May 1

   “Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. Jesus answered, 'Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.'” (Luke 13:1–5   NIV84)
 
In John the Baptist's main teaching in our Bible, his first word was "Repent" (Matthew 3:1-2). In Jesus' very first sermon after receiving the Holy Spirit at baptism, His first word was a warning to "Repent" (Matthew 4:17).  I do not think these are a coincidence. Not only did John and Jesus preach about repenting,  repentance is seen as a sign of all faithful who come to God. Repentance is required to fight sinfulness and  to cleanse our souls from the residue of sin. If you don't repent, you will not feel the freedom that comes with forgiveness.  If you do not repent, that sin will cause you to suffer eventually, and God will not forgive you and bring real closure (Ezekiel 18:30).

People today don't like to say they are sorry. They don't like to repent. They don't like to admit they are wrong. They don't like to change their ways.  I remember two boys fighting. One said, "I'll admit it was my fault after he does." The other said, "I am not saying 'sorry' until he does." So, the fight continued, as nobody wanted to repent.

"I'm sorry." Two small words. And yet, people do not say them. They won't repent to God nor to others. It takes a mature person to admit when they are wrong, or sorry, or have failed. Are you mature enough to do it?

A Pastor was very busy one day at his church in New York City. He was dealing with a death in the church, his choir members were fighting amongst themselves, a young man in the congregation was jailed that morning, he had two sermons to write, and he had a Bible Study to prepare. He was running ragged and had done so for about a week.  Added to all that, the janitor had forgotten to take out the garbage from the pastor's office.  The garbage can was overflowing. "Can't anybody get their stuff done?" he thought to himself angrily. As he took the garbage out, he found a homeless man going through another trashcan on the side of the church building. Irritated, he spouted off saying, "Hey, when you're through with the can, put it all back, and make sure the lid is on." He started to walk away.

"Just a minute," the homeless man called out. The pastor turned to face him. The homeless man said, "I'll be glad to do what you asked if you ask me respectfully."  Thoughtfully, the Pastor sucked in his breath and said, "You're absolutely right, and I'm so sorry. Sir, when you're finished, it would mean a lot to me if you would please make sure the area is tidy."  "I'd be glad to," the homeless man responded. The two shook hands, and from that day on, they were good friends. But, it took the pastor saying, "I'm sorry", to change that moment and bless that relationship.  Don't ever get so worked up, hurried, busy, angry, resentful, or bitter that you don't even realize when you need to say, "I'm sorry!" Jesus wanted better from you!
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In Luke, chapter 13, Jesus mentioned how Governor Pilate sent his soldiers to kill some Galileans out of spite (Luke 13:1). Jesus then mentioned how eighteen people died in Siloam when a tower fell upon them (Luke 13:4). In speaking about both cases, Jesus said, 'Unless you repent, you too will all perish". Thus, twice in only three verses, Jesus talked about your need to repent to save your soul.  Why is it that Jesus demanded repentance twice in only a few verses? He wanted you never to forget that you either repent in life, or you perish to hell in a death that came before you expected it to. Repent now before you die unexpectedly.  Be ready to face God.  Repent or Perish... you choose.

"Repent or perish".  "Repent or perish".  If it was so important to Jesus that he repeated it, why are people so bad about doing it?  Why do people resent being sorry for their sins?  Why do they wait to make things right?  Why delay?

A Pastor was having lunch with a prominent businessman. A woman, who recognized the executive, sauntered across the restaurant to their table and greeted him with a hefty slap on his back, causing him to spill coffee all over his suit. Then with a flamboyant gesture and sticking her nose in the air as if what she had done was nothing, she tossed her fur stole over her shoulder, hitting the Pastor full in the face.
"Oh, I'm so terribly sorry, she apologized. Looking straight at the woman, the businessman said, "Madam, don't be sorry, be different!"

When you sin, God isn't primarily interested in apologies, in just saying "I'm sorry".  Repentance involves saying your sorry, but then changing your ways.   God desires you to be willing to turn your  life around and act in a faithful manner. God expects you to not only feel repentant, but to confess when you are wrong and seek forgiveness from God and your victims.  God demands changes in your behavior due to true repentance.  That is how you turn away from that sin in your life.

Repent of those sins which have a hold on you. Change your ways, before its too late.  Jesus said it.... "Repent, or perish". Notice there is no third option given.  You either repent and change your ways or you perish with the rest of those who didn't take time to make things right with God.  Repentance is not optional for the faithful.  It is a command, a requirement.  Do you have a cloud hanging over you from a sin that remains not atoned for?  Is there a person you know who deserves to hear "I'm sorry!" from your lips?  Have you said, "I'm sorry", but failed to change your ways?  Repent or perish.  Repent or perish.  

 
May 2

  “Woe to you who are complacent in Zion, and to you who feel secure on Mount Samaria, you notable men of the foremost nation, to whom the people of Israel come! Go to Calneh and look at it; go from there to great Hamath, and then go down to Gath in Philistia. Are they better off than your two kingdoms? Is their land larger than yours? You put off the evil day and bring near a reign of terror. You lie on beds inlaid with ivory and lounge on your couches. You dine on choice lambs and fattened calves. You strum away on your harps like David and improvise on musical instruments. You drink wine by the bowlful and use the finest lotions, but you do not grieve over the ruin of Joseph. Therefore you will be among the first to go into exile; your feasting and lounging will end.” (Amos 6:1–7   NIV84) 


Did you hear about the 1990 election in Columbus, Ohio? The election seemed cut and dried. George Carr and Theresa Kinsell were unopposed in running for the county Democratic committee. Each of them needed only one vote to be elected, but not even the candidates voted so they both lost (Associated Press 5-11- 90).

Sometimes, we become lazy. We don't vote. We don't take the time to do a job right. We would rather pay someone to do something halfway, than take the time to do something well. Laziness, complacency, indifference are all related. They are feelings that can rise up in us when we've got it too good, when we get tired, or when we don't want to expend the money or energy to do something.

At the workplace, people can get indifferent about the quality of their work. They may work on an assembly line and not care if their product is put together well. Maybe they are dissatisfied with their pay, their hours, or their vocation, and the final product suffers. Any way you look at it, when the worker is dissatisfied, the quality suffers.  Thus, the consumer pays in the end.

In the book of Proverbs, we are told to consider the ant. The wise writer of Proverbs said, "consider the ways of the ant and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. How long will you be lazy?"(Prov. 6:6-9) Proverbs is declaring that hard work pays off in the long run (for the ant also!). Laziness, laxness, indifference, carelessness are not a sign of the faithful. We are to put in a good day's work and be proud of it.

Many people know that the Bible desires good hard work, along with righteousness and holiness. The Bible not only speaks against laziness at work, it speaks against spiritual laziness, indifference, apathy. Spiritual laziness is when you know something should be done for God, but you want someone else to do it. Spiritual laziness would have the Sunday School teacher come to class on Sunday morning unprepared for class. Spiritual laziness happens when people would rather fall asleep than pray at night. Spiritual laziness occurs when you don't take the time to come to worship or do something God desires.   Laziness might make you poor or fat or less intelligent. But spiritual laziness makes you unprepared for spiritual battles, weak in faith, and poor in Spirit.

Amos, the prophet, warned the people of Jerusalem about spiritual laziness. He challenged them: "Woe to you who are complacent in Zion," Amos began his preaching with a woe, a curse. He cursed those who were complacent and spiritually lazy.  What Amos saw in the holy city was reprehensible.  Poor people weren't getting help.  Needy people sold themselves into slavery for only a pair of shoes (Amos 2:6). Victims were being treated unfairly in the courts.  Judges were taking bribes (Amos 5:12). The elites of Judah looked the other way when others were treated wrongly. But God didn't look the other way! God's representative Amos spoke against this sinfulness. He condemned this spiritual laziness, this complacent belief system. We can't turn a blind eye to injustice or we are held responsible for it.... by God.

A long time ago, I met Pastor Mitch. Pastor Mitch was not your average clergyman. He always wore old clothes. He wore tank tops to church meetings in the hot summer. He bought used clothing when possible. He gave a lot of his money away to the needy and poor near his church. He would rather help an indigent person living in the slums than eat a meal out in a restaurant. He would rather buy a hot cup of coffee for a homeless man in winter than buy fresh vegetables for himself. Some didn't like how Pastor Mitch looked, how he dressed, or his actions. But you had to love the guy for the great ways he reached out to the poor.

A reporter once asked Pastor Mitch what spurred him to help the homeless and poor. He said that one day as he drove down an inner-city street on the way to worship, he saw a wino passed out on the street two blocks away from the church. His name was Ritchie. Ritchie was a friend who greeted Pastor Mitch every day.  But on that Sunday morning, as he drove past the man, he noticed a couple from his church stepping over Ritchie on the way to church. They stepped over him as if they were stepping over some garbage.   From that day on, Pastor Mitch sought ways to show respect to Ritchie and all those homeless people near the church.
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I wonder how many people have stepped over a wino, a bum, a homeless person, an indigent person without even noticing him or her? I wonder how many times people drove downtown to work and passed, without even caring, a man with his shopping cart full of all of his belongings? That is spiritual apathy, spiritual laziness. When you can't see the need of God because you are so closed up in your little world, that is indifference.

Amos, from our Bible, had seen enough indifference and spiritual laziness. God told him to prophecy against Judah. Seeing all the hungry and poor people in Jerusalem at the time, Amos said this: "You lie on beds inlaid with ivory and lounge on your couches. You dine on choice lambs and fattened calves. You strum away on your harps … You drink wine by the bowlful and use the finest lotions, but you do not grieve over the ruin of Joseph…"(Amos 6:4-6).   Amos was upset that despite being wealthy, the people of Judah didn't care for the poor. They strummed away on their musical instruments while courts were being bribed. He perceived this as  pure spiritually laziness. Couldn't they help?  Couldn't they make a difference?  They should stand up for what is right, but they did nothing.  To God, it was hypocritical. To Amos it was complacency, apathy, spiritual laziness, and just plain wrong.

God gives you eyes to see what needs to be done in our world. When God had a problem with Judah, he sent Amos to speak to the people. When the homeless were being ignored in Ohio, God sent Pastor Mitch. You must realize that some day, God will expect you to do something with your faith, to stand up for what is right, to help the needy, to watch over the hurting. If you don't do it, you may be guilty of spiritual indifference and apathy just like in our scripture today. God cursed spiritual indifference during Amos' time (notice the word woe in scripture?). God won't allow it now. If you don't stand up for God and help when HE calls you to, God will find someone else to do His work. God wants things done right. God desires people who are committed, not half-committed. Are you up to it?

During World War II, there were big posters of Uncle Sam which said, "Uncle Sam wants you!" Well, God wants you. God is looking for a few good men and women.... not for the marines, but to be HIS faithful and righteous workers.  I pray on the day your name is called, you are ready to stand up and be counted among the faithful, among those who will care, among those who will make a difference in our world.  Are you going to work with God to change our world?  Are you dedicated enough not to look the other way at injustice?  Are you a half-hearted Christian, or a true and faithful follower of Christ?  
 
May 3

  “Saul told his son Jonathan and all the attendants to kill David. But Jonathan was very fond of David and warned him, 'My father Saul is looking for a chance to kill you. Be on your guard tomorrow morning; go into hiding and stay there. I will go out and stand with my father in the field where you are. I’ll speak to him about you and will tell you what I find out.' Jonathan spoke well of David to Saul his father and said to him, 'Let not the king do wrong to his servant David; he has not wronged you, and what he has done has benefited you greatly. He took his life in his hands when he killed the Philistine. The Lord won a great victory for all Israel, and you saw it and were glad. Why then would you do wrong to an innocent man like David by killing him for no reason?' Saul listened to Jonathan and took this oath: 'As surely as the Lord lives, David will not be put to death.' So Jonathan called David and told him the whole conversation. He brought him to Saul, and David was with Saul as before. Once more war broke out, and David went out and fought the Philistines. He struck them with such force that they fled before him. But an evil spirit from the Lord came upon Saul as he was sitting in his house with his spear in his hand. While David was playing the harp, Saul tried to pin him to the wall with his spear, but David eluded him as Saul drove the spear into the wall. That night David made good his escape. Saul sent men to David’s house to watch it and to kill him in the morning. But Michal, David’s wife, warned him, 'If you don’t run for your life tonight, tomorrow you’ll be killed.' So Michal let David down through a window, and he fled and escaped. 
   Saul was told that David had gone to Keilah... When David learned that Saul was plotting against him, he said to Abiathar the priest, 'Bring the ephod.' David said, 'O Lord, God of Israel, your servant has heard definitely that Saul plans to come to Keilah and destroy the town on account of me. Will the citizens of Keilah surrender me to him? Will Saul come down, as your servant has heard? O Lord, God of Israel, tell your servant.' And the Lord said, 'He will.' Again David asked, 'Will the citizens of Keilah surrender me and my men to Saul?' And the Lord said, 'They will.' So David and his men, about six hundred in number, left Keilah and kept moving from place to place... Day after day Saul searched for him, but God did not give David into his hands.” (1 Samuel 19:1-12; 23:7–14 (abridged) NIV84) 


  Bad things happen to good people. You can go to church every Sunday, help the elderly across every street, open the door for every disabled veteran,  and something bad might still happen to you. You can stop and help someone fix a flat tire and later get a flat tire yourself on the way home on a deserted road with nobody to help you. If a relative needs financial help, you might be good enough to help her out.  When the day comes when you need a financial boost, you might find nobody cares.   Life can be unfair. Life will make you frustrated. Life may not make sense. How is it that the man down the street who never goes to church, who is mean to his kids, who never takes care of his yard, who has a huge savings account, has more than enough money to drink his way through life? Is God unfair? Is God trying to make you suffer, even when you  do good things for others? It may seem that way at times, but let me tell you honestly, the scripture for today begs you to reconsider. It begs you to remember that no matter how unfair life seems, God is behind the scenes working things out. Though it may not seem like God is working in your favor today,  God always works for good. God ultimately makes a sinful man's sins haunt him and the righteous man's suffering bless him.

In 1 Samuel, two people faced off against each other, David and King Saul. It's not that David wanted it this way. Saul did. Saul was a jealous man. He was full of envy. As a King, he wanted glory. As a person, he did nasty things to keep others under his control. David was the future King. He was chosen by God through the prophet Samuel to be the next ruler of Judah. David was blessed in many ways. He defeated the great giant Goliath. He was loved by the people. He was Handsome. Saul hated David's fame and glory. Even Saul's son, Jonathan, liked David. In fact, Jonathan and David were best of friends. That did not deter Saul from trying to get rid of David.

As our scripture for today begins, King Saul wanted David dead. What did David do? He was liked by everybody, and Saul wouldn't stand for it. Some people hate to be second best. That was Saul. When David was honored for killing Goliath the giant in battle, Saul was jealous that David received the glory. Saul despised getting less attention from the adoring public. He was so full of envy, that he wanted to kill anyone who was seen as greater in the kingdom.  David was number one on Saul's hit list.  

A couple of donkeys were in two fields separated by a barbed wire fence. The grass was equally lush and green in both pastures, yet each donkey could be seen poking its head through the fence as far as possible to graze on the grass in the adjoining field. As the old saying goes, "The grass always looks greener on the other side of the fence." People, even Christians, can display that same tendency. Something that belongs to someone else, or some talent or ability that is beyond our reach, can seem so much more appealing than what we already possess. Yet the Lord wants us to be satisfied with what He has given to us. Saul wasn't satisfied. He had the throne of Israel, but he felt threatened by David. Are you a jealous person? Are you envious? Be careful. That may come to haunt you.

Saul planned to kill David. He called together his closest friends and told them to get rid of David. Jonathan, Saul's Son, told David about the plot.  David hid. Saul regretted his murderous contempt and changed his mind, so David returned from hiding. Soon, David's army was winning battles again. Guess what?  Saul got jealous again. As David was in Saul's house, the scripture tells us that "Saul threw a spear at David" but missed (1 Samuel 19:10).  Saul then came and surrounded David's house. Saul's own daughter, Michal, who was David's wife, let David down through a window to safety and saved his life.  Yet again, Saul's murder attempt failed.

Saul found out where David had fled in the far countryside. Saul saddled up his trusted soldiers and went after David. David feared at the wrath of Saul. King Saul attempted to bribe the people of the countryside to betray David. Just when David was to be captured, Abiathar the priest let David know what was happening.  Once again, David escaped the hand of Saul.

If you study David's life in these scriptures, you see a good man. Here's a man who fought for his country, who helped his country defeat a terrible foe. This was a man who didn't do evil (this was before the time of Bathsheba), who had good friends, who was a good and godly man. Yet over and over, he was harassed. His life was in constant danger. He couldn't sleep at home due to threats. He couldn't be with his family.  He slept in caves for fear of King Saul. Friends feared for his life. Hiding became a part of each day. David was a good, religious, upright, family man. What did he do to deserve this?  You can be the nicest person and still have bad things happen to you.

William Carey was a famous missionary in India. He worked many years to translate the Bible in the language of the Indians. Finally, his supporters in England sent a printer to assist him. Soon the two men were turning out portions of the Bible for distribution. Carey had spent many years learning the language so that he could produce the Scriptures in the local dialect. He had also prepared dictionaries and grammars for the use of his successors. One day while Cary was away, a fire broke out and completely destroyed the building, the presses, many Bibles, and the precious manuscripts, dictionaries and grammars. It all went up in smoke. Life can be like that. In one moment, things are fine. In another, your life is upside down, and you did nothing to deserve it.

David's luck seemed sure to end. King Saul had spies, armies, even whole cities searching for David. Good David was suffering at the hands of bad old Saul.  On your down days, you might read these stories about David's suffering and hiding and begin to feel self-pity.   Why is it that good people have to suffer bad days?  You might feel sorry for yourself when things don't go your way. You might say to yourself,  "Why me? Why try to be good? The bad people always win. Life isn't fair!" But if you think these things, you aren't counting on God!

Remember when I said that God has a tendency to make the sinful man's sins haunt him and the righteous man's suffering bless him? That was exactly what was happening to David and Saul. Each time Saul wanted to capture David or kill him, a person saved David.  Just when Saul's armies were hot on David's trail, someone helped David slip away! When Saul convinced his closest friends to kill David, Saul's own son Jonathan saved David. When Saul tried to trap David in his home, Saul's daughter Michal helped David escape through a window. When Saul trapped David in a city, the priest Abiathar hid David in the wilderness. Each time evil seemed bent on winning, God came through in the end. 1 Samuel 23:14 even reads: "Day after day Saul searched for David, but God did not give David into his hands."

Yes, there may be days when bad things happen to good people. Yes, there may be times in life when everything seems to go wrong and you feel like giving up. Poor David had to hide, to run away, to stay away from his family and friends. He didn't deserve this! You may not deserve the garbage you have to handle, the problems you will face, the stuff that people will throw at you, the names they might call you. Bad things happen to good people. But then, there's God, always active, always working in the background. So, though David was suffering, though David was without his family for a while, God was always watching over him, protecting him.

Think about it. In the Bible, there were many good people who had evil things done to them. These good people suffered. Joseph was thrown into prison wrongly (Genesis). Peter was held in prison without a trial (Acts). Jeremiah was put in stocks and mocked in the city square. I could go on and on. Bad things happen to good people. But again, God comes through. That same Peter was freed from the prison and went on to preach for years. Jeremiah didn't have to face war, because the people that hurt him took him to a foreign land at the right time. Joseph became a leading figure in Egypt and saved the people of Israel from starvation.

Bad days will come, garbage will be thrown at you, good people may suffer for a while, but God remembers it all. God seems to even things out in life and death. God watches the good and bad and keeps track of who really wins and who really loses. Don't fall apart when bad things come your way. Even the best in the Bible had their rough moments. God always evened things up. God always made the good rise to the top. God will notice your good deeds and reward you, even when others don't seem to care.  God will use your bad days to make you into a better soul.  God will take your bad times and forge you into a stronger and more faithful person.  All it takes is faith.  Your faith.  Got it?

May 4

      “...this Ezra came up from Babylon. He was a teacher well versed in the Law of Moses, which the Lord, the God of Israel, had given. The king had granted him everything he asked, for the hand of the Lord his God was on him. Some of the Israelites, including priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers and temple servants, also came up to Jerusalem in the seventh year of King Artaxerxes. Ezra arrived in Jerusalem in the fifth month of the seventh year of the king. He had begun his journey from Babylon on the first day of the first month, and he arrived in Jerusalem on the first day of the fifth month, for the gracious hand of his God was on him. For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the Lord, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel.... [Ezra said,] 'Praise be to the Lord, the God of our fathers, who has put it into the king’s heart to bring honor to the house of the Lord in Jerusalem in this way and who has extended his good favor to me before the king and his advisers and all the king’s powerful officials. Because the hand of the Lord my God was on me, I took courage and gathered leading men from Israel to go up with me.'” (Ezra 7:6-10, 27–28   NIV84)


On a frigid Christmas night in 1776 George Washington, along with 2,400 men and 18 cannons, was ferried across the freezing Delaware River. The daring offensive that night took the Hessian mercenaries serving with the British completely by surprise. A British loyalist tried to alert the Hessians, but their drunken commander refused to interrupt a card game to receive the message. More than one hundred Hessians were killed or wounded, and nearly one thousand taken prisoner. Not a single American life was lost.  After the Revolutionary War was won, Washington spoke about some of his victories and about the life of the new country. An author recently wrote about Washington's words noting, "Why had Washington and his army left behind the warmth of home and hearth? We know that Washington sensed the guiding and protecting hand of God in the struggle to establish a new nation…." Did you read that? The author was convinced that Washington sensed the hand of God in his struggle for the freedom of our nation!

