June 1

   “Meanwhile, when the crowd gathered by the thousands, so that they trampled on one another, he began to speak first to his disciples, “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees, that is, their hypocrisy. Nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known. Therefore whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be proclaimed from the housetops. “I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that can do nothing more. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him! Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten in God’s sight. But even the hairs of your head are all counted. Do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.” (Luke 12:1–7, NRSV)  
 
"Fear the Lord, but Be Not Afraid?" 

In the scripture from Luke, chapter 12, we see two commands by Jesus that on the surface seem to contradict each other. In one verse, Jesus says, "Do not be afraid." (Luke 12:7) In another, he seems to say, "Fear HIM [God] who can cast you into hell" (Luke 12:5).  How can Jesus expect us to follow these two seemingly opposite commands?

"Be not afraid" is a common statement by angels in the scriptures. The angel Gabriel told Mary to "not be afraid" when he visited her and told her she was going to give birth to the Messiah (Luke 1:30). On another occasion, Joseph was told not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife (Matthew 2). On a number of other occasions in the Old Testament and in the New, angels and prophets and those sent by God told the faithful not to be afraid when God was watching over them. Many of us find comfort in these words... "do not be afraid". They give us courage to be strong in faith and not fear those who might be doing evil.

In effect, Jesus is saying that when you are doing the right thing in life, doing what God wants you to do, living faithfully, you should not live in fear. God is watching over you. God will make any wrongs right. God will avenge wrongs done to you. God is a powerful force to reckon with when people fight against what is right. If you are doing God's work, you have nothing to fear from God. God will stand beside you and with you.

Did you hear about the guy who drove his car into a ditch on a country road? Fortunately, a local farmer came by with his big strong horse named Buddy. The farmer hitched Buddy to the car and shouted, "Pull, Nellie, pull!" Buddy didn't move. Then he hollered, "Pull, Buster, pull!" Buddy just stood there. Once more the farmer yelled, "Pull, Coco, pull!" Still nothing. Then the farmer calmly said. "Pull. Buddy, pull!" The horse immediately stepped forward and easily pulled the car out of the ditch. The motorist was grateful but very curious. He asked the farmer why he had called his horse by the wrong name three times. "Oh!" the farmer replied. "Buddy's blind. He gets scared. If he thinks he's pulling alone, he wouldn't even try. But if he knows he is with others, he goes at it with all his might."

So often, we are like Buddy. We feel afraid that we are the only one doing the work. We feel the heavy load and don't think we can do what God knows we can do.  We are afraid of really doing the big things in life that matter. Don't be afraid to take on great challenges that God wants you to overcome. Don't be afraid to stand firm and do what is right even though others might chastise you for it. God and you can accomplish so much together.

Now, while Jesus says here in these verses that we should "not be afraid" (12:7), he also says something that sounds contradictory. He says, "Fear Him who has the power to cast you into hell!" (Luke 12:5)  In a sense, Jesus is saying, "Fear God." Now, you might read these commands of Jesus and say to yourself, "Wait a minute, Jesus is saying two opposite things here.  He is saying, "Do not be afraid" in Luke 12:7 right after he says "Fear HIM [God]  who can cast you into hell" in Luke 12:5.   Yes, Jesus does say these things that seem contradictory in English.    However, this contradiction doesn't exist in the same way in the original language (Greek) of the Bible.   To "Fear God" in these verses does not mean to be afraid of God, but instead to show God respect and authority. Being afraid of God is for those who fight against God. Fearing God is for those who love God. We respect God, but aren't afraid of Him.

There are, however, some who do not show respect for God or for others. This scripture should be a warning to them that God doesn't take kindly to disrespect.

What I'm about to tell you may shock you. When I was in my first parish, I loved to sit out on a chair on my porch.  I'd watch the sun set.  I'd listen for the birds singing.  I'd pray. One evening, as I was enjoying the setting sun,  I looked back behind the church at the cemetery.  There was movement that caught my eye.  In the twilight, I noticed a person whom I didn't recognize standing beside a grave on the far edge of the cemetery. I was worried about vandalism in the cemetery.  That had happened before.  I went into the parsonage and got my dog.  By the time we got outside, the man was gone.  I walked the dog over to the far edge of the cemetery, and there my dog smelled something.  There was urine all over a grave.  It was upsetting to see, especially because I knew the person who was buried there.   I prayed and asked God to humble this man, whomever he was, so that he would learn to show respect to God and others.

Years later, I found out who urinated on that grave.   Not only did he have disrespect for God, he was in and out of jail.  He was proof that when you show no fear or respect of God, it will show through negatively in other areas of your life.   I found out from the man's family that after four years in jail, he wanted to speak to a pastor about his "issues".  I was even more surprised when they called me to speak with him.  God is still working on him, teaching him a new attitude of respect.  I have hope that some day he will truly "fear (respect) God".

Respect for God, fearing God, is a requirement for the faithful. It is a sign of spiritual maturity. It is a sign of godliness in your life. There are those in our world who do not show much godliness. There are others who are godly in many ways. They show respect for God in what they do, what they stand for, what they believe. And God notices.  God doesn't want those who respect HIM to be afraid of HIM.  God wants their love and thanks, their hope and commitment; not their fearfulness.

In the town of Stepanavan, Armenia, there is a lady who is known by all in town as simply, "Palasan's wife." She has her own name, of course, but townspeople do not call her by her name.  Throughout the area, she is known instead by the name, "Palasan's wife." They don't do this to show her disfavor, but to show her great honor.

When the devastating 1988 earthquake struck Armenia, it was nearly noon, and Palasan was at work. He rushed to the elementary school where his son was a student. The facade was already crumbling, but he entered the building and began pushing children outside to safety. After Palasan had managed to help twenty-eight children out, an aftershock hit that completely collapsed the school building and killed him. So the people of Stepanavan honor his memory and his widow by calling her Palasan's wife. Nobody passes her without showing her respect, a respect she deserves because of the great deeds of her husband.

In the same way, we are to show respect to our God. He saves people every day. Do not be afraid to stand up against evil. Do not be afraid to face obstacles and overcome your worries.  Fear (Respect) God.  These commands of "not being afraid" and "fearing God" are not contradictory.  They are complementary in the faithful life.  Are respect, fearlessness, and godliness a hallmark of your faith journey?  Are you afraid of something God doesn't want you to fear?

 
June 2
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   “The disciples came to him and asked, 'Why do you speak to the people in parables?' He replied, 'The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. This is why I speak to them in parables: “Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand. In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: “ ‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.’ But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. For I tell you the truth, many prophets and righteous men longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.'” (Matthew 13:10–17   NIV84)  


"Do You Hear and Listen?"

A Midnight phone call always stirs a mother's heart. We all know what it's like to get that phone call in the middle of the night. Well, a mother received a phone call one night. Jerking up to the ringing phone, she focused on the red, illuminated numbers of her clock. Midnight. Panicky thoughts filled her sleep-dazed mind as she grabbed the receiver. "Hello?"

"Mama?" The voice answered. The woman could hardly hear the whisper over the static. She could hear a young crying voice. "Mama, I know it's late. But don't . . . don't say anything until I finish. And before you ask, yes I've been drinking. I nearly ran off the road a few miles back and . . ."

The woman drew in a sharp, shallow breath, but she realized her young daughter of sixteen was at home in the bedroom down the hall. She sent her husband down the hall to see. Yup, she was there. He came back and told her, then sat on the edge of the bed listening to the phone conversation. Who was this young girl?
The teen on the other end of the phone continued to speak. Interspersed with crying she said, "I got so scared. All I could think of was how it would hurt you if a policeman came to your door and said I'd been killed.  I want . . . to come home. I know running away was wrong. I know you've been worried sick.  I should have called but I was afraid . . . just afraid . ."

The woman realized that the girl was in trouble. She stayed on the line, wanting to tell the young girl she wasn't her mother.  She spoke, "I think…" but the young girl stopped her with tears.  "No! Please let me finish! Please!" she pleaded, not so much in anger, but in desperation. Before the woman could finish her sentence, the girl continued. "I'm pregnant, Mama. I know I shouldn't be drinking now, especially now, but I'm so scared Mama. So scared!" The voice broke again.  "Are you still there, mama? Please don't hang up on me!  I need you. I feel so alone."

From somewhere, the woman heard herself say, "I'm here, I wouldn't hang up."

"You know, back there on the road after I got the car under control, I started thinking about the baby and taking care of it. Then I could hear you preaching to me about how people shouldn't drink and drive. So I called a taxi. I want to come home."  

"That's good honey," the woman said.  

" Mama. Please forgive me." The woman could picture this young girl out there, alone.  "There's the taxi, now." Said the teen.  "I'm coming home, Mama." There was a click, and the phone went silent.

Moving from the bed, tears forming in her eyes, she walked out into the hall and went to stand by her 16-year-old daughter's room. Her husband came from behind, wrapped his arms around her and rested his chin on the top of her head. She wiped the tears from her cheeks. "We have to learn to listen better." she said to him.

Her husband studied her for a second, then asked, "Do you think she'll ever know she dialed the wrong number?"

The woman looked at our sleeping daughter, then back at him. "Maybe it wasn't such a wrong number."

A muffled voice came from under the bed-covers... "Mom, Dad, what are you doing?" The woman walked over to her daughter, who now sat up staring into the darkness. "We're practicing," she answered.

"Practicing what?" the girl mumbled and laid back on the mattress, her eyes already closing in sleep.

"Listening," the woman whispered to her daughter, and brushed a hand over her cheek.

Does it take a phone call in the night to remind you that sometimes you don't listen? Do you tune people out when they talk? Are you one to hear a family member speak, but you are so busy or so caught up in your own world that you don't listen to what they are saying? Do you do this with God as well? Do you hear God speaking to your heart and soul, but you just don't listen too well?

In the gospel of Matthew above, Jesus was talking to his disciples. What he said to them is that when he speaks, some people hear him but don't listen to his words. Others don't understand when they hear His words of  wisdom. Jesus even went on to say that some people refuse to listen when God or wisdom or truth comes to their ears.  "Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand." (Matthew 13:13)  Jesus was convinced that followers might hear him, but they may not listen or understand once in a while.  Would that describe you?

I have found that for many people, it is difficult to listen well. You may hear the words, but not truly listen to the wisdom or understand the meaning.

I was in a confirmation class years ago. We were having a candy test. During a candy test, I ask a question. If the confirmand gets the question right, he or she gets a piece of candy. If they get it wrong, they give me a piece of candy if they have one. As I was asking one youth a question, I saw out of the corner of my eye as another confirmand reached out and stole a piece of candy from the confirmand next to him. He did it in such a sneaky manner, that the other confirmand never saw it. A few minutes later, it was time to ask a question from the kid who stole the candy.  I said to him, "For a piece of candy, tell me what is the eighth commandment."

He thought for a moment, then looked pleased and said, "Thou shalt not steal".

"Right!" I said. "Good job." And I gave him a piece of candy.

Then, I went on to the next kid and the next. As I did, I noticed out of the corner of my eye. The confirmand who stole the candy put what he had stolen back in the pile from where he had taken it.  Again, he did it so that no one else saw it, or so he thought.  He wasn't just hearing my words.   He was listening.

Sometimes, we hear hymns, we speak during worship, we say the Lord's prayer, but its all words to us.  You need to truly listen to the words to garnish their meaning.   You need to comprehend the scripture to get anything significant from it.  It's one thing to be able to say, "I come to church every week." It's something wholly different to say, "I understand what God is saying to me."

In your marriage, you may speak to your spouse. In your family, you may hear children talking. Do you truly listen to them?

In your prayers, in your bible study, in your life, God is constantly speaking to you. You might be hearing it, but are you truly listening?
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I pray it doesn't take a phone call in the night to get you to listen. I pray it doesn't take a serious illness or a problem in life to listen to those you love or to God's voice. Jesus knows when you hear him. He places more value on truly listening to him.  Are you?
 
June 3

“Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” So out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them; and whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name. The man gave names to all cattle, and to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for the man there was not found a helper fit for him. So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh; and the rib which the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. Then the man said, “This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.” Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and cleaves to his wife, and they become one flesh. And the man and his wife were both naked, and were not ashamed.” (Genesis 2:18–25   RSV)  


   A mother from Chicago wrote: "When our daughter announced she was getting married after an eight-year engagement, I couldn't hide my relief. On the day of the wedding, the nervous bride was pacing up and down, giving orders.  "Don't anybody cry," she ordered her sisters. "I'll lose it if you do!"  Next, she warned her father: "Don't crack any jokes when you give me away."  Then, wagging her finger in mom's face, she scolded, "And Mom, don't you cheer!"  (Citation: June Eaton, Villa Park, Illinois. Christian Reader, "Rolling Down the Aisle.")

In this story, the bride is very nervous. She gives her orders. She wanted everything just right. Marriage is a big step.   Marriage is difficult.  But having someone next to you in life who loves you is a gift from God!

In Genesis chapter 2 from our Bible, we are told about creation. There at creation, God created a man named Adam. Adam took care of things on earth. He got to know the animals and the plants.  He even was given the honor by God of naming the animals (Genesis 2:20). Adam was God's representative on earth.  However, Adam's life was lacking.  Adam was lonely. He didn't have someone to be with him, to stand beside him. God saw Adam's loneliness.  God put Adam into a deep sleep and made a woman from him named Eve to be his wife. The next day, God presented Eve to Adam as a precious gift. Thereafter, scripture never says that Adam was ever lonely again.

One of the greatest gifts of marriage is that you have someone who loves you so much that he or she is willing to stand beside you in life.  When God made Eve, He called her a "helpmate" or a "helper" for Adam. Let's admit it, sometimes you need a helper in life to share something, to tell some good news, to reminisce, or just talk through a bad day with someone. In a marriage, husband and wife are meant to face life together as a gift of God, so that neither is lonely. To have a godly marriage, you need to accept your spouse as a gift from God.  You also need to love each other without reservation. God wants you committed in your love to each other, and there for each other throughout your life together.

Some years ago, I went to visit the home of an elderly couple. When I got to their house, I noticed humble surroundings. They lived in a mobile home with a nice deck, and lots of flowers outside. They kept a pretty yard. When I knocked on the door, the wife answered. She invited me in. There were pictures all over the walls of family and friends, of anniversaries and memories. Then, the husband came in the back door. He had seen my car and apologized for being late. He turned to me and said some words I won't soon forget, "Oh, I see you've been talking with my wife and best friend. You sit down and talk while I wash up. I'll be back in a minute." It was beautiful that he saw his wife as his best friend after forty some years of marriage. I found out that the two had lived through some terrible tragedies, from the loss of a business to the loss of health and heart surgery. Through it all, those two best friends were so close. Their eyes lit up whenever they were around each other. Why? Because they saw each other as a gift from God.

In too many marriages, couples lose their love. They don't become closer, but more distant. They don't see the other as a gift, but as a ball and chain! Where's the love?  From all the way back at creation, God planned marriage as a greater kind of love for people to share. God wants a love that is strong, endures, and is an example for others. God wants the love between husband and wife to be an example of God's love.  God wants you to be a helper for your spouse, helping with loving care.

A woman in her forties had a terrible stroke. The right side of her body wouldn't function. Her right arm hung limp. The side of her face was drooped and numb. Her mouth twisted to one side. As she lay in a hospital bed, the nurses and doctor worried what would happen when her husband saw her in such a condition. They told him about the stroke, but not that the woman's face was distorted from damage to her brain. When he walked into the room for the first time, a nurse walked with him, ready to console the wife. Most husbands walk into a room like that and turn away because they can't stand the sight of a beautiful wife whose face has been twisted by brain damage. The man and the nurse burst through the hospital door. The man stopped and was about to speak. The nurse cringed waiting for the next words and the fallout. The husband spoke, "My love, I have so missed you! I couldn't wait to see you, to hug you and kiss you!" He walked by the bed and threw his arms around her and kissed her tenderly. They didn't even notice the nurse leaving in tears, amazed by the love in that room!
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Biblical marriage is a covenant between a man and woman (Genesis 2:24, I Corinthians 7:2, Ephesians 5:31, etc.) that involves God.  Eve was created for Adam as a gift from God.  If you are married and faithful to God, your spouse should be respected as a gift from God.  I pray you treat your spouse as the gift God intended. More than that.  I pray you learn what true love is by learning to love the ones God puts next to you in life.  There is a reason God puts certain people near you.  There was a reason Eve was created for Adam.  There is a purpose to those God brings into your life.  Have you figured that out yet?

June 4
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   “Blessed is the man who endures trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life which God has promised to those who love him. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted with evil and he himself tempts no one; but each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin; and sin when it is full-grown brings forth death.” (James 1:12–15, RSV)  


"Temptation and Testing"

Most Christians think that temptation and testing are the same thing.  When a person is being tested in life, often they see it as if the devil is tempting him or her. When temptation to do wrong overtakes you, you might say, "God, why are you testing me?" But,this response is biblically incorrect. In the Bible, there is a world of  difference between tempting and testing. The two are exact opposites. In a lack of understanding, people often use the words tempting and testing as if they mean the same thing.  They do not. You see.... God tests, but never tempts you. And Satan tempts you, but never tests you.

In the book of James, we are told, "let no one say when he is tempted that he is tempted by God. Because God cannot be tempted with evil, and neither does he tempt anyone" (James 1:13).  People may tempt you. Satan may tempt you. But God does not tempt you. God tests you, but never tempts you.

In Matthew chapter 4, Jesus faces Satan one on one in the desert. Satan came there to tempt Jesus.  Even Jesus was tempted. Being human, he couldn't escape temptation by Satan.   Have you ever noticed when Satan decided to tempt Jesus?   Satan came when Jesus was hungry. Satan also chose this time to tempt Jesus, because Jesus was just starting out in his ministry.   That's how Satan works. He comes when you are down, when your faith is new, when you are weak, when you are tired and hungry, overworked, irritable, or having a bad day.  Your weakest moment becomes the perfect time for Satan to tempt you.

In the Lord's prayer we say, "lead us not into temptation." Jesus didn't say, "Thank you God that there is no temptation for the faithful."  We all are tempted. The book of James tells us that we are tempted by our own thoughts, by desires, by things that entice us (James 1:14).   Your emotions often play right into your temptation.  Your weakness, psychologically or physically, becomes Satan's plaything. 

In Jamaica, there is a curious shrub that you see on the side of the road as you travel. Local island people call this shrub the "wait a bit bush". If you walk up to the wait a bit bush, you will note that it looks like any other bush. You might decide to stand near this bush to block the wind.   To shield yourself from the sun, you might even lay down near it in the shade. Getting too close to a "wait a bit bush" could be your undoing. You see, when your clothes touch the bush, you become snared by its thorns which are like little fishhooks. The more you try to free yourself, the more your clothes will become entangled in the barbs. The only way to get yourself free is to cut your clothes or have a friend free you. Either way, you can't free yourself easily. The devil has many "wait a bit bushes" along the road of life. People can easily become hooked by some bad habit.  They may become overly concerned with possessions or money. They might get entangled by  power or the accolades of others. Satan knows this. That's why he tempts you. He knows he can hook you. All he needs to do is get close enough, get you to listen, get you to fall for the temptation.
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Being tempted is never easy. You can fail to see the big picture. The temptation may prove terribly enticing.  Your mind might get bewitched believing that doing something wrong is the right thing to do.   That's what makes temptation so dangerous. That's why Satan uses it.

A minister parked his car in a no-parking zone in a large city, because he was short of time and couldn't find a space with a meter. Then, he put a note under the windshield wiper that read: "I have circled the block ten times. If I don't park here, I'll miss my appointment. FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES." When he returned, he found a citation from a police officer along with this note. "I've circled this block for ten years. If I don't give you a ticket, I'll lose my job. LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION." Every one of us is tempted by the wrongs of life. God wants you  to do what is right.
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As I stated, Satan will try to tempt you. God will never tempt you to do wrong, but God may test your faith to prove you choose the right. Alexander MacLaren, in a sermon entitled "Faith Tested and Crowned," distinguished between being tempted and being tested. He said that "temptation appeals to the worst part of man, with the wish that he may yield and do the wrong. That's what Satan does. Testing appeals to the better part of man, with the desire that he should stand. Temptation says, 'Do this pleasant thing; do not be hindered by the fact that it is wrong.' Trial or testing says, 'Do this right and noble thing; do not be hindered by the fact that it is painful.' Satan tempts you to trip you up. God tests you to prove your faith and make your stronger and better.

Why does a teacher give tests in school?  Is it to torture the students, to make them fail, to show them that they can never be perfect?  No. Testing shows the teacher what the students have learned. Testing helps the student to understand the material. Testing forces the student to learn and shows if the student is learning correctly. It is no surprise to me that the Master Teacher, God, uses testing. HE also wants you to learn lessons in life. HE wants you to learn the material of faith.

A minister was making a wooden trellis to support a climbing vine. As he was nailing the pieces in place, he noticed that a little boy was watching him. The youngster didn't say a word, so the preacher kept on working, thinking the lad would leave. But he didn't leave. Pleased at the thought that his work was being admired, the pastor finally said, "Well, son, trying to pick up some pointers on gardening?"

"No," the boy replied,  "I'm just waiting to hear what a preacher says when he hits his thumb with a hammer."  Trust me when I say, that pastor was being tested. The little boy wanted to see what the pastor did when he accidentally hit is thumb with the hammer. The boy wanted to see if the pastor was like other people who might swear when they missed with a hammer. Every one of us is tested by God and others to see if we are truly faithful, even when it hurts!

When you are tested in the days and weeks and months ahead, I want you to be excited about it. Don't dread it. God is testing you to prove your faith, to make you better, stronger, and more faithful. And when you are tempted to do wrong, when Satan has a bead on you and is betting you fail, be excited about it as well. By saying "NO" to what is wrong and continuing to do what is right, you are showing God that you are fit for HIS kingdom. So, whether tempted by Satan or tested by God, don't get down about it. Rise to the occasion. Do well. Do your best. Be excited. God is watching. God will notice when you pass the tests of life. This scripture tells us that those who pass the tests of faith will be given the crown of life, eternal life (James 1:12). That is your award. It is given to those who are tested and proven to be faithful in life and in death.

