Saint Jerry?

I really want to be a saint! St. Jerry has such a cool sound to it. Don’t you agree? Forget the Rev. thing. Just make me a saint. You think I’m joking? I’m totally serious. Actually sainthood is not so farfetched. In fact, as a disciple of Jesus Christ, that status is available to me.

Sainthood is not about comparison with other people. Using that measure, we can all find those much worse, think mass murderers, etc.; alongside of which we all come off as really nice people! But measure my alongside of that of Mother Theresa and my star dims considerably.

Sainthood is not about earning kudos from others, either. I think I could find at least 4 people who would write a letter on my behalf. (I have 4 kids who love me!) But then, I suppose, there would those who I have offended along the way who would be compelled to write and set the record straight!

Sainthood is not about compiling a record of good works or holy deeds. OK, now you’re stumped right? Didn’t you think this saint thing was exactly that? Well, it is, kind of. Saints do those kind of things, but it is because they are saints, not what makes them saints. Ministering to people in need creates a real positive buzz. Saints ought to do things like volunteer to serve in the local fire department, go visit those who confined in sick beds, offer to coach Little League, give of their resources to church and charity, join the Peace Corp, be kind to children, adopt a dog from the local animal shelter… are you exhausted yet? But, if you could earn a 'saint' certificate the question becomes, when do you reach the point of getting the award?

The Scripture speaks frequently about being a ‘saint.’ Here’s the deal, disciple. God declares you and me to be saints, not because we’re good enough, but because Christ Jesus imputes (gives us status we cannot earn) his perfect righteousness to us. In common terms, we are saints because of Who we know, not because of what we do! Yes, I really am St. Jerry, though the practical evidence of that status is still being worked out in my life. The Bible says we are, "beloved of God, called to be saints." (Romans 1:7, NKJV) Repeatedly in his letters to the churches scattered across the Roman Empire, Paul addresses ‘the saints.’ Take a look. "The Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will." (Romans 8:27, NIV) He opens his letters often with this phrase: "to the saints… the faithful in Christ Jesus." (Ephesians 1:1, NIV)

So, we ask, did that first century Church have a lot of very holy, especially wonderful, extraordinarily spiritually gifted people? Yes, and no. They were Christians just like you and me- some days very good and some days, not so holy at all – but always saints. Here’s what we must never forget: a saint is a person who is called to be one of God's own people, whose sins are forgiven in Christ Jesus, and in whom the Spirit of God is presently at work! All those who are ‘in Christ’ are saints. Sainthood is "Not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship..."

Summing up I’d say, we aren't saints because we're better than someone else, or because some church nominates us for a special fraternity, or because we have checked off a certain number of boxes in the good works ledger! We are saints because He called us to be saints. Peter reminds us of the work of the Holy Trinity that is doing a transformational work in us. "I am writing to God's chosen people [saints] . . . God the Father chose you long ago, and the Spirit has made you holy. As a result, you have obeyed Jesus Christ and are cleansed by his blood." (1 Peter 1:1-2 NLT)

So, dear saint... yes, YOU... give thanks today for that high and holy calling. Focus on the faithfulness of the One who called you into His holy family. Then, make it your intent to conform your life to your true identity as one of God's own saints. "I beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace." (Ephesians 4:1-3, NLT)

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

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

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


By the way, saints belong in church on the Lord's Day. If you’re in the Washington, NJ area – join us this Sunday at 10:15 AM!If you out of the area, you can join us via the web at our webcast link found at http://www.WashingtonAG.com

How to break Jesus’ heart

Heart breakers are people who build up expectations, make promises, say all the right things; and then, leave! Just about everyone knows heart break sometime in life. When my daughters were teenagers, I dreaded knowing that some boy would sweet talk them, promise them forever, and then two weeks later, walk off, leaving them with a broken heart! And, it happened. No matter how much love their Mom and I poured into them, it took time for them to recover, to realize that their life was not over at age 16! In my pastoral ministry, people in my care have brought a broken heart into my office because a spouse left for another. Men and women, alike, cry when love fails.

Did you know that we can break the heart of our Lord? It’s true! In the book of the Revelation, Christ Jesus speaks to seven churches about their successes and failures. The church in Ephesus was a good church. I think I would have really liked being their pastor! They were hard-working, didn’t give up with things got tough, knew their doctrine, and remained holy. Who wouldn’t like a church like that? But, despite all this good stuff, they broke the Lord’s heart! How? I quote His words: "Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love." (Revelation 2:4, NIV) The passion was gone, the joy replaced by dutiful service! Jesus Christ wants more than our good works, more than our showing up in church, more than our paying our tithe! Who knew? He wants us to love Him!

