May 2
“But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, “Why put me to the test, you hypocrites?”
(Matthew 22:18, ESV)
(Matthew 22:18, ESV)
Once when President Franklin D. Roosevelt was preparing a speech, he needed some economic statistics to back up a point he was trying to make. His advisers said it would take six months to get accurate figures. "In that case, I'll just use these rough estimates," FDR said, and he wrote down some numbers in his text. "They're reasonable figures and they support my point. "Besides," he added as an afterthought, "it will keep my critics busy for at least six months just to prove me wrong." (Bits & Pieces, June 25, 1992). Roosevelt knew that his political enemies were looking for anything to stick it to him. Sadly, in our world, people enjoy sticking it to others. They are constantly looking for mistakes, issues, skeletons in the closet, and more in order to smear their opponents, enemies, or even friends. I hope you are not one to look for “attacking points” like these in others. It will only prove you to be one of those with malice that Jesus despised.
After Jesus had overcome the tests and taunts of the Sadducees, the Pharisees decided to take a few pot shots at Jesus. They, too, sought attacking points to use against Jesus. Matthew 22 records the interaction and testing by the Pharisees. They brought up Caesar, asking if it was right to pay taxes to the Romans or not (Matthew 22:17). Jesus knew it was a trap. If Jesus said it was right to pay taxes, the Pharisees would use these words against Jesus by painting him as a Roman sympathizer. This would cause some Jews to reject Him. If Jesus answered that it was not right to pay taxes, the Pharisees could turn Jesus over to the Roman government or soldiers for sedition. Jesus knew a trap when He saw it. He said in our scripture for today: “Why put me to the test, you hypocrites?” (Matthew 22:18) Jesus knew their motives. He knew they were full of “malice”.
It says in the scripture above that Jesus was “aware of their malice”. What is malice? The Greek word used in this verse for “malice” means spite, bitterness, or wickedness. Thus, the Pharisees did not ask their question wanting to know an answer, seeking wisdom, or wanting revelation from God. Their motive was hateful, resentful, evil, and vindictive. They wanted to cause harm to Jesus. The question from the Pharisees had no good answer, UNTIL Jesus opened His mouth. Then, came the perfect answer. Jesus had the Pharisees read an inscription from a coin. The coin was Roman. Jesus said, “Render to Caesar that which is Caesars, and to God that which is God’s” (Matthew 22:21). Jesus’ words of wisdom made it so that the Pharisees themselves had to decide if taxes were lawful or not. He turned the tables on them with His answer. They could not answer, or they were liable to be caught in their own trap. Matthew 22:22 says the Pharisees “marveled” at Jesus’ response, then just “walked away” in shame.
As the Pharisees used malice to test and taunt and be critical of Jesus, there are people who will use malice against you. They may use questions to trap you, situations to make fun of you, orchestrations to catch you unaware. Being the hypocrites that they are, they would like you to fail or falter. Their malice will wish harm upon you. Like Jesus, you must be careful to handle these evil-doers well. Your goal is not to fall apart, complain, or attack them. Instead, ask God for the right words of wisdom to silence these enemies. Jesus found the perfect words to do that. God can help you come up with the perfect words, too. You can’t let your anger, resentment, or emotions get to you. They will cloud your ability to see what is happening and find the God-given words at the right time.
I don’t ever want you to be tested and tempted like Jesus, but it will happen. What you do in those moments is crucial. What you say in those moments will be used for or against you. It is important that you realize when you are up against a person or group with malice. What is just as important is that you counter their malice with God’s wisdom. This is how you silence these types of people. This is how you face their hypocrisy head on. This is how you show your wisdom and reliance on righteousness.
After Jesus had overcome the tests and taunts of the Sadducees, the Pharisees decided to take a few pot shots at Jesus. They, too, sought attacking points to use against Jesus. Matthew 22 records the interaction and testing by the Pharisees. They brought up Caesar, asking if it was right to pay taxes to the Romans or not (Matthew 22:17). Jesus knew it was a trap. If Jesus said it was right to pay taxes, the Pharisees would use these words against Jesus by painting him as a Roman sympathizer. This would cause some Jews to reject Him. If Jesus answered that it was not right to pay taxes, the Pharisees could turn Jesus over to the Roman government or soldiers for sedition. Jesus knew a trap when He saw it. He said in our scripture for today: “Why put me to the test, you hypocrites?” (Matthew 22:18) Jesus knew their motives. He knew they were full of “malice”.
It says in the scripture above that Jesus was “aware of their malice”. What is malice? The Greek word used in this verse for “malice” means spite, bitterness, or wickedness. Thus, the Pharisees did not ask their question wanting to know an answer, seeking wisdom, or wanting revelation from God. Their motive was hateful, resentful, evil, and vindictive. They wanted to cause harm to Jesus. The question from the Pharisees had no good answer, UNTIL Jesus opened His mouth. Then, came the perfect answer. Jesus had the Pharisees read an inscription from a coin. The coin was Roman. Jesus said, “Render to Caesar that which is Caesars, and to God that which is God’s” (Matthew 22:21). Jesus’ words of wisdom made it so that the Pharisees themselves had to decide if taxes were lawful or not. He turned the tables on them with His answer. They could not answer, or they were liable to be caught in their own trap. Matthew 22:22 says the Pharisees “marveled” at Jesus’ response, then just “walked away” in shame.
As the Pharisees used malice to test and taunt and be critical of Jesus, there are people who will use malice against you. They may use questions to trap you, situations to make fun of you, orchestrations to catch you unaware. Being the hypocrites that they are, they would like you to fail or falter. Their malice will wish harm upon you. Like Jesus, you must be careful to handle these evil-doers well. Your goal is not to fall apart, complain, or attack them. Instead, ask God for the right words of wisdom to silence these enemies. Jesus found the perfect words to do that. God can help you come up with the perfect words, too. You can’t let your anger, resentment, or emotions get to you. They will cloud your ability to see what is happening and find the God-given words at the right time.
I don’t ever want you to be tested and tempted like Jesus, but it will happen. What you do in those moments is crucial. What you say in those moments will be used for or against you. It is important that you realize when you are up against a person or group with malice. What is just as important is that you counter their malice with God’s wisdom. This is how you silence these types of people. This is how you face their hypocrisy head on. This is how you show your wisdom and reliance on righteousness.
May 3
““You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matthew 5:27–28, NRSV)
You may be familiar with sins of commission and sins of omission. The first are sins that you choose to commit. The second are sins caused by not doing those things you know God wants you to do. There are other types of sins as well. Today’s scripture explains about sins of the heart. These sins are not readily visible to others but are dangerous in their destructive capacity. It is easy to hide sins of the heart. Nobody can hear, see, or examine them. However, that’s the danger of these sins… they can be hidden. You can commit them over and over and only God and you are the wiser to their existence. Because they are so hidden, sins of the heart may take root and destroy you from the inside out.
“In 1982, ‘ABC Evening News’ reported on an unusual work of modern art--a chair affixed to a shotgun. It was to be viewed by sitting in the chair and looking directly into the gun barrel. The gun was loaded and set on a timer to fire at an undetermined moment within the next hundred years. The amazing thing was that people waited in lines to sit and stare into the shell's path! They all knew the gun could go off at point-blank range at any moment, but they were gambling that the fatal blast wouldn't happen during their minute in the chair. Yes, it was foolhardy, yet many people who wouldn't dream of sitting in that chair live a lifetime gambling that they can get away with sin. Foolishly they ignore the risk until the inevitable self-destruction.” (Wake Up Calls, Ron Hutchcraft, p.60.) Like the danger of sitting in that chair, hidden sin poses a real and present danger. Hidden sin can become open sin at any time. It can push you over the edge to do what you know is wrong. Hidden sin tempts you repeatedly. It manipulates your thoughts. It is a lure that many sooner or later find irresistible.
Matthew chapter five is full of Jesus’ teachings and wisdom. In that chapter are found the Beatitudes and many examples of wisdom literature. Our scripture today is part of that compendium of Jesus’ wisdom. There, Jesus teaches that “everyone who looks at woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:28). It is no surprise that this sin of the heart is directed mostly toward men. Testosterone is a mighty powerful hormone that makes men lust after women. It can manipulate your senses and ensnare your thoughts. Testosterone pushes men to desire women. It has the potential to push a man’s thoughts toward lustful endeavors, like adultery or rape or sexual abuse. Every male must deal with the hormonal pressures of testosterone. Every male must also deal with the flood of emotions that come with this powerful hormone. The hidden sins that result from the mind that lets one’s libido take control can easily result in thoughts of adultery as found in the scripture for today. If you let your libido control your fantasies, it is easy to let desire play out in your mind. Then, if you do it often enough, those desires will captivate you and enslave you. If you not careful with these thoughts, you will not only fantasize about the desire, but give in to its temptation. Sins of the heart are very dangerous.
Jeffrey Dahmer killed at least sixteen people in his life. He was a serial killer and rapist. What many people don’t know is that long before he killed, Dahmer would fantasize about rape and homosexual acts. He fantasized about killing and murder. Later in his life, Dahmer would live out those fantasies through his victims. What began as sins of the heart turned into a lifelong obsession with torture, rape, and murder. Unable to stop the sins of the heart from becoming open sins, he destroyed families and lives by his egregious acts.