June 5

    "These men are grumblers and faultfinders; they follow their own evil desires; they boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage. But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. They said to you, 'In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.' These are the men who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit. But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh. To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.” (Jude 16–25, NIV84)  

 There are times I say the absolute wrong thing. I remember the time that a man I hadn't seen at church in some time was seated near me at a restaurant. Upon recognizing him, I walked up to his table, glad to see him again. I threw out my hand for a handshake and said, "I haven't seen you in the longest time, how have you been?" What I was thinking was, "I haven't had a chance to talk with this guy for a long time, I wonder how he is doing." But what came out sounded like I was making fun of him not being at church for some time. I must admit, my conversational skills fail me at the wrong moments.  I say the wrong thing, or I say the right thing at the wrong time. I was at a funeral visitation one evening.  There, instead of saying, "I'm sorry about the loss of your husband", I said, "I'm sorry they lost your husband."   I wanted so badly to start that day over again!

What amazes me are people who speak so eloquently. When they speak, the words just seem to flow. They don't fumble with their words. They say the perfect words at the right time.  At a church social,  a visitor asked the pastor to guess her age. When he hesitated, she said, "Oh, you must have some idea."

"I have two ideas," he admitted. "My problem is . . . I can't decide whether to make you ten years younger because of your looks, or ten years older because of your charm." Wow, the flattery. So well spoken. I could never come up with a response that playful!  

People like flattery.  I remember a man who spoke about a politician in this way, "He can make a pig feel that the mud is the most beautiful home anyone would want to live in." Flattery can make you feel important.  Flattery can make you feel proud.  But, flattery may play with your emotions.   It can also be used to manipulate you. Someone may flatter you to hide flaws or to turn you to their side. The scripture today even contains a warning to watch out for those who "flatter others for their own advantage" (Jude 16).

From the letter of Jude found near the end of our New Testament, we find words of wisdom for a difficult age. Jude had much praise for the faithful. He begins his letter to the church by saying, "To those who have been called, who are loved by God the Father and kept by Jesus Christ: Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance" (Jude 1-2).  These words show the warmth Jude had for fellow faithful Christians. However, he also saw in the churches and in life, people who were not faithful to God.  Jude had harsh words for grumblers, whiners, the prideful and arrogant, and those who made fun of others (Jude 16, 18).  He had no good words to describe those who caused divisions in churches (Jude 19).  And he also  warned of those who "flatter others for their own advantage." Jude saw flattery as a dangerous temptation used to manipulate the faithful. 

In Jude's list of dangerous people for churches are divisive persons called "faultfinders" (Jude 16).  A "faultfinder" is a person who looks for your perceived weaknesses or failures.  To find fault in someone means that you look constantly for the imperfections in others to use it against them in some way. When you speak, a faultfinder will find some problem with what you say. When you do something, a faultfinder will find something wrong with your actions. A faultfinder is constantly on the look out for flaws, failures, sins, problems, or psychological or physical imperfections in another person.   If they don't find a flaw in you, they conjure one up.  They can hardly look at you without finding some fault.  Have you ever known a fault-finding person?

A young man in college took his girlfriend home to meet his parents. He really liked this girl and was getting serious. He was in love. But he hesitated at bringing his girl home, because, his parents were rather particular about who he dated. They didn't want him to date a girl who was after his money. They weren't happy about his dating someone with little education. But here was a girl who had it all!  And he was thrilled.
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The meal went well. The conversation was great. Afterward, he took his girl home, but couldn't wait to call his parents for their approval. His mother picked up the phone. He said, "Mom, isn't she something?" His mother replied, "She sure is, if you don't mind a girl like her." Then she proceeded to point out all her faults.
One has to wonder if the young woman had those faults, or if mom was indeed hunting for them.

Jesus dealt with faultfinders in His day.  The worst of them were Pharisees.  It is recorded in scripture that the Pharisees didn't like how Jesus taught about the Sabbath. They didn't like His interpretation of scripture or His use of parables.  As they watched Jesus heal a blind man, they found fault with Jesus for healing on the wrong day (John 9:16)! When Jesus' disciples were out preaching, they did not have time to eat, so they picked food as they went. They too complained about this, saying that Jesus' disciples didn't eat the right food or at the right time (Matthew 12).

Fault finding was persistent in Jesus' life, and it will be a part of your life as well. There will be people at work who don't like how you look, your nationality, or your clothes. They may find fault with what you speak or how you speak it. If a faultfinder really wants to, they can always find something wrong with anybody.

Faultfinders, flatterers, grumblers, prideful ones.  These are the words used by Jude to describe those who lacked faith and divided churches. I hope it doesn't describe you. When you are manipulated by flattery, picked apart by a faultfinder, grumbled about, made fun of, just remember... they did it even to God's perfect Son. Certainly, there will be those who do it to you. Some of these types of people cause problems because they are insecure. Some do it to make themselves feel better.  Some do it for spite.   Some do it because they don't know any better. Some do it to put you in your place. Your job is not to listen to the faultfinders, the flatterers, the grumblers, the prideful ones. Your job is like that of Jesus.... He did what God wanted him to do. He ignored those who would manipulate or hurt Him to their advantage. Will you do the same? Listen and learn from the apostle Jude. You will be the better for it.

June 6

 “Take care that you do not despise one of these little ones; for, I tell you, in heaven their angels continually see the face of my Father in heaven.What do you think? If a shepherd has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. So it is not the will of your Father in heaven that one of these little ones should be lost.” (Matthew 18:10–14  NRSV)  

A soldier was wounded from an artillery barrage in Italy in World War Two. He could barely move. Surrounding him were dead friends. As he laid there with shells going off around him, blasting the ground up in huge columns, shaking the very earth that a few minutes before seemed so strong, the young man thought about his life and if he should die in Italy.

When the shelling ended, there were wounded cries everywhere. He had been partially covered in dirt by the blasts. He wondered if anyone would find him. He could barely breathe. He laid there for many hours, praying, hoping. Then, at night, he heard a shovel. He felt someone touch his hand. He was pulled out and taken to the temporary infirmary. As his rescuer dropped him into a hospital cot, the soldier said, "You came for me! Thank you!" The rescuer responded, "I won't leave someone out there to die. Someone once came and pulled me out under fire. I came for you. We all have to do our part." The man recovered and was sent back to the states where he remembers his rescuer to this day. 

Throughout the history of our country, soldiers have gone out of their way to rescue other soldiers, even at the cost of their lives. One of the mottos of a military branch is "We leave no one behind." It's nice to know that when you are out there, alone, hurt, wounded, or dying.... someone wants to get to you, help you, or hold your hand while you breathe a last breath.

Some people have thought it foolhardy to try to reach injured soldiers, putting others at risk. Some have thought it too risky to save a downed pilot shot down in enemy territory. But, there is something inside all of us that wants to protect the needy, the hurting, the injured, the sick, the wounded. God has put in each of us the need to help, to save, to protect, to love. Some ignore that feeling. Some dismiss it.  But, true people of faith can't dismiss that desire to protect others. We are called to live it.

Consider Jesus' words for today, written above. They contain both a parable and a warning. Jesus, in speaking about those who have needs, told a story about sheep : "If a shepherd has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of that one who went astray?"(Matthew 18:12).  These words sound illogical to those who don't like taking risks. Why would Jesus or a shepherd leave ninety-nine good sheep in the wilds to search for one lost sheep? Why take a chance on a wolf coming by and stealing some of those ninety-nine, while you are off looking for the one lost sheep? That is crazy!!! But, Jesus wasn't crazy. He was loving.  What if you were that one lost sheep?  What is your life worth to God?

Jesus saw the value of the lost sheep.  He wants you to see that value, too.  Don't just take care of the ninety-nine sheep that are safe, look out for the lost one. Don't spend your time just looking out for yourself, look out for those in need. Be concerned with the lost sheep, the lost ones, the injured soldier, the depressed person, the hospitalized, the lonely, the dying, the widow, the orphan. The needy require attention.  Those who are safe can wait.
 
You may see among people nowadays this mentality: "What does the church do for me?", "I'll give to the church when I see what I get for my money." This kind of thinking is sinful.  Anyone who has this attitude will never please God. Jesus wants us to take care of lost sheep. The job of the church is to look out for the needy, not just for its own. The wrong kind of mentality says, "Take care of the ninety-nine sheep instead of that one sheep that doesn't pay the bills." Jesus would warn anyone who is self-absorbed that there is no place in heaven for those who ignore the lost soul.

Despite Jesus' words, even among Christians we see this self-centered attitude. There are church members who think that the pastor is at the church to please them, to take care of them, to do their bidding. I've had people at every church I served say, "Pastor Dave, you need to take care of our church people first. They pay the bills. They pay your salary." While it is true that each church pays the pastor's salary, that's God's money, not theirs.  I am called by God to do what scripture teaches. My job isn't to babysit a congregation, but to reach out to those who are hurting, to the least of these, to the lost sheep, to the youth who does not know God, to the shut-in who is alone and afraid, to the family in crisis, to the couple needing counseling. My job, according to Jesus and this scripture, is to reach out to the hurting, to the lost, to that one sheep while keeping my eye on the ninety-nine that God placed with me. I expect you to do the same.

When I was a full-time pastor, I often had to chose where to use my time.  If I was expected at a meeting, and there was a call by a person who was very ill, I would  miss that meeting (or be late) and visit that very sick person. Inevitably, I would hear complaints by people who said, "Why did you miss the meeting? You should have been there. We pay you to be there!" They don't understand. What you do to the least of these, you do to Jesus (Matthew 25:40,45). I am called to look after that one lost sheep in its hour of need. You may have also been beaten up by people who didn't understand that we are called to take care of the lost and hurting.

​Our world is very selfish.. People often look out for themselves first. They take care of their friends first. In every church I've served, I've seen people say "Hello" to friends and family and walk right past a visitor without even noticing them. I've seen members who formed their little cliques and ignored others. I've seen groups shun others.  These actions go directly against the scripture for today.

Emily loved God and especially enjoyed taking care of people who were hurting.  At a special event, she found out about a needy family of a convicted felon.  She felt a soft spot for this family, so she began to help them.  After nine months of helping the family, the father was released from prison.  She helped him find a job so he could support his family.
 
A woman in the town was angry that Emily helped this specific family.  She hated that family. In public, she gave Emily the cold shoulder, leered at Emily, and made Emily feel uncomfortable.  Emily noticed the harsh glances of the other woman before worship and during meetings. After months of this, Emily was surprised that the ice cold anger of the woman had not melted one bit.  Over and over, Emily tried to speak to the woman and reach out to her.  The woman would have none of it.   Emily prayed for her soul for months. She still prays for her. Once in a blue moon, she'll get a response. Emily is trying, in Jesus name, to reach out to the woman, to this lost soul.  What the angry woman doesn't realize is that she may go to church, but with that anger and resentment, she is both sinful and not right before God.  Until her heart softens, she will never feel close to God.  Still, Emily will not give up on her.  Now, that angry woman is the lost sheep in Emily's care.

Why is it so hard for people to reach out to that lost person?  Why do Christians find it faithful to look after the ninety-nine sheep and ignore the one lost sheep in their world?  You are meant to be different.  God puts lost sheep in your path of life to see how you respond to the needy, the hurting, the suffering, the hopeless.  God watches how you react to that one lost youth. 
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I know and I believe that when Jesus shows you that one lost soul, He is giving you a chance to be a better person, to change a life. He notices what you do with those who are lost, alone, needing, and hurting.  Your care of a lost sheep provides an opportunity to show how faithful you are and how much you love God in Christ Jesus. 
 
Do you know a lost sheep that God needs cared for today?

June 7

   “Then all the Midianites and the Amalekites and the people of the East came together, and crossing the Jordan they encamped in the Valley of Jezreel. But the Spirit of the Lord took possession of Gideon; and he sounded the trumpet, and the Abiezrites were called out to follow him. And he sent messengers throughout all Manasseh; and they too were called out to follow him. And he sent messengers to Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali; and they went up to meet them. Then Gideon said to God, 'If thou wilt deliver Israel by my hand, as thou hast said, behold, I am laying a fleece of wool on the threshing floor; if there is dew on the fleece alone, and it is dry on all the ground, then I shall know that thou wilt deliver Israel by my hand, as thou hast said.' And it was so. When he rose early next morning and squeezed the fleece, he wrung enough dew from the fleece to fill a bowl with water. Then Gideon said to God, 'Let not thy anger burn against me, let me speak but this once; pray, let me make trial only this once with the fleece; pray, let it be dry only on the fleece, and on all the ground let there be dew.' And God did so that night; for it was dry on the fleece only, and on all the ground there was dew.” (Judges 6:33–40   RSV) 

 Several years ago, a person stopped me after a Bible Study. She asked me, "Pastor Dave, I think God wants me to do something for a friend of mine. How can I know it's the right thing to do? How do I know God really wants me to do this?" Finding out God's will for you is no easy task. It takes eyes of faith. It takes a person willing to listen for God's voice in the midst of all the many distractions in life. It takes prayer and discernment.  It takes a sincere faith.

If God has the desire for you to accomplish something in life, then God will surely let you know about it. You can find out what God needs through prayer, through meditation on God's Word, and through talking to others of the faith.  God's desire may come to you during worship or a sermon.  There, a word or a phrase or a feeling might strike home, appeal to you,  or hit you like a ton of bricks. Later, when you pray, your thoughts may continually go back to the same topic or theme.  When you spend time alone in thought, this subject may again grab your attention. Because these signs occur, you may find God is trying to push you in a certain direction.  To discern God's will, you might talk to a friend in Christ or your pastor. Others with a true faith will see your potential and seek God's confirmation .  In scripture, this is called a discerning of the Spirit (See 1 Kings 3:9, Proverbs 14:8, 1 John 4:1). Through all these means and more, you will discover what God is calling you to do.   God will clarify your purpose.  You will even feel God's close presence as you embark on this new journey with HIM.

There are those, however, who have a problem with God's call. They may not like talking to others or their pastor about God's will. They might not take the time to pray and seek God's will. They might not spend the time studying God's word to prepare for their work.  They might short-circuit spiritual discernment and jump into some spiritual task , relying on vague hunches and even coincidence to determine God's will.

Chuck Swindoll wrote about several people he knew who would shortcut the process of discovering God's will. Rather than confirm God's will through trusted spiritual discernment, they tried unusual methods to figure God out.  As an example, a young man needed a car to take to college. He didn't know which one God would have him purchase, but as a Christian, he was determined to discern God's will before he bought anything. One night, he had a series of dreams. Everything in his dreams was yellow. He had his answer. The next day after checking out several used car lots, he finally found the one he was sure the Lord would have him buy. You guessed it: yellow inside and out!   He didn't bother to check the condition of the vehicle. He didn't even take it for a test drive. It was yellow, so he bought it. Appropriately, it turned out to be a lemon!

In our scripture reading for today, a man named Gideon wanted to find out the will of God. As you read this story, you may think that Gideon was using coincidence and conjecture to find out the will of God.  In reality, he was not.  He carefully and methodically determined God's will.  His example shows the importance of discerning God's will for your life.
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Our scripture begins by telling us that the Midianites and Amelekites and the people of the East were gathered together in the Valley of Jezreel. By the context of these verses, we can assume that these men had gathered for war... to kill and plunder God's people. They had done it before. These men would come into the area settled by the Israelites and steal their food, burn their crops and destroy much, killing many in the process. Their purpose was to keep the Israelites poor and hungry and weak. This cruelty toward God's people sparked God's anger against the marauders. So, it does not surprise me that  "the Spirit of the LORD took possession of Gideon; and he sounded the trumpet" (Judges 6:34).  Gideon felt called by God to fight against those who were hurting God's people. God's Holy Spirit took hold of Gideon and planted this desire in his mind. As he called others to fight those foreign invaders, others began to follow Gideon. Soldiers from five different tribes believed in Gideon.  They too felt that God wanted the people to fight this evil.  More and more, Gideon felt God's call to defend the nation.  He asked God in prayer, "If thou wilt deliver Israel by my hand, as thou hast said, behold, I am laying a fleece of wool on the threshing floor; if there is dew on the fleece alone, and it is dry on all the ground, then I shall know that thou wilt deliver Israel by my hand, as thou hast said" (Judges 6:36,37).

Gideon laid a sheep's fleece on the floor where they worked the wheat.  The next morning the scripture tells us there was enough dew on the fleece to fill a bowl with water. Using this method, Gideon received God's answer. He was to lead the soldiers into battle.  But Gideon didn't want to believe in coincidence. He wanted to make sure it was God's will. He wasn't going to fight on the basis of coincidence.  He wasn't going to fight without God's blessing. He decided to make absolutely sure it was God's will and asked God to again affect the fleece.  A second time God caused the dew to affect the fleece (Judges 6:39-40).  Thus, Gideon got his answer from God.  He went on to save the people from the armies encamped against them. With God behind him, Gideon had no fear.  He was fulfilling God's will.  This desire to defend the people was no mere wish or coincidence.

When God calls you to do something, say something, or change directions in your life, God will give you signs just like HE gave Gideon. God will make things clear. You must discern God's will for you.  Your call in life is not to follow coincidence or whims, but to follow God's will. God doesn't hide His will from you. It is there for you to seek, discern, and follow. In the next few months, remember Gideon and his fleece. He would not rely on a simple feeling to determine God's plan. He looked to other faithful ones, to God's Spirit, and to prayer to confirm what needed to be done.  Follow Gideon's example.  Trust that you can know and discern God's will. Then, when you find out what God wants you to do, complete your task.   Throughout the entire process, God's hand will guide you and God's purpose will become clear, just as with Gideon.

June 8

   “When they went across the lake, the disciples forgot to take bread. “Be careful,” Jesus said to them. “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” They discussed this among themselves and said, “It is because we didn’t bring any bread.” Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked, “You of little faith, why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread? Do you still not understand? Don’t you remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? How is it you don’t understand that I was not talking to you about bread? But be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” Then they understood that he was not telling them to guard against the yeast used in bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
​(Matthew 16:5–12   NIV84)  


  A father had taken his small son to church. His son was a bright young eight-year-old who loved to explore what was going on around him. He watched the liturgist read the scripture.  He listened when the choir sang. He tried to read the bulletin. The boy listened attentively without saying a word until the clergyman announced, "We will now sing hymn two hundred and twenty two: which is "Ten Thousand Times Ten Thousand;" Two hundred and twenty two." The boy nudged his father. "Daddy, we don't have to work this math problem out, do we?" (Eleanor Dean, Better Families, Vol 18:2, February 1994).   The boy didn't understand that the song was "Ten Thousand Times Ten Thousand" on page 222 in the hymnal. He thought it was a math problem in church.  He didn't quite understand. 

Another small boy invaded the lingerie section of a big California department store. He wandered around the store looking thoughtfully.  Shyly, he went up to a woman clerk and said, "I want to buy my mom a present of a slip, but I don't know what size she wears."
"Is she tall or short, fat or skinny?" asked the clerk.
"She's just perfect," beamed the small boy. So the clerk wrapped up a size 34 for him. Two days later, mom came to the store herself and exchanged it for a size 52  (from the Saturday Review).    It was just a small misunderstanding, wouldn't you agree?

Children often hear things and do not quite understand them.  A word is spoken, a phrase is mentioned, and they don't understand the concept. Children may not grasp the meaning of metaphors, of symbols, or of riddles. Their knowledge needs to grow.  Someone (usually a parent or teacher)  needs to explain things to them. Its all a part of learning. It's a normal part of growing more mature.

In the faith, we also must gain understanding and spiritual maturity. Even adults need to grow and learn!  Even the wise may have a hard time understanding certain concepts or teachings. Take, for example, the disciples in our scripture today. They had been with Jesus for many months. They were surprised by His miracles. They heard his stories. They watched him heal the sick. Despite all this time in company with Jesus, they found some of his concepts and parables difficult to comprehend. Today's scripture is one example of this lack of understanding.

The gospel writer, Matthew, wrote that the disciples and Jesus crossed the sea of Galilee. When they got to the other side, they were without food. The disciples probably argued among themselves, saying: "Who forgot to bring the bread?" As Jesus overheard them talking, he said, "Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees." (Matthew 16:6) Now, the disciples were talking among themselves about the missing bread, and Jesus is talking about yeast, so they figure Jesus must be talking about bread, too.   They were wrong. Even though Jesus used the word, yeast, he was speaking about something very different from bread. As the disciples listened to Jesus' words in that context, they completely missed the point.  Jesus was talking about leadership.  They were talking about food.

Do you understand what Jesus meant here? He wasn't talking about bread. He was talking about the Pharisees, the teachers of the law. Jesus knew that the Pharisees were too focused on the rules of God to comprehend the gospel. They were so fixated on God's commands that sometimes, they became more concerned with the laws than with God. For example, on one occasion, Jesus healed a man on the Sabbath. The Pharisees were so upset that Jesus healed on the Sabbath contrary to their view of the fourth commandment,  that they didn't notice that God did the healing through Jesus. If God wants to heal on the Sabbath, God can heal on the Sabbath! While the Pharisees were so fixated on the rule of law, they completely overlooked the miracle that God performed through Jesus.

So, while the disciples were discussing their bread, Jesus was speaking a parable about the problems of the Pharisees. While the disciples were talking about food, Jesus was talking about the poor spiritual leadership of the Jewish groups. The disciples were talking about one thing and Jesus another.  Jesus finally said to the disciples, "You of little faith, why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread? Do you still not understand? How is it you don't understand that I was not talking to you about bread? But be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees"(Matthew 16:8, 11). Finally, the disciples understood (Matthew 16:12). They didn't get it at first. It took them a while. Finally, they put the words and concepts together with Jesus' help.

Each one of us is like the disciples at some point in life. We don't get it. We read a scripture and it doesn't make sense to us. You pray for something, and your prayer doesn't seem to be answered. You don't understand how a bad thing can happen to a good person. You don't understand which direction to go in life. When you can't comprehend what God is doing or saying, it becomes easy to just blame God.  The problem may not be God.  The problem may be your lack of understanding.