There’s an old song that includes these lyrics: “You don't bring me flowers. You don't sing me love songs! You hardly talk to me anymore when you come through the door at the end of the day.” (Neil Diamond) It’s a song about heart break, not because the relationship was over, but because the passion had become a “used to be.” Have you allowed your love for the Lord to cool? Are you staying holy, going to church, reading your Bible – but failing to give Him time, failing to talk life over with Him in prayer, failing to seek His guidance for each day? Love demands TIME more than anything!

Jesus went on to call on those disciples to change. His prescription for them included three words: Remember! Repent! Repeat! "Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent, and do the things you did at first." (Revelation 2:5, NIV) Have you settled for a religion? Are you content with orthodoxy, ritual, and discipline? They are all good things in their place. We need solid doctrine to keep us from falling into deception. We need ritual that comforts us and keeps us from being distracted by silly fads that come and go in our churches. We need discipline that sustains us when emotion ebbs. And, we need to stoke the fire of passion for Jesus Christ, to love Him with our “heart, soul, mind, and strength!”

I don’t want to be heart-breaker! So, I am going to - Remember! Repent! Repeat!

"The Lord protects all those who love him, but he destroys the wicked." (Psalm 145:20, NLT)
_____________

I'm calling out to You;
There must something more,
some deeper place to find,
some secret place to hide,
where I've not gone before!

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

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

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

Passion for Jesus
Brian Houston
1999 Thankyou Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
CCLI License No. 810055

A visionary or just a dreamer?

Driving long distances has one benefit for an easily distracted person like me: it allows time for focused thought! Yesterday I spent about 5 hours in my car alone. That’s a lot of thinking! I prayerfully thought about the direction and health of the church I pastor. What is God’s purpose for us? Which ministries are aligned to that purpose? Which exist simply because ‘that’s the way we’ve always done it?’ Where do we need to strengthen? Are there programs we should cut? The right answers to those questions depends on something called, vision; which is the ability to see a reality that is yet in the making. Some people are visionary and others are just dreamers! That is why I sincerely prayed: “Lord, protect me from simply dreaming up schemes and fill me with Your insight for this church.”

You need God’s vision for your life. Without one, you will drift with the currents of fads and fashion. Vision keeps a nation, a church, and yes; a life, on course. When I get discouraged one of the reasons I persevere is because of the vision God gave me about serving Him. A long time ago, when I just a teenage boy, He called me to serve Him in His church. I wasn’t too excited about this line of work! I knew that vocational ministry was a lifestyle more than a job, that the pay not all that great, and the burden of dealing with spiritual issues sometimes heavy. But, I also ‘saw’ the chance to help people discover God’s plans. God helped me to ‘see’ the intangible rewards, things like the joy that I would share when a life in ruins was restored by God’s love and grace expressed through me. That vision has kept me faithful to the Call.

God spoke to Habbakuk about vision and said,
“Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry." (Habakkuk 2:2-3, NKJV) What He told the prophet remains important for us.

Vision needs to be refined and defined!
Vision must be preserved and shared.
Vision may not see fulfillment for a long time, but if it is from God,
you can count on it happening!

The Proverb is familiar and oh so true. "Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he." (Proverbs 29:18, KJV) It is even more plain as translated in The Message: "If people can’t see what God is doing, they stumble all over themselves; but when they attend to what he reveals, they are most blessed." Some of God’s purposes for us are revealed in His Word; things like living with integrity in our work, fidelity to our marriage, making His kingdom authority our number one priority in life. And, then there is His promise to give us a vision and gifts of the Spirit to bring it to fulfillment.

So, what’s your purpose, God’s vision for your life?
There is no question that is more important. Are you asking it?

__________________

Be Thou my Vision,
O Lord of my heart;
Nought be all else to me,
Save that Thou art
Thou my best thought,
By day or by night,
Waking or sleeping,
Thy presence my light.

Be Thou my Wisdom,
And Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee
And Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father,
I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling,
And I with Thee one.

Riches I heed not,
Nor man's empty praise,
Thou mine inheritance,
Now and always:
Thou and Thou only,
First in my heart,
High King of heaven,
My Treasure Thou art.

High King of heaven,
My victory won,
May I reach heaven's joys,
O bright heaven's Sun!
Heart of my own heart,
Whatever befall,
Still be my Vision,
O Ruler of all.

Be Thou My Vision

Hull, Eleanor / Byrne, Mary E.
© Public Domain

It’s a heart health issue!

