Ennobled by love

The best 15 minutes of yesterday was when I rocked a little 2 year old while she watched TV. I sat down in the rocker while I was waiting to have lunch with my Mom and Dad. Little Ashley, a child in their care at Scott House, came over, crawled onto my lap, snuggled in, and made herself comfortable. Later her older sister, age 3, wanted to sit next to me during lunch, where she basked in the attention I gave her. Making those little kids feel special by giving them a few moments of focused attention was not only good for them, it was good for my soul!

We need to love and be loved. We hunger for the affirmation of our person that is found in receiving love and affection. As adults we move away from the simple expression of the hug and experience love in words sincerely and creatively say, "You matter to me!" These words build our sense of personal worth, letting us know that we are valued beyond our 'work' and function in society. As much as we need to loved in that way, we also need to give that kind of love away liberally.

Genuine Love is so precious, such a catalyst for transformation, so "of God" -- that the Evil One does everything he can to frustrate the expression of it.

Sex - If possible he will convince us that sex is love; and he's been quite successful doing that in our present American culture. Our teens, particularly the girls, have so entangled sex and love that many are giving themselves in self-demeaning ways thinking that the guys will 'love' them in return.

Religion - He uses religious zeal to great effect in destroying love. Consumed with a need for the triumph of "truth" many Muslims hate Christians and Jews. With equal prejudice, Christians quickly assume a place of superiority, pointing out the deficiencies of Hindus and Buddhists. Even among Christians, being 'right' is usually more important than being loving - and 'right' is usually whatever 'we' are - Baptist, Pentecostal, Calvinist, Catholic, Sacramental, Charismatic. How proudly we wear our labels to make sure everyone is aware of our position and from the well-defended heights we rain down scorn on those differently persuaded.

Ego- Then, too, the Devil uses our innate love of self to frustrate the expression of love. He does whatever he is able to do to remind us when our hunger for love is unmet and to convince us that we could not possibly extend ourselves in love and kindness given our own need. How many marriages have perished because neither spouse will move to meet the other's need for love until they feel that their own need is met? How many friendships have died because one person became convinced they weren't getting their fair share of affection?

Believer, we can LOVE and we must. God, in Christ Jesus, has loved us and from that 'first cause' has sparked in us the ability to love Him and others with abandon. Meditate on this familiar passage for a few moments --
"My dear friends, we must love each other. Love comes from God, and when we love each other, it shows that we have been given new life. We are now God’s children, and we know him. God is love, and anyone who doesn’t love others has never known him. God showed his love for us when he sent his only Son into the world to give us life. Real love isn’t our love for God, but his love for us. God sent his Son to be the sacrifice by which our sins are forgiven. Dear friends, since God loved us this much, we must love each other." (1 John 4:7-11, CEV)


Paul develops that thought even further as he writes to Timothy. He encourages him not to get side-tracked into being 'right' at the expense of being loving.
"Don’t let people waste time in endless speculation over myths and spiritual pedigrees. For these things only cause arguments; they don’t help people live a life of faith in God. The purpose of my instruction is that all the Christians there would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and sincere faith.
But some teachers have missed this whole point. They have turned away from these things and spend their time arguing and talking foolishness. They want to be known as teachers of the law of Moses, but they don’t know what they are talking about, even though they seem so confident." (1 Timothy 1:4-7, NLT)

Let God love you deeply today. Realize that He loves you, not for your performance or pedigree, but because you are. As that sinks in, ask Him to help you to love someone else in that way... whether it's rocking a little child for a few moments (that will make your heart glad!), or listening intently to a lonely elderly person in the supermarket, or picking up a volunteer task that makes someone's world a little brighter.

"There are three things that will endure—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love." (1 Corinthians 13:13, NLT)

Sharing the love of Jesus?

I recently read a provocative book by Brian McLaren called A Generous Orthodoxy, which is an invitation to Christians to think about the many ways that God touches our lives. The chapter on bringing Jesus to our world, but in a way that invites others with warm dialogue rather than condemnation, was especially winsome. A person who reads it too quickly might conclude that the author says that all religions are equal in truth and worthy of the same respect. He doesn't! McLaren makes a case that we who are followers of Christ must go beyond our 'religion' to take Christ Jesus' message of God's love and offer of life to all people without trying to export our culture besides. Tricky call, isn't it? So much of our practice of Christianity is co-mingled with Euro-American culture that many of us scarcely know the difference!

He tells a story, a true one, that is arresting. Go with us to post 9/11 Washington, DC, to a neighborhood of cultural diversity.
One day, Emma (the author's little daughter) saw a woman walking towards us covered in a veil and asked the inevitable, "What that, Mommy?"
"Emma," I answered, "that lady is a Muslim from a faraway place. She dresses like that- and covers her head with a veil - because she loves God, that is how her people show they love God."
Emma considered these words. She stared at the woman who past us, pointed at her, then pointed at my hair and further quizzed, "Mommy, do you love God?"
"Yes, honey," I laughed, "I do. You and I are Christians. Christian ladies show their love for God by going to church, by eating the bread and wine, by serving the poor, and by giving to those in need. We don't wear veils, but we love God."
After this, Emma took ever opportunity to point out Muslim women during our shopping trips and to tell me, "Mommy, look. She loves God."
One day we were getting out of our car at our driveway at the same time as our Pakistani neighbors. Emma saw the mother, beautifully veiled, and pointing at her, shouted, "Look, Mommy, she loves God!" My neighbor was surprised. I told her what I had taught Emma about Muslim ladies loving God. While she held back her tears, this near stranger hugged me, saying, "I wish all Americans would teach their children so. The world would be better. The world would be better."
-- A Generous Orthodoxy, pg. 266 quoting Broken We Kneel, Diana Butler (Jossey Bass, 2004)

What a bridge-builder! And learning to reach across those kind of cultural gaps is exactly what Paul was willing to do in order to earn the right to present Christ's message in many settings. He was so secure in his identity as a Christ-follower, he was able to meet people where they were. He writes, When I am with the Jews, I become one of them so that I can bring them to Christ. When I am with those who follow the Jewish laws, I do the same, even though I am not subject to the law, so that I can bring them to Christ. When I am with the Gentiles who do not have the Jewish law, I fit in with them as much as I can. In this way, I gain their confidence and bring them to Christ. But I do not discard the law of God; I obey the law of Christ. When I am with those who are oppressed, I share their oppression so that I might bring them to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone so that I might bring them to Christ. I do all this to spread the Good News, and in doing so I enjoy its blessings." (1 Corinthians 9:20-23, NLT)

Emma's mother wasn't endorsing Islam as a way of life when she taught her daughter to be respectful and to see the Muslim veil within the context of its use. That respect created an opening for Christ's love to bridge the gap between cultures. It takes great security in our relationship with Jesus to live in that way, a security found only in a deep intimacy with the Lord born of a revelation of His grace and love for us!

Some Believers feel the need to build a fence that divides the 'in' from the 'out' from the very first conversation. They insist that if we show respect or enter into dialogue with a person of no faith or of another religion, they might interpret our acceptance of their person as affirmation of their religion! Oh, how the Devil rejoices when we make that conclusion for this erroneous notion renders us largely silent as a messenger of Eternity's best news! There is a huge difference between accepting others and affirming what they do. Jesus ate at the table of sinners but he was quite confident that they wouldn't mistake His willingness to break bread with them as approval of the way they lived! Can we do less?

IF we are filled with the Spirit, the intangible reality of His Presence will spill out of us at those tables, compelling others to think deeply of value of following Jesus, too. May I encourage you to think about the way that you relate to the 'world' around you?

Are you hiding behind walls of separation, afraid of being contaminated by the filth that is real and prevalent out there? I understand that urge! Sometimes I want to run for the hills, too, and move into a Christian commune where never an unkind, filthy, or hateful word is heard. But, how can we fulfill our God-given function as 'salt and light' in this world if we are locked up in isolated communities?

Are you walking in the world, but careful to make certain that your 'Christian' persuasion is unmistakable, carrying a Bible prominently, pasting a fish symbol on your car, -- or whatever you've been taught? Check the motivation behind such displays. If there is even a hint of self-righteousness or self-preservation in all of that, stop it! Jesus wasn't too kind to some religious folk who wore their religion on their sleeve, so to speak. “Everything they do is for show. On their arms they wear extra wide prayer boxes with Scripture verses inside, and they wear extra long tassels on their robes." (Matthew 23:5, NLT)

Are you intentionally open, respectful, and ready to enter into the lives of others so that you might have the opportunity to bring Jesus' message to them in your actions and words? This requires that we are wise, filled to overflowing with genuine love, and completely secure in our own faith in Him. There is something undeniably attractive about that kind of Believer. Paul alludes to it when he says,"thanks be to God, who made us his captives and leads us along in Christ’s triumphal procession. Now wherever we go he uses us to tell others about the Lord and to spread the Good News like a sweet perfume. Our lives are a fragrance presented by Christ to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those being saved and by those perishing. To those who are perishing we are a fearful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved we are a life-giving perfume. And who is adequate for such a task as this?" (2 Corinthians 2:14-16, NLT)
_________________________________

Lover of my soul, this morning I am
feeling the wonder that You would love
someone as insignificant as I.

