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?
Friday, April 13, 2007
Thursday, April 12, 2007
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
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
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
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!
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!
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
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)
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)
Monday, April 09, 2007
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
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
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