comes to acknowledging God's power exercised in our lives. Too often we tend to think that we are the source of our blessings - that our intelligence, our skill, our hard work is responsible for what we have in life. Really?
I'm reminded of the time I asked a 14 year old boy if he wanted to offer grace. He responded, "Why? We grew all the vegetables and I killed the chicken." "Is that a fact," I replied. "Did you cause the rain to come and the plants to germinate? Did you give life to that chicken?" He, didn't answer. But he did bow his head while I prayed.
Think about it. Did you choose your parents, did you select the country of your birth, did you provide all the opportunities that have come your way?
Isaiah once asked, "Does the axe raise itself above the one who swings it, or does the saw boast against the one who uses it" (10:15)? He goes on to amplify this point in 64:8, "We are the clay, You are the Potter. We are the work of your hand."
Who made the salad? God did! Give praise to Him for all the blessings in your life for, "every good and perfect gift comes down from above" (James 1:17).
Jus' Sayn
This concept is especially important when it comes to acknowledging God's power exercised in our lives. Too often we tend to think that we are the source of our blessings - that our intelligence, our skill, our hard work is responsible for what we have in life. Really?
I'm reminded of the time I asked a 14 year old boy if he wanted to offer grace. He responded, "Why? We grew all the vegetables and I killed the chicken." "Is that a fact," I replied. "Did you cause the rain to come and the plants to germinate? Did you give life to that chicken?" He, didn't answer. But he did bow his head while I prayed.
Think about it. Did you choose your parents, did you select the country of your birth, did you provide all the opportunities that have come your way?
Isaiah once asked, "Does the axe raise itself above the one who swings it, or does the saw boast against the one who uses it" (10:15)? He goes on to amplify this point in 64:8, "We are the clay, You are the Potter. We are the work of your hand."
Who made the salad? God did! Give praise to Him for all the blessings in your life for, "every good and perfect gift comes down from above" (James 1:17).
Jus' Sayn
Friday, September 20, 2013
Send Me
In the year King Uzziah died, Isaiah saw The Lord. He was terrified, thinking that a spiritually unworthy man such as himself would surely encounter immediate judgment (cf. Isa 6:1f). Yet, in verse 8 of that passage, he answers the Lord's call for a spokesman saying, "Here am I, send me" (Isa 6:8).
What's up with that? What changed so quickly that he now felt worthy? What happened was that Isaiah accepted the Lord's cleansing revealed in vss 6 & 7. He was still the same old Isaiah, but everything was new because the Lord had taken away the guilt of his sin, leaving him cleansed from the mess of his former life.
Can it really be that simple? Can all our past sins be wiped out, leaving us clean and useful as representatives of the Lord God Almighty? Surely there is more required of us than that, right? It only seems fair that we would have to clean up our own mess and make ourselves presentable to God. That would be fair, that would be just, that would be what the law requires but we are saved by grace, not by works (cf. Eph 2:8-9).
Jesus said, "Come unto to me, all who are heavy burdened and I will give you rest" (Matt 11:28). He did not say, get your life in order, clean up the mess you're in and then come rest with me. God said, "I have so loved you that I have given my only Son in payment for your sins so that you only need to believe in his offer of life to receive it" (paraphrase of Jn 3:16). He did not say that he sent his Son to see who had gotten it all together that he might invite them to join the society of the righteous.
Who am I to presume to be a spokesman for The Lord? I presume nothing. The Lord has cleansed me and he has called me. I have only responded, "Here am I, send me." What about you? For whom does your life speak? Who do you want to represent? The choice is yours. If you are willing, by His cleansing power, you can humbly say to the God of the universe, "Here am I, send me."
Jus' Sayn.
What's up with that? What changed so quickly that he now felt worthy? What happened was that Isaiah accepted the Lord's cleansing revealed in vss 6 & 7. He was still the same old Isaiah, but everything was new because the Lord had taken away the guilt of his sin, leaving him cleansed from the mess of his former life.
Can it really be that simple? Can all our past sins be wiped out, leaving us clean and useful as representatives of the Lord God Almighty? Surely there is more required of us than that, right? It only seems fair that we would have to clean up our own mess and make ourselves presentable to God. That would be fair, that would be just, that would be what the law requires but we are saved by grace, not by works (cf. Eph 2:8-9).
Jesus said, "Come unto to me, all who are heavy burdened and I will give you rest" (Matt 11:28). He did not say, get your life in order, clean up the mess you're in and then come rest with me. God said, "I have so loved you that I have given my only Son in payment for your sins so that you only need to believe in his offer of life to receive it" (paraphrase of Jn 3:16). He did not say that he sent his Son to see who had gotten it all together that he might invite them to join the society of the righteous.
Who am I to presume to be a spokesman for The Lord? I presume nothing. The Lord has cleansed me and he has called me. I have only responded, "Here am I, send me." What about you? For whom does your life speak? Who do you want to represent? The choice is yours. If you are willing, by His cleansing power, you can humbly say to the God of the universe, "Here am I, send me."
Jus' Sayn.