A young man wrote... When I was a little boy, my mother used to embroider a great deal. I would sit at her feet and look up from the floor and ask what she was doing. She informed me that she was embroidering. I told her that it looked like a mess from where I  sat. I would wonder why she was using some dark threads along with the bright ones and why they seemed so jumbled from my view. 

 After a few minutes passed, my mother said:  "Son, come and sit on my knee." This I did only to be surprised and thrilled to see a beautiful flower or a sunset. I could hardly believe it, because from underneath it looked so messy. Then my mother explained, "Sweetheart, from underneath it did look messy and jumbled, but you did not realize that there was a pre-drawn plan on the top. It was a design. I was only following it. Now, from my side, you can see what I was doing."

Many times through the years I have looked up to my Heavenly Father and said, "Father, what are You doing?"
He has answered, "I am embroidering your life."
I say, "But it looks like a mess to me. It seems so jumbled. The threads seem so dark. Why can't they all be bright?"
The Father in Heaven seems to tell me, "My child, you go about your business of doing My business, and one day I will bring you to Heaven and put you on My knee and you will see the plan from My side. You will then understand."

There are situations in life when you may comprehend some of what God is doing. There will also be moments that you, like Jesus' disciples, will have your misunderstandings or misgivings about what God or God's people are doing. Someday, God will make it all clear. Until then, don't lose heart! Continue to grow and learn at the knee of the Master in Heaven.   Trust that HE knows what HE is doing!

June 9

   “As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him. Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.” (Matthew 4:18–22   NIV84)  

 A woman had been urged by church friends to begin to believe and follow Jesus. The pastor of a neighborhood church stopped to talk with her. In spite of their words and efforts, she continued to harden her heart. One day, after a visit by a church friend, she was left with a Bible and several pamphlets about changing her life. After the friend left, the woman got upset. She wasn't' going to just give up and follow God. She threw into the blazing fireplace both the Bible and the pamphlets. One of the pamphlets fell out of the flames, so she threw it in again. A second time it slipped down, and once more she put it back. Frustrated that each time she threw it into the fire, the pamphlet kept floating back out, she tried a third time, and this time her fingers were singed. The pamphlet fell through the fire and to the bottom. Later that night when the fire had died down, she picked up the portion of the pamphlet that remained under the wood and exclaimed, "Surely the devil must be in that paper, for it will not burn!"

Out of curiosity she began to read the partially destroyed pamphlet. Being a message on salvation, it brought deep conviction to her heart. In that moment, in the cold of the dying fire, she decided to change her whole life. She gave up ways that were wrong and accepted God in Christ. She changed what was wrong and made it right. One fire, one moment in time, one pamphlet that wouldn't burn, and she was forever different.

There are situations when God requests that you change. Maybe there is something wrong in your life. Maybe God is wanting you to believe more, or have a greater trust in Him. It may be that you've fallen into a rut or a bad habit and need to get back on track.  You might realize that you aren't living up to your potential. You may feel in your heart that something isn't quite right or is very wrong.  At any of these moments,  don't be surprised if God is wanting a change. At various times in each of our lives, God will want us to to walk down a different path in life, to change our habits or our attitude. God desires a change. Don't procrastinate.  Make the changes. You won't regret it.

In our scripture for today from the gospel of Matthew, we read of Jesus in His early ministry. At this time, He didn't have any disciples. Walking by the Sea of Galilee, Jesus saw two brothers named Simon and Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.  Jesus made a demand upon them to change their profession.  He said, "Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." (Matthew 4:19)  Without delay, the two men left their nets and followed Jesus, intrigued.  A while later,  Jesus saw two more fishermen working in their boat.  Jesus called for James and John to follow Him as well. They also followed.  In both cases, the fishermen "immediately" left their work and followed Jesus (Matthew 4:20,22).  There was no hesitation or second-guessing.  There was no procrastination or looking-back.

Do you think it was easy for these disciples to immediately leave everything and follow Jesus? Do you think it was nothing for the two sons of Zebedee to turn to their father and say, "I'm sorry, but we're leaving our jobs and homes and families and going off with this guy named Jesus"? As people read the Bible, they seldom realize what people gave up to follow God's call. These men were willing to follow Jesus' invitation immediately. They trusted in Jesus. You must learn that kind of trust, too.

It takes a special kind of person to be a disciple of Christ. You have to be willing to follow your Lord "at once". You have to be willing to let go of physical possessions and normalcy  to follow immediately when God calls. Yes, it is hard to do. But sometimes, that is precisely what you must do. When God calls, you must go.... not tomorrow, not next week or next year.  Now!  When Jesus says... follow me, HE is looking for a faithful response, not hesitation and doubting.
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A news reporter recently spied a bumper sticker. Stuck in traffic, the man reported that the bumper sticker in front of him said, "If you're headed in the wrong direction, God allows U-Turns." Just as a car going the wrong direction can turn and go a different direction when going the wrong way, we too can change direction in life and go a different way. You might need to make a U-turn in life. When God says turn, will you be willing to do it without hesitating if that's what God requests? Are you one to overthink the future,  procrastinate, or be indecisive?  Jesus desired disciples who were willing to follow in trust immediately. That's why he called those four brothers.  They were able to walk away from their regular work to follow a Savior.  Are you? 

Five-year-old Tommy galloped his stick horse back and forth in the shade of the banyan tree in the yard of the mission house. Suddenly, his father called sharply from the veranda, "Tommy, fall on your stomach and crawl straight to me as fast you can! Don't ask why; just come!" Tommy fell flat and crawled forward with all his might.
"Now, stand up and run" his Father commanded.  The boy did exactly as he was told. The missionary opened his arms to the running child.
"Now, look back!" his father said. Tommy froze to the spot. Hanging from the tree limb was a huge snake ready to drop. His father saved his life, but only because the child did what his father commanded immediately and without hesitation.  If the boy would have not listened, if he would have questioned why, the boy would have been in danger.
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In the life of every Christian, God will want a change... and want it now.  God will tell you to leave something, to start something new, or to change something.  Don't hesitate.  God seeks disciples who are willing to follow without hesitation, without anxiousness, without doubt or fear. God wants disciples who trust that He will lead them where they need to go.  Are you willing to let things go and follow without looking back?  Do you have that level of faith?
 

June 10

  “Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the Lord. Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord as in the days of old and as in former years. “Then I will draw near to you for judgment. I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, against the adulterers, against those who swear falsely, against those who oppress the hired worker in his wages, the widow and the fatherless, against those who thrust aside the sojourner, and do not fear me, says the Lord of hosts.”   (Malachi 3:1–5   ESV)  

When the scripture from Malachi was written, the people of Judah and Jerusalem  had just returned from exile in Babylon. For a generation, those people had been slaves, suffering, poor, hungry, and  needy. The exiles thought they would rebuild Jerusalem and the temple. They had dreams of what a new temple could look like, but their hopes were dashed. Without money, filled with hunger and suffering, the people could barely make ends meet. They were desperate and disillusioned. They wondered if God would ever again hear them, help them prosper, or shine upon them. Some wondered, "Where was God?"

I have seen others who had such cries.  I have helped many who were depressed, suffering, hungry or hurting. They too felt down. I've watched the sick suffer with cancer.  I have held the hands of many who were dying.   In times of suffering, these people felt just like the Israelites in the time of Malachi.  All were, at times, disillusioned and depressed. They too wondered, "What is God doing?"  Pain had sucked out their joy in life.  Anger had replaced their serenity.  These hurting hearts felt alone and abandoned. Well, this scripture in Malachi was written for all those hurting souls! If you feel your marriage has lost its spark, this scripture is for you. For those youth who feel that the whole world is going against them, this scripture is for you. For those who find it hard to wake up in the morning, this scripture is for you. Malachi, mentioned how during difficult moments, God desires to have a new relationship with you (Malachi 3:7, 10, 17). God wants to open you up to new directions and possibilities. All you need to do is listen to God's messengers who will be sent to you, and do what God requires.  In the end,  God will come to you.
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The first words of Malachi, chapter 3 tell of God's promise to send HIS messenger to prepare HIS people. This verse also comes with a second promise… God is coming.  Five times in the New Testament, this verse is repeated to speak of John The Baptist. It is obvious that the New Testament writers believed that John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus. John the Baptist called the people to repentance and urged them to live godly lives. John the Baptist was God's messenger who prepared the faithful for Jesus at the perfect time, even teaching several of the disciples (John 1:37).  Later in the book of Malachi, other messengers are mentioned such as Elijah (Malachi 4:5). Malachi was convinced that when God was doing great things, HE sent messengers to help.  If this is the way God works, then God sends messengers all the time, and usually before God is going to do something big. These messengers prepare God's people.  They may offer hope and encouragement.  They may require repentance and judgment.  Our job in that time is to listen to their message.  When we respond to God's messenger, God comes in return. 
 
As I thought about Malachi's words, I began to realize that each of us must listen to the messengers God sends. If we do, then God will not be far behind. In every church, there are a few messengers. Messengers are sent to prepare the people for whatever God has to say. The messengers are sent to urge the people to renew their faith, come back to God, be more faithful, or to change their ways. When you listen and follow a messenger sent by God, God will not be far behind. God will come to you as God came to the people in Malachi's day.

A friend of mine who I will call Jerry once had a nasty disposition. First off, he never thought he was wrong. He was always right, and if you didn't believe that he was always right, then there was something wrong with you. Well, this friend also abused his wife. Not every day, not so that she had bruises, but he just hit her now and then or shoved her around during arguments. One day, Jerry met up with me and a few of our friends to go bowling. I thought it would be a fun event, but it was not.  During the games, Jerry kept pointing out one friend's mistakes. Jerry noted how this guy was too close for his approach, then too far.  Jerry mentioned that the man's wrist was throwing off his launch.  After much criticism, Jerry just blurted out that the guy was no bowler.  After an hour of  "advice", the guy couldn't stand any more. He turned to Jerry and said, "You think I have problems? At least I don't call myself a Christian and then turn around and beat my wife." There was dead silence among all those who heard.
 
During the following weeks, Jerry changed his ways.   Two months later, Jerry offered thanks to this guy for telling the truth.  One night of bowling had changed Jerry's relationship with his family and his whole life turned around.  Jerry later confided in me that he and God had a long talk, and things had to be different.  I believe the guy who went bowling with us was a messenger from God. At the right time, he told Jerry what needed to be said. Within weeks, Jerry benefited from listening to God's messenger.

A few months ago I heard another story of God's  messenger. A man was very overweight. He had high blood pressure, breathing problems, and generally low self-esteem. He was always down on himself.   At a doctor's visit, the doctor said to him, "You lose weight or you will die!" Some might think it was harsh for the doctor to say it that way, but I believe he did it for a reason. Those simple words of truth changed this man's life. He began to come to church again. He lost a lot of weight. He and his wife grew closer as a result of all the changes. The doctors words, "lose weight or you will die", changed this man's life.

What was said to each of these people by messengers of God was frank, truthful, and challenging. When the guy said to Jerry, "I have problems! At least I don't beat my wife and call myself a Christian!", I felt uncomfortable.  I was so embarrassed for Jerry.  I was afraid this might cause a fight between the two or they would never talk again. I thought it was blunt and crude.   However, God needed these words to be said.  The words were said at the perfect time. The message was delivered and struck home, and God benefited from it.  When a messenger of the Lord comes, our scripture tells us "he will be like a
refiner's fire or a launderer's soap" (Micah 3:2).  The messenger will purify the soul (Micah 3:3).  What these verses tell us is that any messenger of God will come to you so you can be cleaned, refined, purified from sin.
 
Centuries ago, the refiner took silver that had impurities in it and refined it with fire to make it more pure and more valuable. In ancient times, the lauderer's soap removed the dirt or oils in clothes,  making them clean again. Both the refiner and the launderer caused metals and clothes to increase in value. In the same way, the messenger of God  can make you spiritually pure and more valuable to God .   By listening to and following the words of the messenger of God, you will find yourself closer to God.  The messenger of God thus prepares you, so God can come to you and work in you and through you.

Don't be surprised if God sends His messengers to you. Just like God sent a messenger for Malachi and Jesus, God will send messengers with a message for you. You must listen when they speak for God. Also, don't be surprised if God makes you HIS messenger at some time in your life. You may have to stand up for the truth, tell the truth, and even hold another Christian accountable. God uses messengers all throughout scripture. God will use them to reach you, especially when you are down. And God probably will want to use you as a messenger. Don't forget to listen when messengers come from God to you. They may speak words that make you feel uncomfortable;  but if it is God's truth, you better listen.

In the end, if God's messenger is not heeded, the results will probably be disastrous. However, if you take to heart God's message, you will find God coming into your life, sparking your day, dealing with your problem, or comforting you in the most blessed way.  Have you had any messages from God lately?  Are there any yet to be delivered?


June 11

   [Jesus said:] “'If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.' Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, 'But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?' Jesus replied, 'If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.'” (John 14:15–24   NIV84)  

The story is told of two soldiers during Christmas of 1944 at the Battle of the Bulge. The Germans had broken through the allied lines and were advancing quickly. Bad weather and heavy snow caused many soldiers along the front line to be pinned down with no air support. All were low on ammunition.  It was freezing cold. In one of the foxholes along the front line were two best friends. They had each promised that if something happened, they would help the other no matter what. Each would die to save the other. As the German tanks blew past the lines, their foxhole was riddled with damage and bullet holes.  Half of their trench was filled in with snow. John was alive, but his best friend, Steve was buried under the snow and mud. With the battle raging all around them, John dug out his best friend, who was barely alive, and carried him to the aid station and got him help.  Then, John went back to the front lines to fight.

When Steve awoke in a hospital in France, he had several broken bones and a serious concussion. He had forgotten so much. The hospital staff explained that someone had brought him to an aid station, but they didn't know who or when. Steve worried about his best friend. News reached him later that John died on the front line.

Steve knew that John had saved his life, and kept his promise. So, Steve made sure for the rest of his life to look out for John's family.  He wasn't going to let down his best friend or break his promise. Steve paid for John's kids to go to college. He helped John's wife with the bills. Until the day he died, Steve did everything he could to honor his friend. He kept his promise. His love never wavered.

Jesus said, "If you love me, you will obey what I command" (John 14:15). Like Steve and John both kept their promises, Jesus expects you to keep your promises to obey his commandments and follow faithfully. That's if you love Jesus. There are people today who don't like to be told what to do. They don't like to be commanded. They don't like to obey rules, even if they come from God. But Jesus says here, if you don't follow my rules, you don't love me. If you don't obey what I command, you don't love me. So my question to you today is, "Do you really love Jesus by obeying His commands?"

Jesus taught us to love one another, to love our enemies, to follow God's laws, to have faith, and repent when we do wrong. Jesus taught us to pray, to fight evil, to resist Satan's temptations, and to obey the scripture. How well you follow these commands of Jesus shows how much you love Jesus.   If you don't fight against evil, if you think the commandments are outdated, if you lack faith to do what God wills, according to Jesus in this scripture, you do not really love Him. To love Jesus, you will obey his commands.  No excuses.

Jesus went on in the scripture to say, "Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him…" (John 14:21).   You see, when you follow Jesus' commands, it shows you love HIM. In response, Jesus will in turn not only love you but do three things. First, He will love you back (John 14:21) . Second, Jesus will ask the Father to love you and watch over you, too (John 14:21)! And third, this scripture says, He will send His Holy Spirit to you, to live in your heart and be with you in your life (John 14:16). Jesus, thus, will always be with you. He will never leave you alone in life, in death, in Heaven.... but it all depends on if you really love Jesus by keeping His commands and obeying His voice.

A husband and wife were having marriage problems, so they went to their Pastor for help. As part of their counseling, the Pastor asked each of them to do ten things for the other until he saw them again at their next counseling session. Over the next two weeks, the wife did everything she had promised. But the husband only did about half of what he had promised. When they met the next time for their counseling session, the wife said to her husband, "You don't love me!"
He said, "I do, too!"
She said, "You didn't do what you promised! I needed you to keep your promises to me!"
He responded, "Just because I didn't do a few things doesn't mean I don't love you. I did more than half, isn't that enough for you?" The man didn't realize that failing to keep his promises  meant failing to show love to his wife. When you break your promises, others are hurt. When you fail to obey Jesus' commands, ultimately, you fail to really love the Lord.
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Jesus will not tolerate a follower who is halfheartedly following Him. In fact, the book of Revelation states that anyone who has a lukewarm faith will never be allowed in Heaven (Revelation 3:16). God even sees that person as worse than someone who has no faith!  You can't be half married! You can't be almost ready to do the right thing! If you work halfheartedly, it appears as if you really don't care about the quality of your work.   With God, too, you can't go halfway.  You can't give God half of your heart and be half-committed.  If you do, it shows you really don't love Jesus at all. 

Jesus died on the cross for you, so that you would love Him with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind and all your strength not just a part of it (Luke 10:27). God wants to be in all areas of your life, not just your Sunday morning or worship time or prayer time. HE wants to be the reason you get up in the morning, not just the one you run to when you get in trouble. Don't fail to love Him by failing to keep His commands or failing to obey His voice.  Otherwise, you'll never find true peace, hope, and a secure future with Jesus in His Kingdom. 
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Is there an area of your life where God is not invited?  Are you holding back from God in some part of your life? Is there a sin you will not let God forgive?  Is there guilt that goes unresolved? Is there a commandment you refuse to follow?  Let God have all your commitment.  Let go of the control, and let God bring peace to all areas of your life.  

June 12

   “Early in the morning he [Jesus] came again to the temple; all the people came to him, and he sat down and taught them. The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst they said to him, 'Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. Now in the law Moses commanded us to stone such. What do you say about her?' This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, 'Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.' And once more he bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. But when they heard it, they went away, one by one, beginning with the eldest, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. Jesus looked up and said to her, 'Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?' She said, 'No one, Lord.' And Jesus said, 'Neither do I condemn you; go, and do not sin again.'”       (John 8:2–11   RSV) 

With a hand, the abusive husband strikes his wife on her cheek in the midst of a rage.
With a raised fist, a father beats his son nearly senseless, weekly.
With the back of her hand, the mother slaps her son in the mouth so hard he bleeds. All he said was, “Mom, do you use drugs?”
 
The hand has been used since the beginning of time as an instrument of pain. In each of these cases above, the hand was used to wound, to hurt, to deliver a painful blow. The end result was sin. In the gospel of Mark, Jesus said to his disciples and those gathered, “if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire" (Mark 9:43).  By these words, it is clear that Jesus knew that the hand can cause much pain to another, and can bring sin to a person’s life.  In the scripture reading for today, hands were used to threaten, intimidate, and were ready to commit murder.
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Jesus came to the temple early one morning. While there, the scripture tells us that "the scribes and Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery"  (John 8:3).  There to test Jesus about His understanding about the law, they then said, "the law of Moses commanded us to stone such.  What do you say about her?" (John 8:5).  According to the law of Moses, anyone breaking the seventh commandment could be stoned.  People would pick up stones with their hands and throw them at the person as hard as they could. The result would be internal bleeding or bodily trauma and ultimately death.  The Pharisees were ready to do this to the woman caught in adultery. The law said this was justifyable homicide. Jesus knew better.

Those who gathered probably had rocks already in their hands to stone the woman. But before they killed her, they used the situation to test Jesus. Would He condemn her? Jesus was known as one who loved sinners, as one who taught mercy and forgiveness to those who had sinned. Maybe, as they had caught the woman, they might catch Jesus in a mistake, and thus take care of two problems with one stoning.
The scripture confirms the religious leaders wanted to set Jesus up in this situation.  It says that the Pharisees and scribes desired "to test" Jesus "that they might have some charge to bring against Him" (John 8:6).  If Jesus declared that a sentence of death was uncalled for in this case, He would be seen as breaking Moses' law.  If Jesus said that death was called for, those who saw Him as loving would reject His teachings.  The Pharisees and scribes probably saw this as a win-win situation.  The adulterer would be killed AND Jesus would be called out.   But Jesus would not be deceived.
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 Jesus said these words of wisdom to those ready to kill:  "Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her" (John 8:7).  The very men whose hearts were so full of deceit that they tried to trick Jesus into making a mistake, were also men who knew about sin. Jesus' statement did not make the woman’s adultery fail to be a sin. It still remained a sin. But the sin of those who carried the rocks in their hands was also revealed. They too were sinners. Who were they to accuse and condemn?  Did they deserve to play God?
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One by one, the accusers dropped the rocks from their hands. On that day, they were not going to murder.   For “when they heard Jesus’ words, they went away, one by one".  (John 8:9).  Jesus was left with the woman.   He questioned her, "Has no one condemned you?"  (John 8:10)   After her reply that no one was left, Jesus ended the teaching moment with a final piece of wisdom:  " Neither do I condemn you; go, and do not sin again" (John 8:11).  We must never forget that Jesus told the woman not to sin again. No more adultery for her. Her hands had been in places they should not. Her actions had caused her to sin against God.   
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Upon reading this scripture,  I believe there are three things to consider. This scripture prompts you to ask yourself this first question:   “Who are you ready to throw rocks at?”   You know people who might consider themselves your enemies.  These people might like to see you suffer or fail.  In response, Jesus says to you...”Let him or her who is without sin, cast the stone.”  
 
The second thing to consider upon the end of this scripture is what do you use your hands for?  In the scripture the accusers held rocks ready to stone and kill at a moment's notice.  The woman used her hands for adultery.  Do you use your hands to hurt others, or to help them?  Are your hands known more for work or mercy, help or hurt? 
 
Jesus' final words urged the woman to never commit adultery again.   Her sin had almost cost her death.  Sins always cause problems and pain.  If we do not atone for them, we suffer for them one way or another.  So, the final consideration for you today is what sin do you need never do again?  Jesus urged the woman to stay away from adultery.  What sin might He warn you about today?
 
It's very easy to play the Pharisees and scribes in life.  You might like to decide who is guilty, who has sinned, who is a screw-up, and who deserved what she got.  Jesus looked at sin differently.  He didn't see sin as a way we get back at another, but a thing to be avoided in all of us.  You don't need to sin, AND you don't need to play the accuser of others who sin.   Both are dangerous ways to live.   To close, which might be your downfall:  a sin you love, or a love to play accuser?  If you live to do either, you fail to please God.

