The most wonderful time of the year

There is a song which is heard repeatedly throughout the month of December which proclaims Christmas as “the most wonderful day of the year.” I was thinking about the implications of that message for our world today.

I know it not just the words of the song that is the motivating factor, but I know several families who seem to pick up that message. They are basically “religiously neutral” throughout the year, but make a point to always “go to the Christmas service” at their church. I’m not saying it is a bad thing that they attend their church, but what makes this one time special? Why suddenly do they slip out of neutral and into drive, get a little traction and suddenly feel the need to “go to church”?

I do understand that in many churches there is a bit of pageantry that surrounds Christmas. They make it special with choral programs, plays, special decorations and special services directed towards the celebration of Christmas. I’m reminded of a story about a man complaining about the church service they had been to. His young son piped up, “I thought it was a pretty good show for a dollar!”

What occurs to me is that to many people it is more about the show, the pageantry if you will, than it is about the one they are supposed to be remembering. I understand the implications of the virgin birth of our Savior. I understand that without the story about that miraculous birth recorded in the scripture; we would miss out of something wonderful. What I don’t understand is why much of the world chooses to just remember the Savior only this one time per year. Why are so many people “religiously neutral” for the rest of the year?

I have to believe that it is because God and religion are really not that important to them. For many it’s like putting on a cross as a piece of jewelry, they think of it as a talisman. They think that it will somehow protect them from bad things happening in their lives. Some reason that if they “go to church,” it will let God know they think of him “this most wonderful day of the year,” yet for some it’s just a good show.

Personally, I love the holiday season. I love the music, I love the decorations, I love the way that many people become more loving and giving, I love that many become more aware of Christ and his miraculous birth. The question is why only in December? Why only one day of the year and then slip back into neutral?

Do you remember what the greatest commandment is? Jesus tells us in Matthew 22:36-38. He is asked, “Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?" Jesus replied, "'You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment.”

If you only showed love to your wife, your husband or you children one time a year, do you think they would really believe you loved them? Ask yourself what your relationship to God is telling him.

Life without an eraser

Have you ever messed up and then wished there were some way to make the mistake go away. You

just can’t, can you. Some wise person once said, “Life is like drawing without an eraser,” once the line is down, there is nothing you can do to make it go away. It’s like drawing with a permanent marker. You can paint over it to cover it up, but often it bleeds through the paint to be seen by all.

At times life can be difficult or perhaps challenging to say the least. Lately I have often repeated the old saying, “We live in interesting times,” referring to all of the changes our country is going through. How do we deal with “interesting times,” or challenging times? I like the saying I read recently that said, “sometimes the most difficult lesson in life to learn is: Which branch to climb and which one to break off.” That is tough isn’t it? That’s life without an eraser.

What happens to our lives, how do they change so drastically or go in a direction we had not planned? Not everyone starts out in the best household, the best home situation, but some do and something happens and their lives are turned upside down. Mary LoVerde wrote a book that addresses this titled, “I used to have a handle on life, but it broke.” I’ve had that handle break a few times myself, so I can relate to this, and maybe you have too, so how do we deal with this?

First of all we can’t plan long range and expect it to always go smoothly or the way we had envisioned.

James reminds us in James 4:13-14, “Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit,” yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.”

Let me say though that this doesn’t mean we shouldn’t plan for the future. A life without visions for our future, without plans is no life at all. I honestly believe that God expects us to think or plan, there is just too much in the scripture about thinking about our future, about how we can serve God, about our eternal future to miss this point. However anyone who thinks it is going to be smooth sailing or that our plans will always come into fruition doesn’t have a true grip on reality.

Well, what should we do then? Well, James adds another verse to the thought above that is important to our plans. He adds in James 4:15, “Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.”

So, when we are planning, we are praying! We need to factor into our plans God and his will. We plan and say, “This is what I intend to do if it is God’s will”. In my life I generally practice the “open door plan”. I try something, stretch towards some plan and if it works out and God opens that door, great, if not, if the door stays shut, that’s great too. You see; then you just change directions and try something else. You see the truth is that we can live our life with out an eraser, because we don’t have to stay between any man made lines. The only lines that are important are the ones that God tells us to stay in side of in his Book. So, how are you doing?

Letting Go

They tell us that the Christmas season is one of the most stressful times of the year. We like to think of it as one big party, but for many it is not. It is a time that puts more emphasis upon relationships and we remember more deeply lost loved ones, children and family separated by miles or sometimes hurt or anger. For far too may rather than being a time of celebration it is a time of regret.

