Insurance or Investment?

An astute person buys insurance and makes investments. We purchase insurance coverage to assure our fiscal situation in the event of unforeseen situations - accidents, fires, or floods. We want to buy enough insurance, but we are foolish to buy too much. There is no need for me to pay for a $million policy on my home which is worth a quarter of that amount! I look for the policy that can be provided to me at the least expense by a reputable company. When I write a check to Travelers, I hope I never have to collect a return. It is a 'just in case' expense. An investment is much different. An investor puts a percentage of his income into financial vehicles that provide maximum return and minimum risk. He anticipates receiving his money back, plus some accrued interest, at a point in the future. When I send off a check to the company that manages my investments, I trust that they will manage the fund properly in a growing economy for my benefit. I retain an interest in those dollars, checking rates of return periodically, shifting ratios of investment to take advantage of opportunities which are presented.

Among church-goers I observe that some treat religion like insurance, making the minimum payment to assure security! They attend church, not with joyful anticipation of meeting with God, but with a sense of making sure they 'keep in touch.' They give offerings, perhaps even tithe (10%) not to joyfully participate in God's Kingdom work in the world, but because they believe that they are creating a store of Divine good will that forestalls tragic events in their lives, or at least, makes certain that they can ask for God's help when they need Him in a crisis. They are sadly mistaken, misled by human religiosity rather than spiritual truth! They find neither joy, nor the security they thought they were 'buying' with minimal outlays of their resources.

Then there those Believers who invest themselves in God informed by deep faith! The prospectus found in the Scripture assures a rich return on investment. They pour their resources into His work - worshipping, serving, giving - with joy, fully expecting that what they are investing will provide true wealth for their lives - present and future. And, they are right! Jesus gives this investment advice- "Don’t store up treasures on earth! Moths and rust can destroy them, and thieves can break in and steal them. Instead, store up your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy them, and thieves cannot break in and steal them." (Matthew 6:19-20, CEV) In the middle of a talk about generosity of heart that reaches beyond money, Jesus promised this - "Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back." (Luke 6:38, NLT)

Those who are invested in Eternity, live differently and at peace, for their mind is secure and their heart is connected to the One who is now managing their life treasure. Their wealth, their health, their happiness, their children, their sense of purpose are all secured - not by Merrill Lynch or Morgan Stanley, but by Jesus Christ! If you think I am mistaken, read the words of Paul which he penned to Timothy, near the end of his life, from death row in Rome. He is not in despair, nor does he express regret for putting his entire life under the management of Christ. "I am not ashamed, (embarrassed by my present circumstances) because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day. (the Day of Judgment)" (2 Timothy 1:12, NIV) "Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing." (2 Timothy 4:8, NIV)

Here's the question -
How do you think of your Christianity, as insurance - minimal outlay to secure present wealth the in event of catastrophe;
or as an investment - maximum participation with assured return in Eternity?

The way you live will be radically different, depending on your point of view!
______________________

Take my life and let it be
Consecrated, Lord to Thee.
Take my hands and let them move,
At the impulse of Thy love,
At the impulse of Thy love.

Take my love, my God, I pour
At Thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself and I will be
Ever, only, all for Thee,
Ever, only, all for Thee.

Take My Life And Let It Be

© Public Domain CCLI License No. 810055

Really loving?

A few years ago there was a bumper sticker with this sentiment- "Practice random kindness and senseless acts of beauty!" Jesus has a much better idea. He calls on all of us who have been invested in by His love, to be deliberately and consciously loving, in a calculated attempt to share His beauty with our world! We are not to love because a sense of duty. We are to generously love others because "He loved us first." We are told that when we experience Jesus' love; we will forget ourselves and serve others with delight. "Do this," Jesus says, "and you will find a new, rich life!" Paradox? No, not really. It is a spiritual principle of reward. "Lose your life for My sake," He said, "and you will find it." I thought I knew what that meant, until the Holy Spirit took me to the school of character again this week.

Betty (not her real name!) has lots of problems - health, marriage, financial, emotional - and probably others of which I am not presently aware. She calls the church office frequently, mostly because she is lonely, but always with a request. Sometimes she wants me to go and buy something she needs 'right now.' Sometimes she wants me to pick up a prescription. She often asks for groceries or wants me to arrange a ride for her to the doctor's office. Wednesday she called and asked me to go to the drugstore and get medical supplies for her that were, as usual, an 'emergency' need. Betty is oblivious to the fact that I might have any other responsibilities or prior commitments. I'd like to be able to report that I am so full of the love of Jesus that I always respond to her calls without complaint, but that would not be the truth. Yes, this week I made time to run the errand for her, but with much inner grumbling and some anger, which I expressed to no one but myself in my car on the way to her apartment to drop off her prescription.

Someone was listening to me blow off steam. The Holy Spirit spoke to my heart, "What if she were your daughter? What if she were rich and/or beautiful and/or famous? Would you resent doing this small act of kindness? Would you expect thanks in that case or would you consider it a privilege to serve her?" The justifiable shame I felt literally made me redden with embarrassment. A new realization flooded my mind and heart. Betty is God's daughter and, despite her limitations, is a person of incredible worth for whom Christ died. Was I so self-important that I would resent spending a few dollars and 20 minutes of my time to take her some things she needed? My internal dialogue took a whole new tone; first of repentance, and then of petition for the love of Jesus to be renewed in me. A few moments later, I stood at her doorway, listening to her whiny complaints - but different in attitude - really caring for her, praying for her, treating her with dignity produced by genuine Christ-like love.

Who tests your love? A lazy co-worker? That teenager in your household? A supervisor who is overly demanding? A neighbor who lets his dog run all over your yard? That beggar who bothers you in the train station? How difficult would be it to love them if you started to see them as a brother or sister, as a person of worth for whom Christ died? Words about love are quick to come to our lips. Songs of love are so easily sung. Genuine love serves people, not with condescension, but in a way that gives them dignity and respect. Love causes us to give up our 'rights' even when we are misunderstood or misused. Love refuses to take note of unkind words, causes us to extend ourselves to meet the needs of another even when it is inconvenient.

How do I know that? Because, our model for love is Jesus; and that's what Jesus did for me... and you. He left the Throne Room of Heaven to become one of Nazareth's common laborers, in a time when labor was back-breaking, without vacations or fringe benefits, or even aspirin to ease the muscle aches. Why? For love's sake alone! Hebrews says He became a full participant in this world so that He could our Priestly Intercessor - One who "understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do." (Hebrews 4:15, NLT) He embraced people who hated Him. He died 'while we were still sinners!'

Friend, I offer you my story about Betty, with an invitation to join the ranks of Heaven's Brigade of Loving Servants! You and I can change our world for Christ Jesus, not with clever use of technology, nor with techniques of psychological manipulation - but with expressions of sacrificial love.

Be encouraged to love with this promise made by our loving Lord."

Then all the nations will be arranged before him and he will sort the people out, much as a shepherd sorts out sheep and goats, putting sheep to his right and goats to his left. "Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Enter, you who are blessed by my Father! Take what’s coming to you in this kingdom. It’s been ready for you since the world’s foundation. And here’s why: I was hungry and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me a drink, I was homeless and you gave me a room, I was shivering and you gave me clothes, I was sick and you stopped to visit, I was in prison and you came to me.’

"Then those ‘sheep’ are going to say, ‘Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?’

Then the King will say, ‘I’m telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me.’ " (Matthew 25:32-40, The Message)

Open your heart!

Sean, my son, and I were talking about the church he has been attending for several months. He really likes it. The worship music is good, both from an engaging quality and in Spirit! The pastor is a good teacher and a man of faith. Their facilities are first rate. Sounds good, right? It is except for one thing - it is hard to 'fit in.' He has found that there is a tightly knit group at the core of the church that is really 'the church,' and hundreds of people who just attend without really forming a strong connection to the Body. As we talked, I was thinking about the church that I lead, wondering if that is the experience of people who join in worship at the Assembly.

It is quite natural for each of us to form attachments to people of similar interests, or educational background, or economic status, or age, isn't it? Once we have secured a place in a group that meets our social needs, we are apt to close the gates, content with our little 'four and no more!' Natural? Yes. Right? No! Believers, because of the love of Jesus Christ, are taught to have open hearts, to receive others with joy and acceptance. In addition to a personal relationship with Jesus, they are called to be people that love. One way this is expressed is in interest in others, our care for them, and our willingness to keep on adding others to our circle of friends. In Romans, Paul expounds on the grace of God for chapter after chapter. Then, as he closes the letter, he urges personal holiness. "Present your body as a living sacrifice to God!" He doesn't stop there! A further indication of the grace of God at work in us is our sense of community. "Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. . . . Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. . . . Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!" (Romans 12: 9-10, 16, NLT)

Genuine Christian love goes far beyond shaking someone's hand in the time of greeting at the beginning of the church service. It is more than being polite to people who are new. It is an active interest, a genuine concern for those who we might otherwise consider 'outside of our circle.' It does not 'just happen.' Genuine community is built intentionally by those who realize that because they are loved, they must love others. It takes time, requires an investment of ourselves, and involves risk. Some who enter the community of faith will be frauds, others will take advantage of the love, using it for selfish benefit. Others will bring spiritual gifts that enrich our gathering, perspectives that help us to grow and meet the needs of our community.