June 13

 [Moses said:] “When all these blessings and curses I have set before you come upon you and you take them to heart wherever the Lord your God disperses you among the nations, and when you and your children return to the Lord your God and obey him with all your heart and with all your soul according to everything I command you today, then the Lord your God will restore your fortunes and have compassion on you and gather you again from all the nations where he scattered you. Even if you have been banished to the most distant land under the heavens, from there the Lord your God will gather you and bring you back. He will bring you to the land that belonged to your fathers, and you will take possession of it. He will make you more prosperous and numerous than your fathers. The Lord your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live. The Lord your God will put all these curses on your enemies who hate and persecute you. You will again obey the Lord and follow all his commands I am giving you today. Then the Lord your God will make you most prosperous in all the work of your hands and in the fruit of your womb, the young of your livestock and the crops of your land. The Lord will again delight in you and make you prosperous, just as he delighted in your fathers, if you obey the Lord your God and keep his commands and decrees that are written in this Book of the Law and turn to the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.” (Deuteronomy 30:1–10   NIV84) 

Your actions tell a lot about what your heart cares about. Your actions display what you deem important and what you despise. Mahatma Gandhi was aboard a train in India one day. As they sometimes do in India, Gandhi was traveling on top of a box car of the train. Though the train was traveling slowly, a sudden shift of the boxcar caused Gandhi to lose his balance. His one shoe fell off the train by the track below. To the amazement of all those who were around him, Gandhi calmly took the other shoe and threw it back to where the other shoe lay by the track. Asked by a fellow passenger why Gandhi would do such a thing, Gandhi replied, “The poor man who finds the shoe lying on the track will now have a pair he can use.”  You can tell from Gandhi's words that his heart did not care as much that he lost something, but more for the needy man who would find the shoe he lost. His thoughts were not for his loss, but for the need of another. His heart centered on the poor.

Some years ago, I heard about a businessman who punished his three-year-old daughter for wasting a roll of gold wrapping paper. Money was tight, and he became infuriated when the child tried to decorate a box, wasting a lot of paper in her attempt.  Nevertheless, the little girl brought the gift to her father the next morning on Valentine’s Day and said, "This is for you, Daddy." 
He was embarrassed by his earlier overreaction, but his anger flared again when he found that the box was empty. He yelled at her, "Don't you know that when you give someone a present, there's supposed to be something inside of it?"
 The little girl looked up at him with tears in her eyes and said, "Oh, Daddy it's not empty. I blew kisses into the box. All for you, Daddy."
The father was crushed. He put his arms around his little girl, and he begged for forgiveness. I was told that this father kept that gold box under his bed for years. Whenever he was discouraged, he would take out an imaginary kiss and remember the love of the child who had put it there.  But one has to ask, where was this man’s heart on the day he scolded his child for wasting the roll of wrapping paper and the box? Was his heart centered on money? Was his heart concerned with not wasting things? It’s obvious the child’s heart was with her daddy.

In our scripture reading for today, Moses had a conversation with the Israelites just before entering the promised land. The Israelites were still in the wilderness where God had sustained them some forty years. God provided food and water, and supplied all their needs.  Despite God's care,  Moses determined that there were times when the heart of the people was not with God. Some of the people wanted to go back to Egypt.  A few couldn't give up their old ways. Some wanted rich farmland. Others complained because of the lack of good meat. I’m sure God wondered if they would hold onto Him during the good and bad times. God realized that sometimes, their heart was just not faithful.

Moses gathered God’s people near the river Jordan and told them that he feared they would not be faithful in the years to come. This happens in Deuteronomy, chapter 30.  In this scripture, Moses urged the people to trust God.  Moses told them, "love God with all your heart and with all your soul, and live” (Deuteronomy 30:6).   He told them when things became difficult to “turn to the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul”(Deuteronomy 30:10).   Looking closely, three times in this scripture Moses tells the people to hold on to God with all their heart and soul.

Now, some of you might wonder why Moses urges the people repeatedly to believe in God with all their heart and soul. They should have figured that out after forty years in the wilderness. Still, I’ve observed that most people in our world have a problem keeping their heart where it needs to be.  For example, you’d think that families would surely have a great love for each other in their hearts. Now and then, the love goes missing. Their hearts become more concerned with other things. I’ve seen wives who were more interested with shopping than in their husbands.  I’ve seen husbands more concerned with a sport than a wife. I’ve been with those in the hospital who went through surgery alone because their spouse didn't want to take a day off of work.   I’ve known parents who were more concerned with what the neighbors owned than with their children’s education. I’ve seen parents who spent more time out to eat each week than with their children doing homework or just talking.  How many youth have you met who cared more about social media than family?  Every now and then, you  need to listen to people like Moses. You need to ask yourself if your heart is in the right place.

In our scripture, the heart is mentioned five times. Moses was concerned about what was most important in the hearts of the people.   Was it God? Was it another god or another thing?  Consider the Hebrew meaning of the word "heart". Did you know that the Hebrew word “lebab” used here in these verses and translated, “heart”, also means “the center.” So, one can assume that whatever is at the center of one’s life is also what drives the heart.   Just what is it that fills that heart of yours?  What is at the "center" of your existence?

Look at how you spend your days, your time, your money, your energy, your work. These help tell you what is at the center of your life. If you give twenty minutes a day to cleaning and five hours a day to drinking, we know what is the center of your life. When a business ignores employee safety or working conditions, it might just be that the business cares more about a profit than its workers. When a family takes care of an aged parent or grandparent, it might just show they care more about family than privacy. When a young person would rather spend the holidays with friends than with family, are the friends more important than the family?  In some of our inner-cities, youth are murdered for their tennis shoes. This tells me that to the murderer, the shoes were more important than a person’s life. What is it that your heart revolves around?

Teacher Debbie Moon had a good group of first graders in her class. One day, they were discussing a picture of a family. One little boy in the picture had different colored hair than the other family members. A perceptive student suggested that the boy in the picture was adopted.  A little girl named Jocelynn Jay said, "I know all about adoptions because I was adopted."
"What does it mean to be adopted?" asked another child.
"It means," said Jocelynn, "that you grew in your mommy's heart instead of her tummy."
Now, my bet is that little Jocelyn learned that from a parent who showed love.  It came from a parent who put little Jocelyn at the center of life, not at the edges. 

Today, I want you to examine what Moses forced the people of Israel to consider: where is your heart? What is at the center of your life?   What consumes your soul? Your priorities today will exhibit this. Your family will be blessed or cursed depending on your choices. Your future will be set based on just how you answer these questions. I pray you answer well.


June 14

  “On the way to Jerusalem He [Jesus] was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. And as He entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices and said, 'Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.' When he saw them he said to them, 'Go and show yourselves to the priests.' And as they went they were cleansed. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. Then said Jesus, 'Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?' And he said to him, 'Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.'” (Luke 17:11–19, RSV)  

 In an article recently written, the author was complaining about children. What was written contained this short explanation of how children are growing up without giving back to others. Here's what the person wrote.... "We're not very good at saying "Thank you," are we? We're like a little boy I heard about. On his return from a birthday party, his mother queried, "Bobby, did you thank the lady for the party?"
"Well, I was going to.", he said, "But a girl ahead of me said, "Thank you," and the lady told her not to mention it. So I didn't." Now while I do not believe the child was being disrespectful to anyone, the story did make me think. How good are we at giving thanks, at giving back?

Gunther Klempnauer asked six-hundred twenty-five young German students in twelve vocational schools a question: "What would you do if you knew you had only one day left to live?" More than twenty percent of those who were asked revealed that they would spend their last day on earth, drinking, taking drugs, and having sex. Saddened by this, Klempnauer did find a few hopeful responses. One said she would go to see long-forgotten friends. Another suggested he might make things right with those who he had wronged. But Klempnauer opened one of the last responses to find that an eighteen-year-old woman wrote, "I would like to spend my last evening in church (to be alone with God) to thank Him for a full and happy life." Very few mentioned giving "thanks" in their responses.  Human beings are not very good at being thankful, are we?

Throughout the history of humankind, there were many instances where people paid an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth; they got even. There are a great many instances where people took advantage of others, started wars, hurt others. According to the biblical account, the first two humans born on the earth, Cain and Abel, ended their relationship with one killing the other out of jealousy (Genesis 4:8). In our history, thanks are not all that common.  Giving back is even more rare.  Getting even is not too uncommon.

Let me tell you what a person wrote in Reader's Digest....." We attended the wedding of an acquaintance's son. Because we did not know the young man or his bride, we decided to send them a practical household gift, a fire extinguisher. Apparently, the couple mass-produced their thank-you notes because we received a card saying: "Thank you very much for the nice wedding gift. We look forward to using it soon."  "Thank yous" in this world are often contrived, often missing, often forgotten.

Our scripture reading for today gives another example.  Jesus was traveling on a road to Jerusalem when He neared a village that had ten lepers by the side of the road.  Because of their disease, the lepers were required to keep away from all healthy people.  Standing at a distance from everyone along the road, they yelled to Jesus, "Master, have mercy on us" (Luke 17:13).

 Leprosy is a horrible disease.   Your skin turns white and falls off, and the nerves in your extremities burn from the damage to the skin. You are in constant pain. In later stages, leprosy will damage your brain and internal organs. In the time of Jesus, lepers were not allowed to worship in the temple or the synagogue. They were kept outside of the city and forbidden from living with family. How would you like to be in constant pain, forbidden from seeing those you love, and forbidden from worship in God's house? It was a horrible way to live. The lepers by the side of the road in the scripture for today begged Jesus to heal them.  They wanted Jesus to end their lives of misery and pain.

Jesus noticed these ten lepers.  Then, after only a few moments, He said to them, "Go and show yourselves to the priests." (Luke 17:14)  On the way, they were healed.  For all practical purposes, they were given their lives back. It was the single most wonderful event one in their situation could ever hope for. It was a miracle. All ten were healed. All ten were given such a gift. And what was their response?  One of them, "when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks."  (Luke 17:15,16).   Jesus was disheartened.  He declared: "Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine?" (Luke 17:17)   Of the ten, only one returned to give thanks. One in ten, ten percent. That isn't much is it?
 
Charles L. Brown once gave nine suggestions why the nine healed lepers didn't return.
One waited to see if the cure was real.
One waited to see if it would last.
One said he would see Jesus later.
One decided that he had never had leprosy.
One said he would have gotten well anyway.
One gave the glory to the priests.
One said, "O well, Jesus didn't really do anything."
One said, "Just any rabbi could have done it."
One said, "I was already much improved."
It's easy to come up with reasons in life not to say "Thank you."
 
Ten years ago, two parents found out that their son had a tumor in his abdomen. They were absolutely shaken up. They came to a pastor friend of mine to ask for help. They were members of his church, even if they hadn't been there in years. They called the pastor to visit their home. They asked the congregation to pray for their son. The pastor was there during the rest of the testing. He spent many hours with the family. The doctors were afraid to remove the tumor because it was attached to an internal organ. The x-rays did not offer much hope. The doctors took out a biopsy and found the tumor benign, but they said that type of tumor would grow and at some point might threaten the boy's life. My friend was there the day the doctor said, "There's nothing we can really do. It's up to prayers now." The whole congregation prayed and prayed. The parents, soon after, found a doctor who would attempt surgery. The couple came to church and told the people the hopeful news of an impending surgery. The whole church was praying for this little boy.

When the doctor went in for the biopsy during the surgery, he found no tumor. It was gone. It was a miracle. I asked my friend several weeks ago how the young boy was doing. He responded, "I don't know, the people haven't been in church since the surgery!" Did they forget where the miracle came from? Did they forget to continue to give thanks? They wanted God's attention and prayers, but were not willing to stick around and give thanks.

Jesus mentioned to the one who came back....... "Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well" (Luke 17:19).  He saw faith in the one man who returned to give thanks. Giving thanks, giving back, and giving in itself are signs of faith that separate those who believe from everyone else.

Are you one to say "Thank you" to a person who blessed your life? Are you the kind of person to send a note of thanks when someone has helped you? Out of thanks, are you the kind of person to give back to others, because someone first gave to you?
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And don't forget to thank God for all He has given, for the people He puts around you, for the hope you have, for the future in His kingdom, for Christ and the Holy Spirit.   Be one of those rare people in life and in history who is known for giving thanks ceaselessly.  Jesus will notice.  God will bless you for it.


June 15

  “Then the people of Israel set out, and encamped in the plains of Moab beyond the Jordan at Jericho. And Balak...saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites.... Moab was overcome with fear of the people of Israel... So Balak, who was king, sent messengers to Balaam...saying, 'Behold, a people has come out of Egypt; ... Come now, curse this people for me, since they are too mighty for me; ... for I know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed.' ...And he [Balaam] said to them, 'Lodge here this night, and I will bring back word to you, as the Lord speaks to me'.....God said to Balaam, 'You shall not go with them; you shall not curse the people, for they are blessed.' So Balaam rose in the morning, and said to the princes of Balak, 'Go to your own land; for the Lord has refused to let me go with you.'

...Once again Balak sent princes... And they came to Balaam and said to him, “Thus says Balak ...: ‘Let nothing hinder you from coming to me;...curse this people for me.’” ...So Balaam rose in the morning, and saddled his ass, and went with the princes of Moab. But God’s anger was kindled because he went; and the angel of the Lord took his stand in the way as his adversary. Now he was riding on the ass, and his two servants were with him. And the ass saw the angel of the Lord standing in the road, with a drawn sword in his hand; and the ass ... went into the field; and Balaam struck the ass, to turn her into the road. Then the angel of the Lord stood in a narrow path between the vineyards, with a wall on either side. And when the ass saw the angel of the Lord, she pushed against the wall, and pressed Balaam’s foot against the wall; so he struck her again. Then the angel of the Lord went ahead, and stood in a narrow place, where there was no way to turn either to the right or to the left. When the ass saw the angel of the Lord, she lay down under Balaam; and Balaam’s anger was kindled, and he struck the ass with his staff.

​Then the Lord opened the mouth of the ass, and she said to Balaam, “What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?” And Balaam said to the ass, “Because you have made sport of me. I wish I had a sword in my hand, for then I would kill you.” ...Then the Lord opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way, with his drawn sword in his hand; and he bowed his head, and fell on his face. And the angel of the Lord said to him, “Why have you struck your ass these three times? Behold, I have come forth to withstand you, because your way is perverse before me; and the ass saw me, and turned aside before me these three times. If she had not turned aside from me, surely just now I would have slain you and let her live.” Then Balaam said to the angel of the Lord, “I have sinned, for I did not know that thou didst stand in the road against me....” And the angel of the Lord said to Balaam, “Go with the men; but only the word which I bid you, that shall you speak.” So Balaam went on with the princes of Balak.” (Numbers 22:1–35 (abridged)  RSV)  


"A Lack of Realization"

Two decades ago, I preached at the 125th anniversary celebration of a church I served in Southern Indiana. While I was there, I heard many stories about the history of that church. But there is one story, I won't forget. It happened to a pastor of that church, Rev. Daries, in 1917. I was told of this event by his daughter, Alpha, who wrote me to reminisce about her father.

Alpha's father, Rev. Daries , bought his first car ever in 1917. It was a Ford Model T.  She referred to it as the brass radiator "Tin Lizzy" Ford. Rev. Daries paid $425 for the car. Mr. Lange, the salesman, drove the Ford from Mt. Vernon to the parsonage, ten miles away.  Then, Rev. Daries and his daugher Alpha got in the car as the salesman drove back to the city showing Rev. Daries how to drive and letting him drive part of the way. When they arrived back at the dealership, the salesman stayed while they drove back home.  Alpha's letter tells what happened next.... "Well, we started out. I am sure that my father did not drive over fifteen miles an hour. We were going along nicely when a horse-drawn buggy appeared in front of us. We kept getting closer to the buggy, and finally when I figured we'd slow down, we didn't.  Rev. Daries pulled up to the buggy, and just at the last moment I heard him say, very loudly, 'Whoaaaa'.  He had forgotten about the brake!"  He had forgotten he was not on a horse!  They hit the horse-drawn buggy. Alpha finished the story in the letter by saying, "From then on, my father let me drive, and he made no attempt to learn. . ."  

Can you picture it? The pastor finally gets his first car... and he was driving along so nicely!  He didn't know anything was amiss until he forgot how to stop!  Balaam the prophet in our scripture for today also had a problem with realization.  He was going on a trip with King Balak's messengers, but he too didn't realize something was wrong until he ran into trouble. Luckily, it wasn't too late for Balaam before he realized his error. At the last second, he averted disaster. I guess, where Rev. Daries didn't stop in time, Balaam did. Then again, Balaam had help; spiritual help!  Read on and you'll see!

In the book of Numbers, the 22nd chapter, we are told of Balaam the prophet. In ancient times, people sought out prophets to tell them what God wanted. They didn't have scriptures from which to learn about God. They turned instead to prophets who spoke to God and gave messages from God. Balaam often inquired of the Lord for people. In our scripture for today, messengers expected Balaam to offer a message from God to their king, King Balak of Moab.

The scripture story opens with King Balak in fear of the Israelites. He worried they would defeat his kingdom and take over his land. He sent word through messengers to Balaam. The king said, "Come now, curse this people for me, since they are too mighty for me; perhaps I will be able to defeat them, for I know that he who you curse is cursed"(Numbers 22:6).  In other words, the king wanted Balaam the prophet to curse the people of Israel so that the king would surely defeat them in war. When the messengers from the king came to Balaam, the prophet inquired of God what to do. Now, God would not have the prophet curse his people, the people of Israel . So, when Balaam prayed and asked God what to do, God said, "Do not go with these men to the king"(Numbers 22:12). The messengers left and informed the king that Balaam wouldn't come with them. The king was upset , but he needed the prophet to curse the people of Israel. So, he again sent messengers to the prophet. Despite God's warning, Balaam left with them.

Without knowing, Balaam was caught in this trap of evil. We all can be caught in that trap. When you ask something of God in prayer or during worship, and you don't like what you hear, you might be tempted to ignore God's direction.  When you don't like how God answered your prayer, you might decide to just do what you want. You may not realize what's at stake. You continue on your course without knowing it will hurt in the end.

How often do you know God is telling you one thing, but you do another?  Do you pray and then do what you want anyway?  It's a dangerous practice. 

God did not want the prophet to curse God's people, so when Balaam left to see the king, denying God's order for him not to go, God sent an angel to stop Balaam.  When you go directly against God, God puts roadblocks along the path to destruction.  God tries to prevent you from making your mistakes, if you only realize it.

Traveling on his donkey with the messengers, Balaam soon came upon the angel. The angel drew his sword, ready to strike Balaam and kill him (Numbers 22:23).  Balaam could not see the angel. Isn't it crazy that the prophet couldn't see the angel?!!!  The guy who is supposed to know God doesn't know what God is doing right in front of him!

The prophet of God was in such a hurry to go with the messengers that he did not realize the danger he faced. Balaam no longer could relate to God. This is what can happen when you go directly against God. You lose the ability to see what God is doing in and around you. You can't see the forest for the trees. You lose objectivity.  Today, are you seeing what God is doing around you, or have you lost your perspective, too?  Was there a time when you lost your realization of what was really going on?

Have you ever heard the phrase, "He was in a blind rage."? Sometimes anger can make you blind to what is going on around you. Have you ever heard the phrase, "Love is blind."? Sometimes, the sight of a good looking woman or man can cause you to lose perspective, make mistakes, act foolishly. Be careful; there are many ways to be blinded in our world. You can get so caught up in business, in plans, in grief, in arguments, in problems, that you can't see straight anymore. It's all too easy to set your sights on things of this world and be blind to things of God's world. Then you, like Balaam, are in danger of losing your way.

As Balaam was just about to be slain by the angel, his donkey turned away from the angel and went in a field to escape (Numbers 22:23). Because the donkey did not go where he wanted, Balaam became angry and struck the donkey who just saved his life. Then the angel stood in a narrow path.  "The donkey again saw the angel and averted danger" (Numbers 22:24).  Balaam's foot scraped against the wall. Balaam was so angry, he beat the donkey again. He just about had it with that animal! Through it all, its amazing to me that the prophet couldn't see the angel!  The prophet who spoke with God was so blind that he couldn't even see God's messenger. The donkey could see what the prophet could not!

Now, I must stop here for a moment to help you consider something very important. Notice that when Balaam doesn't see what is really going on, he lashes out at the one (donkey) who does know what is really happening. There are times when you are making a mistake in your life and can't see it. A friend sent by God warns you not to make the mistake.  You become angry at the friend. Also, there are times when God will want you to tell a friend something is wrong. When you do, the friend will get angry at you, because the friend is blinded by bias. Either way, be careful when you criticize a friend for telling you the truth. It may point to an area in your life where you are blinded.

Back to our scripture.  The angel of the Lord went on ahead, and stood in a narrow place, with no way out (Numbers 22:26). When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, she layed down under Balaam and refused to go any further. Balaam was enraged and he whipped that donkey a third time. Then something amazing happened. The scripture tells us that the Lord opened the mouth of the donkey so it could speak. The donkey asked Balaam why he struck her. Balaam replied saying, "I thought you were making fun of me. I wish I had a sword, for then I would kill you"(Numbers 22:28).  Then, the Lord opened Balaam's eyes so he could see the angel. The angel told him that the donkey was trying to protect him.  Balaam could see the sword in the hand of the angel.  With a warning, the angel let Balaam go with the messengers: "Go with the men; but only the word which I bid you, you shall speak." (Numbers 22:35)  In other words, Balaam was only allowed to go if he relayed God's message.

Balaam followed God's orders to a tee. Every time the king wanted Balaam to curse the Israelites, he blessed them as God called him to do. It made the king very upset. But one way or another, God was not going to have his people cursed by his own prophet . Thereafter, Balaam was determined to listen to what God had to say and follow God's directions faithfully.

Each day, take time and open yourself up to God in prayer. You may discover things of this world are blinding you.  Time spent in prayer will do wonders for you, for your life, for your relationship with God.  And do not forget Balaam and his donkey. Don't we look dumb when we are clueless? Oh, the mistakes you make when you go against God!  Sometimes you can miss the most obvious of realities.  Too often, you can be blind to what God is doing right in front of your nose!  Even the donkey noticed Balaam's mistake. It was that obvious.  Do you realize what is spiritually going on around you?
 