I love the story a preacher told about his grandfather. It seems that there was a terrible thunderstorm that swept through Southern Kentucky at the farm where his family had lived for six generations. In the orchard the wind blew over an old pear tree that had been there as long as anyone could remember. His grandfather was saddened to lose the tree in which he had climbed and played as a boy. He had eaten it’s fruit all of his life and enjoyed its beauty.

A neighbor came by and said, “I’m really sorry to see your pear tree blown down.” “I’m sorry too,” said the old man. “It was a real part of my past.” “Well what are you going to do now,” the neighbor asked? The old man paused for a moment and then said, “I’m going to pick the fruit and burn what is left.”

Don’t you wish you could handing difficult times with that determination? There are so many things in our past that we cling to which maybe should be letting go. We need to learn the lesson that old man knew. We need to enjoy the pleasures of those memories then go on with the present as well as the future. If you can’t, you will always be handicapped in dealing with both the present and the future.

Jesus put it this way in Luke 9:57-62, “As they were walking along, someone said to Jesus, "I will follow You wherever You go." But Jesus replied, "Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay His head." He said to another person, "Come, follow Me." The man agreed, but he said, "Lord, first let me return home and bury my father." But Jesus told him, "Let the spiritually dead bury their own dead! Your duty is to go and preach about the Kingdom of God." Another said, "Yes, Lord, I will follow You, but first let me say good-bye to my family." But Jesus told him, "Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God."

Could it be that you need to let go? I’m not saying to forget, but to enjoy the memories and then move on to enjoy the present and the future.

Seven Kernels of Corn

We are celebrating Thanksgiving this week, a wonderful time of sharing with family and friends. Hopefully you will have that opportunity to spend time with some of your favorite people, share good food, laugh and enjoy the day. But I also hope that you will take time to count your blessings also.

Most of us are aware of some of the reasoning for the holiday, the celebration of the Pilgrims who traveled from another land far away who had survived. They didn’t have it easy as you know, sickness, starvation, death were a very real part of their existence. It was recorded that they averaged 3 deaths per day and less than 50% of their original group lasted through the winter. At one point they were near starvation and each person had to exist on only seven kernels of corn a day.

I have trouble imagining living that kind of existence, though I have seen some of it personally in other countries. Even there I never had to endure what the people around me had to endure. It was at times overwhelming to say the least. Perhaps you have experienced those conditions, perhaps you have seen it up close and personal. If so, then you have some idea of how those first colonist suffered, yet they stopped to count their blessings.

I have been told that some families make a real effort to remember their blessings as they celebrate Thanksgiving by using Seven Kernels of Corn. They place seven kernels of corn beside each plate and ask each person to tell seven things they are thankful for. Not a bad idea is it?

I’m sure that each of us will have far more than seven kernels of corn to eat this Thanksgiving holiday. But because of that many will not really stop and think about how blessed we are. For many, the day has become about food, football and parades, not about counting your blessings. If that’s true in your family, maybe it’s time you help them refocus of what the day is supposed to be about, “Giving Thanks.” We sing a short hymn that has these words, perhaps we need to sing them more often. “Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise him, all creatures here below; Praise him above, ye heavenly host: Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,” (Doxology, Thomas Ken).

What Good Is Christianity?

Christianity is really under attack at this time in our world, it is seems especially in our country. I guess we shouldn’t be surprised. If you set back and be nothing, or do nothing, have no opinions or thoughts that differ from those which are deemed “politically correct,” then you will be left alone. If however you have strong beliefs and either act upon them or express them, you can expect to be attacked. That’s the nature of Satan and those who have been persuaded to believe as he teaches.

It is interesting to see and hear those who are on the side of evil, those who proclaim that God is dead, or that the Bible is no longer relevant or is outdated, screaming out their hateful criticism of Christians. However let me remind you that being a Christian is more than just wearing a name, it is a life style, it is woven through our belief in what is morally right or wrong. It effects our relationship to our world and those who share this world with us.

The following story makes a good point: A preacher and the president of a soap manufacturing company went for a walk together. The president said, "What good is Christianity? Look at all the trouble and misery of the world! Look at the anger, at the division among people. It’s still there, even after years, thousands of years, of teaching about goodness and truth and love and peace. Still there, after all the sermons and teachings. If Christianity is good and true, why should this be?" The preacher said nothing.

They continued walking until he noticed a child playing in the gutter. Then the preacher said, "Look at that child. You say that soap makes people clean, but see the dirt on that youngster. Of what good is soap? With all the soap in the world, over all these years, the child is still filthy. I wonder how effective soap is, after all!"

The president of the soap company protested, "But preacher, soap cannot do any good unless it is used!" "Exactly," replied the preacher. "Exactly."