Have you ever felt the hand of God moving in your life? In moments of hurt and pain, in times of desperation, in loneliness or grief, in magical moments filled with the Spirit, many have felt that hand of God moving them with the events of time. In the Old Testament book of Daniel, it is said that when King Nebuchadnezzar was in his palace telling others how great he was, the hand of God wrote on the wall a prophecy of doom for the bedazzled king.  Sinful people have felt the hand of God moving against them.
Many faithful people throughout the ages felt this hand of God directing their lives, affecting their future, protecting them. Patient Job, the suffering servant of the Old Testament, found out that the hand of God protected him from Satan (Job 1:10-11). Wise King Solomon said that the hand of God brought enjoyment, even in work (Ecclesiastes 2:24). The hand of God can bring either sorrow or joy; it depends on who you are. You see, if you are doing what God wills in your life, the hand of God will cover you, protect you, help you, prepare the way for you. If you are going against God's will, the hand of God may cause illness, hold you back from doing wrong, or bring guilt and suffering or shame to you. The hand of God has awesome power. With God's hand, the heavens were created. By God's hand, the world will end. God's hand may be upon us and our country for a blessing, or to curse a wrong we have done. Have you ever felt the hand of God upon you?

In the book of Ezra, the King of Persia wanted to free the people of Israel from bondage in Babylon. He wished them to go back to their land and begin to worship God anew. Why didn't the King of Persia retain all the people of Israel as slaves? Why didn't the King free the people to remain in his kingdom instead of sending them back to the promised land? Some say its because the King liked the Jews. Others think its because the Persians too believed in one God. There were those, including Ezra, who saw the hand of God working to free the chosen people of God to come back home to the holy city of Jerusalem.

As the King was preparing to free the Israelites, he heard of a prophet who was in slavery in Babylon. The prophet's name was Ezra, "a teacher well versed in the Law of Moses, which the LORD, the God of Israel, had given" (Ezra 7:6). Despite being a slave, Ezra had kept the commandments.  He never stopped worshiping God. He was known as a holy man, a righteous prophet, and a priest. The King gave Ezra the authority to lead the Israelites back to their land and build a new Temple to our God. The scripture makes it clear that the King of Persia even aided Ezra in returning to Jerusalem and rebuilding the temple. How was it possible? The scripture tells us as well. The hand of God was upon Ezra (Ezra 7:28).

When the hand of God is upon you, one of two things will happen. Either you will feel the blessing, or you will feel the curse. When you are faithful, the hand of God will help you when you need it, guard you when you require it, push you in the right direction. When you are unfaithful, the hand of God can be hard to bear. God might speak to you in nightmares, cause your plans to fall through, give you obstacles, all in order to change your ways. Great things were happening to Israel. The only way Ezra could describe what was happening was that the hand of God was upon them to bless them.

Three times in our scripture for today, it is revealed that the hand of God was upon Ezra.  God's hand pushed the King of Persia to free the slaves. God's hand made it so that the faithful people could go back to Jerusalem. God's hand was strong and caused the right things to happen at the perfect times for His will to be done. It is awesome when you can feel the hand of God working in your life.

Maybe the hand of God is upon you today. Maybe it has been upon you a long time. Maybe the hand of God is holding you back for some reason. Maybe the hand of God is protecting you from your own weakness! Maybe the hand of God is displaying your failure. Maybe the hand of God is coming into your heart right now to clean up the mess of sin and heal you from the pains of the past. I cannot control the hand of God. But I've seen what it can do. Ezra did, as well. In the final words of our scripture reading Ezra said, "Because the hand of the LORD my God was on me, I took courage." (Ezra 7:27-28) The hand of God can take you to places where others dare not go alone.   It can give you the courage to do things you normally wouldn't think you are capable.  

The hand of God can bless you when you need that blessing. The hand of God can heal or strike down. Are you following or feeling the hand of God today?​


May 5

 “Then he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat by this time was many furlongs distant from the land, beaten by the waves; for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear. But immediately he spoke to them, saying, “Take heart, it is I; have no fear.” And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, bid me come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus; but when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “O man of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”” (Matthew 14:22–33   RSV) 

Years ago a military officer and his wife were aboard a ship that was caught in a raging ocean storm. Seeing the frantic look in her eyes, the man tried unsuccessfully to allay her fears. Suddenly she grasped his sleeve and cried, "How can you be so calm?"
He stepped back a few feet and drew his sword. Pointing it at her heart, he said, "Are you afraid of this?"
Without hesitation she answered, "Of course not!"
"Why not?" he inquired.
"Because it's in your hand, and you love me too much to hurt me."
To this he replied, "I know the One who holds the winds and the waters in the hollow of His hand, and He will surely care for us!"
The officer was not disturbed by the terrible storm, because he had put his trust in the Lord. He knew that even in the midst of a storm that God knew where he was and would watch over him and his wife.

The Sea of Galilee is known for storms that pop up without warning. The high cliffs on the western edge of the sea sometimes hide the weather until its too late. Even experienced seamen and fishermen can be caught by these sudden and ferocious storms. In New Testament times, the disciples and Jesus encountered a storm like that. Even though several of the disciples were experienced fishermen, a storm in our scripture for today still caught them by surprise. The wind and waves battered their boat. The scriptures describe the storm as furious. Waves swept over the gunwales. For hours they fought the sea, the wind, the waves. No doubt they feared for their lives. It was a pitch-black night as they faced death with all its fury.
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Jesus was not with the disciples in the boat. Verse 23 of our scripture tells us he had gone up on a mountain to pray and had sent the disciples on ahead across the sea. From the mountain cliffs, Jesus must've known they were in trouble. He no doubt saw the choppy surf and the pounding waves. Then the unexpected happened: "the boat by this time was very distant from the land, beaten by the waves; for the wind was against them.  And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus came to them, walking on the sea.  But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, 'It is a ghost!' And they cried out for fear.  But immediately he spoke to them, saying, 'Take heart, it is I; have no fear'"(Matthew 14:24-27).

Those disciples were surrounded by darkness. They were surrounded by death. If they were swept overboard by wind or waves, it meant death. If they were hit by a crashing mast, it meant death. If they hit rocks, they would be thrown overboard and could die on the rocks. Death was all around them that night. Then Jesus came and said, "Take heart, it is I; have no fear." As they saw Jesus walking toward them, they forgot for a moment about how close death was. For a moment the wind and the waves didn't seem so formidable. Maybe they would be all right. Jesus was with them.

One of the twelve, Peter was so overwhelmed at the power of the moment that he asked to come out of the boat and walk to Jesus on the rough water. After Jesus invited him, Peter actually left the boat and began to walk to Jesus. There seemed to be no more fear of death, the wind, the waves. But then, Peter realized he was surrounded by the wind and waves. He realized how death was so close, and caught sight of the size of the waves and the fury of the wind and became afraid. He started to sink, and cried out,  "Lord, save me."  At the moment when Peter was slipping under the wind and waves, Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. Jesus wanted to save Peter. Jesus wanted to help him. God is that way. When things are tough in life, when the wind and waves, the troubles and pains come beating on your life, you too might find yourself reaching out to grab a hand. I pray you grab God's hand. Peter found comfort there, even in the midst of a black night and a storm. You can find comfort there too.  In the end, Jesus calmed the storm.

When the angel came to Mary before Jesus was born, the angel said "Do not Fear". When God spoke to the Israelites through Isaiah, God told the faithful, "Be not afraid, I am Your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you" (Isaiah 41:10).   And here again, in the middle of the storm, Jesus told his disciples, "It is I, do not fear."  It doesn't matter what hits you in life, what storms will wage against you, when you place your faith in God, there is no need to fear.  God watches over you.  When Christ Jesus is Your Lord and Master and the Holy Spirit is in Your heart, you need not be afraid.

I hope and pray that when you are in trouble, you reach out for that hand, that sure hand. It is a hand that will be there no matter how tempestuous the storms in your life, no matter what kinds of things are to be feared. In your blackest night, when you make mistakes or need some forgiveness, Jesus will be there with a hand, a sure hand, and much love behind it. All you have to do is grab that hand and hold on tight and listen for His words given in this scripture, "It is I, have no fear." Will you trust His hand?  Will you listen and heed those words?  Will you follow His voice?  Will you let go of your fear?


May 6

 “Then the men [God and two angels disguised as three men] set out from there, and they looked toward Sodom; and Abraham went with them to set them on their way. The Lord said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do, seeing that Abraham shall become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall bless themselves by him? No, for I have chosen him, that he may charge his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice; so that the Lord may bring to Abraham what he has promised him.” Then the Lord said, “Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great and their sin is very grave, I will go down to see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry which has come to me; and if not, I will know.” So the men turned from there, and went toward Sodom; but Abraham still stood before the Lord. Then Abraham drew near, and said, “Wilt thou indeed destroy the righteous with the wicked? Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city; wilt thou then destroy the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous who are in it? Far be it from thee to do such a thing, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous fare as the wicked! Far be that from thee! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?” And the Lord said, “If I find at Sodom fifty righteous in the city, I will spare the whole place for their sake.” Abraham answered, “Behold, I have taken upon myself to speak to the Lord, I who am but dust and ashes. Suppose five of the fifty righteous are lacking? Wilt thou destroy the whole city for lack of five?” And he said, “I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there.” Again he spoke to him, and said, “Suppose forty are found there.” He answered, “For the sake of forty I will not do it.” Then he said, “Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak. Suppose thirty are found there.” He answered, “I will not do it, if I find thirty there.” He said, “Behold, I have taken upon myself to speak to the Lord. Suppose twenty are found there.” He answered, “For the sake of twenty I will not destroy it.” Then he said, “Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak again but this once. Suppose ten are found there.” He answered, “For the sake of ten I will not destroy it.” And the Lord went his way, when he had finished speaking to Abraham; and Abraham returned to his place.” (Genesis 18:16–33, RSV)  

"God's Special Protection for the Righteous"
We begin our scripture today with three men visiting Abraham at his home. But these were no ordinary men. Abraham could sense right off they were special, even holy. Abraham didn't know what they were planning or who they were, but he knew right away they were on a mission. Something big was up. Abraham, being a good man and courteous, invited the three to stay at his home and shared his food with them.

Abraham didn't hear the conversation that happened next, as told in the scripture. One of the three visitors was God. God said to the angels with him, "Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do?.... No, for I have chosen him and [he must] keep the way of the Lord by doing justice and righteousness.... So that I may bless him" (Genesis 18:17-18). The angels and God were talking about sharing their big plan with Abraham. God didn't want to hide what was about to happen. But it seemed as if God was also protecting Abraham.  Still, God wanted Abraham to know about the plans to destroy two cities... Sodom and Gomorrah.

I find it interesting that God wanted Abraham to know about His plans. God knows everything. God knows what is right and wrong. God reads people's hearts. Why did God want to share HIS information with Abraham? A clue is given to us here in scripture. God mentioned that Abraham was very important in God's future plans. Abraham would be the one God worked through to bring justice and righteousness and faith to all people in history. Therefore, God didn't want to keep him in the dark. God wanted to share what He was doing so that Abraham could understand God more completely and respect God more fully.
If you are a righteous person and God works through you, I believe God does the very same thing with you! When big things are happening around you, God will sometimes share with you an understanding of HIS will. God will not always leave you in the dark. God will at crucial moments reveal what others cannot see. God will open your eyes to see possibilities that others cannot fathom. You will have a greater understanding of the work of God.

On a cold March night in Dallas, a doctor came in to the small hospital room of Diana Blessing. She was still groggy from surgery. Her husband, David, held her hand as they braced themselves for the latest news. That afternoon of March 10, 1991, complications had forced Diana, only 24-weeks pregnant, to undergo an emergency Cesarean to deliver the couple's new daughter, Dana Lu Blessing. At 12 inches long and weighing only one pound nine ounces, they already knew she was perilously premature. Still, the doctor's soft words dropped like bombs.

"I don't think she's going to make it," he said, as kindly as he could. "There's only a 10-percent chance she will live through the night, and even then, if by some slim chance she does make it, her future could be a very cruel one."  Numb with disbelief, David and Diana listened as the doctor described the devastating problems their little girl would likely face if she survived. She would never walk, she would never talk, she would probably be blind, and she would certainly be prone to other catastrophic conditions from cerebral palsy to complete mental retardation and on and on.

But Diana had other feelings. She felt God's hand in this. She had this strange feeling that everything would be OK. Ever have that feeling that, although things are falling apart in your life, you are at peace?  Have you ever just known God was watching over you and you would be OK?

When Dana turned two months old, her parents were able to hold her in their arms for the very first time. Two months after that, the doctors were still saying that the baby only had a "next to zero" chance of surviving. All they could do was to pray that God would stay close to their amazing little girl.  Five years later, Dana grew up to be a petite but feisty young girl. She showed no signs whatsoever of any mental or physical impairment. Simply, she was everything a little girl can be and more. But that happy ending is far from the end of her story.

One blistering afternoon in the summer of 1996 near her home in Irving, Texas, Dana was sitting in her mother's lap in the bleachers of a local ball park where her brother Dustin's baseball team was practicing. As always, Dana was chattering nonstop when she suddenly fell silent. Hugging her arms across her chest, little Dana asked, "Do you smell that?"

Her mother replied, "Yes, I think we're about to get wet. It smells like rain."

Still caught in the moment, Dana shook her head, patted her thin shoulders with her small hands and loudly announced, "No, it smells like Him. It smells like God when you lay your head on His chest."

Tears blurred Diana's eyes as Dana happily hopped down to play with the other children. Before the rains came, her daughter's words confirmed what Diana and all the members of the extended Blessing family had known, at least in their hearts, all along. During those long days and nights of her first two months of her life, when her nerves were too sensitive for them to touch her, God was holding Dana on his chest and it is His loving scent that she remembers so well.  Throughout this whole ordeal, God was there. His presence was felt in the power of that moment... and in his smell. God was there for a faithful mother and her child.

There are times when God will be there, working around you, working through you. You will feel HIS presence. You'll know HE's there... you'll sense HIS power.

Abraham also had this feeling of God's presence from our story in Genesis 18. He had been with the three men, and finally, he deduced one was the Lord.  The Lord finally spoke to him. HE told Abraham that they were going to visit Sodom and Gomorrah to see if the sins they were doing were grievous. It was one last chance for the people of these two cities to change their ways. As the angels left on their way to visit the cities, the Lord stayed behind to talk to Abraham. Abraham was shaken... not only to be in God's presence.. but to know the power of God to destroy those two sinful cities. In that moment, though, Abraham had a revelation. He wondered about how God made HIS decisions about life and death. If there were righteous people in those two cities, they would die, too! So Abraham asked God, "Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city, will you forgive the city for the fifty righteous who are in it? Far be it for you to slay the righteous with the wicked." The Lord said, "If there are fifty righteous, I will forgive the whole place for their sake."Abraham then said, "What if there are forty-five righteous? Would you destroy the city?"  God said, "I would not destroy the city if there are forty-five righteous there."  Abraham asked about forty, then thirty, then twenty, and then ten. God said HE would not destroy the cities if even 10 righteous were found there. Abraham had his answer. God would not destroy the cities because of the righteous. In a sense, the cities were protected by the righteous inhabitants, because the righteous were protected by God.

Now, I want you to think about this a moment. According to God's own words, the presence of righteous people meant God would protect the cities.  The absence of righteous people meant God's protection was lost. God might see bad things in your city, but because of righteous and faithful people like you, God will protect your city. HE knows who is faithful and watches out especially for you. God protects many through the righteous in their midst.  God will protect your family, because of your faithfulness. Now, this doesn't mean that bad things can't happen to you ever. Life has its accidents... but God watches over, protects, and cares for the faithful whenever they are in danger. And even in death, God takes watch over them!

Two amazing things should come to mind as we finish this scripture today. First, God may share with you things that are important to HIM and to you. God may show you things others don't see, help you understand things others don't know. He does this because you are a part of HIS plan. And the second thing is that God protects others for the sake of the righteous like you. God watches over a whole city or country, because HIS faithful ones are there. God protects others because of you.  God knows who the faithful righteous believers are.  God cares deeply about what happens to all the faithful like you.
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Realize today how much God is indeed a part of your life. HE may visit you. You might sense HIS presence. If you make yourself part of God's plan, accept and follow HIS ways, HE will give you insight and wisdom and protection all because... God sees hope in Your faith. Others may be protected right now because of your faith!   Amazing.. isn't it? 

May 7

 “...so Jesus, wearied as he was with his journey, sat down beside the well. It was about the sixth hour. There came a woman of Samaria to draw water. Jesus said to her, 'Give me a drink.' For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food. The Samaritan woman said to him, 'How is it that you, a Jew, ask a drink of me, a woman of Samaria?' For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans. Jesus answered her, 'If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.' The woman said to him, 'Sir, you have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep; where do you get that living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank from it himself, and his sons, and his cattle?' Jesus said to her, 'Every one who drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst; the water that I shall give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.' The woman said to him, 'Sir, give me this water, that I may not thirst, nor come here to draw.'  Jesus said to her, 'Go, call your husband, and come here.' The woman answered him, 'I have no husband.' Jesus said to her, 'You are right in saying, ‘I have no husband’; for you have had five husbands, and he whom you now have is not your husband; this you said truly.' The woman said to him, 'Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. Our fathers worshiped on this mountain; and you say that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.' Jesus said to her, 'Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for such the Father seeks to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.' The woman said to him, 'I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ); when he comes, he will show us all things.' Jesus said to her, 'I who speak to you am he.” Just then his disciples came. They marveled that he was talking with a woman, but none said, 'What do you wish?' or, 'Why are you talking with her?' So the woman left her water jar, and went away into the city, and said to the people, 'Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?' They went out of the city and were coming to him.” (John 4:6–30 (abridged)  RSV) 

"Beware of Assumptions"
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Oh, the things you hear as pastor!  Sometimes, I wish people weren't so full of assumptions and gossip!  "Pastor, did you hear about what's his name?  I heard he was at Mrs. Smith's house two nights ago. He was there for about two hours. And he's a married man!" Now that's one big assumption that the man was doing something wrong during that visit.

Many people, including you, make assumptions.  Often, those assumptions prove wrong. In the scripture for today, a woman assumes that Jesus is just another Jew who doesn't appreciate a Samaritan woman at a well. She assumes that Jesus is just another foreigner who is both biased and nothing special. She assumes wrong. This is the traditional story of the woman at the well from John chapter 4. The story begins like this... “When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, 'Will you give me a drink?' (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.) The Samaritan woman said to him, 'You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?' (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.)” (John 4:7–9  NIV84)

There is one important aspect about scripture that you must know....The Greek language has no real way to show intent or expression. This woman is not having a philosophical argument with Jesus. She is bantering with him.. She is challenging him.   She, as a Samaritan, is smarting off to Jesus, in a way. You see, Samaritans and Jews did not really associate in good terms. The Jews considered the Samaritans as heathens. The Samaritans believed in God and the Old Testament and worshiped God.  The Jews didn't respect their worship and wouldn't accept them as "real Jews". That's what this woman at the well expects of Jesus, him being a Jew.  She did not expect him to see her as a faithful person.  She did not assume he would understand her as a possible faithful woman.  So, she starts off being rather pushy, saying, "How is it that you, a Jew, ask a drink of me, a woman of Samaria?"   She questions his actions.  She questions his request from her for a drink.  She wonders at his motives. 

Jesus is not taken aback by her assumptions.  He is not phased by her insolence.  He speaks to her in religious terms saying, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, 'Give me a drink,' you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water" (John 4:10).   Jesus' response to her speaks about living water.  Now living water can be interpreted in the original language in two ways.  It can be interpreted as "running water" or as "religious water".   Immediately, she assumed Jesus was speaking as if this was running water. Her assumption was wrong, but she said anyway, "the well is deep, where do you get that living [running] water?"   She doesn't understand that Jesus speaks of Himself as the water of life.  Jesus, the Savior of the world, is offering Himself to her.  He is offering salvation to her, a baptism of the Spirit and of Life.   She is still assuming He is speaking about running water.   She is wrong.  Let's stop here for a moment.

Have you ever been totally lost because you entered in the middle of a conversation and were lost in understanding?  One thanksgiving, I walked into a kitchen while a woman sat with her son at the kitchen table.  He had a fork in his hand. She was looking at him.  The dog was at his side.  She said, "Just poke it in the eye!"  I stopped immediately and stared at the boy, then the woman, then the dog.  Then, I realized, she was speaking about poking a potato in the eye, not the dog.  Sometimes, it takes you a few seconds to catch up!