Thursday, September 19, 2013
Upside Down
We live in a pluralistic society where the watchword is not simply tolerance but acceptance. Tolerance and acceptance are not only expected but are being demanded, with the exception of biblical values, which can be politically correctly treated with disdain. We live in an America that is upside down from the one I grew up in.
The baby in the womb was a human with potential, who was to be protected - today it is considered a potential human that can be disposed of without regard. Marriage followed the biblical model, which reveals "the Creator made them male and female, therefore a man shall leave his father and mother's house and be joined to his wife" (Matt 19:4-5) - today you are considered a bigot if you don't celebrate same-sex unions as good and holy. Then we all embraced JFK's famous words, "Ask not what your country can do for you but ask what you can do for your country" - today, a growing majority demand their Obama phones, food stamps, medical cards, housing assistance and welfare checks as entitlements owed to them by our nation.
We live in an upside down world not unlike the one Isaiah spoke of centuries before the birth of Christ: "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter" (5:20). Our nation's felons have better accommodations than our troops and better care than our elderly. The worse your reputation becomes the greater your celebrity status increases. Engaging in sex, producing offspring and buying a house are pre-marital activities, if marriage is entertained at all? Need I go on?
Some see all this as freedom and enlightenment, but it is in fact slavery and darkness promoted by the Prince of Darkness. Just look around at our bulging prisons, empty factories, failing schools, corrupt politicians, mindless mass murderers, crushing debt, rising anger.... Tell me again how free and enlightened we have become.
We've been standing on our heads long enough. It's time to dust off our Bibles and get back on our feet. We need to turn our country upside down again so we can become once more, right side up.
Jus' Sayn.
The baby in the womb was a human with potential, who was to be protected - today it is considered a potential human that can be disposed of without regard. Marriage followed the biblical model, which reveals "the Creator made them male and female, therefore a man shall leave his father and mother's house and be joined to his wife" (Matt 19:4-5) - today you are considered a bigot if you don't celebrate same-sex unions as good and holy. Then we all embraced JFK's famous words, "Ask not what your country can do for you but ask what you can do for your country" - today, a growing majority demand their Obama phones, food stamps, medical cards, housing assistance and welfare checks as entitlements owed to them by our nation.
We live in an upside down world not unlike the one Isaiah spoke of centuries before the birth of Christ: "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter" (5:20). Our nation's felons have better accommodations than our troops and better care than our elderly. The worse your reputation becomes the greater your celebrity status increases. Engaging in sex, producing offspring and buying a house are pre-marital activities, if marriage is entertained at all? Need I go on?
Some see all this as freedom and enlightenment, but it is in fact slavery and darkness promoted by the Prince of Darkness. Just look around at our bulging prisons, empty factories, failing schools, corrupt politicians, mindless mass murderers, crushing debt, rising anger.... Tell me again how free and enlightened we have become.
We've been standing on our heads long enough. It's time to dust off our Bibles and get back on our feet. We need to turn our country upside down again so we can become once more, right side up.
Jus' Sayn.
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Unlikely Candidate
You can imagine the disciples' distrust of this Saul of Tarsus. Having been sent out with authority from the chief priest to arrest and kill Christians. Having gone to Damascus, "breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples" (Acts 9:1). Saul was the most unlikely candidate to be chosen by the Lord to be an apostle, even to himself - but he was.
Annanias had to be personally instructed by the Lord before he would accept him. When Saul came to Jerusalem, the disciples there could only see a man who had proven to be an enemy of the Way. Barnabas alone believed in him and championed Saul to be accepted and "brought him to the apostles" (Acts 9:27).
Perhaps you know someone who is an unlikely candidate to become a disciple, but God is already leaning against his/her heart - don't give up on them. They may yet see "a light from heaven" (Acts 9:3), perhaps in you.
Maybe you are that unlikely candidate. Possibly you cannot imagine yourself being used by God in kingdom work or even acceptable as a disciple at all. Saul couldn't have been less likely. When I was called called into ministry, no one was more shocked than me, heathen that I was.
Don't give up on others, don't write yourself off. Although unlikely candidates - they may yet be and you may already be in the process of being called. Who would have thought? Oh yeah, God!
Jus' Sayn.
Annanias had to be personally instructed by the Lord before he would accept him. When Saul came to Jerusalem, the disciples there could only see a man who had proven to be an enemy of the Way. Barnabas alone believed in him and championed Saul to be accepted and "brought him to the apostles" (Acts 9:27).
Perhaps you know someone who is an unlikely candidate to become a disciple, but God is already leaning against his/her heart - don't give up on them. They may yet see "a light from heaven" (Acts 9:3), perhaps in you.
Maybe you are that unlikely candidate. Possibly you cannot imagine yourself being used by God in kingdom work or even acceptable as a disciple at all. Saul couldn't have been less likely. When I was called called into ministry, no one was more shocked than me, heathen that I was.
Don't give up on others, don't write yourself off. Although unlikely candidates - they may yet be and you may already be in the process of being called. Who would have thought? Oh yeah, God!
Jus' Sayn.
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Housekeeping
If you knew that Jesus were coming to stay at your house today, what would you do? Would you say that he'll just have to accept the accommodations just as they are or would you not make sure that the house was clean and fresh linens on the guest bed? Would you set out leftovers or run to the market for something special?