You may not be able to change much of the world, you may not be able to stop all of the hate that is being directed towards those of us who claim to be Christians, but just like with dirt, you have to start washing somewhere. Little by little the whole body becomes clean if we don’t stop washing….

Of course the washing starts with ourselves. Peter wrote long ago, “to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also, not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.” (1 Peter 3:20-21).

What good is Christianity? It gives us a moral compass that points to God! It makes us clean and it saves those eternally who are washed clean, (1 Corinthians 6:9-11).

GOD WILL PROVIDE

We live in trying, unsettled, unsure times but for those of us who are Christians it is good to know that God is there for us. We trust in God, we rely upon God, we believe that God will provide what is necessary. After all Paul writes in Romans 8:28, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” 

But, is there more to living by faith than just believing and trusting? I believe there is!

A friend shared this story with me that speaks to this problem. “A girl brought home her fiance, a theology student, to meet her parents for the first time. Her father was keen to learn what prospects the boy had.

"How do you plan to make a living?" asked the father. "I don't know," said the student, "but God will provide." The father raised his eyebrows. "Do you own a car?" "No," said the student, "but God will provide." "I see. And where are you thinking of living once you're married? "No idea, but I'm sure God will provide."

Later the mother asked the father what he thought of their prospective son-in-law. "Not a lot, really," sighed the father. "He's got no money and seems to have given precious little thought to the future. But on the positive side, he must think I'm God!"

You see it is a act of faith to trust in God and trust that he will provide, but God also instructs us that our faith requires some actions to have God work in our lives. James 2:14-16 tells us, “What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”

The attitude of the young man in the story above is not a new concept. It is my understanding that when the Gospel was first preached that people really, really believed that Christ was coming back very soon. They gave up there jobs and set with others in their places of worship and prayed and sang waiting for the Lord to come back, believing that God would provide for them. In response to to that problem, Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 3:10-11, “While we were with you, we used to tell you, “Whoever refuses to work is not allowed to eat.”

I honestly believe that God will provide, but I am also very committed to the fact that He requires us to do something to make that happen.

If you want your life to be blessed, then work at it, if you want your church to be blessed, then work at it and God will provide the increase.

A Light...

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16)

I was thinking about this scripture after our bible class the other night and thought how we often limit the scope of this instruction. As near as I can remember I believe that I have always heard this scripture applied to those of the world. That’s good, that’s how it should be, but I think we forget how much our light effects those around us in God’s family also.

Shinning on the world is good, John says the world is filled with darkness and loves the darkness… it doesn’t really know any better. It doesn’t know or has forgotten the blessings that come from being in the light. But what about those in God’s family who are struggling, who are barely holding on, who’s spirits are near the edge of breaking. Do we ever think about how important it is to shine the light in their direction also?

I was remembering a scene from the movie, “The Mummy”. In this scene at one point they enter a dark cavern like room below a pyramid. There is a shaft of light shining into the room from above. They move a ancient mirror in front of the shaft of light and direct it into the room where it shines upon other mirrors arranged around the room. Suddenly the whole room is bathed in light, you can see everything, treasures beyond imagination, more gold than you could spend in a lifetime.

I wonder how much treasure could be revealed if you took the time to shine your light on others the way you are supposed to? One of my favorite passages is Hebrews 3:12-13 where we are told, “see to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.”

So, how about making a special effort this week to shine your light, it may make a difference in whether or not they turn away from God or not.

HALLOWEEN, MASKS AND THE ELECTION

Here we are at the Halloween season once again and I don’t aim to promote or condemn it as such just to make some observations. It’s a time for what we call “trick or treat,” which used to mean you pass out treats to those who visited because you wanted to do something nice for the children in you neighborhood. The visitors dress up in strange costumes, wear masks, wigs, face paint, etc. You passed out some treat or you might have your widows smeared with soap or something else as relatively mild as a consequence. It really was (and sometime still is) a community activity meant to be enjoyed.

Times have changed through the years though, for some, what had been a fun time has become a dark and dangerous time. Kids can’t go out unattended any longer, it’s not safe, there are human predators stalking our streets seeking to do harm to folks and property. That doesn’t speak well for our society does it? Many of the “Trick or Treaters,” have changed also. For some It’s no longer about just having fun it’s about “what you can get for yourself,” and what kind of destruction you can cause and the masks and costumes are just a way to hide your identity.

Of course as I was thinking about this, the current elections came to mind and how much they mirror the “Halloween Mentality”. It seems that all of those running for some office wear mask and costumes, trying to hide who they truly are and it seems also more interested in how holding some office can benefit them and not others. Now, I imagine that there are some politicians somewhere (I know one personally), who truly does seek only to help folks and not benefit themselves, but seems a rare thing. What comforts me in these troubled times is that if God can use ungodly men like king Nebuchadnezzar, and the Pharaoh of Egypt to serve his purposes he can still do it today.