It was the same way for this woman at the well.  She had made an assumption about Jesus.  She thought he was "just a biased Jewish man" who rejected the Samaritans.  She thought he just wanted her to get him a drink of water.  She thought maybe he didn't have a cup to drink with .  She thought he wanted something from her.  She didn't realize He was there to give something to her.  "Jesus said,   'Every one who drinks of this water will thirst again,  but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst; the water that I shall give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.'  The woman said to him, 'Sir, give me this water, that I may not thirst, nor come here to draw.' (John 4:13-15)   Again, she has the wrong assumption.  She is being facetious.  She was saying to Jesus that with His water she no longer would need to drink again, so He should give her that water.  She wanted this magic water!  She was playing with His words!

Jesus revealed himself with his next words.   He asked her to bring her husband to Him.  After replying that she had no husband, Jesus commended her honesty.  She then stated:  "Sir, I perceive you are a prophet" (John 4:19).  She was learning. Jesus was breaking through her assumptions. But her assumptions still crept in again with her next words:  "Our fathers worshiped on this mountain; and you say that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship." She's getting defensive with Jesus.  It's "us" and "them", "our fathers" and "you Jews in Jerusalem".  She wants to keep distance with Jesus.  She still doesn't understand him.  

Finally, the woman at the well said to Jesus, "I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ); when he comes, he will show us all things" (John 4:26) Jesus said to her, "I who speak to you am he."  With these words,  Jesus reveals himself  fully not as an ordinary Jewish man, and not as a prophet like she first thought, but as the Messiah, the Christ. In this discussion with Jesus, not only was this woman revealed for who she was, Jesus was revealed for who He was.  She was more religious than she appeared.  But HE was much more than HE appeared!  He was the Son of God.  HE knew her soul. 

The story changes as the disciples arrive at the well and see Jesus talking with the woman.  They now make an assumption.  Accusingly, the scripture says that they "marveled that Jesus was talking with a woman" but were afraid to ask why he was talking to her!     Jesus didn't seem to care about the assumptions.  He was there to speak to that woman.   He changed her life.  In fact,  she shared with her whole village how amazing Jesus was! (John 4:29-30)  Her words were clear, "Can this be the Christ?"

Throughout the entire scripture story, this woman and the disciples make assumptions.  Throughout Jesus' ministry people made assumptions about Jesus because he was often with "tax collectors and sinners".   People will make assumptions about your worth based on who you are, and where you've come from.  They will make assumptions based on how you dress and how you speak.  Assumptions can hold you back from seeing the truth about a lot of things.   Assumptions will lie to you about a lot.   If this woman would have trusted her assumptions, she never would have learned about Jesus nor been saved.  If you believe all your assumptions, you may never know the truth about a lot of things.  You may also never get to know the real Jesus.

Assumptions fool you.  They trick you.  They get you to believe things that are not true.  They keep people at a distance. They cause you to lie to yourself.   How do you torture yourself today based on assumptions?  What assumptions hold you back from discovering something about God?  Look closely.  I have found that the worst sins are based on the best assumptions.

May 8

  “Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need. Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:25–32, NIV84)  


In this scripture written by the apostle Paul to the Christians in Ephesus, Paul used strong language. More than 10 times in the scripture, the Apostle Paul used "commands" in the Greek language. Commands are things that are not optional. Commands are what officers in the military give to soldiers under their orders. Commands are things that are required... no ifs, ands, or buts. You must do them. Among the commands given here by Paul are that we must not sin through anger, not talk foolishly, and get rid of all bitterness...." Get rid of it!!!   These toxic attitudes and actions do not belong in your mind or your heart or your life. If you are in Christ, this is not even optional, but a requirement according to Paul here!

I heard a story the other night about a truck driver who dropped in at an all-night restaurant in Broken Bow, Nebraska. The waitress had just served him a late dinner when three swaggering, leather-jacketed motorcyclists -- of the Hell's Angels type - entered and rushed up to him, apparently spoiling for a fight. One grabbed the hamburger off his plate; another took a handful of his French fries; and the third picked up his coffee and began to drink it.  The trucker did not respond as one might expect. Instead, he calmly rose, picked up his check, walked to the front of the room, put the check and his money on the cash register, and went out the door. The waitress followed him to put the money in the till and stood watching out the door as the big truck drove away into the night.  When she returned, one of the cyclists said to her, "Well, he's not much of a man, is he? Kind of a sissy if you ask me."  The waitress replied, "I can't answer as to that, but he's not much of a truck driver either. He just ran over three motorcycles out in the parking lot."

Some people get angry right away. Some people fuss and fume and get even quietly or later or when they can. Some people go through life thinking of ways to exact revenge or make someone pay for something. It is believed by doctors that as many as 10% of the population of America is angry every day. I don't mean upset or frustrated, but angry. When I read this tidbit a couple of months ago, I had to wonder.... how many people walk around in life angry and wanting to hurt someone? Sounds like too many. The apostle Paul thought the same thing here in these verses. He said we should "get rid" of those thoughts, of anger and malice and bitterness and resentment. If you look at Jesus' life, you can understand this more fully.

Before Jesus was crucified, they did terrible things to him. They arrested him illegally. They did not give him any legal representation while being questioned. They sent him to at least three different trials or places of judgment. They stole his clothes. They put a crown of thorns on him and mocked him. They spit on him. They whipped him. Then they crucified him. Even when He died, they stabbed His side just to be sure He was dead! He was treated with the greatest amount of disrespect, anger, ridicule and pain.  Did He respond with anger and resentment?  Did He lash out?   He deserved to.  Instead, Jesus prayed, "Father, forgive them, for they don't know what they are doing.!" (Luke 23:34)  Look at Jesus' words again!  Now think about this.  If you are full of anger or bitterness; if you like to blame others or have anger in your heart, you don't know what you are doing! The Apostle Paul added in our scripture for today, "Get rid of anger and bitterness…" (Ephesians 4:31). His words, not mine! You should banish these toxic thoughts from your heart and mind. They will jeopardize your relationship with God.  

There was a newspaper that wrote about a tenant farmer who had worked hard for many years to improve the production of the land. Then something happened that caused him to become very bitter. When it was time to renew his lease, the owner of the land told him he was going to sell the farm to his son who was getting married. The tenant made several generous offers to buy the land himself, hoping the man's decision would be reversed. But it was all in vain. As the day drew near for the farmer to vacate his home, his weeks of angry brooding finally got the best of him. He gathered seeds from some of the most pesky and noxious weeds he could find. Then he spent many hours scattering them on the clean, fertile soil of the farm, along with a lot of trash and stones he had collected. To his dismay, the very next morning the owner informed him that plans for his son's wedding had fallen through, and therefore he would be happy to renew the lease. He couldn't understand why the farmer exclaimed in agonizing tones, "Oh, Lord, what a fool I've been!"

The lesson is clear: Whatever we sow, we will eventually reap (Galatians 6:7). When anger or resentment or bitterness reign, you are in a heap of trouble with God.

Nowhere else in the entire New Testament does the Apostle Paul say to "get rid" of anger, resentment and bitterness with such urgency as he does here in Ephesians. It is believed that the church in Ephesus had problems with anger. Disputes had broken out in that church and leaders had turned against other leaders. Paul was not going to allow the fights to continue.

Now, you have to ask yourself... "How often have I let anger get the better of me? Have I ever let resentments get to me? Are there times when I was angry for days or weeks or months or years?"  According to the scripture for today, if you did these things, your spiritual life is in jeopardy.
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Paul commands you to stop anger and bitterness and forgive others. Jesus said that how you forgive others is taken into account as to how God forgives you (Matthew 6:14). Paul even says we should be kind and compassionate to others (Ephesians 4:32). How kind and compassionate are you? I dare you to do this. Go to ten people in your life who aren't your friends or family, and ask them if they see you as kind and compassionate person. If they do not, you better get your house in order. As it says in this scripture, "get rid" of what is wrong with you and change. According to scripture that is an order... it is not optional. 

May 9

  “Command and teach these things. Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you. Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.”
​(1 Timothy 4:11–16   NIV84)  

From the scriptures, we know that Timothy was a young man when he was influenced in the faith by his mother and grandmother. They taught him about Jesus' life and death, and about the resurrection. He grew up to believe in Jesus. The scripture for today tells us that when Timothy was young, a group of elders came and prayed over him. They put their hands on Timothy and asked God to come into him. Timothy was immediately blessed by a spiritual gift. He was given the ability to tell things in the future. The apostle Paul told Timothy that he was to help lead the churches. Paul took Timothy under his wing and taught him many things.

Our scripture for today contains some of what Paul taught this budding pastor, Timothy. Among his words were: "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity" (1 Timothy 4:12) Paul expected Timothy, even if he was young, to live a life that was an example to others. No childish pranks allowed! Timothy was called by God to be a minister. Though young, he was called to "devote himself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching."

In this scripture Paul also teaches Timothy something very important, but not obvious unless you read closely. If you read the verbs in the scripture today, you see that Timothy is called to be devoted, to be diligent, to give himself wholly to doing right, and he is supposed to persevere. Devotion, perseverance, and diligence are signs of a true pastor, a mature disciple, and a true Christian. If you don't have these strengths, you will not be committed enough to God, or stand firm in the day of testing, or be much of an example to others in the faith.  It is my belief after studying this scripture that you cannot be committed to God unless you have devotion, perseverance, and diligence. Paul required them of Timothy. Paul would require them of you. Let's see if you have what it takes to be committed.

First, are you devoted? The word devoted in its original language means to pay attention to something. If you are devoted to God, you will pay attention to God. If you are devoted to something else in life, that is what your time and attention will be focused on. A missionary in Africa had been witnessing faithfully to a certain individual. Following their conversation one day, the unconverted man placed a small statue and a silver coin on the table before him. Then he took two slips of paper and wrote something on each. Putting one beside the image and the other with the money, he turned to the Christian worker and said, "Please read this." On the note by the idol were written the words, "Heathen god." The sheet next to the coin bore the inscription, "Christian god." This man had seen other Christians who paid so much attention to money that their devotion was to money. They seemed to worship money. What do you focus your attention on in life?

The second sign of commitment in this scripture is perseverance. To persevere means to last, to hang in there when things get tough, to make it through to the end, and to complete things. Are you like that? Do you tend to complete what you start? When it comes to godly things, can you be trusted to complete what God wants you to do? You might be tempted to give up when things get difficult, but don't! Persevere. Our world is filled with quitters. There are fathers who left their family for another woman or something else. They gave up on a marriage and their kids. They don't spend time with the kids or care about their family. They are quitters. There are those who don't come to church anymore because of something that went wrong. They too are quitters. You may know people who quit school, quit a good job, maybe even quit life for drugs.  God expects you to persevere in matters of faith and life. God wants you to hang in there when things get tough. God expects more from you.

The last verb in our scripture about commitment is the word; "Diligent". Diligence means to take pains to practice. In High School, I played football. In the locker room, above the door to the locker room was a sign which said, "No pain, no gain." Sometimes, it takes pains to grow, to be stronger, and to learn. It takes practice and pain to be good at a sport. It takes a lot of hours of commitment and work. That's how you get to be good at a sport. Well, the same thing goes for the faith. Being faithful, being committed to God, takes practice and pain.

Some people think that being a Christian means you come to church, sit in a pew, and listen other people talk about the faith. That does not mean you are a Christian. That just might mean you are sitting with a bunch of Christians. To be a true Christian takes practice and pain. It means you may not just sit in a pew, but you may have to help lead worship, to help plan worship, to invite others to worship, or support those who lead worship. It might just mean that you don't just listen to others talk about their faith, you
will be called by God to pass on the faith to others who do not know God, or to defend the faith with those who question God.

I've seen many people who didn't want to take the time to practice their faith, to learn the Bible well, to memorize Bible verses. If it is true that "practice makes perfect", then you must learn to practice your faith. You must practice your faith enough to be able to come through when things get tough, the stress gets high, or the problems threaten your world.

An elderly carpenter was ready to retire. He told his employer-contractor of his plans to leave the house-building business and live a more leisurely life with his wife enjoying his extended family. He would miss the paycheck, but he needed to retire. They could get by. The contractor was sorry to see his good worker go and asked if he could build just one more house as a personal favor. The carpenter said, "yes", but in time it was easy to see that his heart was not in his work. He resorted to shoddy workmanship and used inferior materials. It was an unfortunate way to end his career.

When the carpenter finished his work and the builder came to inspect the house, the contractor handed the front-door key to the carpenter.  "This is your house," he said, "my gift to you."  What a shock! What a shame! If he had only known he was building his own house, he would have done it all so differently. Now he had to live in the home he had built none too well.

Commitment means you will focus on what God wants, whether tired, upset, angry, or whatever. It means you devote yourself wholly to God's work, and follow God's way. It means practicing what you preach, being diligent in your faith, and never failing to do your best. Paul expected this from Timothy. God expects it from you. It takes a strong individual to live this kind of faith and keep this kind of promise. Can you commit again to follow God today? Can you commit to His call, His way, His plan for you?   I'm convinced that you can be one who can be truly devoted and committed.  Otherwise, I never would have started this web site.  Yes, its true;  I'm placing my hope for the future church in your hands.  God is too!

May 10

  “In many and various ways God spoke of old to our fathers by the prophets; but in these last days He has spoken to us by a Son, whom He appointed the heir of all things, through whom also He created the world. He reflects the glory of God and bears the very stamp of his nature, upholding the universe by His word of power. When He had made purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name He has obtained is more excellent than theirs.” (Hebrews 1:1–4, RSV)  

A young woman was unable to sleep, worrying for days about a decision that would have to be made. She talked about it with a few of her family members. She agonized about it. Last Tuesday, she received a phone call. It was from her son. He had a dream the night before that a long dead relative had come to him and said, "Tell Mom to go see Tim".   He called his mother to tell her about this unusual dream. It just so happened that Tim was involved with the decision the mother had to make. The son knew nothing about the decision or her lack of sleep. Chills went up and down the mother's spine. Could God have spoken through that dream?

Years ago, a friend of mine was riding in the car. She was about to go through an intersection, when she thought she heard a voice say, "Stop!" Surprised by the voice, she stopped the car in the middle of the intersection, only to have another car fly past her going through a red light. If she wouldn't have stopped, she may have died. Could it be that God was trying to save her? Was it God's voice she heard?

Two young women in St. Louis were trying to park their car. They went to a parking garage and it was full. They tried the street, and finally found a spot  near where they needed to go. But the passenger said, "I just don't feel we should park here." "Why?" said the driver. The passenger responded, "I just get this feeling we shouldn't park here." They found another spot two blocks away. The next morning, a bus slid out of control and slammed into the whole line of cars on that street where the young women were going to park. Does God tell us things, lead us, steer us through life?

In history, God has spoken to people. God spoke through two dreams to Pharaoh (Genesis 41). Jesus spoke through lightning to Saul (Acts 9). God spoke through a donkey to Balaam (Numbers 22). God spoke through an angel to Mary (Luke 1). God spoke through a vision to Peter (Acts 10). God spoke through a shepherd to young Joseph (Genesis 37). In the first verse of Hebrews, we are told that God spoke through the "prophets at many times and in various ways." The funny thing is that sometimes when people talk about God speaking to them, we think they are a bit crazy. When people talk about having a conversation with God, we might think them flaky. Yet, these verses for today tell us that many times God spoke in the history of humanity. Often, God uses people to speak through or speak to. But the problem is that often when God speaks, people just don't listen.

This scripture urges us to listen for God's words, God's voice. It tells us that God speaks. In your life, you will have to listen for God's voice. Lots of people may be telling you things. Friends might have great influence in your life. A spouse might want you to change. But what is important is that you follow God's voice and word.

A confirmand once said to me, "Pastor Dave, has God ever spoken to you?" Without thinking, I said, "Of course, God is speaking to me all the time." The confirmand wondered about that. She said she never heard God speak. I told her that God speaks in many ways to people. Sometimes, you feel as if you aren't alone. Sometimes, when praying, you make connections between events or people. There are moments when someone tells you something and its as if God is shaking you, urging you to listen. God has spoken to me through prayer, through people, through dreams, and through his word. God has spoken to me audibly where I swear I heard Him speak, though this has been very, very seldom. Many times, God just speaks through others, through a coincidence, through a feeling, or through a prayer. The confirmand questioned me further.... "There are people in insane asylums who claim to hear voices or even be God... how do you know for sure when God speaks, Pastor Dave?" My answer was simple...." I've learned through many years of listening to be able to discern God's voice and see God's hand. I've come to know God so well by reading, studying and understanding scripture, by following His Spirit, that I find it hard to ignore when He speaks to me.  Just like you get to know your best friend's voice in a crowd.  I've gotten to know God's voice when HE speaks."

An old man and his grandson were sitting on a dock one late afternoon. The two chatted about everything it seemed: why water is wet, why seasons change, why girls hate worms, what life is like. Finally, the boy looked up and asked, "Grandpa, does anybody ever see God?" "Son," said the old man as he looked across the still waters of the lake, "it's getting so now I hardly see anything else."

The scripture for today adds that Jesus' voice added to God's voice.  Jesus' words "reflect the glory of God and bear the very stamp of HIS nature" (Hebrews 1:3).  By studying scripture and learning what Jesus said, you can learn about who God is and what God is like. The very "nature" of God can become known to you.  The voice of God can become familiar to you. 

Why would our scripture for today talk about God's voice, God's speaking throughout the centuries, if God never spoke to you? Why have great leaders in our scriptures told us about hearing God's voice, seeing God, following God's word, unless they too have noticed that God speaks and expects you to hear Him?
In the coming days, listen for God's voice. Discern God's direction. Pray for God's guidance. Trust that God speaks. Believe that there are things God wants you to know. Watch for God's word to come to you.



May 11

  “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.” (John 10:11–18, NIV84)  

During the Middle Ages, a group of 7000 knights gathered on an island in the Mediterranean Sea. These 7000 knights were of an order that started hospitals in the holy land, near Jerusalem. They also were known to protect foreigners from people who would hurt them on their journeys to the holy land. Many of them took vows of poverty. All of them vowed to live faithfully. At one time, 200,000 Muslim warriors attacked the knights. The knights held out for months. In one of their forts, they saw 68,000 cannonballs shot at them in anger. But, these knights felt compelled to hold fast to God and to faith and to protect others. Eventually, they settled on Malta, where they had to defend their faith many times.  They chose the Maltese Cross as their symbol. The Maltese Cross is an eight pointed cross.  Each point on the cross represented a quality of the knight..

• To live in truth;
• To have faith;
• To repent of sins;
• To give proof of humility;
• To love justice;
• To be merciful;
• To be sincere and whole-hearted; and
• To endure persecution.

Those knights were no cowards. They cared for people, protected people, and a very many people counted on them and their bravery. Thousands came to faith because of their strong commitment to God.

When you are strongly committed to God, others notice. People are drawn to your faith. They feel protected by your faith, by God, and by God's strength in you. But in the history of the world, we see many others who were not knights, not faithful, not worthy. There have been many times in history where the faithless let others down.  They were bought off, ran from a true fight, and gave up the truth for money or pleasures or for selfish reasons. They were cowards.  If you are knight, who can be trusted, people notice.  If you are a coward who runs away when things get hot, people notice.  Whether you are a knight or a coward also is noticed by God.

Cowards and knights have been with us for centuries, many say since ancient times. There were those who you could count on, and those who would double-cross you. The knight would watch your back. The coward would stab you in the back. The knight protected others. The coward looked out only for him or herself.

In our scripture for today, Jesus is speaking about being the good shepherd. As the good shepherd, he looks out for the sheep. In this parable, this story, Jesus says a good shepherd protects the sheep at all costs. The good shepherd doesn't run away when the wolf is coming. The shepherd will even give his life for the sheep. But, he says. there are other shepherds who are cowards. They are hired to care for the sheep, but when the wolf comes, they run away. They don't care about the sheep. They care about themselves. Their paycheck might come first. These hirelings, these hired men won't protect the sheep when they need protection, because they are cowardly. They run when things get tough. The good shepherd doesn't run when you need him.  Jesus called himself the good shepherd, because he was willing to do what it took to protect us, God's sheep. He was willing to care for you, protect you from the wolf, who is Satan. Jesus laid down his life for you and for me. We were that important to him. He was and is a true shepherd for us.

If you want to be like Jesus, you must learn to be a faithful protector of the sheep. You must watch out for others in the fold.
In December of 2003, there was an earthquake. It was devastating. As searchers were combing through the wreckage, they came across a dead woman. As they looked more closely, they heard noises coming from beneath the dead woman and found a baby that was just six months old. The baby was alive! The mother had felt the earthquake, knelt over the baby and held the little baby in her arms despite the fact that the building was crumbling around her. The mother's embrace saved the child's life, while costing her own life. That mother was no coward. She saved that baby's life.  (Citation: MSNBC (12-29-03) and The Herald (12-29-03); submitted by Curtis Buthe, Portland, Oregon)\

Despite the fact that Jesus is our example, our world is full of cowards. They, like the hired shepherds in this parable of Jesus, run away when others need them. Deadbeat dads, abusers, drinkers who run to alcohol make up a good share of these cowards.  Other cowards are afraid to share their faith, won't stand up for what is right,  or may look the other way when something is wrong.   All these are cowards will run away and hide when their families, their friends, their neighbors, their country, or their God need them the most.  In your life, you can choose to be a knight, or be a coward. You can choose for be like the Good Shepherd, like Jesus, or choose to be like those who run away when they are needed the most.
​
There are a lot of people who count on you being faithful. There are children who count on mom or dad... that you'll be there for them when the little ones are in need. God has hope that you will protect others around you. God has given you soldiers, officers, firefighters, teachers, pastors, doctors, nurses, safety officers, scout leaders, and so many more.... People to watch over you and your safety. God has the hope that you will have the courage to face up to your responsibilities, and be counted on when God or God's children have a need. I thank God today for the faithful knights who will stand by the truth forever, who may even put their lives on the line to preserve and protect those in their care. I despise the cowards who walk away from their calling, who take advantage of others, who abuse, neglect, and damage. I pray each day as the sun sets, you can look back on your life and know that God could count on you. I pray that for tomorrow, when God has a need, when someone's life is in your hands, you can be trusted to be there, to protect, to preserve. There are knights... and there are cowards. Which will you be?