Even though Jesus used a common sin of the heart found in males as an example, every single human being must deal with sins of the heart. You must learn to keep your thoughts pure and free from the temptations and lusts of the mind and heart (see Philippians 4:8). This is a life-long difficult challenge that many fail. You may not act upon that sin of the heart to sin openly, but that sin still weighs upon you. You still need to repent and find forgiveness and grace for sins of the heart. God is the best cure for this cancer of the heart. With God’s help, you can banish evil thoughts and intentions. Keep your mind and body busy doing other things when sins of the heart threaten. Pray more deeply. Seek God’s presence. Stay away from enticements until the hormones die down and the sinful thoughts fade into the background. Don’t let a sin of the heart become your undoing.
“In 1982, ‘ABC Evening News’ reported on an unusual work of modern art--a chair affixed to a shotgun. It was to be viewed by sitting in the chair and looking directly into the gun barrel. The gun was loaded and set on a timer to fire at an undetermined moment within the next hundred years. The amazing thing was that people waited in lines to sit and stare into the shell's path! They all knew the gun could go off at point-blank range at any moment, but they were gambling that the fatal blast wouldn't happen during their minute in the chair. Yes, it was foolhardy, yet many people who wouldn't dream of sitting in that chair live a lifetime gambling that they can get away with sin. Foolishly they ignore the risk until the inevitable self-destruction.” (Wake Up Calls, Ron Hutchcraft, p.60.) Like the danger of sitting in that chair, hidden sin poses a real and present danger. Hidden sin can become open sin at any time. It can push you over the edge to do what you know is wrong. Hidden sin tempts you repeatedly. It manipulates your thoughts. It is a lure that many sooner or later find irresistible.
Matthew chapter five is full of Jesus’ teachings and wisdom. In that chapter are found the Beatitudes and many examples of wisdom literature. Our scripture today is part of that compendium of Jesus’ wisdom. There, Jesus teaches that “everyone who looks at woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:28). It is no surprise that this sin of the heart is directed mostly toward men. Testosterone is a mighty powerful hormone that makes men lust after women. It can manipulate your senses and ensnare your thoughts. Testosterone pushes men to desire women. It has the potential to push a man’s thoughts toward lustful endeavors, like adultery or rape or sexual abuse. Every male must deal with the hormonal pressures of testosterone. Every male must also deal with the flood of emotions that come with this powerful hormone. The hidden sins that result from the mind that lets one’s libido take control can easily result in thoughts of adultery as found in the scripture for today. If you let your libido control your fantasies, it is easy to let desire play out in your mind. Then, if you do it often enough, those desires will captivate you and enslave you. If you not careful with these thoughts, you will not only fantasize about the desire, but give in to its temptation. Sins of the heart are very dangerous.
Jeffrey Dahmer killed at least sixteen people in his life. He was a serial killer and rapist. What many people don’t know is that long before he killed, Dahmer would fantasize about rape and homosexual acts. He fantasized about killing and murder. Later in his life, Dahmer would live out those fantasies through his victims. What began as sins of the heart turned into a lifelong obsession with torture, rape, and murder. Unable to stop the sins of the heart from becoming open sins, he destroyed families and lives by his egregious acts.
Even though Jesus used a common sin of the heart found in males as an example, every single human being must deal with sins of the heart. You must learn to keep your thoughts pure and free from the temptations and lusts of the mind and heart (see Philippians 4:8). This is a life-long difficult challenge that many fail. You may not act upon that sin of the heart to sin openly, but that sin still weighs upon you. You still need to repent and find forgiveness and grace for sins of the heart. God is the best cure for this cancer of the heart. With God’s help, you can banish evil thoughts and intentions. Keep your mind and body busy doing other things when sins of the heart threaten. Pray more deeply. Seek God’s presence. Stay away from enticements until the hormones die down and the sinful thoughts fade into the background. Don’t let a sin of the heart become your undoing.
May 4
“And Saul was very angry, and this saying displeased him; he said, “They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed thousands; and what more can he have but the kingdom?” And Saul eyed David from that day on. And on the morrow an evil spirit from God rushed upon Saul, and he raved within his house, while David was playing the lyre, as he did day by day. Saul had his spear in his hand; and Saul cast the spear, for he thought, “I will pin David to the wall.” But David evaded him twice.”
(1 Samuel 18:8–11, RSV)
(1 Samuel 18:8–11, RSV)
I remember thinking to myself, "This little boy is one handful." Peter was a seven year old with a few problems. I don't know what it was that lead me to that conclusion. Maybe it was the tantrum. Maybe it was when he threw something at me. Maybe it was the way he hid behind the chair to surprise their dog by pulling its tail with all his might.
I was introduced to Peter at his home. I was invited there to a birthday party for his sister. Peter made sure to bother each and every guest at his home. When time came for bed, many were relieved to see him go upstairs. It was then that I saw something I shall not soon forget. Peter's mother said, "Peter, put away your toys and go to bed."
"No,", he said.
So, mom went over and started picking up the toys and said out loud to herself, "Good, I want to pick up the toys."
So Peter jumped up and said, "No, I want to pick up the toys." She let him have his way.
Finally, when time came for bed, Peter was told, "Do you want to go to bed?"
"No" said determined little Peter.
So, Mommy said one more time, "Too bad, your sister really wants to go to bed."
Peter shouted, "I want to go to bed too."
As I looked at this little boy, his parents, and all that had happened, I had to shake my head. This little boy was totally fueled by jealousy. Whatever his siblings had, he wanted. His parents did not seem too worried about his actions. I was.
In many homes, jealousy and envy are learned young. It can happen when a mother compares her children saying, "Too bad you aren't as good as your sister." Jealousy may appear when a teacher says, "Why can't you get this problem? Your brother never had problems with math." It is easy for a child to learn to be jealous of a sibling. On the playgrounds and in the streets, kids are put down, not because they did their best at something, but because they are not as good as another. In all these ways and many others, kids grow up learning the meaning and the feeling of jealousy and envy.
Few people really understand the seriousness with which God deals with jealousy. Few people realize that the tenth commandment, "Thou shalt not covet." really means that one should not be jealous or envious of what another person has or what another person owns. One scholar remarked, "Thou shalt not covet can as easily mean in modern terms, "Thou shalt not be envious or jealous of what another has or who another person is." Jealousy, envy and coveting are all related feelings, emotions and words, and dangerous ones at that. They can not only lead to breaking the tenth commandment, they can lead to more.
Jealousy has led to divorce and separation. Jealousy has led to countless fights, wars, and deaths. I've seen jealousy tear friendships apart. Jealousy causes a wife to fear her husband is cheating on her. Jealousy causes a man to push his kids too far too fast, making great demands upon them. Jealousy between a husband and wife breaks down trust and brings in manipulations of all sorts. If you are a jealous person, you will lose self-esteem, become overly suspicious, and be easily pushed to hatred and anger. It doesn't matter how rich or poor, jealousy and envy can haunt you. Jealousy is so dangerous it can even come between you and God.
In our scripture reading for today, this was precisely what happened. Jealousy slipped into the heart of Saul, and the results were disastrous.
Everything was working out so well. Saul’s armies had won battles that many thought unwinnable. The country was celebrating David’s victory over Goliath and other military victories. Saul’s son, Jonathan, became David’s best friend. Jonathan constantly invited David to his home. Saul was full of victorious celebration, until he heard singing and dancing. Saul was listening as women danced in the streets singing “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands” (1 Samuel 18:7). Saul was so envious of the words being sung, so jealous of David’s popularity, the scripture for today mentions that Saul “eyed David from that day on.” (1 Samuel 18: 9)
What does it mean when someone eyes another person? It means to watch them carefully. It means you keep your eyes upon them always wanting to catch them unaware. Jealousy is clearly vivid in this verse. Jealousy, sure and simple. Saul was jealous that the women were saying that he only was successful in the battle over thousands while David was over ten thousands. Saul was overcome with jealousy. “The next day an evil spirit from God rushed upon Saul, and he raved within his house” (1 Samuel 18:10). On that day, Saul tried to kill David out of jealousy and envy. All the while, the “evil spirit” ate up Saul’s soul. Jealousy so overpowered Saul that God "departed from Saul" as it is written in 1 Samuel 18:12. Jealousy ultimately caused Saul to lose his temper, his kingdom, his fame, his family, and his God. David had to flee for his life.
Did you know that jealousy could cost you your relationship with God as it did with Saul? Saul's life was never the same again after that day. God never came back into Saul's heart. Jealousy killed Saul’s relationship with David and God.
Jealousy is the root of many problems in many people. Has it ever been a source of problems in your relationships with others? Did it ever come between you and God? Are you jealous of the friend at work who is advancing faster than you? Are you jealous of your neighbor who has succeeded something? Are you jealous of the girl who is with the guy you like at school? Are you jealous of the things a friend has? In your heart, are you hiding jealousy for another way of life or another job? Are you hiding jealousy of a brother or sister? This dangerous emotion can cost you heaven and give you hell.
One day, I was visiting with a farmer when his phone rang. Over the phone, a neighbor told him about his goat which was stuck in the fence. I went out with the man to the edge of his property. Somehow he knew tight where to find the goat. As we got close I laughed to myself. The goat was stuck headfirst in the barbed wire fence. He had shoved his head in as far as it would go trying to get as much food as he could from the neighbor's field before eating in his own field. But there, some five feet away was the neighbor's wife. She too was busy with her goat who was positioned on the other side of the fence with its neck caught in the fence. It too was trying to eat from the other pasture before going at its own. So there it was, quite a picture. Two old goats trying to eat the others pasture before their own, getting caught in the fence up to their necks. They nearly strangled themselves! They were driven to get the other's food.