I suspect that each one of us would go out of our way to make him feel comfortable and welcome. We would not have a take or leave it attitude, we would have a how can I show you honor mindset.
As Christians, Jesus is staying at our house today. In fact, he stays there every day - "Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you?" (1 Cor 6:19). Because that is so, just as if it were our brick & mortar home, we ought to make sure he would feel comfortable and welcome. As Paul writes, in view of this truth, "Therefore honor God with your bodies" (1 Cor 6:20).
So, how's the housekeeping been going in your heart, mind and soul? Have you been working to make it welcoming to the Holy Spirit of Christ? Do you seek to honor him in what you think, say and do? Or, do you think he would be offended by the kind of things you allow in and have lying around your house?
Not judging. Jus' Askn.
I suspect that each one of us would go out of our way to make him feel comfortable and welcome. We would not have a take or leave it attitude, we would have a how can I show you honor mindset.
As Christians, Jesus is staying at our house today. In fact, he stays there every day - "Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you?" (1 Cor 6:19). Because that is so, just as if it were our brick & mortar home, we ought to make sure he would feel comfortable and welcome. As Paul writes, in view of this truth, "Therefore honor God with your bodies" (1 Cor 6:20).
So, how's the housekeeping been going in your heart, mind and soul? Have you been working to make it welcoming to the Holy Spirit of Christ? Do you seek to honor him in what you think, say and do? Or, do you think he would be offended by the kind of things you allow in and have lying around your house?
Not judging. Jus' Askn.
Monday, September 16, 2013
Unanswered Prayer
I sat talking with an elderly gentleman whose days were soon coming to an end, but not soon enough for him. He was quite old, unable to go farther than from his bed to his recliner and required fairly heavy medication to beat back the pain - this life could not come to an end too soon for him.
He told me, "I've been praying to God daily to let me go home but He's chosen not to answer me." He was bewildered as to why God would not hear or chose not to answer his prayer. As a chaplain, I needed to come along side of him and help him see God's response to prayer in a better light.
Perhaps you too could use a little light. To begin, just because you haven't heard an answer, doesn't mean it wasn't spoken. In Daniel 9:23, we read, "as soon as you began to pray, a word went out." In 10:12-13, Daniel was told, "...your words were heard...but the Prince of Persia resisted me 21 days." There may be more going on between your praying and hearing an answer than you can imagine.
It could be that the answer is no or you must wait, and you just aren't listening for either of those replies. We can be fairly deft to answers that don't meet our desires. Or is that just me?
It could be that the answer is bigger than just you. It could be that it isn't you at the center at all. It could be that the elderly gentleman's prolonged stay was about his children, grandchildren or others who would be impacted by the answer. Your "unanswered" or "delayed answered" or undesired answer may not be about you either.
Let me share my answer to your prayer concerns: God is good, all the time. All the time, God is good. You can trust Him.
Jus' Sayn.
He told me, "I've been praying to God daily to let me go home but He's chosen not to answer me." He was bewildered as to why God would not hear or chose not to answer his prayer. As a chaplain, I needed to come along side of him and help him see God's response to prayer in a better light.
Perhaps you too could use a little light. To begin, just because you haven't heard an answer, doesn't mean it wasn't spoken. In Daniel 9:23, we read, "as soon as you began to pray, a word went out." In 10:12-13, Daniel was told, "...your words were heard...but the Prince of Persia resisted me 21 days." There may be more going on between your praying and hearing an answer than you can imagine.
It could be that the answer is no or you must wait, and you just aren't listening for either of those replies. We can be fairly deft to answers that don't meet our desires. Or is that just me?
It could be that the answer is bigger than just you. It could be that it isn't you at the center at all. It could be that the elderly gentleman's prolonged stay was about his children, grandchildren or others who would be impacted by the answer. Your "unanswered" or "delayed answered" or undesired answer may not be about you either.
Let me share my answer to your prayer concerns: God is good, all the time. All the time, God is good. You can trust Him.
Jus' Sayn.
Sunday, September 15, 2013
Dry Bones
There are times in life when we simply run dry. We have given all we have to give or someone has taken all we had to start with - in either case, we're done.
Maybe it is a job that has sucked you dry. Perhaps it is a spouse for which you have nothing left to give. It could be your whole crazy family that has just wrung you out of your last bit of care. Whatever or whoever, you're not even running on empty, you've rolled to a stop.
What does one do at this point? How do we draw up refreshing water when there is nothing left to prime the pump? What do we do if the well's gone dry? What if we've reached down deep and nothing is there?
We could give up, assured we gave it all we had. Or, we could look to another Source to refresh our marriage, our job, our family dynamic - our very soul.
When you've exhausted every ounce of strength, every drop of emotion and you can't dig deep enough to find a molecue of care, there is more. When you have become as empty as a valley of dry bones. "This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life" (Ezekiel 37:5).
When you've gone as far as you can go, then there is God.
Jus' Sayn.
Maybe it is a job that has sucked you dry. Perhaps it is a spouse for which you have nothing left to give. It could be your whole crazy family that has just wrung you out of your last bit of care. Whatever or whoever, you're not even running on empty, you've rolled to a stop.
