"If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us." (1 John 1:10)
This verse is one that used to really bother me a lot. It seemed to me so stupid! Who on earth would ever dream of saying that they had not sinned? Then one day as I was reading the familiar words, I realized that we have to put the emphasis where I am sure John meant it. If we put the emphasis on the word "sinned" we get the meaning. "If we say we have not sinned we make God a liar, and His word is not in us."
John is not so concerned with people who actually deny that they ever sin, but with those who claim that the sin they do commit is not sin at all, and therefore deny that they are guilty. John means that there are times when we are not prepared to admit anything wrong about what we are doing.
Today, more than ever we find those in this precise position and maintaining it. I read somewhere that we call this age the age of permissiveness, and what permissiveness has at its very core is the denial of guilt. Men change the labels and say things that God's law condemns are not sin. Labels can be changed, but that doesn't change what is inside and sin in the sight of God is still sin. Those to whom John is referring rejected the condemnation and judgment of God upon the sins whey were committing.
We are told that "God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh.” If it is true that those whom John refers to, as well as for us today, have a guilt that is denied,… then that leads to a grace that has been discarded.
If there is no guilt there is no sin;... if there is no sin, there is no need for a Savior. That adopts a position which simply makes God a liar, and says that God's whole plan of salvation is irrelevant and meaningless, and that the Gospel of God's saving grace in Jesus Christ is nothing but a quack remedy for an illness (sin) that never existed. What a sad and tragic destination for those who walk in the darkness!
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Monday, March 28, 2011
KNEEL IN PRAYER...STAND UP TO ANYTHING!
I’ve come to notice that the best position from which I can truly see God is when I am on my knees, humbled before God’s awesome majesty! It is from my knees that I can look up to all the greatness of God, and gain a better perspective on just how wonderful He is. Prayer puts us on our knees to receive the fullness of God. I find that when I'm on my knees, I am more focused…my heart is more humble… and it just seems that I am closer to Him. It is when I am on my knees that I recognize more clearly that I am before the love that changes me. I don't know how it works,…but there's definitely power when I'm on my knees.
Mother Teresa once said…“Prayer enlarges your heart until it is capable of receiving God’s gift of Himself.” Prayer spoken humbly before God creates many rooms in your heart for God to occupy with His great power and immense love. Position yourself to receive the gifts of God…position yourself to open your heart to who God is and what God has for you. It’s just my opinion…but, there is no better place than on your knees. A person who kneels in prayer will be able to stand up to anything.
This is a great poem that has blessed my life in knowing that without prayer we cannot be successful in the things of God. I read this somewhere and copied it to use someday. It is a poem called “Traveling On Your Knees” written by Sandra Goodwin. I hope you enjoy the poem as much as I did.
TRAVELING ON YOUR KNEES
Last night I took a journey
To a land across the seas.
I didn't go by ship or plane
I traveled on my knees.
I saw so many people there
In bondage to their sin,
And Jesus told me I should go,
That there were souls to win.
But I said "Jesus, I can't go
To lands across the seas."
He answered quickly, "Yes, you can
By traveling on your knees."
He said, "You pray, I'll meet the need.
You call, and I will hear.
It's up to you to be concerned
For lost souls far and near."
And so I did; knelt in prayer,
Gave up some hours of ease,
And with the Savior by my side,
I traveled on my knees.
As I prayed on, I saw souls saved
And twisted persons healed,
I saw God's workers strength renewed
While laboring in the field.
I said, "Yes Lord, I'll take the job.
Your heart I want to please.
I'll heed Your call and swiftly go
By traveling on my knees."
By Sandra Goodwin
Mother Teresa once said…“Prayer enlarges your heart until it is capable of receiving God’s gift of Himself.” Prayer spoken humbly before God creates many rooms in your heart for God to occupy with His great power and immense love. Position yourself to receive the gifts of God…position yourself to open your heart to who God is and what God has for you. It’s just my opinion…but, there is no better place than on your knees. A person who kneels in prayer will be able to stand up to anything.
This is a great poem that has blessed my life in knowing that without prayer we cannot be successful in the things of God. I read this somewhere and copied it to use someday. It is a poem called “Traveling On Your Knees” written by Sandra Goodwin. I hope you enjoy the poem as much as I did.
TRAVELING ON YOUR KNEES
Last night I took a journey
To a land across the seas.
I didn't go by ship or plane
I traveled on my knees.
I saw so many people there
In bondage to their sin,
And Jesus told me I should go,
That there were souls to win.
But I said "Jesus, I can't go
To lands across the seas."
He answered quickly, "Yes, you can
By traveling on your knees."
He said, "You pray, I'll meet the need.
You call, and I will hear.
It's up to you to be concerned
For lost souls far and near."
And so I did; knelt in prayer,
Gave up some hours of ease,
And with the Savior by my side,
I traveled on my knees.
As I prayed on, I saw souls saved
And twisted persons healed,
I saw God's workers strength renewed
While laboring in the field.
I said, "Yes Lord, I'll take the job.
Your heart I want to please.
I'll heed Your call and swiftly go
By traveling on my knees."
By Sandra Goodwin
Friday, March 25, 2011
WANT TO SEE MY SCAR?
"After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord" (John 20:20 NIV).
Here I sit, kind of gathering some thoughts for Easter,… reading about the resurrection of Jesus in the Gospel of John, chapter twenty. Now, I have read this story plenty of times, but this time God opened my eyes to see something I had never noticed before.
It was later in the day…after Mary Magdelene had discovered the empty tomb, and ran to tell the others that the tomb was empty. The disillusioned band of disciples were huddled together in their hiding place, and the Bible tells us Jesus appeared in their midst. He didn't knock. He didn't open the door. He just simply appeared.
"Peace be with you," Jesus said. But the disciples didn't recognize Him. He looked like Jesus,…he talked like Jesus,… but how...how could it be? In order to convince the disciples that He was indeed the risen Christ, Jesus made a simple gesture. He held out His hands and revealed the nail pierced hands. Then he pulled aside his garment to reveal the scar in His sword pierced side. It was then...that they believed.
As I read these verses, God replayed the scenes in my mind's eye, and finally it captured my attention ... "'Peace be with you!' After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord" (John 20:1-20). They didn't recognize Jesus until He showed them His scars. It was almost as if God were saying to me, “This is what I wanted you to see.” They did not recognize Jesus until He showed them His scars,…and this is how others still recognize Him today...when men and women who have experienced the healing of past wounds are not ashamed to show their scars to a hurting world.
See, Jesus did not have to retain the scars of the crucifixion on His resurrected body. He could have returned without them. After all, He is the one who put new flesh on the hands and feet of the lepers. So, why do you think Jesus' kept His scars when he returned from the grave? He chose to keep the scars, I believe, because they were precious to Him... that's how others would recognize who He was.
Do you know it is still the way that people recognize Jesus today,… when we are not ashamed to show the scars in our own lives? What do you think of when you look at the scars on your own body? What comes to mind? How can you use the scars in your own life (the ones that are on your soul) to bring glory to God? It happens when we reveal the wounds that are now healed….when we tell about the Healer who made it possible.
Dear God, thank You that Jesus kept His scars when He rose from the dead. I pray that I will not be ashamed of the scars in my own life, but that people will recognize the Healer in my life through my story. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Here I sit, kind of gathering some thoughts for Easter,… reading about the resurrection of Jesus in the Gospel of John, chapter twenty. Now, I have read this story plenty of times, but this time God opened my eyes to see something I had never noticed before.