Let that love settle so deeply into my
heart and mind that I will become a
lover of others, deeply - compassionately.

Teach me how to bring your grace
to those who are hungering for You.
As I see and understand the world through their
mind and heart, help me to have the
words to convey Your hope and love to them.

Jesus Christ, hear my prayer.
Amen

Secure in His care

This Springtime morning the air was filled with the chirps, whistles, and cries of the birds. What a difference from the cold silent mornings to which I awakened a few weeks ago. The dogwood tree in my front yard, which was a snarl of brown twigs, this morning is decorated with beautiful white flowers. The lawn, which was patchy and brown, is lush and green. Where does all this life come from as Spring takes over from Winter? I'm not asking that like a scientist, for there are certainly explanations offered in of migratory patterns, germinating seeds, and extended sunshine warming the earth. Instead, I am looking at Springtime with worshipful wonder and thankfulness to the God who designed all this for you and me!

I found the chirping birds and bursting life in my yard curiously comforting this morning, a stark contrast to the woeful news that fills the pages of the newspaper and that pours out of the television. Our President, with all the power and authority that is available to him, is incapable of making a bird sing or a flower grow. Unending war, shortages of energy supplies, and economic challenges left President Bush grasping for answers in his news conference last night. All he could say is, "progress is being made," over and over again. In our demands, we fail to remember that he is just a man, a leader yes, but never-the-less an ordinary man.

The challenges in my own life chatter away in my mind demanding that I grow anxious, making my shoulder muscles tight and painfully tense. Most of you understand for you, too, face the stresses of life. May I invite you to go and stand for a few moments to listen to the birds, to contemplate the wonderful works of the Creator?

I read the closing chapters of the book of Job again today. I love the way God 'comforts' Job! Instead of soothing Job and empathizing with him in his sorrow, God points to the wonder of Creation as if to say, "Look up, higher, past your troubles."

“Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?

Tell Me, if you have understanding.

Who determined its measurements?

Surely you know!

Or who stretched the line upon it?

To what were its foundations fastened?

Or who laid its cornerstone,

When the morning stars sang together,

And all the sons of God shouted for joy?...
Have you commanded the morning since your days began,

And caused the dawn to know its place,

That it might take hold of the ends of the earth,

And the wicked be shaken out of it? " (Job 38:4-7; 12-13, NKJV)

What a Word! We need to have our minds lifted from preoccupation with our troubles and trials. We need to gain Heaven's perspective. When we do, we will be able to live in Jesus' promise of provision. Here it is. Take it with you today and when the anxiety rises, repeat it to yourself again.
"So I tell you, don’t worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food, drink, and clothes. Doesn’t life consist of more than food and clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t need to plant or harvest or put food in barns because your heavenly Father feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than they are." (Matthew 6:25-26, NLT)
"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (Matthew 6:33, NIV)

Gold Fever

It has caused wars, provoked people to murder, brought on uncontrollable greed, made people insanely lustful, and driven men to abandon family, home, and safety in quests to own it. It is a soft metal, yellow in color - called gold! Today gold is 'green' as in dollars! Last night on 60 Minutes (CBS) Vickie Mabrey reported on a story out of Iraq. In April, 2003, soldiers from the 3rd Infantry Division of the US Army, were part of the invasion. Two weeks into the war, they had pushed into Baghdad. One day, in three separate locations, they discovered dozens of metal boxes each about the size of a picnic cooler. Opening the boxes they discovered they were packed with $100 bills, about $4 million in each box! At two locations, officers quickly took charge and placed the money in the custody of the US government. But in another location, something different happened. I'll quote one of the soldiers who was there.

"And then … there was a moment that everything turned … evil. The air was thick…The looks had changed. You could see that everyone was just out for themselves."
"What do you mean, evil?" asks Mabrey.
"Have you ever been in a room with that much money?" asks Novak, adding that another soldier actually talked about killing someone to keep the discovery quiet.
(see http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/04/25/60II/main690763.shtml )

What an illustration of the Bible's statement - "People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs." (1 Timothy 6:9-10, NIV)

One of the most enduring myths among human beings from every age is that wealth will satisfy the soul hunger that exists within us. It is true that money can do some amazing things - buying us pleasure, causing others to treat us with respect, and giving us power. If you watch The Apprentice, a reality TV program that features Donald Trump, a rich real estate developer from New York City, you will always see people fawning over him, treating him with deference, for no other reason except that he is rich! His opinions matter, not because he is smarter or because he's invented something that will bring better lives to millions, but because he has $Billions in assets.

I even find this happening among Christian pastors. The one who is privileged to lead a larger, wealthier congregation is much more likely to be invited to speak to the conference gathering than the one who leads a little country church off of the beaten path. Pastor John, who shows up at the gathering with his entourage of associates, is often shown much more deference than Pastor Joe who drives up up alone!

Most of us think that gold fever is something that only effects somebody else. We just have 'needs.' They are greedy. How deceitful our hearts are. We find ways to disguise our greed even from ourselves, thinking if we drive a certain kind of car, or live in a certain kind of house, or give a certain percentage of our income -- we have mastered that universal tendency towards acquisitiveness. But, what if we were tested like those soldiers in Iraq? What if, suddenly, we had access to large sums of money? What would happen to us? Would we change, seized by gold fever?

The Bible warns about trying to use our faith to build wealth, about thinking of God as a means to 'get more.' Instead, we are challenged to become content. Here's what the Word says, "men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth.... suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself. Now godliness with contentment is great gain." (1 Timothy 6:5-6, NKJV)

The cure for gold fever is thankful, genuine gratitude that we offer as a sacrifice to the Lord, day by day.Here's a word from the Word to take with you today -
"Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness,
And for His wonderful works to the children of men!
For He satisfies the longing soul,
And fills the hungry soul with goodness. " (Psalm 107:8-9, NKJV)

Bowed heads and bent knees

One would think that the mysteries of faith, that pondering the awesomeness of the works and wisdom of God, would produce a great sense of humility in those who are deeply devoted to things spiritual. It surely did that for Isaiah who, when he had a vision of the Almighty, cried out, "Woe to me... I am ruined!" My observation is that among Christians just the opposite is often true! Those who claim a close relationship with God are frequently possessed of a "I am right and you are wrong" spirit. Positions of 'ministry' become, for some, little personal kingdoms. Many among us who claim to know the One who called Himself, "The Way," seem to think that the majesty of His Truth gives us a right to be disrespectful of those with whose convictions we differ.

Even within the Christian church, among various groups holding differing doctrinal views there is a great capacity for arrogance.

Some who believe that God sovereignly orders all things openly doubt that those who believe in free will are even Christian!

Some who believe that Christ's sacrifice is within the reach of all who would choose to receive His grace by faith, are quick to deride those who believe that Jesus' saving grace is available only to the Elect.

Pentecostals proudly declare they are followers of the way of the "Full Gospel" seeming unaware that if their motto is true that means non-Pentecostals have a partial Gospel. Is there such a thing?

Others don't blink an eye as they declare that the King James Version of the Scripture is the only real Bible! What incredible arrogance for people who are speaking of eternal mysteries of which even the most erudite have only the most elementary grasp!

This past Sunday, Evangelical Christianity was treated to an egregious display of Christian religious hubris. It was called "Justice Sunday." (see http://www.frc.org/get.cfm?i=LH05D02) Church leaders joined forces with the Republican party to attempt to rally Christians to apply pressure to United States Senators in support for President Bush's nominees for the Federal bench. I agree that the President has a constitutional right to nominate whomever he pleases and that the Senate has the right to vote on those nominees in their role of 'advise and consent.' I also agree that some very qualified candidates for the Federal bench are being denied their vote by Senators who are intent on keeping abortion legal and furthering an agenda of homosexual rights. However, using high-blown rhetoric to inflame people, in God's name, to promote a political party's program, is nothing short of an exercise of power that is rooted in pride! I believe that exercises such as "Justice Sunday" give Jesus a bad name, and I think that the spirit of this kind of 'might makes right' event breaks His heart.

I wonder what long term results might have happened if instead of holding loud rallies designed around speeches to attract national media attention, our Christian leaders had called us to a day of fasting and to gather in our churches to sit in silent prayer? Might God have listened to our hearts and seen our tears and saved our children from this land's growing debauchery? Do you think Jesus' words when He said-- “And when you come before God, don’t turn that into a theatrical production either. All these people making a regular show out of their prayers, hoping for stardom! Do you think God sits in a box seat? “Here’s what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won’t be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace." (Matthew 6:5-6, The Message)-- apply here?

Friend, are you humble?
The Word calls on us to humble ourselves before the Lord!