Now here is the difficult thing; we don’t know God’s purpose or his reason for doing things in a certain way. What we do know is that God is in control and no matter who wins the earthly election, we have already won the eternal election if we are Christians. 2 Peter 1:5-8, “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Then in verse 10 & 11 he adds, “Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

The bottom line is that if we serve God faithfully, out Election to the eternal kingdom is assured. It’s an office for life, with no term limits. No masks, no costumes, only the real us revealed before God. I’m tired already of the earth elections, but excited about the eternal one, how about you?

I WANT A NEW ONE

I was doing some work at our house the other day and I kind of over did it. I worked on different projects for probably about 5 hours and I was so tired that I really didn’t feel like doing anything else the rest of the day. You probably know how that feels, just worn out.

The other day I saw an “older gentleman,” with a tee shirt that had a caption with which I could identify. It said, “This Body… One owner, High Mileage, Needs work!” Simple, straight forward, to the point! That describes me at times… and perhaps you also.

Folks often say that it would be great to “turn back the clock,” to a time when we were younger, with the addition of keeping the knowledge we have now. Yes, that is very appealing; a younger body, no aches, no pains, smooth skin, strong muscles, but at this point even with all of our medical technology it is just not possible; at least not possible here on earth.

I heard a story about a little boy who came running to his father and said, “Dad, I just figured what the Bible is about.” His days, said, “Really, what is it about?” The son answered, “It’s on the front, “B.I.B.L.E. and it means, Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth.” I guess he got it right didn’t he, that just about sums it up. That is what the Bible is all about, because we for sure are not going to stay here on earth forever.

At times I’m ready for that change, the older I get the more I understand the power of the promise. That’s the promise the Apostle Paul was trying to help us understand in 1 Corinthians 15:51-53 where he said: “But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed!  It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed.  For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies.”(NLT)

Yes, I’m ready for a new one, a new body, one like Jesus, no more pain, no more weariness; no more parts that sometimes refuse to cooperate. There is a time coming when my ‘High mileage” body will be traded in for a new one. That’s what I planning for, that what I’m looking forward to! How about you?

Rejected but loving anyway

I don't know about you, but sometimes I'm not very smart regarding relationships. There are times when I need to focus on what I am doing just a little more, perhaps be a little more aware than I am. Most likely all of us at sometime uses our time poorly and perhaps relate to others in less than appreciated ways.

A friend, Tom, told me that recently they had one of their young grand daughters visiting. She got a Barbie Doll and was playing with it on the floor. He being a good grandfather, got down on the floor with her and tried to show some interest in what she was doing. After a few minutes she looked at him and said, “Grandpa, don't you have somewhere else you can play?” Wow! That's pretty blunt, but she made it clear that she knew what she intended to do and didn't want him interfering.

How do you help someone who doesn't want to be helped? How do you share with someone who doesn't want your input? How do you love someone who doesn't want to be loved? Jesus had that problem though he understood exactly what people needed. Yet even he couldn't force them to want or except his company, his teaching or his love.

Jesus understood this completely and warned his followers in Luke 9:22, “The Son of Man must suffer a great deal and be rejected by the elders, the high priests and the scribes. Then he must be killed, but on the third day he will be raised.”

In Matthew 23:37 Jesus said, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones to death those who have been sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling.”

Rejected! How do you deal with being rejected? That's one of our greatest fears isn't it? Why don't we get more involved in people's lives? Why aren’t we more open in telling others about the Gospel message? It's not that we fear folks will harm or kill us (for the most part), it's that we fear they may reject us and our message isn't it? Should that stop us from sharing, from trying to be involved in the lives of other folks? Of course not… It didn't stop Tom from loving that grand daughter and it didn't stop Jesus from loving this world. What about you?

The Egg

In a land beyond the ocean in a country far, far away lived a man. He lived a life normal for his small village, working, farming, raising a family, just living life. He was surrounded by beliefs that many of us would find strange. Although he worshiped a higher power, a creator, he was surrounded by those who practiced witchcraft, casting evil spells and controlling people’s lives.

As time passed some missionaries came to this land and taught people about a man named Jesus. Many believed, yet at the same time, many did not. The Witch doctors were of course very unhappy as they made their living selling spells, potions and talismans to the people. Those who turned to follow Jesus rejected witchcraft, so there was a constant conflict among them.

The man in our story came to follow Jesus, he began to practice Christianity. The man’s wife was a believer in witchcraft and opposed her husbands continually and it was a serious problem between them. It was so much of a problem that she couldn’t stand it any longer and decided to take drastic action. She went to the Witchdoctor and asked for a way to change or kill her husband.

