Living the Dream?

Don’t you love those times when your heart overflows and your voice is lifted in praise; when you say something like this - "God, You have blessed me beyond measure. You’ve poured out good things in great abundance and given me a wonderful place to serve You. Thank You!"

That kind of praise is particularly sweet when there is a dream realized, a hope fulfilled.I am not talking about the escapist kind of dream that avoids life’s realities. However, when we see a God-given vision develop – joy flourishes!

Faithful Dreams and Real Opposition

There are many obstacles that rise up to crush our dreams.
We may focus too much on our perception of limited resources instead of God’s promises.

We may be weary – in body or soul, worn down by discouragement or resistance from those who “just don’t get it.”

There are nay-sayers that say "it can’t be done."

And then there is the reality of opposition from the spirit realm that seeks to block anything good and God-honoring.

Do You Dream?

Do you know that God has plans, born in His heart, that He wants to unfold in your life?In Ephesians 1, Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, writes:

"God thought of everything, provided for everything we could possibly need, letting us in on the plans he took such delight in making. He set it all out before us in Christ… It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, He had His eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living..." (The Message)

Hebrews tells us that God’s plan, through Christ, is to “bring many sons to glory.” That includes a mature faith, deep devotion, a life shaped by spiritual gifts, and fruit that lasts. It’s a unique plan tailored to who you are—your personality, your experiences, your challenges—woven together with the power and resources of Heaven to build a life that brings honor and praise to our loving Father.

And one day, that plan will culminate in your eternal welcome into the Father’s house, where you will enjoy His presence and love forever.

Breathe In the Vision

In your times of prayer and reflection, ask God to inspire you—that word literally means to breathe into. Ask Him to plant a fresh vision in your heart.

People of the Spirit need two sets of eyes: the ones they’re born with that see the world as it is, and the eyes God gives us to see the world as He wants it to be. That is vision.

The prophet Joel captured this beautifully when he wrote:

“And afterward,
    I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
    your old men will dream dreams,
    your young men will see visions.

Even on my servants, both men and women,
    I will pour out my Spirit in those days. (Joel 2:28–29)

Inspired by the Vision

Years ago, when my children were teenagers and sometimes resisted the direction I offered, I tried to instill in them a vision for the kind of people they could become. They didn’t always understand it at the time.

I believed that by helping them see past the moment, I could give them something to reach for—something that would motivate them to rise above the temptation to drift or indulge in aimlessness. That was part of my godly duty as their father: to help them see.

Our Heavenly Father calls us to lift our eyes seeing beyond the moment, past the challenges, finding purpose and meaning. Then we will more readily say, "Yes, Lord," even when the path includes hard lessons and disciplined growth.

Glory Defined

Make no mistake: living into that vision is not automatic. It’s not inevitable. You might say, “But it’s God’s plan!”—and that’s true. But He gives us the freedom to either embrace or resist it.

So today, ask God to help you understand His purposes. Let Him paint a picture of the glory He’s designed for you. It probably won’t look like the world’s version of glory—wealth, fame, or influence. It will look like Jesus: the glory of a well-formed character, the fruit of the Spirit maturing in your life, love and joy and peace in abundance.

Then—yes—God will rejoice over you.
You’ll be living the dream—His dream for you

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” (Ephesians 3)

___________

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When There Are No Good Options

Some days, I wake up, look at the choices in front of me, and think:
“There are no good options here.”

Have you ever felt that way? Faced with decisions that range from unpleasant, to bad, to worse?

Thankfully, those kinds of situations are rare—but they do come. For me, and probably for you too.

When I feel boxed in like that, I remember an old saying:

“When you’re at the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on.”

It sounds simple, even cliché—but there’s truth in it. God often calls us to patience while He works out the details of our lives.

When I Wanted to Give Up

I remember a time when I accepted a ministry position that felt like walking into a storm.
There was no money. Bills were piling up. The people were discouraged. And confidence in my leadership was practically nonexistent.

For a while, I flailed like an animal caught in a trap. Every morning, I dreaded the day ahead. The temptation to walk away was constant.

But in my heart, I knew God had called me there. So I stayed. And waited. And waited.

Eventually, He began to work—in me and around me.
He opened new doors.
He provided resources.
And He taught me another deep lesson in faith.

“Help Us… If You Can.”

There’s a powerful story in the Gospel of Mark about a father in crisis.

His son was suffering from violent seizures. He brings the boy to Jesus’ disciples—but they can’t help him.

When Jesus arrives, He’s clearly frustrated with the disciples’ lack of faith. Then He says:

“Bring the boy to me.” (Mark 9:19, NLT)

The father pleads:

“The spirit often throws him into the fire or into water, trying to kill him. Have mercy on us and help us, if you can.”
(Mark 9:22, NLT)

Jesus replies:

“‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.”
(Mark 9:23, NLT)

Why the Delay?

Have you ever wondered why Jesus didn’t just heal the boy immediately?

Why draw it out? The text doesn’t give us a direct answer.

But I think many of us can relate to the father in that moment. I imagine him thinking:
“Please—just fix this now!”

Instead, Jesus gives him a choice. Will he walk away, offended and disappointed? Or will he hold on and trust?

The father’s reply is one of the most honest and beautiful prayers in all of Scripture:

“I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
(Mark 9:24, NLT)

Faith Is Not the Absence of Doubt

I’ve prayed that same prayer—many times.

“Lord, help me hang on—through the storms, through the fear, through the doubts.”

Faith isn’t the absence of doubt.
It’s the choice to trust God in spite of doubt.

Even Abraham, the so-called “father of the faithful,” had moments of wavering. He made impulsive decisions when faith faltered.

But over the course of his life, we see a man who remained committed to God’s purposes.

Abraham Held On Too

Here’s how the writer of Hebrews describes Abraham’s journey:

“It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going…”
(Hebrews 11:8, NLT)

He left everything familiar—without a clear destination.
He waited years for a promised son.
And even then, he lived in tents—temporary housing—while still trusting God.

Do you think he ever doubted?
The Bible says he did.