It was later in the day…after Mary Magdelene had discovered the empty tomb, and ran to tell the others that the tomb was empty. The disillusioned band of disciples were huddled together in their hiding place, and the Bible tells us Jesus appeared in their midst. He didn't knock. He didn't open the door. He just simply appeared.
"Peace be with you," Jesus said. But the disciples didn't recognize Him. He looked like Jesus,…he talked like Jesus,… but how...how could it be? In order to convince the disciples that He was indeed the risen Christ, Jesus made a simple gesture. He held out His hands and revealed the nail pierced hands. Then he pulled aside his garment to reveal the scar in His sword pierced side. It was then...that they believed.
As I read these verses, God replayed the scenes in my mind's eye, and finally it captured my attention ... "'Peace be with you!' After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord" (John 20:1-20). They didn't recognize Jesus until He showed them His scars. It was almost as if God were saying to me, “This is what I wanted you to see.” They did not recognize Jesus until He showed them His scars,…and this is how others still recognize Him today...when men and women who have experienced the healing of past wounds are not ashamed to show their scars to a hurting world.
See, Jesus did not have to retain the scars of the crucifixion on His resurrected body. He could have returned without them. After all, He is the one who put new flesh on the hands and feet of the lepers. So, why do you think Jesus' kept His scars when he returned from the grave? He chose to keep the scars, I believe, because they were precious to Him... that's how others would recognize who He was.
Do you know it is still the way that people recognize Jesus today,… when we are not ashamed to show the scars in our own lives? What do you think of when you look at the scars on your own body? What comes to mind? How can you use the scars in your own life (the ones that are on your soul) to bring glory to God? It happens when we reveal the wounds that are now healed….when we tell about the Healer who made it possible.
Dear God, thank You that Jesus kept His scars when He rose from the dead. I pray that I will not be ashamed of the scars in my own life, but that people will recognize the Healer in my life through my story. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Monday, March 21, 2011
WHAT IS IT ABOUT MONDAYS?
I suppose for those of us who are in the ministry…Monday is that day to either celebrate… or, to second guess what happened yesterday! I don’t know if it is factual or not, but, I’ve heard it said that Monday was the number one day for pastor resignations. I suppose at least some of that comes from the “second guessing” of what happened on Sunday.
I know from my own personal experience that the number one thing I find myself “second guessing” on Mondays…especially when I am in one of those valley times… is me! I start thinking, “Did God REALLY call me…or, was it the pizza I had the night before?”
But then, I call to mind how Paul began nearly all of his letters… he would begin each one of them by identifying the fact that he has been called to be an Apostle by God Himself. That helps me to remember that God knew EXACTLY what He was doing when He called you and I. And not only has He called us…but He has gifted and empowered us to do the work that He has prepared for us to do! Isn’t that something?!
Pastor…Ministry Leader…Teacher…God knew exactly what He was doing when He called you! He didn’t dial the wrong number. There wasn’t an angel that messed up and went to you instead of your next door neighbor. He called YOU! And…when we learn to allow our identity to be in the fact that the CREATOR of the UNIVERSE called us… instead of how many people have “friended” us on facebook,… or how many people we have in church …we can truly learn to rely on His strength and not our own!
He called us…not because of who we were… but in spite of it! He knew everything about us…all of our previous sins (and the future ones as well), and yet still chose to call us to Himself and give us stewardship of something that is very near to His heart…His church! WOW!…GO GOD!
He called you not because He knew you could get it done…but because He knew you were the person who would bring Him the most glory. Rick Warren once said that… “God most often puts His strongest gifts in His weakest vessels!” (I thought he was really smart until I realized he was paraphrasing 2 Corinthians 4:7.)
He called us…and, He gifted and empowered us to do HIS work! Sure, there are times when we feel like we literally can’t go on. There are times when it seems that our strength is zapped and we want to tap out. But, I’ve found that it is in those times that He most often does His best work!
He called you,… equipped you,…will sustain you… and be with you always! So, if you are second guessing yesterday…just remember that God isn’t second guessing you! Fix your eyes on Him and get on with whatever He’s called you to do!
I know from my own personal experience that the number one thing I find myself “second guessing” on Mondays…especially when I am in one of those valley times… is me! I start thinking, “Did God REALLY call me…or, was it the pizza I had the night before?”
But then, I call to mind how Paul began nearly all of his letters… he would begin each one of them by identifying the fact that he has been called to be an Apostle by God Himself. That helps me to remember that God knew EXACTLY what He was doing when He called you and I. And not only has He called us…but He has gifted and empowered us to do the work that He has prepared for us to do! Isn’t that something?!
Pastor…Ministry Leader…Teacher…God knew exactly what He was doing when He called you! He didn’t dial the wrong number. There wasn’t an angel that messed up and went to you instead of your next door neighbor. He called YOU! And…when we learn to allow our identity to be in the fact that the CREATOR of the UNIVERSE called us… instead of how many people have “friended” us on facebook,… or how many people we have in church …we can truly learn to rely on His strength and not our own!
He called us…not because of who we were… but in spite of it! He knew everything about us…all of our previous sins (and the future ones as well), and yet still chose to call us to Himself and give us stewardship of something that is very near to His heart…His church! WOW!…GO GOD!
He called you not because He knew you could get it done…but because He knew you were the person who would bring Him the most glory. Rick Warren once said that… “God most often puts His strongest gifts in His weakest vessels!” (I thought he was really smart until I realized he was paraphrasing 2 Corinthians 4:7.)
He called us…and, He gifted and empowered us to do HIS work! Sure, there are times when we feel like we literally can’t go on. There are times when it seems that our strength is zapped and we want to tap out. But, I’ve found that it is in those times that He most often does His best work!
He called you,… equipped you,…will sustain you… and be with you always! So, if you are second guessing yesterday…just remember that God isn’t second guessing you! Fix your eyes on Him and get on with whatever He’s called you to do!
Friday, March 18, 2011
WHAT'S THE SCORE?
"Love is patient, love is kind...it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no records of wrongs" (1 Corinthians 13:4 NIV)
Have you ever known someone who is a perpetual scorekeeper. I mean, they spend their life with scorecards in hand, tallying up the points. I listened to a woman as she just poured out her family's shortcomings to me. The names are all fictitious, but you may recognized some of the players in your life. "Mary never comes to see me," and, the woman began to complain about her granddaughter. "And she never calls me either. I saw her sitting on the other side of the church last week and she didn't even come over and give me a hug." Then, she continued, "Billy is just as bad," talking about her grandson. "He never comes by unless he wants something. I never hear from him, but if he wants money for a mission trip…that’s about the only time I get a letter. He's just like his father…he never pays any attention to me unless he wants something."
Through our time together, this lady mentioned several family members and friends who had disappointed her,…who had not lived up to her expectations, or who had not given her the love she "deserved.” The more I listened; the clearer a picture began to take shape in my mind. I could see my friend with a big stack of scorecards. At the top of each card was a name: a grandchild, a child, a friend, a pastor,…yes, even one with MY name printed across the top.
1 Corinthians 13:4-5 says, "Love is patient, love is kind...it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no records of wrongs" Love is about giving. Not necessarily about giving money or gifts,… but giving love. Can I say that again? Love is about giving love. Love does not keep records and scorecards of wrongs, or even perceived wrongs. It does not involve an accounting of plusses and minuses. It does not keep a running list of kindnesses to reward those who come out on top, and shun those who do not.