What does one do at this point? How do we draw up refreshing water when there is nothing left to prime the pump? What do we do if the well's gone dry? What if we've reached down deep and nothing is there?
We could give up, assured we gave it all we had. Or, we could look to another Source to refresh our marriage, our job, our family dynamic - our very soul.
When you've exhausted every ounce of strength, every drop of emotion and you can't dig deep enough to find a molecue of care, there is more. When you have become as empty as a valley of dry bones. "This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life" (Ezekiel 37:5).
When you've gone as far as you can go, then there is God.
Jus' Sayn.
Saturday, September 14, 2013
The Answer
When I was a young preacher, full of head knowledge and, perhaps, a bit full of self, I thought I had to have the answer for everyone (whether they asked or not, by the way), fortunately, like so many young folks, I was sure I had all the answers.
As I matured a bit and began to truly see what people were missing in their lives or, more accurately, "Who" they were missing, I came to believe that I needed only to point people to the Answer.
As I have become much more seasoned and sprinkled more heavily with gray, I have have come to see that I need instead to be the Answer for those lost or hurting around me.
I finally, after decades of ministry and enough degrees to be a thermometer, truly understood that I was to be "the light of the world...[and]...let [my] light shine before others..." (Matt 5:14-16), or allow the Light of the Christ within shine on others.
If we, like the apostle Paul, "have been crucified with Christ and [we] no longer live but Christ lives in [us]," (Gal 2:20), then we are Christ for those with whom we come in contact and they see in us the Answer: Christ. People need the Lord - we must let them see Him in our words and deeds.
Jus' Sayn.
As I matured a bit and began to truly see what people were missing in their lives or, more accurately, "Who" they were missing, I came to believe that I needed only to point people to the Answer.
As I have become much more seasoned and sprinkled more heavily with gray, I have have come to see that I need instead to be the Answer for those lost or hurting around me.
I finally, after decades of ministry and enough degrees to be a thermometer, truly understood that I was to be "the light of the world...[and]...let [my] light shine before others..." (Matt 5:14-16), or allow the Light of the Christ within shine on others.
If we, like the apostle Paul, "have been crucified with Christ and [we] no longer live but Christ lives in [us]," (Gal 2:20), then we are Christ for those with whom we come in contact and they see in us the Answer: Christ. People need the Lord - we must let them see Him in our words and deeds.
Jus' Sayn.
Friday, September 13, 2013
God's Friday
It's Friday the 13th. What terrible things are in store for this "unlucky day?" Nothing except what God had either prescribed or permits. This day, like all other days, is God's day, which he has created for his purposes and our enrichment. Even when trials come, our personal growth can result: "Consider it pure joy...whenever you face trials... so that you may be mature and complete..." (James 1:2-4).
Regardless of what may come this day, the Spirit calls us to have but one response, "Rejoice! And I will say it again, rejoice!" (Phil 4:4). Because The Lord is with us, even in the valley of the shadow of death (cf. Psa 23), we can and should "be content" (see Phil 4:12-13).
I do not know what you are facing or will face today. But I do know that if Jesus is Lord of your life, you are not going to be facing it alone. And I know that He has already won the victory for you - even as you step into the struggle or hardship you must endure. "This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. …" (1 Jn 5:4-5).
In Christ, truly "it's all good," even when we have to pass through some pretty rough territory.
Jus' Sayn.
Regardless of what may come this day, the Spirit calls us to have but one response, "Rejoice! And I will say it again, rejoice!" (Phil 4:4). Because The Lord is with us, even in the valley of the shadow of death (cf. Psa 23), we can and should "be content" (see Phil 4:12-13).
I do not know what you are facing or will face today. But I do know that if Jesus is Lord of your life, you are not going to be facing it alone. And I know that He has already won the victory for you - even as you step into the struggle or hardship you must endure. "This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. …" (1 Jn 5:4-5).
In Christ, truly "it's all good," even when we have to pass through some pretty rough territory.
Jus' Sayn.
Thursday, September 12, 2013
Laying Down The Gavel
So often we hear people say, "Don't judge me." We are offended when someone assumes to know all the facts of our lives, all the circumstances in which we live or what is going on in the core of our being. Who do they think they are - God?
We really don't like it when someone assumes that position, unless, of course it is ourselves. We seem to think that we are somehow the exception, that we somehow see more clearly. We are particularly certain when it comes to self-judgment. Surely we are in the position to do that, right? Wrong!
Let me try to make this point abundantly clear - there is only one Judge. There is only One who knows all the particulars, all the circumstances and all the values. And that One is not you. Listen to the Word: "Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. …" (Rom 8:33-34).
While we can and must, at times, judge the actions or "fruit," as Jesus puts it (cf. Matt 7:15-20), we are not equipped, called or authorized to judge the moral worth of anyone, not even self.
And, by the way, it is worth pointing out that "there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" (Rom 8:1). Maybe it's time for laying down the gavel and simply be a witness to what Christ has done.
Jus' Sayn.
We really don't like it when someone assumes that position, unless, of course it is ourselves. We seem to think that we are somehow the exception, that we somehow see more clearly. We are particularly certain when it comes to self-judgment. Surely we are in the position to do that, right? Wrong!