People can be like that, too. They can be caught up trying to get what someone else has. They can be filled with jealousy of all sorts. Many people don't realize jealousy drives them until its too late. It was too late for Saul. It may not be for you. Take those little thoughts of jealousy right out of your heart and mind. Let no action you perform be caused by jealousy of any sort. Repent for any feelings of jealousy you tender. Ask for God to change your heart, before jealousy changes you.
I was introduced to Peter at his home. I was invited there to a birthday party for his sister. Peter made sure to bother each and every guest at his home. When time came for bed, many were relieved to see him go upstairs. It was then that I saw something I shall not soon forget. Peter's mother said, "Peter, put away your toys and go to bed."
"No,", he said.
So, mom went over and started picking up the toys and said out loud to herself, "Good, I want to pick up the toys."
So Peter jumped up and said, "No, I want to pick up the toys." She let him have his way.
Finally, when time came for bed, Peter was told, "Do you want to go to bed?"
"No" said determined little Peter.
So, Mommy said one more time, "Too bad, your sister really wants to go to bed."
Peter shouted, "I want to go to bed too."
As I looked at this little boy, his parents, and all that had happened, I had to shake my head. This little boy was totally fueled by jealousy. Whatever his siblings had, he wanted. His parents did not seem too worried about his actions. I was.
In many homes, jealousy and envy are learned young. It can happen when a mother compares her children saying, "Too bad you aren't as good as your sister." Jealousy may appear when a teacher says, "Why can't you get this problem? Your brother never had problems with math." It is easy for a child to learn to be jealous of a sibling. On the playgrounds and in the streets, kids are put down, not because they did their best at something, but because they are not as good as another. In all these ways and many others, kids grow up learning the meaning and the feeling of jealousy and envy.
Few people really understand the seriousness with which God deals with jealousy. Few people realize that the tenth commandment, "Thou shalt not covet." really means that one should not be jealous or envious of what another person has or what another person owns. One scholar remarked, "Thou shalt not covet can as easily mean in modern terms, "Thou shalt not be envious or jealous of what another has or who another person is." Jealousy, envy and coveting are all related feelings, emotions and words, and dangerous ones at that. They can not only lead to breaking the tenth commandment, they can lead to more.
Jealousy has led to divorce and separation. Jealousy has led to countless fights, wars, and deaths. I've seen jealousy tear friendships apart. Jealousy causes a wife to fear her husband is cheating on her. Jealousy causes a man to push his kids too far too fast, making great demands upon them. Jealousy between a husband and wife breaks down trust and brings in manipulations of all sorts. If you are a jealous person, you will lose self-esteem, become overly suspicious, and be easily pushed to hatred and anger. It doesn't matter how rich or poor, jealousy and envy can haunt you. Jealousy is so dangerous it can even come between you and God.
In our scripture reading for today, this was precisely what happened. Jealousy slipped into the heart of Saul, and the results were disastrous.
Everything was working out so well. Saul’s armies had won battles that many thought unwinnable. The country was celebrating David’s victory over Goliath and other military victories. Saul’s son, Jonathan, became David’s best friend. Jonathan constantly invited David to his home. Saul was full of victorious celebration, until he heard singing and dancing. Saul was listening as women danced in the streets singing “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands” (1 Samuel 18:7). Saul was so envious of the words being sung, so jealous of David’s popularity, the scripture for today mentions that Saul “eyed David from that day on.” (1 Samuel 18: 9)
What does it mean when someone eyes another person? It means to watch them carefully. It means you keep your eyes upon them always wanting to catch them unaware. Jealousy is clearly vivid in this verse. Jealousy, sure and simple. Saul was jealous that the women were saying that he only was successful in the battle over thousands while David was over ten thousands. Saul was overcome with jealousy. “The next day an evil spirit from God rushed upon Saul, and he raved within his house” (1 Samuel 18:10). On that day, Saul tried to kill David out of jealousy and envy. All the while, the “evil spirit” ate up Saul’s soul. Jealousy so overpowered Saul that God "departed from Saul" as it is written in 1 Samuel 18:12. Jealousy ultimately caused Saul to lose his temper, his kingdom, his fame, his family, and his God. David had to flee for his life.
Did you know that jealousy could cost you your relationship with God as it did with Saul? Saul's life was never the same again after that day. God never came back into Saul's heart. Jealousy killed Saul’s relationship with David and God.
Jealousy is the root of many problems in many people. Has it ever been a source of problems in your relationships with others? Did it ever come between you and God? Are you jealous of the friend at work who is advancing faster than you? Are you jealous of your neighbor who has succeeded something? Are you jealous of the girl who is with the guy you like at school? Are you jealous of the things a friend has? In your heart, are you hiding jealousy for another way of life or another job? Are you hiding jealousy of a brother or sister? This dangerous emotion can cost you heaven and give you hell.
One day, I was visiting with a farmer when his phone rang. Over the phone, a neighbor told him about his goat which was stuck in the fence. I went out with the man to the edge of his property. Somehow he knew tight where to find the goat. As we got close I laughed to myself. The goat was stuck headfirst in the barbed wire fence. He had shoved his head in as far as it would go trying to get as much food as he could from the neighbor's field before eating in his own field. But there, some five feet away was the neighbor's wife. She too was busy with her goat who was positioned on the other side of the fence with its neck caught in the fence. It too was trying to eat from the other pasture before going at its own. So there it was, quite a picture. Two old goats trying to eat the others pasture before their own, getting caught in the fence up to their necks. They nearly strangled themselves! They were driven to get the other's food.
People can be like that, too. They can be caught up trying to get what someone else has. They can be filled with jealousy of all sorts. Many people don't realize jealousy drives them until its too late. It was too late for Saul. It may not be for you. Take those little thoughts of jealousy right out of your heart and mind. Let no action you perform be caused by jealousy of any sort. Repent for any feelings of jealousy you tender. Ask for God to change your heart, before jealousy changes you.
May 5
“Then everyone—the kings of the earth, the rulers, the generals, the wealthy, the powerful, and every slave and free person—all hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains. And they cried to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of the one who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb. For the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to survive?”” (Revelation 6:15–17, NLT)
"Are You Ready to Face God?"
Throughout scripture, there are many stories of people who "faced" God. When that occurred, some felt God’s presence. Some felt mercy. Some felt wrath, while others felt love. If God watches over you, there may be many times you will face God and not even know it. You may come face to face with God’s angels or God’s grace. You might face correction by God for a sinful period of your life. God may even turn His face away from you, waiting for you to repent. You can be certain you will face God on Judgment Day. On that day, your life will be judged based on righteousness, deeds, acts, and faith. All will find out whether you are going to Heaven or Hell, whether you were a true follower of Christ or a faker or a liar or someone who didn't really place God first in your life. It is guaranteed that at various times in your life, you will “face” God. After you die, you will most certainly face God.
In the book of Exodus, Moses faced God on Mt. Sinai. He was so full of God's strength and presence that Moses' face shown bright after being around God. Moses was blessed.
In the book of Acts, Annanias and Saphira lied to God and to the church about the use of their money. They held back their gifts to God and kept their money for themselves. When asked by the disciples about what was the truth, they lied again. Scripture says they died on the spot. God judged them right then and there. God would not stand for lies to be told over and over when one should repent.
You may be blessed or you may be cursed or you may be protected... depending on what happens when God faces your way.
Long ago, a friend of mine left for two years of work overseas. When it was time for him to come back home, I was looking forward to seeing him again. We grew up together, went to church together, and had a lot of the same friends. When I finally got a phone call that he was back in the United States, he said to me, "Dave, let's get together. We need a little 'face time.'" Later, when we saw each other, I noticed how he had changed. He noticed how I had matured. And we really had a wonderful "face time", getting caught up again.
Every now and then, God will want some "face time" with you. God may want a little one on one prayer time in which you and God talk together. God may turn His face against you if you sin against Him. God may want some face time when you are down or hurting. God may want to be very close to you when you have choices to make in your life, or when you finally choose to put HIM first. In all these times and many more, God will face your way, and you will have to live with what HE finds in your heart.
On the day you face God, what will God see? How will you feel?
In the scripture for today from the book of Revelation, we are told about the end times. The sinful people caught up in the last days of the earth will hide themselves in the mountains. They will be hiding from God’s face. They will cry out, “Hide us from the face of the one who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the lamb…” (Revelation 6:16). They will be afraid to face God because of the multitude of their sins. They fought against God. They lived in sin.
When God faces you in life or in death, when God looks your way even today, what will God see? Will God see someone who is nice, but who doesn't tell the truth? Will God see someone who can be counted on to do the right thing? When God looks your way, He will be looking straight through any of the smoke screens you may have in your life. He will see the real you. Will God see a person who is a backstabber or one who has a complaining attitude? Will God see you as a person of strong Biblical character who has cared for the needy and comforted the hurting? Will God see you as spiritually lazy, or will HE see you hard at work in His service? Will God see you willing to pray and worship often, or see someone who doesn't have time for these things? Don't lie to yourself. God knows your face. God knows your heart. God knows you. And you, my friend, need to be ready for a face to face with God.
Sooner or later, you will face God. And that will either be a good day where you get to see the love of God, or its going to be a bad, bad day where you are going to pay for all the things you so foolishly committed. If I were you, I'd get things right in your life. You never know when God's going to face your way and you are going to have to answer for every word and thought and action you have done. Judgment Day will be a good day for those who are counted worthy... it will be a bad day for the rest. Let the name of our Lord Jesus Christ be glorified in you. Be someone God can be proud of when HE sees you next.