Here's a passage for your contemplation today. Read it with a bowed head and a bent knee, an attitude of surrender to Him. It has something to say to each of us - as citizens, as parents, as Christians, as friends, as individuals:

• "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.
  And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
  Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
  Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;" (Philippians 2:5-12, NKJV)

________________________

Father, what wondrous things You have done for us,
giving us grace and love while we were undeserving.
In our time, Lord, we are rich and our wealth has made us proud.
Forgive us who bear Your Name before the the world for
adopting the practices of power, pride so common among the 'self-sufficient.'
Teach us to seek You, to trust You,
to serve You - humbly and consistently;
alike in times of exaltation and times of deep need.

Give us the mind of Jesus Christ by the inner work of the Spirit
and make us forgetful of ourselves,
content to be no more and no less than You call us to be;
willing to bear whatever burden You lay on us with patience.
Jesus Christ, be glorified in us today
as we practice humility that allows Your Light to shine through us
uneclipsed by our pride.
Amen.

Breathed by God

We live in what is often called "the Information Age." An torrent of words flow our way everyday from multiple sources. That you are reading this TFTD indicates you are 'wired,' a part of the most amazing information development in human history - the Internet. As a pastor I am able, by this medium, to influence the thoughts of people far beyond the physical location of the pulpit from which I speak on Sunday. TFTD is read by people in Italy, the Far East, Australia, and many of the 50 states of the USA. I don't write that to boast, but to illustrate a point. Many of those readers have no way to know what kind of person I am. They are unable to see the life context that shapes the messages that arrive in their computers each morning. The anonymous nature of the Internet demands a high level of discernment from us and requires that we have a safe standard to use in evaluating the content of the information we find there.

For the Believer the ultimate standard of Truth is the Holy Scripture. That said, I want to encourage you to be students of the Bible, to learn to love the Word of God and to read it for all it's worth. Paul encouraged Timothy to remember the value of the Scriptures - which at that time consisted of the Books of the Law and the writing of the Prophets. He wrote: "why, you took in the sacred Scriptures with your mother’s milk! There’s nothing like the written Word of God for showing you the way to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us." (2 Timothy 3:15-17, The Message)

"God-breathed" is a curious construction, isn't it? In many translations the word is "inspired." But didn't men write the words of the Bible? Yes, of course they did. It didn't fall down from the sky written by angelic scribes! Peter tells us that these writers were "moved by the Spirit." They breathed the Breath of God and in their stories and words recorded His wisdom for us. To recognize the human means of receiving the Word does not, in any way, diminish its power in my life, but it does make it study a bit more complex.

For example, to fully understand Paul's teaching letters we need to know to whom he first wrote and why. Galatians, that wonderful letter about Christian freedom from religious regulations, was written to a church he had founded and that had fallen under the spell of false teachers who were stealing the richness of Christ's grace from them. We can feel Paul's passion still after 2000 years as he asks, "You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified." (Galatians 3:1, NIV)

Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John were inspired to write the Jesus story, but each gives us a distinct perspective. As we understand that Matthew wants us to see Jesus as the Jew's Messiah, that Mark wants us to know that He is the powerful Son of God, that Luke wants us to understand that He is the Son of Man, the Savior; and that John is intent on helping us to see that He is the unique God-Man, who brought Light and Life to a dark world; the Gospel becomes a multi-faceted diamond that reflects God's truth into our lives.

When we read the stories of the the patriarchs and of the Jewish people who were alternately faithful and faithless, we are able to trust God to meet us where we are and to lead us to Himself- generation after generation! Thousands of years of great stories from the Old Testament era help us to learn that while God uses individual people, His purposes survive fools and frauds.

The way that we commonly hear the Bible used may actually diminish our ability to understand it. We hear a snippet here and a proof text there, little lines taken from their rich context and turned into a kind of pithy proverb to make a point. Yes, it is the common way the Bible is read and preached and used - even here in TFTD. It is true that we can excerpt passages and study them, we may even quote a phrase to underscore a point, but the best way to let the Scripture become the Gift of Truth to us which God intends - is to read it with understanding of context, with grasp of the story line, and with deep love for the One whose Breath makes the Words alive! Hebrews reminds us that "the Word of God is living and active." As the Spirit lives in us and in the Word, a miracle of living Truth occurs. The letters of Paul, the Gospel stories, the prophets' raging sermons, the Psalms rich images- are not just some legal text which we dissect and systematize with footnotes and bullet points. Instead, we find God's voice speaking to us, "—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live."

Let me encourage you to read the Bible! Don't read it to 'get something' out of it. Don't go looking for a verse to prove your point, or a passage to support your latest twist of doctrine. Instead, read it with an open heart and discerning mind, as the story of God! Read it with a kind of wonder and a deep humility. You will find that God will use those ancient texts to create wisdom in you, to shape your life in a way that pleases Him, and that causes you to learn to love Him with your whole life.

Read it again- for the first time!

Watch how you swing that Sword!

Frank came by my office to drop off a pistol he was letting me use for target practice. After he left, I took the firearm in my hand to see how it balanced, raised it to eye level and pointed upwards towards the corner of my office. On impulse, I pulled the trigger. Bang! It actually fired! The concussion shook me, not just physically, but emotionally. I broke the first law of gun safety! I handled a deadly weapon without first checking the chamber for a round. I assumed, very wrongly, that Frank, an experienced gun owner, wouldn't transport the gun without making sure it was unloaded. Always check your deadly weapon before handling it! The lesson, learned 15 years ago, remains with me to this day. I've never picked up another gun without being certain about whether it is loaded and ready to fire. Thankfully, the result of my stupidity was nothing more serious than a small hole in the sheetrock near the ceiling and a very damaged pride.

• Do you realize the power of the Bible, the power that the Scripture's Truth can wield?
  Do you handle that Word with care and skill?

I am sad to admit that I didn't always use the Word in a manner that was appropriate to the power that is packed into it, nor was I necessarily concerned with using it in a way that ultimately produced wholeness. It was my practice to quote Scripture in a rather indiscriminate way that labeled and judged the actions of others-- Bang, Bang, Bang! Another sinner shot through by the Truth!

In my way of thinking, there were absolutes - and it was my God-given responsibility to make sure that everybody knew what was right and what was wrong. If someone got hurt in the process, oh well... that was just the inevitable result of 'telling the Truth!' Today, I realize that would be like a police officer taking out his pistol at every traffic stop and firing off a few rounds, just for effect, unconcerned if somebody got hurt or killed. Police are armed for a purpose. On rare occasions they are allowed to use their weapon with deadly force, but every good officer dreads the day he would have to use that authority.

The Psalmist lauds the power of the Word to heal: "You were in serious trouble, but you prayed to the Lord, and he rescued you. By the power of his own word, he healed you and saved you from destruction." (Psalm 107:19-20, CEV) Isn't that remarkable? God's Word is a healing word. Yes, the implications are far greater than just healing for our physical ills. He speaks to draw us back from danger, to guide us away from destruction, to bring wholeness into our lives.

The Word of God does cut deeply! "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12, NIV) The Word is like a surgeon's scalpel, cutting into us but for the purpose of excising from our hearts and minds those attitudes and ideas that are diseased and death-producing.

The Word is described as a Sword, an offensive weapon given to us for our protection! "Take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." (Ephesians 6:17, NIV) The modern equivalent - the sidearm. Hence, my opening illustration.

Take this instruction with you today. Ask yourself if you are showing proper respect for the power of the Word, if you are a skilled user of the Sword of the Spirit.
"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15, NIV)

Knowing and doing... keys to intimacy

Remember the days of dating? For some of us, it was a long, long time ago. When I met that special 'someone,' [who really understands the mixture of elements that makes her that 'someone,'] I wanted to get to know Bev better. That meant raising my level of commitment to her. We quickly moved from just being acquainted to seeing each other frequently, not dating anyone else that Summer of '74. We were 'going steady!' What do that call it now? Then, in the Fall, we became engaged, pledged to marry. Impatient as I was (and am!) we moved quickly to marriage in January, 1975, when I made an irrevocable pledge of faithful, singular love made to her as a covenant before God. Sustaining our intimacy has required absolute fidelity through the years and a willingness to consider her needs at least, if not more, important than my own. The glory is -- each stage brought new depth of relationship, new intimacy.

When we come to Christ, and begin to love Him, there is a similar pattern of escalating commitment. That commitment isn't just about saying the right words, either. Our professions of devotion must be accompanied by appropriate actions that demonstrate the veracity of our words. James asks us - what’s the use of saying you have faith if you don’t prove it by your actions? That kind of faith can’t save anyone. (James 2:14, NLT) He is not implying that our good deeds are done for the purpose of earning merit badges for our holy sash to show everybody what a great Christian we are! His point is that IF we are deeply committed, in faith, to being a follower of Christ Jesus, there will be an observable effect on our lives that extends beyond songs and prayers on Sunday morning. In chapter one, he admonishes us to be sincere about our obedience. Don’t fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. Act on what you hear! (James 1:22, The Message)

That kind of commitment allows us to grow deeper in Christ. Both what we believe and how we live are intertwined in this thing called Christianity. We err seriously if we elevate either over the other. Too much emphasis on belief, on sound doctrine, and we will end up with ideas, theoretical doctrine, that float unattached to the day to day world in which we live. Too much emphasis on actions and we will end up with a list of religious rules as long as our arm, captives of our guilty consciences, and driven to miserable shame. We believe the brilliant Word- that Christ loves and saves us- that what is done is totally effective on our behalf to make us again the sons and daughters of God. And then, gratefully, we grow in commitment, letting the evidence of the Spirit's life show as we live joyfully in obedience to Him.