Let me try to make this point abundantly clear - there is only one Judge. There is only One who knows all the particulars, all the circumstances and all the values. And that One is not you. Listen to the Word: "Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. …" (Rom 8:33-34).
While we can and must, at times, judge the actions or "fruit," as Jesus puts it (cf. Matt 7:15-20), we are not equipped, called or authorized to judge the moral worth of anyone, not even self.
And, by the way, it is worth pointing out that "there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" (Rom 8:1). Maybe it's time for laying down the gavel and simply be a witness to what Christ has done.
Jus' Sayn.
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Do Not Be Afraid - Really
It's yet another anniversary of 9/11 and the enemies behind that attack are as active as ever, looking for ways to destroy us. Our President has been chomping at the bit to go to engage in yet another military action with part of them until Russia offered to lead in a peace initiative with Syria - really?
On the home front, the unemployment rate is moving down as the number of Americans give up looking for work goes up and part-time jobs increase - really?
The Affordable Care Act has been steadily increasing the cost of health care while many are losing their employment-provided health care - really?
Does any of this make you feel secure - really? What should our reaction to all this be? Counter intuitively, our response should be one of increasing peace and calm for the victory in all these things is already won - really? Yes! Really!
Listen to the Word of God: “Do not be afraid...Jesus, who was crucified....is not here [in the grave]; he has risen..." (Matt 28:5-6).
I don't know what we may yet have to go through, but I know we don't have to go through it alone. And, I know that He will safely see the sheep of His pasture to the other side (cf. Ps 23).
Jus' Sayn.
On the home front, the unemployment rate is moving down as the number of Americans give up looking for work goes up and part-time jobs increase - really?
The Affordable Care Act has been steadily increasing the cost of health care while many are losing their employment-provided health care - really?
Does any of this make you feel secure - really? What should our reaction to all this be? Counter intuitively, our response should be one of increasing peace and calm for the victory in all these things is already won - really? Yes! Really!
Listen to the Word of God: “Do not be afraid...Jesus, who was crucified....is not here [in the grave]; he has risen..." (Matt 28:5-6).
I don't know what we may yet have to go through, but I know we don't have to go through it alone. And, I know that He will safely see the sheep of His pasture to the other side (cf. Ps 23).
Jus' Sayn.
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
God's Unfailing Love
In the days of the prophet Jeremiah, Israel had turned its back on God, chasing after idols and following the sinful ways of the nations around her. The natural conclusion would have been that God had wiped His hands clean of her, that He no longer considered Israel worthy of His love.
That conclusion, as rational and fair as it might be, would be wrong. In God's eyes, as clear as Israel's rejection of Him had become, He had not changed in His love for Israel. As the people's revealed, "‘I remember the devotion of your youth, how as a bride you loved me" (Jer 2:2). God, despite the reality of Israel's unfaithfulness, still saw her with eyes of love, still cared for her.
You may not feel that same love for God you once did. You may have lost the excitement you felt when you first accepted Christ. You may feel quite distant from Him and wonder how He could love you considering the condition of your heart towards Him. You may have concluded that He no longer considers you worthy of His love.
You would be wrong. Jesus promised, "I will never leave you as orphaned" (John 14:18) and the Psalmist calls us to "put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption" (Psalm 130:7). And, Paul clearly reveals that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord (cf. Rom 8:39).
Regardless of how your love may have waned, God's love is unfailing. Turn your heart back to Him today, He still loves you with the same passion.
Jus' Sayn.
That conclusion, as rational and fair as it might be, would be wrong. In God's eyes, as clear as Israel's rejection of Him had become, He had not changed in His love for Israel. As the people's revealed, "‘I remember the devotion of your youth, how as a bride you loved me" (Jer 2:2). God, despite the reality of Israel's unfaithfulness, still saw her with eyes of love, still cared for her.
You may not feel that same love for God you once did. You may have lost the excitement you felt when you first accepted Christ. You may feel quite distant from Him and wonder how He could love you considering the condition of your heart towards Him. You may have concluded that He no longer considers you worthy of His love.
You would be wrong. Jesus promised, "I will never leave you as orphaned" (John 14:18) and the Psalmist calls us to "put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption" (Psalm 130:7). And, Paul clearly reveals that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord (cf. Rom 8:39).
Regardless of how your love may have waned, God's love is unfailing. Turn your heart back to Him today, He still loves you with the same passion.
Jus' Sayn.
Monday, September 9, 2013
New Victory in Old Failures
You worked hard, you did your best, you gave it all you had - you failed. What happened? What next? Where do I turn from here? Peter and his partners were acutely aware of their failure. There is no denying a fishing boat devoid of fish. They had worked all night, they had employed their considerable collective fishing skills, they did their best - they had no fish. Time to clean their nets, pack up and head home.
And they would have headed for the barn, so to speak, except for Jesus. The Lord dismissed their fishless outcome and set aside their combined professional efforts. The Carpenter directed the fishermen to cast out their nets again. Peter, knowing that he and his partners had done all that was possible to insure a catch but submitted to The Lord saying, " Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets" (Luke 5:5).