March 12

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that in due time he may exalt you. Cast all your anxieties on Him, for He cares about you. Be sober, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking some one to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experience of suffering is required of your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore, establish, and strengthen you. To Him be the dominion for ever and ever. Amen. " 
​ (1 Peter 5:6-11 RSV)

A friend told me about a boy who was cherished by his parents. Tragically, in his mid-teens, the boy's life went awry. He dropped out of school and began associating with a bad crowd. One night he staggered into his house at 3:00 a.m., completely drunk. His mother slipped out of bed and left her room. The father followed, assuming that his wife was in the kitchen, perhaps crying. Instead, he found her at her son's bedside, softly stroking his matted hair as he lay passed out drunk on the covers.  "What are you doing?" the father asked.  The mother answered, "He won't let me love him when he's awake."  This mother stepped into her son's darkness with a love that existed even though he could not love her back. So it is with God and you.  (Citation: Michael B. Brown, God's Man; reprinted in Men of Integrity (May/June 2002))  God loves you even when you don't love Him in return. God loves you even when you think nobody cares at all.

       Grace was defined in one of my Sunday School classes as "God's Riches at Christ's Expense".   Grace is when God gives you a gift you don’t' deserve.  God might forgive your sin, even though it caused a lot of mess in your life or in another's life.  God might forgive sins that you can't make right… like the sin of murder, a sin committed against someone who is now dead, a sin that haunts you at night because there is no way to "make it right".  God can forgive these sins because of grace. Grace is an unmerited gift, a gift you and I don’t' deserve.  It is the gift of a mother who loves her son, though the son is angry at the world.  Grace is in the husband who cares for his wife who has Alzheimer's, even though the wife can't communicate with him any longer.  She has no way to love him back or say "Thank you".  Grace is something you give not because you want someone to pay you back, but because you can.  It is a gift with no strings attached meant simply to be a gift of love.  It is a gift to give you a second chance, or to help you to overcome an obstacle.  It is something you need, but can't make happen on your own.

      Paul and William were two members of a church in Paramount, California.  They cared about each other, and wanted to be more faithful.  Each looked at life and decided they needed to make changes.  Paul regretted his swearing and yelling, cussing up a storm.  In an effort to break this bad habit, Paul started meeting with William. They set up an aggressive plan for holiness. Each Sunday, Paul would report to William how many times he used profanity during the week, and he'd put $5 in the offering plate for each incident. The first week cost Paul $100. Although following weeks improved somewhat, he wasn't having the success he wanted and was losing a lot of hard-earned cash.  After the fourth week, William told Paul he had unilaterally changed the deal for the coming week, but he wouldn't tell Paul the details. Paul wanted to know, but all William would say was, "Trust me. It will cost you both less and more."

 The following Sunday before worship, Paul was looking a bit down, obviously having failed again. William put a hand on his shoulder and said, "Paul, this will cost you both less and more. It's called grace." At that, he took out a check made out to the church, dated and signed by William. Only the amount was blank. "Your sin still costs, but for you it's free. I'll pay for it now.  Just fill in the numbers. And next week there will be more grace."  That first week of grace cost William $55, but the second only cost him $20. There was no third week. It cost Paul too much to make his best friend pay for the profanity, so he stopped swearing altogether.  (Citation: Bill White, Paramount, California)

        Grace can change you.  It can make you see the greatness of God.   Grace frees you from a burden.  It uplifts your Spirit.  In our scripture reading above, Peter mentions that the God of Grace comes to restore the faithful, to strengthen and help them.  God doesn't do this because you deserve it.  God does it out of grace.  God sent His Son out of grace to give you a chance at eternal life.  Through faith and the love of God, you also should notice that others need grace.  You should help those who can't give back.  You need to help the poor who have no way to pay you back, the dying who don't have time to give back, the suffering who may not be able to respond with anything but pain.  Grace is found in some unusual places in our world....even in a third grade classroom in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.

            The story is told of a certain nine-year-old who was sitting at his desk in school when all of a sudden there was a puddle between his feet, and the front of his pants became wet. He thought his heart was going to stop, because he knew that when the boys found out, he'd never hear the end of it. And when the girls found out, they'd never speak to him again as long as he lived.  The boy put his head down and prayed quietly: "Dear God, this is an emergency! I need help now! Five minutes from now I'm in trouble." He looked up from his prayer, and here came the teacher with a look in her eyes that said he'd been discovered.   As the teacher was coming to snatch him up, a classmate named Susie was carrying a goldfish bowl filled with water. She stumbled and dumped the goldfish bowl in his lap. He pretended to be angry, but wasn't.  Now, rather than being the object of ridicule, this boy was the object of sympathy. The teacher rushed him downstairs and gave him gym shorts to put on while his pants dried out. When he came back to class, all his classmates were on their hands and knees cleaning up around his desk. This sympathy was wonderful!   But as life would have it, the ridicule that should have been his was transferred to Susie. She tried to help, but they told her to get away: "You've done enough, you klutz!" As the day progressed, the sympathy got better and better, but the ridicule got worse and worse.  Finally, at the end of the day, they were waiting at the bus stop. The boy walked over to Susie and whispered, "Susie, you did that on purpose, didn't you?"  Susie whispered back, "I wet my pants once too."   (Citation: As told in a sermon by Dr. Robert Tuttle, Jr.; submitted by Ron Watts, Cape Girardeau, Missouri) The grace of God is so wonderful when it happens in your life.  This little guy needed an answer to prayer, and God sent Susie and a goldfish bowl! 

When you really, and I mean really, feel that God has heard you…. when you have that load of guilt or worry taken off your shoulders because you've confessed an awful sin to God….. when a friend says, "I forgive you.  I'm sorry it happened."….  that grace can affect you in perfect ways.  Grace can make you feel whole again, not be afraid, feel like you want to sing, or share your life with others.  It can ease your burdens or take away depression.  It can make stomach aches from anxiety disappear overnight.  Grace has great power.  When we give grace, it is freeing.  When God gives grace, it is absolutely awesome in the peace and joy that come from it.

​ Peter tells us in this scripture to humble ourselves, cast our anxieties on God, and to discipline ourselves.  All these we do to keep from sin and to protect our souls from evil.   God notices when you do these things. God sees your efforts at faith.  But there are times, whether you have faith or not, God will bless you with grace just to remind you that you are loved and precious in HIS sight.  God gives grace just because HE can.   God's love is that great for you and for me.  Can you believe it?!!!  Who needs some grace near you today?

March 13

   “Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for any honest work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all men. For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by men and hating one another; but when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of deeds done by us in righteousness, but in virtue of his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal in the Holy Spirit, which he poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that we might be justified by his grace and become heirs in hope of eternal life. The saying is sure. I desire you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to apply themselves to good deeds; these are excellent and profitable to men. But avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels over the law, for they are unprofitable and futile.... And let our people learn to apply themselves to good deeds, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not to be unfruitful.” (Titus 3:1–14 (abridged)  RSV)  

   On one of my mission trips to Honduras, I remember the final day of work for our group.  We had about fifty pieces of candy left in our suitcases.  A young teenage boy had been helping us all week to build a Habitat home.  He worked side by side with us for hours in the hot sun.  He was a joy to work with.  He would scramble up and down the hillside getting a tool or scampering after a last piece of rebar.   We were glad to share with him the handful of candy.  He deserved it.  When we handed him the candy, I figured he'd be so glad to have earned it.  He worked all week for it!   As he held out both hands, we filled them to the full with candy.  Then, gleefully, we saw him disappear down the street with the candy.  He went in one house, then another, then another.  He didn't take the candy home and hide it in his house under his bed.  He shared the candy with every house and every kid on the block!  What a good deed!  Every member of the team was shocked and humbled at his generosity.   We all wondered if kids his age back home in America would have done the same thing. 

  In the letter to Titus, Paul gave some instructions to the early Christians.  Among the instructions of chapter 3 are to be "submissive to rulers" (Titus 3:1), "avoid quarreling" and be courteous (Titus 3:2).  One thing, however, is mentioned twice in the first fourteen verses of this chapter.  I think this bears to its importance.  Paul mentions that the Christians under Titus' care are to apply themselves to "good deeds" (Titus 3:8 and 3:14).  The apostle Paul considered doing good things as part of being a true Christian.   Being a true Christian wasn't all talk.  It involved living out the faith.

You've seen and experienced people who were all talk and no "do".   They are ones who may make promises but they don't usually fulfill them.  They are people who like to commit to things but they aren't ones who you can count on to follow through.   These are not the types of people Paul would call true Christians.  He believed that true and faithful Christians were not only Christians who made promises.  They also were Christians who applied what they said with "good deeds". 

    Jenny hated to ask her father for his help.  She knew what his help would entail.  Her girl scout troop was selling wrapping paper during November.  The money raised was going to offset the troop's camping costs the next summer.  The girls were excited about going to camp each year, so they were especially hopeful to sell a lot of wrapping paper before Christmas.   Jenny approached her dad a month before the weekend when all the girls were to be selling wrapping paper in an upscale neighborhood.  Their den mother had chosen Jenny's "area of operations".  She and her father were to drive door to door and it was hoped she would sell $300 worth of wrapping paper.   She got her dad to sign the paper saying he was to drive.  A week before, she reminded him about the outing.  The other girls were hopeful.  Jenny was fearful.  Her father was not very trustworthy.  On the day of the event, Jenny's dad was late.  All the other girls began their routes with their mothers and/or fathers.  Jenny's dad was late from work, again.  When he finally got home, he had forgotten about the event and she only got to sell for about a half hour.  She sold two sets of wrapping paper… to her dad.   At the Girl Scout Regional Christmas party, Jenny was mortified as everyone's name was listed on a sheet of paper handed out, along with the amounts of their sales.  Her name was last on the list.  Again, her dad had failed her.

     Jenny's father is not unlike many people in our world.  They may be good in one area of life, but cannot be trusted or available in another.  They may be great at coming through for the company, but are not so great for God or for a daughter.   How about you?  If your name was listed at a party for God today, how well would your deeds read?  Would good deeds fill the list after your name? 

 What often makes the news today are not good deeds done by good people.  Often what gets headlines are terrorist acts, crimes, or punishments.  The 9/11 bombers  pictures made headlines for weeks, but the lists of those who died sacrificing their lives in the twin towers while saving countless lives were hardly mentioned beyond local media.  We live in a world that has turned values upside down.  Evil is promoted and good is demoted.   But not to God!  Good deeds are always important to God!

   The Apostle Paul reminded Titus in our scripture that God cares about all the good deeds done by Christians like you every day.   Good deeds have defined Christianity over centuries.  Good deeds have built the world.  While armies and wars have gained the lime light in many history books, the good deeds of those who built cities and civilization and churches and hospitals often went unnoticed.   But never by God.  

       When it seems that the rich and successful and ruthless and worldly get the headlines, just remember that God notices all good deeds.  Paul mentioned that to Titus.  I'm mentioning that again to you today.   It bears repeating, because God expects these deeds from the faithful.    What good deeds have you done lately?   Don't think about what you have said or what you have wanted to do.. what have you really done?   What lives have you really changed?  What souls have you helped?  Whose burdens have you lifted?   Whose tears have you wiped?    God is watching.  God is hoping!


May 14

“Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jephthah, and he passed through Gilead ....And Jephthah made a vow to the Lord, and said, 'If thou wilt give the Ammonites into my hand, then whoever comes forth from the doors of my house to meet me, when I return victorious from the Ammonites, shall be the Lord’s, and I will offer him up for a burnt offering.' So Jephthah crossed over to the Ammonites to fight against them; and the Lord gave them into his hand.... Then Jephthah came to his home at Mizpah; and behold, his daughter came out to meet him with timbrels and with dances; she was his only child; beside her he had neither son nor daughter. And when he saw her, he rent his clothes, and said, 'Alas, my daughter! you have brought me very low, and you have become the cause of great trouble to me; for I have opened my mouth to the Lord, and I cannot take back my vow.'..... And at the end of two months, she returned to her father, who did with her according to his vow which he had made.” (Judges 11:29–39 (abridged) RSV) 

    "Going Overboard is Not the Answer"

 In the scripture reading for today, we come across one of the Judges of Israel and his story. It should have been a story of his victory over the Ammonites. It should have been a tale of how he defeated a mighty army and went on to bring faith in God back into the land. But, this is a story about Jephthah, a man who went overboard, and by doing that messed up a perfectly good situation with God!

The Ammonites had made war upon God's people of Israel. Jephthah grew up in a time when the Ammonites were a strong force.  They had strong armies.   They made the people of Israel suffer and caused many soldiers to die in battle.  It is said in scripture that Jephthah came from a poor background. His mother was a prostitute (Judges 11:1). Though his father was a famous elder of the land, when Jephthah was young, they kicked him out of town and he had to live on his own (Judges 11:2-3). But God was with Jephthah and God trained Jephthah to be strong and a warrior for God. And when the Ammonites gained in power, it was Jephthah who saved the people with God's help.

The scripture says that during a particularly difficult time in the history of Israel, the "Spirit of the Lord came upon Jephthah" (Judges 11:29) and Jephthah was mighty in battle.  The soldiers of Gilead were thrown back.    On the day of the greatest battle of Jephthah's life against the Ammonites, he was anxious and excited.  He knew God was with him.   At the same time, he was fearful of the battle and that his soldiers might lose. So, Jephthah, being all caught up in fear and emotions, made a grave mistake. He made a vow to God that he shouldn't have done. Jephthah said, "If Thou [0 God] wilt give the Ammonites into my hand, then whomever comes forth from the doors of my house to meet me, when I return victorious from the Ammonites, shall be the Lord's, and I will offer him up for a burnt offering" (Judges 11:30-31). Essentially, Jephthah made a promise to God that if he would win the battle, he'd sacrifice a person to God in exchange. It was not something God wanted him to do.  It even went against what God taught was right.  It was something Jephthah thought would help embolden his and his soldier's courage in that moment.  He went overboard. He shouldn't have done it. God didn't expect it.  His soldiers didn't need it.  He had God's favor.  

Well, Jephthah won the battle, and guess who walked in? His own daughter! She wanted to congratulate her father on his victory!   In order to keep his promise to God made in front of all his soldiers, Jephthah had her put to death. A vow he shouldn't have made ended up killing his beautiful little girl!  He had made the vow publicly before all the people and couldn't take it back without risking everything.  In the end, his daughter was killed.

Sometimes, you can get caught up in the moment and do something you shouldn't do. You might say something you regret. You might blow things out of proportion or get emotional. When you let the moment take control, when anger or guilt or resentment or grief or frustration or any other emotion gets the better hand, its so easy to mess up in life. Does this describe you? Do you blow things out of proportion? Do you get emotional and do things without thinking things through?

Rev. David Slagle from Lawrenceville, Georgia used to be a nurse before he was called into the ministry. He worked in the operating room of the local hospital. Among the many people he saw and helped, he can't forget the story of a man and his wife. One day a couple arrived at the hospital, both with gunshot wounds. It seems the husband woke up late for his first day on the job because his wife did not set the alarm. He got so angry at her, he held his father's gun from the mantle in their front room and said, "Woman, you should be shot for making me late for work on his first day!" Just as he said it, the gun went off in his hands (he didn't even know it was loaded). He hit his wife in her arm. Not to be outdone, his wife retreated to another room, got a different gun, and shot him in the arm just to get even!!!!

As David Slagle gathered their paperwork in the pre-operative unit, he heard something one would only expect to hear in a country song. Separated by a deputy sheriff and handcuffed to their respective stretchers, the husband said: "I love you, baby, and I'm sorry I shot you."
The wife responded, "I love you too, sweetie, and I'm sorry I shot you. I don't know what came over me!"

Sometimes, we get so caught up in the moment or we so blow things out of proportion, or we get so emotional, we do things God doesn't want us to do! Like poor Jephtah, who lost his daughter because of his emotional blunder, we can get caught up in the moment and do very wrong things.

A church in Pennsylvania was split over an incident that happened in the church kitchen. It seems that a young women's group in the church had decided to add more silverware to the church kitchen.  They bought place sets for several dozen people. When a few of the older women of the church found out about it , they were so angry, they left and formed a different church. It seems that the younger ladies hadn't asked the older ladies of their church what type of silverware to order... and I guess it was the wrong place setting?  I kid you not, it did happen.  People do get all wrapped up in the dumbest of things.
It is so easy to take something small and blow it out of proportion.  Then, you say or do something stupid and it comes back to bite you big time.

Have you ever made a problem so big in your mind that you made everyone miserable around you because of it?  Have you ever overreacted to an issue?   If so, just remember poor old Jephthah! His daughter died because of his overreaction.   Something so big one minute can be so small one hour or one year later.   Over-reactions, emotional blasts, blowing things out of proportion often lead us to sin like Jephthah.   Pride often will step in after the sin of overreaction to make things worse.  Pride will force our hand.  Pride will make us keep a bad promise.  When you go overboard, pride will help you drown in your mistake. 
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 Is there an area of your life where you are prone to overreact or go overboard?


May 15

  “When an evil spirit comes out of a man, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that man is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation.” (Matthew 12:43–45  NIV84) 


   In Jesus' first week of ministry, Satan came to tempt him. When Jesus was weakened by fasting, Satan sought to manipulate him. Others in the Bible were tempted by evil spirits, hurt by evil people, or suffered through demonic machinations. King Saul, the apostle Paul, Elijah, Job, and many other prophets, apostles and spiritual leaders felt the spiritual tug and crush of evil. In life, you will be pushed around by evil spirits that will attempt to manipulate your mind and heart. You will feel drawn to the wrong people, to say the wrong things, to start a bad habit, or to damage a relationship by thoughts and feelings that might be encouraged by Satan. You may feel the Devil's full fury as you try to do what is right, stand for the truth, or follow God's command.  You might become selfish or ambitious, greedy, power-hungry, or be motivated by Satanic-derived attitudes. Some faithful people will even find Satan tempting them to be self-righteous or to ignore their own sin. There are many ways to suffer from evil spirits.
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Jerry was a man who was haunted by his past. He grew up in a dysfunctional home and seemed to make bad choices in life. In middle age, after suffering through a nasty divorce, he decided to quit smoking. He went cold turkey and quit smoking one Sunday after church. He did well. He craved the tobacco for the first few weeks, but then that craving subsided. He felt good about kicking his habit. Then,  his weight started creeping up; he was eating more than usual. Without nicotine to calm his nerves, or so he thought, he started drinking more. Six months after quitting smoking, Jerry was a mess. He weighed 30 pounds more, drank too much, and had a hard time sleeping. When he walked, he wheezed. He told himself, "I was better off smoking." He convinced himself it would be better smoking. He went back to his old habit. Now his blood pressure is higher, he still drinks too much, and he still hasn't lost any weight. He is clearly frustrated.  Jerry is like many of us who have tried to change something in our lives. Though we try to stop a bad habit or change our ways, it can become worse rather than becoming better! The scripture for today may tell us why this happens to a few of us. 

Jesus taught about evil spirits. He said, "When an evil spirit comes out of a man, that spirit goes through places seeking rest and doesn't find any" (Matthew 12:43 (adapted)).  After being beaten by a person, the evil spirit finds other evil spirits to gang up on the man. Then, when they find the man without God's protection, even though their life is better, the evil spirits make it worse on the man. Jesus ended by saying, "the final condition of that man is worse than the first" (Matthew 12:45).  Just like with Jerry. He quit smoking and had three other things go wrong with his life:   weight gain, drinking, and anxiety all increased.  Jerry quit the smoking demon, but soon found that three other demons had a choke hold on his life. What did Jerry do? Did he hold on to God more tightly? Did he work through it with God, his Pastor, and those he loved?  Did he seek more help?  Nope.  He went at it alone, and he failed.  It was worse than when he just smoked.

Why do you think the first rule or step of Alcoholics Anonymous is to ask for God to intervene to help? When we do things on our own without the help of God and prayer and other supports, we tend to fail. Jesus knew this. He mentioned that when an evil spirit leaves a person, their life may get back to normal for a while.   BUT without God's power and Spirit to protect you, without prayerful friends to guide you, Satan will just find more demons to torment you. That's how Satan works.  If one demon won't get you, he'll try to send three, or as Jesus said.... seven more demons to take you down (Matthew 12:45).