June 16

   "[Jesus said:] 'Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them. To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more. So also, the one with the two talents gained two more. But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.

After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.’ His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ The man with the two talents also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two talents; see, I have gained two more.’ His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’

​Then the man who had received the one talent came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’ His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents. For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'” (Matthew 25:14–30, NIV84) 

"Taking Care of God's Stuff"

A brother and sister, Tommy and Tina, grew up constantly bickering. They would fight over anything and everything. In that household, you might hear things like, "That's mine!", "Keep your fingers off that!",  "Do you have to be in the bathroom so long?", and "Why did I ever get such a lousy brother like you."  Just after school got out one year, Tommy crashed his bicycle and broke his leg and arm. His older sister Tina teased him for being such a misfit. Tommy thought about flattening her bicycle tires just to get even, but he didn't.

In early July, Tommy and Tina were left home for the afternoon while Mom went to get groceries and fill a prescription for Tommy. As their mother left home, she said, "Now Tina, you take care of Tommy. He's got the broken leg and arm and all and you get him what he needs."  From the couch, Tommy asked for water. Then, he asked for his crutches. Then, he complained about the cast itching from the heat and sweat. Tina grew sick and tired of his complaining. Finally, Tommy asked to go outside by the pool and Tina helped him get to the patio.  He then asked for her to put sunscreen on his exposed skin, because the sun was so hot. Instead of getting sunscreen, she got some skin lotion and rubbed it on, smirking to herself.

Mom came home two and a half hours later and found Tommy complaining about his skin itching. What mom thought was a rash due to the sunscreen was a sunburn so bad that young Tommy had to be bathed in special ointments for days.  He was even prescribed pain medicine to sleep. Skin sloughed off his upper back.  He was miserable for days. Absolutely disgusted,  Mom said to young Tina, "Is this how you take care of your brother for me? Is this how you show respect and love to your family?" To this day, Tina still cringes when she thinks about what she did.

Like young Tina, you may not take care of things as needed.  If you don't take care of a bill on time, you will pay a late charge. If you don't take care of a septic system, it will overflow. When you don't take care of a car, a part may break down prematurely. Should you ignore a friendship, it will wither.  There are things in life you and I are supposed to take care of.  When we fail to "take care of business", something or someone will suffer.

In the book of Matthew, Jesus told a parable about the responsibility we have to take care of things in this world. Jesus taught about a man who went on a journey and left his money and property to three "able" servants. To one, he gave five talents of money, to another three, and to another one talent of money (Matthew 25:15), knowing the abilities of each to take care of business. He expected them to use that money to take care of the household while he was gone.
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The parable says that after a long time, the man came back home (Matthew 25:19). Two of the three servants had taken good care of the man's home and possessions, even making a profit for the home owner. The third servant didn't do much. He put the money in a hole and buried it (Matthew 25:25). If the servant who buried the money would have died, the man would have had nothing at all left to show for the money and possessions he left in the care of this servant. This last servant didn't "take care of business" while the master was away.  He ignored his responsibility.  He neglected the gift of the master.  As Jesus ended the parable, he said that the servant who didn't take make wise use of the master's money and property was practically "worthless" to the master (Matthew 25:30).

Jesus was using this story to teach the wisdom of taking care of God's stuff. In a way, Jesus is asking you this question: "If God is the Master in your life, are you like the good servants who took good care of the Eternal Master's stuff, or are you like the "worthless" servant who didn't take good care of what God needs done?" God has given you "stuff" to take care of in your life. How good are you at taking care of God's stuff?

For example, God has given you a church (hopefully). God has blessed you with possessions and relationships.  God has given you an income and abilities (talents!). You were surrounded with family and friends. God has richly blessed you with a bountiful and beautiful planet.  How well have you taken care of these blessings? How well have you kept watch over these gifts from God?  Have you maintained and increased their value?

According to the meaning of this parable of Jesus, God is watching how you handle God's time, God's spiritual gifts, God's possessions and buildings, God's money, God's people, and God's creation. Some in the parable were blessed for handling their responsibilities very well. One in the parable was cursed because he had no respect for the Master's "stuff".

In your life, how you spend your income, how you watch over children, how you take care of your church, how you nurture your relationships, how you use your time,  and how you take care of the planet all speak to how well you take care of God's "stuff". My prayer is that when your life is over, God can say to you, "Well done good and faithful servant!"(Matthew 25:21).  Most of God's congratulations or his condemnations will be determined by how you took care of "HIS stuff".  Will you leave this world better off when you leave or because you left?
 


June 17

“When one of those at the table with him heard this, he said to Jesus, 'Blessed is the man who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.' Jesus replied: 'A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, "Come, for everything is now ready." But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, "I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me." Another said, "I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me." Still another said, "I just got married, so I can’t come." The servant came back and reported this to his master.

​Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, "Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame."  "Sir," the servant said, "what you ordered has been done, but there is still room." Then the master told his servant, "Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full. I tell you, not one of those men who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.”'” (Luke 14:15–24   NIV84)  


When you make a mistake, it's wise to admit to it.  So many people try to make excuses for their actions, explain away their decisions. A number of years ago now, a church secretary made a typo in a bulletin, which read, "We at St. Paul's want everyone to know that we take care of our people. The flowers on the altar will be given to those who are sick after the sermon."  When the mistake was pointed out to the secretary, she promptly replied, "Somebody called just as I typed it in. It wasn't my fault!" The week before, she had put in the newsletter this note... "The pastor will be away for the next few Sundays. The preacher, during his absence, you will find pinned to the church notice board, and all births, marriages, and deaths will be postponed until his return."  When shown her mistake, the secretary explained that she wrote the announcement as she was told it over the phone. In both cases, the secretary felt the responsibility to give an excuse for her error.  What the Pastor really wanted was not an excuse or explanation of the error, but instead a promise that she would be more careful in what she wrote. 
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Today, our scripture reading is about a story of Jesus that illustrates the use of legitimate excuses. Jesus was invited to eat at the house of a prominent Pharisee. While he was there, Jesus told a story about a great banquet.  In the story, a man invited his guests (Luke 14:16).  We may assume invitations were given personally or sent out in writing.  Later, when the banquet was set up, he sent word to those he invited that "everything was ready" (Luke 14:17).  The celebration was on!
 
What happens next in the story was most unexpected.  The guests to the banquet "began to make excuses" (Luke 14:18).  Every single person listed made a legitimate excuse.   The first had a legal obligation, for he had "just bought a field" and had to examine his purchase (Luke 14:18).  The second had a work obligation.  He just "bought five yoke of oxen" and needed to find provision for the animals.  Another person said, "I just got married, so I cannot come" (Luke 14:20).  He had a family obligation.    They all asked to be excused from the wedding due to their own obligations.  
 
Each of the wedding guests who couldn't come to the banquet had a legitimate "excuse".  Each person gave a reason why they could not attend.  All are seemingly reasonable excuses:  family obligations,  work obligations, legal obligations.   You can't argue that each person had obligations.  But that ignores the fact that each person knew about the banquet in advance, yet continued with their obligations and ignored their responsibilities to the person who threw the banquet.  They thought their excuses would overturn their responsibility to the person giving the banquet.  But, excuses don't let you off the hook for everything.   For example, excuses can't replace personal responsibility.
 
In the parable of Jesus, the servant relayed the excuses to the master of the household.  He was very upset.   If those people really wanted to come to the celebration, they would have made ample arrangements. He had warned them of the upcoming banquet. He had sent them each an invitation long in advance.  Their obligations seemed more important than their commitment and promise to the person offering the banquet.  The people, though having legitimate excuses, really did not want to attend, or they would have made the time and worked out the issues.  Their excuses were an attempt to cover up the fact that the people considered their obligations more important than their promises to the householder.  They made value judgments.  Their work, legal, and family obligations were more important than the person giving the banquet or the promises they made. 

We all have given excuses to get off the hook for something we considered less important.  Who among you has not used excuses, or conjured up reasons not to do something? Your excuses can sound very convincing, but in the end they are still excuses.  If you promise something, excuses can't replace that promise, especially to the person who suffers from the broken promise.

As I was preparing this meditation, I came across in my files some very interesting statements given to police and insurance companies by those responsible for accidents.  One gentleman said, "I approached an intersection, and a stop sign suddenly appeared in a place where no stop sign had ever appeared before. I was unable to stop in time to avoid the accident." I almost feel sorry for the man! One woman said:  "To avoid hitting the bumper of the car in front of me, I hit the pedestrian."  It sounds legitimate, doesn't it?  Three others gave these excuses:  "My car was legally parked as it backed into the other vehicle."  "An invisible car came out of nowhere, struck my vehicle, and vanished."  "The pedestrian had no idea which way to go, so I ran him over.  It was his fault."
​
We all can conjure up excuses for not doing what we promised, even for what God wants us to do. Some give excuses to cover up their sins. Some give excuses to get out of work. Some give excuses for what they know is wrong. Each is an excuse. There's no way around that. And the whole problem is that one who gives excuses doesn't want to admit the truth. The truth is that they don't have the time or the energy or the willingness to fulfill an obligation or promise. People even make excuses to God.  Don't you think God can see through the excuse, read the heart, understand the broken promise?  

What the householder was angry about in our scripture is that the people knew about the banquet in advance.  They knew they were invited.  They knew how important this special occasion would be to the householder.  Despite the promises they made to attend the banquet, they found excuses to be absent anyway. Excuses are really a cover up for when we are wrong, when we want to get out of something, when we don't want to do something, or when we don't care.
 
Now, I know that at times, we must be excused from responsibilities. There are times when I have an emergency at the hospital, and must miss an obligation with my family or a friend. Then, I give my excuse. It is a legitimate excuse. But, what this scripture points out as wrong is when we give legitimate excuses to get out of something very important. I'm talking about priorities here. There are times when a family obligation is more important than work. An obligation to God comes before an obligation to a friend. Your true priorities in life are reflected by the promises you keep and the excuses you make.

The parable ends with the servant reporting all the excuses to the man who set up the celebration.  He was very hurt.  Not wanting to waste all the preparations and food, the head of the household commanded his servant:  "Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and maimed and blind and lame"(Luke 14:21). He wanted to celebrate and was going to find people to celebrate one way or another.

What does this story of Jesus have to do with you and me? Each time in scripture where God wanted something done, there were those who made excuses why God's plan couldn't work. Moses made excuses as to why he shouldn't lead the people out of slavery in Egypt (Exodus 4:1,10).  His excuses sounded legitimate, but God explained how they were wrong.  Which was more important, not speaking well or leaving the people in slavery?  Aaron made excuses as to why he made the golden calf idol for Israel in the wilderness (Exodus 32).  It was still a sin to God, no matter what the excuse.  When Peter denied Jesus three times, I'm sure he had his reasons.  He still broke Jesus' heart.  God taught each of these and many more how flimsy were their excuses.  When you make promises to God, excuses won't negate your responsibilities.  They will reveal what you value.
​
In the end, God wants you to be a part of HIS plans. God has already invited you to a banquet in Heaven.  You have probably made a promise to be there.  Will you show up?  Blaming others or making excuses will not work. When you fulfill your promises to God here on earth, when you give without excuse, when you can be trusted by our Lord, you will find that God will have no excuses for you when you pray, when you have a need, and on that day when you need a place in heaven. God will be there waiting, ready to keep HIS promises. Don't let excuses keep you from keeping your promises to God or from being at that banquet!


June 18

  “And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, 'Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?' He [Jesus] said to him, 'What is written in the law? How do you read?' And he answered, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.' And he said to him, 'You have answered right; do this, and you will live.' 

But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, 'And who is my neighbor?' Jesus replied, 'A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was; and when he saw him, he had compassion, and went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; then he set him on his own beast and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, "Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back." Which of these three, do you think, proved neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?' He said, 'The one who showed mercy on him.' And Jesus said to him, 'Go and do likewise.'”
(Luke 10:25–37   RSV)  


The scripture for this meditation tells a story that is familiar to many who know the Bible. It's the story of the "Good Samaritan".  In many churches, they teach this story to children as soon as they can comprehend it.  I hope you don't just teach the story to children, but live out the mercy exhibited in this story in a very real way.
 
The scripture for today begins with Jesus being cross-examined by a religious leader, knowledgeable in the Jewish law.   The scripture tells us plainly.... "And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, 'Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?'"( Luke 10:25).  In those days, many put Jesus to the test. They wanted to catch Him in an error. They wanted to prove He wasn't the Messiah and Christ. So, they tried to trick Him with difficult questions about scripture and life. Jesus responded to the lawyer's question by asking the man, "What is written in the law?" (Luke 10:26).   The man gave a perfect textbook answer:  "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself" (Luke 10:27).   His answer comes from the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 30:6).  Jesus declared the lawyer's answer correct. 

But the lawyer wasn't finished.  He was setting up Jesus, remember?  This man's answer was correct, but his heart was not. As soon as he gave the right answer... he again questioned Jesus.  The scripture says he wanted to "justify himself" (Luke 10:29).  The man was more about looking good and having textbook answers than living a faithful life.  He asked Jesus, "Who is my neighbor?"(Luke 10:29).  Jesus knew the man's heart was more full of rules than faith.  Jesus then used the story of a good Samaritan to explain how to really love God through loving others.

The story of the Good Samaritan begins with a man who was traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho. This man was "beaten, stripped, and robbed," along the way (Luke 10:30). He was "left half dead". Obviously, the man was seriously injured over no fault of his own.  As the man was lying there, probably in a pool of blood, various people happened upon him. They too were traveling on that road. No doubt they saw the man lying there half-conscious, bruised and bloody because of the beating. The first to happen upon the abused man was a priest. The response of that priest is given in verse 31:  "when he saw him, he passed by on the other side." Then along came a Levite. Levites, by the way, were considered a holy tribe in Israel. This Levite also noticed the man beaten by the side of the road. His response?  This holy man "passed by on the other side" of the road (Luke 10:32).

Both the priest and the Levite were considered holy and devout by the majority of Jews. They were deeply religious people who were known for praying and worshiping God several times weekly. They are the type of people you'd find in worship when the church doors are open. They are the ones who pride themselves on knowing God.  Yet their actions on that road were lacking. They left the beaten man by the side of the road and walked on. They crossed over to the other side of the road so they didn't have to deal with the problem.

While it might seem easy to condemn the priest and the Levite for their actions, you might want to hold your judgment. How often have you ignored a hurting person?   Have you ever looked away while a person was wronged?  How often do you ignore, pass by, try to forget, hide from those who have needs?  
​
In 1977, a man studied what happens when people visit a church. He visited two hundred churches to see what kind of care he would receive when there. Afterward, his response was this:  "I visited these churches personally. I was spoken to in only one by someone other than the official greeter — and that was when somebody asked me to move my feet!"  If this is how healthy people are treated in churches, I wonder how the average church-goer treats a desperately needy visitor? 

In one church I served, a member had a form of Alzheimer's disease. As the disease progressed, people no longer wanted to be around him. He wasn't "normal".  He didn't act like other people. He was too forgetful. In the end, a club he belonged to his whole life told his family that he was "embarrassing to have around".  Why is it that we treat people who are beaten up by life as people to walk away from and steer clear of?  I think Jesus used the beaten man as an example to test the level of compassion of the lawyer.  He wanted to see if the lawyer would stop to help as an example of faith. The lawyer knew the words of the Bible, even memorized them.  But would he live them out?

  Do you not realize that when you help a person with legitimate needs, you are exhibiting faith?  This lawyer knew the Bible, but he didn't live faithfully.  It's one thing to know the Bible, but it’s a whole other thing to live out the Bible's commands.  Might it be that God will display your faith by placing that needy person by the proverbial side of the road?

    Our story does not end with the man lying beaten and half-dead in the road. Along came someone who cared for the man.  The care-giver was a Samaritan. The scripture tells us that the Samaritan "saw him and had compassion" on him, "bound up his wounds", and "took care of him" (Luke 10:33, 34). It cost the Samaritan money and time to take care of the half-dead man.
 
It always costs something to stop and help those who are cast aside in our world. It always takes time and effort to look out for those who are beaten up by our world -- whether they are beaten up by a bad marriage, by homelessness, by poverty, by a dead-end job, by the stresses and strains of normal life, or by the death of a loved one. You name it, people are beaten up by things in life. It's your responsibility to reach out to the hurting.
 
This scripture is challenging and awesome. In our day, nothing could better help a church than to become a place where a bunch of Good Samaritans are gathered , ready to help those along the way. Isn't this the real meaning of being a Christian?   Is a Christian one who only reads about Jesus or worships at a church, or someone who lives like Jesus taught?  Jesus' final question to the lawyer was, "Which of these three, do you think, proved neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?" (Luke 10:36)   The smart lawyer answered correctly again, saying, "The one who showed mercy on him." (Luke 10:37).  In a final command, Jesus said to the lawyer, "Go and do likewise" (Luke 10:38).

   In the end, you are left with the challenge by Jesus..."Go and do likewise." If you want to understand your mission in this world, picture the Good Samaritan and "Go and do likewise." With compassion and giving, go and do likewise. Would you want someone to stop for you in your day of need?  Then, "Go and do likewise".   I believe our churches would grow like crazy, be alive and powerful in Christ if only we would ... "go and do likewise".   Love is easy to talk about.  It gets most real "by the side of the road" in life.   You can't leave the half-dead in the road. Your only real option as a person of God is to have mercy especially when others show none.  “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy” (Matthew 5:7) when they most need it!


June 19

   “But if you call yourself a Jew and rely upon the law and boast of your relation to God and know his will and approve what is excellent, because you are instructed in the law, and if you are sure that you are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, a corrector of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth— you then who teach others, will you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal? You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? You who boast in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? For, as it is written, 'The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.'" (Romans 2:17–24  RSV)  


"The Old Double-Standard"
 
It was Saturday, cartoon day for the kids. Dad had a lot of work planned. As Dad worked outside and around the house, he noticed his kids sitting at the TV laughing and having a good time while he worked. Each time he passed by the TV, he became more agitated. Was he the only one accomplishing anything today?  After his frustration boiled, he yelled at his wife, "You! You caused this, you know. All they do is watch TV. Just like you. Can't miss them soap operas! Can't miss your favorite shows, can you? These kids are watching too much TV. They don't do any work around here."  His wife heard his complaints before. Then, she asked what he wanted them all to do. Quickly, he replied.... "I'm gonna pull the plug.... as soon as the baseball season's over!"
​
This father could sit and watch a baseball game on TV for two or three hours and think nothing of it, yet was critical of his wife and kids when they did the same. In a way, he had a double standard. A standard of expectations for his kids and wife, and a separate standard for himself. A standard that others had to measure up to and one that he had to measure up to. Jesus was very critical of the scribes and Pharisees when they expected the people to live one way, while they lived another (Matthew 23:1-4).  Jesus called it hypocrisy, this double-standard.

I believe all of us at some time possess a double-standard.  Take for example, the parents who smoke and drink, and yet will punish their children for doing the same. How about the employer on whose application forms is the phrase "an equal opportunity employer" but who makes sure to find something wrong with each minority person who applies for a job.  How about the mother who complains that her kids don't apply themselves, but who is constantly found in the neighborhood bar drinking away her paycheck. Then there's the husband who expects his wife to do the wash, take care of the kids, feed the dogs, wash the dishes, and much more, but you will find him usually sleeping in his chair. The wife wouldn't dare leave a floor dirty, but his workshop in the basement looks like a tornado hit it!  Sometimes, its easier for someone on the outside to see more clearly our double standards.

When people in the Bible had a double-standard , they were called hypocrites. They were highly criticized by God and the faithful. Consider what the apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the Romans.  Here, the Apostle Paul told his fellow Jewish brothers and sisters, "While you preach against stealing, do you steal?  You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery?  You who boast in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? For, as it is written, 'The name of God is blasphemed because of you'" (Romans 2:21-24).

In Rome during the first century,  the Jewish people proclaimed that they were God's people.  They believed themselves a holy people.  And yet, the same ones who were claiming such godliness were living a double standard. While proclaiming that the law of God said you can't steal, they were stealing themselves. Despite teaching others not to commit adultery, they were having affairs. They boasted in their relationship with God, yet broke God's commandments and dishonored God in the process. They were teaching one thing and living another as if others couldn't see it.  Because of this double standard,  God was made a laughing stock. As it says in this last verse: "The name of God is blasphemed because of you."
​
Did you know that when you call yourself faithful and then do things against God, you mock God? You make God into a laughing stock!  If you call yourself a Christian, you represent God. People will look at you to see how you live and what choices you make. They will determine the worth of your God by your values. If you live by a double standard, people will figure your God isn't worth much. You live as if God doesn't notice your hypocrisy. Why would anyone want to worship a God who has followers with a double standard for an example?  Hypocrisy never feeds evangelism.  It kills it.

Let's say you opened the newspaper this morning. There, you saw an ad for a doctor's office. The ad suggested that if you are sick and in need of a physician to call and the doctor would patch you up. But the ad in the paper showed pictures of people leaving the clinic who looked sick, who were bent over with pain, or who were not doing better. Would you go there? Would you trust your children or grandchildren, spouse or friend to visit? If people don't see any difference in you because you are a Christian, why would they desire to worship your God?  Why would anybody want to put faith in your God if all you do is complain about your church, complain about having to go to a meeting, complain about the pastor or the leaders, complain about the Sunday School or the programs or the outreach, or complain about having to put money in the collection plate. What if the only thing people heard from you is, "Oh no, tomorrow's Sunday, I HAVE to go to church." What would you be saying about God? Quoting Paul, "God would be blasphemed, mocked, ridiculed because of you." When you call yourself a Christian and live a double-standard, you simply turn God into a bad joke.
 