Intimacy in a marriage relationship can get 'stuck' when one spouse comes to a point where he or she is unwilling to surrender autonomy. He thinks, "She cannot own my Saturday mornings, and resists all her efforts to be a part of his weekend." Or he holds back a portion of his money to spend exclusively for his own pleasure, or she continues to have friends that he is not allowed to know ... and until the conflict or difference in understanding is resolved, their intimacy cannot grow. What marriage partners fail to grasp in that moment is that in surrender, they surely lose something, but they gain something of greater value than what they release! What can compare to a deep, loving, and intimate relationship with a spouse who serves you with her whole heart? She is released from fear that she will be diminished or taken advantage of when she sees you love her in a way that is costly, but true!

Similarly, we can become stuck, unable to grow in our Christ love. The Holy Spirit will not allow us to hold onto some little part of our life, as though it had nothing to do with the Lordship of Jesus. Our disobedience breaks the close loving fellowship with Him. He asks us to love Him totally! That 'totally' grows over time. Frightening thought to you? Don't let it be. Yes, serving Him means that we lose ourselves -- but what we gain is of such worth that what we lose is inconsiderable!

Here's a word from the Word to take with you today... "you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body." (1 Corinthians 6:20, NIV)

Legacy

Standing on a ridge west of Gettysburg, PA last night, I looked thoughtfully across the valley that stretched out in front of me trying to imagine the thunder of cannon, the crack of rifles, the yells of colonels on horseback, the screams of the wounded and dying. All around me there were monuments (about 1,000!) to the men who had fought on these Pennsylvania fields - obelisks carved with names of military units, bronze bas relief scenes. The horror of the 3 day battle that raged here on the first three days of July, 1863 is simply beyond my imagination. When the battle ended, there were 51,000 casualties, 1/3 of those who were sent into the battles were killed or wounded! For the men who survived the carnage, what happened here never faded from memory all the rest of their days. They were determined that no one should forget, so they came back again and again in the four decades that closed the nineteenth century, building monuments to stand as silent sentinels so we would not forget the blood that spilled here.

But it is not stone and bronze that is their greatest memorial. President Lincoln's 2 minute long speech, the amazing 'Gettysburg Address,' points to the true legacy of the men who battled here: "we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion; that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain; that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom, and that this government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth." That these United States of America still continue to offer freedom and prosperity to millions as the world's greatest democracy is the most enduring monument!

What will be the legacy of the battles you fight?
What monuments will give testament to your life 50 years from this day?

For those who live only for creature comforts, to accumulate possessions, or to create a fiefdom over which they can be a petty lord- the only monument will likely be a stone in a cemetery! But for those who live with passion, who love deeply, who pray and serve - there will be changed lives that are 'living stones.' By way of illustration, let me mention my grandfather now long gone from this earth. The money he made was spent years ago, the land he owned has all been divided and sold. But Walter Scott's lasting legacy are the lives of men and women who are now lived in the shadow of the Throne of God. His conversion to Christ and his leadership of his family in a way that pointed to Eternity has an effect that continues to exercise influence decades after his death.

Live in faith! Pray that God will give you a powerful vision for your life that will draw you on to greater exploits, but not for self aggrandizement, but for His honor.

Here's a word from the Word for this day: "It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going. And even when he reached the land God promised him, he lived there by faith—for he was like a foreigner, living in a tent. And so did Isaac and Jacob, to whom God gave the same promise.
Abraham did this because he was confidently looking forward to a city with eternal foundations, a city designed and built by God.
It was by faith that Sarah together with Abraham was able to have a child, even though they were too old and Sarah was barren. Abraham believed that God would keep his promise. And so a whole nation came from this one man, Abraham, who was too old to have any children—a nation with so many people that, like the stars of the sky and the sand on the seashore, there is no way to count them." (Hebrews 11:8-12, NLT)

Let's keep the legacy in mind!
_____________________________________

Find Us Faithful

We're pilgrims on the journey
Of the narrow road,
And those who've gone before us
Line the way.
Cheering on the faithful,
Encouraging the weary,
Their lives a stirring testament
To God's sustaining grace.

O may all who come behind us
Find us faithful,
May the fire of our devotion
Light their way.
May the footprints that we leave,
Lead them to believe,
And the lives we live
Inspire them to obey.
O may all who come behind us
Find us faithful.

Surrounded by so great
A cloud of witnesses,
Let us run the race
Not only for the prize,
But as those who've gone before us.
Let us leave to those behind us,
The heritage of faithfulness
Passed on thru godly lives.

After all our hopes and dreams
Have come and gone,
And our children sift thru all
We've left behind,
May the clues that they discover,
And the mem'ries they uncover,
Become the light that leads them,
To the road we each must find.

© 1987 Jonathan Mark Music ARR UBP of Gaither Copyright Management / Birdwing Music (a div. of EMI Christian Music Publishing) CCLI License No. 810055

Wrestling...

The team that directs our Christian school sat around a table last night and wrestled with the budget numbers for the coming fiscal year; working to reconcile the vision with the available resources! It is not a simple task to discern what is mission critical and what is not, to know what God would have us trust Him to provide and yet to be responsible as stewards of a vital ministry. I was made glad by the efforts of the group, who dealt with tough issues in a godly, faithful, and ultimately hopeful way - as Christians should. This ministry will be stronger because several people are willing to wrestle with these things to clarify the purpose and methods.

We all have to wrestle with tough issues, with difficult decisions- don't we? Life is often an uphill climb for those who want to be better, build bigger, grow deeper!
Close-knit families don't just happen, they are created and maintained with hard work.
Good character is developed as we fight our way through the thicket of self-indulgence and resist the seductions of the 'broad way that leads to destruction.'
Skills and spiritual gifts are honed for maximum effectiveness through prolonged study and/or practice.
Fit bodies are made by sustained discipline of exercise and careful choices in our diet.

Don't be discouraged by the struggles of life! Don't think you're doing something wrong because you're in a wrestling match with sin, self, or Satan! It may be the very means that God is using to develop you into a champion for His purposes. Jacob, whose story we read in Genesis, spent a night wrestling with the Lord. It is a story with cryptic details, yet the larger message comes through clearly-- Only as we are willing to wrestle with those situations that God allows to come our way can we develop into the person God wants us to be!

Here's how it's told: "...during the night Jacob got up and sent his two wives, two concubines, and eleven sons across the Jabbok River. After they were on the other side, he sent over all his possessions. This left Jacob all alone in the camp, and a man came and wrestled with him until dawn. When the man saw that he couldn’t win the match, he struck Jacob’s hip and knocked it out of joint at the socket.
Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is dawn.” But Jacob panted, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” “What is your name?” the man asked. He replied, “Jacob.” “Your name will no longer be Jacob,” the man told him. “It is now Israel, because you have struggled with both God and men and have won.”
“What is your name?” Jacob asked him. “Why do you ask?” the man replied. Then he blessed Jacob there. Jacob named the place Peniel—“face of God”—for he said, “I have seen God face to face, yet my life has been spared.” (Genesis 32:22-30, NLT)

A new name signified a new man! Jacob, the Liar (as his name meant) became Israel, the man who wrestled with God!

Those struggles that are making you wrestle with faith, that cause you to question God's plans and purposes, that make you groan in prayer, that drive you to seek out the wisdom of the Word are not a bad thing. God can use them to mold you into a person worthy of His high calling IF you'll wrestle and not quit!

Here's a word to take with you today:
Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet. (Ephesians 6:13, The Message)

Living a Transcendent Life

One of the more amazing technologies available to us today is GPS, which stands for Global Positioning System. Using signals from satellites, handheld devices enable a person to locate his place almost anywhere on the planet within a 6 ' square. Directional systems that combine GPS signals with computer programming can create driving directions as a person is on the move at 70 mph! Pilots of airplanes and watercraft not only can track their course with GPS, they can also determine actual ground speed with complete accuracy. In this morning's newspaper I read that a new hobby, a kind of high tech treasure hunt, is based around GPS. Small boxes are placed in parks or along hiking trails. Inexpensive items are put in the boxes and the location of the boxes are published on the Internet. Hobbyists, using their GPS devices, find the boxes, take an item, and leave something for the next trekker! Fun, eh?

Let me ask you some pointed questions today.

• Where are the reference points from which you gain direction and purpose for life?
  How do you determine where you are spiritually, if you're growing in character, and what your ultimate destination is?