In scripture, God is called a "shield" (Ephesians 6:16), a "refuge" (Nahum 1:7), and a "fortress" (Psalm 91:2). Why? Because in life, there are evil spirits and bad thoughts that will constantly try to control and manipulate you. You need protection in this world! Adam and Eve were deceived by Satan the first time they met the evil one! It doesn't take long for Satan to find a way to deceive you!  What makes you think that Satan isn't going to lie and manipulate his way into your thoughts and heart? I've counseled people who were convinced their spouse hated them when it wasn't true. Through counseling, I've had many people tell me, "I had no idea what I was doing, Pastor. I was wrong. I lied to myself. I was tempted. I made some mistakes. I can't believe I messed up!" Without God to protect you, you will make the dumbest mistakes in your life. Anger, resentment, and other negative feelings will build up in your mind and heart. You will waste money or time or your life. Evil spirits love to grab and never let go.

Someone once asked me, "What's the worse sin, Pastor Dave? Is it murder? Is it blaspheming God? Is it not believing in Jesus?" I thought for a few seconds and then said, "The worst sin for you is the sin that grabs hold and won't let go. It's the sin that you think you've gotten rid of, but comes back or haunts you. It's the sin that won't go away." Jesus makes this clear in scripture for today.  
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Sins that come back in your life, sins you repeat, sins that take hold in your life are always the sins that cause the most trouble in your personal spiritual journey. They are ones that often will slowly or quickly build up a wall between you and God.  Let God be your refuge and strength (Psalm 46:1). Protect Your life and heart and home by having God's Holy Spirit be powerfully in your heart and life.  Is there a demon that is trying to sneak back into your life?  Do you find an old resentment that just won't go away?  Do you "go at it alone" instead of leaning on the supports that God puts around you?


May 16

   “In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and his train filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim; each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called to another and said: 'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory.' And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. And I said: 'Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!' Then flew one of the seraphim to me, having in his hand a burning coal which he had taken with tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth, and said: 'Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin forgiven.' And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?' Then I said, 'Here am I! Send me.'” (Isaiah 6:1–8  RSV)  

A number of years ago, in a small community, the teachers were about to go on strike. They complained about their low pay and poor benefits. The school board fought with the teachers throughout the whole summer trying to come up with a plan that would suit both sides. The negotiations failed. Finally September came. School began, but without teachers. The teachers went on strike.  The parents began to get upset. On the news, parents complained, "Our kids are not receiving the education they deserve." They began circulating petitions, some for the school board to back down, some for the teachers to back down. In the end, it was a mess. While the teachers and the school board had legitimate concerns, the kids were the ones who lost out in the end. Your heart goes out to the parent who said to news reporters, "If there's nobody to teach my kids, what will become of them?"

I want you to think about what this parent said, but from a different perspective.  What if that was not a parent, but God who spoke those words?   What if God said, "There's nobody to teach my children on all of earth!"  If you witnessed that, what would you do?   The reason I ask is because that is precisely what happened to the prophet Isaiah!
   
In the scripture reading for today, the prophet Isaiah gets the wonderful chance to meet God. When he meets God, he finds that God is looking for people to be entrusted with God's work. The vision begins when Isaiah is taken up to heaven. The first thing he sees is God sitting on the throne.  Angels (seraphim) surround God singing and praising HIM (Isaiah 6:1-3).  When Isaiah realized where he was, his first thought was that he was going to die (Isaiah 6:5)!   He knew he didn't deserve to see God face to face.   How would you feel if you came face to face with God?

As Isaiah was listening to the angels, he heard God speak.  He believed God was looking for people to send to Israel, leaders to bring faith back into the land.  God questioned the seraphim, "Whom shall I send.." (Isaiah 6:8)?  Immediately Isaiah said, "Here, I am!  Send me!" (Isaiah 6:9).   That's precisely what God did.
 
Several years ago, I traveled to a country church. It was the old white clapboard church of the type you might have seen on the front of a Christmas card. The front facade of the church was well kept.   I walked up to the front door of the church, only to see someone crawling in the bushes. It was the pastor. He was pulling weeds before our meeting. I was surprised, and asked why he was down there. He replied that in that church, the pastor was expected to pull the weeds. As I walked inside the church to meet with that pastor, I noticed in a room off to the back of the church was a Christmas tree. It was April.   I turned to the pastor and said, "What is the Christmas tree doing up? Is it something special for Easter?" He then told me he was embarrassed he had not taken it down and put it away. He said, "Between shoveling the past winter, all the chores, painting the entryway, and refinishing a room in the basement, I didn't get around to taking the tree down." All that work was done in the church.  Finally, I asked him how many members there were in the church. He replied, "About a hundred."  I told him, "That's because you are doing the wrong work and your congregation isn't doing the right work." Do you know what his response was?    He begged me not to say anything so that his church members wouldn't get upset at him!
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            God wants workers in his church.  People to preach, to minster to shut-ins, to visit the sick, to watch over the dying, to paint some walls, to go on missions, to help the poor, to watch over some kids, to teach, to love, to share.   And, God wants ordained pastors to help with those things, too!
 
The reason that many churches are dying today is that there aren't people like Isaiah to say, "Here I am, God, send me!"   There aren't enough people who are willing to do the work.  AND there aren't enough people to let others do the work.  Ever had a committee with such tight fists that they wouldn't let a person touch "their stuff" in the church.  Ever had that old crabby lady who ran the woman's group like it was hers and not God's!   How about that crotchety old man who is so selfish that he feels the church building is his domain. Is there is a group in your church who feels you just don't fit their idea of social justice warrior?  I thought it was called God's house? 
 
God sends people to do HIS work.  You must remember that. 
 YOU WERE SENT TO THIS WORLD WITH A MISSION TO DO AND TIME TO DO IT.   JUST GET ON WITH IT.   DON'T LET ANYTHING STAND IN YOUR WAY.  If someone or something holds you back, find another method or another place to accomplish what God wants you to do.   God sent you with a mission and a purpose for HIS Kingdom.
 
Some day all too soon, you will be face to face with God just like Isaiah was.  You will have to give an accounting for where you were sent and what you did.  Make us proud, dear Christian friend.  Make us proud!


May 17

   “Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, for you know that we who teach shall be judged with greater strictness. For we all make many mistakes, and if any one makes no mistakes in what he says he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body also. If we put bits into the mouths of horses that they may obey us, we guide their whole bodies. Look at the ships also; though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So the tongue is a little member and boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire! And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is an unrighteous world among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the cycle of nature, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by humankind, but no human being can tame the tongue—a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brethren, this ought not to be so.” (James 3:1–10   RSV)  


Recently, Joyce Meyer, who you may see on TV, wrote a book called Me and My Big Mouth. In that book, she mentions how there are times she says the wrong things, smarts off, moments of anger where her mouth is not very Christian. Throughout the pages of that book, she argues that not only does the Christian need saving, so does the mouth. If the mouth is of God, it will not curse that which God blesses. James Chapter 3 states that out of the mouth of the faithful should never come both blessing and cursing. The mouth of a Christian must be used for good, not evil. As an example, Joyce Meyer noted, "During my life and ministry, I have learned a great deal about gossip, judging, criticism, and faultfinding. For one thing, I have learned that these things are disgusting to God."

Now, you and I both know that our mouths can get us in a lot of trouble. The same mouth you use to kiss your wife might be used to curse that wife. The mouth that is quick to say "I love you" to a child might also be used to hurt that child. Words are powerful. With them can come wonderful things such as poems and lyrics to a song. But with words, wars can be started. With words, lives can be ended. With words, good marriages can wilt before your very eyes. The mouth is so wonderful a creation, but so dangerous. Is it no surprise that the Book of Proverbs says, "a wise man's heart guides his mouth" (Proverbs 16:23) , but "a fool's mouth is his undoing." (Proverbs 18:7)? The mouth not only separates the wise man from the fool, the words of a mouth separate the faithful from the unfaithful.

In the New Testament book of James, we are cautioned to be careful what we say, and how we use the mouth. James teaches that "the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.  The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell," (James 3:5-6).   James is warning you that the mouth can do great harm if it is not kept in check. You have to be careful what you say and how you say it. You have to watch how your words come across to others. As it says here, "A great forest is set on fire by a small spark." Well, it only takes a few misstated words to really mess something up.
 
Marjorie Bernstein was shopping for a greeting card for a friend. She found a cartoon card she really liked featuring Snoopy, but she thought it had a tasteless message inside. She complained to the proprietor of the store, and the proprietor apologized. He said that the card was accidentally shelved in the wrong rack. Instead of being a card for someone facing death, the card was  intended for retirement. On this card was Snoopy saying "Good-bye from all of us" (A/P 3-25-91)! Sometimes, even unintentionally you can say the wrong thing or convey the wrong thing, can't you?
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Now, some people might try to tell you to simply watch everything you say. But this scripture is crystal clear that the mouth cannot be controlled completely. You will have days where something will come out all wrong!  The apostle James here even says, "All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison"(James 3:7-8).   James realized  that one of the reasons that we need to be forgiven is that humans say the dumbest things at the dumbest times. We spout off when we should keep the peace. We continue talking and mess things up when we should  just shut up and listen.
 
A pastor was talking with a hard-working woman who was a devoted member, present at all services. He expressed his thanks for seeing her so attentive to the services every Sunday.  "Yes," she said. "It is such a rest after a long, hard week's work to come to church, sit down on the soft cushions, and not think about anything." Just as she said it, the she realized what she just said. She realized how bad this must have sounded to her pastor. She blushed. Sometimes, when you say something, you want so badly to take it back but you can't!
 
Words have been used to build up the church. The Bible is full of blessings, prayers, and songs that express with words the love of God. But the Bible also tells of times when words have been used to destroy the church and to blaspheme God. James writes, "Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be" (James 3:10).  James was convinced that you have to watch what you say. 

Use your mouth for good. Never forget that that mouth of yours can get you in a lot of trouble.
 
I know of many people who need for your mouth to bring forth blessing. Your mouth can bear great fruit or it can kill the spirit of a young Christian.  Your words can encourage a person who is dying or anger a person who made a mistake.  Your quick retort said in anger can bring forth years of bitterness.  Your words of calm in the right moment can heal decades of resentment.  Your mouth, your words, can make every difference in the world.
 
Be careful about those words you speak. Satan has a way of twisting them as they come out of your mouth. God has a way of hoping that you will speak right by him. Only you and your mouth will tell in the tests of time, which it will be... .will it be blessing, or cursing that come out of your lips and remembered.


May 18

     “He [Jesus] entered Jericho and was passing through. And there was a man named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector, and rich. And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not, on account of the crowd, because he was small of stature. So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, make haste and come down; for I must stay at your house today.” So he made haste and came down, and received him joyfully. And when they saw it they all murmured, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have defrauded any one of anything, I restore it fourfold.” And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man came to seek and to save the lost.””
(Luke 19:1–10  RSV) 


 After a few of the usual Sunday evening hymns, the church pastor slowly stood up, walked over to the pulpit and before he gave his sermon for the evening, briefly introduced a guest minister who was in the congregation that evening. In the introduction, the pastor told the congregation that the guest minister was one of his dearest childhood friends, and that he wanted to have a few moments to greet the church and share whatever he felt would be appropriate for the service. With that, an elderly man stepped up to the pulpit and began to speak: "A father, his son, and a friend of his son were sailing off the pacific coast when a fast approaching storm blocked any attempt to get back to the shore. The waves were so high that even though the father was an experienced sailor, he could not keep the boat upright and the three were swept into the ocean as the boat capsized."

      "Grabbing a rescue line, the father had to make the most excruciating decision of his life: To which boy would he throw the other end of the life line. He only had seconds to make the decision. The father knew that his son was a Christian, and he also knew that his son's friend was not. The agony of his decision could not be matched by the torrent of waves. As the father yelled out, "I love you son", he threw out the life line to his son's friend. By the time the father had pulled the friend back to the capsized boat, his son had disappeared beneath the raging swells into the black of night. His body was never recovered.
  
       "The father," he continued, "knew his son would step into eternity with Jesus and he could not bear the thought of his son's friend stepping into an eternity without Jesus... therefore he sacrificed his son to save the son's friend. How great is the love of God that He should do the same for us. Our Heavenly Father sacrificed his only begotten Son that we could be saved. I urge you to accept Jesus' offer to rescue you and take hold of the lifeline He is throwing out to you in this service." With that, the old man turned and sat back down in a chair as silence filled the room. Then, the service continued.

   Within minutes after the service ended, two teenagers were at the old man's side. "That was a nice story," politely stated one of the boys, "but I don't think it was very realistic for a father to give up his only son's life in hopes that the other boy would become a Christian."

      "I'm sorry you didn't find the story very realistic," the old man replied, glancing down at his worn Bible. A warm smile greeted the boys as he said, "It actually was very real.   I'm standing here today to tell you that this story gives me a glimpse of what it must have been like for God the Father in Heaven to give up His Son Jesus for me. You see -- I was that father from the story, and your pastor was my son's friend."  Events occur in life to remind us that we all need saving. Each of us need a Savior.   Each of us make life-changing decisions. Each of us experience grace in life-changing ways.

      Jesus was passing through the town of Jericho one day. As the crowds were gathering around Him, a man named Zacchaeus looked His way. Zacchaeus was a tax collector. He was rich. The tax collectors collected money from the Jewish people and give it to the Romans. Tax collectors were hated. The Romans taxed the Jews between 40 and 60 percent. The taxes were so high that the people suffered. The tax collectors often got a kick back for collecting the taxes. Not infrequently, they cheated people during their dealings. Zacchaeus had done his share of unfair collections, but he began to regret it. He heard about Jesus and wanted to see Him. Being a short man, he found a sycamore tree and climbed it to see over the crowd to get a glimpse of the one some were calling a Savior.

      As Zacchaeus watched the crowd come closer, he saw a man in the middle, surrounded by disciples. That must have been Jesus! Just then, Jesus saw Zacchaeus in the tree, and said to him, "Zacchaeus, hurry and come down; for I must stay at your house today" (Luke 19:5).  Zacchaeus escorted Jesus to his home and provided lodging and meals for Him.  While Jesus was at his home, Zacchaeus began to see his wrongs more clearly. He realized that his life must change. He needed forgiveness. He needed to change his life, repent, and make right some wrongs. What Zacchaeus needed was salvation.

   There are times in your life where you may begin to recognize that you need to change the direction of your life. You may realize that you haven't really been giving God His due. Maybe you haven't been honest with yourself or with another. It might be that money has a hold on your life.  Zacchaeus had been hurting his own people.  Have you hurt someone close to you, but only now realize it?  Every single one of us at times must realize we need saving grace. We need to be saved from our sin, from living a lie, from ourselves. We need a Savior.

A young man who had been raised as an atheist was training to be an Olympic diver. The only religious influence in his life came from his outspoken Christian friend. The young diver never really paid much attention to his friend's sermons, but he heard them often. One night the diver went to the indoor pool at the college he attended. The lights were all off, but as the pool had big skylights and the moon was bright, there was plenty of light to practice by. The young man climbed up to the highest diving board and as he turned his back to the pool on the edge of the board and extended his arms out, he saw his shadow on the wall. The shadow of his body in the shape of a cross. Instead of diving, he knelt down and asked God to come into his life. As the young man stood, a maintenance man walked in and turned the lights on. Only then did he realize that the pool had been drained for repairs. Sometimes, we don't even realize we need saving until we are saved.
 
In our scripture for today, Zacchaeus came to that realization, too. He realized that there was more to God and Jesus than he ever saw before. He said to Jesus, "half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much" (Luke 19:8).   Then Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house..."(Luke 19:9).
 
I close by asking you to notice one final VERY important thing.  Salvation didn't come to Zaccheus UNTIL he promised to repay everyone back for his wrongs.  It was one thing to know he had done wrong. It was another to make restitution.  When you make up for your wrongs, that's when Jesus takes notice.  God enjoys it when you not only notice your mistakes and sins and failures, but do something about them.  It shows you really do love God that much!
 
How can you show God that you notice God's grace today?  Is there a way you can make restitution for some wrong that will show God's love and your thankfulness?


May 19

       “The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth. Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in health; I know that it is well with your soul. For I greatly rejoiced when some of the brethren arrived and testified to the truth of your life, as indeed you do follow the truth. No greater joy can I have than this, to hear that my children follow the truth. Beloved, it is a loyal thing you do when you render any service to the brethren, especially to strangers, who have testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their journey as befits God’s service. For they have set out for his sake and have accepted nothing from the heathen. So we ought to support such men, that we may be fellow workers in the truth. I have written something to the church; but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge my authority. So if I come, I will bring up what he is doing, prating against me with evil words. And not content with that, he refuses himself to welcome the brethren, and also stops those who want to welcome them and puts them out of the church.”
(3 John 1–10  RSV)  


When I was a kid, my family lived with my maternal grandparents.  I spent a lot of time with my grandparents and loved it.  Not every kid gets to have two sets of good parents!   My grandmother had these quips that she would rattle off, like any older person does.  One of her quips was, "truth be told…." and she'd say something.   In her day, the saying "truth be told" would be said at the beginning of a sentence to convey that something was "really true" and "beyond any shadow of doubt".   In these troubled times when there is a lot of doubt about the truth in Washington, DC, doubt about what is told in the mainstream media, doubt about the meddling of Russia in the past presidential election, the third epistle of John speaks clearly about the importance of the truth in New Testament times. 

In the third epistle of John, we hear about the blessing of telling the truth as Christians. John begins the letter with an introduction: "The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth."  (3 John 1:1).   John, an apostle, placed great respect upon Gaius, an elder in the church.  Gaius, as an elder, preached, taught, visited the sick and anointed them with oil. Elders presided over communion in the local church. In every way, they were the pastors.  But what really made Gaius shine?  To John, it was that Gaius was truthful and loving.  In fact, John uses the Greek word for truthful to describe Gaius no less than three times in the first five verses of this letter.  He calls Gaius a loving or loved person three times as well!

            As I read John's praise of Gaius in these verses, I was surprised by John's next words in chapter one:  “No greater joy can I have than this, to hear that my children follow the truth.” (3 John 4) Some versions of the Bible say "No greater joy can I have than my children walk in the truth".   Following the truth or walking in the truth brings great joy to John, the apostle.  Speaking the truth, sharing the truth, telling the truth is part of being a person of God.  It is not optional.  It should be part of your Christian DNA.

            Like John, I also have found it a great joy when people tell the truth, for I have found that modern people play around with a truth to a great extent.   Little lies are much more common than the "truth be told".  Let's be honest:  lies are juicy and even sell better, tell better, and pass on better in our world!
This week, I passed through the checkout at a store. There to my right and to my left were tabloids. I read some of the covers. It seems that an alien is being kept alive in Area 51, somebody had twins without being pregnant, and some Hollywood type is backing a new diet where all you eat is fried chicken.  "Fake News" on the internet told of a politician selling American citizenship to illegal aliens for votes, illegal guns are for sale at all gun shows nationwide, and the president being manipulated by a foreign government.  The truth to many people today is something that can be played with and manipulated.  Many don't report the facts, they manipulate opinion.

The apostle John would be sickened by our world today, but not surprised.  Even in New Testament times, there were problems with the facts being fabricated.  Among the faithful worshiping with Gaius, there were problems with a man who showed disrespect to the apostle John (3 John 1:9-10) and other missionaries!  No doubt, lies were being told about the church.   Truth be told, within twenty five years of Jesus' resurrection there were divisions in the church (the church in Corinth had church splits! See 1 Corinthians 1)!   Lies were even told of Jesus' resurrection within hours of His being risen from the dead (Matthew 28:11-15)! 

Is it no surprise that John, in our scripture for today, finds so much "joy" in knowing his followers "follow the truth"?  They were willing to speak God's truth:  live out the faith;  share God's truth in love without hesitation;  speak honestly and openly with one another.  Does this sound heavenly?  It is what the church is supposed to be like!  It is supposed to be what you are like!
 
Don't be like the world.  Don't let "fake news" and gossip and half truths and lies flow through your inbox, emails, media, church, or mouth.  "Truth be told", let everyone know you are one to be trusted with the truth.   You are, right?  


May 20

       “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope, To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, nor to occupy themselves with myths and endless genealogies which promote speculations rather than the divine training that is in faith; whereas the aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and sincere faith. Certain persons by swerving from these have wandered away into vain discussion, desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make assertions.”
​ (1 Timothy 1:1–7 RSV)


The head of a large mental hospital recently was quoted as saying...."I could dismiss half of my patients tomorrow if they could only be assured of forgiveness. Guilt probably sends more people to their neighborhood psychiatrist or hospital mental ward than any other thing. It robs people of their peace of mind and fills their lives with regrets."  Guilt can be a good thing when it helps you discern right from wrong. But guilt, when God or grace or forgiveness are not involved, can destroy a person.

The thing which generates guilt is the conscience. If we had no conscience we'd feel no guilt. We'd be no different from the animals, who bear no conscience. As an odometer monitors speed and a compass monitors direction, conscience monitors behavior. From deep within the mind it sends out messages of approval or disapproval. The message it sends out can fluctuate from mild to violent, depending on the seriousness of the offense.  The scripture for today speaks about the need for divine training. Training of the heart, training in faith, and training of conscience from which we feel guilt. Paul warns against learning that ignores God and the faith. 

Did you know that when you become a Christian, you still need training: divine training? Some people think that if you've gone to college, you've all the training you need in life, but that's not true. Divine training can't be learned in a school. It can't be taught out of a textbook. Divine training comes in living out your faith in life. Divine training involves listening to God during life, during challenges to your faith, during your work for God. Divine training involves letting go of your own ideas and holding on to God's teaching of what is right and wrong, good and bad, necessary or not.