So how can we still call him “faithful”?

Because in the middle of his doubt, he tied a knot in the rope and held on.

Hang On

If you're struggling today, hang on.

Here’s a word from the Word.
Let it strengthen your heart as you pray:

“Lord, I believe. Help me with my doubts.”

“So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that He has promised.”
(Hebrews 10:35–36, NLT)

“For in just a little while, the Coming One will come and not delay. And My righteous ones will live by faith. But I will take no pleasure in anyone who turns away.”
(Hebrews 10:37–38, NLT)

Final Thought

Whatever you’re facing today—no matter how dark or uncertain—it’s not the end of your story.
Tie a knot. Hang on. And trust the One who holds the rope.

 

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When Life Hurts: Choosing Submission Over Self

Ever wonder what God is doing in your life? Ever complain bitterly about a situation that causes you discomfort? Me too!

Before I go further, I must acknowledge the blessings in my life: a relatively healthy body for a 70-year-old man, a comfortable home, resources that more than meet my needs, children who are wonderful people living good and worthy lives, and friends who enrich my days in countless ways. The list could go on.

But those blessings aren’t the whole story. I have known great sorrow, terrible disappointment, and real failure. Within just a few years, I lost both my parents and my wife to cancer, watching their bodies slowly destroyed. Some friendships have faltered, lost to reasons only God knows. I wrestle with questions about my part in those failures. I have seen people who were under my pastoral care for years slip away from faith and have wept over their choices, again feeling the weight of questions about my effectiveness as a minister of the Gospel.

Joy and Sorrow

To know both joy and sorrow is to be human. Over the years, I’ve walked alongside amazing Christians who were greatly blessed and yet broken by divorce, rejection, or sickness. Some emerged from those seasons with a deeper faith and sweeter spirit. Others became angry and cynical—still clinging to faith, but barely.

So, what makes the difference? I’m sure many factors are at play, but one key element is something most of us avoid as long as possible—submission.

Choice

We must choose between God—the Lord of Heaven—or self. Will I, like Job of old, “put my hand over my mouth” and worship a God whose ways are beyond my understanding? Or will I kick and scream, insisting He do what I desire?

Such submission grows in the fertile soil of eternity’s hope. Inspired by the Spirit, Paul teaches: “Our present troubles are quite small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see right now; rather, we look forward to what we have not yet seen. For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever.” (2 Corinthians 4:17-18, NLT)

Suffering is Common
We suffer because this world bears the mark of sin’s curse—wars rage, disease strikes, relationships break, and injustice prevails. People lie and cheat. Terrorists destroy. Companies value profit over people.

Even Christians of great faith often face deep pain and sorrow. What can we do? We can trust God while we weep and wait on Him, or we can rage against the world and decide He is unjust and unfair.

You don’t have to be a “super-saint” to choose faith. We have an Advocate on whom we can lean: “The Holy Spirit helps us in our distress. For we don’t even know what we should pray for, nor how we should pray. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.” (Romans 8:26, NLT)

Some of the best prayers in the world are sobs, groans, and tears of submission to God’s will.

The Word assures us—no situation in our life is wasted or meaningless! Paul, writing from prison, says:  “I am glad when I suffer for you in my body, for I am participating in the sufferings of Christ that continue for his body, the church. God has given me the responsibility of serving his church by proclaiming his entire message to you.” (Colossians 1) That’s not foolishness. That’s faith that looks beyond what human eyes can see.

So, are you struggling today? Are you suffering in a way you can’t understand?

Yes, weep—grief is not a sign of weak faith.
Yes, pray—God invites us to ask for relief.

Let no one dismiss your pain as pointless.
Let no one tell you that you alone are the cause of your suffering.

Give the Devil no place when he accuses your Heavenly Father of failing you.

Instead, find a quiet place and make this prayer your own: “I do believe, but help me not to doubt!” (Mark 9:24, NLT)

Amen.

___________

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Reading Revelation: Awe, Mystery, and Hope

Over breakfast yesterday with an old friend, I fretted about the state of this world. Perhaps that is just part of getting older. Earthquakes, political unrest, war, disregard of faith in God – do these things foreshadow the End?  Are we living in ‘the last days?’  Some think we are, others see this time as just another cycle of history.

My anchor in life is the Truth of Christ and the Word so I look to the book of Revelation—the final word in the Bible— for insight. Yes, the apocalyptic chapters of that book resist simple interpretation but there is a hopeful thread of truth that runs through those inspired words of John.

My reaction to the vivid, often terrifying imagery, of the Revelation has ranged from fascination to deep discomfort. Written in symbols and code, the book is packed with allusions to Old Testament prophecy. It demands both careful study and the Holy Spirit’s guidance to even begin to grasp its meaning.

Many have tried to decode Revelation—sometimes in tortured ways. Years ago, I was taught to see the book strictly as a roadmap for a future "Great Tribulation," a time when God's Spirit would allow humanity to drink the full cup of rebellion and give Evil free reign over the world, leading to terrible suffering.

Others view it as a message to the first-century Church, a word of hope during intense persecution under Roman rule. Still others try to map every symbol to a current event, often leading to fanciful and foolish conclusions.

In fact, Revelation speaks to the past, the future, and the present. It’s not just a book for scholars or end-times theorists. It’s for every generation of Christians—especially those who suffer, who grow weary in the ongoing battle with sin, Satan, and humanity’s evil.

Songs for the Battle-Worn

If you read Revelation closely, you’ll notice that throughout its storm and struggle, voices rise—songs of praise that proclaim God’s eternal purpose and inevitable triumph. These songs are for us.  In the 5^th chapter, we read this: “I looked again, and I heard the voices of thousands and millions of angels around the throne and of the living beings and the elders.  And they sang in a mighty chorus:

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered—
    to receive power and riches
and wisdom and strength
    and honor and glory and blessing.”

And then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea. They sang:

“Blessing and honor and glory and power
    belong to the one sitting on the throne
    and to the Lamb forever and ever.”