Are you a xenophobe [zěn'ə-fōb']? That is someone who fears foreigners or customs that are strange to them! Realize this - in the Body of Christ - there are no strangers! We are brothers. John reminds us to be "faithful in what you are doing for the brothers, even though they are strangers to you." (3 John 5, NIV)

A repeated New Testament directive to Believers is about showing hospitality. Does that mean you have to create a big gathering, put on a feast, or spend a lot of money? No way. It is a call to an open heart that accepts others, that looks for ways to strengthen the Body of Christ, both in your local congregation and in the Church. So, open your heart. Discover the great, big wonderful family into which God has called you in Christ Jesus.

Here's a word to ponder -
"This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other." (John 13:35, The Message)

"Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have.
Love doesn’t strut,
Doesn’t have a swelled head,
Doesn’t force itself on others,
Isn’t always "me first,"

Doesn’t fly off the handle,
Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn’t revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything,
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end." (1 Corinthians 13:4-7, The Message)

Just-as-if-I'd never sinned!

We are very intent on justifying ourselves. In a counseling session I listened as a person who has spent much of her adult life abusing drugs blamed the world. She could not bring herself to say, "It was my decision to smoke, snort, and inject that stuff." Instead, she blamed her mother, her boyfriends, and just about everybody else in her life. I am sure her stories had an element of truth, but as long as she convinces herself that her addictions are not 'her problem,' her life will remain in disarray. For most of us it is as natural a response as breathing to point out why we were right to do what we did, to say what we said. It is a pattern as old as Eden, where Adam told God that "it was the woman you gave me that gave me the fruit!" She, in turn, blamed the serpent, "it deceived me and I ate the fruit!" Think of the various 'reasons' you present when challenged about some behavior. We blame bad parents, poor schools, our genetic heritage, co-workers, traffic, wives, husbands... the list is long, isn't it? When I was a teenager, Mrs. McDaniel often reminded our Youth Sunday School Class of her definition of a self-justifying excuse - "a skin of a reason, stuffed full of lies!" After 4 decades I can still hear her saying it, with all the passion she could muster, as she pressed us to be responsible people.

If you want to be right with God, throw away the excuses; forget about convincing Him that 'the Devil made you do it.' Real forgiveness starts with honest confession of our sins and failures - without excuses. The Bible says, "If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness." (1 John 1:8-9, NLT)

We look at the mess we've created with ill-informed, or selfish, or thoughtless choices and we say, "That's what I did. God help me!" The glorious truth is - He will.

In the book of Romans there is this passage that is packed with promise. Take a look.
"Now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." (Romans 3:21-24, NIV)

God says that the Law of Moses defined the standard we were to live up to in order to be acceptable to Him. We failed miserably. Everyone does! Whatever distinctions of 'us vs. them,' that we might make in this world disappear when God shines the light of His judgment on us and we are found to be 'sinners.' What then? Should we blame our humanity or something else for our predicament? The passage says that the situation is not hopeless, because what I could not do for myself- get right with God - has been done for me by Christ Jesus.

When I respond in faith to His invitation, I am justified! No excuses needed. God declares my sins forgiven and erases the debt and guilt. Yes, as the old phrase says, I am new; just as if I'd never sinned!

Believer, are you wallowing in guilt? Are you still trying to excuse the things you have done that you know are wrong, sinful in the eyes of God and others?
Then, you are living far below where God wants you to live. Choose now to receive the invitation to be made whole and clean.
It is the way to real and lasting change, the only way to become genuinely holy, and therefore, pleasing to God.

Take this Word with you today. Meditate on it for a few moments.

"Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.

Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.

And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners." (Romans 5:1-6, NLT)
__________________________________

What can wash away my sins?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Oh, precious is the flow,
that makes me white as snow,
no other fount I know,
nothing but the blood of Jesus.

- public domain

The sky is falling?

The old story of Chicken Little amuses and warns us. In case you've forgotten, Chicken Little was walking one day when an acorn fell on her head. She assumed that the sky was falling and ran around spreading fear and chaos with her urgently repeated warning, born of misinformation. I am all for being aware, informed, and in touch. Part of me wonders, however, if we are falling victim to the hysterical voices warning of impending doom that is imagined, the result of wrong conclusions, based on misinterpreted facts. Yes, Americans eat too much and are overweight. Is this a problem or a crisis? Yes, we burn too much carbon based fuel and our actions are having a real impact on the planet, but are we really headed for the environmental cataclysm promised by some alarmists? Yes, there is a general spiritual malaise in America, but is Christianity actually on the brink of extinction as implied by some preachers and prophets?

I look back at 'the good old days' and do not see a better world! Looking back fifty years ago, we could conclude that America was a better place if we recall a few selected memories of intact families and , but it was a troubled time, too. America was living under the threat of nuclear annihilation, the governing strategy being a stand-off between nuclear powers called "Mutual Assured Destruction," with the very apt MAD acronym describing it. Black Americans still lived in segregated communities as second class citizens. Many churches were full, but as many were in the grip of the culture, almost completely silent in the face of societal sins, using the Gospel of Christ to provide a nice gloss over the excesses of American culture.

Here's the truth. Every generation faces its challenges, deals with its own sins, and has important decisions to make. There are factors that converge - such things as wars, natural disasters, political leadership, and spiritual influence - that effect the flow of history for a time. Some choices are made well and even help to set the stage for the success of the next generation. But there is also the law of unintended consequences! Decisions are made, using the best information available at the time, based on the knowledge available, that prove to be disastrous 50 years later.

What we all need is a healthy dose of humility that acknowledges our limits of knowledge, power, and control over life. King Solomon was right. He wrote, "The last and final word is this: Fear God. Do what he tells you. And that’s it. Eventually God will bring everything that we do out into the open and judge it according to its hidden intent, whether it’s good or evil." (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, The Message) This kind of life is blessed with courage to face today's challenges, with the wisdom of God that leads to the best life, and - best of all - with His eternal approval.

Here's a word to take with you today.
"Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper.
Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires.
Commit everything you do to the Lord.
Trust him, and he will help you. He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn, and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun.

Be still in the presence of the Lord, and
wait patiently for him to act.
Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes."

"The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.
Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand."
(Psalm 37:3-7, 23-24 NLT)

The only lasting hope

"American Idol Give Back" - was the theme of the TV program last week. In a 2 hour long special, the producers took us to various places where they saw human need. They visited the people still living among ruins in New Orleans. They visited some kids in a youth center in a poorer section of Los Angeles. Simon showed that he was actually human when they visited a couple of places in Africa that are reeling under the effects of poverty, where people are dying at terrible rates from AIDS. With various celebrities urging us on, while the pictures were tugging at our heart, Americans responded by contributing $30+ million for relief projects.

I am glad, very glad, for that kind of generosity, but I also know that eliminating poverty and suffering requires more than dollars! We like to think that these problems are the result of a lack of resources or education. If they are, then we can take care of them. It is simple, right? If an African child is just taught to read and write, he have a happy life. Wrong! Poverty and human suffering is frequently the result of multiple needs, and these things will be changed only when we bring Jesus Christ and His Truth to the situation! For example, economic prosperity requires many ingredients - a capable work force, an economic system that rewards hard work, a system of laws that protects the powerless from exploitation by the powerful, a stable government that provides a climate that encourages long-term investment, etc. Just pulling one string by giving a few dollars to educate a single child, as admirable as that might be, does not unravel the knot of human failures and sins that put that child in harm's way in the first place.

The Gospel of Christ changes individual people, which in turn, changes cultures! When His truth takes root in the hearts and minds of people, they are transformed. They learn to love others which leads to respect. They learn the value of individuals which leads to human rights. They learn to respect the rule of law because they believe in a ultimate Judge to whom we will all give account.

That is why, friend, I spend my life in the work of God. I believe that the only Hope for humanity is in Jesus Christ; starting with my own family, reaching to my neighborhood, extending to my nation, and touching every part of this world. I know He transforms alcoholics with broken lives into faithful husbands and hard-working citizens; I have seen His Gospel work. I know He changes selfish bigots into loving philanthropists, for I have seen it happen. I know He can take a self-absorbed man seeking only his own success and make that man into someone who loves others deeply because He changed me!

Here's what the Word says - "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good." (Titus 2:11-14, NIV) Know it, Believe it, Live it! The gospel is not just a Sunday morning experience. The gospel is the foundation of 'life to the full.'