There was the outburst of Rep. Wilson, the congressman who shouted “you lie!” at the President in the House. There was the foul-mouthed tirade of Serena Williams at the US Open Tennis Tournament. There was Kanye West jumping on stage to take the mic from the hands of Taylor Swift as she celebrated her award to declare to the world that he thought another artist deserved it. And, there were two young guys who cursed me rudely yesterday when I spoke to them!

What’s up with this rudeness? Is it something new? No, not really, despite all the hand-wringing of the pundits. I agree with George Will, who opined yesterday, that Americans feel entitled to say whatever is on their mind without the restraints of social rules. If we think it, we believe we can and should say it. This ‘openness’ is a developing trend, but I know that contempt for others that spills over in rude, hateful, or biased words is as old as humanity!

If we want our words to change, Jesus diagnoses the real source of the problem, the place where the change starts. “You have minds like a snake pit! How do you suppose what you say is worth anything when you are so foul-minded? It’s your heart, not the dictionary, that gives meaning to your words. A good person produces good deeds and words season after season. An evil person is a blight on the orchard. Let me tell you something: Every one of these careless words is going to come back to haunt you. There will be a time of Reckoning. Words are powerful; take them seriously." (Matthew 12:34-36, The Message) When anger is boiling deep inside, angry words will inevitably spill over. If filthy fantasies are harbored and savored in the dark corners of our mind, it should not surprise us when we speak foul words. If we hang onto prejudice and hatred in our attitudes, no matter how carefully we filter our speech, eventually others will know the truth about us. Here’s the fact, disciple: We cannot change the content of our speech by putting a lock on our lips.

Got a speech problem? Are you fighting to hold back your words? Do you work hard at having two vocabularies, one for your Christian friends and one for the working world? That is a heart health issue, disciple. God desires real change. The Word demands that we become people whose words are full of healing! Take a look. "Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior." (Ephesians 4:29-32, NLT)

The Spirit will change our hearts, if we allow Him full access. Will it be an easy process? Probably not. It involves honesty with ourselves and God. We must stop making excuses, acknowledge the truth about who we are, what we say, and what we do. The Word promises that "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9, NIV) Listen to your words. Do they cut, wound, bruise, and batter? Or do they build up, encourage, and bring healing?

Here’s a word from the Word. Let’s make it our prayer and ask God to make our speech noticeably different, marked by Heaven’s accent!

"How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart?
Cleanse me from these hidden faults.
Keep your servant from deliberate sins!
Don’t let them control me.

Then I will be free of guilt and innocent of great sin.
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer." (Psalm 19:12-14, NLT)

Are you secure? Are you sure?

Have you traveled by air recently? While I know that screening travelers is a good thing, some of the process is downright silly! On a recent trip to Florida my Mom; who is 73, about 5’ tall, and weighs about 100 lbs., accompanied Bev and me. She had a hip replaced three years ago and it tripped the detectors. She was pulled from the line and subjected to a complete search. One man following me in the line, laughed out loud and remarked, "Oh, she looks like a terrorist for sure!" But, the TSA screeners are not allowed discretion so as to minimize the risk of error. Thus, the silliness of subjecting my Mom to a pat-down! And yet, for all the appearances of security, I accept that a truly determined terrorist could still create death and destruction if he wanted to.

I am sometimes amused and sometimes annoyed by the things that government and institutions do to create an appearance of security. We want assurances that we are safe from terrorists, from crime, from risk of injury, from germs. While I appreciate the importance of minimizing risk, I also know that as long as I am part of this world, there is no way to completely erase the possibility of being harmed by the unforeseen. Accidents happen!

But there is one security that is not at risk- my eternal salvation! With Paul I say, "I know Whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day." (2 Timothy 1:12, NIV) In another passage, he asserts, "I’m absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us." (Romans 8:38-39, The Message)
In Christ alone is my security. I do not trust my own goodness, nor do I put faith in my heritage. I have no confidence in my ability to impress God with my holiness. I put my hope in His promise, assured by the Cross that my sins are forgiven and by the Resurrection that I will live in my Father’s house.

Are you fearful, disciple? Do the threats of life trouble you, robbing you of peace?
"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith!... He sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2, NIV) "Sat down" indicates that the work is finished, the objective of securing our salvation is complete!

Here’s a word from the Word to take with you today.
"Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God." (Psalm 20:7, NIV)
_____________

In the name of Jesus
Our salvation lies;
He will hear from heaven
To answer ev'ry cry.

By the blood of Jesus,
Sins are washed away;
We sing for joy
To God, our strength,
His banner we wave.

Some may trust in horses,
Some may trust in chariots,
But we will trust
In the name of the Lord.

Some May Trust In Chariots
DeShazo, Lynn
© 1992 Integrity's Hosanna! Music (c/o Integrity Music, Inc.)
CCLI License No. 810055