When you’re worn down by temptation, discouraged by the slow progress of righteousness, or feel like evil has the upper hand—those songs can be life-giving.

Handel famously drew from Revelation 19 for his “Hallelujah Chorus,” a piece that still lifts people to their feet centuries later. That same chapter reminds us: “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for true and just are his judgments...” (Revelation 19:1, NIV)

When despair whispers that the enemy is winning, Revelation thunders back:
God reigns. He is faithful. His justice will prevail.

The Grand Conclusion

Don’t get so caught up in decoding each detail of every vision that you miss the book’s overarching message:

God wins.

Read Revelation—and remember its full title: The Revelation of Jesus Christ. This is not just a book of wild visions. It is a portrait of our victorious Lord. At His first coming, He was the son of Mary, the Savior of compassion. He offered His life to save the world from her sins.

In the last book we meet the triumphant King, riding out in glory to vanquish evil. Revelation assures us that He is both—our Savior and our mighty King.

“Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory!” (Revelation 19:6-7, NIV)

Amen.

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Knowable: Do You Know God—or Just His Name?

Do you know me?

You must know me in some way, or you wouldn’t be reading these words. Maybe you know my name—Jerry Scott. Some know me more personally. Jay, Sean, Christine, and Maribel know me as “Dad.” Others call me “friend.” Over the years, many have known me as “Pastor,” trusting me with spiritual care. Bev knew me as “husband,” a relationship unlike any other.

Each of these names describes a different facet of how I am known. But here’s a far more important question:

Do you know God—or just His name?

God, Made Knowable

The Bible tells us that God is Spirit—eternal, invisible, transcendent. And yet, He graciously makes Himself known using language and images we can understand. He reveals Himself to us in human terms so we can relate to Him, know His heart, and grow in love.

So who is this God we’re invited to know?

Father

One of the most beautiful ways God reveals Himself is as Father. Jesus taught us to pray to “Our Father in heaven.” The Psalms proclaim He is “a father to the fatherless” (Psalm 68). The apostle John speaks of His love as lavished on us, bringing us to eternal life.

But His fatherhood is not limited to masculine imagery. Scripture also uses tender, maternal expressions to describe His care. He is like a hen gathering her chicks under her wings. Isaiah compares God’s love to that of a mother nursing her child—a picture of nurturing, intimate care.

Yes, we are the children of God—deeply loved and known.

King

God also reveals Himself as King—a concept less familiar to us who live in modern democracies. As King, He rules with majesty and might, protecting His people and directing all creation.

The prophet Isaiah once glimpsed God’s majesty in a vision so powerful it shook the temple itself. Angels cried out:  
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.”
Isaiah’s response was not celebration but humility:
“Woe to me! I am ruined! ... my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.” (Isaiah 6)

To know God as King is to stand in awe—reverent, humbled, and changed.

Husband

In yet another stunning metaphor, God describes Himself as a Husband to His people. The Scriptures speak of His desire for intimacy, fidelity, and delight—like that of a groom for his bride. He longs not just to rule over us, but to be with us, to dwell in loving relationship.

As in marriage, this is a call to faithfulness, love, and mutual delight. The divine invitation isn’t transactional—it’s personal. God desires to be our Beloved.

Shepherd

One of the most beloved pictures of God is that of Shepherd. Psalm 23 begins with those familiar, comforting words: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want…” He provides. He leads. He restores. He protects.

And in the Gospels, Jesus declares, “I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.” (John 10)

In a world of chaos and confusion, the Shepherd calls us to rest and trust in His care.

Not Just Known—Knowable

Here’s the heart of the matter:
Don’t settle for just knowing about God. Seek to know Him.

Jesus is the Bridge between humanity and the Holy One. Through Him, the unknowable God becomes deeply personal—knowable. Not because we are good, worthy, or impressive—but because Jesus, our Great High Priest, brings us near.

The invitation is open:  “Since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess... Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:14–16)

Take a moment to reflect—and pray: “God, teach me of Yourself. Let me truly know YOU.”

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Living ‘on purpose?’

Tom Brady, now retired outstanding quarterback, was labeled by a player from his team in Tampa Bay as ‘creating an atmosphere of stress.’  Apparently, the high level of play and excellence demanded by the G.O.A.T. was not universally appreciated. Brady answered his critic- “I thought stressful was not having Super Bowl rings." He emphasized his dedication to winning and a champion's mindset, stating, "This wasn't daycare". 

In the context of our Christianity, there is an importance to understanding the call of Christ to true discipleship, to making hard choices in life that will lead us to better outcomes.

Here’s something I know as fact - without constant monitoring of goals and mission, I will wander, spending entire days doing things that are not of primary importance.  The Scripture tells us that “We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away…  how shall we escape if we ignore (neglect) so great a salvation?”  (Hebrews 2)

What are the first importance issues for you? Do you know?

Defining a mission, setting goals, and committing ourselves to regular evaluations are the only ways to avoid drifting along, hit or miss in our work, letting ourselves do what is ‘fun’ instead of what is important!

When I was leading a church as a pastor, prior to retiring, I knew that God had entrusted me with the spiritual care of His people. I was to teach the Word, care for those who were hurting, point the way to hope and healing, and keep on encouraging others to serve Him.

In order to fulfill that calling, I had to get myself into my office for study – everyday! I had to pick up my books and read to feed my mind so that I could teach. I was not free to isolate myself behind walls of privacy. My call demanded that I stay in touch and be available to the people of the Lord so that I knew their needs and could be responsive in providing good care. I constantly worked to find that balance between caring for my own spiritual and emotional needs and being a good pastor to my congregation.

Stephen Covey, in his great book, Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, points out that many of us don’t get to the important because we feel that we must respond to the urgent. He says, “Urgent matters are often visible. They press on us, they insist on action. They’re often popular with others… pleasant, fun to do… and unimportant!” Urgent matters require that we react. Important matters demand that we plan, purpose, and act to do the first things, first.

So, what’s the highest calling we all share?