Ask the Spirit of God to convince you of this, dear friend. As wonderful as humanitarian acts are, unless they are connected to transformational truth, they are only a mirage of hope. Jesus Christ creates genuine hope, of life now and life in the world to come. Once convinced, become a sharing of truth - loving others to wholeness for God's sake.

Yes, this is our commission from our Master, Jesus, who said- "God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:18-20, The Message)
____________________________

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 stand!
- public domain

Focused by Fear

Many years ago, we cared for John (not his real name), who was a foster child in our home. That little boy was fearless. Because he could not, or would not recognize dangers, big or small, we had to constantly monitor him. Despite our best efforts, he was constantly injuring himself, with falls, scrapes, and burns. Fear serves a very useful purpose in our lives, helping us to avoid harm and/or to respond to potentially dangerous situations with strength. When we perceive a threat, our muscles tense; perspiration flows, as a rush of adrenalin prepares the body for fight or flight. It can happen in a moment. Then, too, there is the kind of 'fear,' more of a stress response actually, that helps us to focus our efforts. After years of preaching, I still experience tension on Sunday mornings. Both physically and emotionally I become focused before I stand up to speak to the congregation. I tune out most distractions, forget about aches or pains, and prepare to do what is important for that moment.

Take a look at what David wrote about those who lose their fear of God. "Sin whispers to the wicked, deep within their hearts. They have no fear of God at all. In their blind conceit, they cannot see how wicked they really are. Everything they say is crooked and deceitful. They refuse to act wisely or do good." (Psalm 36:1-3, NLT) Like little John who did not perceive the danger of a hot dish or an open stairway, those who lose their fear of God do not grasp that their choices are bringing destruction and death their way. Proverbs reminds us that "the fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge." (1:7, NIV)

Some of you are thinking, "But isn't God a loving Father?" Yes, God is gracious,loving, and "patient ... not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9, NIV) But He is still God, always just, and perfectly holy. Those who abuse His grace and refuse His mercy, will be disciplined and, if they persist in disobedience, destroyed. A high view of God's attributes is important to building a deep love, faith, and trust in Him that creates a desire to live a holy life before Him.

Have you ever watched a weak, ineffective father try to provide guidance to his children? In that situation, even a little child quickly realizes that his Dad is all talk, no action. That two year-old will throw a tantrum, slap, kick, and be generally obnoxious for he has no fear of parental authority. Watching a parent who has lost the respect of his children saddens me for inevitably the results are not good! Am I making a case for child abuse, for a father's roaring rage? Of course not! A father gains respect by being fair, firm consistent, and willing to take action. In the long run, children who live in a home where there is that kind of discipline need less correction, for their 'fear' of the parent is a deterrent to disobedience. There is less nagging, less stress, less yelling where loving parental authority has created deep respect. A good parent projects wisdom that invites their child to submit to their guidance. Early, the wise parent teaches their little one to trust and obey, because that is the best way to avoid danger and harm.

The parallels to the Christian life are many. If we Believers are taught only the grace of God, if we only learn of Jesus, as our Friend,but not as our Lord; we will lose the awe and respect that motivates us to subjugate our will to God's will. We will see no need to let God own us (a definition of being holy) because we will trivialize His demands. Passages like Isaiah 6 need to be read often to help us to understand the majestic 'otherness' of God, that He is not a man! The prophet wrote: "I had a vision of the Lord. He was on his throne high above, and his robe filled the temple. Flaming creatures with six wings each were flying over him. They covered their faces with two of their wings and their bodies with two more. They used the other two wings for flying, as they shouted, "Holy, holy, holy, Lord All-Powerful! The earth is filled with your glory." . . . Then I cried out, "I’m doomed! Everything I say is sinful, and so are the words of everyone around me. Yet I have seen the King, the Lord All-Powerful." (Isaiah 6:5, CEV) The LORD did not abandon Isaiah to that despair. He cleansed him of his sinfulness and commissioned to go out powerfully under the Spirit's anointing with a message of hope and restoration to the people.

Is your God big enough to fear? Is He worthy of awe? Is He able to guide and keep you?
The God of the Scripture is all that and more, much more! The better question is, do you know Him in His fullness, or have you only glimpsed a part of Who He is?
Recover a true fear of the Lord based on the full revelation of His nature and character in the Word. No, that will not be a terror that makes you cringe and hide. Rather, you will feel a deep sense of awe that causes you to tremble, to love Him, to serve Him in holiness.

Here's a word from the Word. Meditate on this truth today.
"Have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said, "My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline, and don’t give up when he corrects you. For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child." As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all. Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever? For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness." (Hebrews 12:5-10, NLT)

Who owns you?

On the ring finger of my left hand is a gold band, set with small diamonds, that is well-worn after 32 years! It makes me a marked man. That little symbol declares that Jerry is married, that his affections belong exclusively to Bev. The ring never comes off for it is a constant reminder of the vows we exchanged - to blend our lives in an interdependent relationship. The integrity of our relationship is one of the aspects that makes our marriage fulfilling and joyful. I am owned by Bev, she is owned by me - but neither of us feels enslaved. Our mutual commitment provides security. Our lives are connected in such a way that "me" is replaced by "we;" every decision made to benefit the "Jerry-Bev" unity that was created when we pledged ourselves in holy matrimony on the evening of January 10, 1975. Our marriage is not a legal contract. It is a sacred covenant. We "submit to one another out of reverence for Christ." (Ephesians 5:21, NLT)

I have to confess that there is another that owns me, too. My life is devoted to that One, the highest priority given to the will of the One to whom I belong. Yes, I am owned by God, a man with an obligation to seek, to know, and to do the will of God for I am called to be holy! I once thought that being holy was the observance of a lot of prohibitions. To be holy, so I believed, was to observe a strict moral code: No "R" rated movies, no alcohol, no "questionable entertainment," no use of tobacco, etc. Most of those rules were not necessarily all that bad as they provided me with good guidance for my behavior, but they were not what made me holy for they only defined the way I acted, not the way I thought! I came to understand, as I grew spiritually, that I am holy, not because of what I do not do, but because I belong to God - heart, soul, mind, and body! That is the essence of holiness.

My wedding band makes the statement that I am a married man, but fidelity to my wife comes from thinking of myself as a married man, keeping my eyes and my thoughts, as well as my body faithful to Bev. True holiness is not just an external conformity to a code of conduct, it is a way of life that grows out of the knowledge that I am not my own person any longer, that I was 'bought at a price,' by Christ Jesus who gave His life to own mine. Here's how the Word expresses it: ". . . we are the temple of the living God. As God said: "I will live in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people. Therefore, come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them, says the Lord. Don’t touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you. And I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty." (2 Corinthians 6:16-18, NLT)

While some think of holiness as constricting and limiting their self-expression, the Word says that holiness allows us to enjoy God's provisions. As we give ourselves to Him wholly, He accepts as 'sons and daughters.' How amazing is that? When we live in holiness we reap the benefit of "life and peace," and we gain the privilege of addressing God as "Abba," - yes, familiarly as "Dad." More than that, we are included God's covenant, becoming heirs, with full rights and privileges to the wealth of Heaven! (See Romans 8)

The Evil One attempts to convince us that fidelity to God, giving ourselves to a single-minded pursuit of His will, is a sure way to misery. So many Believers buy into the lie that true happiness is found in self-expression. They want Jesus to be their Savior, but not their Husband! But when they try to serve two loves, they are not able to know peace for they are torn and divided. "Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do." (James 1:8, NLT) Is that where you're living today? Are you trying to blend the love of this present world with a love for God? Believe me when I say, you're robbing yourself!

Give yourself - without clause, without reservation - to God! Surrender to Him. You will discover a life you did not know was possible.

"So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you." (Romans 12:1-2, The Message)

Amen!
_________________________________

I'm calling out to You
There must something more
Some deeper place to find
Some secret place to hide
Where I've not gone before

Where my soul is satisfied
and my sin is put to death
and I can hear Your voice
and Your purpose is my choice
as natural as a breath

The Love I knew before
When You first touched my life
I need You to restore,
I want You to revive

Could You place in my heart,
A passion for Jesus
A hunger that seizes
my passion for You
My one desire,
my greatest possession
My only confession,
my passion for You

Passion for Jesus --Brian Houston
CCLI License No. 810055

Source of Significance

Mary Kay Ash, the founder of the cosmetics company that bears her name, says "Everyone has an invisible sign hanging around their neck saying, 'Make me feel important!'" Is she right? To a degree, yes. We all like to know that we are valued. Are we egotistical? Perhaps. Are we self-centered? Sometimes. Mostly we desire to be connected to others, to have a place in this world. Where Ash goes wrong is in implying that others can provide that sense of place for us. People whose words and actions declare, "It's all about me," quickly offend others. If we insist that others 'make me feel important,' we will become a very difficult, emotionally needy, unpleasant person to be around!