Throughout scripture, there are many stories of people who "faced" God. When that occurred, some felt God’s presence. Some felt mercy. Some felt wrath, while others felt love. If God watches over you, there may be many times you will face God and not even know it. You may come face to face with God’s angels or God’s grace. You might face correction by God for a sinful period of your life. God may even turn His face away from you, waiting for you to repent. You can be certain you will face God on Judgment Day. On that day, your life will be judged based on righteousness, deeds, acts, and faith. All will find out whether you are going to Heaven or Hell, whether you were a true follower of Christ or a faker or a liar or someone who didn't really place God first in your life. It is guaranteed that at various times in your life, you will “face” God. After you die, you will most certainly face God.
In the book of Exodus, Moses faced God on Mt. Sinai. He was so full of God's strength and presence that Moses' face shown bright after being around God. Moses was blessed.
In the book of Acts, Annanias and Saphira lied to God and to the church about the use of their money. They held back their gifts to God and kept their money for themselves. When asked by the disciples about what was the truth, they lied again. Scripture says they died on the spot. God judged them right then and there. God would not stand for lies to be told over and over when one should repent.
You may be blessed or you may be cursed or you may be protected... depending on what happens when God faces your way.
Long ago, a friend of mine left for two years of work overseas. When it was time for him to come back home, I was looking forward to seeing him again. We grew up together, went to church together, and had a lot of the same friends. When I finally got a phone call that he was back in the United States, he said to me, "Dave, let's get together. We need a little 'face time.'" Later, when we saw each other, I noticed how he had changed. He noticed how I had matured. And we really had a wonderful "face time", getting caught up again.
Every now and then, God will want some "face time" with you. God may want a little one on one prayer time in which you and God talk together. God may turn His face against you if you sin against Him. God may want some face time when you are down or hurting. God may want to be very close to you when you have choices to make in your life, or when you finally choose to put HIM first. In all these times and many more, God will face your way, and you will have to live with what HE finds in your heart.
On the day you face God, what will God see? How will you feel?
In the scripture for today from the book of Revelation, we are told about the end times. The sinful people caught up in the last days of the earth will hide themselves in the mountains. They will be hiding from God’s face. They will cry out, “Hide us from the face of the one who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the lamb…” (Revelation 6:16). They will be afraid to face God because of the multitude of their sins. They fought against God. They lived in sin.
When God faces you in life or in death, when God looks your way even today, what will God see? Will God see someone who is nice, but who doesn't tell the truth? Will God see someone who can be counted on to do the right thing? When God looks your way, He will be looking straight through any of the smoke screens you may have in your life. He will see the real you. Will God see a person who is a backstabber or one who has a complaining attitude? Will God see you as a person of strong Biblical character who has cared for the needy and comforted the hurting? Will God see you as spiritually lazy, or will HE see you hard at work in His service? Will God see you willing to pray and worship often, or see someone who doesn't have time for these things? Don't lie to yourself. God knows your face. God knows your heart. God knows you. And you, my friend, need to be ready for a face to face with God.
Sooner or later, you will face God. And that will either be a good day where you get to see the love of God, or its going to be a bad, bad day where you are going to pay for all the things you so foolishly committed. If I were you, I'd get things right in your life. You never know when God's going to face your way and you are going to have to answer for every word and thought and action you have done. Judgment Day will be a good day for those who are counted worthy... it will be a bad day for the rest. Let the name of our Lord Jesus Christ be glorified in you. Be someone God can be proud of when HE sees you next.
May 7
“Jesus, aware of this, withdrew from there. And many followed him, and he healed them all”
(Matthew 12:15, ESV)
(Matthew 12:15, ESV)
An older gentleman went to his family doctor with problems breathing. He was an elder in his church and an upstanding leader in the community. He was a father of two adult girls and had a wife he cherished. But, on that day, he knew the news would not be good. He had smoked on and off for years, since World War 2 in fact. Now, his visit to the doctor came as no surprise. He expected it to be lung cancer. He braced himself. After the tests were completed, they did indeed find lung cancer.
He prayed and prayed. He began to make preparations for the end of his life. He put his important papers in order. He made arrangements for long term commitments. What he didn’t plan for was healing. On the day of his surgery, the doctor found no lung cancer. He was shocked. He didn’t know what to do. Could healing actually happen to him? I saw him the day of the surgery. Like the soldier he was, he faced surgery like a battle. He was strong. He was holding everything together. Then, after the miracle of his healing, he didn’t know what to do. He was not ready for the healing. It took him months before he could say “Thank you” to God openly and smile thinking about his future. He constantly waited for the "other shoe to drop" and the doctors to say that they missed something. That never happened. The healing was legit.
Sometimes, healing surprises us. We think it happened in Bible times, but can't happen today with modern technology and modern medicines. How foolish we are! God has the same power and propensity to heal now as ever in history. A healing blessing should come as no surprise, but yet we think we know so much. God heals people all the time.
In the days before our scripture for today occurred, Jesus had healed a man with a withered hand. In the weeks previous to that, he healed others including the blind, the lame, and lepers. The scripture for today added to this total by mentioning that “many followed Him, and He healed them all” (Matthew 12:15). “MANY” were healed by Jesus. In truth, He healed all those in need that day who followed Him when He withdrew to the countryside. There weren’t one or two healings, there were many. Jesus didn’t heal a couple of people to show His power, He healed them all. Jesus’ power to heal is legendary and awesome! Remember that dear child of God. Jesus healed all!
There may come a day when you need healing. It may be from bad thoughts or an ill-temper. You may need healing from a disease or an illness. Your first thought might be to go to your doctor or seek medicines. Don’t forget Jesus! Don’t forget God’s healing power. Don’t be like all too many who aren’t ready or willing for healing! Seek God in the midst of your illness. Pray and converse with God about your weakness. Don’t just seek a counselor’s or doctor’s help. Physicians treat, but God cures! Medicines can help, but God’s healing is better! Don’t throw out the possibility that God can and does heal people. God can heal you!
So many Christians have not factored in that God can heal them. When sick, all they think about is how to get medicine and how to see the doctor. The ultimate God in the universe is there to help, but instead of praying, they seek a prescription. God’s prescriptions are better. God can heal you in ways that doctors cannot.
I’m not saying you should never go to the doctor or take a medicine. NO! I’m just saying that Jesus healed many people and can heal you, too! God can touch your life or help the medicine work. God can help your doctor choose the right medicine or change your lifestyle to help the illness. God can do what “professionals” cannot. God doesn’t just “treat”. God heals.
I have found that many people do not receive healing, because they do not ask for it. They don’t seek God for answers and Jesus for a healing touch! They don’t take time to ask God for help, though they need it. Others ask for help from God, but doubt that God can or will do anything. The doubt robs them of the healing power. The Bible is clear that Jesus did not heal many in his hometown because of their lack of faith (Mark 6:5-6)! It wasn’t that they couldn’t be healed. It was that the doubt stole their faith and ruined the healing.
When you need healing, pray with a strong heart for Jesus’ hand to be upon you. Don’t doubt. Don’t be surprised. Believe that God can heal more than you think. Someday, God will even bring a different kind of healing to your lifeless body and take you to eternal life!
He prayed and prayed. He began to make preparations for the end of his life. He put his important papers in order. He made arrangements for long term commitments. What he didn’t plan for was healing. On the day of his surgery, the doctor found no lung cancer. He was shocked. He didn’t know what to do. Could healing actually happen to him? I saw him the day of the surgery. Like the soldier he was, he faced surgery like a battle. He was strong. He was holding everything together. Then, after the miracle of his healing, he didn’t know what to do. He was not ready for the healing. It took him months before he could say “Thank you” to God openly and smile thinking about his future. He constantly waited for the "other shoe to drop" and the doctors to say that they missed something. That never happened. The healing was legit.
Sometimes, healing surprises us. We think it happened in Bible times, but can't happen today with modern technology and modern medicines. How foolish we are! God has the same power and propensity to heal now as ever in history. A healing blessing should come as no surprise, but yet we think we know so much. God heals people all the time.
In the days before our scripture for today occurred, Jesus had healed a man with a withered hand. In the weeks previous to that, he healed others including the blind, the lame, and lepers. The scripture for today added to this total by mentioning that “many followed Him, and He healed them all” (Matthew 12:15). “MANY” were healed by Jesus. In truth, He healed all those in need that day who followed Him when He withdrew to the countryside. There weren’t one or two healings, there were many. Jesus didn’t heal a couple of people to show His power, He healed them all. Jesus’ power to heal is legendary and awesome! Remember that dear child of God. Jesus healed all!
There may come a day when you need healing. It may be from bad thoughts or an ill-temper. You may need healing from a disease or an illness. Your first thought might be to go to your doctor or seek medicines. Don’t forget Jesus! Don’t forget God’s healing power. Don’t be like all too many who aren’t ready or willing for healing! Seek God in the midst of your illness. Pray and converse with God about your weakness. Don’t just seek a counselor’s or doctor’s help. Physicians treat, but God cures! Medicines can help, but God’s healing is better! Don’t throw out the possibility that God can and does heal people. God can heal you!
So many Christians have not factored in that God can heal them. When sick, all they think about is how to get medicine and how to see the doctor. The ultimate God in the universe is there to help, but instead of praying, they seek a prescription. God’s prescriptions are better. God can heal you in ways that doctors cannot.
I’m not saying you should never go to the doctor or take a medicine. NO! I’m just saying that Jesus healed many people and can heal you, too! God can touch your life or help the medicine work. God can help your doctor choose the right medicine or change your lifestyle to help the illness. God can do what “professionals” cannot. God doesn’t just “treat”. God heals.