Jesus lays down this marker about priorities for all of us.
Seek first God’s kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matthew 6:33, NIV) What are the ‘all things’ He refers to? Food, drink, and clothing.

Those daily provisions, while important, are not first line issues. What a challenge for us. We spend a lot of time focusing on acquiring and guarding resources to assure that we have enough ‘stuff.’

Jesus promises, if we put God first, God will see to it that we are clothed and fed! Living that way demands a whole different set of values. Jesus told us “Don’t be greedy! Owning a lot of things won’t make your life safe.” (Luke 12:15, CEV) Do we believe that, I mean, really believe it? If so, it will change our priorities significantly. Much of what our society presses on us as urgent, will no longer be an issue of importance for a disciple of Christ.

More specifically, the Spirit of God shapes each one of us uniquely and equips us to serve His purpose with ‘gifts.’  Paul says it like this: “For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.”  (Romans 12)

In God’s world, you have a place and purpose. For what has God made you responsible?
Are you treating His gifts and callings as a matter of first importance?

Are you committing yourself to be the best you can be for the glory of God?
There is rich reward in this kind of focused living. Others may be put off, accuse you of being ‘too intense,’ or fanatical. God will see a person who loves Him first and serves Him best.

Here is a word from the Word. May it call us into greater and higher service today.
“So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. ¹⁶ Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.” (Ephesians 5)

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A Great Love

I was privileged to know a great love.  When I was just a boy of 19, I met the woman who captivated me, falling passionately in love with her. Yes, as it is with most young men, at first that ‘love’ was mostly physical. She was a beauty. But it was not long before a deeper kind of connection formed that turned into a partnership that extended over 4 decades, including 4 children, shared ministry, and the most intimate kind of human connection. Our love wrapped around hard times, misunderstandings, differences of opinion, and the stresses of ordinary life. It culminated in the closing days of her life with care that led her home to the arms of Jesus.

Our love was much more than talk, deeper than mere sentiment, and strong!

We, Christians, talk about loving God a lot, singing about love, including much sloppy sentiment in our ‘worship’ but do we really love Him? Or is the ‘love’ of which we speak a more transactional kind of thing formed around hoping for the blessing of God in reward for some level of service?

Jesus said that a factor in our love of the Lord is our understanding of His grace, His willingness to forgive our sins and accept us as His children. His words came in a rich context. Imagine the scene!

Jesus is at the home of a respected local leader, a man who carefully lived his life to avoid outward sin, a Pharisee. He regularly attended synagogue, prayed, studied the Torah, and observed the Law of Moses scrupulously.  As they are enjoying dinner, a woman with a reputation, multiple infidelities, a social outcast, made her way to the table, found Jesus and knelt down at his feet weeping. She did not stop there. She took out a jar of ointment and spread it on Jesus’ feet, the heavy scent of perfume filling the air. Then, most scandalously, she bent down, wiping his feet with her hair and kissing them!  Yes, it was as scandalous as it sounds.

After a shocked silence, Simon muttered that Jesus could not possibly be a godly man, or he would have put an end to such a display.  Jesus’ answer to him nearly brings me to tears each time I read it.

Here’s the passage. “He turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”  (Luke 7)

Could it be that our lack of a deep and passionate love of God is the result of our lack of understanding of our naturally sinful state, our alienation from Him that results from our choices?

Seems to me that we do not really think we ‘sin’ these days. Oh yes, we admit to making mistakes, but excuse them as just ‘being human.’  We sometimes face up to our flaws and failures but tend to blame our situation or experience; “if I had better parents,” or “if I had more opportunity,” or  … well, the list of things we blame for our own choices is long.

It is hard, I know personally, to look into the mirror and admit to our sinfulness, our selfishness, our shallowness; to face our depravity.  Now that’s a word that shocks, isn’t it?  One doesn’t have to be especially evil to be sinful.  “Nice” people still sin- failing God, building their lives on empty things like reputation, pleasure, or piling up more stuff. It is even quite possible to be very religious and deeply sinful at the same time!  That’s what Jesus saw in Simon that day.

Our pride wants to ‘make a deal’ with God, accepting Jesus as the Savior, but then believing that we can live good enough to earn His favor.  The ‘love’ of many collapses when that deal doesn’t work out!  When God allows us to suffer, when He doesn’t act in a way we deem ‘fair’ after all we have done for Him, we turn cold, becoming distant, our prayers are emptied of passion, our hearts are dead to His Presence.

Oh, that we would allow the Spirit to show us our true selves. Only then will the proud Pharisee become the weeping woman at the feet of Jesus.

I knew a great love with Bev, not because I was a stellar husband, but because we chose each other, fixed our affection for each other, and accepted one another for who we were, not some image we conjured in our minds about who we desired.

God loves me (and you) not because I am beautiful, good, desirable, or needed. His love chose me, desires me, and will make me into the best person I can be. “Oh, to grace how great a debtor, I’m constrained to be.” When that becomes clear to me against the backdrop of my sin, love overwhelms me - a GREAT love!

My friend, if you want your devotion to deepen, face your true Self. Admit your failures, without excuse. Stop pretending. At first, it may be hard, disturbing even, to face up to the parts of you that are carefully hidden away from sight. But, if you will carry them to Jesus, you find He forgives, cleanses, and heals. And you will learn to love Him more and better.

Meditate on this word from the Word from the Revelation, an apt description of much of American Christianity in 2025. This is a paraphrase called The Message.
“I know you inside and out, and find little to my liking. You’re not cold, you’re not hot—far better to be either cold or hot! You’re stale. You’re stagnant. You make me want to vomit. You brag, ‘I’m rich, I’ve got it made, I need nothing from anyone,’ oblivious that in fact you’re a pitiful, blind beggar, threadbare and homeless.
 “Here’s what I want you to do: Buy your gold from me, gold that’s been through the refiner’s fire. Then you’ll be rich. Buy your clothes from me, clothes designed in Heaven. You’ve gone around half-naked long enough. And buy medicine for your eyes from me so you can see, really see.
 “The people I love, I call to account—prod and correct and guide so that they’ll live at their best. Up on your feet, then! About face! Run after God!
 “Look at me. I stand at the door. I knock. If you hear me call and open the door, I’ll come right in and sit down to supper with you. Conquerors will sit alongside me at the head table, just as I, having conquered, took the place of honor at the side of my Father. That’s my gift to the conquerors!
 “Are your ears awake? Listen. Listen to the Wind Words, the Spirit blowing through the churches.”