"But, Jerry," you object, "doesn't everybody love getting an award?" Sure, we do. That is why Mary Kay Ash provides those famous pink Cadillacs to those women in her sales organization that are high producers! People will work hard to win praise. Even my wife's first-graders strive to get a certificate that officially declares they are the best crayon artist in the class. But, there is a big flaw in making recognition and awards the source of significance in our lives. Someone will come along, sooner rather than later, who does it better and they will get the prize. What then? Are we worthless because we are not 'number one?' Awards do not prove our personal worth. In fact, they say nothing about whether we are a good, honest, loving, faithful, or godly human being - factors that are much more important in the larger scheme of life.

The paradox is this - in true self-effacing service we find the deepest significance. When we stop calculating the benefits that might accrue to ourselves and begin to serve others lovingly; our lives take on a spiritual and emotional health that makes us really attractive people! That person who ascends the hill of success by climbing on the backs of others, who turns every situation into a "I win, you lose" competition, who is always writing news releases to announce his accomplishments reveals the shallowness of his soul. His insecurity locks him into a defensive posture that blocks the very kind of affirmation he is so desperately desiring. The person who creates mutually beneficial networks, who helps other succeed by mentoring and empowering, who liberally praises the achievements of those around him, and who does his work without fanfare becomes a person with a strong safety net of soul-affirming connections.

Jesus taught this lesson again and again in different ways. One time the men he was preparing to lead the Church were fighting about their relative importance. When Jesus realized how much this mattered to them, he brought a child to his side. "Whoever accepts this child as if the child were me, accepts me," he said. "And whoever accepts me, accepts the One who sent me. You become great by accepting, not asserting. Your spirit, not your size, makes the difference." (Luke 9:47-48, The Message) On another occasion when the mother of James and John came to Jesus asking for a place of high position for her sons in the Kingdom, Jesus surprised them. "You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Matthew 20:25-28, NLT) Why do we love Jesus so much? Because He loved us so selflessly!

He points the way to a life that wins the only approval that matters - that which God gives. "He who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it." (Matthew 10:38-39, NKJV)

Does your life send mixed messages? Are you saying, "love me, affirm me," while standing there with your fists clenched, daring anybody to try to take away your stuff? Are you building fences around yourself trying to hang onto a little place of importance and then wondering, "why do I feel so isolated from others?"

Let Jesus love you! Open your arms to embrace others. Tear down the fences and give your stuff away, trusting God to take care for your needs.

Amazingly, the less you care for yourself, the more deeply you will find yourself cared for!
_____________________________

Make me a servant,
Humble and meek.
Lord, let me lift up
Those who are weak;
And may the pray'r
Of my heart always be.
Make me a servant.
Make me a servant.
Make me a servant today.

Make Me A Servant - Kelly Willard
© 1982 Maranatha! Music (Admin. by The Copyright Company) / Willing Heart Music (Maranatha! Music [Admin. by The Copyright Company])
CCLI License No. 810055

The Family Name

More than a few times in my life, particularly in my teens, one of the reasons I did not give in to peer pressure to do some stupid thing, was that I heard the echo of my Dad's voice in my mind, "You're a Scott. Take care of that name." Somehow he imbued me with a sense of family honor. It was not that we were some kind of royals, or that I was aware of long-standing family traditions, or even that I had emotional connections with a long line of ancestors. Family honor was a powerful factor to me because my family defined my place in this world. I was loved and accepted, nurtured, and taught by parents who, in the middle of their own challenges, made sure that our family was a solid base. Home was inviting. My successes were celebrated, my bruises healed there. Our table was the center of our social life as we shared much more than food when we sat down together most every night for dinner. We worshipped together always and so it became a matter of importance to me to honor those who formed my sense of identity.

Today, I feel that same sense of love for and honor of the family of God! Many times when temptation comes my way, one of the deterrents to giving in, is the sense of dishonor that my sin would bring to my Lord and to His family, the Church. God has adopted me as His son, given me a name, and included me in His family. His love is shaping me into a person I could not otherwise be and He gives me an identity in this world. My response should not be any less than to love and honor Him. Peter, in his first letter to the churches, talks about our place in God's great family. He says, "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, . . .you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God." (1 Peter 1:3-4; 2:9-10, NIV)

Believer, you and I are given the family name. Other people will judge God based on the way we live. If we are loving, good, and kind; they will conclude that our Father has given us a noble heritage. If we are miserable, ungrateful, and full of insecurities, they may well conclude that God is not worthy of trust, for it will appear that He has cared for our basic needs in life! Peter's conclusion is "Always let others see you behaving properly, even though they may still accuse you of doing wrong. Then on the day of judgment, they will honor God by telling the good things they saw you do." (1 Peter 2:12, CEV)

We honor God by living holy lives.

Holy? Yes! Holiness is not a bad word. It goes far beyond our moral choices, much deeper than what we eat or drink, or how we dress! It means that we understand that we belong to God, that we have no higher purpose in life than to discover and obey His will. True holiness - the sense that we belong to God as members of His family - is a beautiful thing, a powerful motivator to good works that honor the One who called us 'out of darkness and into His glorious Light.' Let God write His Name on your heart. Receive the adoption of the Spirit and with His Presence, a new identity. Then, live to honor the Name.

". . . make sure now that you worship the Lord with all your heart, and don’t turn your back on him. Don’t go back to worshiping worthless idols that cannot help or rescue you—they are totally useless! The Lord will not abandon his people, because that would dishonor his great name. For it has pleased the Lord to make you his very own people." (1 Samuel 12:20-22, NLT)

God rules!

People greet me with that common question - "How are you?" I often reply, "Marvill-ious!" The silly, made up word catches them off guard and, after a couple of seconds of trying to figure out what I said, they smile. Even when I am inwardly struggling with some situation in life, I attempt to be 'up,' encouraging, and optimistic. By nature, I am a melancholy individual, and sometimes I excuse my negativity by labeling myself a 'realist.' But I know the value of choosing to be optimistic, of focusing on hope in every situation. Emotions are infectious and I want to 'infect' those around me with hope, with God's help.

Harold Myra writes; "Optimism is not living in a fantasy world where nothing tragic ever happens. Vital optimism is a confidence that tragedy is not the last word, that the best is yet to be. Optimism is being able to acknowledge brutal realities and to point to an even greater reality - that our experiences are not in vain, our responses are not futile, and our efforts are worthwhile. For Christians this kind of optimism is linked to an abiding trust that history is going somewhere and that God... is powerfully directing it."

Those of us who love and follow Christ have great reason to live with optimism. Yes, we live in a world where terrible things happen. I read the newspaper and watch the news, too. I work with people who, from time to time, deeply disappoint me. Sometimes I miss my goals, and I fail God and others. But disappointment, failure, - yes, even death - are not the last words for the Believer. God's amazing promise is that He is the Restorer of the broken, the Healer of the bruised, the Lifter of my head!

Romans 8 is a wonderful passage where Paul speaks of the glorious hope of the Believer. He says that sometimes we groan under the pressures of this present world, but that even then the Spirit shares the load, praying for us. He reminds us that God has called us to His purposes and that nothing can ultimately frustrate God's will! His conclusion is a resounding shout of hopeful faith, a reason for optimism that has no equal. Take a look. "None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I’m absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us." (Romans 8:37-39, The Message) Those who love Jesus can sing in the darkness, not because of bravado, but because of promise. They are not just 'trying to look on the bright side,' they actually know that behind the cloud, the Son shines!


The story is told of a man walking along the shore where starfish lay scattered, washed in by the tide. He was picking them up and tossing them back into the ocean, when someone questioned the rationality of his actions. "What do you hope to accomplish? There are so many, you could never throw them all back." His reply, as he prepared to toss another back into the sea was, "But, this one will live!" That is exactly the attitude we need to sustain our faith in the face of challenges that appear overwhelming. Sometimes we just need to trust God just for this day. We need to let the smallest achievement become a reason for celebration.

As you begin a new week, purpose to live optimistically, drawing on a deep reservoir of faith that is inspired by the promise of God and the Presence of the Holy Spirit. Grasp hold of the hope to which you were called in Christ Jesus. Lay claim to His promise that He is greater than anything in your life today. Choose to be 'marvillious!'
"Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever." (Psalm 23:6, NIV)
____________________

How firm a foundation,
Ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith
In His excellent word!
What more can He say
Than to you He hath said,
To you who for refuge
To Jesus have fled?

Fear not; I am with thee.
O be not dismayed,
For I am thy God,
I will still give thee aid.
I'll strengthen thee, help thee,
And cause thee to stand,
Upheld by My gracious,
Omnipotent hand.