I have found that many people do not receive healing, because they do not ask for it. They don’t seek God for answers and Jesus for a healing touch! They don’t take time to ask God for help, though they need it. Others ask for help from God, but doubt that God can or will do anything. The doubt robs them of the healing power. The Bible is clear that Jesus did not heal many in his hometown because of their lack of faith (Mark 6:5-6)! It wasn’t that they couldn’t be healed. It was that the doubt stole their faith and ruined the healing.
When you need healing, pray with a strong heart for Jesus’ hand to be upon you. Don’t doubt. Don’t be surprised. Believe that God can heal more than you think. Someday, God will even bring a different kind of healing to your lifeless body and take you to eternal life!
May 8
“There is no soundness in my flesh because of your indignation; there is no health in my bones because of my sin.” (Psalm 38:3, ESV)
In just this one sentence above, God’s Word makes clear the connection between sin, illness, and God’s disgust over the sinful life. The sentence is succinct and informative. There is no lack of clarity. The results of sin attack body, soul, and one’s connection with God all at the same time. Do you see how costly your sin can be?
When young, I had a good friend who was a joy to be around. He was the kind of guy that brought a smile to your face when he visited. When he was at a party, people would laugh more. When he had a problem, everyone wanted to jump in and help. Though very well liked, he had a dark side. He drank and used drugs. At first, I might get a whiff of alcohol when he showed up. Then, I would hear news that he didn’t come home to his wife and kids because of a binge. I approached him one day and asked him about his abuse of alcohol and drugs. He told me that he “had it under control”. I believed it was a lie. Others did not. I knew if he was sinning in this way that the effects would show up soon enough, and they did.
Soon, he became belligerent and would get in arguments when he was drunk. Then, he would get irritable when he was suffering from a hangover. Then, he started to look poorly. His eyes grew puffy and dark. His skin looked pale. He began to get a beer belly. He stopped exercising. His friends were also drunks. After a decade of this abuse, he began to huff and puff when he walked. Then came the liver problems and the nosebleeds and the blackouts. Soon, he was alone as well. His wife and children left him. The wife didn’t want the children to see their father in this condition and living this way. He died alone in a bed of vomit.
Stories like this often don’t make it into sermons, but they should. The worship service today is so politically correct and full of “niceties” that people don’t talk about the uglier side of sin. People don’t want to hear about sickness and drunkenness and the terrible ramifications of abuse and neglect and addiction. But, shouldn’t the church be a place where people are taught right from wrong and the nature of sin? This is why David included this psalm in our Bible; to openly share the terrible side effects to sin and one's need to find salvation in God.
In our scripture today is recorded part of King David’s “memorial offering” (See Psalm 38:1). Here, David wrote of sin’s condition. The psalm begins with a person suffering in sin and ends with the person begging God for help and deliverance. The psalm describes sin’s effects and the necessity of turning to God for salvation and rescue. Psalm 38:3 mentioned how sin causes “no soundness in my flesh” and “no health in my bones”. This shows sin’s effects on the body. When you sin, it will affect you greatly. You may not notice the effects at first. The alcoholic doesn’t see all the negatives with the first drink. My friend did not feel the full suffering of his body until very late in his addiction. But there were signs of the sin earlier in his life. He felt sick much more often. He grew ill-tempered when he used to be good-natured. The hangovers and nosebleeds should have been a clue. He ignored the warning signs and continued in the sin, ignoring his regrets. When his wife and kids went to church, he stayed home and drank… and still, he didn’t notice that even his spiritual life was suffering. In Psalm 38:3, God grew indignant and angry at David's sin. God pulled back from David when he sinned. God wanted David to repent and live right. My friend’s family begged him to get sober and make things right. David did repent. My friend did not. King David died with much respect and admiration. My friend died alone. Unrepentant sin destroys everything it touches.
Psalm 38 is clear that your mind, body, and relationships will all suffer when sin takes a hold. David wrote it as a memorial, something to be remembered. David knew that the only way for all of us to overcome sin is with God’s help and by holding on to the salvation of God. The sin needs to be rejected, not ignored or dabbled in. The sin will wreck your body and soul. It will cause the rejection of God. Don’t let sin take hold in your life. Your body and soul will show its results.
When young, I had a good friend who was a joy to be around. He was the kind of guy that brought a smile to your face when he visited. When he was at a party, people would laugh more. When he had a problem, everyone wanted to jump in and help. Though very well liked, he had a dark side. He drank and used drugs. At first, I might get a whiff of alcohol when he showed up. Then, I would hear news that he didn’t come home to his wife and kids because of a binge. I approached him one day and asked him about his abuse of alcohol and drugs. He told me that he “had it under control”. I believed it was a lie. Others did not. I knew if he was sinning in this way that the effects would show up soon enough, and they did.
Soon, he became belligerent and would get in arguments when he was drunk. Then, he would get irritable when he was suffering from a hangover. Then, he started to look poorly. His eyes grew puffy and dark. His skin looked pale. He began to get a beer belly. He stopped exercising. His friends were also drunks. After a decade of this abuse, he began to huff and puff when he walked. Then came the liver problems and the nosebleeds and the blackouts. Soon, he was alone as well. His wife and children left him. The wife didn’t want the children to see their father in this condition and living this way. He died alone in a bed of vomit.
Stories like this often don’t make it into sermons, but they should. The worship service today is so politically correct and full of “niceties” that people don’t talk about the uglier side of sin. People don’t want to hear about sickness and drunkenness and the terrible ramifications of abuse and neglect and addiction. But, shouldn’t the church be a place where people are taught right from wrong and the nature of sin? This is why David included this psalm in our Bible; to openly share the terrible side effects to sin and one's need to find salvation in God.
In our scripture today is recorded part of King David’s “memorial offering” (See Psalm 38:1). Here, David wrote of sin’s condition. The psalm begins with a person suffering in sin and ends with the person begging God for help and deliverance. The psalm describes sin’s effects and the necessity of turning to God for salvation and rescue. Psalm 38:3 mentioned how sin causes “no soundness in my flesh” and “no health in my bones”. This shows sin’s effects on the body. When you sin, it will affect you greatly. You may not notice the effects at first. The alcoholic doesn’t see all the negatives with the first drink. My friend did not feel the full suffering of his body until very late in his addiction. But there were signs of the sin earlier in his life. He felt sick much more often. He grew ill-tempered when he used to be good-natured. The hangovers and nosebleeds should have been a clue. He ignored the warning signs and continued in the sin, ignoring his regrets. When his wife and kids went to church, he stayed home and drank… and still, he didn’t notice that even his spiritual life was suffering. In Psalm 38:3, God grew indignant and angry at David's sin. God pulled back from David when he sinned. God wanted David to repent and live right. My friend’s family begged him to get sober and make things right. David did repent. My friend did not. King David died with much respect and admiration. My friend died alone. Unrepentant sin destroys everything it touches.
Psalm 38 is clear that your mind, body, and relationships will all suffer when sin takes a hold. David wrote it as a memorial, something to be remembered. David knew that the only way for all of us to overcome sin is with God’s help and by holding on to the salvation of God. The sin needs to be rejected, not ignored or dabbled in. The sin will wreck your body and soul. It will cause the rejection of God. Don’t let sin take hold in your life. Your body and soul will show its results.
May 9
“But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him.” (Mark 16:4–6, NIV84)
Two decades ago, I went to a bank with a member of our church. I was planning on setting up a new mission account there, and the member happened to be riding along. As the two of us were sitting there and the paper work was being filled in, I started up a conversation about the Bible Study that week. The two of us began to talk about what the Bible teaches us of eternal life. Right there! Right in the middle of the bank! What was most interesting was the woman from the bank who was filling out the forms. As we talked about what the Bible says about heaven, I noticed that she started typing slower and slower. She even made a few errors she had to correct, because she was listening to our conversation. The more interested she got in the conversation, the slower her typing became. I'm sure we gave her a few things to think about that day. The gospel message is a wonderful thing to share. Why limit my talk about God to church members or to worship time alone?
Some Christians limit God to Sunday morning, if even that. The only time you will hear them talk about God is at church or at a church meeting. It's as if they only will act Christian when in church. Outside the church building, they live another life as another person. Inside the church, they are courteous and have a smile and can quote scripture. Outside of church, they might swear, carry on, get angry all too easy, or keep grudges. Do you limit God to only certain times of your week? Do you confine God to limited areas of your life?
I can’t understand how people can claim to be Christian but continue to confine God to an hour on Sunday. Why not share the love of God with those you meet every day? Why not pray every day? Can’t you read your Bible on days other than Sunday? Should God be limited to only a small portion of your life?
I recently talked to a woman in a hospital waiting area. I found out that she worked at the same place as a close friend. I mentioned to her that my friend belonged to my church. The woman said, “I’ve been working with him for a number of years and never knew he even belonged to a church." I did not know that my close friend limited his conversation about God to Sunday mornings between nine and ten.
The Jews who crucified Jesus tried to confine Jesus. They put him in a tomb. They enclosed and confined His body. Guards were placed around the tomb to keep Jesus within the walls of the tomb. The authorities didn't want anybody coming and taking Jesus' body away. They wanted to confine Jesus' body to a tomb and His spirit to the past. They wouldn't succeed. When Jesus rose on Easter morning, when the stone was rolled away, it was as if God the Father was saying "Hey, you can't confine my son to a tomb, nor his message to the past. You can't enclose my precious child with a large stone and keep Him locked up forever." God the Father raised Jesus from the dead and freed Him. No more confining Christ. No more enclosing Him in a tomb.