Self-centeredness says, "What has that person done for me lately?” Love says, "What can I do for that person today?" Self-centeredness makes mental lists of how others have disappointed him or her. Love makes mental lists of ways he or she can bless others. Self-centeredness withholds affection and approval from those who don't deserve it. Love gives affection unconditionally because none of us do deserve it. Self-centeredness says, "Come here and give me a hug." Love says, "Come here and let me hug you." Can you tell the difference? Even a ten-year-old certainly can. He or she might not be able to verbalize the difference, or even recognize it, but they certainly feel the difference in the pit of their stomachs and in the tenderness of their hearts.
With genuine love, there are no scorecards. I'm certainly glad God tore up mine long ago. David wrote in Psalm 130:3, "If you, O LORD, kept a record of sin, O Lord, who could stand?" Certainly not me! If God doesn't keep a scorecard, making notes of the ways I have offended Him, or disappointed Him, or not given Him the attention He deserves,… then why do I think I have the right to keep scorecards on the people in my little world. He doesn't give plusses and minuses and then tally up our cards to see whether or not we deserve His love. So why do we do it to others? God gives and gives and gives, and gets very little in return. Why does He do that? Because He loves you and me perfectly and unconditionally.
How about you? Do you keep records and scorecards? Do you keep mental lists of what people do and don't do to deserve your love? If so, you'll never be content or at peace in your relationships. No one may see the scorecards sitting on your coffee table, but they'll know they are there. They will see them in your eyes, they will hear them in the tone of your voice, and they will sense them in your touch. And, there may be a few brave souls who refuse to play the game and decide to bow out of your life altogether.
Here is what I would like to suggest. Tear up the records. Get a stack of index cards. Write one person's name at the top of each card. Start with your children, your grandchildren, your parents, your in-laws, your spouse, your siblings, and…please…don’t forget your pastor. Then move on to your circle of friends. Beside each name, write the words, "Score Card." For example: Pastor John's Score Card. Hold the stack of scorecards in your hand and pray this prayer: "Dear Lord, I am no longer going to keep a scorecard for ____________. Help me love like You love - unconditionally, with no strings attached. Help me to be thankful for the attention I do receive rather than resentful for what I don't. I do not want to become a bitter person that people avoid, but a grateful, graceful person people enjoy. And Lord, whenever I begin to fall into the old habit of making mental notes of how someone did not live up to my expectations, I pray that you will convict me and help me to replace the negative thoughts with a prayer of thanksgiving. In Jesus' Name, Amen
After you have prayed, take each scorecard in your hand and tear it into tiny pieces. Now, throw them away. Be free. And, enjoy life.
Have you ever known someone who is a perpetual scorekeeper. I mean, they spend their life with scorecards in hand, tallying up the points. I listened to a woman as she just poured out her family's shortcomings to me. The names are all fictitious, but you may recognized some of the players in your life. "Mary never comes to see me," and, the woman began to complain about her granddaughter. "And she never calls me either. I saw her sitting on the other side of the church last week and she didn't even come over and give me a hug." Then, she continued, "Billy is just as bad," talking about her grandson. "He never comes by unless he wants something. I never hear from him, but if he wants money for a mission trip…that’s about the only time I get a letter. He's just like his father…he never pays any attention to me unless he wants something."
Through our time together, this lady mentioned several family members and friends who had disappointed her,…who had not lived up to her expectations, or who had not given her the love she "deserved.” The more I listened; the clearer a picture began to take shape in my mind. I could see my friend with a big stack of scorecards. At the top of each card was a name: a grandchild, a child, a friend, a pastor,…yes, even one with MY name printed across the top.
- If someone telephoned her, they got 1 point.
- If they stopped by for a visit, they got 1 point.
- If they gave her a hug without being asked, they got 1 point.
- If they told her she looked pretty, they got 1 point.
- However, if they did not show the proper display of affection,… they lost 5 points.
- If they did not come by for a visit within the expected amount of time, they lost 5 points.
- If they did not send her a card on the appropriate days, they lost 5 points.
- Birthday cards, Christmas gifts, phone calls, visits, etc, were all tallied on mental score cards for later retrieval.
1 Corinthians 13:4-5 says, "Love is patient, love is kind...it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no records of wrongs" Love is about giving. Not necessarily about giving money or gifts,… but giving love. Can I say that again? Love is about giving love. Love does not keep records and scorecards of wrongs, or even perceived wrongs. It does not involve an accounting of plusses and minuses. It does not keep a running list of kindnesses to reward those who come out on top, and shun those who do not.
Self-centeredness says, "What has that person done for me lately?” Love says, "What can I do for that person today?" Self-centeredness makes mental lists of how others have disappointed him or her. Love makes mental lists of ways he or she can bless others. Self-centeredness withholds affection and approval from those who don't deserve it. Love gives affection unconditionally because none of us do deserve it. Self-centeredness says, "Come here and give me a hug." Love says, "Come here and let me hug you." Can you tell the difference? Even a ten-year-old certainly can. He or she might not be able to verbalize the difference, or even recognize it, but they certainly feel the difference in the pit of their stomachs and in the tenderness of their hearts.
With genuine love, there are no scorecards. I'm certainly glad God tore up mine long ago. David wrote in Psalm 130:3, "If you, O LORD, kept a record of sin, O Lord, who could stand?" Certainly not me! If God doesn't keep a scorecard, making notes of the ways I have offended Him, or disappointed Him, or not given Him the attention He deserves,… then why do I think I have the right to keep scorecards on the people in my little world. He doesn't give plusses and minuses and then tally up our cards to see whether or not we deserve His love. So why do we do it to others? God gives and gives and gives, and gets very little in return. Why does He do that? Because He loves you and me perfectly and unconditionally.
How about you? Do you keep records and scorecards? Do you keep mental lists of what people do and don't do to deserve your love? If so, you'll never be content or at peace in your relationships. No one may see the scorecards sitting on your coffee table, but they'll know they are there. They will see them in your eyes, they will hear them in the tone of your voice, and they will sense them in your touch. And, there may be a few brave souls who refuse to play the game and decide to bow out of your life altogether.
Here is what I would like to suggest. Tear up the records. Get a stack of index cards. Write one person's name at the top of each card. Start with your children, your grandchildren, your parents, your in-laws, your spouse, your siblings, and…please…don’t forget your pastor. Then move on to your circle of friends. Beside each name, write the words, "Score Card." For example: Pastor John's Score Card. Hold the stack of scorecards in your hand and pray this prayer: "Dear Lord, I am no longer going to keep a scorecard for ____________. Help me love like You love - unconditionally, with no strings attached. Help me to be thankful for the attention I do receive rather than resentful for what I don't. I do not want to become a bitter person that people avoid, but a grateful, graceful person people enjoy. And Lord, whenever I begin to fall into the old habit of making mental notes of how someone did not live up to my expectations, I pray that you will convict me and help me to replace the negative thoughts with a prayer of thanksgiving. In Jesus' Name, Amen
After you have prayed, take each scorecard in your hand and tear it into tiny pieces. Now, throw them away. Be free. And, enjoy life.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
ELIJAH WAS A MAN JUST LIKE US
I can’t help but be amazed at the intricacies of the human body. It boggles my mind to know that every muscle you and I will ever have is present when we are born. Think of that…from the top of our heads to the tip of our toes…every muscle is present and accounted for when we took our first breath!