When through the deep waters
I call thee to go,
The rivers of sorrow
Shall not overflow;
For I will be with thee
Thy trials to bless,
And sanctify to thee
Thy deepest distress.

The soul that on Jesus
Hath leaned for repose,
I will not, I will not
Desert to its foes;
That soul, though all hell
Should endeavor to shake,
I'll never, no never,
No never forsake.

How Firm A Foundation-
Keith, George / Steele, Anne / Rippon John / Funk, Joseph© Public Domain

It's heavy stuff!

I want to be a person of depth, giving my energies to things that are packed with meaning and/or purpose. Everyday I am confronted with the temptation to live on the surface of life, doing the minimum things necessary to keep the gears turning, 'killing time' by avoiding involvement with issues demanding effort or commitment on my part. But God calls me to a deeper life! The life He asks me to live is engaged in the work of the Kingdom, takes seriously His call to be a disciple, and is laser focused on knowing Jesus and making Him known.

Gordon MacDonald, pastor and author, tells of going to a convalescent home to visit his grandfather who was well advanced in age. Time had dulled the once keen edge of the old man's mind. He did not know where he was, what year it was, or even who many members of his family were, including Gordon. After attempting conversations with his grandfather, a faithful Christian through the years, Gordon prepared to leave and asked if he might pray with his grandfather, who readily agreed. Then, the old man asked to pray and a change came over his person. He prayed a prayer that called on God to bless those around him, a prayer that included Bible references, that was clear and focused. Then, he prayed for the man in front of him, "Lord, bless," and paused to ask, "who are you?" "I"m your grandson, Gordon." "Oh, yes, Lord bless Gordon..." When age and a failing mind had stripped nearly everything of value from this saint, including awareness of his own grandson's identity, what was at the depth of his being was revealed. He was, more than anything else, one who loved and knew God! (As told in The Life God Blesses)

All around me I see men and women living superficially. Their minds are "full" of vapidity; TV trivia, sports facts, or fashion news. They measure their worth by their attractiveness, their wealth, their physical agility, their IQ, their house, their car... anything but the things of God, for their true love is Self. "Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth." (Philippians 3:19, NLT) Day after day is wasted on things with no real spiritual purpose. They are living ghosts flitting through this world with empty souls. They cling to the illusion of eternal youth and why not? If a person is without depth of soul, aging is a terrible curse that slowly erodes his ability to enjoy earthly pleasures. Even many who claim to be Believers are caught up in a life of superficiality, praying shallow 'bless me' prayers endlessly, demanding that God give them lives of ease, that He leave them untroubled by the suffering of others who are held slaves to sin. In the reverse of what Jesus taught, they 'seek to served, not to serve!' Such Believers, someone has said, "play at their worship, and worship their play."

Jesus pointedly asks - "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?" (Matthew 16:24-26, NLT)

Whether you are 14, 40, or 74 - pursue God! Stop dabbling at this and that, passing the time in diversions.   Get alone with God and find out what His will is for you and embrace it. Yes, it will demand effort. It will cost you your freedom to spend yourself on what you want. You will no longer be able to lay claim to ownership of yourself. He is Master of all, or not at all! And you will gain a life of purpose, one that pleases God- now and eternally. That's heavy stuff!

Here is a word from the Word -

"Now that we’re on the right track, let’s stay on it. . . . There are many out there taking other paths, choosing other goals, and trying to get you to go along with them. I’ve warned you of them many times; sadly, I’m having to do it again. All they want is easy street. They hate Christ’s Cross.

But easy street is a dead-end street. Those who live there make their bellies their gods; belches are their praise; all they can think of is their appetites.

But there’s far more to life for us. We’re citizens of high heaven! We’re waiting the arrival of the Savior, the Master, Jesus Christ, who will transform our earthy bodies into glorious bodies like his own. He’ll make us beautiful and whole with the same powerful skill by which he is putting everything as it should be, under and around him."
(Philippians 3:16-21, The Message)

______________________

Be Thou my vision
Oh, Lord, of my heart.
All else be naught to me
save that Thou art,
Be my best thought
by day and by night,
waking or sleeping,
Thy Presence,
my Light.


Amen

Oaks of Righteousness

The heavy slabs of concrete in the sidewalk tilted at an angle. They were displaced, not by heavy machinery, but by years of steady growth of a tree, that exerted amazing force steadily, nearly invisibly. Through icy winters and hot summers, through years of too much rain and years of drought, the oak at the side of my house has grown, now towering over our home, offering shade, a living thing that will outlive me! Growing up in Iowa, many of the farm houses that dotted the vast flat plains were surrounded by small stands of trees, purposefully planted as windbreaks. Playing among the tall trees in our 'grove,' I never gave much thought to the value and beauty of the trees someone had taken time to plant, not for their enjoyment, but to benefit the next generation.

In the book of Isaiah we read, The Lord will "provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor." (61:3, NIV) The metaphor is hard for many of us to grasp. Everything around is fast. "Wait" is a despised word. We want quick solutions and instant answers. We hate to wait for anything - from the inconsequential momentary delay at the check-out counter; to the process of healing in our body. So, the idea of being an 'oak of righteousness' is nearly unfathomable. But, the work of God in us, as well as around us in our world, is often a slow process.

The Bible says that those who trust God will be known for the beauty they create, the steadiness their presence brings to the world. His Spirit exerts a powerful force in us, that over time, replaces our sinful and selfish nature with the character of Jesus Christ. If we cooperate with Him, He gives us a strength that is quite aptly illustrated by the tall oak tree that stands through storm after storm! But we must be willing to patiently wait on the Lord. "I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living. Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord." (Psalm 27:13-14, NLT)

John, the disciple of Jesus who lived through the first decades of the growth of Christianity, as an old, old man had been through many trials and triumphs. Roman authorities were determined to silence him and when he was advanced in age, probably near 90 years old, they banished him to a tiny island prison called Patmos. He wrote from that place calling on those who were following Jesus to exercise 'patient endurance!' "Wait it out, don't give up, give in, or look for quick solutions." was his advice.

Make it your desire to be an "oak of righteousness." Pray that the Spirit of God will keep you rooted in Christ, growing steadily, unwavering in your commitment.

Those who "Delight in the law of the Lord,
meditating on it day and night. . . .
are like trees planted along the riverbank,
bearing fruit each season.
Their leaves never wither, and
they prosper in all they do." (Psalm 1:2-3, NLT)

Amen.

Ordinary People, Extraordinarily Empowered

Ordinary people, extraordinarily empowered

While I watched the story from Virginia Tech unfold, learning of the death of 32 students and instructors, suddenly all the disappointment in people that I've dealt with for the past couple of weeks seemed to fall on me like a big rock, crushing my heart with sorrow. With my head bowed, I felt the tears spill over into my hands - not just a couple of tears sliding down my cheeks, but more like a rainstorm! My tears did not flow out of despair, but were language of prayer, my spirit reaching out to the Spirit. Gradually, they gave way to words. In that moment, a fragment of the ancient Lord's Prayer became my prayer - "Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven." I prayed that for a few moments, repeating the words, remaining still, waiting on the Lord.

Breathe that prayer with me. "Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven."

That prayer reassures and renews me in two ways. The first is that Jesus will, on the day ordained by the will of the Father, step over the threshold of Heaven and defeat evil, ruling with justice for all! What a day that will be for those who have lived in hope and obedience. The second way I understand that prayer is that right now, though I live in a world marred by rebellion, hatred, and selfishness, I can live in the Presence of the King and under the influence of His reign. "Your Kingdom come.... in my heart and life."

The book of the Acts of the Apostles is a history of the first three decades of the Church, the story of ordinary people who were extraordinarily empowered! Without a national office to coordinate their efforts, funds on reserve in the bank, an advertising budget, or a counseling office - ordinary men and women took up the challenge to change the world with a message entrusted to them by their Risen Lord. Their efforts seemed laughable. What could a few dozen followers of Jesus do to transform a world full of cruelty and desperation? Nothing in themselves! But they had a secret - the power of the Holy Spirit that sustained and led them just as Jesus had promised when He said, "you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1:8, NLT)

They received the Kingdom and were consumed by a passion to take the Message to others that they, too, could live under God's rule, a kingdom not sustained with threats of death and punishment, but one that offered love, hope, joy, and ultimately - eternal life with God! The blood of those messengers was often spilled, but they continued in their mission. Deprivation and disappointment stalked them, but it was of little consequence. They were not supermen, and they had to deal with conflict, false starts, and wrong choices. But, they were empowered, not by a fleeting experience of momentary religious rhapsody, but by a divinely given vision of a whole new way to live 'in the Kingdom' even as they lived here on earth. Their hearts were all ready in Heaven, even while their hands did the work of God in this world! Stephen, the martyr, is an example of the way that they lived. At his trial, he preached an amazing sermon that was not filled with pleas for his life. It was a fearless proclamation of the Truth of Christ, that infuriated the council hearing his case. "At that point they went wild, a rioting mob of catcalls and whistles and invective. But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, hardly noticed—he only had eyes for God, whom he saw in all his glory with Jesus standing at his side. He said, "Oh! I see heaven wide open and the Son of Man standing at God’s side!" (Acts 7:54-56, The Message)

Stephen's experience of Spirit empowering was not unique. Luke tells us "They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak God’s Word with fearless confidence. " (Acts 4:31, The Message)

So, in a world where evil tries to work destruction, where guns are fired by hatred, where words become weapons, where love is rejected - I pray a simple prayer, that is powerfully transforming - "Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven." I pray that my vision will be filled with God, that I will see His glory, and go out to serve, to love, to change my generation with the Message of the Kingdom. Let's roll!
______________________

Father of creation,
Unfold Your sov'reign plan.
Raise up a chosen generation
That will march through the land.
All of creation is longing
For Your unveiling of pow'r.
Would You release Your anointing?
Oh God, let this be the hour.