In a course that Bev and I are teaching about developing Boundaries with Kids, Dr. Henry Cloud writes about the importance of parenting for character development. Children, he asserts, need to be 'oriented to transcendence,' meaning that we teach our children (hopefully from our own experience!) to seek their guidance, purpose, and meaning in life from a transcendent God, rather than from the material and temporal world. If we learn to tune our spiritual receivers to the beacon of the Holy Spirit, we gain, in Dr. Cloud's words, "the ability to transcend life, problems, our own limitations and mistakes, and even other people's sins against us. People who transcend self go beyond their own existence to the reality of God and live by virtues they hold more important than their own immediate happiness." That's heavy stuff, and a foreign concept for most minds, especially in our culture which is so powerfully captivated by materialism and sensuality.

We have only to read the headlines to see where our loss of reference to God and His will is taking us. From what roots did the Enron and WorldCom scandals come? From a philosophy that said that the ultimate good in the corporate world was producing profits, regardless of the methods used. Executives felt that they could justify any decisions, as long as they made the money flow increase. Their lack of integrity and greed combined to rot away the foundations of their companies which collapsed with terrible consequences for thousands of employees and share-holders.

It seems to be that sex crimes are on the increase. Some say that is only because more are being reported, but I think differently. I believe in time what is now just an intuitive guess will be confirmed. What is that guess? That our our reduction of the human race to the status of highly evolved animals rather than precious creations of a loving God has released many among us to express their basest predatory impulses. Where once even our sexuality was expressed within boundaries given us by God, now we are taught that sex is just an appetite to be satisfied. Without transcendent values, all kinds of sexual practices are made legitimate; including homosexual practice, rampant promiscuity, and prostitution. We are reaping the consequences of our worldview!

The Word teaches us that God has given us an internal spiritual GPS, a way of fixing our reference point for guidance outside of ourselves. Take a look...

"The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as he raised Christ from the dead, he will give life to your mortal body by this same Spirit living within you. So, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation whatsoever to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you keep on following it, you will perish. But if through the power of the Holy Spirit you turn from it and its evil deeds, you will live." (Romans 8:11-13, NLT)

We need to invite Christ to 'turn on' the receiver that God built into our being so that we are able to tune into the Spirit's leading. Invite Jesus to make you fully alive! That will allow you to 'hear what the Spirit is saying,' to live a transcendent life. In this you will find a noble life, and more importantly, a life that ends here on earth with an arrival at the gate of Heaven, where a rich reward awaits the faithful!

Here's a word from the Word to take with you today....
"For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body." (Philippians 3:18-21, NIV)

Words- what power!

I heard two kinds of speech yesterday. In a memorial service, I heard words that were healing, hopeful, encouraging, and life-giving. Friends and family members told their stories about a humble man who loved the Lord and who showed his love for them in ordinary, yet wonderful, ways. As our tears fell together, healing for sorrowful hearts began. With just words, vivid pictures were painted in our minds of a man nick-named "Tiny" who would be better remembered as a giant for his willingness to do whatever was necessary to get the job done.

In a different setting, I overheard thoughtless words that cut deep. They weren't even about me, but they hurt me in their casual cruelty. Two people were discussing another's 'failure.' "If it were me, I know I would... Can you imagine not doing... It's just a shame..." I was saddened that the comments made by two professed Christians were so graceless. Since I know that the person they were discussing is going through an incredibly difficult time of life, I also knew that even if the lapses they asserted were true, there would ample reasons to extend understanding and grace. But their words revealed that they were absorbed by their own concerns to the extent that they could not empathize with the needs of the one they were destroying in their conversation.

James challenges us to remember the power of our words. He writes:
"A word out of your mouth may seem of no account, but it can accomplish nearly anything—or destroy it! It only takes a spark, remember, to set off a forest fire. A careless or wrongly placed word out of your mouth can do that. By our speech we can ruin the world, turn harmony to chaos, throw mud on a reputation, send the whole world up in smoke and go up in smoke with it, smoke right from the pit of hell.
This is scary: You can tame a tiger, but you can’t tame a tongue—it’s never been done. The tongue runs wild, a wanton killer. With our tongues we bless God our Father; with the same tongues we curse the very men and women he made in his image. Curses and blessings out of the same mouth! My friends, this can’t go on." (James 3:5-10, The Message).

It is true! Our tongues are wild, untamable things. Changing what we say on our own is impossible. Why? Because our speech reveals our heart, our deepest values and most private thoughts will eventually bubble to the surface if we babble on long enough. No one can make his heart new by his own efforts. If we are self-absorbed, insecure, or mean; it will always show up in our conversations.

That is why we need Jesus! He is a heart specialist. When His grace and love full into us and when we cultivate a day to day intimacy with the Holy Spirit, we are changed- from the inside out! I love the down-home illustration that our Lord used to make this point. “A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. A tree is identified by the kind of fruit it produces. Figs never grow on thornbushes or grapes on bramble bushes. A good person produces good deeds from a good heart, and an evil person produces evil deeds from an evil heart. Whatever is in your heart determines what you say. (Luke 6:43-45, NLT) What fruit will others pick from your conversations today?

Listen to your words. Do they lift others up or tear them down? Do they encourage or take away hope? If you need to be honest about another's sin or failings, do your words reflect a gentleness that helps that person aspire to do better or are they crushing and judgmental?

Need to tame that tongue? Then get with Jesus and pray for a changed heart. Ask Him to wash out bitterness, envy, cynicism, unforgiveness, even hatred - replacing those evil fruits with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, and good.

Use that gift of speech to bless others and to cause those around you to thank God for His grace, expressed through YOU!
____________________________

Overflowing with grace?

Holding the magazine sweepstakes envelope with the promise of $10 million winnings trumpeted on it, I got lost for a few moments in a daydream. I saw myself buying this person a car, paying off that person's school loans, helping another get a business started, providing funds to a struggling ministry... it was fun, but fantasy! Then the Holy Spirit brought to mind a line from a story in the book of Acts- "Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee." (Acts 3:6, KJV) I felt the challenge in my spirit- "Jerry, what are you doing with what I have given you, with the abundant spiritual wealth that is yours?"

Peter and John were going into the Temple to pray at 3 in the afternoon when a beggar called out to them for money. The man had been in that spot near the gate for years, crippled and dependent on the kindness of those who passed by. "Help me, show some kindness!" he yelled, holding out his hand pathetically. Peter stopped; looked right at him and said, "Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk." (Acts 3:6, KJV) The crippled man "stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God." (Acts 3:8, KJV)

You and I may not have access to great sums of money to bless others, but we have been given amazing grace, infinite love, abundant mercy, astonishing kindness... need I go on? People need to be gifted with those things, more than money! But a generous spirit is not a first impulse for most of us. It is the result of a transformational work of the Spirit in us. Naturally we tend to think about caring for ourselves; making certain that we have secured our place, our future, provision for our perceived needs.

Want to gauge your level of generosity? Start with the practical stuff of life! Think about how you tip those who provide services to you. Do you carefully calculate 15% or throw in an extra couple of dollars? When you write out your tithe (10% for God's work) do you divide it down to the penny, or do you round it up with joy? When you're in line do you carefully guard your position or quickly let the guy with a couple of items cut in front of you? Are you impatient with drivers who go too slowly in your lane, or cheerfully share the road?

When we possess the riches of God, not just in word but in our hearts, we are freed from the need to grasp tightly what we perceive belongs to us. We will gain a liberal heart, a generous spirit that overflows. We will take notice of the hurts, the sorrows, the pain of those around us and give them from the store of love that we have received from the Lord. We will readily absorb the insensitivities and insecurities that cause others to slight us without the least care because we are so rich in the Father's love!

The Word observes the principle of reciprocity -
"It is possible to give freely and become more wealthy, but those who are stingy will lose everything. The generous prosper and are satisfied; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed." (Proverbs 11:24-25, NLT) Jesus states it simply -
"Give away your life; you’ll find life given back, but not merely given back—given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity.”" (Luke 6:38, The Message)

For a few moments, right now, thank God for the riches you have been given in Christ Jesus. Meditate on this statement: "God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." (2 Corinthians 9:8, NIV)

Then, go-- and give it away! Have fun blessing people with love, kindness, mercy, goodness - from the rich storehouse to which God has given you the key!
__________________

Lavish love abundant beauty
Gracious gifts for heart and hand
Life that fills the soul and senses
All burst forth at Your command.
Lord, our Lord, Eternal Father
Great Creator, God and Friend
Boundless power gave full expression
To Your love which knows no end.

Who am I that You should love me
Meet my every need from birth?
Why invest Yourself so fully
In a creature made of earth?
In Your loving heart You planned me
Fashioned me with greatest care;
Through my soul You breathed Your Spirit
Planted Your own image there.

I am Yours, Eternal Father
All my body, mind and heart.
Take and use me to Your glory
Form Yourself in every part.
Lord, Your love brings joy and gladness
Flowing forth within my soul.
May my very breath and being
Rise to You, their source and goal.