Lord, lead me to a great love. Amen.

You expect what kind of outcome?

In a quick conversation with Ralph, I learned a little more about what is demanded of a farmer! A few months ago, he prepped his fields and planted corn and beans with full expectation of a harvest. When I asked if he were ‘finished’ for now, he described the ongoing work of eliminating weeds and applying the chemicals necessary to control fungi that would harm the crop. Yes, Ralph must put in the work but ultimately, he cannot control the sunshine and rain that are critical to a good harvest this Fall. In faith, he plants and by faith he expects.

It is just common sense to know that if he puts bean seeds in that northern 40 acres of the farm, he will not be picking corn in that field. He will harvest what he planted.

The thought renewed itself in me this morning as I asked myself – “What kind of outcomes are you expecting in life, Jerry? What seeds have you planted?”

God spoke through the preacher – “I said, ‘Plant the good seeds of righteousness, and you will harvest a crop of love. Plow up the hard ground of your hearts, for now is the time to seek the Lord, that He may come and shower righteousness upon you.’  (Hosea 10)

The Scripture speaks to the idea of seed and harvest often. There are some key principles that we learn in that wisdom about God’s ways.

               1. We Reap only if we Plant
               2. We Reap of what we Plant
               3. We will Reap in a Different Season Than We Planted
               4. We will Reap More Than We Plant
               5. We Reap in Proportion to the amount of that We Plant

Paul summarizes these in a Word often used only in reference to financial contributions, but which has a much wider application to life – “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.” (2 Corinthians 9)

The expectation of that harvest of God’s blessings and life is assured just as the growth of a field will happen because of those processes of germination and growth. Jesus said, “The Kingdom of God is like a farmer who scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, while he’s asleep or awake, the seed sprouts and grows, but he does not understand how it happens. The earth produces the crops on its own. First a leaf blade pushes through, then the heads of wheat are formed, and finally the grain ripens." (Mark 4:26-28, NLT)

Today let’s reflect on two key questions.

First, are we inviting the Holy Spirit of God to work deeply in our life implanting the seed of the Gospel of Christ Jesus that grows to eternal life?

We cannot save ourselves from sin, nor can we work our way into God’s grace by any amount of ‘niceness,’ morality, religiosity, or civility.

In a shift the metaphor, Peter teaches us that "You have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God." (1 Peter 1:23, NIV) God, through His Word and, by His Spirit, implants the seed of life in us and a transformational process starts! This is the 'seed principle.'

Without this mysterious, wonderful, and faith-based impartation of divine life, we may become religious, but we will not become truly Christian.

Second, by daily disciplines of the Spirit (things such as prayer, silence, obedience, service, and meditation on God’s Word) cultivating the soil of our heart and mind so that the harvest will be plentiful?

Ralph reminded me that his work was far from over when the planting was finished! There is cultivation to be done. So, in us! The Spirit grants us life that we accept by faith, and the Lord waters the seed so that it grows, but the work of cultivation is given to each of us.

The word from the Word urges us to be engaged in faith. Ponder this truth today as you begin this new week, aiming to live for the glory of God. “Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.” (Philippians 2:11)

____________

Lord of the harvest, grant that the seeds of love, worship, care, service, generosity, and such things will grow a great harvest in me that feeds the world in which I live and shows the goodness of Your grace. In Jesus’ Name. Amen

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Disrupted and Disturbed!

Here is a question for us – Is God alive to us, the Spirit given access to our lives, Christ first and foremost our hope? The quick response for most Christians would probably be– “of course those things are true!” But is there a gap between what we say we believe and how we live day by day?  Do we, Christians, of this era, comprehend Jesus’ invitation to come and follow Him?

Nietzsche, in the late 19^th century, said that God is dead. His view was that humanity had outgrown the need for the divine mystery, thus the death of God. He went to say that those who eliminate God must now rise to the challenge of being gods, making meaning and value in life that serving God did in the past. His thoughts have come to full fruit in our time, with technology that allows us to manipulate the world and our environment to an almost ‘god-like’ degree.

For millions Christianity has become a tradition for Sunday, entirely separate from Monday. Jesus’ demand that those who are His followers will love and care for the world is a sentimental idea but discarded in societal policies as impractical. The declaration that we exist to know and serve God, that our greatest hope lies in the Resurrection, is lost to a ‘faith’ that is moralistic therapeutic deism asking no more of us than that we are ‘nice people.’

Thus, millions of babies are aborted for no other reason than that their birth would be an inconvenience to those who conceived them.
Euthanasia is no longer a whispered possibility, but a practical solution to aging or terminal illness.
Moral confusion about gender and sexuality flow from the loss of the understanding that intimacy is not just about finding a moment’s pleasure, but also about propagating the human race, a sacred life-enhancing gift.
The social contract that binds society is coming apart before our eyes because we have no consensus formed by deep faith about what is right, what is moral, what is compelling in our choices.

Yes, we have determined to be our own little gods, expressing our self-will and finding our personal happiness with something like religious fervor.

Carl Trueman writes that – “On Sundays, he’s a nihilist, going through the motions of religious rituals whose truth extends no further than the church’s sanctuary. And in doing so he also removes any basis upon which we might resist the dehumanizing impulses that lie at the heart of a therapeutic and technological culture—one that embraces both death and transhumanism. With no God to define our limits and ends, and no way of judging in advance the consequences of our votes for death and our experiments with human genetics, we stand on the verge of doing what no other creature has ever achieved: abolishing ourselves.” 

So, what should we do?  Must we reject all of modernity, turn away from scientific advance, and retreat from engagement with our world? That is the answer for some, but a flawed one. Jesus asks us to be ‘salt and light’ preserving and showing the Way and that task is impossible if we live in isolation.