Well, just as a baby has all the muscles he or she will ever have at birth,…as a new, born-again believer, you received all the faith you will ever need. We are each given a measure of faith according to Romans 12:3. However, some have a larger faith (not necessarily more) because they have exercised, stretched, and strengthened what they were given.
I think of the story when the disciples failed to cast out a demon and asked Jesus the reason for their failure. He answered, “Because you have so little faith.” This was not the quantity of their faith but the quality …their faith needed more exercise. Jesus went on to say, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”
The Bible contains many promises…I would like to consider two of them. It is 2 Corinthians 5:17 that says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come.” And then we find in 2 Peter 1:3... “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” Do you have the faith to believe those two promises?
Hebrews chapter 11 is filled with men and women who believed God,… but perhaps my very favorite New Testament walk down the Old Testament memory lane is in James 5:17-18: “Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.” What’s so special about that passage? To me, it’s not that he prayed about the rain. It’s the seven little words right there in the beginning… “Elijah was a man just like us.” He was just like us! He didn’t have more faith,… but, He had strong faith.
As we renew our minds with the Word of God, and then put what we have learned into practice, our faith grows stronger. James wrote, “Faith without works is useless.” In other words, if we simply say that we believe something in our minds, but do not demonstrate it in our actions, it does not bring life to us or to those around us. But, as we exercise our faith, it grows stronger.
You know…when a weight lifter does a bench press and lifts a potential face-crushing barbell over his chest, he has a “spotter” standing over him. The spotter’s job is to catch the barbell and keep it from falling in case of injury or if they pick up a weight they’re not strong enough to lift. Well, as we exercise our faith,… Jesus is our spotter. If we are too weak to lift the weight of a heavy load, Jesus is standing as our spotter to keep us from being crushed. If we find ourselves too weak to lift the load, we don’t give up, but continue pressing on and working those faith muscles until they are stronger. God also is so gracious that He gives us friends in Christ who serves as “spotters.” When we see a friend’s faith beginning to slip, we can help hold up the weight for them. Today, maybe you should ask God if there is someone who needs your help through believing prayer.
Dear LORD, thank You for the gift of faith. Help us to recognize the situations in our lives where we have allowed doubt and uncertainty to creep in and weaken it. Today, help us to exercise the faith that You have given us so that it will grow stronger and be more effective. In Jesus’ Name, Amen
Well, just as a baby has all the muscles he or she will ever have at birth,…as a new, born-again believer, you received all the faith you will ever need. We are each given a measure of faith according to Romans 12:3. However, some have a larger faith (not necessarily more) because they have exercised, stretched, and strengthened what they were given.
I think of the story when the disciples failed to cast out a demon and asked Jesus the reason for their failure. He answered, “Because you have so little faith.” This was not the quantity of their faith but the quality …their faith needed more exercise. Jesus went on to say, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”
The Bible contains many promises…I would like to consider two of them. It is 2 Corinthians 5:17 that says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come.” And then we find in 2 Peter 1:3... “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” Do you have the faith to believe those two promises?
Hebrews chapter 11 is filled with men and women who believed God,… but perhaps my very favorite New Testament walk down the Old Testament memory lane is in James 5:17-18: “Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.” What’s so special about that passage? To me, it’s not that he prayed about the rain. It’s the seven little words right there in the beginning… “Elijah was a man just like us.” He was just like us! He didn’t have more faith,… but, He had strong faith.
As we renew our minds with the Word of God, and then put what we have learned into practice, our faith grows stronger. James wrote, “Faith without works is useless.” In other words, if we simply say that we believe something in our minds, but do not demonstrate it in our actions, it does not bring life to us or to those around us. But, as we exercise our faith, it grows stronger.
You know…when a weight lifter does a bench press and lifts a potential face-crushing barbell over his chest, he has a “spotter” standing over him. The spotter’s job is to catch the barbell and keep it from falling in case of injury or if they pick up a weight they’re not strong enough to lift. Well, as we exercise our faith,… Jesus is our spotter. If we are too weak to lift the weight of a heavy load, Jesus is standing as our spotter to keep us from being crushed. If we find ourselves too weak to lift the load, we don’t give up, but continue pressing on and working those faith muscles until they are stronger. God also is so gracious that He gives us friends in Christ who serves as “spotters.” When we see a friend’s faith beginning to slip, we can help hold up the weight for them. Today, maybe you should ask God if there is someone who needs your help through believing prayer.
Dear LORD, thank You for the gift of faith. Help us to recognize the situations in our lives where we have allowed doubt and uncertainty to creep in and weaken it. Today, help us to exercise the faith that You have given us so that it will grow stronger and be more effective. In Jesus’ Name, Amen
Monday, March 14, 2011
SPECKS AND PLANKS
"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?" Matthew 7:3
Have you noticed how it easy to recognize the problems of others, and to diagnose how they could change? But, with such remarkable insight into others, isn’t it interesting just how seldom others ask you to point out their faults and maybe offer your remarkable insight into how they might change? I once read some one say, “People like to think that their own body odor doesn't stink and its hard not to point it out. But, if you think ‘other people’ is actually someone else, you are mistaken. I am ‘other people’ and so are you. Your body odor stinks, and so does mine.”
You see, we are all humans…sinners saved by God’s grace, and to be honest, others want to change your faults just as much as you would like to change theirs. The problem is, we are not as good at diagnosing our own faults, as easily as we can point out everyone else's.
Jesus was very clear about pointing out other people's faults. He calls us all hypocrites if we choose to try it. He was extremely harsh and in Matthew 7:3 we see how He got his point across. He compared other people's faults to sawdust, and our own faults to a wooden plank or board. It is funny, how so many of us can quote this scripture, but few of us actually understand it fully. Jesus explained what He meant after He used such an exaggerated statement. He said, "How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." I believe there are a couple of things that Jesus was teaching us in this statement.
The first was an understanding of grace. If we spend our time correcting the faults in others, we are showing them very little grace. Sure, they may have faults that actually need changed, but is it really critical that you point it out? Jesus was downplaying the severity of other people's faults by calling them "sawdust." Oftentimes, sawdust can be left for the wind to take care of, requiring no real attention. You can actually overlook sawdust, maybe even ignore it. Scripture says that "Love covers over a multitude of sins." It suggests that if we love others (and, of course we should love others MORE than we love ourselves), then their trivial little faults are not ours to deal with. If we love others, like we should, we should be able to overlook their faults and deal with more important matters. We should be extending them grace, and not be so quick to judge their faults.
By extending grace to others and their apparent issues, we can pay more close attention to our own, which is far more critical. Jesus said we should address our own problems first, because they are as enormous as a board stuck in our eyeball (my translation). Not suggesting that our faults are really that much bigger than other people's faults, Jesus was saying that our faults should be more obvious to ourselves if we are truly living a Godly life. A Christian should look inside his own life, measuring it against what scripture says. If we are doing this, then our own problems should be a little more obvious (as obvious as a board or plank).
While it is not easier to extend grace to others and work on our own faults, it is far more important. This is what Jesus wanted all of us to walk away with, the understanding that you cannot fix another person or keep their life from entering Hell, but you sure can keep your life from going there. Start everyday with asking Jesus to illuminate your own faults and then asking for His help to fix them. And, if you do, maybe it will start to make other people's own "sawdust" look a lot bigger to them.