© 1986 Word Music, Inc. (a div. of Word Music Group, Inc.)
CCLI License No. 810055

The least of these

Last night, an organization called Family Promise used our fellowship hall to present an opportunity for ministry to the homeless in our county. Over 60 local churches were invited to attend. About 30 persons actually showed up, representing just 9 different congregations! I guess I should be thankful for that, but in truth, I am saddened by it. There were exactly 2 pastors present. I wonder how many congregations would have found a representative to attend if the meeting were about a program that promised to bring 10 new familiese into their sanctuaries this year, and to add 15% to their income stream? Compassion, genuine caring for those in need- that's the mark of the Church, the proof of a real experience of Christ's life in the Believer. Well, it used to be- before we became obsessed with getting ourselves religiously comfortable and creating programs that are attractive to those people who are emotionally together, physically clean, and able to make a regular contribution in the offering.

Imagine the difference that Christian churches could make in this community if they actually did Christ-like things! But most churches spend almost 100% of their time, energy, and volunteer resources serving those within the walls, Christians comforting Christians! We claim we have no time to minister to the homeless, conduct a nursing home service, commit to a regular prison ministry, build a pantry to feed the hungry, provide mentoring to a fatherless boy, or take time to teach a young woman the skills she needs to support her baby. And we don't, because we have to keep the people happy who want climate controlled buildings, lavish youth programs, scintillating Christian education ministries, and well produced worship services.

I just wonder if our kids would be more convinced about the reality of Christianity if, in addition to teaching them doctrine in nicely decorated rooms with expensive, colorful literature that they discard before they reach home- we took them to do yard work or to read to a lonely elderly person, had a homeless ministry where they could play with poor kids and help to make dinner for them, or provided them opportunities to do other kinds of self-sacrificial service? Maybe they would learn what too many of us have forgotten... that faith without works is dead!

I have to give my parents some credit here. Every Sunday, when I was growing up, we got dragged to a nursing home to sing, talk, and love the people there. I hated it! While other kids got to play sports, I had to sit in an ugly basement chapel at Garden Nursing Home. I was deprived, or was I? Many of the residents smelled badly, tried to kiss me, and wanted me to sit by them so they could hold my hand. That's not cool when you're 12! But I learned to love outside of my comfort zone and, over time, learned that I was loving Jesus when I cared for those who were forgotten, lonely, and 'marginalized' by society. (I didn't realize my parents were conducting Sunday School in a with 'hands on' curriculum before that term was in vogue!) Then too, my parents were active in loving the needy all the time, not just on Sunday. Our house always had somebody in it that was in recovery, homeless, or otherwise in need. I thought that was just what Christians did. Later I learned that the majority of Christians talked about such caring and then paid for somebody else to do it, earning a tax deduction at the same time. That way they could 'love the needy' without getting their hands dirty.

Jesus told a story about the Judgment, when we stand before God. Interestingly, He doesn't say we will recite the Westminster Confession or the Apostle's Creed to receive the Father's commendation! In fact He doesn't mention that we earned a nearly perfect attendance record for Sunday worship gatherings or that we built a great building that was architecturally interesting. You know that, right? Here's what He does say: "Then the King will say to those on the right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’" (Matthew 25:34-36, NLT)

But how can we do those things for Jesus? Where is He hungry, or needy, or an alien in need of shelter? That's what those at the Judgment asked, too. And here's how Jesus replies: “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison, and visit you?’ And the King will tell them, ‘I assure you, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’" (Matthew 25:37-40, NLT)

I am crying at this moment as I think about how little of the money that is collected, in the name of doing God's work, from my congregation actually feeds the hungry, serves the poor, or shelters the alien. I'm not crying with joy, but with shameful sorrow. What will I tell Jesus when I stand there? How will I explain the way the churches I shepherded in His name squandered the opportunities for ministry that existed all around us? I can only groan, "God, forgive us. Help us to please you by opening our eyes and our hearts to Jesus where He lives among us. Amen."

Encourage

Bob paid tribute to his circle of friends telling them that they added so much to his life. "You," he said to the little circle of people at his 41st birthday party, "have helped me and encouraged me." There was real emotion in his voice as he thanked us. It made me ask myself - "On the whole, am I a giver or a taker, a critic or an encourager?" Life is full of critics who are quick to take note when our work is less than stellar, when we sin or fail, when we are not who they expect us to be. The little lights in all that darkness are those precious few who see the good, send the 'thank you' note, who believe in us and help us to achieve more than we would if left to ourselves.

Several years ago, at a time when I was experiencing some real inner doubts about my effectiveness as a pastor, there was a Pastor Appreciation Day in our church. People were given the opportunity to write a note of thanks and the bundle was presented to me along with gifts. The gifts were nice, but the notes were like water poured on a parched plant. As I sat and read through them, some scrawled in childish handwriting, others written in flowing prose - I just wept! God used the kind words of several dozen people in that congregation to tell me, "Jerry, I can use even you to accomplish My work in this world. You're making a difference." I kept that little bundle of encouragement around for a long time and when I was feeling low, would read some of them again. They were like medicine for my soul.

The Bible tells us that as Believers we need to keep meeting together, and we should"encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." (Hebrews 10:25, NIV) In another passage, we are told pointedly- "If your gift is to encourage others, do it!... And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly." (Romans 12:8, NLT)

Watch out for flattery which is defined as 'excessive or insincere praise.' Some will 'encourage' you but for their own purpose or gain. They will fill your ear with words that are ultimately manipulative. If we are in need of affirmation, we will be tempted to believe those flattering words and, in the end, will be hurt when we figure out we were used. I'm sure everyone of us can think of a time when we let somebody 'sweet talk' us into doing something or being somebody that we really were not. Proverbs, that treasure trove of practical wisdom, calls flattery a "a net for his feet." (29:5, NIV) It trips us up!

The story of David, who rose from a country shepherd boy, the least in his family, to become a great king, had people who encouraged him along the way. He was greatly gifted, had a deep faith and loads of courage, yet he needed people who spurred him on to greatness! As a young man, Jonathan was a key person whose encouragement helped David get through some awful times in the palace. Later on in his life he gathered several men around him that the Bible calls "David's mighty men." Isn't that rich? These guys believed in him and served alongside of him in the campaigns he waged for Israel's safety. During his reign there were others who advised and encouraged him. What would he have been without these people? Only God knows.

Be an encourager today!

• Don't flatter, but give praise.
• Take note of those who are often 'invisible' to the world, make eye contact, and say a sincere 'thank you.'
• If you know of someone who is struggling to keep their head above water - give them a call and pray with them, briefly and sincerely, for God's strength for this day.
• Has someone helped you make it through a hard time that is due a note? Then, tell them TODAY!

You have a choice today as you deal with others- to dwell on the disappointments or to think on the good things. If you focus on those moments when you're needs and desires have been unmet, you will become a bitter, cynical critic who sucks the life out of every situation and relationship. If you seek the good, you will be an encourager, and, the encouragement you give will, in the end, come 'round to you again!

"Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse." (Philippians 4:8, The Message) _______________________________________

Lord God, the world teaches me to be a critic.
The talk show hosts, the movie critics, the political pundits, and even some preachers, fill the world with angry words, hurtful words, negative words.
Lord, their attitude sticks to me and makes me critical, too.
I pray that you would do a work in my heart and mind.
Help me to see the best, to choose to forget myself, and to lift up somebody today who needs to be encouraged.
Make me a bright light of hope in a dark world of despair, a source of refreshing words that bring life to the dry desert of someone's life.
As you have loved me, help me to love others, for Jesus' sake.
In His holy name I pray. Amen.

"skubalon"

(What follows is not original with me. I owe my 'inspiration' to Alan Nelson, a pastor in Arizona. If this TFTD offends you, please know I'm not sending it to be mean or even just to be humorous. There is a point buried in it ... which just might stick, if you'll read all the way to the end!)

Can you say the vulgar word for "manure" if you're a pastor? I didn't think so... OK, so I'll use the Biblical term, "skubalon." (Dung, if you want to look it up.) You might say I have a Ph.D in the stuff-- yeah, piled high and deep-- 'cause I grew up on a farm where I scooped tons of it into the wagon that carried it to fertilize our fields. I just had no idea I'd have to scoop so much of it as a pastor! Here's what I mean. I get a whiff of skubalon during meetings I attend when a personal agenda overtakes God's agenda. The distinct odor drifts out of notes from people who are angry over this or that in their church. During most conversations that include the famous line - "Pastor, God is leading us to another church," I start looking around for a shovel. One of the big problems with church is that we spend way too much time trying deny or sanctify skubalon instead of just shoveling it out the door. In many places the wonderful treasure of the Gospel get buried in it and the sweet fragrance of Christ is obscured by the stench of selfishness and self-righteousness coming out of the church.

We need to call it what it is. When we over-react, let's just call it skubalon instead of making excuses. When we are trying to impress someone with our overblown story or tragic tale, somebody needs to sneeze, -skubalon! and bring us back to our senses and the truth. When pettiness and political pomp are hindering real progress we need to send for the skubalon wagon to haul it away so God's work can continue unhindered by phoniness. Ultimately, it doesn't matter what you call it. If it looks like skubalon, smells like skubalon... more than likely it is skubalon.