There is a better way to recover the Call. It is humility. I invite us to meditate on the prophet’s call and promise today, with a prayer to rediscover a vital relationship with Christ, the Savior and Lord. (Isaiah 57:14-16)

God says, “Rebuild the road! Clear away the rocks and stones so my people can return from captivity.” The high and lofty one who lives in eternity, the Holy One, says this: “I live in the high and holy place with those whose spirits are contrite and humble. I restore the crushed spirit of the humble and revive the courage of those with repentant hearts. For I will not fight against you forever; I will not always be angry. If I were, all people would pass away— all the souls I have made.”

Jesus says “To all who are victorious, who obey me to the very end, to them I will give authority over all the nations. They will rule the nations with an iron rod and smash them like clay pots. They will have the same authority I received from my Father, and I will also give them the morning star!  “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.”  (Revelation 2)

Amen

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“He Leadeth Me”

My soul and mind are a bit unsettled these days. I cannot escape the nagging sadness for the families that mourn deaths in Texas. My son in North Carolina lost a portion of his business to a flood last week, too. That’s not a tragedy of the same magnitude by any measure but a disappointment, none the less. And then there was my 70^th birthday, a milestone which has provoked some angst about my tomorrows. Does ill health lurk in the weeds along life’s pathway?  Will I remain mentally alert and productive?

Life hands us the unexpected, the adverse, doesn’t it? Yes, we also enjoy unanticipated blessings which must not be forgotten. In my anxiousness, I found wisdom and solace in the words of Isaiah that assure, come what may, God is ever-present and always loving. — “Though the Lord gave you adversity for food and suffering for drink, He will still be with you to teach you. You will see your teacher with your own eyes. Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, ‘This is the way you should go.’” (Isaiah 30:20)

The prophet does not require us to deny the reality of our struggles. He does ask that we understand that adversity and suffering are a normal part of our journey, bounded by the will of God! This is the unshakeable promise: God does not abandon us in our need. He is present, teaching, guiding, and leading even as we walk through seasons of difficulty.

The key is that we learn to listen. “Your own ears will hear him,” Isaiah writes. One of the tragedies of the 21^st century Christian is that he often tricked into the belief that the Lord God is distant or impersonal.  He is not!  In the moments—quiet or tumultuous—when we pause to listen, we will find the quiet stirring - “This is the way you should go.”

Paul teaches us that the Lord does NOT just give us grace and comfort for its own sake. We are to become blessers as those who are blessed. “He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation.” (2 Corinthians 1)

I confess that I have become much more compassionate in my later years after enduring some difficult days. The arrogance of the young man deluded by a sense of control has been replaced by the humility of an old man who knows that he is a sinner saved by grace and that others are struggling, too.

The best gifts—comfort, guidance, provision, and life itself—flow from grace and mercy, not from rewards for our perfect performance. It is not through our striving or deserving, but through a loving generosity that is unearned and unending. Yes, friend, suffering teaches us about the dependence on Someone far greater than ourselves and thus open our spirits to the transformative presence of the Divine.

There is a daily choice we make when trouble comes – we believe that, despite circumstances, a way is being made for us. When we feel lost or overwhelmed, we return to the stillness where the guiding voice can be heard. Even when the way forward seems unclear, we choose to step forward in faith, believing that direction will be given just when we need it.

 

 

I have learned to look away from Jerry and towards the Spirit Who is our Comforter, Teacher, and Guide—ever-present, interceding, and empowering me to live with courage and compassion. The promise of eternal life is not simply a hope for the future, but a present reality, as the Spirit breathes new life into our every moment.

Are you struggling today? Has uncertainty overcome your heart and mind?
Here are some simple suggestions that can help you to move towards peace.

Begin Each Day with Reflection:
Take a few moments each morning to ground yourself in gratitude, intentionally opening your mind and heart to Him. Pray – “Come, Holy Spirit.”  Read a passage of Scripture. And, declare your identity as God’s own child.

Practice Active Listening:
Be attentive not only to your own needs but also to those around you. God speaks as often through the words of a friend, a stranger, as He does in the gentle conviction of your heart.

Extend Compassion:
Look for opportunities to comfort the mourning and provide for those in need. Small acts of kindness can have a ripple effect beyond what you can imagine.

Adversity may come along with suffering for a season, but the presence of God is eternal and unfailing. With hearts in tune with the Spirit’s song and eyes open to God’s handiwork, we walk forward. By faith, we trust that the way will be made clear and that we are held in a love that knows no end.

I pray for you and for me that today will bring renewed hope, deepened compassion, and quiet confidence that, wherever we go, the Voice behind us will gently whisper, “This is the way you should go.” And may we have the courage to follow.

______________

He Leadeth Me

He leadeth me O blessed thought
O words with heavenly comfort fraught
Whate'er I do where'er I be
Still 'tis God's hand that leadeth me

He leadeth me He leadeth me
By His own hand He leadeth me
His faithful follower I would be
For by His hand He leadeth me

Sometimes 'mid scenes of deepest gloom
Sometimes where Eden's bowers bloom
By water's calm o'er troubled sea

Still 'tis God's hand that leadeth me

Lord I would clasp Thy hand in mine
Nor ever murmur nor repine
Content whatever lot I see
Since 'tis my God that leadeth me

And when my task on earth is done
When by Thy grace the victory's won
E'en death's cold waves I would not flee
Since Thou through Jordan leadeth me

 

Joseph Henry Gilmore, William Batchelder Bradbury
© Words: Public Domain; Music: Public Domain

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Take the Next Step!

Fifteen years ago, I had a life plan! Today, just a few of the pieces of that plan are in place. Was my strategy flawed? Not so much. Things I could not have foreseen changed the course of my life, Bev’s illness and death, the COVID pandemic, just to name a couple of those. Yet, I am still in God’s hands and at peace. What I learned is the importance of taking the next right step along the way, even when the future is unclear.