Have you noticed how it easy to recognize the problems of others, and to diagnose how they could change? But, with such remarkable insight into others, isn’t it interesting just how seldom others ask you to point out their faults and maybe offer your remarkable insight into how they might change? I once read some one say, “People like to think that their own body odor doesn't stink and its hard not to point it out. But, if you think ‘other people’ is actually someone else, you are mistaken. I am ‘other people’ and so are you. Your body odor stinks, and so does mine.”
You see, we are all humans…sinners saved by God’s grace, and to be honest, others want to change your faults just as much as you would like to change theirs. The problem is, we are not as good at diagnosing our own faults, as easily as we can point out everyone else's.
Jesus was very clear about pointing out other people's faults. He calls us all hypocrites if we choose to try it. He was extremely harsh and in Matthew 7:3 we see how He got his point across. He compared other people's faults to sawdust, and our own faults to a wooden plank or board. It is funny, how so many of us can quote this scripture, but few of us actually understand it fully. Jesus explained what He meant after He used such an exaggerated statement. He said, "How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." I believe there are a couple of things that Jesus was teaching us in this statement.
The first was an understanding of grace. If we spend our time correcting the faults in others, we are showing them very little grace. Sure, they may have faults that actually need changed, but is it really critical that you point it out? Jesus was downplaying the severity of other people's faults by calling them "sawdust." Oftentimes, sawdust can be left for the wind to take care of, requiring no real attention. You can actually overlook sawdust, maybe even ignore it. Scripture says that "Love covers over a multitude of sins." It suggests that if we love others (and, of course we should love others MORE than we love ourselves), then their trivial little faults are not ours to deal with. If we love others, like we should, we should be able to overlook their faults and deal with more important matters. We should be extending them grace, and not be so quick to judge their faults.
By extending grace to others and their apparent issues, we can pay more close attention to our own, which is far more critical. Jesus said we should address our own problems first, because they are as enormous as a board stuck in our eyeball (my translation). Not suggesting that our faults are really that much bigger than other people's faults, Jesus was saying that our faults should be more obvious to ourselves if we are truly living a Godly life. A Christian should look inside his own life, measuring it against what scripture says. If we are doing this, then our own problems should be a little more obvious (as obvious as a board or plank).
While it is not easier to extend grace to others and work on our own faults, it is far more important. This is what Jesus wanted all of us to walk away with, the understanding that you cannot fix another person or keep their life from entering Hell, but you sure can keep your life from going there. Start everyday with asking Jesus to illuminate your own faults and then asking for His help to fix them. And, if you do, maybe it will start to make other people's own "sawdust" look a lot bigger to them.
Friday, March 11, 2011
I AM FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE!
I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalm 139:14 NKJV)
How often do we hear someone say, “I'm not _____________ enough.” Now, you can fill that blank in with any number of positive qualities… like smart, or talented, or gifted, or spiritual. But, when we uncover the root source of every one of those lies we find that what we are saying is…"I'm not good enough." It is one of our enemy's favorite weapons. He is masterful in the way he uses it to keep God's children wrapped up in the bondage of feelings of inferiority, insecurity, and inadequacy. The bottom line is, the devourer of our soul wants us to believe that we are "not enough."…Period. But you ARE enough. You are enough… and, you have been equipped and empowered to do everything that God has called you to do. You are fearfully and wonderfully made…and God doesn’t make junk! God created man and woman and said, "It is good." We are so valuable to God that He gave His only Son to restore our brokenness.
Now, to be perfectly honest,…and as a pastor, I believe that would be a good thing…I could have been the poster child for this lie of the devil. I remember talking to God what seemed like on a daily basis about why He was surely mistaken…there is no way I could ever minister effectively to a congregation of spiritual giants. I mean if they had made “feeling inadequate” into an Olympic event,…my picture would have been plastered all over Wheaties boxes! That was pretty much the way my spiritual existence was until I finally realized who I was in Christ. Our human nature so easily falls to the temptation to pull out the tape measure and gauge ourselves against people who seem more gifted and anointed by God. That was ME.
I think too many people live life in silent defeat, constantly comparing themselves to others. We get caught in a cycle of the "I'm not good enoughs.” And, gradually be begin to believe the lie and our little pieces of confidence become litter on the streets of our life. I know I wasted way too many precious years, held captive by the enemy's lies… before I finally surrendered and held up my chained hands to God and said, "I'm ready for you to set me free."
Remember this:
I don’t believe God calls us because we are particularly gifted or talented. He uses us because we are obedient and dependent on Him. How often have we heard it said, “He doesn't call the qualified - He qualifies the called.” The truth is, if you have experienced new birth in Christ, then when God looks at you,… He sees Jesus. And friends, Jesus IS good enough.
Dear Heavenly Father, I thank You today. Because of Jesus Christ and His work of redemption in me, I am deeply loved; I am completely forgiven; I am fully pleasing and totally accepted by You. Because of Jesus Christ in me, I am equipped and empowered to do all that You have called me to do. So now, LORD, help me act like it. In Jesus' Name, Amen
How often do we hear someone say, “I'm not _____________ enough.” Now, you can fill that blank in with any number of positive qualities… like smart, or talented, or gifted, or spiritual. But, when we uncover the root source of every one of those lies we find that what we are saying is…"I'm not good enough." It is one of our enemy's favorite weapons. He is masterful in the way he uses it to keep God's children wrapped up in the bondage of feelings of inferiority, insecurity, and inadequacy. The bottom line is, the devourer of our soul wants us to believe that we are "not enough."…Period. But you ARE enough. You are enough… and, you have been equipped and empowered to do everything that God has called you to do. You are fearfully and wonderfully made…and God doesn’t make junk! God created man and woman and said, "It is good." We are so valuable to God that He gave His only Son to restore our brokenness.
Now, to be perfectly honest,…and as a pastor, I believe that would be a good thing…I could have been the poster child for this lie of the devil. I remember talking to God what seemed like on a daily basis about why He was surely mistaken…there is no way I could ever minister effectively to a congregation of spiritual giants. I mean if they had made “feeling inadequate” into an Olympic event,…my picture would have been plastered all over Wheaties boxes! That was pretty much the way my spiritual existence was until I finally realized who I was in Christ. Our human nature so easily falls to the temptation to pull out the tape measure and gauge ourselves against people who seem more gifted and anointed by God. That was ME.
I think too many people live life in silent defeat, constantly comparing themselves to others. We get caught in a cycle of the "I'm not good enoughs.” And, gradually be begin to believe the lie and our little pieces of confidence become litter on the streets of our life. I know I wasted way too many precious years, held captive by the enemy's lies… before I finally surrendered and held up my chained hands to God and said, "I'm ready for you to set me free."
Remember this:
- Jacob was a liar.
- Moses was a stutterer.
- Gideon was a coward.
- David was an adulterer.
- Rahab was a prostitute.
- Esther was an orphan.
- Balaam's donkey was...well, he was a donkey.
I don’t believe God calls us because we are particularly gifted or talented. He uses us because we are obedient and dependent on Him. How often have we heard it said, “He doesn't call the qualified - He qualifies the called.” The truth is, if you have experienced new birth in Christ, then when God looks at you,… He sees Jesus. And friends, Jesus IS good enough.
Dear Heavenly Father, I thank You today. Because of Jesus Christ and His work of redemption in me, I am deeply loved; I am completely forgiven; I am fully pleasing and totally accepted by You. Because of Jesus Christ in me, I am equipped and empowered to do all that You have called me to do. So now, LORD, help me act like it. In Jesus' Name, Amen
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
JUST THINKIN' ABOUT TOMORROW...