The chances of these fishermen catching any fish at this point were small to none, but “What is impossible with man is possible with God" (Luke 18:27). While the cause of their failure may have been poor choices or poor conditions or just bad luck; the assurance of their victory was trusting in The Lord.
If you have done all your research, focused all your energy and gave it your best shot only to fail - perhaps it is time to focus your energy on Jesus and put your trust in Him.erhaps a victory is out of your hands,,but it is not out of His.
Jus' Sayn.
And they would have headed for the barn, so to speak, except for Jesus. The Lord dismissed their fishless outcome and set aside their combined professional efforts. The Carpenter directed the fishermen to cast out their nets again. Peter, knowing that he and his partners had done all that was possible to insure a catch but submitted to The Lord saying, " Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets" (Luke 5:5).
The chances of these fishermen catching any fish at this point were small to none, but “What is impossible with man is possible with God" (Luke 18:27). While the cause of their failure may have been poor choices or poor conditions or just bad luck; the assurance of their victory was trusting in The Lord.
If you have done all your research, focused all your energy and gave it your best shot only to fail - perhaps it is time to focus your energy on Jesus and put your trust in Him.erhaps a victory is out of your hands,,but it is not out of His.
Jus' Sayn.
Sunday, September 8, 2013
Noticed By God
In this world of high-profile celebrities, sports stars, political figures and the "beautiful people," it is easy to feel that the rest of us commoners go unnoticed. There aren't any paparazzi trying to take our picture or news anchors calling for an interview or biographers writing our story. Really, who is going to notice a "C" like me among so many "A" list personalities?
The answer is found in the most unlikely of places: On the branch of a sycamore tree. His name was Zaccheus and he was no one's best friend. He was a hated tax collector, who others went out of their way not to notice. He was also very short, making him easy to overlook.
When the Messiah came to town (cf. Luke 19:1-10), he was too short to see past the crowd and no one would make room for him. So, he climbed a sycamore tree in order to catch a glance as He walked by.
But Jesus did not walk by, he stopped near the tree, looked into Zaccheus' eyes and called him down. Who would notice a "C" like you or me? The God of heaven and earth would and does. In fact, He looks so closely and carefully that "even the very hairs on your head are numbered" (Luke 12:7).
You are noticed. You are loved. You are a child of God.
Jus' Sayn
The answer is found in the most unlikely of places: On the branch of a sycamore tree. His name was Zaccheus and he was no one's best friend. He was a hated tax collector, who others went out of their way not to notice. He was also very short, making him easy to overlook.
When the Messiah came to town (cf. Luke 19:1-10), he was too short to see past the crowd and no one would make room for him. So, he climbed a sycamore tree in order to catch a glance as He walked by.
But Jesus did not walk by, he stopped near the tree, looked into Zaccheus' eyes and called him down. Who would notice a "C" like you or me? The God of heaven and earth would and does. In fact, He looks so closely and carefully that "even the very hairs on your head are numbered" (Luke 12:7).
You are noticed. You are loved. You are a child of God.
Jus' Sayn
Leaving The Mountain
Mountain top experiences with the Lord are awesome times when we bask in His glory, when we feel particularly close to Him and our spirit swells in delight. That feeling can be produced in a worship experience, attending a workshop or seminar, or simply a time in your life when you are feeling particularly at peace in the Lord.
However, mountain top experiences are not where our mission lies, they are meant to prepare us for the battle below. Just as the Israelites, who were camped at Mt Sinai where God spoke from the mountain top were told, "you have stayed long enough at this mountain" (Deut 1:6), it is time to engage the Amorites in battle, we too must leave the mountain top to engage the enemy.
Quiet time, worship time, seminars and times of peace are for our healing and equipping so that we can fight the good fight. The struggle we face is where the victories are found and it is where we truly grow as Christians.
Enjoy the mountain but do not try to take up residence there nor become anxious when that time is over. Look to the hills for your strength but use in on the battle field of life.
Jus' Sayn.
Thursday, September 5, 2013
Freely Giving
Buying a house, setting up a retirement plan, investing in the Market, having a healthy savings account, taking out an IRA, setting aside for a rainy day - all these are what people often think of when the subject of stewardship comes up. A good steward is supposed to take care of the money his Master puts in his charge and investing wisely protects it and grows it as well. All that is true but also quite false as well. What...?
The good steward is to use wisely what his Master puts into his hands; however, he is not to simply wisely invest it for himself. The good steward invest the Master's resources in order to gain return for the Master, not self. That would certainly include funds to provide for the family God has given you, but not primarily. God has many more children He is concerned with than just you or yours and the good steward is concerned about all that concerns his Master.
Listen to what Jesus says, "Freely you have received; freely give" (Matt 10:8). The context of that passage has to do with what the disciples were given and how it could be used for Kingdom good. This includes you money but also your time and energy as well. God wants to bless you but expects you to bless others as well. The point of stewardship is not to invest the Master's resources but to invest them in that which brings a return to the Master.
For whom do you invest the money, time and energy you have been given? What is the end game of your gain?
Jus' Askn.