Skubalon happens! That's life. But ignoring it, renaming it, or even playing around with it in conversations or gripe sessions, just isn't right! Identify it. Clean it up, and move on. Ever been drawn into a conversation where the ministry of another person is being coated with critical comments that stink like skubalon? Did you stop it or nod in agreement, piling it on? Ever been part of a gripe session where somebody's skubalon was hurled at at undeserving leader, just because of personal reasons or preferences? Of course, this pastor is the first to admit to the need for the golden rule principle in this discussion. I've flung more than my fair share of skubalon from time to time; and I repent for letting myself deal in such base stuff! It's kind of difficult to point out the pile in your front yard when mine is stinking under the sunshine, but.... if we all commit to telling the truth and start to deal with the skubalon in our lives, the world will be a better place.

From the summit of Mt. Midlife, my skubalon detector has become more sharply honed. I am told that the Busters (born between 1965-1980) and the Millennials (born in the 80's and 90's) have particularly keen skubalon detection skills and that if we are not willing to be authentic, they are quite willing to discard our Christian faith as so much skublaon, and they will head for the door of our church without looking back! They quickly see when somebody's position, power, or prestige has become more important than the truth, than Jesus' will, or loving people! They will shake the skubalon off their feet. Tragically, they often turn their backs on the Truth, too. Jesus has a word for those who let the stink of the skubalon in their lives drive others away from Him and His community: "if anyone causes one of these little ones who trusts in me to lose faith, it would be better for that person to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone tied around the neck." (Matthew 18:6, NLT)

Lest you think that I've become overly coarse, let me share what Paul, the Apostle, wrote. He apparently had little tolerance for skubalon after his transformational meeting with Jesus Christ on the road to Damacus. He wasn't polite in his description of his B.C. (Before Christ) days. Here's what he wrote-- "What things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung (skubalon), that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:" (Philippians 3:6-9, KJV)

Just in case you're having a little trouble with the old English... here's the heart of that passage from The Message. "Yes, all the things I once thought were so important are gone from my life. Compared to the high privilege of knowing Christ Jesus as my Master, firsthand, everything I once thought I had going for me is insignificant—dog dung. I’ve dumped it all in the trash so that I could embrace Christ and be embraced by him."

The glorious Truth is that God, the Spirit, offers a powerful disinfectant to us that can rid us of even the odor of skubalon in our lives! We don't have to live in lies, traffic in deception, or serve self any longer. Because we are powerfully loved, we can face the truth even when it stinks! Once we call the stinky mess what it really is, God can help us deal with it effectively!

Here's a great word to meditate on today: "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit." (Romans 8:1-4, NKJV)

Take the freedom from the stink of sin that is offered by Christ. Let's breathe the fresh clean air that is blown into our lives by the Holy Spirit and the glory of the Gospel, the beauty of Jesus, and the power of the Spirit will become evident to all who see what God has done!

Both great and small

The contrast between two lives played in my mind as I drove home from the hospital yesterday. Vince, a humble servant of the Lord, served the street people of Manhattan, loved his wife, and prayed for his sons and daughters. He didn't travel the world or meet with national leaders. Now, his earthly life appears to be very near the end- quietly attended by just a few who love him dearly. All this week, on the TV screen, I watched as millions streamed to Rome to memorialize Karol Wojtyła (Pope John Paul II). Thousands wept as they waited hours to walk past his body, lying in state in St. Peter's Basilica. This man's influence effected millions around the world. He rode in the Popemobile before adoring crowds. His written words were repeated by priests from pulpits on every continent.

As I drove with these two scenes in mind, the thought that kept repeating to me was the passage from Hebrews - "it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment." (Hebrews 9:27, KJV) Great and small, famous and obscure, rich and poor - the distinctions of this world disappear in death! Vince and Karol (and you and me!) will share the same place before the Awesome Lord of Glory and answer the same question- what did you do with Jesus and His grace?

High office and humble service have nothing to do with being received into Heaven! The structures of the world reward the high and mighty. Favor flows toward the bright and beautiful. It is quite natural to think that God, too, offers His eternal home to those of noteworthy achievements and/or goodness, but that is simply not true. This declaration defies our logic: "God saved you by his special favor when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God." (Ephesians 2:8, NLT)

My only hope (and I sincerely pray you share it) is in the Cross of Christ and the Grace of God. The hymn writer's phrasing expresses it well-

My hope is built on nothing less,
than Jesus' blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
but wholly lean on Jesus' name.
On Christ, the Solid Rock, I stand,
all other ground is sinking sand.

Friend, be you 15 or 50, I press on you the fact that God says, “At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you.” Indeed, God is ready to help you right now. Today is the day of salvation." (2 Corinthians 6:2, NLT) Be prepared for that inevitable appointment by settling the issue now. That's right! Receiving Jesus' grace gives you assurance and peace. If you are Christ's, when your moment of appearing in God's Presence arrives, the Bible says that Jesus will be your Advocate presenting you before the Father saying, "This is my brother (sister), accepted into our family, at My expense."

That is why death has lost it's terrors for us. We are going home!
________________________

The Lord of Hosts

Sometimes we sing words during worship that have no meaning to us! Could be dangerous? Maybe. In that great hymn, A Mighty Fortress is Our God, there is a line that says, "Lord Sabaoth, His Name, from age to age the same." What's that about? It is a title for God that is common throughout the Old Testament - Yahweh Tsebaoth- the Lord of Hosts. In many modern translations the translation is Almighty God. The Hebrew - tsaba - is a generalized word that means a force, a group, or an army. When the Scripture calls God, Yahweh Tsebaoth, the intent is to impress us with His majesty. It is a way to inform us, if you'll allow for a loose translation, that He is the God-the General; the Boss who is in charge of the the work force!

Is He in charge of your life today? You have put a Christian fish on your car's bumper? Now there's a sign of submission to God - NOT! You once said a prayer in a church in which you acknowledged Jesus as Savior and Lord? Good, but are you living that prayer? I mean - is He really 'in charge,' the One who is your Boss, the One you trust implicitly, the One who gives orders that you follow promptly? That can be hard to do, especially when He doesn't choose to let us know what His plans are, when He only allows us to see a slice of time that doesn't include a neat ending to the story of our lives! We discover the true depth of our surrender to His authority when His orders appear to leading us into tough times and/or costly sacrifice.

It's easy to take orders from the project manager if you think she's competent, understand her goals, and agree with her strategy, right? We readily put ourselves wholeheartedly into an effort when we have great confidence in the leader. But what about the times when you don't know the plan, when you only have your assignment, and have not worked with the one in charge enough to really know if she's all that competent as a leader? It's much harder then to just 'do your job' without wondering - "is this the right thing to do? Will this really succeed?"

The Bible tells us that God is Yahweh Tsebaoth to assure us that we can trust His leadership even when He doesn't tell us the whole plan! The General has it all worked out and He's been very successful! So as He sends us into the battle in life - be it with sin, with sickness, with Satan or his demons- we go with full assurance, and with authority - not of our own making, but from His Name!

David, just a teenager, went to do battle with Goliath, the champion of the Philistine army that was holding the line against the armies of Israel. As the shepherd lad strode onto the field where the contest would take place he went with courage that came from knowing he was in the Lord's army. As he approached the skilled warrior, he said, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty (Yahweh Tsebaoth), the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the LORD will hand you over to me... and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel." (1 Samuel 17:45-46, NIV)

Don't steal God's majesty, or make Him too small in your understanding. Let Him impress that He is Lord of hosts on you today. Last night as I went home from teaching about this in our Bible Study class, I reflected over the various needs of people to whom I am called to minister. I stood outside, under the canopy of the dark sky spangled with the stars, and thanked Yahweh Tsebaoth that He has entrusted me with His Name and prayed that I would be content to do His will and follow His orders even when I don't know the 'rest of the story.'

Here's one more 'Lord of Hosts' Scripture which I hope will stick in your mind for this day, but it needs context.... Some Jews had returned from the time of captivity in Babylon to rebuild Jerusalem. Nehemiah had led the campaign to restore the city walls. Ezra headed the campaign to rebuild the Temple. Surrounding nations were threatened by the re-building and sent an emissary to Xerxes, the Persian king who had allowed the reconstruction, asking him to stop the effort. The thought of these opponents of the Temple re-building was, "If the Jews rebuild their Temple, their god will return and make them strong again!" which he did.
For several years the work was at a standstill, the foundations and stonework reminding the Jews of their weakness before the great Persian empire. During that time, Zechariah preached and encouraged Zerrubabel, the mayor of Jerusalem. The prophet said, “This is what the Lord says to Zerubbabel: It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the Lord Almighty. (Yahweh Tsebaoth) Nothing, not even a mighty mountain, will stand in Zerubbabel’s way; it will flatten out before him! Then Zerubbabel will set the final stone of the Temple in place, and the people will shout: ‘May God bless it! May God bless it!’ " (Zechariah 4:6-7, NLT)

Who is trying to stymie God's work in your life?
Who is trying to discourage you, cause you to doubt or fear?
Speak to them and say, It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the Lord Almighty (Yahweh Tsebaoth)!