As a pastor, I can’t help but spend a good amount of my time thinking about the future of my congregation. How can we reach into our circle of influence a little better? What do we need to do to get more people involved in discipleship? How do we get the Christians sitting in my congregation on fire about sharing their faith with others? What is the missing ingredients we need to become a dynamic life changing church in our area? I want to know where my church is going. So, it seems I am constantly in thought about the future health of my congregation.
But, it is interesting to me how often I sit in the present,…dwelling on the future...while my mind drifts back to something in the past. I recall something that was said to me by a man in my first congregation, who became a trusted confidant and friend along the way. He said to me “Pastor, as long as you are honest, and open, and sincere, you will have my support.” That simple statement of support offered early in my ministry still speaks to me today. What my friend was not looking for in his pastor was a boatload of cutting-edge ideas…and not even finely polished sermons (which was good, because I have re-read some of those early messages…and they were FAR from polished!) All he wanted was the open and honest truth. He did not want me to use the church as a loudspeaker for my own means of personal success and glory. He didn’t want me to use the pulpit to promote my own political agenda. He simply wanted his pastor to be the loudspeaker for Jesus, and Jesus alone.
I can't help but wonder a little bit about what the church of tomorrow will look like in general. I wonder where it is going. I recently read a statistic that stated that more than 4 out of 5 teens say that they have attended church for a period of at least two months during their teen years. Yet only 39% of those teens are still in church in their twenties. The church appears to be losing young people to the influence of secular culture. And, while I am aware that there are a whole myriad of influences that contributes to this loss of young people, I am also wondering if at least a part of the problem is a lack of sincerity,… a lack of honesty with the gospel message,… and a lack of genuine care for people.
I have an old book that I think I might have picked up at a garage sale while I was building my massive library... that was written back in 1936, entitled "The Church of Tomorrow." It is mainly about the architecture of the church building, not so much about the actual church body. But, there is an interesting statement in it that I would like to share. The writer says, “Now seldom can we find a church yielding a warm, rich exquisite sense of life and comfort…Often an empty showiness is all we can find; seldom the quiet which is not loneliness; seldom the inspiring warmth and dignity of a great sheltering space which fills the individual with content and permits the lonely to be less alone. Quiet, unity, and expressiveness must be regained.”
I was drawn to that phrase hidden in there “Often an empty showiness is all we can find.” And, I began to think…we certainly could use a little less “empty showiness” and a little more “unity” within the church body today. Maybe, the church of tomorrow will be a little healthier than we are today. Maybe Christians will become a little more unified fighting our common enemy rather than competing with each other. Maybe we will find ways to reach the younger generation with depth of gospel truth. Maybe, like my friend pointed out to his inexperienced pastor, we will be genuine, and open, and honest, and sincere.
In looking forward, I have to say…I am an optimist. Since God is guiding us, there is no reason to be anything but optimistic. But, I am also a realist in recognizing that many churches are not as healthy as they should be. My congregation certainly has room for improvement. And, I myself have areas that my congregation thinks could use some improvement…quickly!
So in looking to the church of tomorrow, it’s pretty clear to me that the work must begin today. Our divisions will have to be bridged and replaced with a revival of Holy Spirit empowered unity. The competitive nature between churches for butts in the pews, will need to be replaced with edification of the whole body. The church body will have to care genuinely about each other at a local, state, and, yes…even denominational level. The cross must become the foundation of our endeavors. And, if we work at it…I believe we can all begin the work to make the church of tomorrow a reality today.
But, it is interesting to me how often I sit in the present,…dwelling on the future...while my mind drifts back to something in the past. I recall something that was said to me by a man in my first congregation, who became a trusted confidant and friend along the way. He said to me “Pastor, as long as you are honest, and open, and sincere, you will have my support.” That simple statement of support offered early in my ministry still speaks to me today. What my friend was not looking for in his pastor was a boatload of cutting-edge ideas…and not even finely polished sermons (which was good, because I have re-read some of those early messages…and they were FAR from polished!) All he wanted was the open and honest truth. He did not want me to use the church as a loudspeaker for my own means of personal success and glory. He didn’t want me to use the pulpit to promote my own political agenda. He simply wanted his pastor to be the loudspeaker for Jesus, and Jesus alone.
I can't help but wonder a little bit about what the church of tomorrow will look like in general. I wonder where it is going. I recently read a statistic that stated that more than 4 out of 5 teens say that they have attended church for a period of at least two months during their teen years. Yet only 39% of those teens are still in church in their twenties. The church appears to be losing young people to the influence of secular culture. And, while I am aware that there are a whole myriad of influences that contributes to this loss of young people, I am also wondering if at least a part of the problem is a lack of sincerity,… a lack of honesty with the gospel message,… and a lack of genuine care for people.
I have an old book that I think I might have picked up at a garage sale while I was building my massive library... that was written back in 1936, entitled "The Church of Tomorrow." It is mainly about the architecture of the church building, not so much about the actual church body. But, there is an interesting statement in it that I would like to share. The writer says, “Now seldom can we find a church yielding a warm, rich exquisite sense of life and comfort…Often an empty showiness is all we can find; seldom the quiet which is not loneliness; seldom the inspiring warmth and dignity of a great sheltering space which fills the individual with content and permits the lonely to be less alone. Quiet, unity, and expressiveness must be regained.”
I was drawn to that phrase hidden in there “Often an empty showiness is all we can find.” And, I began to think…we certainly could use a little less “empty showiness” and a little more “unity” within the church body today. Maybe, the church of tomorrow will be a little healthier than we are today. Maybe Christians will become a little more unified fighting our common enemy rather than competing with each other. Maybe we will find ways to reach the younger generation with depth of gospel truth. Maybe, like my friend pointed out to his inexperienced pastor, we will be genuine, and open, and honest, and sincere.
In looking forward, I have to say…I am an optimist. Since God is guiding us, there is no reason to be anything but optimistic. But, I am also a realist in recognizing that many churches are not as healthy as they should be. My congregation certainly has room for improvement. And, I myself have areas that my congregation thinks could use some improvement…quickly!
So in looking to the church of tomorrow, it’s pretty clear to me that the work must begin today. Our divisions will have to be bridged and replaced with a revival of Holy Spirit empowered unity. The competitive nature between churches for butts in the pews, will need to be replaced with edification of the whole body. The church body will have to care genuinely about each other at a local, state, and, yes…even denominational level. The cross must become the foundation of our endeavors. And, if we work at it…I believe we can all begin the work to make the church of tomorrow a reality today.
Monday, March 7, 2011
I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO BEING AN OLD MAN SOMEDAY
I suppose I leave myself open to all sorts of wise-cracks from some of my readers when I say, “I am looking forward to being an old man someday.” Some, no doubt are thinking right now… “John, you ARE an old man.” Some, compare me to my gorgeous young wife and wonder “What did she ever see in an old man like you?” It’s true that I am older than she is…but not that much older…she just ages better. We’ll have to save the answer for what she saw in me for another blog.
I will admit I am not the young guy I used to be…but, I am still not in the category of the older guy that I am speaking of. I was just sitting here thinking of some of the godly older men that I am blessed to serve God alongside, and I find myself admiring them for the men they have become. And, I am hoping I will be able to live up to the standards many of them have set for men of God. I look up to the older guys in my church. We young guys need to do that more. I’m looking forward to being an old man one day...one of those men with lots of stories. They have amazing stories to tell, and there is a lot of stuff we can learn from them…I’m talking about good stuff that will hang with you. There are some things that I pray don’t ever disappear with the older generations. And, while I believe many men in the church desire to be godly leaders, there are some things that the older generation just does well…certainly better than younger men do.