Ruler of the nations,
The world has yet to see
The full release of Your promise,
The church in victory.
Turn to us, Lord, and touch us;
Make us strong in Your might.
Overcome our weakness,
That we could stand up and fight.

Let Your kingdom come,
Let Your will be done.
Let us see on earth,
The glory of Your Son.

Let Your glory fall
In this room.
Let it go forth from here
To the nations.
Let Your fragrance rest
In this place,
As we gather to seek Your face.


Let Your Glory Fall- Ruis, David
© 1993 Mercy / Vineyard Publishing (Admin. by Music Services)
CCLI License No. 810055

Do the right thing!

When crisis strikes, when disappointment breaks over us like a crashing wave, or when opportunities come to us; we ask - "what do I do now?" The families of 31 students at Virginia Tech, who were shot dead yesterday by a gunman, are surely asking it today. A young man confronted by his wife's desire for a divorce is asking that question today. Young college students coming to graduation in a few weeks time are asking it. "What do I do now?" The answer always begins - "Do the right thing!"

And what is the right thing to do? The baseline response to that question is found in choosing to act in line with what the Word teaches us. The grieving parents of those dead students will be tempted to hate. But they can choose a response of love, and if they will with God's help, they will make choices in the next few days that will lead them to grieve in a way that leads them to restoration rather than destruction. The young man facing divorce can choose revenge or he can choose forgiveness - and God's way will lead him to experience grace that renews his soul in sorrow.

Over and over in my life, when I have found myself at a crossroad or in a crisis, I have found my way by going back to the basics of what Jesus Christ taught -
"Love God wholeheartedly and love others as intensely as you love yourself. Seek to serve, not to be served."

-How do I express love for God today, in this situation?
-What choices are expressions of genuine love for another?
-Am I only serving myself or am I choosing to honor my Lord?

With prayerful thought and by putting my challenges in the context of such fundamental issues, a course of action begins to take shape. Often that course of action is costly and my natural self reacts- "I can't do this!" But, with the Spirit giving me strength- I am able to do the right thing, one day at a time. What I could never imagine doing for my entire life, I can do just for today. We live in culture that teaches us that the 'right thing' is the choice that gratifies us or that alleviates our pain most quickly. It is a culture of expedience that often leads us to believe that the right choice is the one that will bring us the most immediate benefit. Many people are intensely narcissistic and their constant theme is "it's all about me! I'm unhappy. The situation intolerable to me. I want relief now." That way of thinking inevitably leads to poor choices that produce more pain in the long-term.

Joshua was attempting to lead the people of God into the Promised Land. In the forty years that Moses led Israel, they had chosen poorly many times, choosing the path that seemed easier and waking up to find themselves in deeper troubles. Repeatedly they resisted God's leading, grumbled about hardship, and allowed bitterness to skew their thinking. Eventually their self-centeredness caused them to die in the wilderness. After Moses died, Joshua was anointed their leader and he saw the challenges that were presented to him in leading the next generation to do what their parents had refused to do. How could he do it? What was the right thing to do? God came to him and said, "Strength! Courage! You are going to lead this people to inherit the land that I promised to give their ancestors. Give it everything you have, heart and soul. Make sure you carry out The Revelation that Moses commanded you, every bit of it. Don’t get off track, either left or right, so as to make sure you get to where you’re going. And don’t for a minute let this Book of The Revelation be out of mind. Ponder and meditate on it day and night, making sure you practice everything written in it. Then you’ll get where you’re going; then you’ll succeed. Haven’t I commanded you? Strength! Courage! Don’t be timid; don’t get discouraged. God, your God, is with you every step you take." (Joshua 1:6-9, The Message) Do the right thing!

Years later, after he had led them through a successful campaign to own the land that God promised to Abraham, Joshua was near his own death. He summonsed Israel's leaders and gave them a similar challenge. "So fear the Lord and serve him wholeheartedly. . . .. Serve the Lord alone. But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. . . . But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord." (Joshua 24:14-15, NLT) Do the right thing!

Are you standing at a crossroad in in life?
Are multiple opportunities presenting you with options?
Does a sense of panic threaten to overwhelm you in a crisis?

Take this word from the Word and think it through today, asking for the Spirit's guidance.
"This is what the LORD says:
"Stand at the crossroads and look;
ask for the ancient paths,
ask where the good way is,
and walk in it,
and you will find rest for your souls. "
(Jeremiah 6:16, NIV)

"It's a faith thing!"

"It's a faith thing!"

What we think we believe is often at odds with what we truly believe! Our profession of faith in Jesus Christ is confirmed or denied, not by our words alone, but by our actions which reveal the depth of our convictions. For example, I say that wearing my seatbelt while I am driving will keep me much more safe on the road, but obviously I do not believe it is true, because most of the time I fail to put it on! The recent headlines about Governor Corzine's terrible injuries, which he received while riding in a large SUV while not wearing his seatbelt, are forcing me to re-evaluate my 'beliefs' about the value of wearing a seatbelt. You will know if I am actually 'converted' when you see me buckle up when I get into my car.

Then, too, faith is not an 'all or nothing' kind of thing. Most of us have gaps in our faith that we do not see in ourselves! A person may have a deep and authentic faith about God's provision for her financial needs which makes her generous, consistent in tithing, and worry free about her stuff and yet be an anxious wreck in raising her kids, unable to commit them to the care of the Lord.

As we mature in our Christianity, a beautiful wholeness of faith envelopes us. The gaps between our profession and our possession of faith close. Inconsistencies disappear and an admirable, rock solid, Christ-centered, life emerges like a butterfly from a cocoon.

So, how does a Christian gain faith that is beautiful and whole?

First, we ask for it! Faith is a gift of God. The Holy Spirit works in us to draw us to God, to cause us to desire Him and to live in a way that pleases Him. We can pray, indeed we ought to pray, for other's to know this work of grace in their lives. A man who was in desperate need came to Jesus seeking healing for his tormented son. He realized that the most basic need he had was for greater faith and his prayer was direct - "I do believe, help me overcome my unbelief!" (Mark 9.24) We must not pretend to own a greater faith than we do. Such hypocrisy blocks us from asking for the very thing we need most in time of need - the gift of faith.

Second, we inform our minds with godly truth! The fertile soil of a strong, life changing faith, is the Scripture. In the pages of the Bible, God is revealed to us. When our minds are shaped around God, when we understand the world with a spiritual view, faith grows. The Psalmist said, "I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you." (Psalm 119:11, NLT) What does he mean? That he had taken time to integrate the truth of God's Word into his thought life so that his actions would be consistent with faith.

Third, we invite the Spirit to school us, to develop faith. Here's a tough truth for many of us to accept. "When your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing." (James 1:3-4, NLT) In The Message, that passage reads - "You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way." (James 1:3-4, The Message) When life kicks you around, when people fail you, when the future looks dark, when to all appearances there is no way to turn for relief- you are in the school of faith! You can relinquish control, quiet your soul, and put yourself in God's care, OR you can kick, scream, and create your own solution. If you choose to exercise faith, God will make a way. It might not be the way you would choose, but it will be the way that brings honor to Him.

Don't be alarmed if you find yourself in anguish when your faith is being formed. Even Jesus was pressed to the limit. When He faced the Cross, He prayed for release, but then released Himself to God's plans, not with resignation to fate, but with a faith surrender to His Father's will!

There is no easy road in the life of faith. The natural man craves security, affirmation, and vindication of self! The spiritual man is secure in the Spirit, affirmed by God, and is willing to wait for Heaven's revelation.
It's a faith thing!
__________________
Encamped along the hills of light,
Ye Christian soldiers, rise,
And press the battle ere the night
Shall veil the glowing skies.