The good steward is to use wisely what his Master puts into his hands; however, he is not to simply wisely invest it for himself. The good steward invest the Master's resources in order to gain return for the Master, not self. That would certainly include funds to provide for the family God has given you, but not primarily. God has many more children He is concerned with than just you or yours and the good steward is concerned about all that concerns his Master.
Listen to what Jesus says, "Freely you have received; freely give" (Matt 10:8). The context of that passage has to do with what the disciples were given and how it could be used for Kingdom good. This includes you money but also your time and energy as well. God wants to bless you but expects you to bless others as well. The point of stewardship is not to invest the Master's resources but to invest them in that which brings a return to the Master.
For whom do you invest the money, time and energy you have been given? What is the end game of your gain?
Jus' Askn.
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Seeking God
When you read the stories of the Divided Kingdom of Judah Nd Israel in the books of 1st & 2 Kings as well as 1 st & 2nd Chronicles, you will find that not many we're of much account; few were really successful as leaders of God's people. One notable exception was Hezekiah. The nation of Judah prospered under his leadership. He was worthy enough that when he was on his death bed, the Lord extended his life for 15 years (see 2 Kgs 20:6).
What was it about Hezekiah that made him different? He wasn't particularly the wisest or the strongest of Judah's kings but Hezekiah, "In everything that he undertook...sought his God and worked wholeheartedly. And so he prospered" (2 Chron 31:21).
Sounds a bit like Matthew 25:33, where Jesus says to "Seek first the kingdom of God and all these things shall be added to you as we'll." Moses and Jesus reveal the principle of true success: "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters" (Col 3:23). In other words, do your best to honor God, not impress others, and you will find true success.
The universal truth is that we are here to serve God for the benefit of man not necessarily to benefit from man's approval. Serving God is our true and highest calling. When we seek His will with all our hearts, rather than just seek blessings, our lives will have true and lasting meaning, and we will be truly successful.
We will be, as a result of seeking God first, be truly blessed. As Jesus promised, "no one who has left home or wife or brothers or sisters or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God will fail to receive many times as much in this age, and in the age to come eternal life" (Luke 18:29-30).
No one who seeks God first ultimately fails in this life or the next.
Jus' Sayn.
What was it about Hezekiah that made him different? He wasn't particularly the wisest or the strongest of Judah's kings but Hezekiah, "In everything that he undertook...sought his God and worked wholeheartedly. And so he prospered" (2 Chron 31:21).
Sounds a bit like Matthew 25:33, where Jesus says to "Seek first the kingdom of God and all these things shall be added to you as we'll." Moses and Jesus reveal the principle of true success: "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters" (Col 3:23). In other words, do your best to honor God, not impress others, and you will find true success.
The universal truth is that we are here to serve God for the benefit of man not necessarily to benefit from man's approval. Serving God is our true and highest calling. When we seek His will with all our hearts, rather than just seek blessings, our lives will have true and lasting meaning, and we will be truly successful.
We will be, as a result of seeking God first, be truly blessed. As Jesus promised, "no one who has left home or wife or brothers or sisters or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God will fail to receive many times as much in this age, and in the age to come eternal life" (Luke 18:29-30).
No one who seeks God first ultimately fails in this life or the next.
Jus' Sayn.
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Faithful Prayer
The Israelites sinned against God by rejecting His direct rule through Samuel. Instead, they demanded a king "such as all the other nations have" (1 Sam 8:5). Choosing to have a king like the other nations would place them outside God's will in this matter and would produce the kind of consequences that come from rebellion against God.
Nonetheless, Samuel would not turn from them, he would fail to continue his work of intercession for the people as a priest of Almighty God. Samuel declared to the people, "far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you" (1 Sam 12:23). Despite Israel's rejection of God and the tacit rejection of him as their leader, Samuel continued to faithfully pray for them as God desired.
You may have been praying for a spouse or a child or a friend, who time after time chooses to turn their back on God and resist your intercession on their behalf. You may have reached the point where you wonder if there is any point in continuing those prayers. The answer is yes! To begin with, there is always hope as long the breath of life is in them and, more importantly, is is God's will that we pray for one another.
We are even called to continue in prayer for "kings and all those in authority" (1 Tim 2:2), and goodness knows how hopeless most of our political leaders seem to be. I pray dail for Preident Obama, Speaker Boehner and Leader Reed - I can't see them changing but I know they can be changed by God's mighty power.
Regardless of how hopeless it seems to be, prayer always has the potential to change anything or anyone. It only makes sense to keep on keeping on - be faithful in prayer.
Jus' Sayn.
Nonetheless, Samuel would not turn from them, he would fail to continue his work of intercession for the people as a priest of Almighty God. Samuel declared to the people, "far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you" (1 Sam 12:23). Despite Israel's rejection of God and the tacit rejection of him as their leader, Samuel continued to faithfully pray for them as God desired.
You may have been praying for a spouse or a child or a friend, who time after time chooses to turn their back on God and resist your intercession on their behalf. You may have reached the point where you wonder if there is any point in continuing those prayers. The answer is yes! To begin with, there is always hope as long the breath of life is in them and, more importantly, is is God's will that we pray for one another.