"It means something!"

Over the weekend, floodwaters filled the Murphy's home to a depth of several feet for the second time in less than a year! A team of men from the church went yesterday to help them start the clean-up. As we stepped through the front door, we stood surrounded by ruin. Imagine a home filled with 4-5 feet of muddy water which swirled and churned like the inside of a washing machine for 24-36 hours. Wooden furniture was warped and ruined. Carpets were squishy and muddy, refrigerator and freezer were overturned and full of filthy water. Every electrical device was destroyed and books soaked. All we could do was carry the stuff of their lives out for disposal in a dumpster!

Jamie, a young wife and Mom, called me later that evening to talk about her meeting with the medical doctor who had described her coming ordeal of chemotherapy treatment for her cancer - hair loss, nausea, weakness. Waves of anxiety were flooding through her mind, and understandably so! We talked and prayed together for about 30 minutes.

Earlier in the day I had spent some time talking with a wife whose husband has spent the last 2.5 years unable to speak or walk because of a stroke which turned him from a strong man into a completely dependent one literally overnight! He had another stroke 8 days ago, has not regained consciousness, and appears to be in the last days of his earthly life!

I could not help the sting of tears that overcame me for a few moments last night as I thought about these dear friends who were carrying such heavy burdens. "Oh, God," I groaned, "why must life be so hard for these who love You?" Some have looked at the kinds of circumstances that I describe (and worse, much worse!) only to conclude that either God does not exist or that He is not present or that He does not care! We are, these cynics insist, on our own on this small planet. We can only be brave as we do our best to cope with absurd and meaningless moments in this thing we call life. In that view of life there is no 'why' and to even ask the question is a fool's game.

I am not one of them! God exists, He is here, and He loves us! There is an answer for our 'why' though it sometimes hides in the folds of the blanket of eternity that wraps 'round us. The Bible says, "It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak... Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." (2 Corinthians 4:13, 16-18, NIV)

To attempt to tell the Murphy's that they should rejoice despite the fact that God allowed the floodwaters to devastate their home, to tell Jamie that the cancer that appeared in her body is useful in the purpose of God, or to insist that June be glad that she and her husband have had to walk such a difficult road for many days would be the height of arrogance and insensitivity. We must weep with those who weep, mourning their losses. And we must hold the line of faith for them while their grasp is weakened by hard times. We pray for healing and restoration, give ourselves to help, and love! When they waver or wobble, we embrace them. When they regain their footing we draw inspiration from their courage and their faith.

Together we trust God and we wait! ... and we wait, and wait some more until the revelation of His kingdom purposes. When reveals the meaning of life's suffering to us, it warms us like the bright light of the sun when it slides up and over the eastern horizon in the morning! God's declaration to us is that 'it means something.' I am holding tightly to His Word that "not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There’s far more here than meets the eye..." The Message 2 Cor. 4:17
_________________________

If you've knelt beside the rubble
Of an aching broken heart.
When the things you gaveYour life to fell apart,
You're not the first to be acquainted
With sorrow grief or pain,
But the Master promised sunshine after rain.

Hold on my child,
Joy comes in the morning,
Weeping only lasts for the night.
Hold on my child,
Joy comes in the morning,
The darkest hour means
Dawn is just in sight.

To invest your seed of trust in God,
In mountains you can't move.
You have risked your life
On things you cannot prove.
But to give the things you cannot keep,
For what you can not lose,
Is the way to find
The joy God has for you.

© 1974 William J. Gaither, Inc. ARR UBP of Gaither Copyright Management
CCLI License No. 810055

Step into the water

Sometimes when we look down the road in the direction that God is leading, the only thing we can see is an impossibility! That was the situation that faced Israel as Joshua prepared to lead them into Canaan, the Promised Land. As they broke camp and got ready to move, in front of them was the Jordan River and the Bible says it was 'at flood stage.' "Think of it! The Ark of the Covenant, which belongs to the Lord of the whole earth, will lead you across the Jordan River! Now choose twelve men, one from each tribe. The priests will be carrying the Ark of the Lord, the Lord of all the earth. When their feet touch the water, the flow of water will be cut off upstream, and the river will pile up there in one heap.” (Joshua 3:11-13, NLT) And sure enough, when they stepped into the water, the river stopped flowing! Both God and the man He had called into leadership were exalted that day. Joshua summarizes the occasion saying, "This was so that everybody on earth would recognize how strong God’s rescuing hand is and so that you would hold God in solemn reverence always." (Joshua 4:24, The Message)

It's a great story, but I've got to tell you that I wouldn't have wanted to be the man in the front. I wonder how far in he waded before the water receded? Why wouldn't God have just stopped the river's flow that morning so they could just walk across? I do not know! But I do know that often our spiritual journey happens in much the same way. God says, "Go," and it appears that there is no way. Then, as we are obedient, there is a way providentially made for us -- from where we are into a new and wonderful place of His purposes.

In 1977, I felt God's leading me to a new place. I was a very young preacher ready to change the world! As Bev and I packed up our little household and our new baby boy to move 2000 miles to the West, it looked like we were headed for disaster - no money in the bank, no income promised, no group to receive us. As we entered Gillette, Wyoming we did so with great anticipation of what God could do. We had an almost naive faith. We had no idea that God was sending us on that move for our benefit more than for the town to which we moved with the hope of ministry! In one year, He did so many things in our hearts - teaching us new ways to know Him, leading us through a time when our baby was desperately ill, providing for our financial situation in ways we could not have even imagined, and bringing people into our lives that taught us key lessons that we still practice today! It was hard, very hard, to leave a regular paycheck, a nice home, and a promising future for nothing more than a dream, but I am so thankful that we were willing to step into the water as God went in front of us!

Is God leading you toward a flooded river place?
Are you following obediently or screaming protests?

Follow faithfully. Keep your focus on the Lord who goes before you. He does not lead us towards the impossibilities because He is cruel, but so that we will trust Him and not rely on ourselves.

Think on this passage as you go through this day. "We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us!" (2 Corinthians 1:8-10, NIV)

"Tell the story... in more than words"

There is an old line that says, "I'd rather see a sermon than hear one anyday!"

So, what's your story? Everybody's got one! Some are more dramatic than others, but our lives are a story, and we are adding chapters everyday. As Christians, the story of our lives are more than just biography. Our life stories are the context for the good news of Jesus' love. Our friends and family will judge Christianity, for better or worse, by how it effects our words and our choices. While it is important to be able to present the Bible's truths about the meaning of life, the reason that Christ died and rose again, and about moral choices; it is even more important that those truths can be seen to have made a demonstrable difference in the way we live! That's one heavy responsibility, isn't it?

A changed life story does not happen because 'we get religion.' We've all seen people who were very religious who were also cruel, selfish, and mean! The Bible says, "Our only power and success come from God. He is the one who has enabled us to represent his new covenant. This is a covenant, not of written laws, but of the Spirit. The old way ends in death; in the new way, the Holy Spirit gives life." (2 Corinthians 3:5-6, NLT) A changed life emerges when we are intimate with God, the Spirit! As we allow Him to have access to our hearts and minds, He changes the way we think and, as our thoughts are changed, the story line changes!

We are incapable of living in a way that honors Christ Jesus by our own determination or personal goodness. Indeed the reality of Christ's message is authenticated by the fact that He transforms people like you and me, ordinary mortals, into saints. The Bible says "...this precious treasure—this light and power that now shine within us—is held in perishable containers, that is, in our weak bodies. So everyone can see that our glorious power is from God and is not our own." (2 Corinthians 4:7, NLT)

Walt Larimore writes, "The Bible never commands Christian to go witnessing, but we are told to be witnesses!" Think about that statement. The commission of Jesus to every Believer was that we tell the story of the love of God, but it is a mistaken notion to think that we just tell the story in moments or activities that are isolated from our daily lives. Going door to door handing out religious literature may make us feel like we're doing the work of evangelism, but the results will be meager! What is much, much more effective is living in a way that lets the Light shine, that captures the interest and attention of people around us because there is an undeniable spiritual quality that can only be attributed to Christ's Spirit in us.

Jesus said, "You are the light of the world—like a city on a mountain, glowing in the night for all to see. Don’t hide your light under a basket! Instead, put it on a stand and let it shine for all. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father." (Matthew 5:14-16, NLT) How well does the Light shine from you?

__________________________

Father, what a privilege you have given to me;
A bearer of Light, a person who brings Your Presence to others.
Help me to live in a way that is worthy of this high calling!
Spirit of God, work in me -- Yes, work ON me!

Change my heart, defeat the power of self and evil, and
let the beauty of Jesus be seen in my words and actions.
As I write the story of my life, let it be the context for the
story of the good news about Jesus.
In His name I pray. Amen.