The Witchdoctor had the perfect plan; he went to the man’s house while he was working in the fields and placed an egg before the door of the house. He made a special incantation over the egg and sprinkled it with a supposed “magic” powder. When the Christian man looked at the egg it was supposed to make him sick and cause him to die.

When the Christian man arrived home he saw the egg and knew just what it was. He noticed all of his neighbors watching from their doorways and wondering what he would do. To the man it was a test of his new faith; he no longer believed that Witchcraft had any power over him, so he decided to prove that point. He walked up to the egg and proclaimed loudly, “Look at this, God has blessed me with an egg for my supper”. He went into his home, gathered a pan and things to make a fire. He came out and made a fire in front of his house and cooked the egg and ate it to the amazement of all of his neighbors. It was his testimony of his faith in Jesus Christ.

Now you may think that this is an interesting story, but just a story. But it is not! It is a true story that really happened in a small village in Kenya, East Africa. I have been to the house of the man, I have worshiped at the church he began in his village, I have met his wife who was then a believer also.

What is your testimony? What does the world think of when they see you? Does your faith show though in the way you live, the things you say, the way you dress, the faith you exhibit in your actions? Jesus put it in simple terms for us in Matthew 5:15-16 where he said, “Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven”. How are you doing?

Donuts and life

Wow, I just got some good news! Well, may be not “good,” for me physically, perhaps interesting would be a better word. I was reading one of my favorite medical reports (which I have found to be very informative and trustworthy) and found a way to justify my oft denied craving for Crispy Cream donuts. The report said that they have found that there is more sugar in a Starbucks Frapachino than in a Crispy Cream donut… So, now I can justify myself in skipping Starbucks and instead picking up a Crispy Cream donut with chocolate icing!

OK, I’ll continue to skip the donuts, but I still like them and really could feel more justified in eating one (or two) now. Isn’t it strange how our minds work? I have often said in considering life, that I can find a way to justify just about anything I want. Think about it, the “New Car” commercials on television plant the idea that it would just be great to have a new car. Suddenly you start hearing noises when you drive. You notice that the paint is a little more faded and scratched than you had thought. The tires are going to have to be replaced soon and there are some other repairs that you have been putting off, so why not start dreaming about the new car. Then before long the dream becomes a passion and soon you are the owner of a new car (and new car payments).

Now the same is true of furniture, appliances or even your house. For some folks it is even their spouse or families that they begin finding reasons to replace. Some even decide that their lives need some changing (and not necessarily for the better). They decide to find out about all the world is trying for fun, excitement and simulation. They become involved in drinking, gambling and perhaps even sexual relationships outside of the marriage covenant.

Now the world says this is great, they say: “try new things,” “live your life anyway you want,” “don’t let old moral views hold you back,” perhaps even “Crispy Cream donuts are good for you”. Yet, the apostle Peter warned 2000 years ago, “Be serious and keep watch; the Evil One, who is against you, goes about like a lion with open mouth in search of food; Do not give way to him but be strong in your faith, in the knowledge that your brothers who are in the world undergo the same troubles. (1 Peter 5:8-9)

So where does this leave us? How do we deal with this issue? King Solomon gave us an answer a couple of centuries ago when he said: “All has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil”. (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)

Well having said all that, I think I’ll head over for a Crispy Cream donut… well maybe not!

Scratching it out

A minister was sitting at the kitchen table working at writing a sermon. His young daughter came in and asked what he was doing. He said, “I'm writing a sermon for this coming Sunday morning.” The daughter asked, “How do you know what to write?” He replied, “The Spirit leads me as I write the words.” She thought for a moment and said, “If the Spirit is leading you, why are you scratching out so much of it?”

Now the scripture does indicate that the Spirit will help guide us if we open ourselves up to God. Paul writes in Romans 8:14, “for all who are led by God's Spirit are God's Children”. He also mentions in Galatians 5:18 that, “...if you are being led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.”

I'm afraid we forget it far too often, but we really should understand that when we become Christians we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit in our lives. “Peter answered them, “Every one of you must be baptized in the name of Jesus the Messiah for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the Holy Spirit as a gift.” (Acts 2:38).

The obvious question then is, “How does the Spirit lead us today?” We are led by the word of God in conjunction with the Spirit who dwells in us. The apostle Paul shared these thoughts with us in Ephesians 3:2-6, “Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.”

Jesus words fills and and leads us as we read the things written by His apostles. It can have an amazing and wonderful effect on our lives and direct our steps if we allow it.