Faith is the victory!
Faith is the victory!
Oh, glorious victory,
That overcomes the world.

His banner over us is love,
Our sword the word of God.
We tread the road the saints above,
With shouts of triumph trod.

On every hand the foe we find.
Drawn up in dread array.
Let tents of ease be left behind.
And onward to the fray.

To Him that overcomes the foe,
White raiment shall be giv'n;
Before the angels He shall know
His name confessed in heav'n.

Then onward from the hills of light,
Our hearts with love aflame,
We'll vanquish all the hosts of night,
In Jesus' conquering name.

Faith is the victory!
Faith is the victory!
Oh, glorious victory,
That overcomes the world.

Faith Is The Victory

Yates, John H. / Sankey, Ira D.

© Public Domain

Go ahead, test God!

Phil recounted how a man approached him asking for money. The man showed no obvious sign of drug or alcohol abuse. He needed bus fare to get home. Then the stranger said, "I'm a Christian man. Help me for Jesus' sake." So, in the name of Jesus, Phil gave him some money. As he told me about the incident, he said, "I gave the money to Jesus, not the man." That is exactly right! Even if the stranger was lying about his need, Phil gave for the right reason - to honor the Lord.

Are you a generous giver of your money?
Do you follow the Scripture's pattern for contributing to the work of God in this world?

Here is what it says. "A tenth of the land’s produce, whether grain from the ground or fruit from the trees, is God’s. It is holy to God." (Leviticus 27:30, The Message) The practice is called 'tithing,' and is, I believe, a spiritual discipline that leads us to enjoy God's blessings.

Some may disagree and insist that tithing is a part of the First Covenant law which is no longer binding because of the New Covenant in Christ. Consider this. Before the Law of Moses was given, Abraham tithed! And Jesus, when He talked of the legalistic tithing practice of the Pharisees, said, "Hypocrites! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest income from your herb gardens, but you ignore the more important aspects of the law—justice, mercy, and faith. You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things." (Matthew 23:23, NLT)

From my youth, I was taught the practice of tithing, and I have practiced it faithfully. In times of plenty and in times of need, the first 10% of our household income has always been set aside for the Lord's purposes. It is one of the spiritual disciplines that I find easiest to joyfully practice. Truthfully, I wish I had more resources to pour into God's work in the world! When I write the checks reflecting my tithe to ministries, I do so with a prayer for their effectiveness, with a sense of being a partner with God in getting the work of the Kingdom accomplished. Like Phil, whose story opened this TFTD, I am conscious that I am, in fact, presenting my money to Jesus, though the check is written to a church or charity! And, God has blessed me in my obedience. No, I am not a rich man. In terms of earthly wealth, my net worth is laughable for a 51 year old man. But, I have enough, my needs are met and then some, so I am blessed.

I am convinced that tithing is a key to knowing God's provisions for our lives! The discipline of tithing teaches us, week by week, that we are not owners of our stuff. We manage it for God. When we put Him and His work first, we can pray much more confidently for His provision for the rest. We also learn to prioritize our needs and to more clearly understand what is really just a 'want.' If you think you cannot afford to tithe, you have missed the point of tithing. Truthfully, you cannot afford not to tithe. It isn't that God will punish the non-tither. That is foolishness and unbiblical legalism! But, if a person will not discipline himself to follow this basic spiritual principle, I am not sure that God can place abundance under his stewardship. Jesus said, "if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven? And if you are not faithful with other people’s things, why should you be trusted with things of your own? "No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money." (Luke 16:11-13, NLT)

Most of the time the very idea of putting God to the test is abhorrent. He is the One who evaluates us, we do not hold Him accountable!

But there is an exception to that principle. Here it is - straight from the Bible.
"I am the Lord All-Powerful, and I challenge you to put me to the test. Bring the entire ten percent into the storehouse, so there will be food in my house. Then I will open the windows of heaven and flood you with blessing after blessing. I will also stop locusts from destroying your crops and keeping your vineyards from producing. Everyone of every nation will talk about how I have blessed you and about your wonderful land. I, the Lord All-Powerful, have spoken!" (Malachi 3:10-12, CEV)

He said it. Do you believe Him?

Sweet Will of God

Sometimes I am exhausted by the inner struggle between the 'right' and the 'wrong.' I know what I should do, but I am keenly aware that part of me has no real desire for that course of action. For example, there are mornings I know I should worship, but I feel no inclination to seek God's Presence. Watching TV seems more inviting! Or, there are times that I should serve others, but I feel like sitting down and letting somebody else do the heavy lifting. In those moments I wonder, "Is this normal for a Believer? Do other Christians struggle like this?" The Bible answers that question with a resounding - Yes! "For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want." (Galatians 5:17, NIV)

Billy Graham illustrated the struggle between right and wrong by telling of a man with two dogs, a white one and a black one. The dogs fought, but each one would win at different times. When asked what made the difference in which dog won, the owner said, "The one I feed wins." Graham's point was that the inner struggle between our sinful nature and the spiritual nature is ongoing. However, the Spirit of God, when invited to live in us, will strengthen us so that we can overcome the temptations of our old fallen character. The Word says, "we must not live to satisfy our desires. If you do, you will die. But you will live, if by the help of God’s Spirit you say "No" to your desires. Only those people who are led by God’s Spirit are his children. God’s Spirit doesn’t make us slaves who are afraid of him. Instead, we become his children and call him our Father." (Romans 8:12-15, CEV)

Sin can never be overcome by sheer strength of human will alone! Jesus told a Jewish leader named Nicodemus, "Unless a man is born again, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God." (John 3.3) When we respond to God's call with obedient faith, believing that Jesus Christ has forgiven our sins, the Spirit comes to live in us, giving life to our spiritual nature. But that is not the end of the matter! At that moment of rebirth, the struggle is launched. The Scripture calls the Christian life "a race set before us... run with endurance." (Heb. 12) The reality of the Believer's life is that as one becomes more attuned to the will of God - both through knowing the Bible and listening to the Spirit's leading - he also comes to realize just how incapable he is of consistently pleasing God. The resulting desperation can lead to a surrendered life lived in complete reliance on the Spirit's powerful Presence, or to a despairing heart that gives in to temptation again and again.

The difference is grace. We can resort to rationalizations for our sins, excusing our temperish outbursts, explaining away the gaps in our love as 'just natural,' giving in to our desires because 'everybody does it.' And we will increasingly become merely religious, having an appearance of devotion, but living in spiritual death. Or, we can receive grace, acknowledging the truth about ourselves, and strip away the layers of duplicity. Vulnerable before God and man, we rely solely on God's Spirit, 'taking up the shield of faith.' The confrontations with Self and Sin and Satan are ongoing, but as we learn to rely on God's grace, we gain the upper hand, living holy lives that reflect His goodness and glory.

Oh, Believer, remember this, too. It is possible to start well and then become prideful, losing ground. Paul led people in the city of Galatia into a right relationship with God, teaching them about the Cross and faith. They believed and were filled with goodness and grace. Then, some lying preachers came along and taught them that they had to 'do this and do that' by their own effort in order to stay right with God. They became proud of their righteousness, pointing to their morality. Then, they started to fall! They began in the Spirit, but resorted to human effort. His language is strong in his rebuke. Read this carefully. "You stupid Galatians! I told you exactly how Jesus Christ was nailed to a cross. Has someone now put an evil spell on you? I want to know only one thing. How were you given God’s Spirit? Was it by obeying the Law of Moses or by hearing about Christ and having faith in him? How can you be so stupid? Do you think that by yourself you can complete what God’s Spirit started in you? Have you gone through all of this for nothing? Is it all really for nothing? God gives you his Spirit and works miracles in you. But does he do this because you obey the Law of Moses or because you have heard about Christ and have faith in him?" (Galatians 3:1-6, CEV)

Keep a pure heart - which Kierkegaard says is 'to will one thing.' Pray that God's will becomes your will. Where there is a conflict (and there will be conflict!) confess your temptation to God and accept His grace to choose His way - even if it seems to kill you. (It must!) The life that emerges from this daily release of the Spirit's life will be a thing of beauty in the eyes of God, even if rejected as foolishness by others who think they are living to the full by doing their own thing, serving themselves. "There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death." (Proverbs 16:25, NIV)

___________________________________

Sweet Will Of God
Morris, Lelia N.

Sweet will of God,
still fold me closer,
Till I am wholly lost in Thee.

My stubborn will at last hath yielded;
I would be Thine, and Thine alone;
And this the prayer my lips are bringin,
"Lord, let in me Thy will be done."

Thy precious will, O conquering Savior,
Doth now embrace and compass me;
All discords hushed, my peace a river,
My soul a prisoned bird set free.

Sweet will of God, still fold me closer,
Till I am wholly lost in Thee!