As the Apostle Paul spoke of this training, he urged Timothy (and all Christians ultimately) to examine three areas of his life:  “As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, nor to occupy themselves with myths and endless genealogies which promote speculations rather than the divine training that is in faith; whereas the aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and sincere faith.” (1 Timothy 1:3–5, RSV)  The scripture actually sees danger in teaching without the proper training...divine training whereby you... train the heart... train in the faith... train the conscience.
​
In training the heart, it urges one to keep a pure heart, that is a heart unstained with sin and error. It is a heart that is not burdened by worry or emotional pain. It is a heart that gives generously in many ways. It is the heart of a person who can sleep well at night knowing God's work is being done in one's life. It is a heart that knows how to let things go and accept forgiveness.

A sincere faith is also required in divine training. A sincere faith is a faith that lasts. It is a faith that can overcome adversity, pain, suffering and even death. It is the kind of faith that trusts in God even though God's way is more difficult or more demanding. Sincere faith is honest in that there are times you may wonder what God is doing, but you trust that God will take care of things as promised in scripture.  Sincere faith knows beyond any shadow of a doubt that God is ultimately in control.

The final area of training involves gaining a good conscience. Now, this is a place that we need more explanation. Many Christians do not understand what it means to have a good conscience. Many Christians think that simply to have a conscience is good. That is not necessarily true. The conscience is fallible. The conscience can be wrong. The conscience can tell you that you are right with God when you are not. And the conscience can tell you that you have failed God and give you feelings of guilt when none are deserved. This may come as a surprise to some, but the conscience is not an infallible guide. Just as in instrument can malfunction, so can the conscience.  If you rely on the conscience to tell you what God is saying, you could be wrong, very wrong.

The conscience can generate feelings of guilt where no guilt is deserved.  A person can attempt to manipulate your conscience into feeling guilty.  The conscience is also capable of overlooking guilt which is real. I read recently of a Nazi SS scientist who spent many hours researching ways to kill people more cheaply, efficiently, and effectively during World War 2.  What never occurred to his conscience was that he was murdering people.  He thought the people he was killing were not people but sub-human animals.  That is how his conscience "justified" the killing of thousands.  This is how the conscience is "manipulated".  During "divine training" as the scripture calls it, you must learn to separate out the fallible human lies you tell yourself from godly truths you must live by.  You must replace your human instincts that twist the facts with God's truth.  You must set aside human emotions with God's Holy Spirit.  This takes "divine training" of the conscience as the scripture here calls it. 
 
 The three areas of your divine training continue even today.  They will continue throughout your life.  I find this divine training grows greatly during times of suffering and persecution, but also during times of fasting and study and prayer.   This scripture makes clear that you have no right to lead others in the faith unless you have adequate "divine training".  Otherwise, you don't know what you are talking about (1 Timothy 1:7).  There are people who think that just because they are older that they should be church leaders.  That is untrue.  There are those who think that just because they went to seminary that they deserve to speak for God.  Very untrue.  Divine training determines when you are ready to speak for God.  God determines when you are ready based on the maturity of your heart, faith, and conscience.  God works to give you "a pure heart, a sincere faith, and a good conscience".  When these are strong enough, your divine training is mature enough for you to reach out and share your faith and teach others what you know about God.  Your divine training will continue throughout your whole life.   That is my hope for you.   Now, the question is…. which aspect of your divine training is in need today?  Do you need work on your pure heart?   Is your faith a little shaky?   Or is it guilt that trips you up?   What area of divine training is your strength?  Your weakness?

 May 21

 “Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. We live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.” (2 Corinthians 5:1–10  NIV84)  


Sometimes, when people read the Bible, they read the words as if they were reading a novel. They don't let the individual words and their great depth of meaning sink in.  They miss key gems of knowledge.

An ancient Persian legend tells of a wealthy man by the name of Mr. Al Haffed who owned a large farm. One evening a visitor related to him tales of fabulous amounts of diamonds that could be found in other parts of the world, and of the great riches they could bring him. The vision of all this wealth made him feel poor by comparison. So instead of caring for his own prosperous farm, he sold it and set out to find these treasures. But the search proved to be fruitless. Finally, penniless and in despair, he committed suicide by jumping into the sea.

Meanwhile, the man who had purchased his farm noticed one day the glint of an unusual stone in a shallow stream on the property. He reached into the water, and to his amazement he pulled out a huge diamond. Later when working in his garden, he uncovered many more valuable gems. Poor Mr. Al Haffed had spent his life traveling to distant lands seeking jewels when on the farm he had left behind were all the precious stones his heart could have ever desired. This legend of Mr. Al Haffed teaches us something very important concerning the Bible. It might be that very important gems of information are in the pages of the Bible, but we don't see them. We look for words to live by in other places in our world, when the most important messages we seek are contained in God's own word.  Take for example our scripture today. My guess is that when you read over the words above, you missed some important... crucial... life and death elements in them. I must confess that when I first read these verses, I missed a few. But when I studied these verses,  my eyes were opened to some things that now God wants to show you.

It all started with the first verse of our scripture, which reads: "Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands" (1 Corinthians 5:1)  I read this verse and thought to myself... "Oh, its talking about heaven and that God has a place for the faithful in heaven." But this was missing some key elements. There were pearls of wisdom in this verse. Notice that this verse begins with two important words... "WE KNOW". WE KNOW.

If a doctor said, "I think you have diabetes" would you want a second opinion? If a doctor said I know you have a broken leg, would you doubt it? No. You'd get the bone set and in a cast. Paul, in our scripture, says that he and other Christian leaders "know" something. Listen to what he knows: " we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven." Did you get that? Paul doesn't think there is a heaven, he knows there is one. He doesn't think that when our bodies quit working that heaven awaits us. He is absolutely sure of it. HE KNOWS.

Justin, who had a terminal illness, was visiting with his best friend at a lodge where they stopped for the night. They had been bird hunting all day long and both were tired.  He turned to his best friend and said, "Pete, I am afraid to die. Tell me what lies on the other side."
Very quietly Pete said, "I don't know exactly."
"You don't know? You, a Christian guy who goes to church all the time, do not know what is on the other side?"
​Pete was holding the handle of the door, on the other side of which came a sound of scratching and whining, and as he opened the door his hunting dog sprang into the room and leaped on him with an eager show of gladness. Turning to his best friend, Pete said, "Did you notice my dog? He has never been in this specific room before. He did not know what was inside. He knew nothing except that his master was here, and when the door opened he sprang in without fear. I know little of what is on the other side of death, Justin, but I do know one thing: I know my Master is there, and that is enough for me. And when that door opens, I will pass through with no fear, but with gladness.  I know who'll be on the other side."

Paul told us something more in these verses. Even though our future is in heaven, we are still stuck here on earth. And some of us are stuck with bodies that are weak. I have a bad back; there are those in wheelchairs, with canes, with prosthetic limbs and cancer. Some have problems with depression or with addictions. Others feel lonely or angry, fat or stupid. Each one of us have imperfect bodies. Paul tells us here in these verses: "while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened" (2 Corinthians 5:4). He realized that sometimes we have pains and illnesses. We have friends who forsake or desert us. We will have memory problems, diseases, inflammations, viruses, and infections. Still, there is hope!  Someday, we will be in heaven. Until that day, our bodies will groan. All we can do is what Paul wrote us here: "live by faith, not by sight" (2 Corinthians 5:7).   
 
So, we are assured of two things in our scripture today.   First, life will be hard.  Our bodies are miracles, but may be riddled with pains or sorrows or hurts.   This human body has needs and weaknesses, which leads us to the second surety in scripture.  If you hold on to God through the thick and thin of this life, WE KNOW where you will end up.  God will be on the other side.    "We have an eternal house in heaven" just waiting for us.  It's already there.  It can't be taken away from us. WE KNOW IT!  It can only be given up.  And why would you ever do that?  

May 22

 “While they were at Hazeroth, Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman whom he [Moses] had married... and they said, “Has the Lord spoken only through Moses? Has he not spoken through us also?” And the Lord heard it. Now the man Moses was very humble, more so than anyone else on the face of the earth. Suddenly the Lord said to Moses, Aaron, and Miriam, “Come out, you three, to the tent of meeting.” So the three of them came out. Then the Lord came down in a pillar of cloud, and stood at the entrance of the tent, and called Aaron and Miriam; and they both came forward. And he said, “Hear my words: When there are prophets among you, I the Lord make myself known to them in visions; I speak to them in dreams. Not so with my servant Moses; he is entrusted with all my house. With him I speak face to face—clearly, not in riddles; and he beholds the form of the Lord. Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?” And the anger of the Lord was kindled against them, and he departed. When the cloud went away from over the tent, Miriam had become leprous, as white as snow. And Aaron turned towards Miriam and saw that she was leprous. Then Aaron said to Moses, “Oh, my lord, do not punish us for a sin that we have so foolishly committed. Do not let her be like one stillborn, whose flesh is half consumed when it comes out of its mother’s womb.” And Moses cried to the Lord, “O God, please heal her.” But the Lord said to Moses, “If her father had but spit in her face, would she not bear her shame for seven days? Let her be shut out of the camp for seven days, and after that she may be brought in again.” So Miriam was shut out of the camp for seven days; and the people did not set out on the march until Miriam had been brought in again.” (Numbers 12:1–15   NRSV)  


At work, if another person gets noticed, gets a raise, or gets attention for something they deserve, do you think to yourself, "I should have that. I work harder than he or she does. I deserve that kind of attention."? When a friend gets a makeover, do you tend to think to yourself, "I should get a makeover, too" out of jealousy at how she looks? When a woman has a baby, instead of being totally happy about it for her, do you instead think, "That should be me. I've been waiting longer", or "I would be a better mother", or such?  If a family member or friend is receiving a lot of attention, does it bother you?  If a man at work receives a reward for a job well done, do you think, "Why all the attention?"  When someone you know gets a new car, truck, phone, or gadget, do you find yourself longing one, too? Do you get angry at someone just because they are more comfortable socially, better looking, or smarter than you are? Do you find yourself wishing you were rich, because you believe rich people or a rich friend have it better or easier than you do?  Do you get upset by the amount of "likes" or "views" another person gets?   If you said "yes" to any of these questions, you probably are a jealous or envious person.

If you are a jealous person or envious of what others have, you are automatically at a disadvantage. You will consciously or unconsciously compare yourself to others. You won't be happy with who you are. You will be insecure. Your view of yourself will be lower or more critical than it should be.   Sadly, you'll never be truly content with what you have, how you look, how much money you earn, or who you are. People who are jealous often end up hurting those they are closest to, their friends, their spouse, their children, or their co-workers. It may seem like you can't please a person who is jealous, when in fact you can't even compete with their insecurities.

Take for example, our scripture today from the book of Numbers. Here, in this book, the people of Israel were wandering in the wilderness toward the promised land that God wanted to give them. As they went through this difficult land, God was always with them. Often, God would come into the tent where the Ten Commandments were kept. Sometimes, the people would see God present in a pillar of fire watching over them at night. Sometimes, a cloud would hover over the people, and God was in that cloud. Moses often spoke with God, and God listened to Moses. Many people had great respect for Moses. Some were jealous of him. In this scripture, you will see that two people who became jealous of Moses were his brother Aaron and his sister Miriam.

The scripture mentions that Moses' brother and sister did not like Moses' Cushite wife (Numbers 12:1).  But this was only their excuse.  Their problem was jealousy and envy.  It came through when they said words like this: "Has the Lord spoken only through Moses? Has he not spoken through us also?"(Numbers 12:2). Notice how they compare themselves to Moses?  This sounds like pure jealousy.  It seems as if Moses' siblings were not happy with how Moses was viewed in the Israelite community.  They didn't like his respect among the people, nor the power God had given him.  To them, Moses was a man who had murdered an Egyptian and run off to Midian.  They remained faithful to their mother and to their people while he was off living the good life on the Sinai Peninsula.  They didn't like how the people revered Moses.  They were envious of his relationship with God. 

Despite their accusation, the Bible makes it clear that Aaron and Miriam had no reason to challenge Moses. Moses, it says here, was humble (Numbers 12:3). He had not done anything wrong. But that's the danger of jealousy. You can do nothing wrong and people will be jealous of you; they will despise you, say terrible things about you, or fight against you. God would not tolerate the jealousy and envy toward Moses among his fellow leaders.  The Lord called all three to the tent of meeting (Numbers 12:4). There, God defended Moses. During the meeting, God was "angry" at Moses' brother and sister. Miriam immediately was diseased. Aaron was upset to see his sister suffer so. Then, Aaron replied, "do not punish us for a sin we so foolishly committed"(Numbers 12:11).

Jealousy is not listed in the Ten Commandments as a sin, but it is surely a sin. It is such a divisive thing that Aaron knew it was the sin that had divided their family. Aaron knew that it had caused God's anger and Miriam's suffering. Aaron begged for forgiveness. Moses, being a good man, asked God to heal her. But, God waited seven days to heal Miriam (Numbers 12:14). God wanted Miriam and Aaron to learn a valuable lesson. Jealousy has no place in the family of God. God will hit you hard if your jealousy causes you to sin.

In every church, I  have seen jealousy rear its ugly head.  When jealous of a person's status, people may attack that person, even in a congregation. When a person is wealthy, or a person has a position of power in the church, envious members will try to push others against them. Pastors and people can have jealousy and envy, but God will not stand for it. It doesn't belong in the Christian heart... and it hurts those who have done nothing wrong.

Consider today if jealousy drives you. Who might you be jealous of? Why? Don't be so insecure in yourself to let this jealousy turn to sin. If you are the jealous type, you might find God will not listen to you until you rid yourself of this deadly vice. It might be that jealousy has kept you from happiness, from being content, or from being a better person. Let me be honest.. . others can see your jealousy... God can see your jealousy.  Can't you?   God has no sympathy for the jealous. He has all kinds of sympathy for those who are humble and right before Him.

May 23

   “For you remember our labor and toil, brethren; we worked night and day, that we might not burden any of you, while we preached to you the gospel of God. You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our behavior to you believers; for you know how, like a father with his children, we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to lead a life worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory. And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.”
(1 Thessalonians 2:9–13  RSV)  

Doris Marston drove down a dark road on night in late November. She had been in the company of friends. They had invited her for dinner, and they talked until late into the evening. A little past ten, she headed home down a country road. As she drove down that road, she thought to herself about the evening and the friends and the conversation. She smiled as she considered some of the jokes mentioned, but the smile was in a fraction of a second turned to fear; for in the road directly in front of her was a deer. The collision between vehicle and deer was a violent one. On impact, Doris lost control and ran off the road into a ditch. Doris' leg was hurt by the impact. She couldn't leave the car, which now had ceased to run. The minutes turned to an hour when Doris realized how silent and lonely the road was. She thought to herself, "Will someone find me, or will I spend the night here in this cold car. I can't fall asleep. I might not wake up." Hour after hour passed by and no one came down the road. Finally, after saying many a prayer, a police car drove past, then backed up. The officer took good care of Doris. He
warmed her, comforted her, called an ambulance and a wrecker. As she entered the ambulance, the officer said, "I'm sure glad I decided to come down this road tonight!" To which Doris responded, "Thank God you did. I don't know what I'd have done without you."

Thank God that Doris was all right. Thank God that the officer came down that road.  Thank God he saw her car in the ditch. You know, we often say "Thank God for this" and "Thank God for that." But how often do we really thank God for these things? I wonder if Doris Marston did thank God for the presence of the officer that night? Did she pray a long prayer with lots of thanks for God and for that officer who saved her?  On Thanksgiving that year, did she have a thankful heart?  When it was time for her to reflect on her year, did she remember that day?  It's easy to say, "Thank God", but a whole different thing to actually do it.  I've heard many people say, "Thank God the doctor found that lump", "Thank God a friend stopped by." "Thank God that happened." "Thank God for chocolate!"  Many people use the phrase "Thank God" without ever meaning they will actually thank God through prayer or through act.

   As an example in scripture, Jesus healed ten lepers, and guess how many came back to give thanks?  One. (Luke 17:12-19)  One in ten.  Ten percent.  Why is that?  What happened to the other nine?  Were they thankful?  Why didn't they say something?

Years ago, our family was in the car driving down a street, near a mall.  In the area was a restaurant called "TGI Fridays". One of my sons, sitting in the back seat said to me, "What does TGI mean?" I told them that "TGIF" is a common group of letters meaning "Thank God It's Friday" and that the restaurant was making a play of words to mean that. One of the boys responded, "I guess it must be a nice place, dad." I thought to myself how they had never been there before.  How would they know?   So I said, "Why do you think its a nice place?"  To which my son responded, "Well, they do have God in their title, so people who worship God must be there!" I didn't have the heart to explain reality to him. I didn't have the heart to say that most people don't necessarily give thanks to God at that restaurant even if it might be the basis for the name of the restaurant.  People say, "Thank God" and even "Thank God it's Friday!", but do they?  Do you really and truly give God thanks as often as you say, "Thank God"?  I hope you do.  I hope its not just a bunch of words to you.

The scripture for today is full of thanks to God. It is one example of the thanks that the early apostles gave to God. In those early days of Christianity, there were churches that caught on to the gospel quickly and there were churches that were having all kinds of problems with the faith. The Corinthian church, for example, was one of those churches full of controversy. There were people coming drunk to communion,  fighting over who was the best pastor for them, believing in cheap forms of grace, and celebrating elitism. The church was a difficult one for Paul. But the Thessalonian church was very different. That church in Thessalonica was full of deeply religious people who desired to please God and share the gospel. Paul was very proud of the faith of the Thessalonian church.   Paul shared that with them in our scripture, "...we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers" (1 Thessalonians 2:13).  Paul was thankful for the Thessalonian Christians, for God was at work in them. He was joyful for their growing faith.

I too give thanks to God for those whose faith has blossomed so beautifully.  I have thanked my Lord God for the woman who finds poor families in the neighborhood and gets them food. I have said prayers of thanks for the person who visits nursing homes watching over shut-ins.  I have given thanks to God and to the one man who is at his church frequently just to clean up and help out. A number of people close to me have prayed for the woman who was called, "An angel who I couldn't do without." I, like Paul, give thanks for them.  I also give thanks for you.  Do you even know how precious you are to me and to God's world?  

I've been in cold churches; not ones with bad heaters, but ones with bad people.  I was once in a church that had kicked out twenty-two pastors in thirty years.  They didn't think they had any problems in that church!   I give thanks to God for warm churches with loving people. I give thanks for soldiers who protect our country, who even today may be resting on the hard ground. I give  thanks for people who graciously watch over others, like a shepherd watches over a flock. I give thanks that I can still write this daily message to you.  I give thanks to God in Christ for saving me and you.
 
What most people don't' know is that Paul's letter to the Thessalonians has more praise in it than any other letter of Paul in scripture. The Thessalonians were praised for talking to others about the faith, helping people to believe in Jesus, and for responding faithfully to the gospel. Later in this letter, Paul even proudly told them... "But concerning love of the brethren you have no need to have any one write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another; and indeed you do love all the brethren throughout Macedonia," (1 Thessalonians 4:9-10 RSV)  I sometimes wonder if the Thessalonian Church was Paul's favorite.   He seemed to love their faith!    Are you in a church that is a joy to you?  Churches like that are rare and beautiful jewels.  You should give thanks if you are!

Are you truly thankful to God for the people God has placed around you, for the love of God around you, for the times God was there, for the prayers heard and the forgiveness granted? This week, take some time to not only say, "Thank God", but to do it.  Will you, please?

​May 24

    “Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task. Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap. Deacons, likewise, are to be men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons. In the same way, their wives are to be women worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything. A deacon must be the husband of but one wife and must manage his children and his household well. Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus. Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.” 
(1 Timothy 3:1–15  NIV84)  


There was a young man from Lystra, a city of ancient Greece. He grew up in a very devout family. His mother Eunice and his grandmother Lois taught him stories of Abraham and Moses, of Samson and Delilah and of many Bible heroes. One day, when only a teenager, he met the apostle Paul. Paul saw something good in this young man from Lystra. He recognized that the boy knew God. As Paul watched the boy grow and mature, Paul decided to teach him further about Jesus and the faith. Soon, the young man became a leader in the early church. He taught at Corinth and Philippi. He carried Paul's letters to other cities and instructed them on the faith. The name of that young boy? Timothy, the young man to whom our New Testament book of 1 Timothy was written.

Our scripture today is really a letter from Paul to Timothy. Timothy, being a student of the faith, wondered about such things as how to run a church. Paul, in these verses, talks about the importance of good leaders in running a church (1 Timothy 3:15). Notice how Paul began his lesson to Timothy. He wrote him: "If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task." Paul mentioned that "overseers" ("bishops" in other versions of the Bible) are noble people given a noble task. Their job was to oversee the running of the church.  Here,  Paul doesn't just focus on what they did in the church, but how they lived their lives. That's where Paul listed his expectations about who should be a leader.
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So many people today in the church and in the world don't understand the meaning of true biblical leadership. A true biblical leader isn't just taught how to lead, as if anyone can be taught to be a good leader in a church. A leader isn't born to leadership. A true biblical leader is one whom God chooses and who makes necessary changes in life to accommodate the gospel. A leader isn't a leader in God's eyes because he or she is popular or organized. A leader doesn't become a teacher in Sunday School because he or she is a teacher in the public school system. Too often in Christianity, we choose leaders depending on who is popular, who is around a lot, who sounds good in front of a microphone, or who is our friend. Some church members decide to be leaders because they want power, because they want authority or respect or power or praises. Some leaders are chosen because the church can't find another person foolish enough to take the position.  It is dangerous to choose leaders in these ways.  It will bite your church back in years to come.
 