The problem is that many times we “scratch out” the parts we don't like or agree with. In doing some reading “online” I was amazed at the number of people who said we should not believe everything Paul wrote, basically because it went against today's accepted social and moral standards. You tell me, who is right, God or man? What (or who) is going to lead you today. For me, I choose God and His Word!

Sharing the story

The our young adults group in our church have asked each of the elders and their wives to come and share the story of their Journey to faith. So we have been taking turns and doing that every few weeks.

Last night was my wife and my night to do this….I didn’t feel that I had much to share, but they asked a lot of questions and drew out more information that I had thought about sharing.

It was a good time to be together and they said they felt that they got to know us on a more personal level now. Hopefully it will help them in their walk of faith.

Often when we talk about “sharing our faith” we seem to classify it as mainly “Witnessing to someone about what God has done to make you follow him”. It doesn’t seem like very often we just share what changed our lives does it?

If I asked you, “Tell me how you met your wife or husband.” Most wouldn’t have a problem doing that. “If I asked you to share what drew you to them to become their spouse you could probably do that too.

What if we approached sharing the Gospel like that? What if, rather than trying to memorize a lot of scripture to try and teach someone we just told them why Jesus was so important to us and how he changed our lives?

Could you do that? Remember the woman at the well in John 4:29- 30, She simply said: “Come and see a man who told me everything I ever did! Could He possibly be the Messiah?’  So the people came streaming from the village to see Him.”

This woman didn’t quote scripture, she hadn’t been to a class on evangelism… she just told folk what Jesus had done for her. Could you do the same?

What is your message? What is proclaimed through your life? Do people see that in some way you have been changed and are curious enough to want to find out about that change? You see, before trying to change anyone else, we need to change ourselves and if it is a true change for the good, people will notice and follow.

I Believe...

In our bible class last night we reviewed my second most favorite (or meaningful to me) verse. It is contained in a narrative in Mark 9:14-30 where Jesus casts a demon out of a young boy. The father is challenged concerning his faith and his response in verse 24 was, “I believe, help thou my unbelief”, or “I do believe, but help me to have a stronger faith.”

One of the reasons this is one of my most favorite passages is that I can identify with those words more than you might suspect. You see, we tend to look at people and form an opinion about them and their faith from a very limited knowledge of them. You consider what you know of me, my ministries, our mission efforts and think, “Russ has it all together, I bet he never worries about anything.” Well, if that's way you think, you would be wrong. It may be true that my wife and I have faced some challenges which you have not. It may be true that we have undertaken works that you would rather not, but that doesn't mean that my faith is unshakable. That may or may not surprise you, but I believe that God places us where he wants us to be and perhaps those places are to challenge, test or strengthen our faith.

You will never know how many times I have prayed, “Lord, I believe, but help me have a stronger faith. Help me have a faith that trusts you more and that let's me give more control of my life to you”. “I believe, help thou my unbelief!”

What this passage lets me know is that I'm no different from anyone else. That each of us face Faith Challenges from time to time. You may be struggling with health issues, job issues, personal relationship issues or with faith issues. You maybe looking at this things and thinking, “There is no way I can deal with this by myself.” If you are, then you also identify with that father of 2,000 years ago about who we read, “Straight away the father of the child gave a cry, saying, I have faith; make my feeble faith stronger.” (BBE) Is it time for you to consider your faith and perhaps give up some control, or as they say, “Let go and let God.”

Change is inevitable, but not always good.

We live in a world where change is a constant. No matter what area of life to which you look, you will see change, change is inevitable, you can't stop it, but I would suggest that you can control how it affects your life to some degree.

The thing with change is that if it is going on around you, you often don't notice it happening. Having lived in Africa for a number of years we were perhaps more aware of changes in America. These changes were more evident to us when we visited, than those who are living in the midst of them. For example: On one of our furlough trips we stopped at a restaurant while traveling. I went to pay our bill and in front of me were a family with teenage children. The daughter had thong underwear pulled up on her hips and shorts that were worn far too low. Somewhat embarrassed for them I thought, “This must be a poor family, they can't afford clothes that fit their children.” Of course later I found that this was a “fashion statement”.

I realize that I am somewhat “older” than some of you, and maybe I am “behind the times” and an “old fogie,” but I don't see this as a good change.

Not long after returning to live in America we attended a funeral (the first after returning). We dressed in a way we felt was appropriate, you know what they used to call “church clothes.” I wore dress slacks, a tie and jacket and my wife wore a dress. We walked in and were shocked because there were young women there wearing halter tops, short shorts and flip flops. Apparently the “dress with respect” aspect of our society had shifted even more. And again, I don't see this change as a good thing.