© 1968 Lillenas Publishing Company (Admin. by The Copyright Company) CCLI License No. 810055

My place in this world

Do you want to be a happy person, effective and fulfilled? A key is something called 'acceptance.' Learning who you are, what you are capable of doing, which spiritual gifts God has invested in you, and how to function well in the situations in which you find yourself demonstrates spiritual and emotional maturity. Do not confuse acceptance with resignation. Some resign themselves to being where they are, but continue to wish they were someone different, living in some other place. Genuine acceptance leads to excellence because it brings contentment and willingness to 'bloom where we are planted!'

I spent too many years wishing for things I did not have and, all the while, missing the opportunities that surrounded me! I now pray for the wisdom to know how to maximize the potential that my present situation presents to me instead of dreaming about being someplace that looks more desirable.

In John's Gospel, we read about a man who knew who God wanted him to be. His name is John, the Baptist. As Jesus became more well known and the crowds following Him grew, some went to John and told him, "Everybody is going to him instead of coming to us." Imagine if John had allowed jealousy to fill his heart. What if he had changed up his message or methods to try to lure the people back? It would have been only natural to have wanted to continue to enjoy the 'success' he had known when hundreds came out to hear him preach. But, there is none of that in this servant of God. His humility and his acceptance should inspire us. Take a look. "No one can receive anything unless God gives it from heaven. You yourselves know how plainly I told you, ‘I am not the Messiah. I am only here to prepare the way for him.’ It is the bridegroom who marries the bride, and the best man is simply glad to stand with him and hear his vows. Therefore, I am filled with joy at his success. He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less." (John 3:27-30, NLT)

Will you rejoice in the success of another? Will you accept the place God has given to you today?
If you begin to compare yourself to someone else, if you allow yourself to believe that happiness would come if you owned another's place, you break the 10th commandment which says, "You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor." (Exodus 20:17, NIV) James warns about the sorrowful outcome that is inevitable: "For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind." (James 3:16, NLT)

What has God given you? Where has He placed you?
Receive it and take the opportunities that come with it. Work to maximize your effectiveness, to develop your skills, to be God's person right where you are. There is great joy in that choice - for you and for those who are all around you. Paul, writing to a younger preacher named Timothy, urged him to avoid the trap of fighting with others to be 'top dog,' and about the lure of having more. He said, "godliness with contentment is great gain." (1 Timothy 6:6, NIV)

Let the Lord use you - starting right where you are, just as you are. Faithfulness today leads to tomorrow's promotion!

60 cents

ABC News reported from Zambia last night. In that poor African nation, 1 in 6 children die before reaching age 5. Parents do not name their new-born child for at least a week because so many babies die. A leading cause of infant death is infection at the site of the umbilical stump because the mother does not have a sterile tool to cut the cord and birthing supplies. A kit counting just 60 cents could save the baby! By contrast, this past Sunday I held a little boy at church who was born with a condition that has required high tech care at John Hopkins Hospital. I am sure that caring for little Eddie has required, at the very least, hundreds of thousands of dollars.

How I thank God that I live in a nation of such abundant resources that a little boy like Eddie can be cared for, that his life can be saved. And I wonder what responsibility I have for the children of Zambia? or Afghanistan? or urban Newark, for that matter! The simplest solution is to close my eyes to the needs of the suffering and enjoy my life to the full pretending that I am superior or more deserving than those in some other place. Pride is such an ugly sin! Or, feeling some stirring of care, I might dismiss stories like the one about the 60 cent baby saving medical kit thinking, "So what can I really do? Anything I would or could do is just a drop in the bucket." And, in that, I would miss the heart of God. It is true that I cannot directly do very much to effect infant mortality rates in Africa, but I can be, no make that, must be, responsive to the leading of God's Spirit about caring for others. Compassion starts in my own family, reaches out to my town, and reaches to the world. It must be a part of my politics, my prayers, and my choices of use of the resources I control.

Jesus told a man who was inquiring about how to please God that there were just two commands - "Love God with your whole being, and love your neighbor like you love yourself." The man's response was, "Who is my neighbor?" That was my question while watching that ABC news story, too! In reply the Lord told about a man who was attacked and beaten by robbers on a remote road. A religious worker and then a priest came by but for unspecified reasons they both avoided getting involved with the man, who was near death. Then along came a man from Samaria (considered inferior religiously and morally by people in Jesus' day) who saw the wounded man. "Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’

"Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?" Jesus asked. The man replied, "The one who showed him mercy." Then Jesus said, "Yes, now go and do the same." (Luke 10:34-37, NLT)

Meeting human needs is no simple or easy task, but it is our calling as sons of God. Really making life better for others goes beyond sending $30 each month to Save The Children! That is a good thing to do, but not if it is just a way to soothe our conscience, a token act of neighborliness! Believers, we need to examine our lives with the help of the Spirit to discover all the ways that we take advantage of our position to enrich ourselves at the expense of others. We need to pray for those who set our national policies and vote for men and women who will act in godly ways towards the poor. We need to teach God's ways to others so that they can live in a way that invites His prosperity and maximizes their ability to enjoy the provisions He has prepared in this world.

I pray daily for a heart that cares for my neighbors, really cares. I ask God for eyes to see the needs of the people I live with, that cross my path each day.
Truthfully, I know that some days I am more like Jesus than others! But, I know this - If I care about people, starting at my front door, I will also care for those in the far reaches of this earth.

Here's a word from the Word to ponder today. I pray, "Spirit of God, make it living truth for me."
At the Final Judgement "...the King will say to those on his right, ‘Enter, you who are blessed by my Father! Take what’s coming to you in this kingdom. It’s been ready for you since the world’s foundation. And here’s why: I was hungry and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me a drink, I was homeless and you gave me a room, I was shivering and you gave me clothes, I was sick and you stopped to visit, I was in prison and you came to me.’ "Then those ‘sheep’ are going to say, ‘Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?’ Then the King will say, ‘I’m telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me.’ " (Matthew 25:34-40, The Message)

Living Words

What we believe about life, the 'truths' that are soil from which our dreams grow, is important. Why? Because we act today in ways, consciously and unconsciously, to own our dreams and avoid our nightmares! If I believe that I need a lot of money to be happy, I'll focus my efforts on creating wealth. If I believe that success is defined by ownership of things, I will work to increase my pile of possessions. If I believe that 'clothes make the man' I will make certain I am dressed fashionably. People do amazing things in attempts to make their dreams come true! Believer, what do you dream? The way to create a vision that is worth living for is to know the Truth, to let the Word of God inform your mind and shape your values.

The words -"He is Risen!" were uttered millions of times in the last 24 hours, 'round the world. Are they to be believed? John ran with Peter to the Tomb, saw the empty grave clothes and believed. Peter was there, too, but he went back to Galilee to take up fishing again, not really believing until He met the Master on the beach by a fire. Thomas scoffed when some of the disciples told him, 'we have seen the Lord!' But days later he was with them when the Risen Lord appeared and said to him, "Touch my scars; see and believe!" Those men were radically changed by what they believed, traveled far and wide telling the Story, and each died a martyr's death. People don't live like that unless they are convinced they have the Truth!

"He is Risen!" Today, we have the opportunity to translate those words into action. What we do will show if we really believe the words or if they are just religious language, an observance of tradition. As I closed the sermon yesterday, I turned to Paul's summation of the truth of the Resurrection of Christ. He understood that the fact that Jesus defeated death was the keystone of our faith. "And if Christ weren’t raised, then all you’re doing is wandering about in the dark, as lost as ever." (1 Corinthians 15:17, The Message) "There is a nice symmetry in this: Death initially came by a man, and resurrection from death came by a man. Everybody dies in Adam; everybody comes alive in Christ." (1 Corinthians 15:21-22, The Message) "With all this going for us, my dear, dear friends, stand your ground. And don’t hold back. Throw yourselves into the work of the Master, confident that nothing you do for him is a waste of time or effort." (1 Corinthians 15:58, The Message) The Resurrection is the proof of our faith, the model of our eternal life, and the reason we turn our back on short-term pleasure to do the work of the Kingdom of God.

I am totally convinced that I will live in beyond the grave! I have no doubt that I will stand before God to give an accounting and to receive an eternal reward. The story of Christ's Resurrection is the foundation for my hope of an eternal home. I am living today in the full assurance that 'because He lives, I will live also!'

Don't let the skeptics rob you of the amazing truth of Jesus' Resurrection. Don't allow those who doubt all things of faith to turn the wonderful truth into a myth. It is the cornerstone of our faith. Soak your mind in the testimony of the Scripture and invite the Spirit to make the proclamation that Jesus lives a fact you own for yourself.

"He lives! He lives!
Christ Jesus lives today.
He walks with me, and talks with me,
along life's narrow way.
He lives! He lives!
Salvation to impart.
You ask me how I know He lives?
He lives within my heart!

- Alfred Ackley, public domain