James, the pastor of Jerusalem Church, wrote these inspired words to us. "Look here, you people who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.” How do you know what will happen tomorrow? For your life is like the morning fog-it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.” (James 4:13-15, NLT)

The real issue for Christians is greater than some detailed life plan. It is our daily obedience. But what is His will? Do you ever wish God would be clearer in His directions? We wonder if we should take that position or stay where we are, if we should invest in that effort or walk away, if it is the right time to buy a house, go to school, get married, go for a second career. We love our options. True disciples of Christ realize that all these plans are made in submission to the will of One who sees beyond today. So, we hold onto our plans loosely, ready to respond to the Holy Spirit’s leading.

How does that happen? While reading about Paul in the book of Acts, we might mistakenly conclude that a voice from the heavens sounded in his ears, pointing him in the right direction. Well, think again. “Next Paul and Silas traveled through the area of Phrygia and Galatia, because the Holy Spirit had told them not to go into the province of Asia at that time. Then coming to the borders of Mysia, they headed for the province of Bithynia, but again the Spirit of Jesus did not let them go. So instead, they went on through Mysia to the city of Troas. “Acts 16:6-8 NLT Study a map and you will find that these apostles wandered! Their plans kept changing.

The impressive lesson in this passage is their faithful endurance as they kept walking and waiting. They pushed in one direction until the Spirit said, "No," then they went in another direction. Maybe they wondered IF they had heard from God at all, but they kept moving forward. In the next few verses, we see that God led them into a new region, and they were privileged to extend the borders of Christianity into Macedonia and Phillippi.

Pastor Mike Woodruff wisely observes that often we just ‘do the next thing.’  “After Jesus raised Jairus’s daughter from the dead, he instructed her parents to keep the miracle a secret. He also told them to get her something to eat. In the past, I’ve wondered about the secrecy. I’m now intrigued by the sandwich. Why? Because it fits a pattern.

After healing a paralytic, Jesus told him to pick up his mat and walk. After cleansing a leper, he told him to report to a priest. After preventing a stoning, Jesus told the woman to “go and sin no more.” Jesus didn’t demand people develop a life plan. Nor did he leave them alone. Instead, he directed them to do the next right thing. It was an immediate and simple step forward.”

IF we choose a daily response of obedience to love Him, to love others, keeping our heart and mind in a worshipful place, HE WILL GUIDE US. Many choices need no special revelation to us. These things are always the right choice.
Love others.
Be forgiving.
Do good works.
Stay in fellowship with God’s people.
Tell others about His love.
Have a servant’s heart.
Keep a prayerful heart.”

A heart yielded to His Lordship is the key to ultimately finding our way to peace and contentment and will cause us to know the greater fulfillment in His service. There are so many reasons we don't always sense the Spirit guiding us as clearly as we might wish. There are -
-the tests that come to lead us to deeper trust and greater intimacy with God,
-the circumstances unknown to us but known to God Who is always at work for our good,
-the sins that make us insensitive to God’s Spirit,
-the pride and/or prejudice that makes prayerless and self-willed.

If you're feeling like you’re on a detour from your plans, if you feel like you are just wandering at the moment, stay faithful! Do the next right thing.
Keep praying. Don't sit down and feel sorry for yourself! God is alive and well. He is actively working out His plans and purposes, so keep the faith. Keep walking and waiting, listening, and responding.

The word from the Word is a beautiful passage, packed with promise. Take it with you today and live in His peace. “For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”  (Romans 8:13)

Amen

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Meaning?

With my 70^th birthday a few days away I am reflecting on life; choices made, days invested or wasted. My reveries are part nostalgia and more importantly, evaluation. I think these thoughts are common to people of a certain age.  There are so many ways to measure one’s life, aren’t there?  Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon, with a net worth estimated at more than $200 billion, is getting married in Venice today. The wedding will gather 200 of the world’s glitterati and cost more than $75 million! Such excess is one way to attempt to declare one’s worth.

We more common folk look a bit differently on life, right?

We might ask -
*How much money do I have in the bank?
*What kind of status do I enjoy?
*What positions did I hold?
*What awards with my name etched on them hang on a wall somewhere?
*Was I happy?
*Did I make family relationships work? Who loves me/hates me?
*Is a street named in my honor?
*Did my life add net worth to my place in this world?

There is a book in the Bible that asks and answers the question of meaning.
An old king named Solomon wrote it, calling himself “the Teacher.”  He had a whole list of accomplishments – cities and buildings he had brought into existence, a prosperous nation he had led, hedonistic pleasures beyond the imagination of most enjoyed, great wealth amassed, envy and recognition of many… and in summary he cynically recognizes that none of it proves a thing about his meaning, purpose, or ultimate value.

He cries “as I looked at everything I had worked so hard to accomplish, it was all so meaningless—like chasing the wind. There was nothing really worthwhile anywhere.” (Ecclesiastes 2)

When life comes down to the essence of our existence, there are just two measures of worth and value. Jesus calls them the ‘greatest commandments.’ “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.  A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Matthew 22)

Rich or poor, famous or obscure, accomplished or not, what pleases God and gives us the deepest satisfaction is knowing and living in God’s love, gifted to us through Christ Jesus, and then boldly loving others – not just in words, but with profound care, respect, and compassion. He asks, “what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?” (Mark 8)

Solomon set aside his cynicism in the end and left this inspired wisdom to us. We do well to heed his words so that when we are near the end of the race, we will not cry that life has been a ‘vanity of vanities,’  without meaning! He says “Don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor him in your youth before you grow old and say, “Life is not pleasant anymore.”… Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty. God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad.”  (Ecclesiastes 12)

Here is a prayer of Augustine. As we make his words our own, may our choices make our lives full of holy purpose and eternal significance. Let us pray -

“Grant me, even me, my dearest Lord, to know you, and love you, and rejoice in you.
And, if I cannot do these perfectly in this life, let me at least advance to higher degrees every day, until I can come to do them in perfection.