Another change I noted is how folks dress in our bible studies and worship assemblies. Now I realize that there are no “clothing guidelines” in the bible, other than to behave decently and modestly and I certainly am not suggesting that we try and mandate any. But I am suggesting that modesty be considered regarding proper attire for those who claim to be in the presence of God. I thought to myself the other day, I wonder how folks would dress if they really thought that Jesus was going to be there when they arrived? Of course we know he is, isn't he?

Now I realize that this is a very subjective and personal observation, because what I feel is modest or decent may not be the same thing you think it is. When we were in Africa I saw a man leading the song service wearing a woman's, short, sheer negligee instead of a shirt. He didn't know what it was, it came in a good will box from America and he thought it was better than the one tee shirt he had with holes in it. I saw a man wearing a pair of ladies maternity pants with the large elastic panel on the front, because again he didn't know what they were and they were nice pants with no holes. I however know better and wouldn't wear those things.

All of this is to suggest that perhaps the changes as to what is acceptable in our world may not always be good things. And, I would ask that you consider how your attire is perceived by those around you. Paul puts it this way, “We are free to do all things, but there are things which it is not wise to do. We are free to do all things, but not all things are for the common good. Let a man give attention not only to what is good for himself, but equally to his neighbor’s good.” (1 Corinthians 10:23-24 - BBE)

JESUS KNOWS THE ANSWER

I was reading John 6 the other night where Jesus fed the 5000 with a two fish and 5 loaves of flat  bread. Although you can read about this in all four Gospel accounts, John gives us some information you don't read in other places so I found it especially interesting.

As I read this passage I stuck me that Jesus knows the answer before we even know the question. In this passage Jesus asked Philip in verse 5 and, “Where can we buy bread for these people to eat?” Then in verse 6 we read, “Jesus said this to test him, because he himself already knew what he was going to do.”

I don't know about you, but I really need to work on remembering this idea. There is an old hymn with these words, “My Jesus knows just what I need”. That's a difficult concept for us to grasp isn't it, yet when we have been around someone for a long period of time we can often anticipate what they need or want. We may realize that they need something even before they ask. Why then, should it be so difficult to think that our God can do the same thing?

The scripture tells us that he knew us even while we were in our mother's womb (Jeremiah 1:5). In other words, he has known us for a long time and he knows what we need, far better than do we.

As we consider John 6, I am sure that the disciples were shocked and surprised at the solution Jesus offered for feeding 5,000 plus people. Yet, Jesus already knew exactly what was going to happen and the end result of collecting 12 baskets of left overs. An unbelievable answer for an overwhelming question.

How often in our lives do we face difficulties that seem to have no ready solution? Perhaps we face questions in our lives that have no easily discerned answer? Could it be that Jesus knows the answer before we even know how to frame the question? In John 6 we see that a solution to the problem was reached, but only after the disciples first listened to what Jesus told them to do and second, then did it.

Maybe you are not like me,  maybe you don't struggle with as many questions as I; but from what I've seen of this world, I believe you probably do. Perhaps it's time to spend more time listening to Jesus speak to us through His Word. If we do, just perhaps he will supply us with a much needed answer.

When Life gives you lemons… it has a Silver lining

OK, I know it is a mixed metaphor, but it gets your attention and sets up the idea I want to convey.

The past couple of weeks have been difficult for me in some ways. I injured my Sciatic nerve and have been in quite a bit of pain. I have seen a doctor and am taking therapy, but the results are somewhat slow in reliving the pain to say the least. Quite a surprise as I have never had this type of problem before.

Next I had a filling come out of a tooth and went to the dentist yesterday for a simple repair. A few hours later I left the office after having two Wisdom Teeth pulled, a tooth prepared for a crown and three small fillings. This was a surprise as it is the first of my teeth I have had to have pulled in almost 68 years and seldom have problems with my teeth.

So, those are some of the lemons (the sour things that make you scrunch up your mouth and shake your head and say I don't like that). OK, I know you can make lemonade, but I don't much like that either. Now I can choose to dwell on those things and say, "Oh, poor me! Why do all of these things happen to me? I have to admit that I don't like the pain and am praying for quick relief, however I tend to look for the Silver Lining when I can.

A few weeks ago the church where I had previously preached in California sent us a house warming gift of a beautiful Boston fern. Now that the weather has warmed here in Ohio my wife hung it on the back porch and waters and cares for it regularly. Quite unexpectedly one day she found a Robin's nest in the fern. Now, day by day we watch it and as of yesterday it has 4 eggs in it. We also noticed one day, one the Robin's eggs lay broken on the ground and in the place of the Robin's egg was a smaller brown speckled egg. We suspect a sneaky Sparrow did this, taking advantage of the Robin's care for the egg and baby soon to be born. We are looking forward to this with great expectations.