For example…take hats. I love it that some of the older dudes in my church wear hats. It’s classy. When you get older…you aren’t so preoccupied with being cool…so, you can wear a cool hat…and BE cool! Without a hat, what are you going to tip to a lady! I’m thinking more young men should wear hats (and, I’m not talking about some grungy ball cap…it’s just not the same thing). Maybe next time I’m shopping I need to try a few on.
Another thing that is great about being an old man is that most older men just dress classier. I grew up and spent most of my life in a suit. A tie was a necessary part of my wardrobe. I still have visions of every preacher I ever encountered before 1998 dressed in a suit. It may have not been the most current style, but, it was a suit. What happened to the suit? What happened to crisp shirts and sharp dress? It is true I have succumbed to the relaxed, unbuttoned down casual look so I can be “relevant” and “with it”. But, I secretly look forward to the day when I can trade in my khaki pants and sweater, for a suit (or, at least a nice shirt, pants, and a jacket).
One of the truly great things I look forward to in becoming an old man is chivalry. I sometimes wonder in some of the younger generations even know how to spell the word. I’m praying God works a miracle, and preserves chivalry for my old age. I admire the characteristic in our older men. Young men, you ought talk to some of the older guys in your church about chivalry. You will learn a lot from them.
I think that one of the things that made it possible for men to become older, wiser, more chivalrous godly men was there once was a clear distinction of what it meant to be a man. The boys were boys…the men were men. There was a sort of unwritten rite of passage that was required to move from boyhood to manhood. Now, it seems that no one wants to grow up. Manhood in this day and age is measured by who can run the fastest, lift the most weights, drive the fastest, punch the hardest, swim the farthest, dive the deepest, kick the pig skin through two up-right poles the straightest, slam dunk the best, hit a ball the fastest and farthest. But, our Lord describes manhood quite differently from this. When I think of godly older men, I think of terms like, faith, integrity, courage, strength, principle, endurance, and prayer. I admire their faith and maturity. They are not all frantic in making sure everyone sees they are doing stuff to make them look spiritual… they have had time to learn from the older men of the church who taught them how to be. When I look at the wealth of wisdom,… years of experience,… scars from hard work and trials…and perseverance lived in the lives of the older Christian men of my church,…I can’t help but be thankful to God for them, and admire them. We can learn from the older guys. They know what it means to be a godly man.
So, yes… I’m looking forward to being an old man with all that goes along with it…the hats… class... chivalry…experience…and, godliness. Younger men, you bring a boat load to the table (and I know many of you agree with what I am saying),… but there is so much to learn from the older guys. Older men, please don’t let your stories die with you. Tell them. Tell them well. Tell them over and over. Tell them to the next generation. We could use your wisdom, your godliness….and your hats.
I will admit I am not the young guy I used to be…but, I am still not in the category of the older guy that I am speaking of. I was just sitting here thinking of some of the godly older men that I am blessed to serve God alongside, and I find myself admiring them for the men they have become. And, I am hoping I will be able to live up to the standards many of them have set for men of God. I look up to the older guys in my church. We young guys need to do that more. I’m looking forward to being an old man one day...one of those men with lots of stories. They have amazing stories to tell, and there is a lot of stuff we can learn from them…I’m talking about good stuff that will hang with you. There are some things that I pray don’t ever disappear with the older generations. And, while I believe many men in the church desire to be godly leaders, there are some things that the older generation just does well…certainly better than younger men do.
For example…take hats. I love it that some of the older dudes in my church wear hats. It’s classy. When you get older…you aren’t so preoccupied with being cool…so, you can wear a cool hat…and BE cool! Without a hat, what are you going to tip to a lady! I’m thinking more young men should wear hats (and, I’m not talking about some grungy ball cap…it’s just not the same thing). Maybe next time I’m shopping I need to try a few on.
Another thing that is great about being an old man is that most older men just dress classier. I grew up and spent most of my life in a suit. A tie was a necessary part of my wardrobe. I still have visions of every preacher I ever encountered before 1998 dressed in a suit. It may have not been the most current style, but, it was a suit. What happened to the suit? What happened to crisp shirts and sharp dress? It is true I have succumbed to the relaxed, unbuttoned down casual look so I can be “relevant” and “with it”. But, I secretly look forward to the day when I can trade in my khaki pants and sweater, for a suit (or, at least a nice shirt, pants, and a jacket).
One of the truly great things I look forward to in becoming an old man is chivalry. I sometimes wonder in some of the younger generations even know how to spell the word. I’m praying God works a miracle, and preserves chivalry for my old age. I admire the characteristic in our older men. Young men, you ought talk to some of the older guys in your church about chivalry. You will learn a lot from them.
I think that one of the things that made it possible for men to become older, wiser, more chivalrous godly men was there once was a clear distinction of what it meant to be a man. The boys were boys…the men were men. There was a sort of unwritten rite of passage that was required to move from boyhood to manhood. Now, it seems that no one wants to grow up. Manhood in this day and age is measured by who can run the fastest, lift the most weights, drive the fastest, punch the hardest, swim the farthest, dive the deepest, kick the pig skin through two up-right poles the straightest, slam dunk the best, hit a ball the fastest and farthest. But, our Lord describes manhood quite differently from this. When I think of godly older men, I think of terms like, faith, integrity, courage, strength, principle, endurance, and prayer. I admire their faith and maturity. They are not all frantic in making sure everyone sees they are doing stuff to make them look spiritual… they have had time to learn from the older men of the church who taught them how to be. When I look at the wealth of wisdom,… years of experience,… scars from hard work and trials…and perseverance lived in the lives of the older Christian men of my church,…I can’t help but be thankful to God for them, and admire them. We can learn from the older guys. They know what it means to be a godly man.
So, yes… I’m looking forward to being an old man with all that goes along with it…the hats… class... chivalry…experience…and, godliness. Younger men, you bring a boat load to the table (and I know many of you agree with what I am saying),… but there is so much to learn from the older guys. Older men, please don’t let your stories die with you. Tell them. Tell them well. Tell them over and over. Tell them to the next generation. We could use your wisdom, your godliness….and your hats.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
ARE YOU LIVING BELOW THE BAR?
Preparing for a message on an entirely different subject, I ran across this short little passage in 2 Samuel 9:11 (NIV)…“So Mephibosheth ate at David’s table like one of the king’s sons.”
I just love some of the Old Testament names. They are nearly impossible for a southern Illinois boy like me to pronounce without needing to change my shirt. Anyway…I hadn’t paid a lot of attention before to Mephibosheth, and I thought this might be a good time to try to find out just who is the world is Mephibosheth,…and whatever in the world possessed his momma to give him such a name? Well, I can’t answer the second question, but I read something in John Ortberg's "The Me I Want to Be" that might be able to shed some light on the first.
Mephibosheth was a man who was living way below his potential. He was the grandson of King Saul, and he also was the son of Prince Jonathan. Yet, Mephibosheth lived like a pauper. We find in 2 Samuel 9 that when he was a boy, his nurse dropped him while fleeing from their enemies. As a result, he was crippled in both feet.