The scripture above from Mark 16 told what happened on the first Easter when three women came to the tomb of Jesus. They came to anoint Jesus' body with spices to help take away the scent of death. On the way to the tomb where Jesus was laid to rest, they thought about the stone that blocked the entrance and wondered who would help them roll away the stone to get to the body (Mark 16:3). The stone over the mouth of the tomb could not be moved by these three women. They would need help. Most scholars believe the stone weighed over 2000 pounds. It was a large stone (Mark 16:4) and therefore difficult to move. But on that morning, they would not have to move the stone. For as they approached the tomb, they saw the stone rolled away. An angel declared what had happened: “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here.” (Mark 16:5-6). Jesus was alive. Neither Crucifixion nor death nor that stone could confine our Lord! He was raised from the dead, free to walk the earth and come into your life and mine.
The gospel of Mark ends with the news that the risen Jesus appeared to many people. Nothing could stop the gospel. Nothing could minimize the news of the resurrection nor keep it from spreading. Try as they might, Jesus could not be confined to the tomb. God will not be confined by the world.
The Jewish leaders thought they could stop Jesus by killing Him; stop the gospel with threats of death to the disciples. They thought they could confine, control, and limit Jesus' activity. By killing him, it was the ultimate statement that they wanted to keep the gospel from spreading. On Easter morning, their plan to confine the gospel to the past failed. You cannot confine Jesus to a tomb. God wants the gospel message in every place on the earth. Nothing is to limit it or stop it, not even a tomb.
Don’t limit God’s work around you or in you. Don’t confine God to an hour of worship every few months. Don’t limit your times of prayer or Bible study to only those moments when you have nothing else to do! Are there ways you might be confining the gospel in your life? Do others know you as a faithful Christian? Have you limited God’s influence in your life somehow? Open yourself up fully to God today. See what kind of light God can shine in an area of your life where you need it. On Easter, the tomb was opened and filled with light. Let your soul always be filled with light instead of darkness as well!
Some Christians limit God to Sunday morning, if even that. The only time you will hear them talk about God is at church or at a church meeting. It's as if they only will act Christian when in church. Outside the church building, they live another life as another person. Inside the church, they are courteous and have a smile and can quote scripture. Outside of church, they might swear, carry on, get angry all too easy, or keep grudges. Do you limit God to only certain times of your week? Do you confine God to limited areas of your life?
I can’t understand how people can claim to be Christian but continue to confine God to an hour on Sunday. Why not share the love of God with those you meet every day? Why not pray every day? Can’t you read your Bible on days other than Sunday? Should God be limited to only a small portion of your life?
I recently talked to a woman in a hospital waiting area. I found out that she worked at the same place as a close friend. I mentioned to her that my friend belonged to my church. The woman said, “I’ve been working with him for a number of years and never knew he even belonged to a church." I did not know that my close friend limited his conversation about God to Sunday mornings between nine and ten.
The Jews who crucified Jesus tried to confine Jesus. They put him in a tomb. They enclosed and confined His body. Guards were placed around the tomb to keep Jesus within the walls of the tomb. The authorities didn't want anybody coming and taking Jesus' body away. They wanted to confine Jesus' body to a tomb and His spirit to the past. They wouldn't succeed. When Jesus rose on Easter morning, when the stone was rolled away, it was as if God the Father was saying "Hey, you can't confine my son to a tomb, nor his message to the past. You can't enclose my precious child with a large stone and keep Him locked up forever." God the Father raised Jesus from the dead and freed Him. No more confining Christ. No more enclosing Him in a tomb.
The scripture above from Mark 16 told what happened on the first Easter when three women came to the tomb of Jesus. They came to anoint Jesus' body with spices to help take away the scent of death. On the way to the tomb where Jesus was laid to rest, they thought about the stone that blocked the entrance and wondered who would help them roll away the stone to get to the body (Mark 16:3). The stone over the mouth of the tomb could not be moved by these three women. They would need help. Most scholars believe the stone weighed over 2000 pounds. It was a large stone (Mark 16:4) and therefore difficult to move. But on that morning, they would not have to move the stone. For as they approached the tomb, they saw the stone rolled away. An angel declared what had happened: “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here.” (Mark 16:5-6). Jesus was alive. Neither Crucifixion nor death nor that stone could confine our Lord! He was raised from the dead, free to walk the earth and come into your life and mine.
The gospel of Mark ends with the news that the risen Jesus appeared to many people. Nothing could stop the gospel. Nothing could minimize the news of the resurrection nor keep it from spreading. Try as they might, Jesus could not be confined to the tomb. God will not be confined by the world.
The Jewish leaders thought they could stop Jesus by killing Him; stop the gospel with threats of death to the disciples. They thought they could confine, control, and limit Jesus' activity. By killing him, it was the ultimate statement that they wanted to keep the gospel from spreading. On Easter morning, their plan to confine the gospel to the past failed. You cannot confine Jesus to a tomb. God wants the gospel message in every place on the earth. Nothing is to limit it or stop it, not even a tomb.
Don’t limit God’s work around you or in you. Don’t confine God to an hour of worship every few months. Don’t limit your times of prayer or Bible study to only those moments when you have nothing else to do! Are there ways you might be confining the gospel in your life? Do others know you as a faithful Christian? Have you limited God’s influence in your life somehow? Open yourself up fully to God today. See what kind of light God can shine in an area of your life where you need it. On Easter, the tomb was opened and filled with light. Let your soul always be filled with light instead of darkness as well!
May 10
“Do not be ashamed then of testifying to our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel in the power of God, who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not in virtue of our works but in virtue of his own purpose and the grace which he gave us in Christ Jesus ages ago, and now has manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.” (2 Timothy 1:8–10, RSV)
Recently, I was talking to a teacher who had changed professions. He was talking about his years of teaching. He laughed about his first year as a math teacher in a high school. On his first day of classes, a student came up to him and told him just before class began that there was a phone call for him at the teacher's lounge down the hall. When he got there, he found there was no phone call. Returning to the classroom, his chair was covered with fresh glue from the auto shop. Needless to say, when he sat down, he found out he needed to be a little more on guard. For the rest of the day, he taught from his desk chair and never once got up until he left school that day, and then without part of his pants! As we talked and laughed, one thing in our conversation that he said still echoes in my ears. "Dave," he said, "they can tell you how to teach in college, they can tell you what you will be teaching, and who you will be teaching, and all about teaching, but when you get there on the first day and open your mouth, when you start doing the teaching, then you find out what kind of teacher you really are. Not before that." I think the same is true for many other vocations. You never really know what kind of doctor, lawyer, pastor, fireman, soldier, or whatever you will be until you start the work. Studying is not the same as doing it. As a soldier friend once told me, "You don't know who the deserters are until the first shot rings out, and the first explosion occurs nearby. Then, you find out who you can really trust your backside to."
This same concept applies to your faith. You can study the Bible, but that doesn't make you a good Christian. You can go to church each week, but that doesn't mean you know God. Just because you are in the church or in a group in the church doesn't mean you really know how to be a Christian. We truly find out who is a Christian when faithful people go out and do the work of a Christian.
Our scripture reading for today contains a few words from the apostle Paul during Timothy’s first years of ministry. What interests me most are the first nine words of this scripture.... "Do not be ashamed of testifying to our Lord....” (2 Timothy 1:8). Paul never wanted Timothy for even a moment to be ashamed to talk about Jesus, teach others about Jesus, or live out his faith. This is how the Apostle Paul separated real Christians from the “wanna-be” faithful.
Jesus too saw the importance of standing up and speaking up about what you believe. After Peter called Jesus, the Christ, for the very first time, Jesus warned that “ ... whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of man be ashamed when he comes in his glory" (Luke 9:26). A true apostle is never ashamed to talk about God in Christ.
Bill Bright once wrote: "Why are people who call themselves Christian so hesitant to share this good news of Jesus Christ? Why is it that we so readily discuss our political views or athletic preferences, our gas mileage or utility bills, our children's growing pains or our office gossip, but clam up when it comes to discussing the greatest news ever announced?"
How many people have you ever talked to about Jesus Christ or about your faith? How many of your friends know for certain that you believe wholeheartedly in God? How many people have you prayed with to become Christian, or talked to about being a better Christian? Are you ashamed that others know you are Christian? Are you ashamed of testifying about Jesus? The apostle Paul would have you know that there is no room for being ashamed of the gospel, nor of testifying or talking of our Lord. Would you agree?
This same concept applies to your faith. You can study the Bible, but that doesn't make you a good Christian. You can go to church each week, but that doesn't mean you know God. Just because you are in the church or in a group in the church doesn't mean you really know how to be a Christian. We truly find out who is a Christian when faithful people go out and do the work of a Christian.
Our scripture reading for today contains a few words from the apostle Paul during Timothy’s first years of ministry. What interests me most are the first nine words of this scripture.... "Do not be ashamed of testifying to our Lord....” (2 Timothy 1:8). Paul never wanted Timothy for even a moment to be ashamed to talk about Jesus, teach others about Jesus, or live out his faith. This is how the Apostle Paul separated real Christians from the “wanna-be” faithful.
Jesus too saw the importance of standing up and speaking up about what you believe. After Peter called Jesus, the Christ, for the very first time, Jesus warned that “ ... whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of man be ashamed when he comes in his glory" (Luke 9:26). A true apostle is never ashamed to talk about God in Christ.
Bill Bright once wrote: "Why are people who call themselves Christian so hesitant to share this good news of Jesus Christ? Why is it that we so readily discuss our political views or athletic preferences, our gas mileage or utility bills, our children's growing pains or our office gossip, but clam up when it comes to discussing the greatest news ever announced?"