Let the knowledge of you increase in me here, that it may be full hereafter. Let the love of you grow every day more and more here, that it may be perfect hereafter; that my joy may be full in you.

I know, O God, that you are a God of truth, O make good your gracious promises to me, that my joy may be full; to your honor and glory, with the Father and the Holy Spirit you live and reign, one God, now and forever. Amen." (Augustine - 354-430)

________________
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Lesser Things?

In the Summer of 1974, I fell in love, really madly in love! I thought of Bev when I awakened, dreamed about her when I went to sleep. When I was driving to pick her up for a date, I planned ways to surprise her with little gifts. As I discovered more and more about her likes and desires, I made it my purpose to delight her. There were cards, flowers, and phone calls – because I was focused on her.

40 years later, as she was dying, my life centered around her for those final months- sitting with her through the evenings, often just silent, coming home from the office early to care for her needs. It was not an effort because of our connection, the priority of love we had cultivated for decades!

Christians who want to know the real joy promised by Christ Jesus will make a similar kind of choice to prioritize Him in life. They will choose a higher focus, a daily connection, keeping Him in mind and heart through the day. The Spirit-inspired words of Colossians 3 teach us that. “Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.”

 A key to this kind of focus is the Resurrection of Jesus, that pivotal event that reveals our eternal nature and God’s promise of forever life. Christians tend to focus on the Cross, where Jesus satisfied the holiness of God and opened the way for our reconciliation to our Creator Father. What happened at Calvary is important, but it is not the whole of the God-story. The completion, the ultimate moment was triumph over Death!

That is why in the passage I quoted earlier we read that we are ‘raised to new life with Christ.’  Our Christian hope is not just to live a bit better for a few decades on this earth. In Christ we become creatures of eternity, our goal a home with God in Heaven.

Make no mistake, there is a whole lot of living to be done before we go on Home, BUT the way in which we live is to be shaped by the promise of our Heavenly home. “Set your sights on the realities of Heaven” we are told. Let that hope captivate your heart and mind so that every thought is aimed at that moment when we step over time’s threshold into the unimaginable splendor of the Father’s house.

Yes, I live in the same world in which you live. I know fully well how easily attention is diverted to the new shiny things that can be bought. I know that promised wealth and greater pleasure can obscure our vision. Oh yes, I believe that we can and should live to enjoy love, to find a place of connection with others, and to experience the satisfaction that can be found in a great meal, a comfortable home, and rich relationships.

HOWEVER, those things are all transitory, easily taken from us by storms, wars, economic cycles, or cruel, selfish people. So, we remember always that our “real life is hidden with Christ in God.”  

What is most amazing about being possessed by the promise of eternal life through Christ is that we will live and love better in this world! That same passage continues making a direct connection between what we know of Heaven’s promise and the life we live.

The word from the Word comes from the practical instructions about the ‘new life’ we enjoy. Make the Risen Lord and the hope of Heaven your focus then go bless your world.

“Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives.
Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives.
Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. 
And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father. …
Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.”

Amen

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AI Christians?

The world is being changed, very rapidly, by a technology called AI - Artificial Intelligence. It is an amazing development that increasingly is being used by people to create ‘better’ images of themselves. Need a great letter written? Enter a few prompts into ChatGPT and in a few seconds you will have what you requested. Want your resume’ polished? AI will do it for you. Do you need a headshot photo that makes you appear a few pounds slimmer and a decade younger? And so it goes.

As the technology improves the task of sorting out what is generated by AI is becoming more difficult, if not impossible. We can support the careful edits on social media that burnish our public image in ways that make being a ‘fake’ easier and more common. That is a real problem, especially for those who are committed to an authentic life of following Christ. Are we truly ‘becomers,’ growing in faith and commitment or are we just AI productions, without reality and substance?

Paul wrote about people who would come into the church who are posers! He tells us that they will learn the language of Christianity and be able, from time to time, to appear to be the ‘real’ thing, while lacking a genuine experience of the Holy Spirit.

Paul uses this telling line about their ‘spirituality.’ "They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!" (2 Timothy 3:5, NLT) Those pseudo-Christians were not changed by the Power of the Holy Spirit from the inside out and therefore they were, in the candid moments, still "heartless, and hateful. Their words will be cruel, and they will have no self-control or pity. … They will be sneaky, reckless, and puffed up with pride. Instead of loving God, they will love pleasure." (2 Timothy 3:3-4 CEV)

The apostle’s next lines were not AI generated. They are inspired words of truth. "You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them." (2 Timothy 3:10-12, NIV) 

Paul says, in so many words, “Tim, look at who I really am. Observe my day-to-day life. I have been through some rough times, but Jesus has held onto me as I held onto Him.”

Friend, does your claim to discipleship hold up in the candid moments? When you are disappointed, frustrated, under pressure, short on cash, uncertain – does your faith shine brightly still? Is Jesus Lord of all? Are you a Christian, through and through? I am not writing about perfection! That is the goal of AI. Our aim is growth and authenticity.

In another letter Paul speaks of his own growth in the life to which Christ called him. “I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, ^I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”  (Philippians 3) He confesses, as all Christians should, that he is a work in process!

 

Our aim should be to ‘keep step with the Spirit,’ to learn to be responsive to His call to surrender Self and embrace the way of Christ. Here is what I know – if we present ourselves to Him in honest humility He will transform us, from the inside out, creating an authentic faith that shows up in the best of times and the worst days.

Don’t slip into the trap of being a poser, a pseudo-Christian.
Pray to be real.
Invite others, not pridefully, but because you are authentic, to follow you as you follow Christ Jesus.

Here is a word from the Word.
“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. …
Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them.
Hate what is wrong.
Hold tightly to what is good.
Love each other with genuine affection, and
take delight in honoring each other.
Never be lazy but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.
Rejoice in our confident hope.
Be patient in trouble and keep on praying.”  (Romans 12)

God, keep us from fakery, pretense, and polished images.
Rather, may we be authentic followers of Jesus, growing in grace each day.
Help us to know the Way and to invite others to walk it with us.
In Jesus’ Name. Amen

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