When Paul talked about leadership to his student, Timothy, he told him: “the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?” (1 Timothy 3:2–5, NIV84)
 
 Women who are leaders are also told to be "worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything" (1 Timothy 3:11).  Other leaders called deacons were to be "worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain"( 1 Timothy 3:8).   Notice in each of  these verses that the apostle Paul chooses leaders in God's church by how they live, not by the amount of money they have or their schooling. He chooses leaders who exhibit godly character. They are people who are not swayed by emotions, who are honorable and respectful. Is that where you would begin to
choose a leader for your women's group, your city or union, your county or your country? How many of those traits do you have?
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Today, media can so distort the meaning or qualities of leadership. The newspapers can make a good man appear a villain and a money-hungry megalomaniac appear compassionate. Be very careful when you choose leaders. Tom Blair, in the San Diego Union said, "Politicians are like diapers. Both should be changed often and for the same reason." (Associated Press, 8-24-93) While acceptable moral standards may vary from state to state, the standards of moral conduct have never changed with God. In the Bible, leaders were chosen with a critical moral and theological eye.

Many pastors today are quitting their jobs, because leaders in the churches don't heed Paul's instructions in these verses. Some leaders are solely concerned that the church building looks nice, but nothing else. Some are concerned about their own agendas or status. Some treat the Pastor as an employee, not a servant of God. Leaders in many churches often are more political than faithful, socially-driven more than God-centered.
 
Leaders and pastors do have a difficult task. They have to lead and yet not control people.  They have to follow God's laws and their faith, buy yet deal with sticky situations. They are called to be gentle even when someone is upset. They cannot be greedy or addicted.  They require a deep faith. They must be willing to endure suffering for God's sake. They must be gentle, not violent; deeply faithful, not recent converts; even tempered and not given to quarrel. They must have a good family life and have a good character. In the end, Paul even tells Timothy to test those who are to be leaders. After looking at all these biblical requirements for leadership, you might think you shouldn't be a leader. That's the whole problem. All too often, those whom God gives the Holy Spirit to lead, do not. Then , the church picks people who are half committed, don't have a deep faith, or are easily manipulated by the "powers that be".
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As a pastor, it drives me crazy at times to be a leader. People take pot shots at me. They criticize the littlest things.. Did I ever tell you about the time I was criticized for not polishing my shoes?  Once,  I lost a job because I did not advocate a certain political position of an influential woman in the congregation.  Did I ever mention to you of the death threats I have had?
 
Leadership is never easy. But God called me to do it. Don't be surprised if God calls you as well.  If you come to this web site and stick around here, chances are you contain some true leadership character.  If you are not already active in leadership, God is probably preparing you for some type of Biblical leadership just like Paul prepared Timothy.   Don't overlook what God is planning on doing with you, or the lives that will be forever different because one day you decided to say "Yes" when God called you to lead something. The lives you touch or don't touch depending on what you do will be your history, your legacy, and a sign of your true faith.

May 25

 “The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, 'Look, the Lamb of God!' When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, 'What do you want?' They said, 'Rabbi' (which means Teacher), 'where are you staying?' 'Come,' he replied, 'and you will see.' So they went and saw where he was staying, and spent that day with him. It was about the tenth hour. Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, 'We have found the Messiah' (that is, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, 'You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas' (which, when translated, is Peter). The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, 'Follow me.' Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. Philip found Nathanael and told him, 'We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.' 'Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?' Nathanael asked. 'Come and see,' said Philip. When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, 'Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is nothing false.' 'How do you know me?' Nathanael asked. Jesus answered, 'I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.' Then Nathanael declared, 'Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.' Jesus said, 'You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You shall see greater things than that.' He then added, 'I tell you the truth, you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.'”    (John 1:35–51   NIV84)  

Our scripture for today begins with Jesus and John the Baptist running into each other. John the Baptist saw Jesus coming near and said, "Look, the Lamb of God!" (John 1:35-36)  This intrigued two of John's disciples who overheard the exchange.  They left John and began to follow Jesus. Jesus saw them following, and asked them, "What do you want?" (Some Bibles translate this as "What do you seek?").  Their response was a question, "Where are you staying?"   Jesus invited them to come along by saying, "Come, and you will see."(John 1:39) They spent the rest of that day with Jesus.

Jesus' question to those disciples who were following Him, watching Him, was "What do you want?" or "What do you seek?" It's a great question for you. What do you seek in life? What do you want today?  Why do you spend time with Jesus?   Do you want to grow closer with God?  Do you feel your relationship with God growing or declining?  My hope is that you can come here to this web site or go to your local church to "come and see" (John 1:39,46) Jesus.   My prayer is that you can grow in the faith, reach out to others, share God's love, and be a beacon of light to this dark world. 

I love Jesus' answer here to the two disciples following Him, "Come and see" (John 1:39). Jesus was confident that as they watched His ministry, they grow in faith. If they were willing to come follow Jesus, they would see great things happen. It took a willingness for the men to come with Jesus. But Jesus was supremely confident that they would see great things.

Once in a while, people mention to me that God doesn't do great things anymore. There are those who doubt that God is even active in the world whatsoever.  Our world is full of people who don't believe all this God stuff. They don't believe God is alive and powerful. They don't believe in miracles or in God's hand. What we need to do when we visit with these people, is to tell them that they ought to come and see.... come and see for themselves what God is doing in this world, through us, and in us. We ought to tell them, "Come to our church and see what God is doing.."  God is active in your church, right? Come to our Bible Study and Sunday School, and you will learn so much!  You do learn a lot there, right? Church people are about telling others to "Come and see" what God is doing in their church. And if God is not doing anything spiritually significant... your church needs to see Christ right now! ! !   Maybe that's your job.  Let people come and see Christ through you!   People can see Christ in you, right?
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One of the two disciples who followed Jesus home that day, was Andrew.  Andrew had a brother, Simon Peter. The scripture here tells us that quickly Andrew found his brother, Simon Peter and brought him to meet and be with Jesus. If God means anything to you, if God is alive in you, if you are not ashamed of God, your response to Jesus must be the same as Andrew's. Andrew was excited at what God the Father was doing in Jesus. Andrew saw Jesus healing and changing lives. It was only natural that he found his brother, Peter, and brought him to meet Jesus! Do you think you could do the same? The scripture challenges each of us to find another person who needs to meet and be with Christ and bring them closer to HIM, just as Andrew did.

In many churches, people no longer bring others to meet Christ in their church. It is a sad state of affairs. Aren't churches where people should "come and see" God in Christ working? Andrew was excited to bring his brother to meet Jesus. What makes people no longer excited to have someone new meet Christ?

In a small Oklahoma town, oil was struck on church property. The church had a congregational meeting to decide what to do with the rich proceeds from the oil. They voted to pay off church debts, make some needed improvement to the church buildings, put a small nest egg in the bank, and then divide the remainder among the church members. As soon as the latter decision was made, one of the members jumped up in the back pew and yelled, "I make a motion that we don't take in any new members!" Churches where people do not bring others to meet Christ? They do exist.

Back to the scripture. Within days, the disciple named Phillip did the same thing as Andrew. Phillip went out and found a man named Nathaneal to come and follow Jesus. Phillip was so excited about Jesus that it doesn't matter if Nathaneal didn't believe all that Jesus could do. Phillip simply told Nathaneal to just "come and see" Jesus. First Jesus had told the disciples to "come and see."  Now the disciples are telling others to "come and see." Our mission is to tell our children, our friends, our neighbors to come and worship God and see all that God is doing. Are you doing that?  People should also see God in Christ in your life. Is that happening?

I love to visit other churches. I've worshiped at churches filled with people who were excited about what God was doing and filled with God's Spirit. You could tell by their music; they sang from the heart.  You could see enthusiasm for God in the people who invited you to come back again, or showed you around. You could tell the commitment by ushers who cared when you looked ill. You could tell when that lady talked a good while to you about her experiences in the faith. Those are the kind of churches where you want to come and see what God is doing.

I've been in other churches where I didn't care to ever go back. I couldn't see what God was doing there. I've heard sermons that I couldn't understand nor comprehend. I've seen pastors who wanted more to impress their people than bring them to know God. On walking into some churches, I'd swear I was walking into a funeral home, where few talked and everybody looked mournful. What about the church services where the choir looked like they hated singing?  I could hardly believe the churches where nobody talked to you from the moment you walked in until the moment you left.  Then, there was the church with the man who asked me to move out of his seat!  Come and see? Come and see what?

It's not just in churches where people need to see God.  People need to see God in you.  If you can't show God's Spirit and faith and joy in Christ, people are not going to want to see what God is all about. You are the first Bible people will ever read! If your kids see you as a hypocrite, they are not going to want to grow up believing in your God. If visitors in your church feel like they are outsiders, they will not want to worship in your church. If co-workers don't see God as a good thing in your life because you are always complaining about your church, they are not going to want to come and be with God and you in worship.
Examine just what you believe. Is your faith visible to others?   What do others "see" in your faith?  Do others take comfort in your kind of faith? Do people want to have a faith like you, because God is surely present in your life? Do you cause others to "come and see" God?
 

May 26

 [Jesus said:] “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile.” (Matthew 5:38–41  NRSV)  

It is not unusual for someone to want to get even. When you are wronged, your first thought will probably be revenge, getting back, getting even. Even part of the survival instinct in you can make your first reaction "do unto others before they do it to you!"

Years ago, a classified ad appeared in the Business Farmer News of Scottsbluff, Nebraska. Under the section marked "For Sale or Trade" in the newspaper, a person had listed this ad :"Will trade one white wedding gown size 4 — never worn. Will trade for 38 caliber revolver."  That, my friend, is a true story. And it makes you wonder just what that gun was going to be used for anyway!!!!   Was this ad placed by a new bride who moved into a bad neighborhood?  Was this ad by a woman who was left at the altar, cheated on by her fiance? Did she plan to get even? Nobody knew who placed the ad. Everyone was afraid to call and ask about it!

The Apostle Paul told the Roman Christians that vengeance and getting even was God's business. It is not a human endeavor. He wrote to the Romans "'Vengeance is mine, I will repay,' says the Lord" (Romans 12:19).  There in Romans 12, it further states that getting is absolutely wrong:  "Repay NO ONE evil for evil" (Romans 12:17). God is the one who can see into the human heart. God knows the motives of why people do what they do. It is God's place as judge to be just and to make all wrongs right. Sadly, some people play God in this area of life. They want to be the ones to get even. They want satisfaction for a wrong that was done to them or to someone they love. They want to play the judge.

They say the elephant can remember events or people for decades. Well, humans who want to get even can hold their anger even longer. People who have been wronged are often full of anger and resentment. They hold it in, and can later blow their top. They can be angry at one person and take it out on another person... or by kicking their dog... or whomever dares to get in their way in that angry moment. How long do you hold on to hurts and anger? Do you spend more time with your anger than in prayer? Do you keep track of your friends and enemies... seeking to do good to friends and making sure to try and hurt your enemies?  If so, Jesus has a challenge for you in our scripture above.

In Matthew 5, Jesus spoke the sermon on the Mount. It was his longest and most complete sermon in all the Bible. In part of that sermon, Jesus said... “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile.” (Matthew 5:38–41, NRSV)  This scripture is hard to follow for people who hold grudges, those who want to get even, or victims who harbor resentment in their heart. Jesus would not allow his followers to get even. He even said "If anyone strikes you on the cheek, you are to offer your other cheek to hit as well." He wants you to go the second mile... especially when you have been done wrong.  More than maybe anything else in your life, this difficult command will show whether you have godly grace in your heart.

Has someone wronged you? Are you harboring a grudge because of some real or imagined hurt? If so, It may be time for the forgiveness test. The forgiveness test involves asking yourself which means more: "Your anger or God? Getting even or getting heaven?"  You chose one or the other, because you can't have both.

Want to come closer to God? Want to feel God nearer to you? Want Jesus to smile upon you? Maybe what you may need to learn is to turn the other cheek. Give up your anger and resentment and the desire to get even. When you do, it won't take long and you will find God smiling upon you.  At first, it may not seem natural, especially if you tend to react to hurts with spite and anger. But in time, you will find that it seems godly, as it truly is.

I close with a scripture spoken by Jesus:  "If you do not forgive others, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses" (Matthew 6:15). You CANNOT follow this command of Jesus without going the second mile and giving up your need to get even.  You do understand that, right?


May 27

 “Now he [Jesus] told a parable to those who were invited, when he marked how they chose the places of honor, saying to them, 'When you are invited by any one to a marriage feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest a more eminent man than you be invited by him; and he who invited you both will come and say to you, ‘Give place to this man,’ and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, go up higher’; then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you. For every one who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.'
He said also to the man who had invited him, 'When you give a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your kinsmen or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return, and you be repaid. But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. You will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.'” (Luke 14:7–14, RSV)


If you read the gospels in a certain way, you may argue that the Pharisees were a bunch of mess-ups. Jesus was constantly correcting them, pointing out their errors, exhibiting their pettiness.  You may assume that the Pharisees were not a very religious group.  This is not true.  Theologically, the Pharisees believed many things that are righteous and holy.   They believed in one God. They believed in being faithful to God. They believed that the scriptures were God's Word. They believed in the resurrection of the dead.  Tithing and sharing were important to them.  Despite being very religious people, their sin was often linked to pride.   The danger you have today is akin to that of the Pharisees.  You may become, in moments, the one who is guilty of being both religious and prideful... just like those Pharisees of old.

As Christians, we are not called to toot our own horn, to be lauded and hailed, to be the center of attention. We are called by God to be a humble people, not a proud one. The Old Testament notes that "Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall" (Proverbs 16:18).  Jesus witnessed people  who were prideful and self-centered . These people tended to look highly upon themselves and look down upon others.   Jesus did not have good things to say about them. 

Jesus was invited to dinner by some leaders in the Jerusalem community. There, he was with a number of Pharisees, lawyers, and scribes. During His stay, he told a parable.  It is mentioned that this parable was intended for a certain type of person, one who likes places of honor.  This parable was intended by Jesus for those who like to be the center of attention.   As part of the parable, Jesus said that faithful people should not sit at places of honor, but instead sit in the humble seats. If they are invited to be seated at places of honor, that is fine.  But, they should not seek the seats reserved for the most important people.  Jesus also added words to his host that day.   He remarked that when he throws a special dinner or banquet, he should invited not just friends, but "the poor, the maimed, the blind, and the lame"(Luke 14:13).  Essentially, he should not neglect to invite people who have lower social status, disabilities, or illnesses to his events.  This would exhibit for all the humility of the host toward all people.
 
Let's stop for a moment to look at the reading of this scripture.  Chances are, most casual readers will fail in their understanding of this scripture.  Their error comes in this being a "parable". It is not a teaching or lecture, but an "earthly story with a heavenly meaning, i.e., a "parable").  We have an earthly story here.... it's a story about where to sit at dinners and banquets and why to sit there. But that is not really what the story is about. This story contains a heavenly meaning. Jesus didn't want you to remember the earthly story as much as the heavenly meaning. Now, what is that heavenly meaning? What do Jesus' words mean on a deeper level?

The Pharisees loved being honored and recognized in public. At several points in scripture, Jesus lashed out at the Pharisees: 

 "Woe to you Pharisees! for you love the best seat in the synagogues and salutations in the market places..." (Luke 11:43)
"And when you pray, [Jesus said] you must not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street comers, that they may be seen by men. .Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward."  (Matthew 6:5)

Jesus was very critical of the Pharisees as these verses show. In a real way, they were hypocritical, egotistical, and showy. They wanted others to believe that they were more righteous, more deserving, and from a better class of elites. That's what Jesus is talking about here in this parable. He's not talking about where you sit during a feast or banquet, and whether or not you should sit in a place of honor or at the head table. He's talking about heaven. Those who get in heaven and are honored by God... will be those who were humble in this life... humble in their choices,.... and even showed humility in the choice of their guests at their dinners ("the poor, the maimed, the blind, and the lame"). The host in heaven (God) will not give a seat of respect for people who are prideful, who toot their own horn, who love to be seen in public in places of honor and who see themselves as higher up or better than another. That's why the final verse in the first paragraph has Jesus' closing words to this parable. These words give the moral to the story:  "For every one who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." (Luke 14:11)
 
This moral was a warning to all those who "exalt themselves".  It is a warning to those who are selfish, self-centered, and who love the limelight.   Their pride will cause them to be humbled.    Deal with your pride, or God will have to do it for you.  You may not demand to have the best seat in the house, or demand privileges at feasts, but you will fight spiritually and emotionally with your pridefulness.  Who among us does not at times have selfish, self-centered, me, me, me, prideful feelings?

Sadly, pridefulness is not uncommon in the "modern" world. Pride can slip in to your heart, your mind, your ways.  For example, take the lady who will not budge on an issue.  She won't sway for anyone, out of pride.  Then there's the man who doesn't want to change his ways and admit his mistake out of pride.  There's the friend who just can't get his mouth to say the words, "I am sorry.  I was wrong."  He hurt another but can't ask for forgiveness out of pride.  There's the person who is good at manipulating the truth to gain friends and harass enemies. She likes causing drama out of pride.  There are many forms of pride in the church and in the world.  You need to be careful of them all.

I Peter 5:5 states this warning another way...."Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." (1 Peter 5:5 RSV) Do you know that God is firmly against pride and arrogance?  People who are prideful, put themselves in God's place.  They look down on others. They judge others. Have you ever read what God said to the prophet Isaiah?  "I [God] will punish the world for its evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; I will put an end to the pride of the arrogant" (Isaiah 13:11 RSV).  
 
   It's bad enough that our world is full of prideful and arrogant people who see themselves as the center of the universe.  It's just as bad when the church has its share of the same types of people.  I close with Vance Hamer's words of wisdom: "We are a generation of fussy little Christians - experts at too many things, examples in too few things. We know too much, or we think we do. We have heard all the preachers and can tell you the pluses and minuses with each. Ah, do we have a generation of critics? Who of the critics has saved one soul? So, we miss the secrets God has hidden from the wise and prudent and revealed them to the humble."
 
Do God a favor and keep a check on your pride.  Shine with grace and humility.  Don't make it so that God has to knock you off your high horse.  You may not like where you land. 


​May 28

 “And as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside, and on the way he said to them, 'Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man will be delivered to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death, and deliver him to the Gentiles to be mocked and scourged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day.' 
Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him, with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something. And he said to her, 'What do you want?' She said to him, 'Command that these two sons of mine may sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.' But Jesus answered, 'You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?' They said to him, 'We are able.' He said to them, 'You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.' And when the ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers. But Jesus called them to him and said, 'You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave; even as the Son of man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.'
And as they went out of Jericho, a great crowd followed him. And behold, two blind men sitting by the roadside, when they heard that Jesus was passing by, cried out, 'Have mercy on us, Son of David!' The crowd rebuked them, telling them to be silent; but they cried out the more, 'Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!' And Jesus stopped and called them, saying, 'What do you want me to do for you?' They said to him, 'Lord, let our eyes be opened.'  And Jesus in pity touched their eyes, and immediately they received their sight and followed him.”
(Matthew 20:17–34   RSV)  


The scripture reading for today is a combination of three events in Jesus' life. Taken separately, you can miss an important lesson. But when you put the three events together and study them in a special way, you will be left with a powerful message.
 
In the first of the three stories, Jesus traveled with his disciples, heading toward Jerusalem. On the way, Jesus said: “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man will be delivered to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death, and deliver him to the Gentiles to be mocked and scourged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day.” (Matthew 20:18–19)   Jesus' words foretold what was to happen in Jerusalem.  He was to be crucified, but would rise again.  This is the crux of the gospel.  Sadly, the disciples didn't really listen to these important words of Jesus.  They were a little too preoccupied in something else.   You will see that in our second event in the scripture for today.

As Jesus finished his ominous glimpse into the future crucifixion, the second event began. Here, the mother of two of Jesus' disciples, came to Jesus on her knees and asked something of Jesus: “Command that these two sons of mine may sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” (Matthew 20:21)  She wanted her two sons to be in the highest positions in heaven. She wanted them to be above the others, over the others.  This exhibits a problem between Jesus and His disciples.  While Jesus is considering his death in Jerusalem, it seems that two of his disciples may be considering how great they will be in God's Kingdom.  Jesus is contemplating death.  The mother and her two sons are contemplating power.  Jesus said to the woman, "You do not know what you are asking..." (Matthew 20:22).

  The other disciples overheard the discussion and were angry at the two disciples and their mother for daring to desire such glory in Jesus' Kingdom.  Luke 22:24 tells us that all the disciples had fought among themselves as to who was the greatest among them.   While the disciples fought among themselves, all consideration of Jesus' impending crucifixion was lost.  Jesus was talking about ultimate things and the disciples were having a petty argument. 