When David began his reign as King of Israel, he wanted to know if there was anyone in Jonathan’s household to whom he could show kindness. Jonathan had been David’s best friend and he loved him as a brother. A servant told David about the crippled Mephiboseth, and he was summoned to the king immediately. Now, Mephiboseth lived in a place called Lo-Debar which means “a pasture less land.” It is a good thing I am not called upon to translate these names, because to me the natural (and certainly very unofficial) translation of Lo-Debar has just got to be “below the bar”…Get it?
Mephiboseth was indeed living below the bar. He was the grandchild of a king, but he was living in a pasture less land like a pauper. When he came before King David he said, “What is your servant, that you should notice a dead dog like me?” Wow!…a dead dog like me? David didn’t even bother to answer him. He simply turned to his servant and commanded that all the land that had been Saul’s be given back to his grandson, and that Mephibosheth should eat at the king’s table everyday.
Maybe you are walking around like a crippled because of something that has happened to you as a child. Maybe you feel like a “dead dog.” And yet, our King…our Almighty God is looking for ways to bless you, and to restore all that has been taken away from you, and invite you to feast at His table everyday.
Mephiboseth was a grandchild of King Saul…he was a potential heir to the throne. But, he saw himself as nothing more than a “dead dog”…unworthy to receive even the smallest crumb of kindness from King David. But, it was David’s desire to restore to Mephibosheth all the land that would have been his inheritance, and invite him to feast at his table daily. You see…Mephibosheth didn’t see himself as he really was. He was living “below the bar” while in reality, he was royalty. A dead dog?….REALLY?…. I think not!
How about you? Do you see yourself as you really are? You are a chosen, dearly loved, child of God. You have been blessed with every spiritual blessing. According to the words of the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 2, “…you were once an alien and stranger …having no hope…and without God in the world. But, now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off… (maybe even “below the bar”) have been brought near by the blood of Christ!”
YOU, MY FRIEND ARE A CHILD OF THE KING!
Father, how often we walk around with an emotional limp like a wounded animal, while the truth is,… I am a child of the King and I should act like one! Thank you for inviting me to feast at Your banquet table every day by feeding my soul from Your Word and drinking in the Holy Spirit’s power. In Jesus’ name…Amen
I just love some of the Old Testament names. They are nearly impossible for a southern Illinois boy like me to pronounce without needing to change my shirt. Anyway…I hadn’t paid a lot of attention before to Mephibosheth, and I thought this might be a good time to try to find out just who is the world is Mephibosheth,…and whatever in the world possessed his momma to give him such a name? Well, I can’t answer the second question, but I read something in John Ortberg's "The Me I Want to Be" that might be able to shed some light on the first.
Mephibosheth was a man who was living way below his potential. He was the grandson of King Saul, and he also was the son of Prince Jonathan. Yet, Mephibosheth lived like a pauper. We find in 2 Samuel 9 that when he was a boy, his nurse dropped him while fleeing from their enemies. As a result, he was crippled in both feet.
When David began his reign as King of Israel, he wanted to know if there was anyone in Jonathan’s household to whom he could show kindness. Jonathan had been David’s best friend and he loved him as a brother. A servant told David about the crippled Mephiboseth, and he was summoned to the king immediately. Now, Mephiboseth lived in a place called Lo-Debar which means “a pasture less land.” It is a good thing I am not called upon to translate these names, because to me the natural (and certainly very unofficial) translation of Lo-Debar has just got to be “below the bar”…Get it?
Mephiboseth was indeed living below the bar. He was the grandchild of a king, but he was living in a pasture less land like a pauper. When he came before King David he said, “What is your servant, that you should notice a dead dog like me?” Wow!…a dead dog like me? David didn’t even bother to answer him. He simply turned to his servant and commanded that all the land that had been Saul’s be given back to his grandson, and that Mephibosheth should eat at the king’s table everyday.
Maybe you are walking around like a crippled because of something that has happened to you as a child. Maybe you feel like a “dead dog.” And yet, our King…our Almighty God is looking for ways to bless you, and to restore all that has been taken away from you, and invite you to feast at His table everyday.
Mephiboseth was a grandchild of King Saul…he was a potential heir to the throne. But, he saw himself as nothing more than a “dead dog”…unworthy to receive even the smallest crumb of kindness from King David. But, it was David’s desire to restore to Mephibosheth all the land that would have been his inheritance, and invite him to feast at his table daily. You see…Mephibosheth didn’t see himself as he really was. He was living “below the bar” while in reality, he was royalty. A dead dog?….REALLY?…. I think not!
How about you? Do you see yourself as you really are? You are a chosen, dearly loved, child of God. You have been blessed with every spiritual blessing. According to the words of the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 2, “…you were once an alien and stranger …having no hope…and without God in the world. But, now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off… (maybe even “below the bar”) have been brought near by the blood of Christ!”
YOU, MY FRIEND ARE A CHILD OF THE KING!
Father, how often we walk around with an emotional limp like a wounded animal, while the truth is,… I am a child of the King and I should act like one! Thank you for inviting me to feast at Your banquet table every day by feeding my soul from Your Word and drinking in the Holy Spirit’s power. In Jesus’ name…Amen
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
CLEAN AND SHINY...BUT NO POWER
“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me." Acts 1:8
I had to make a quick run out to the church last week, and took my usual short cut through a residential area, rather than down the main road, and I came upon three young men who were pushing a car down the street. You couldn't see anything wrong with the car. As a matter of fact, they had all the winter mud and dirt all washed off, and it was all polished and shining. But, apparently the engine didn't work. I don’t know if it was out of gas or what…but it was obvious that it lacked power.
It set me to thinking how in our own Christian lives, many live the same way. We may be all polished and shining;…we may attend church services,…and even be able to use all the right words to convince ourselves and others that we are spiritually on track. Yet, we find ourselves living with no power. Are we really going anywhere, spiritually? Are we really accomplishing anything for God? Spiritual power comes from the indwelling Holy Spirit. We need this power in order to function as Christians, and do the jobs God wants us to do.
The Holy Spirit is available to those who ask. He gives victory over temptation and evil. He sharpens our conscience, so we can discern God's will clearly. He fills us with joy, love and peace. Jesus said, "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!" (Luke 11:13)
Lord God, You know the thirst in us! We come to ask You to fill us with Your Holy Spirit. We open our heart to You. Come in and take control and quench our thirst Give us our strength and power… In Jesus' name. Amen.
I had to make a quick run out to the church last week, and took my usual short cut through a residential area, rather than down the main road, and I came upon three young men who were pushing a car down the street. You couldn't see anything wrong with the car. As a matter of fact, they had all the winter mud and dirt all washed off, and it was all polished and shining. But, apparently the engine didn't work. I don’t know if it was out of gas or what…but it was obvious that it lacked power.
It set me to thinking how in our own Christian lives, many live the same way. We may be all polished and shining;…we may attend church services,…and even be able to use all the right words to convince ourselves and others that we are spiritually on track. Yet, we find ourselves living with no power. Are we really going anywhere, spiritually? Are we really accomplishing anything for God? Spiritual power comes from the indwelling Holy Spirit. We need this power in order to function as Christians, and do the jobs God wants us to do.
The Holy Spirit is available to those who ask. He gives victory over temptation and evil. He sharpens our conscience, so we can discern God's will clearly. He fills us with joy, love and peace. Jesus said, "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!" (Luke 11:13)
Lord God, You know the thirst in us! We come to ask You to fill us with Your Holy Spirit. We open our heart to You. Come in and take control and quench our thirst Give us our strength and power… In Jesus' name. Amen.
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