The Bible is full of challenges to those who lived a double standard. In the book of Amos in the Old Testament, God was angry because the supposedly faithful people were oppressing the poor and crushing the needy (Amos 4:1).   God said in the book of Jeremiah to those with a double standard in that time:   "Will you steal, murder, commit adultery, swear falsely, burn incense to Baal, go after other gods that you have not known, and then come and stand before me in this house?"(Jer 7:9-10).  These scriptures and many others display God's anger at those who said they were faithful, but were not.
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Are there places in life where you live a double standard?  Be careful, for God may be condemning you as God did all these people in scripture before you. Being a Christian means more than just saying you believe.  It means living as an example for God. It means loving your neighbor as yourself, even if that neighbor is different from you. It means following the commandments. It means giving your tithes and offerings back to God and God's work. It means doing unto others as you would have done to you. It means, "Judge not lest you be judged." Are you willing to not only claim you are faithful, but live it without any double standards?

Examine your life. Look at how people see you.  Is there any area of your life where you have a double standard?  Don't let God be ridiculed because of your hypocrisy!


June 20

   [Jesus said:]“If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. And 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 16:10–13   NLT)  


One of the more heroic stories to come out of the Korean War involved a young sergeant by the name of Gardolibov. He had been engaged in the severe fighting on Heartbreak Hill. When the shooting had subsided, a rescue team was dispatched to the area to aid the wounded. The sergeant was found dying, but they discovered something very unusual. Although his hands were paralyzed, he had clenched between his teeth the two ends of a communication wire that had broken. In that moment when one would expect his every thought and concern to be directed toward his own needs, he was still doing what he could to keep the messages going through. He was faithful unto death! Many so-called "soldiers of the cross" are put to shame by his noble example. Sad to say, when the going gets rough, the demands too great, the sacrifice too costly, or the shame of the cross too much to bear, they desert their post and flee to where it's more comfortable and secure. Some even go AWOL. What about you? Can God count on you to be there on bad days and good days, to be faithful unto the end?

I would wish that we all were so faithful that when the situation was desperate, someone would always come through. If a church member was in need of help, another church member could always be found to give what was needed.  If there was a home fire, a Christian would surely come through with help.  If there was a homeless family, a friend in the congregation would always help the family find a safe haven.  I wish church people could always be counted on, but it is not always that way. Not all Christians are faithful. 

Think of Jesus. God sent him to die on a cross. Did he fail His Father in Heaven? No. Jesus was faithful. When the ailing needed healing, they came to Jesus with hope and faith that they could be made whole. They were healed. Jesus was faithful. Can others trust you to be faithful as well?

I remember sitting at the bedside of an older gentleman who was near death. The doctor told me that he should have died the week previous, but the man held on.  I was wondering if he was afraid to die and that's why he clung so tenaciously to life.   After telling me of his terrible pain,  I told him to take Jesus' hand and walk with him into heaven. He turned to me and said, "Not yet, Pastor." I thought for a moment and understood. He had a son who lived in California who had not yet returned to say goodbye. This faithful man was not going to die until his son made it back. The doctor said he couldn't last that long. Logic deemed his plan impossible. But just a few hours after his son's plane landed and he made his way to the hospital to his father's bedside,  the father breathed his last. He knew his son needed to say "I love you" one more time. Faith says you can stay alive, that God has given you time to say goodbye,  when medicine says its impossible.

True faith is a powerful thing. With "faith-fullness", I've seen people come together and do miraculous things.  True faith has helped people overcome addiction.  True faith has given the suffering a second chance.  True faith has changed the course of history.  True faith has brought families together again. Faith overcomes great challenges. Faith brings hope where there is none.

In the scripture for today, Jesus is speaking about faith. He mentions that “If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities” (Luke 16:10).   Jesus knew that if you are truly faithful, you are faithful in every area of your life. If you are truly faithful, you can be trusted with worthy possessions. If you can be trusted to do the right thing at home, you will be trustworthy at work. God knows that if you are faithful in dealing with your child, you will be faithful in dealing with the needy. You will be faithful no matter who is watching or even if alone. If you are always faithful in little things, you will be always faithful with important or valuable responsibilities.

At the age of twenty-four, Abraham Lincoln served as the postmaster of New Salem, Illinois, for which he was paid an annual salary of $55.70.  Even then, twenty-four years before he entered the White House, the rail-splitter was showing the character that earned him the title of "Honest  Abe."  The New Salem post office was closed in 1836, but it was several years before an agent arrived from Washington to settle accounts with ex-postmaster Lincoln, who was a struggling lawyer not doing very well. The agent informed him that $17 was due the government. Lincoln crossed the room, opened an old trunk and took out a yellow cotton rag, bound with a string. Untying it, he spread out the cloth and inside lay the $17. He had been holding it untouched for all those years.  People discovered that Abraham Lincoln could be trusted with one's money. Is it no surprise that when our nation needed a president we could trust, when our country was torn apart by Civil War, we turned to a man who was faithful in little things as well as faithful with much?
 
Jesus continues in our scripture: "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?” (Luke 16:11–12)   Jesus was convinced that if God can trust you, others can trust you.  If you are faithful with your tithes, God knows you will be faithful with money in other areas of life.  If you can be trusted to watch over the vulnerable, you can be trusted to watch over other groups.  If you are truly faithful, that "faith-fullness" should extend to your whole life.  God can count on you to come through, no matter what the situation. 
 
 Can God count on you to be faithful when the chips are down, when all goes wrong, when you have to take that last step in life to eternal life? Are you truly "faith-full" or just "faith-partial"?
 
In his book, The Ragamuffin Gospel,  Brennan Manning recalled an incident which took place when a two-story house caught on fire. The family was making its way out of the house when the smallest boy became terrified, tore away from his mother, and ran back upstairs. Suddenly, he appeared at a smoke-filled window crying hysterically. Standing outside, his father shouted, "Jump, son, jump! I will catch you."
The boy cried, "But daddy, I can't see you."
"I know," his father called, "But I can see you."
The boy jumped not knowing where his father was, but trusting that his father could see him and save him. And the boy lived.

That's really all that matters in threatening situations, isn't it?  It is wonderful to be sure that your Heavenly Father can see you.  Do you have the faith to jump when God says jump, even when you can't see all the reasons or all the answers or all the outcomes?  That's what it means to be "faith-full". 

Faith occurs when you can't see the outcome, but you trust the person leading you. Faith tells you to hope in God when you believe the obstacle is so very great. Faith shows its greatness precisely when you can't see what will happen, but you know God will make it all work out. Do you have "faith-fullness" or are you "faith-less"? Where God can see everything, you might only see smoke or a fire.  It is important when your sight is obscured that you trust in a God who WILL follow through.
 
THE WILL OF GOD
The will of God will never take you,
Where the grace of God cannot keep you.
Where the arms of God cannot support you,
Where the riches of God cannot supply your needs,
Where the power of God cannot endow you.

The will of God will never take you,
Where the spirit of God cannot work through you,
Where the wisdom of God cannot teach you,
Where the army of God cannot protect you,
Where the hands of God cannot mold you.

The will of God will never take you,
Where the love of God cannot enfold you,
Where the mercies of God cannot sustain you,
Where the peace of God cannot calm your fears,
Where the authority of God cannot overrule for you.

The will of God will never take you,
Where the comfort of God cannot dry your tears,
Where the Word of God cannot feed you,
Where the miracles of God cannot be done for you,
Where the omnipresence of God cannot find you.
​

• Author Unknown

 June 21

 “When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, 'Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?' He said to him, 'Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.' He said to him, 'Feed my lambs.' A second time he said to him, 'Simon, son of John, do you love me?' He said to him, 'Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.' He said to him, 'Tend my sheep.' He said to him the third time, 'Simon, son of John, do you love me?' Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, 'Do you love me?' And he said to him, 'Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.' Jesus said to him, 'Feed my sheep. Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you girded yourself and walked where you would; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish to go.' (This he said to show by what death he was to glorify God.) And after this he said to him, 'Follow me.'”
​(John 21:15–19, RSV)  


  A young woman adored her boyfriend of seven years. They got to the point in their relationship where she started a sentence and he finished it. They went on vacations together, went to family functions together, always arm in arm. On the seventh anniversary of their first date, they went to a nice restaurant where they had a quiet table in the corner. They talked, made eyes at each other, ate, laughed. After dinner, they went for a walk along a river path that was decorated for the holidays. It was snowing a little. It was a quiet, beautiful night.
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As they walked, young Carol turned to her boyfriend Pete and said, "Pete, could you do something for me?"
Pete smiled at her and said, "Sure, doll, what do you need?"
She said, "Honey, I'd like you to say, 'I love you' to me."
He was silent. In the seven years they dated and lived together, he never ever said, "I love you." Pete looked away and said to her, "Don't I show you love?"
 "Yes," she replied. "But sometimes I miss just hearing how you love me, so can you just say it this once?"
Pete was very quiet again, and then got upset and said, "So, its not good enough that I show you how much I care, now you need to hear me say, 'I love you'?"
She was quiet. A few minutes later she said, "Honey, when two people get married they say, 'I do', right?"
 "Yes" he said.
"Well, why do they say 'I do' when they get married?"
 He replied in a moment:  "I don't know... tradition, maybe?"
She answered, " I think sometimes people just need to hear you make a promise, or hear you say what you think, or hear the words come out of your mouth. I'd just like to hear you say, 'I love you.' Just once. Just for me." He couldn't do it.

Every now and then, if you go to their house and everything is quiet, you'll hear her crying. In her room when she's all alone, she remembers that night, that walk, and that he couldn't say those words just once like he really meant it. They've been married now for ten years, and she waits for the day when he'll say with feeling those words she needs desperately to hear: "I love you."

I have found that there are many people who don't know they are loved.   It might be that they never heard their father or mother or sister or brother or best friend or church friend say, "I love you", like they really mean it. Even some of those souls who attend church every week don't understand how much God really, really loves them. Those three words may seem hard to say or understand, but they are not. They should be spoken often, but are seldom uttered.   

In the gospel of John, Jesus taught that (say it out loud!), "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in HIM shall not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).  God so loved the world. Throughout scripture we are told about God and love. For example, in the book of 1 John it says that God is love and that if you do not show love, you do not even know God, for God is love (1 John 4:8,9).  In our scripture for today, Jesus wants to hear Peter say those three little words to HIS face. 

At the end of the gospel of John, Jesus came back to life after dying on a cross.  One of the first things Jesus does after this resurrection is to inquire if Peter, His disciple, really loves Him.  Now, you may remember that just before Jesus died on the cross, Peter denied Jesus three times. Peter did this in order to save his own life.  Here in this scripture, after Jesus was resurrected, Jesus saw Peter for the first time.  In this first meeting, Jesus asked Peter three questions about love: "Peter, do you love me?", "Do you truly love me?", "Do you love me more?" (John 21:15,16,17).  The scripture says Peter was hurt after Jesus asked about love three times, but Jesus needed Peter to say the words, "I love you." Jesus was proving a point. After you commit sin, what God needs to hear from you is that you really do love God and are committed to HIM.

Jesus needed to hear from Peter, the words "I love you." Sometimes, you may need to hear them, as well.  Sometimes, you may need to say those words like you mean them.

In Wyoming, there's a young boy with Down's Syndrome named Tommy. He looks different from the other boys. When he was young, Tommy was teased for being different. He would be called terrible names at school.   His mother found that some days young Tommy would go to his room after school and cry.  He hurt so much that he'd break his toys in fits of emotional pain.  His mother found one thing would help above all others. She would take the young boy to the rocking chair in the living room, set him on her lap, and sing, "Jesus Loves Me, This I Know" over and over. He might fight her at first, but soon he would calm down. Then, she'd stroke his hair and just say over and over those three hugely important words, "I love you."

Tommy needed to know he was loved.  Jesus wanted to hear those three words from Peter. You may also find that you need to hear or say those words as well. In Christian homes and churches, these words should be heard often, but they are not.  Despite the fact that Jesus taught a lot about love, Christians are not good at talking about love.   You may even know the song, "They'll know we are Christians, how?"…"by our love".  Loving and saying "I love you" should be as natural to you as breathing.... but is it?

Many years ago, I was frustrated with a couple during marriage counseling. The husband a wife argued constantly. They often yelled at each other, even during counseling. After three months of sessions, they were struggling. Nothing was working. Everything I tried failed.  I prayed asking God, "What can I do to help?  I'm at a loss." One evening, during a session, I didn't see any possibility for their reconciliation.  I was just about to say, "Maybe you two need to see someone else." The words came out wrong.  I said instead, "Maybe you two need to do something else." They both looked at me. In that instant, God made these words come out of my mouth.... "For the next two weeks until we meet, I want you each to say, "I love you" five times a day.  And I want you to do one loving thing for each other every day." The husband snarled sarcastically, "Well that'll work", as he rolled his eyes and laughed at me. The wife looked at him and just glared. I didn't look forward to the next counseling session.

Two weeks later, when we met at the next session, I could tell something had changed. I said to the wife, "What happened this past two weeks. You seem different." She told me, "At first, when Tom said 'I love you' it came off as corny. But I really meant it when I said it. Then, when he made me breakfast and said 'I love you' something happened in me. He's never made me breakfast before work in the entire time we've been married. I didn't know what to say. I didn't even say anything to him. But something changed. And by this last week, when he said 'I love you', I felt like he meant it." She reached over and held his hand. Everything changed thereafter.  In fact, the counseling didn't last long after that.  It didn't need to. Their love just glowed.  The last time I ran into them, they told me that they say "I love you" to each other at least twice a day. They consider it the glue that holds their marriage together.  They thank God for introducing them to the real power of the words, "I love you."

Jesus asked Peter in this scripture, "Do you love me more than these?" (John 21:15).   Sometimes, God wants to see if we love HIM more than we love other things, more than we love our collections, or favorite pastimes, or favorite people, or possessions.  Do you love God enough to put God first in your life? Does God get the first tenth or tithe of your money, or the leftovers? Does God get to talk to you only when you have extra time? Does God get the best of you? How much do you really love God? I mean really? Do you love HIM enough to put your life in HIS hands, or just enough to visit HIM on a few Sunday mornings? Is God your pilot or your co-pilot?
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Just like Jesus wanted Peter to say "I love you" three times, God may want to hear those words from you at home, at church, to your spouse, to a person you even dislike. Jesus said, "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (Matthew 5:44).  Sometimes, love is the only thing that will save your marriage, save a friendship or relationship, or save a soul. The Apostle Paul knew this when he said how faith and hope and love were important, but the greatest of the three was love (1 Corinthians 13:13).  May you always say "I love you" like you mean it.​

June 22

  “Then the Lord answered Job from the storm. He said: 'Who is this that makes my purpose unclear by saying things that are not true? Be strong like a man! I will ask you questions, and you must answer me.'"

   "'Have you ever ordered the morning to begin, or shown the dawn where its place was in order to take hold of the earth by its edges and shake evil people out of it? At dawn the earth changes like clay being pressed by a seal; the hills and valleys stand out like folds in a coat. Light is not given to evil people; their arm is raised to do harm, but it is broken. Have you ever gone to where the sea begins or walked in the valleys under the sea? Have the gates of death been opened to you? Have you seen the gates of the deep darkness?'" 

   "'Can you tie up the stars of the Pleiades or loosen the ropes of the stars in Orion? Can you bring out the stars on time or lead out the stars of the Bear with its cubs? Do you know the laws of the sky and understand their rule over the earth? Can you shout an order to the clouds and cover yourself with a flood of water? Can you send lightning bolts on their way? Do they come to you and say, ‘Here we are’? Who put wisdom inside the mind or understanding in the heart? Who has the wisdom to count the clouds? Who can pour water from the jars of the sky...?'” (Job 38:1-3, 12-17, 31–37   NCV)  


On many occasions, Theodore Roosevelt and his friend William Beebe would venture out at night, searching for different stars and astronomical highlights. One night, Roosevelt pointed to a tiny patch of light near the constellation of Pegasus. Beebe remarked, "That is the Spiral Galaxy in Andromeda. It is as large as our Milky Way. It is one of a hundred million galaxies. It consists of one hundred billion suns, each larger than our sun." Upon hearing these immense facts, Roosevelt turned to his companion and said, "Now, I think I've been humbled enough with that. Time to turn in."
 
The way God put the universe together and the intricacies of life all teach us that God is supremely powerful. We puny humans should be humbled by the awesome ability and wisdom of God. King David wrote long ago: “I look at your heavens [Oh, Lord], which you made with your fingers. I see the moon and stars, which you created. But why are people even important to you? Why do you take care of human beings?” (Psalm 8:3–4  NCV)  People can be so arrogant that they don't see all the power of God's hand around them.   Human beings are quick to complain about the littlest things, taking for granted all that God has done.

In the book of Job, we are told how the prophet suffered at the hands of Satan. He lost his home, his health, and members of his family.  His friends made fun of his misfortune. It wore Job down.  At first, Job didn't blame God for his troubles. But after a while, he began to complain bitterly.  He wondered, "Why do people suffer? Why didn't God make it easier for us? Why doesn't God listen to every prayer and answer like we want? Why do good people face misfortune? Why do bad people often become rich?" On and on for thirty-seven chapters, Job complained more and more. He grew resentful. He began to question God.
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Finally, God answered Job. God was upset that Job questioned his Maker. God stated, "Why do you question me? I will question you!" (Job 38:3)  Job spent days and months questioning God's management of creation. Now, it was God's turn. God stated to Job; "Have you ever given orders for the sun to rise? (Job 38:12) Have you journeyed in the depths of the sea? (Job 38:16) Have you seen the gates of death? (Job 38:17) Can you control the stars of heaven and keep them on their course? (Job 38:31) Do you know how the stars work? (Job 38:33) Do you know how the earth works? Can you send lightening bolts or floods?" (Job 38:34,35). On and on God questioned Job's intelligence. God essentially was teaching, "Job, you think you know everything, but you really know little."

In our pride, we don't like how God is running things, so we determine to do things our own way. Human beings have wrecked whole ecosystems in nature in an attempt to take control over nature from God.  In modern times, there are illegal attempts around the world to adjust the genetic makeup of certain plants and animals. Sometimes, genes are spliced or genetic engineering is done to "enhance" a plant or animal. The problem is that when we play with these genes, we may end up with a plant or animal that can't adapt or is susceptible to one disease which could wipe it out. In the coming century, we are told that humans will be able to manipulate genes in the womb. They can choose to have a blond child, a brown-eyed child, a black child, and an intelligent child. But there is an inherent danger when we play God.  We don't know as much as we think we do.  Why not accept the blessings as God gives them? Why do we think we can improve on God's ways?
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You know, its hard to admit you aren't as smart as God. Some people just don't like admitting that God has greater power than they do. In Genesis, Adam and Eve took the forbidden fruit from the garden (Genesis 2). Why? They wanted to be like God. Then, people built a tower up into heaven so they could get to heaven by their own effort without needing God (The Tower of Babel, Genesis 11). They never did get very far!  Prideful ones don't like it that God knows more. They are constantly looking for ways to play God.  There are those who don't like AIDS, because it has killed friends or family. What do they do? They don't change their lifestyle to be closer to God's way, they put millions of dollars into researching a vaccination for the virus! Just think of it. If three generations lived faithfully sexually, there'd be no more AIDS! But we won't do that. No, human beings would rather fool around and try to beat nature with a vaccination!

Human beings are inherently prideful. Have you discovered that, too? Some have learned to be humble, especially in the sight of God. Some haven't. Some openly challenge God's way of doing things. Supposedly intelligent people state publicly they do not believe in a God who created the earth. Too many think they know more than God.

​Long ago, Job also challenged God. He didn't like how God ran creation. He didn't like his own predicament. Today, there are many "Jobs" in the world. They too complain. They whine. They count their grievances.  They don't count their blessings.
 
A poem was recently penned. It is called "The Gift".

"I have in my hands two boxes which God gave me to hold,
He said, 'Put all your sorrows in the black, and all your joys in the gold.'
I heeded His words, and in the two boxes both my joys and sorrows I store.
But though the gold became heavier each day, the black was as light as before.
With curiosity, I opened the black.... I wanted to find out why.
I saw, in the base of the box, a hole which my sorrows had fallen out by.
I showed the hole to God, and mused aloud, 'I wonder where my sorrows could be.'
He smiled a gentle smile at me. 'My child, they're all here with me.'
I asked, 'God, why give me the boxes, why the gold, and the black with the hole?'
'My child, the gold is for you to count your blessings, the black is for you to let go.'"

God taught Job a valuable lesson. Job thought he had the world figured out. He thought he could do better than God. He thought wrong. Don't complain like Job.  Instead of focusing on your ills, count God's blessings. Realize all the things God has given, from the stars to your joys. Don't play God.  Don't question God.  Don't whine about God.  Trust God, instead.  Realize that you don't know as much as you think you do.  Realize that God does know everything you need to know.  Why don't you ask God for some insight if you need it?

June 23

“Jesus and his followers went to the other side of the lake to the area of the Gerasene people. When Jesus got out of the boat, instantly a man with an evil spirit came to him from the burial caves. This man lived in the caves, and no one could tie him up, not even with a chain. Many times people had used chains to tie the man’s hands and feet, but he always broke them off. No one was strong enough to control him. Day and night he would wander around the burial caves and on the hills, screaming and cutting himself with stones. While Jesus was still far away, the man saw him, ran to him, and fell down before him. The man shouted in a loud voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I command you in God’s name not to torture me!” He said this because Jesus was saying to him, “You evil spirit, come out of the man.” Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” He answered, “My name is Legion, because we are many spirits.” He begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of that area. A large herd of pigs was feeding on a hill near there. The demons begged Jesus, “Send us into the pigs; let us go into them.” So Jesus allowed them to do this. The evil spirits left the man and went into the pigs. Then the herd of pigs—about two thousand of them—rushed down the hill into the lake and were drowned. The herdsmen ran away and went to the town and to the countryside, telling everyone about this. So people went out to see what had happened. They came to Jesus and saw the man who used to have the many evil spirits, sitting, clothed, and in his right mind. And they were frightened. The people who saw this told the others what had happened to the man who had the demons living in him, and they told about the pigs. Then the people began to beg Jesus to leave their area. As Jesus was getting back into the boat, the man who was freed from the demons begged to go with him. But Jesus would not let him. He said, “Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you and how he has had mercy on you.” So the man left and began to tell the people in the Ten Towns about what Jesus had done for him. And everyone was amazed.” (Mark 5:1–20, NCV)

There are very few moments that I actually shock people by my knowledge about God.   Today might contain one of those moments for you.   I am going to share something I believe is true, though most people do not believe its true or are frightened to think it even possible.  I do believe there are evil spirits and demons in this world.   Many pastors and scholars teach that this belief is outdated from times when people didn't have science to rely on.  I am a firm believer in science and the study of God's world.  I also believe in evil spirits.  Some pastors believe evil is the absence of good.  Evil is when people choose to do what is wrong.  They don't believe in evil spirits that can manipulate and control people.  They chalk it all up to psychological illness or magical mumbo-jumbo.  I do not.  I've seen enough to prove clearly that evil spirits do exist. 