How many people have you ever talked to about Jesus Christ or about your faith? How many of your friends know for certain that you believe wholeheartedly in God? How many people have you prayed with to become Christian, or talked to about being a better Christian? Are you ashamed that others know you are Christian? Are you ashamed of testifying about Jesus? The apostle Paul would have you know that there is no room for being ashamed of the gospel, nor of testifying or talking of our Lord. Would you agree?
May 12
“My brethren, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favoritism. For if a man comes into your assembly with a gold ring and dressed in fine clothes, and there also comes in a poor man in dirty clothes, and you pay special attention to the one who is wearing the fine clothes, and say, “You sit here in a good place,” and you say to the poor man, “You stand over there, or sit down by my footstool,” have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil motives?” (James 2:1–4, NASB95)
(Friends, I'm sorry I've missed a few daily meditations lately. I've been having some issues with pain. Also, my lift chair stopped working and I can't write as well in my hospital bed. Because of the weather some days, I can feel great and walk for a couple of miles. But when it storms or I have an acute flare up of symptoms, I can be laid up in bed for a day or two. I'm so sorry about this. I'm trying my best.)
As I was waiting for a table in a restaurant, I noticed a man go to the receptionist and whisper something in her ear. He and his date then were ushered back into the restaurant. In a few moments, the receptionist returned to her station. A person who had waited twenty minutes for a table (I had been waiting thirty) asked why the two were ushered back to a table while we waited. The receptionist simply stated that they had a reservation. Nothing more was said. Later, while eating, I found out that the man and his date who were ushered quietly back to a table didn’t have a reservation for that table on that evening. They had a standing reservation that whenever they came into the restaurant, they were to be given a reserved table no matter what the situation. A table was reserved for the man at all times in that restaurant. He was a wealthy man with a lot of clout. He was given special attention when he arrived. He was offered special seating and a waitress of his own just for his table. I’m sure others were jealous of the man and his date that night. I wasn’t really. I know about riches and privilege. I know some people have more sway and more clout due to their wealth or positions of power. However, in the church this type of consideration should never be shown.
In the epistle written by James in the New Testament, there are several references to being fair and unbiased, especially when faced with people of wealth and power. James 5 mentions that many rich people gained their wealth through the manipulation and detriment of the needy. This chapter also criticized the rich who had lives of pleasure while their workers received poor pay. James chapter 4 was critical of those who sought to gain wealth through arrogance and prideful ways (James 4:13ff). Our scripture for today added to the criticism of rich people in the faith. However this scripture isn’t critical of the wealthy themselves, but instead of those who displayed bias and gave extra attention to the rich while ignoring or shaming the poor. James wrote that “if a man comes into your assembly with a gold ring and dressed in fine clothes” and you give him a seat of honor and yet tell the poor man to sit at your feet (in a position of servitude or humility), this is a sinful bias toward the rich (James 2:2). Thus, James didn’t just have a problem with rich people who were prideful and arrogant in their power. He rejected all forms of personal favoritism and bias that was unholy before God.
To be faithful to this scripture, you must look at your attitudes toward others. Are you biased toward some group of people? Do you show favoritism to a relative, a friend, a rich person, someone from your own race or skin color? Do you give personal preferences toward certain groups or organizations? Be careful when you do. This bias may be your sin.
Feeling more comfortable with people of your ethnic group or people of your race or skin color is not at issue here. Showing personal bias is the problem. Giving preference is condemned. When someone’s status is more important than his or her faith, there is a problem. When you give perks to those who are like you, while ignoring those who are different, you fail to show love to all in Jesus’ name.
There are many forms of personal subjective bias and preference in our world and in churches today. All of them are condemned by James. Some people in churches even consider some forms of sinful bias as holy. They are not. I personally saw wealthy women given seminary scholarships, not because they deserved it or earned it, but simply because they were women. In another case, a black person was given a seminary scholarship because she was black. Though a B- student and not a standout, she was given “special consideration” and granted a scholarship because the committee wanted to say they support blacks and women and thus they could tick off two boxes on their “inclusivity profile” with her scholarship. Isn’t this biased? Isn’t this demeaning as well? In my lifetime, I’ve seen black churches that would never hire a white pastor and white churches that never would consider a black pastor or a foreign-born pastor. I’ve seen biases against hiring men as nurses and women for tech jobs. I’ve seen companies fire people for being over fifty. I’ve known companies to underpay a woman for a job, decline an ex-convict for a perfect position, and ignore the dedication and rights of some workers to advance other workers. I’ve known people who were shunned because of a union stance or taunted for their anti-union beliefs. I’ve known women who would only hire women and men who would only hire pretty, blond secretaries. The apostle James wanted no personal biases, especially in the church. If it were up to God, all people would look past all personal biases in treating others. Sadly, our world and many Christians sin in this area of faith. Do you?
Root out any form of personal sinful bias in your life. Don’t determine a person’s worth based on their skin or sex or age or beauty. God looks at the heart to determine a person’s greatness. God’s example is certainly worth considering, is it not?
As I was waiting for a table in a restaurant, I noticed a man go to the receptionist and whisper something in her ear. He and his date then were ushered back into the restaurant. In a few moments, the receptionist returned to her station. A person who had waited twenty minutes for a table (I had been waiting thirty) asked why the two were ushered back to a table while we waited. The receptionist simply stated that they had a reservation. Nothing more was said. Later, while eating, I found out that the man and his date who were ushered quietly back to a table didn’t have a reservation for that table on that evening. They had a standing reservation that whenever they came into the restaurant, they were to be given a reserved table no matter what the situation. A table was reserved for the man at all times in that restaurant. He was a wealthy man with a lot of clout. He was given special attention when he arrived. He was offered special seating and a waitress of his own just for his table. I’m sure others were jealous of the man and his date that night. I wasn’t really. I know about riches and privilege. I know some people have more sway and more clout due to their wealth or positions of power. However, in the church this type of consideration should never be shown.
In the epistle written by James in the New Testament, there are several references to being fair and unbiased, especially when faced with people of wealth and power. James 5 mentions that many rich people gained their wealth through the manipulation and detriment of the needy. This chapter also criticized the rich who had lives of pleasure while their workers received poor pay. James chapter 4 was critical of those who sought to gain wealth through arrogance and prideful ways (James 4:13ff). Our scripture for today added to the criticism of rich people in the faith. However this scripture isn’t critical of the wealthy themselves, but instead of those who displayed bias and gave extra attention to the rich while ignoring or shaming the poor. James wrote that “if a man comes into your assembly with a gold ring and dressed in fine clothes” and you give him a seat of honor and yet tell the poor man to sit at your feet (in a position of servitude or humility), this is a sinful bias toward the rich (James 2:2). Thus, James didn’t just have a problem with rich people who were prideful and arrogant in their power. He rejected all forms of personal favoritism and bias that was unholy before God.
To be faithful to this scripture, you must look at your attitudes toward others. Are you biased toward some group of people? Do you show favoritism to a relative, a friend, a rich person, someone from your own race or skin color? Do you give personal preferences toward certain groups or organizations? Be careful when you do. This bias may be your sin.
Feeling more comfortable with people of your ethnic group or people of your race or skin color is not at issue here. Showing personal bias is the problem. Giving preference is condemned. When someone’s status is more important than his or her faith, there is a problem. When you give perks to those who are like you, while ignoring those who are different, you fail to show love to all in Jesus’ name.
There are many forms of personal subjective bias and preference in our world and in churches today. All of them are condemned by James. Some people in churches even consider some forms of sinful bias as holy. They are not. I personally saw wealthy women given seminary scholarships, not because they deserved it or earned it, but simply because they were women. In another case, a black person was given a seminary scholarship because she was black. Though a B- student and not a standout, she was given “special consideration” and granted a scholarship because the committee wanted to say they support blacks and women and thus they could tick off two boxes on their “inclusivity profile” with her scholarship. Isn’t this biased? Isn’t this demeaning as well? In my lifetime, I’ve seen black churches that would never hire a white pastor and white churches that never would consider a black pastor or a foreign-born pastor. I’ve seen biases against hiring men as nurses and women for tech jobs. I’ve seen companies fire people for being over fifty. I’ve known companies to underpay a woman for a job, decline an ex-convict for a perfect position, and ignore the dedication and rights of some workers to advance other workers. I’ve known people who were shunned because of a union stance or taunted for their anti-union beliefs. I’ve known women who would only hire women and men who would only hire pretty, blond secretaries. The apostle James wanted no personal biases, especially in the church. If it were up to God, all people would look past all personal biases in treating others. Sadly, our world and many Christians sin in this area of faith. Do you?
Root out any form of personal sinful bias in your life. Don’t determine a person’s worth based on their skin or sex or age or beauty. God looks at the heart to determine a person’s greatness. God’s example is certainly worth considering, is it not?
May 14
“I appeal to you, brethren, to take note of those who create dissensions and difficulties, in opposition to the doctrine which you have been taught; avoid them.” (Romans 16:17, RSV)
(Friends, I'm sorry I've missed a few daily meditations lately. I've been having some issues with pain. Also, my lift chair stopped working and I can't write as well in my hospital bed. Because of the weather some days, I can feel great and walk for a couple of miles. But when it storms or I have an acute flare up of symptoms, I can be laid up in bed for a day or two. I'm so sorry about this. I'm trying my best.)