OK, here's the point. You can choose to dwell on the Lemon's in your life, or you can look for the Silver Linings around you. I choose to try and look for the good, the beautiful, possibly the unexpected; for that which will make me smile and think good thoughts in spite of the pain life brings. 

Paul wrote these words to us on how to deal with life in Philippians 4:8 (I hope you find them helpful): "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honorable, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things". (ASV) Another paraphrase of this verse says, "fill your minds with those things that are good".

So how are you dealing with you "Life Lemons"? Stop and look around you for that Silver Lining," and think on these things. 

Mother's Day Thoughts

This week my 8 year old grand daughter said, "Grandpa, come here," and she pulled me into the living room. She then whispered, "What are you going to do for grandma for Mother's day?" To which I replied, "Nothing"…. She had a shocked look on her face and I said, "Allyson, she's not my mother, she is your dads mother. My mother was great grandma Lawson." She thought for a moment and say, "Yes, but couldn't you fix her breakfast in bed or something?" I assured her that I would be doing something special for her grandmother.

Mother's day is not a religious holiday or a government recognized holiday, but it is one of the most important days we celebrate. We pause to recognize the one who is the center of most homes. Yes fathers are important, but mother's many times do most of the nurturing and spend the most time with the children. You may feel (but I hope not), like one young man recently who said, “My mother never did anything for me”. Our response was, “Yes she did,” “She cared enough to carry you for 9 months and give birth to you”. She cared for you, bathed you; fed you, changed you when you need it and did it because she loves you”. I mean, really, without your mother you wouldn't be here.

Many women choose abortion in our world and the life God has given them as a gift is ended. If you are a woman in that situation, I'm sorry if these words hurt or offend, but none the less I believe them to be true.

Mother's we who are your children are sometimes unappreciative, sometimes hurtful, sometimes difficult to deal with, but underneath it all, we really do love you. Thank you for loving us back! But mother's the most important thing you can give your children is an understanding of and love for God and His Word.

In 2 Timothy 1:5 & 3:14 Paul encourages Timothy by saying, "You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them [that is, your mother Eunice and through her from your grandmother Lois]; and that from childhood you have known the holy scriptures [because your mother taught them to you] which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus."

Thank you mother's and Happy Mother's Day.

THE PROBLEM

We had a man come into my place of work the other day and he immediately said, “I want to talk with the store manager”. The store manager wasn't available for awhile, so he told me his problem. It seems he had bought a lawnmower a little over a year ago and it just blew the engine. He wanted the store to give him a new one or credit towards a more expensive mower. In other words, to redeem the broken one and make it new in some way...that was a problem…

When the manager arrived he explained that the store policy is that we will refund or replace up to 60 days on mowers, but the manufacturer has a one year warranty (which was also past). I thought the manager did a good job of explaining all of this very patiently, but it was a problem with no cheap answer to make it right. I mean, that which regulates the transaction and responsibilities was clearly spelled out in the papers they were given…so what do you do?

This is similar to the problem each of us have today isn't it? We as humans are broken and unfixable by human standards. Each of us has the problem of sin in our lives. It may not be a BIG easily recognizable sin, but to God, sin is sin. If you don't obey his rules, then you can't be fixed. God's word tells us that all of us sin and fall short of God's Glory, (Romans 3:23). While we are told in 1John 1:7-10 that anyone who says they don't sin is calling God a liar and that His Word is really not part of their lives. That is a problem isn't it, because sin separates us form the source of life (eternally) God himself. When we sin, we are responsible for the cost for the damage to our lives, which is impossible for us to pay.

Fortunately, when God wrote his rules, he wrote in a redemption clause, an escape clause if you will. It's spelled out clearly in his rule book (the Bible) in more than one place. Places like Mark 16:15-16 and Romans 6:1-10. We are told that the redemption we can experience is not dependent upon our own ability, but upon the willingness of Christ to pay what was necessary for us. What was required was a payment in blood; a payment of sacrifice; a payment of suffering to fix what you broke and for which you were responsible. He paid the debt he did not own, because he loves you that much! In return he asks the you obey him and commit to living by His rules to the best of your ability.

Now the man who came into our store was helped with his problem. We actually gave him a loner mower until he could check with the manufacturer. Redeemed or fixed no; we were just kind of able to put a bandage on the sore spot in hopes he can get it fixed properly some place else.

I see a lot of people who are putting band aids on their lives, they cover up the sore spot, but something is missing, something is hurting, something is lacking in their lives. It is the healing that comes from God when we finally decide to follow the rules in His Book the Bible. To embrace the need to sacrifice some things in our own lives, to gain eternal life.