In the gospel of Mark, Jesus meets a man with an infestation of evil spirits.  In the first few verses of that chapter, we are told that Jesus encountered among the Gerasenes, who lived on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, a man who suffered from demonic influence (Mark 5:1-3).   The spirits controlled the man's life.  They gave him such strength that he could not be held, even with chains.  The man suffered greatly from the evil within him, crying out and bruised (Mark 5:5).  When Jesus encountered the man, he fell before Jesus, begging Jesus:  “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me” (Mark 5:7).  Let's stop and take stock of his reaction to Jesus.

If you notice closely, the man seemed wild.  He would hurt himself.  He could not be controlled.  Yet, when he spoke to Jesus, he seemed very lucid and clear in his statement to Jesus.  First, what I have found with people controlled by evil spirits is that they are always, always self-destructive.  Maybe not at first when the demon begins to manipulate them, but the evil will always cause them harm.  Those who dabble in witchcraft and demonic worship are in danger of this.  When they play with these dark forces, they do not realize the strong and deadly negative "energies" of these forces.  They play with fire of a spiritual sort.  Second, when the man speaks, it is not the man who speaks.  He is controlled by the evil spirits.   They beg Jesus not to torment them, not the man.  Jesus' response to the man is proof.  He doesn't address the man, but the evil spirits in response to the man's speech.  Jesus knows who is in control of the man's life. 
 
If you examine closely the first words of the evil spirits, you will be given much to learn.  The evil spirits talk about God!  They know who God is.  One thing about evil is that it knows who is superior.  Evil spirits are frightened by God's presence.  They know who is more powerful.  In fact, I've found that evil spirits only respond to authorities more powerful than themselves.  They do not care about religion or theological knowledge. They respond to spiritual power.  In these verses, they are clearly aware of God's power and fear Jesus.  They beg not to be "tortured" and later "beg" to be set free in the pigs.   Evil spirits cannot compete with God's power.  The stronger you are spiritually, the more you will be feared by them.   But, they are very strong in themselves.  These evil spirits will control you if you encounter them (See the account of the Sons of Sceva in Acts 19:14ff, for example).  They will look for your spiritual weakness.  They will attack you if God's Spirit and your spiritual power  are not greater.  They are not to be attacked by weak Christians or the faint of heart.

In the Roman Catholic Church, there are special exorcists who face evil spirits as part of their vocation.  They are known to pray constantly, and are chosen for their spiritual strength.  The Roman Catholic church is wise to only allow the spiritually strongest to face these demonic powers.  They know from experience and scripture that these spirits are not to be toyed with or pridefully faced. 

In Mark 5, Jesus knew at once that he was facing a demonic influence.   He demanded immediately, "Come out of the man, you unclean spirit."   With the demon, Jesus doesn't play around with parables or soft words.  He speaks with authority and makes demands.  He does not speak nicely.  He commands. He is in control.  He shows no weakness.  This is important to note.  When evil spirits toy with you, it is important you not be afraid. Your fear gives them strength and control.  Command them to leave your presence.  Do not allow them to manipulate you.   Exorcists know this.  When dealing with evil, there is no compromise or niceness.

In these days of political correctness, there are those who say we should be "nice" to everyone.  When we speak, we should be tactful and respectful.  There is no such thing when dealing with demonic influence.  If you play nice, you get dominated.   Politically correct people often get dominated by evil spirits.   They do not even realize the evil they face, until its too late.

Jesus doesn't play around in the scripture.  He demands the demon state its name.  The evil spirits call themselves "Legion".   This name means literally "many".  A Roman Legion was a group of many soldiers that worked as a unit.  This "Legion" in the man was a demonic power of many spirits.  They too worked as a unit under the direction of Satan.  That's why the demon is afraid of Jesus.  Jesus is greater than Satan. Jesus is not afraid of Satan.  Jesus already showed he would not bow down to Satan in Matthew 4,  where Jesus was tempted by Satan.  These evil spirits know they are in the presence of a powerful spiritual enemy.  Their general "Satan" is not as powerful as Jesus or God the Father in Heaven.  Remember that!

Despite that they begged Jesus not to "torture" them, Jesus takes control and exorcises the demons. He cast them out of the man, and the demons enter the nearest life forms… pigs (Mark 5:13).   The pigs immediately are affected by the demons and kill themselves by drowning.  Remember what I said about evil spirits?  They always cause self-destruction!   The pigs are another example of that influence.  When the demonic influence is gone out of the man, notice how the man becomes calm and peaceful (Mark 5:15) and finally is in his "right mind".  When demons are around, there's always chaos.  People don't think rationally!  When God's presence is around, there is peace and calm (remember Jesus calming the waters? Mark 4:39!).

The man wishes to follow Jesus.  That is not what Jesus desires.  He wants the man to use the experience to speak to others about God's mercy and God's blessing.  The people in the area only respond with fear (Mark 5:15).  They want Jesus to leave.  The man, who knows all about good and evil, wants Jesus to stay close.  The people, who don't know a thing about good and evil, want Jesus to leave.  I find the same response among people today.  Those who know about God's power over evil, enjoy having God and God's Spirit close by and within them.  Those who don't know much about God want nothing to do with good or evil spirits.  They just stick their heads in the sand and remain spiritually ignorant and afraid.

In the end, I want you to take away a few things from this scripture.  First, believe that there are evil spirits in this world.  Jesus did actually face them.  This story is never called a parable.  It was an actual event.   Second, believe that God has power over evil spirits.  God is in control.  When you ally with God, Satan can't control you. If you don't have God's Spirit or a closeness with God, you have no protection from these evil spirits.  Third, evil spirits like to control and manipulate people and things.  They always cause self-destruction.  Ever known somebody who couldn't stop self-destructive tendencies?  Sometimes, not always, they are influenced by demonic spirits.  Nothing good will ever come of them until the evil is cast out.  Fourth, don't play around with evil spirits.  No ouija boards for you!   No seances or conjuring demons.  No dabbling in the occult.  You are just asking for trouble!   Fifth, whenever evil spirits are present, there will always be power issues and chaos.  Some churches are influenced by these spirits and until these churches deal with their "spiritual demons", they will never be places of peace and love.  Finally, if you think I'm backward to believe in evil spirits or think that such a thing is "quaint", you have NO CLUE.   I only hope you never find out the truth too late. 

Spiritual warfare is real.  What areas of your spiritual life are weak and susceptible to demonic influence?  Ever found yourself in the presence of evil?  Ever felt something or someone was darkly wrong in a situation?  Don't forget that the Holy Spirit is God's protection for you.  Rely on the Holy Spirit to warn you of the presence of evil. 
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Did I shock you with these spiritual beliefs?   I hope so.  This evil crap is real and dangerous and in total opposition to our God.  

​June 24

[Paul said:] “I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love God’s law with all my heart. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin.” (Romans 7:21–25, NLT) 


Karen wanted to fit in.  She just wanted to fit in.  After mother and father went to sleep, Karen climbed out through her window and slipped out the front gate.  Fifteen minutes later, she met Jackie and they went to the party together.  All the "popular" kids would be there.  It was "the" party of the year.  Karen's parents would never have let her go.  They believed there would be underage drinking and who knows what else.  The house she was sneaking to had no parents or chaperones.  

Three hours later, Karen's parents were woken by a phone call.  Shocked, they answered the phone and found out that Karen was arrested for underage drinking and resisting arrest.  Being drunk, she kicked a police officer.   When her parents arrived at the station, Karen was remanded to their custody, but would  have to appear in court.  This young sweet girl who went to church every Sunday now had a "record" and everybody at school knew about it.  Dozens were arrested after a drunken fight spilled out of the house and neighbors called the police.   Karen, a girl who usually can be trusted with anything, now faced months of groundings and meetings with lawyers and social workers.  As she was tucked into her own bed, her parents asked, "What were you thinking?"  Karen could only say, "I thought it would be fun.  I thought I could handle it. I'm so sorry. I hate myself."

Karen's situation is not new or unusual.  All those who know God also know how she feels.  We can so want to do the right thing, but then we are put in a situation and everything goes badly.  You can know in your heart that something isn't right, but fail to do the right thing.  You can feel God telling you to just walk away, but your pride gets the better of you and you do something stupid.   Ever felt this way?

The Apostle Paul in the book of Romans nailed this contradiction pretty well.  He wrote the Roman church "when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong" (Romans 7:21).  Paul, a man who knew God so very well, who wrote more books of the Christian Bible than any other person in history, knew what it was like to want to do right, but fail to do it.  If Paul felt this way, how can we not all feel this way?   I think its part of the "human condition".  Paul states this even more clearly:  "I love God with all my heart….but there is another power at war with my mind."  It's sin.  Sin manipulates you, entices you, pushes you, teases you.   You can love God with all your heart and still screw up big time!

 Normally, people just do not like to admit that sinfulness is at the heart of the problems of society and individuals. They are much more comfortable discussing imperfections, weaknesses, mistakes, and errors in judgment. These terms are socially acceptable, and almost everyone identifies with them. But an outright acknowledgment of sin and guilt before a holy God, a 100-percent acceptance of responsibility for wrong-doing, runs against the grain. Yet this kind of honestly is the first step to the freedom from sin and guilt that God longs to give us and has provided in the death of Christ.  In truth, before you can really move on to faith, you will need to admit you have the propensity to sin.   Paul clearly shows that propensity in this scripture for today.  Are you willing to admit that you, my friend, are a sinner and can't stop being a sinner?  

 The story is told that one day Frederick the Great, King of Prussia, visited a prison and talked with each of the inmates. There were endless tales of innocence, of misunderstood motives, and of exploitation. Finally the king stopped at the cell of a convict who remained silent. "Well," remarked Frederick, "I suppose you are an innocent victim as well?'"
'No, sir, I'm not," replied the man. "I'm guilty and deserve my punishment."
Turning to the warden, the king said, "Here, release this rascal before he corrupts all these fine innocent people in here!"

You and I have to face the fact that sin is always bubbling up in our lives.  We can't get away from it or say we don't feel it.  We can fight it as does Paul in these verses, but we can't ever say we have beaten it for good until the day we die and our sins are forgiven by God in Christ.
 
You can want so badly to do what is right and still fail.  You are human.  Deal with it.   Don't hide the fact that sin is always itching for a place in your life.  Instead, vow to follow God in Christ with your heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Confess your sins.  Let them go to God as payment for the pain you have caused.   There is no other way to really deal with sin. You are a slave to sin.  You crave it.   Paul gives the only answer to this addiction to sin: " Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord"(Romans 7:25).  Jesus went to the cross for your sin.  God is bigger than your sin.  Bring that screw up to the cross and place it at the cross.  Then, go back to fight for what is right.  
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Those people in church may look all holy, but they are just like you.  They need Jesus as much as you do.  The apostle Paul makes that abundantly clear in the scripture for today.  My only hope is that you never let a sin come between you and Jesus, you and forgiveness.   It's a terrible place to be. 
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What sin lies close to you today?  Do you try to do good but fail?   What then?   This scripture gives answers for the "human condition", your sin, your failures, your need to believe in the freeing grace of God in Jesus Christ.  There is no need to live forever in guilt or to hate yourself.  God took care of that in Christ. Do you need to be reminded of that grace?

June 25

“Praise the Lord! Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. Who can list the glorious miracles of the Lord? Who can ever praise him enough? There is joy for those who deal justly with others and always do what is right. Remember me, Lord, when you show favor to your people; come near and rescue me. Let me share in the prosperity of your chosen ones. Let me rejoice in the joy of your people; let me praise you with those who are your heritage.

Like our ancestors, we have sinned. We have done wrong! We have acted wickedly! Our ancestors in Egypt were not impressed by the Lord’s miraculous deeds. They soon forgot his many acts of kindness to them. Instead, they rebelled against him at the Red Sea. Even so, he saved them— to defend the honor of his name and to demonstrate his mighty power. He commanded the Red Sea to dry up. He led Israel across the sea as if it were a desert. So he rescued them from their enemies and redeemed them from their foes. Then the water returned and covered their enemies; not one of them survived. Then his people believed his promises. Then they sang his praise.

​Yet how quickly they forgot what he had done! They wouldn’t wait for his counsel!”
​ (Psalm 106:1–13, NLT) 


The scripture for today shows what can happen to a faithful person with enough money or good times.   Many faithful people have let their belief in God waver, their worship of God falter, their hope in God weaken.   Life can get in the way of faith.  Possessions can choke faith right out (Mark 4:19).  Some think that trials and problems weaken many a faith.   In reality, blessings and possessions destroy faithfulness in a more subtle and dangerous way.  In Jeremiah 5, God demands repentance from the faithful who were "fed to the full", but then turned to sin in response.   Their backsliding during good times doomed them to lives where God was distant, and sin crept back in.

In Psalm 106, we are told how prosperity over time caused people to lose their faith in God.  The better things got, the more the people seemed to fall away from God.   The author begins with praise and thanksgiving for God, citing "joy" at doing what is right (Psalm 106:1-2).  The writer wished to be "remembered" by God (Psalm 106:4) and blessed by God with prosperity (Psalm 106:5).  Despite the author's respectful and thankful attitude, there was a dangerous condition in his nation at the time.  It was revealing itself among the faithful people.  They were living in sin (Psalm 106:6).  The author of this psalm gives the cause for this sinful state.  Just as in the days of Exodus, the faithful people had "quickly forgotten what God had done" (Psalm 106:13).  They no longer waited for God's advice and direction. 

You might be wondering at this moment, how does a person "forget" God or God's great works?   It's easier than you might think.  In this Psalm, the author remembered God's acts of justice.  He reveled in the memory of how God split the Red Sea and freed the people from bondage.   During those powerful days of exodus filled with great miracles of God, the people "believed God's promises" (Psalm 106:12). They praised God.  But in time, with prosperity and freedom, the people stopped "remembering" God's great acts and stopped giving thanks for God's abundant love (Psalm 106:7).  Time and prosperity took their toll on the people of faith.  They began to believe in their own abilities.  They trusted more in themselves than in God.   The more they were involved in an easy life and the more time passed, the more they forgot God.

Time and an easy life have a way of sapping your faith.  Prosperity and blessings slowly weaken the strength of faith over time.  When things go well, people generally get used to making their own way in life.  They rely on the work of their hands and make their own decisions.  They are surrounded by the blessings and bounty of God, but they grow used to the abundance.  They become desensitized to the greatness of these gifts of God.   Prosperity given by God becomes "expected".  Taking care of one's home and business and possessions takes on a new priority.  Things get in the way of God.  You may be so busy working that prayer time becomes less frequent.  You life may be so full of responsibilities that worship takes a back seat.  Over time, because of this prosperity, you forget God's importance in your everyday life.  God gets placed on the back burner.

The scripture mentions that when you "forget" God, that you no longer rely on God's advice and counsel (Psalm 106:13).  You don't listen for God's voice to lead you.  You don't take the time to wait for God's answer to your prayer.  You may not take time to even pray, seeking God's direction. Your tithes and offerings taper off.   Now, you rely on your own wisdom.  You make decisions of your own.  These are common symptoms of people who have "forgotten" God.  It is a spiritually dangerous situation.   Without seeking God's wisdom, you plow ahead based on what you think is right and wrong.  You begin to think that "reason" and "common sense" are innate to your choices.  You downplay the danger of sin and evil manipulating your thoughts.  You begin to believe you are a "self-made man" without realizing God has been blessing you all along.  

On April 30th, 1863, Abraham Lincoln declared a "National Day of Fasting, Humiliation, and Prayer".  In the midst of the U.S. Civil War, his words to Americans are still poignant:  "We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of heaven. We have been preserved, these many years, in peace and prosperity. We have grown in numbers, wealth and power, as no other nation has ever grown. But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us; and we have vainly imagined in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own.  Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to God that made us! It behooves us, then, to humble ourselves before the offended Power, to confess our national sins, and to pray for clemency and forgiveness."  Lincoln, like the writer of Psalm 106, recognized this sin of complacency and prosperity where people had forgotten God as the giver of all gifts.  It resulted, Lincoln believed, in the United States Civil War.
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Don't underestimate the danger of prosperity.  Watch out when life becomes too easy.  Don't be surprised by those who forget God.  You too may find yourself not taking the time to pray for God's direction.  You might be tempted to make decisions without seeking God's voice.   Time and blessings may find their way to weaken your faith and keep you from a relationship with God that is close and intimate.   How close are you and God lately?  When is the last time you and God had a nice long talk?  Does prosperity sap your spiritual strength?  

June 26

“Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews; this man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” (John 3:1–6, NASB95) 

The varsity football team during my Senior year in High School lost many games.  Our offensive line was filled with guys who weighed 200 pounds soaking wet.  Our defense did not have the quickness to overpower the other team.  We just couldn't win.  I was hurt badly on homecoming night.  I sat out the season thereafter.  I was the team captain and had to watch my friends lose game after game from the sidelines.  As the season dragged on with those losses, something happened to the fans.  They began to lose faith in the team winning.  The cheerleaders had little "pep" by the end of the season.   The stands were often filled with a losing attitude.   The team, the class, the parents had lost their spirit.

You can see it when a person has no spirit.  They don't have passion for what they do.  When they get up in the morning, they are imbued with the thought that the day will be filled with the same old same old.  Life seems filled with ruts and potholes.  The joy in growing, winning, challenge, and learning just isn't there.  Spiritually, the person who has no filling of the Holy Spirit is the same way.  The fire to do great things for God is missing.  The person may go to church, but he or she isn't inspired and fired up by a good sermon or a powerful hymn.  She may sing in the choir, but she won't smile or project her voice.  He might be a member of the Men's League at church, but he talks more excitedly about the Packers than about God's grace!  I hope this doesn't describe you!

A piano teacher watched and listened to her student play the etude.  The young man had been her student for almost five years.  He had come a long way and was very good at reading music.  But that day as he played the etude, he just didn't seem inspired.  She said to him, "Don, you are playing the notes right, but there's no passion in the piece.  What's wrong?" 
He responded still playing, "I didn't make one mistake in the notes!   What do you mean something is wrong?"
The teacher thought for a moment, then said, "I wouldn't mind if you played a few wrong notes!   Your plodding along on the keyboard makes this joyful music sound like a funeral march!  Play it with some passion, will ya!"
When you plod along in life, you may get the "notes" right, but that doesn't mean the passion is there.  When you plod along in your spiritual life, it may be because the spirit is missing in what you do.  Don't you know that a spiritual life without the "Spirit" is not a spiritual life at all?

This is the point of Jesus' meeting with Nicodemus in John, chapter 3.  Jesus seems to be speaking in parables as he talks about being "born a second time" or "born again" (John 3:3,4).  Even Nicodemus wonders how a person can be born twice!   But, Jesus here talks about the two births that occur in a person of faith.  First, a person is borne to this world through a mother's womb.  This makes us human.  It is basic biology.  But Jesus also spoke of a second "birth".  This birth wasn't physical or biological.  It was spiritual.  Spiritual "birth" occurs when a person is borne of the Spirit.   This often results in a person being baptized.  John the Baptist took many people to the waters of the Jordan River to baptize them in the waters as a sign of repentance.  Jesus knew of those whose lives were changed when they repented of their sins, when sin was forgiven.  Those people not only experienced the water of the womb or the Jordan in life.  They also experienced a birth or rebirth of their faith.   After Jesus' resurrection, in the days of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came powerfully to the disciples.  They were filled with power and passion to do great things for God.

Before their baptism of the Spirit, the disciples hid in an upper room, praying but not preaching openly (Acts 1:13).  After being filled by the Holy Spirit on Pentecost, the disciples preached openly without fear of being arrested (Acts 2, Acts 8).  Before his spiritual awakening, the Apostle Paul openly attacked Christianity (Acts 7:58, 8:3).  After meeting Jesus on the road to Damascus and receiving his baptism (Acts 9), Paul desired to learn more about Jesus and ultimately wrote most of the books of the New Testament.  He founded dozens of churches.  Before meeting God, Moses was a shepherd who made excuses (Exodus 3-4).  After being changed by God, he split the Red Sea and taught the people God's law.  He even reflected God's light on his face (Exodus 34). Before his call, the prophet Amos was just a common shepherd from Tekoa (Amos 1:1).  After God's call upon his life, Amos spoke to leaders and kings throughout Israel, Samaria, and Judah.   Every one of these people became  different when God's Spirit entered their life.  I hope the same can be said about you.  
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Are you borne of the Spirit or just boring in the Spirit?  Is God's Spirit still strong in your life?   Do people want to learn more about God after talking with you?  These are questions you have to ask yourself all your life.    I don't want you to lose your passion for God.  I don't want you to be living a life of spiritual same old, same old.  I want your life to be saturated with God's Spirit!   You won't inspire anyone to want to believe in God if your passion for God is missing or non-existent.  Rekindle that love for God.  Go on a vacation and seek God's voice.   Find a new ministry or a new place of prayer.  Read the Bible with renewed passion.  Just don't, please don't be a stick-in-the-mud, boring, lackluster, soul-less pew sitter benched by God!