We are even called to continue in prayer for "kings and all those in authority" (1 Tim 2:2), and goodness knows how hopeless most of our political leaders seem to be. I pray dail for Preident Obama, Speaker Boehner and Leader Reed - I can't see them changing but I know they can be changed by God's mighty power.
Regardless of how hopeless it seems to be, prayer always has the potential to change anything or anyone. It only makes sense to keep on keeping on - be faithful in prayer.
Jus' Sayn.
Monday, September 2, 2013
The Jethro Principle
Moses was wearing himself out and the people were being frustrated despite his best efforts. The problem? One man biting off more than he could chew. The solution? The Jethro Principle. Let me explain.
Moses, being aware of the need of counsel from God, set himself up as judge for the entire nation of Israel. People would come to him and stand in line all day, waiting to be heard. By evening he was exhausted and many would have to return again, not being heard and not certain they would be heard next time.
Moses' father-in-law, Jethro, saw what was happening, took Moses aside and said "You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone" (Ex 18:18). He further suggested that Moses "select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain —and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens" (v 21).
Moses took on more than possible for one man, more than God had called him to do. Moses assumed he was called to meet Israel's need, and certainly he was, but he was not called alone. God had raised up many faithful men in his company to help. Moses bit off more than God had called him to chew.
Seeing a need does not necessarily mean you are called to meet that need. Unless you are called of God to meet it, it is not yours to meet. It is important that we seek His call in prayer, Bible study, listening to wise counsel of faithful believers and paying attention to life's circumstances. If you are feeling overwhelmed by all the good you are trying to do, it is likely you have reached beyond your call. Maybe it's time to delegate or ask for help.
Jus' Sayn.
Moses, being aware of the need of counsel from God, set himself up as judge for the entire nation of Israel. People would come to him and stand in line all day, waiting to be heard. By evening he was exhausted and many would have to return again, not being heard and not certain they would be heard next time.
Moses' father-in-law, Jethro, saw what was happening, took Moses aside and said "You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone" (Ex 18:18). He further suggested that Moses "select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain —and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens" (v 21).
Moses took on more than possible for one man, more than God had called him to do. Moses assumed he was called to meet Israel's need, and certainly he was, but he was not called alone. God had raised up many faithful men in his company to help. Moses bit off more than God had called him to chew.
Seeing a need does not necessarily mean you are called to meet that need. Unless you are called of God to meet it, it is not yours to meet. It is important that we seek His call in prayer, Bible study, listening to wise counsel of faithful believers and paying attention to life's circumstances. If you are feeling overwhelmed by all the good you are trying to do, it is likely you have reached beyond your call. Maybe it's time to delegate or ask for help.
Jus' Sayn.
Sunday, September 1, 2013
Seeking God
Through the words of the prophet Jeremiah, The Lord declares that He has "plans to prosper you, not to harm you. plans for hope and a future" (29:11). These are wonderful words of comfort and joy on which many bank their salvation, and rightly so. However, these words were not spoken in a vacuum.
As Paul Harvey used to say, "And now, the rest of the story," "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you" (Jer 29:13-14). God's promise of hope and a future rests on our heart's desire of a future with Him. If we are half-hearted or unconcerned with the glory God has in store for us, it will remain in storage. When we seek the glory of God with all our hearts, it will be revealed to us.
It is not enough to give God lip service or to play at Christianity. It is not enough to appreciate what Christ has done, we must assimilate his will into our lives. It is not enough, in the words of author Kyle Idelman, to be a fan, we must be a follower of Jesus. That is to say that we must be disciples not just admirers. Our focus and life path must be altered to that of our Lord or he is not our Lord.
Imagine a football player who only read about and discussed football - will he ever be on the roster? How many pilots just read the instruction manuel and go to the pilot's club but never fly a plane? Would a fisherman not fish or a hunter not hunt? Would they be content to stay in the camp and talk about how to hunt or fish?
When you seek something with all your heart, your body, mind and soul are in it as well. You are changed by what your heart desires. Have you made a personal relationship with Christ your heart's desire? Or is He more of a back burner kind of thing?
Jus' Askn.
As Paul Harvey used to say, "And now, the rest of the story," "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you" (Jer 29:13-14). God's promise of hope and a future rests on our heart's desire of a future with Him. If we are half-hearted or unconcerned with the glory God has in store for us, it will remain in storage. When we seek the glory of God with all our hearts, it will be revealed to us.
It is not enough to give God lip service or to play at Christianity. It is not enough to appreciate what Christ has done, we must assimilate his will into our lives. It is not enough, in the words of author Kyle Idelman, to be a fan, we must be a follower of Jesus. That is to say that we must be disciples not just admirers. Our focus and life path must be altered to that of our Lord or he is not our Lord.
Imagine a football player who only read about and discussed football - will he ever be on the roster? How many pilots just read the instruction manuel and go to the pilot's club but never fly a plane? Would a fisherman not fish or a hunter not hunt? Would they be content to stay in the camp and talk about how to hunt or fish?
When you seek something with all your heart, your body, mind and soul are in it as well. You are changed by what your heart desires. Have you made a personal relationship with Christ your heart's desire? Or is He more of a back burner kind of thing?
Jus' Askn.
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