The third story from Matthew 20 further emphasizes the pettiness of the disciples at that crucial hour.  While the disciples were arguing with each other, Jesus was busy doing what the Son of God does... He healed people.  While the disciples were upset, Jesus heard  two blind men cry out, "Have Mercy on us, Son of David!"  (Matthew 20:30).  Jesus noted their faith (unlike the disciples in that moment!), and asked them what they wanted.  After asking for mercy, they only desired that their "eyes be opened" (Matthew 20:33).  They wanted to no longer be blind.  Matthew 20:34 says Jesus had pity on them and gave them sight. 

Jesus was a worker of miracles, such as giving two blind men sight. Too bad the disciples couldn't see how they appeared throughout these events. While Jesus was talking about His own death and crucifixion, while He was reaching out to those in this world who were beaten down by their physical limitations, the disciples were overly concerned with who among them deserved to be above the others. While they were practicing politics trying to get what they wanted from Jesus, Jesus was concerned with his ministry and mission. The disciples were so petty. So blind. So foolish.

People in this world can be very petty.  Are you?   Like the disciples, many  can't see beyond their own glory. They concentrate on things that don't matter much, when other much more important things are happening around them.   Petty people worry about things that are unimportant while greatly important things are overlooked. They can get caught up in trivial pursuits while the important things get lost.

I remember praying with a woman at a nursing home.  It was to be her last prayer while alive. There was no family beside her as she suffered. Cancer of the throat had taken most of her vocal cords as well as her strength. Each day was a living hell. She could only squeeze your hand to get her point across, as she couldn't speak.  Tears often filled those lonely eyes.  She died later that night.  I was saddened by the news of her death. 

Two hours after hearing of this suffering woman's death, I had a meeting to attend.  There, I overheard two people talking about their church. It seems that there was a fight between two deacons in their church. The two argued vehemently over whether or not some candles should be on the altar or on the stands next to the altar. Dozens of people in their church took sides in the ensuing argument.  I sat there thinking to myself of how petty we human beings can get.  What is important in this world anyway: the death of a lonely suffering Christian or fighting over the placement of candles?

It is easy to get lost in pettiness.  Some people care more about your social status, than about your health or welfare.   Youth grow up with peer pressure that seems to concentrate not on important aspects, but the unimportant.  In high school, what you wear seems more important to many than who you are. At work, who you know can be more important than what you know. Among some, a marriage that is falling apart isn't as important as the size of your home.  Petty people are concerned more with politics than faith, more with show than with go, more with appearance than with character. Seriously?  When the unimportant things become what you are about, something is wrong.  When the unimportant becomes what you strive after and what concerns you, you are in big trouble. You will never be at peace.  

 Look at the disciples in our story. They look like fools for their concentrating their time and energy in trivial matters. When put next to Jesus, they seem so far from understanding. We look the very same way when the trivial in life becomes important for us, when we become like the disciples in this scripture, when we become petty.
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It was only after Jesus died that the disciples re-evaluated what it meant to be a part of Jesus' Kingdom.  I hope it isn't a death that points you back to what in life is most important.  Pettiness is commonplace today.  People with a deep faith are rare.  Some vascillate inbetween.  In which category would you place yourself today?   What is really most important to you today?

May 29

   “The word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Go and proclaim in the hearing of Jerusalem, Thus says the Lord, I remember the devotion of your youth, your love as a bride, how you followed me in the wilderness, in a land not sown. Israel was holy to the Lord, the first fruits of his harvest. All who ate of it became guilty; evil came upon them, says the Lord.” Hear the word of the Lord, O house of Jacob, and all the families of the house of Israel. Thus says the Lord: “What wrong did your fathers find in me that they went far from me, and went after worthlessness, and became worthless? .... And I brought you into a plentiful land to enjoy its fruits and its good things. But when you came in you defiled my land, and made my heritage an abomination. The priests did not say, ‘Where is the Lord?’ Those who handle the law did not know me; the rulers transgressed against me; the prophets prophesied by Baal, and went after things that do not profit.”
 
   “Run to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, look and take note! Search her squares to see if you can find a man, one who does justice and seeks truth; that I may pardon her. Though they say, “As the Lord lives,” yet they swear falsely. O Lord, do not thy eyes look for truth? Thou hast smitten them, but they felt no anguish; thou hast consumed them, but they refused to take correction. They have made their faces harder than rock; they have refused to repent.... Therefore a lion from the forest shall slay them, a wolf from the desert shall destroy them. A leopard is watching against their cities, every one who goes out of them shall be torn in pieces; because their transgressions are many, their apostasies are great.” (Jeremiah 2:1-8; 5:1–6 (abridged)   RSV) 


Recently, a bulletin was released to the public to help them be more aware and to protect the innocent. It seems that after a good number of incidents, hospitals across the country went public to urge people not to remain alone in their hospital rooms. For one's own safety, the hospitals are urging people to keep someone in their hospital room as much as possible. They said this may help prevent the cases of theft, rape, and even murder that are occurring in our nation's hospitals. Wonderful news isn't it! Just when you thought you were safe in the hospital, you find out you may not be.

In the past thirty years, the level of violence, crime, drug use, and so much more have increased greatly in our country. In 2016, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children reported more than 450,000 calls on children who were abducted, victims of sex trafficking, runaways, lost, or plain missing.   More and more parents find it difficult to let their children just run and play outside without very close supervision. Last summer, during heat waves in the South, people died, afraid to open their windows at night to cool their home.   Each was too afraid that someone would come in the open windows during the night and hurt them or their families.

Our nation and our world are showing serious signs of moral decay. The values our founding fathers and mothers held dear are no longer respected among all too many. One author wrote recently that "the have-nots claim victimization at the hands of the successful. Crime is sanctioned by the fact, real or imagined, that the criminal had an unhappy childhood. Gone are the habits America once admired: industriousness, thrift, self-discipline, commitment." and I would add faith. In a publication a friend emailed me recently, an article stated that among many in our country, "instant gratification is the new order of the day. Personal impulses, especially sexual, are constantly stimulated by popular music and television, with other mass media and social media not far behind. Music videos often seem to honor everything that the true American ethic abhors - violence, infidelity, drugs, drinking- and to despise everything that it embraces - religion, marriage, respect for authority. No wonder it is difficult to sustain parental values and parental continuity."

How long before the church and our country realize that the only way for our country to survive is to turn to God and live God's ways? How bad will things have to get before people come to worship God, to have godly values and to live by them?

Our scripture reading for today shows God speaking to the people of Jerusalem. God was upset because their morals, their values, their faith had declined. The prophet Jeremiah was called to challenge the people to again worship God and live faithful lives. God said to Jeremiah:  "Go and proclaim in the hearing of Jerusalem, Thus says the LORD, I remember the devotion of your youth, your love as a bride, how you followed me in the wilderness… " (Jeremiah 2:1-2).  In these verses, God looked back in the history of God's people and remembered how at one time, the people were faithful. They had values. They trusted God.  But things changed.  Jeremiah goes on to tell us of this.. "Thus says the LORD: "What wrong did your fathers find in me that they went far from me, and went after worthlessness, and became worthless?  And I brought you into a plentiful land to enjoy its fruits and its good things. But when you came in you defiled my land, and made my heritage an abomination.  The priests did not say, 'Where is the LORD?' Those who handle the law did not know me; the rulers transgressed against me…." (Jeremiah 2:5-8)
God was upset at the people for rejecting Him and His way.  The people of God didn't act as if they knew God. They lacked Godly values.

In Jeremiah 5, God asked the prophet to try and find even one faithful person, one man deserving pardon from sin, one righteous person…."Run to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, look and take note! Search her squares to see if you can find a man, one who does justice and seeks truth; that I may pardon her." (Jeremiah 5:1)  God was willing to pardon the whole city of Jerusalem if he could find just one person who lived right, who did justice and sought God's truth, who lived with Godly values. But God could find none. As Jeremiah searched the city he found people who told lies, who refused to repent, and who were stubbornly holding on to their sinful lives.  The last verse tells us of God's pronouncement of judgment because a righteous man could not be found.  The people will be slain, the country destroyed.  The sins of the people were great.   Just ten years later, Babylonian armies swept into Jerusalem from the north just as this scripture says. They killed most of the men, and took all the rest of the people into captivity.

In this scripture, God searched the city of Jerusalem to find faithful people, those who had God's values and lived them. If God would have found just a few, God would have spared the cities. In our day, God continues to search our country as HE did back then. God searches our country to find faithful ones who have God's values and live them. If God continues to find righteous and faithful people with God-given values, our country has a chance. If not, we're all going to suffer the same fate as Jerusalem.   God will not let a nation without values last long.

It is time our nation, our people, our churches, and each one of us commit ourselves to God's values. Our only hope for our country and community is to help others to know God and to live as God would have them live. It is your duty as citizens of this country, and children of Jesus Christ, to exhibit God's values.   Otherwise, there will come a day when our country will die from the inside out. There will come a day when our children will suffer greatly because we failed to take a stand today.

I call for our young people to stand up for what is right among their friends. I call the unmarried to refrain from sex. I call parents to raise their children to know right from wrong.  I call husbands and wives not only to remain faithful to each other but to spend time loving each other. I call each of you to reach out to your neighbors as an example of Christ.  I call for you to believe in God enough to make every area of your life right by him. I call you to love your enemy and pray for those who hurt you. I call for you to worship each week you can and study God's word each day. I call for you to reach out to the poor and those in need. Do this and according to scripture, God will search you out and know you.
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God searched Jerusalem to find just one faithful person. He found none. Will God find you to be faithfully committed when (not if, but when) HE comes searching our country? 

May 30

  “Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and get gain”; whereas you do not know about tomorrow. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and we shall do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. Whoever knows what is right to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.” (James 4:13–17, RSV)  

When Adele Gaboury's front lawn grew hip-high, the neighbors found a local boy to mow it down. When her pipes froze and burst, they had the water turned off. When the mail spilled out the front door, they called the police. The only thing they didn't do was check to see if she was alive. She wasn't.

Police finally climbed her crumbling brick stoop, broke in the side door of her little blue house, and found what they believed to be the 73-year-old woman's skeletal remains.  Her body had been there for as long as four years, but nobody knew. "It's not really a friendly neighborhood," said Eileen Dugan, 70, once a close friend of Gaboury's, whose house sits 20 feet from the dead woman's house. "I'm as much to blame as anyone. She was alone and needed someone to talk to, but I was working two jobs and was sick of her coming over at all hours. Eventually I stopped answering the door." That, my friend, was her sin. (Source: Sally Jacobs, "Years After Neighbors Last Saw Her, Worcester Woman Found Dead," Boston Globe (10-27-93)Citation: Boston Globe (10-27-93); appeared in: Randy Frazee, The Connecting Church (Zondervan, 2001); submitted by Van Morris, Mount Washington, Kentucky)

Everyone knows about sin, but few people understand it. Some think sins are committed when we hurt others, and that is true. Some think sins are wrongs that pain God, and that's true. A few think sins are things that damage the soul, and that also is true. But, there are many, many people who think sins are acts you commit against others. That is actually half true. Sins can also be things you don't do for others. These are called sins of omission. Sins of omission aren't like breaking the Ten Commandments. They are more subtle. You can hide them more easily.

Sins of omission occur when you don't do something... while God is screaming at you to do something! Sins of omission occur when you keep to yourself, don't say something when you should, know someone is hurting but you don't want to get involved. Many nice Christians commit sins of omission every day. They don't want to offend. Many nice Christians commit sins of omission by being lazy when God wants them to do something for someone, or help some need. Sins of omission may occur when a person writes a check to a ministry or church, but never gets involved in that ministry and church. Sometimes, God wants us to do something... not just write a check... not just sit there like a bump on a log.

Spiritual sins of omission may have great consequences. In various ways, we are responsible spiritually for the welfare of others. God often has us look out for others, help others. God shows us a friend who is down, and it is our responsibility to help her through a tough time. God puts you on a committee to make sure the company makes money, but you are given the responsibility also to make sure they aren't committing fraud or making ethical violations.

In the scripture reading from the book of James above, we are told straight out in clear, simple terms in James 4:17: "Anyone, then, who knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, commits sin." You can't get any clearer than that. It is our responsibility as people of God not to break the Ten Commandments. It is also our responsibility to do the right thing.  When you fail to do the right thing because you are too tired, worried how it might appear to others, don't want to tarnish your reputation, or want to be politically correct, you might appear as "nice" or "wise", but you are sinning nonetheless.

What I'm about to share with you might be disturbing, but it is reality.  Carly knew her friend, Jennifer, had been using drugs when she got pregnant. The father of the child didn't know it, but Jennifer was using drugs on and off throughout the entire pregnancy. Carly knew it was wrong, but she didn't want to say anything and harm her friendship with Jennifer.  Throughout Jennifer's pregnancy, Carly knew she was sneaking drugs. Carly just hoped it wasn't a lot. Finally, in her eighth month, Jennifer delivered the baby. It was a tough birth, but Jennifer got through it. Carly was right by her side. From his first breath, the baby cried a lot. In fact, he screamed an awful scream all day long. Carly was worried something was wrong with the baby. There was.

Later Carly wrote: "The shrill, piercing cry, almost inhuman in its intensity and timbre, sears its way into your conscience. Once you've heard it, you can never forget it."  The baby was born needing a drug "fix".  It was going through detox.  It was screaming in pain.  By saying nothing and looking the other way, Carly's inaction ensured the baby's life began in a living hell. Carly committed the sin of omission.  She said nothing.  She did nothing.  She failed God and the baby.

As you can see, sins of omission are as costly as other sins. It's just that they may be more hidden. People can walk away from their responsibilities and turn an eye from what they should do, and nobody but God might know about it. Oh, its easy to tell yourself... "Let someone else worry about it".  That's what the sinner says just before committing the sin of omission. It's too easy to walk away while God is commanding.. "You have to do something about this!"

Now, I want you to understand one very important thing. You are not to help everyone in need in every situation, or open your mouth every time you see something you don't like or God wouldn't like. Your job isn't to fix everything! That's God's job!   What I am saying is that God will give you situations to do something, to say something, to take action, and then it is your responsibility or your sin depending on what you do or don't do.

Will you keep the Ten Commandments just to throw away your faith with sins of omission?   Don't keep silent when God wants you to say what is right. Don't overlook sins happening right in front of you. Don't walk away, when God puts you in a position to make a difference. God believes in you, in what you could do, in what you could say, in the difference you could make.

May 31

 “When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.... 

   [Peter preached:]  'You that are Israelites, listen to what I have to say: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with deeds of power, wonders, and signs that God did through him among you, as you yourselves know— this man, handed over to you according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of those outside the law. But God raised him up, having freed him from death, because it was impossible for him to be held in its power.'

   Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and to the other apostles, 'Brothers, what should we do?' Peter said to them, 'Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him.' And he testified with many other arguments and exhorted them, saying, 'Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.' So those who welcomed his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand persons were added. They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.”
(Acts 2:1-4; 22-24; 37–42, NRSV)  

Sometimes, kids can say things that go right to the heart of the matter. A young eight year old boy sat in church with his family. The boy's family had been through a rough few weeks. His parents were fighting again. His father had been swearing up a storm and just seemed angry for days. The little boy saw his mother crying each evening. The boy leaned over to his father and whispered, "Dad, did you go to Sunday school every week?"

"I sure did, son," his father replied.  The father smiled, proud of the boy's question.  Then, his son said half under his breath.... "Well, I'll bet it won't do me any good either, then."

Just because a person goes to Sunday School doesn't mean he or she is living faithfully. Just because a person is a member of a church does not mean they are even a Christian. Only two weeks ago, I met a man who told me that he only attends church for his family. As for himself, he's an atheist and proud of it.

Jesus also met religious people who showed little evidence of true faith. His disciples grew up in the Jewish religion. Despite growing up learning about God and attending the synagogue,  the disciples approached Jesus one day and said, "Teach us how to pray" (Luke 11:1). Even though the twelve had attended worship for years, grew up in religious families, and had religious neighbors, they had no idea how to truly talk with God.

The disciples had other glaring shortcomings before the Holy Spirit changed them.  Though they had traveled with Jesus and learned at the feet of the Son of God, they still lacked a powerful faith. When Jesus talked to them after the Last Supper, the disciples argued about which of them was the greatest. When Jesus needed them to pray in the Garden of Gethsemane, even his best disciples fell asleep. When Jesus was arrested and taken away, the disciples fled. When Jesus was crucified, only one of the twelve was even near the cross (John 19:25-27). One disciple betrayed Jesus. Another denied him three  times. Those disciples were filled with fear. They failed to understand Jesus' purpose. And yet, on the day of Pentecost mentioned in Acts 2, everything changed for the disciples.  They were filled with God's Spirit.  They understood more about Jesus' mission and ministry.  For the first time in their lives they were not afraid, fearful, resentful, depressed or worried. They were given spiritual power through the Spirit.  Their faith was real and evident to all.

In Acts, chapter 2, we read about the disciples being filled with that power of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. This scripture tells what happened:  "When the day of Pentecost had come, they [the disciples]  were all together in one place.   And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.  Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them.   All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit..." (Acts 2:1-4).   Filled with God's Spirit, with that burning fire of a strong faith in their hearts, the disciples spoke about God to the people gathered in Jerusalem. The disciples were no longer afraid to preach and teach, no longer hiding in a locked room fearing for their lives. They spoke boldly about Jesus, and people responded to their message. Three thousand people repented of their sins and were baptized that day.   The church grew rapidly thereafter.

If you look closely at the scripture above, you can see that the disciples were changed when the Holy Spirit came into their hearts.  Before that day, they were timid and fearful, making many mistakes.  After the Holy Spirit fired them up, they were not afraid to speak about Jesus or stand up for the faith. They were not afraid of persecution or death threats.  In the face of trials, the disciples burned with God's Spirit, encouraged others in the faith, and brought life to God's people.  The disciples preached and taught openly, even when it cost them their lives.

The difference between growing churches and dying churches is that growing churches today, like on that day of Pentecost, are filled with the Holy Spirit. The people burn in their desire to speak about God, to share God's love, to be together in the Spirit, and worship faithfully. Dying churches tell a different story.  There, the Spiritual fire has gone out. The spark of God's Spirit has been choked just as Jesus predicted it would be in the Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13). Too many churches are more like museums or country clubs than powerfully Spirit-driven places. Too many Christians come to church compelled more by duty than by wanting to be near God's holy presence!

More than a hundred years ago, D. L. Moody lashed out as a loving critic to certain parts of Christianity. He believed that the church was becoming more of a social club and fellowship of friends than a place full of faithful people who wanted to do God's will. The church reminded him of firemen straightening pictures on the wall of a burning house. Where firemen should be fighting fires, in his parable they were straightening pictures in burning houses.  In the same way, Moody thought the church should be a powerful influence in the world, preaching a message of repentance and salvation.  Instead, he saw the church as more interested in special events, coffee hours, and social programs.

A man in California was driving down the street, late in the evening. His car started to choke, sputter, and die, but he was fortunate. He coasted right into a gas station. As Charlie got out of his car, he saw a woman slip on some ice and fall into a gas pump, so he rushed over to see if she was hurt. The woman had dark circles under her eyes, as if she had been crying.  Helping her to her feet, Charlie noticed she had dropped five wadded one dollar bills, so he picked them up and returned them to her.

Charlie asked her if she needed help, and she just kept saying "I don't want my kids to see me crying."  As they stood in the cold, she wiped her tears away and told Charlie that life was hard for the family right now. She talked about trying to find a new job, leaving home and returning to her parents' home to live. Her husband had deserted her, and the family had no money for rent. Charlie, a strong Christian man said, "I see. Now, I see. Were you praying?" She looked at him puzzled when Charlie said, "God heard you and called me."

Charlie paid for her gas, and with the woman in complete shock, walked through the store and picked up things for her and her family to eat. He paid for them, too. He gave her his gloves, for she had none. He told her she was loved by God.  He helped her get ready for the rest of their trip.  Suddenly, she whispered, "Are you like an angel or something?" He responded with a warmth burning in his heart, "Sweetie, whenever God is terribly busy, He often calls on a few of us other angels." After she left, he got into his car and believe it or not, it started. He smiled to himself knowing God did have him stop at the right place at the right time.  It is nice to be an angel once in a while.

I only wish inside of every person burned this desire to please God. Put away your "religious system" and let God fill you strongly with HIS Holy Spirit and lead you to perfect places. Don't let your time with God become "obligation", worship time become "ritual" , and prayer time become stale. Ask for God's Spirit to burn inside you. Ask for God to put you in the right places at the right times. Seek for God to give you the right words to speak. Don't let the pressures and pains of life take from you the power of God's awesome, amazing love. God chose you to be one of HIS children. God gave His Son orders to die for YOU. Has God filled you with HIS Holy Spirit to keep you hopeful and warm, cheerful and thankful?  If so, let God's love burn inside of you and never go out. You never know where HIS love may take you.
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What fires you up? If it isn't God, you are like the disciples before the Day of Pentecost. They didn't really know how to pray, how to be faithful, how to truly follow Jesus. God wants better. You deserve better. Do you need your own personal day of Pentecost?  Ask for God's Holy Spirit to not just be around you, but to fill you up!  When God's Spirit burns powerfully in you, life will never be the same.