June 27

“Now God saw that the earth had become corrupt and was filled with violence. God observed all this corruption in the world, for everyone on earth was corrupt. So God said to Noah, “I have decided to destroy all living creatures, for they have filled the earth with violence. Yes, I will wipe them all out along with the earth! “Build a large boat from cypress wood and waterproof it with tar, inside and out. Then construct decks and stalls throughout its interior. Make the boat 450 feet long, 75 feet wide, and 45 feet high. Leave an 18-inch opening below the roof all the way around the boat. Put the door on the side, and build three decks inside the boat—lower, middle, and upper. “Look! I am about to cover the earth with a flood that will destroy every living thing that breathes. Everything on earth will die. But I will confirm my covenant with you. So enter the boat—you and your wife and your sons and their wives. Bring a pair of every kind of animal—a male and a female—into the boat with you to keep them alive during the flood. Pairs of every kind of bird, and every kind of animal, and every kind of small animal that scurries along the ground, will come to you to be kept alive. And be sure to take on board enough food for your family and for all the animals.” So Noah did everything exactly as God had commanded him.”
(Genesis 6:11–22, NLT) 


In the news just this week are scores of examples of human violence and atrocity.  A serial killer who kidnapped women and imprisoned them in a storage container announced, "My golf game is weak, but my kill game is strong."  A person, sick of seeing Muslims murdering people in Europe, drives his car into a group of Muslims gathered for prayer, murdering several.  A Christian church service in Mombasa, Kenya was filled with praise.  Then, gunmen broke in and shot up the sanctuary, killing seven and injuring twenty-one.   In Raqqa, Syria, police found out a man had a cell phone, which was not allowed by ISIS leadership.  He was given 45 lashes.  As he was being whipped, he cried out, swearing at the Isis leader Abu-Bakr Al-Baghdadi.  For his outburst, he was executed.  All of this, I just read this morning on various internet sites.   Sadly, news such as this is getting more and more common. 

Human violence should never be underestimated for its consequences.  The murder of a gang member may cause another murder by a rival gang.  The parent who beats his child will often cause that child to have decades of counseling and failed relationships.  A soldier who lives with memories of war and suffers with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder can suffer through months and years of sleepless nights and physical trauma.  Violence breeds violence and untold suffering.  You think humans would learn to avoid violence, but instead we turn to violence when we don't get out way.  The apostle James saw this same tendency two thousand years ago.  He wrote:  “You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them” (James 4:2).  Fighting and waging war are the results of human jealousy and desire.  Violence results when humans take from others what is not theirs to take.

One of the consequences of violence is the resulting anger from God.  God has an intense dislike for human violence and aggression. In Genesis 6, God planned for Noah to take his family and flee to the safety of an ark, a big wooden ship.  God resolved to save the animals of the earth along with Noah's family, but the humans were not to be saved.    What caused God to want to end almost all human life at the time?  Violence and corruption.  Genesis 6:11-13 explains God's decision: “Now God saw that the earth had become corrupt and was filled with violence. God observed all this corruption in the world, for everyone on earth was corrupt. So God said to Noah, 'I have decided to destroy all living creatures, for they have filled the earth with violence.'"  The Hebrew word for the "corruption" God saw also means "destruction".  It is related to the Hebrew word for graves.   Violence, corruption, destruction, and death were the signs of human habitation at the time.  God rejected that path for humanity.  God still fights against those evil forces to this day.

Just as it is hard for God to see violence in the world, it is difficult for true Christians to see and hear of violence.  When I think of men who torture and punish and murder little children, it makes me sick.  The thought of human trafficking makes me want to hurt those who do such things.   I read recently that Myrtle Beach, South Carolina has had a good number of youth go missing during spring break each year.  I read about the disappearance of one young girl who was among those who disappeared during spring break.  While many look for serial rapists, the police admitted that the girl will probably never be found. They believe she was kidnapped by human traffickers.  These terrible people will whisk her away to places of darkness, chains, pain, and suffering. 

Violence, even when justified, always causes God pain.  It always causes human hurt and suffering.  When you are tempted to a violent outburst or to exact revenge, be careful.  These actions change a person.  They can make you more prone to violence.  You may be filled with guilt when you unleash your anger in full force.   You may regret your actions for the rest of your life.  God may keep you distant until you repent and atone for your actions.  Reactions in anger and violence always cause repercussions in others and in your spiritual life, even when you are right to be upset.

I love dogs.  My best friend is my wife.  My constant companion is my German Shepherd dog.  A rescue agency found my dog in the mountains in Kentucky.  She weighed thirty four pounds at over a year old.  You could count her ribs and vertebrae.  She was filled with bugs and emaciated when they found her.  It took us months to clear up the sores on her body.  She often would go outside and eat dirt and ants.  This must have been how she survived while alone.  The thought that this beautiful dog, who loves people so much that she visits all her favorite human friends on every walk, was rejected or abused is disgusting to me.  The knowledge that in the area she was found, dogs are cast out into the wild so that people can practice shooting them nauseates me.    Then, to think that there are places where humans are treated the same, where children are rejected and abused, where people have to eat dirt to survive.  It makes my blood boil.  God rejected violence and sent the flood to end the lives of violent people in the days of Noah. God never intended our earth to be this way.   If we don’t stop the violence in our world today, God will again find a way to end it one way or another.   We should fear that day.

God saved Noah and his family, because they were a faithful and God-fearing family.  God always watches out for those who respond with faith in days of violence.  Do you have a tendency for violent outbursts?  Are you angry a little too often?  Do you feel like getting even when you are wronged?  Are you aggressive or passive-aggressive?   These tendencies can be normal, but they are dangerous.  They can lead to violence and sin.  Pray today for God to help you keep violence from your life and our world.  "Blessed are the peacemakers…." (Matthew 5:9)!
 

(Just below is a link to a video of a dog who was abused, but responds to a loving hand.  One has to wonder if this is the first loving hand the dog ever encountered in life.  Just copy and paste to your browser to get to the video.)
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiOf2HZmLfY


​June 28

“When they arrived at Bethsaida, some people brought a blind man to Jesus, and they begged him to touch the man and heal him. Jesus took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village. Then, spitting on the man’s eyes, he laid his hands on him and asked, 'Can you see anything now?' The man looked around. 'Yes,' he said, 'I see people, but I can’t see them very clearly. They look like trees walking around.' Then Jesus placed his hands on the man’s eyes again, and his eyes were opened. His sight was completely restored, and he could see everything clearly.” (Mark 8:22–25, NLT) 


Nestled between two important scriptures is this miracle above of Jesus' healing of a blind man.  Upon first reading, it may seem that Jesus had trouble healing the man.  If you thought that was unusual, you are correct.  Jesus usually said just a sentence and a person was healed.  Why here is the man not healed right away?  If you are caught in the dilemma of wondering why the man wasn't healed right away, you will miss the meaning.  It's not that Jesus couldn't heal the blind man immediately, it's that he didn't heal the blind man immediately.  Jesus' double attempt to heal the blind man so that he "could see everything clearly" is allegorical.  Jesus was making a point.

Just after Jesus fed 5000 people (Mark 8:14-21) and just before Peter calls Jesus "the Christ" for the very first time (Mark 8:27-30), the healing story above is contained in between.  When Jesus fed the 5000, he asked the disciples some questions at the end.  The disciples had problems understanding Jesus.  Jesus even ends the miracle with the words, "Do you not yet understand?"  (Mark 8:21).  Then, after the healing above, Peter boldly and clearly states that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah.  How is it that Peter goes from not understanding the meaning behind the feeding of the 5000 to complete understanding of who Jesus is?   This healing miracle above gave Peter and the other disciples some "clarity"!  Jesus used this healing of the blind man to help his disciples to "see everything clearly" (Mark 8:25)!

The disciples initially had problems understanding how and why Jesus fed the 5000 people.  Jesus tried to explain his motives, but the disciples saw the miracle as just food.  Jesus attempted to get them to see it was more than just a miracle about  bread.  It was a teaching moment.  After Jesus questioned if the disciples understood what he was doing and saying, he saw a blind man in the very next village of Bethsaida (Mark 8:22).  Jesus seized the opportunity to teach the disciples about how to understand Him.  Jesus called the blind man closer, then spat on his eyes and touched them with His holy hands.  The man was only partially able to see.  Men walking past looked like "trees" or stick figures moving about.  Jesus then placed His hands upon the man a second time and the man was healed.  He could "see everything clearly" (Mark 8:25).  It's NOT that Jesus couldn't heal the man the first time.  Jesus was making a point.  Some people who are "touched" by God can see some spiritual things, but not clearly.  Others, when healed by God, can spiritually "see everything clearly".  Peter goes on in the next verses to "see clearly" that Jesus is the Christ!

Spiritually, seeing clearly does not always come to every person right away.   When some people are touched by God, it is not unusual for them to see a few new spiritual things.  It often takes spiritual maturity and God's continuing touch for people to "see everything clearly".   New Testament era Christian leaders recognized this weakness with those who were newly saved.  New Christians were prohibited from being bishops until they matured in the faith (1 Timothy 3:6).  Early Christian churches found that new Christians often did not have the spiritual depth to lead others to Christ.  Even the Apostle Paul did not openly preach and teach on his own until he had studied with the apostles in Antioch for a year (Acts 11:26).  It can take a while for your faith to mature enough to where you truly understand the call of God upon your life.  It's not easy to figure out how the Spirit of God moves among the faithful or why God does things a certain way!

In their moving book, In His Image, Dr. Paul Brand and Philip Yancey describe the problems that people who have been blind from birth have when they can suddenly see. Basic notions of space, motion, and shape are incomprehensible at first. It may require up to four weeks of training for these people to learn to distinguish between round, square, and triangular shapes. One patient mistook an apple for a key, a loaf of bread for a hand. Another, grasping for some clue to please her teacher, seized on color. She learned that a matchbox was yellow; from then on she called every yellow object a matchbox, whether it was an apple, a banana, or a book jacket.

  If it takes time for a newly sighted person to adjust his or her vision, then the same process is possible for those who have suddenly gained their spiritual sight.  It takes time for spiritual maturity.  Just like you can't hurry along the process of growing seeds into corn, you can't rush spiritual maturity.   It takes time to understand how God works. You might need a second or third or fourth action of God in your life before the pieces fall together for you spiritually, and God's plan becomes clear.   This is part of Jesus' spiritual message for his disciples in the healing of the blind man in Mark 8.

Spiritual maturity is a process.  When you are blessed with God's Spirit, you may see things a whole lot better.   Scriptures will make more sense.  Hymns and sermons will speak to you.   Before being saved, a worship service might feel boring or inconsequential.  After taking the leap of faith, God will open your eyes, and worship will take on new meaning.  Prayers may touch your heart.   You might comprehend more of the symbols or meanings of the liturgical words or phrases.  In time, all this learning will help you to see more clearly the purpose and power of God.

Every now and then, a school teacher will be given the gift of a student who "gets it".  Like a light bulb lighting up, the student will finally understand a math concept or an historical interpretation.   The student will perceive not just the teacher's words, but what the teacher sees.  These "aha moments" give the teacher impetus to reach out more and enjoy her vocation.  The same thing occurs spiritually for teachers of the faith.  When we are blessed to see a person finally come to Christ, understand a new mission, or finally feel forgiveness, it is such a beautiful and fulfilling gift.  Some Christian concepts and interpretations come easy.  Others are more difficult to understand.

Jesus used this healing of the blind man to bring "clarity" to the eyes and minds of His disciples.  God may do the same with you.  God may use an event, a miracle, or a situation to teach you the nuances of faithful life.   God may use an allegory about being stuck in traffic to teach you about being in a spiritual rut or spiritual patience.  God may cause a child to ask a question to which you need to find an answer yourself.  Are there some things that have happened to you lately that might be allegorical to your faith?  What might God through Christ be trying to teach you about some recent occurrence?  How much do you understand of what God is doing around you right now?

June 29

“When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the obligation to do right. And what was the result? You are now ashamed of the things you used to do, things that end in eternal doom. But now you are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God. Now you do those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:20–23, NLT) 


Whenever you read scripture, you will get a little boost of insight if you follow two simple rules:  always look for words that are repeated in a paragraph or story AND always look for opposites in the scripture (especially when they are repeated!).  Often, these two rules will give special meaning to the passage and give you a deeper understanding of the underlying concepts.  

In the scripture above, the Apostle Paul wrote about being "free" from sin.   Three times the word "free" is used in this short passage.   It is repeated for emphasis.  It is repeated to explain the great benefit of being in the grace of God.   Twice, the opposite of "free" is used in this scripture.  Did you see that the word "slave" is also repeated?  This scripture talks about the spiritual change in a faithful person from being a "slave to sin" (Romans 6:20) to being a "slave of God" (Romans 6:22).   When you make that spiritual leap, your "freedoms" change.  When you are a "slave to sin", you are "free" to live a life that has no obligation to do what is right.  You will often do what is wrong, and you may not even care about it. However, this freedom costs you.  It will cause spiritual and maybe even mortal death (Romans 6:21,23). But, when you choose to be a "slave to God" you will be "free from the power of sin" and given the "free gift of eternal life" from God through Jesus Christ (Romans 6:23). 

There are a number of opposites in these few verses.  They are meant to show you what a life without God and a life with God are like.  The life without God will not be "righteous".  The life with God will be full of the obligation to do what is right.  The life without God will result in spiritual and mortal death and doom.  The life with God will result in holiness and eternal life.  The life without God has no shame for doing what is wrong and hurtful.  The life with God includes guilt to help keep you on the path of righteousness.   The opposites in these verses are glaring, just as the opposites of being on God's side or against God are glaring.  In life, you will have to choose to do one or the other.  You will have to choose a life of sin or a life of faith, a life against God or a life with God.   Depending on which side you choose to follow, your "freedoms" will change.   Would you rather be a "slave" in God's hands, or a "slave" to sin?   Your choice will determine your future.

        There was a little boy visiting his grandparents on their farm. He was given a slingshot to play with out in the woods. He practiced in the woods; but he could never hit the target. Getting a little discouraged, he headed back for dinner. As he was walking back, he saw Grandma's pet duck.  Out of impulse, he let the slingshot fly, hit the duck square in the head and killed it. He was shocked and afraid!  In a panic, he hid the dead duck in the wood pile; only to see his sister watching! Sally had seen it all, but she said nothing.  After lunch the next day, Grandma said, "Sally, let's wash the dishes."
But Sally said, "Grandma, Johnny told me he wanted to help in the kitchen."  Then she whispered to her brother, "Remember the duck?" So, Johnny did the dishes.
        Later that day, Grandpa asked if the children wanted to go fishing and Grandma said, "I'm sorry but I need Sally to help." 
 Sally just smiled and said, "Well that's all right, because Johnny told me he wanted to help."  She whispered again, "Remember  the duck?"  So Sally went fishing and Johnny stayed to help Grandma.
  After several days of Johnny doing both his chores and Sally's; he finally couldn't stand it any longer.  He came to Grandma and confessed that he had killed the duck.  Grandma knelt down, gave him a hug and said, "Sweetheart, I know. You see,  I was standing at the window and I saw the whole thing, but because I love you, I forgave you. I was just wondering how long you would let Sally make a slave of you."

        This story made me think about who and what we become a "slave" to and what "freedoms" we choose or lose in life.  Whatever is in your past, whatever you have done that the devil keeps throwing up in your face (lying, cheating, debt,  fear, bad habits, hatred, anger, bitterness, etc.)...whatever it  is...You need to know that God was standing at the window and He saw the whole thing. He has seen your whole life. He wants you to know that He loves you and that you are forgiven if you repent.  He's just wondering how long you will let the devil or a mistake or a sin make a slave of you. The great thing about God is that when you ask for forgiveness, He not only forgives you, but He lets the sin go. It is by God's grace and mercy that we are saved.  God's grace is a "free gift", even if it can cost a lot for God to give it! God is at the window, watching!  How will you respond to HIM?  Will you continue to be a slave to sin, or will you choose to be in the grace of God?

 God has designed the world so that you have the freedom of choice.  You can live a sinful life and suffer the consequences and the riches of that life.   That life, with all its freedoms comes with a lot of negatives, including no future.   You are also free to choose to follow God.  You may feel guilt, but you will receive forgiveness and grace and eternal life.  It may be hard to give up a sinful life.  That sinful life may be tempting.  You get to call all the shots and decide what is right and wrong for you.  It may be hard to believe in God when you see others who have the freedom to sin however they wish with no repercussions, or so it seems.  But, though the sinful life may look more freeing, you will become a "slave to sin".  Sin will wreck your life and cause you intense unhappiness.   It's the price you pay for the freedom to choose without caring what God thinks. 
 
I contend that being a "slave" to God is a billion times better than being a "slave" to sin.  I've seen those who were a slave to an addiction or controlled by the past.  It is terrible to behold.  However, I've also seen those who were true slaves or servants of God.  It was surprising to me how "slaves of God" were full of joy and peace, while those who were "slaves to sin" never really felt joy and peace for long.    God gives HIS grace freely to all those who choose the life of faith.   As one of those who has chosen God's side, I have no regrets.  I love being on God's side.  I'll gladly give up some freedoms of choice to have true love and forgiveness and grace and eternal life.   I absolutely love having God with me in life and know that soon HE will be with me in death and the life after. 
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Are you a slave to a certain sin?  What freedoms do you wish you had?  How does God fit into your life?  Are you ashamed to be a "slave" of anything or anyone, even God?  Have you really felt the grace of God?  Do you really understand how wonderful it is to have eternal life in your future?        

June 30

“Now this I affirm and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds; they are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart; they have become callous and have given themselves up to licentiousness, greedy to practice every kind of uncleanness. You did not so learn Christ! — assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus. Put off your old nature which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on the new nature, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:17–24, RSV) 

In Paul's letter to the church in Ephesus, he included the scripture above.   It is a challenge to the Christians living in Ephesus follow a "new nature" of righteousness and holiness instead of their old ways that were full of "licentiousness".  The old ways explained in this scripture are "futile" (Ephesians 4:17) and "ignorant" (Ephesians 4:18).  The old ways will make you "hard of heart" and "unclean".  An unusual word also describes the old ways:  "licentiousness".   That's the word the Revised Standard Version of the Bible and New Revised Standard Version both use in Ephesians 4:17.  Other versions of the Bible use "lasciviousness" (King James), "sensuality" (New International Version and New American Standard Version),  or "lewdness" (New King James).  Because so many versions of the Bible use different words, I want to explain what the word "licentiousness" means in its original language.  In the Greek, this word means "without morals" and relates to how a person lives.  A person "without morals" doesn't seem to know what is right from what is wrong.   The word relates to a person who lives in sexual sin or who makes amoral sexual choices.   However you read it, a person filled with "licentiousness" is a person who doesn't care about rules or what is right according to God's eyes.  They personally and subjectively determine what is right and wrong.  They do whatever feels right in that moment.

In our world today, "licentiousness" is very common.  You may hear phrases like "what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas", "What you do behind closed doors is none of my business", and "to each his own".  These phrases suggest that in "modern society", you have the right to live however you like, make your own choices, choose your "brand" of sexuality, and "live your life".   This mentality is often full of "licentiousness".  It is amoral in the sight of God , even if it is popular in society.   When sexuality becomes a "lifestyle choice", abortion becomes a "right", and the word "sin" is seen as politically incorrect, licentiousness is commonplace.  Paul warned the Ephesians that this behavior made you "unclean" before God (Ephesians 4:19),  "corrupt", and full of sinful "lust".   This lifestyle meant you were not "right" before God.
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Paul emphasizes that to be right with God, you need to have "the new nature" (Ephesians 4:24).  This "new nature" is in opposition to the old ways filled with licentiousness.   Paul mentioned that this new lifestyle is holy before God.   It was full of "true righteousness".   The word "righteousness" describes a life filled with choosing what is "right" using God's rules.  If you are righteous, you will make choices based on what God considers "right", NOT what you consider right.   A person who is righteous consistently makes decisions to do what is right according to God's law, where a person who is full of licentiousness constantly chooses do do whatever they think is fair, right, popular, or fun at the moment.

A person who is licentious will often think or feel, "Don't tell me what to do!".  They make their choices in life based on what feels good or how pleasurable it is.  Sexually, they do whatever makes them feel good. A person who is righteous will make choices according to what is right in scripture and with God.  Sexually, they follow God's law.   Thus, they choose marriage over adultery or fooling around (Exodus 20:14, Proverbs 7, Galatians 5:19, Ephesians 5:3, etc).  They choose to be married to one spouse of the opposite sex (1 Timothy 3:2, Ephesians 5:31, Mark 10:7-9).   Or, they choose to be single and chaste. 

When a country becomes licentious, societal norms for what is right and wrong break down.  What is right is seen as what is popular or allowed in society.  Right and wrong become fads or stylish, and change over time. "In perhaps the most famous case of a teacher having sex (and kids) with her student, 34-year-old wife and mother Mary Kay Letourneau was thrown in the slammer for the 'child rape' of a 13-year old student named Vili Fualaau.  Letourneau was let out of jail after six months, whereupon she was found in a car having sex with Vili again. Letourneau was sent back to prison for many years. When she got out, she married Vili, with whom, by that point, she had had two kids. They sold the video rights to their wedding for $750,000 and sold a book entitled, Only One Crime--Love. The book was published in France, not America." (Business Insider, February 13, 2012)  You will note from this article and book deal that this teacher felt her sexual relationship with her student was not wrong.   She felt her only crime was "love".  
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When you live in a licentious world, all determinations of right and wrong are fluid.  Someone may consider rape or murder or stealing as "normal" and thus, moral.   It is a dangerous way to live, don't you think?  A licentious society is not a safe society, especially for children.

In true reality, licentiousness and righteousness are opposites.  You have to choose between which you will follow.  You can't be slightly one or the other.  Either you are moral or amoral.  Either you follow God's idea of what is right or you do not.
 
Be very careful how you choose what are right and wrong in your life.  Don't underestimate the influence on what are right and wrong based on media, polls, what is popular, or what your friends believe.   Forms of government, political views, social mores and peer-pressure all will skew what you believe is right and wrong.  Your hormones and chemical imbalances in your body can affect how you view right and wrong.  Societal pressures can push you to re-evaluate your lifestyle.  God's ideas of right and wrong have not changed.  How people manipulate those ideas change all the time!

Do you find yourself tempted to change your beliefs of what is right and wrong?  Do peer-pressure or social media manipulate your ideas of right and wrong?   God desires for you to be righteous.  How righteous are you?  Is there an area of your life where you want to make the rules?