When the church board gathered for their meeting, they had a full agenda. The church was growing in many ways. This always presented the leadership with new challenges and possibilities. One issue had come up several times in recent months to that board. Many heated conversations sapped the leaders of their strength. The Sunday School building needed renovation. Some wanted to remodel the rooms and enlarge a few for increased class sizes. Others suggested building a new educational wing. Different groups and classes in the church had differing ideas of what to do with the educational space.
During that board meeting, John sat quietly. He was biding his time. John’s family had founded the church fifty years before and felt that the founding members should decide what to do with the building. The pastor had advocated for a period of prayer and discernment to see what God thought of their future. John thought that a stupid idea. Why stop talking about how to fix the problems by taking a month or two to pray about it? John was a doer. He didn’t have much of a prayer life. In fact, he probably got on the board due to his family’s power in the church, not due to his strength of character or faith. John didn’t like the pastor nor wasting time talking about different ideas. He wanted to make sure church funds didn’t go for something so wasteful as a new educational wing. He also was against remodeling. The building they had was good enough to serve for the past fifty years. It could serve the church another fifty years if he had his way.
Before that meeting, John had manipulated a few friends in the church to complain about the pastor and about church spending. They had sent letters to the board and expressed their discontent with several recent decisions. They commented on how wasteful the board was getting and quoted scriptures from the Bible about stewardship. As the letters were brought up and the future plans for the educational wing were discussed, arguments began to break out. The pressure on the board was mounting. John sat quietly and smiled.
The pastor attempted over and over to address all the issues and ease the worries of the board about the future. He spent so much time attempting to ease the frustration and anger caused by John’s machinations that he had little time for much else. After a few months of these heated discussions, the expansion or rebuilding of the educational wing was tabled. The lack of room for some of the classes caused open discontent among the members. Some blamed the board. Others blamed the pastor. Two years later, the pastor was utterly exhausted when he left that church. He felt like a person playing a “whack-a-mole” game where he went from problem to problem to problem in the church in a never-ending series of hurt feelings, resentments, and arguments. The pastor never knew how many of these problems were started by John in his attempt to make the pastor suffer for daring to help the church grow. To John, the church didn’t need to grow more. In fact, he could think of a few members he’d like to see gone.
John is just one example of a person who is mentioned by Paul in our scripture for today. John is a great one to “create dissensions and difficulties” in his church. I have witnessed hundreds of “Johns” in my years of ministry. These people will cause problems where there are none. Some even enjoy a good fight in the church. Many times, they will work behind the scenes to make a problem worse or to set off problems in order to hide their motives. These folks are deadly to any church and should never be allowed leadership positions. Once they get enough power in a church, the church will never grow again. Most of these churches become clergy-killer congregations and stressful places. These divisive people can turn a church that is a loving house of prayer into a divisive, tension-filled, minefield.
The apostle Paul gave numerous warnings about these divisive people. Paul called dissenters to task for damaging the church in Corinth (1 Corinthians 1). He attacked “false apostles” in 2 Corinthians 11 who were causing church divisions. In Philippians 4:2, Paul named two people causing division in the church of Philippi. In Galatians, Paul criticized the divisiveness of the circumcision “party” (Galatians 2:12). In our scripture for today, he urged the Roman church to “avoid” these people. Paul knew many people who “created dissensions” against God or to purposefully damage God’s church. He never knew any of these divisive people to love the cause of God. They were often very good at separating people into conflictive groups.
Do you know a few of these difficult people? Have you been able to avoid their button-pushing? Were you ever drawn into their arguments? Have you witnessed how they engender anger and resentment and frustration? When people go in “opposition to God’s doctrine”, it is important that you don’t get caught up in the fights that will ensue. God doesn’t want your life to be a series of constant dissension and division. Conflict-creating people will always be around. Don’t get sucked into their causes or you may find yourself worn out by their godless machinations.
When the church board gathered for their meeting, they had a full agenda. The church was growing in many ways. This always presented the leadership with new challenges and possibilities. One issue had come up several times in recent months to that board. Many heated conversations sapped the leaders of their strength. The Sunday School building needed renovation. Some wanted to remodel the rooms and enlarge a few for increased class sizes. Others suggested building a new educational wing. Different groups and classes in the church had differing ideas of what to do with the educational space.
During that board meeting, John sat quietly. He was biding his time. John’s family had founded the church fifty years before and felt that the founding members should decide what to do with the building. The pastor had advocated for a period of prayer and discernment to see what God thought of their future. John thought that a stupid idea. Why stop talking about how to fix the problems by taking a month or two to pray about it? John was a doer. He didn’t have much of a prayer life. In fact, he probably got on the board due to his family’s power in the church, not due to his strength of character or faith. John didn’t like the pastor nor wasting time talking about different ideas. He wanted to make sure church funds didn’t go for something so wasteful as a new educational wing. He also was against remodeling. The building they had was good enough to serve for the past fifty years. It could serve the church another fifty years if he had his way.
Before that meeting, John had manipulated a few friends in the church to complain about the pastor and about church spending. They had sent letters to the board and expressed their discontent with several recent decisions. They commented on how wasteful the board was getting and quoted scriptures from the Bible about stewardship. As the letters were brought up and the future plans for the educational wing were discussed, arguments began to break out. The pressure on the board was mounting. John sat quietly and smiled.
The pastor attempted over and over to address all the issues and ease the worries of the board about the future. He spent so much time attempting to ease the frustration and anger caused by John’s machinations that he had little time for much else. After a few months of these heated discussions, the expansion or rebuilding of the educational wing was tabled. The lack of room for some of the classes caused open discontent among the members. Some blamed the board. Others blamed the pastor. Two years later, the pastor was utterly exhausted when he left that church. He felt like a person playing a “whack-a-mole” game where he went from problem to problem to problem in the church in a never-ending series of hurt feelings, resentments, and arguments. The pastor never knew how many of these problems were started by John in his attempt to make the pastor suffer for daring to help the church grow. To John, the church didn’t need to grow more. In fact, he could think of a few members he’d like to see gone.
John is just one example of a person who is mentioned by Paul in our scripture for today. John is a great one to “create dissensions and difficulties” in his church. I have witnessed hundreds of “Johns” in my years of ministry. These people will cause problems where there are none. Some even enjoy a good fight in the church. Many times, they will work behind the scenes to make a problem worse or to set off problems in order to hide their motives. These folks are deadly to any church and should never be allowed leadership positions. Once they get enough power in a church, the church will never grow again. Most of these churches become clergy-killer congregations and stressful places. These divisive people can turn a church that is a loving house of prayer into a divisive, tension-filled, minefield.
The apostle Paul gave numerous warnings about these divisive people. Paul called dissenters to task for damaging the church in Corinth (1 Corinthians 1). He attacked “false apostles” in 2 Corinthians 11 who were causing church divisions. In Philippians 4:2, Paul named two people causing division in the church of Philippi. In Galatians, Paul criticized the divisiveness of the circumcision “party” (Galatians 2:12). In our scripture for today, he urged the Roman church to “avoid” these people. Paul knew many people who “created dissensions” against God or to purposefully damage God’s church. He never knew any of these divisive people to love the cause of God. They were often very good at separating people into conflictive groups.
Do you know a few of these difficult people? Have you been able to avoid their button-pushing? Were you ever drawn into their arguments? Have you witnessed how they engender anger and resentment and frustration? When people go in “opposition to God’s doctrine”, it is important that you don’t get caught up in the fights that will ensue. God doesn’t want your life to be a series of constant dissension and division. Conflict-creating people will always be around. Don’t get sucked into their causes or you may find yourself worn out by their godless machinations.
May 15
“He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” (Luke 10:2, NIV)
When Jesus sent out His disciples into the area towns and countryside to speak about the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick, He mentioned our verse for today. He talked about a spiritual “harvest” that was ready to be reaped. He lamented that with the wonderful harvest to come… “the workers are few” (Luke 10:2). Jesus would have loved to have more workers to spread the gospel throughout the area. He would have gladly sent more people out to heal, but there weren’t enough willing to be disciples. The same problem exists today… there are not enough workers willing to spread the gospel and healing to the world. If you are reading this paragraph, you are one of the relative few who take faith seriously. You are probably one who has shared the gospel with others. You probably are involved in some kind of mission outreach. I wish there were more of us, but there are not. Sadly, people choose to ignore God, their Creator, rather than seek God’s Kingdom. Too many are embarrassed about faith or unwilling to step out of their comfort zone to share the good news of Jesus Christ. Your faith is thus precious to God. When you work for God, your mission is vital and crucial. There are souls out there needing desperately to reconnect with God. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to do God’s work all your life and enjoy the blessings you cause along the way! Your reward will be in Heaven. Your life mission will be recorded.
When I started this web site, I figured there would be a lot of people who would enjoy the Biblical teachings and spiritual encouragement. I’ve been amazed at some of the response. On a normal week, people from across the globe will read on average more than 1000 pages on my web site. On average, more than 200 different people visit the site weekly. I’ve had visits from people as far as New Zealand to read the Meditation for the Day. It has been a joy to bring God’s word to life for you. People are hungry for God’s word. The harvest is plentiful. But, I too have found that the workers are too few. The people on my site often have written me how they want to do more but are hampered by various roadblocks. They engage others to help but find that people don’t take the time to do outreach. Most shocking is that people don’t want to share the Bible or faith with others and shy away from this great responsibility and blessing. God needs you and your faith. God needs to get the message out about Jesus’ saving grace. Are you with Him in pursuit of the harvest?
There are a million ways to share the gospel, heal others, and reach out in Jesus’ name. You just have to find your niche. Find out what you love to do for God and then dream! Find a way to share your faith in some way. I never knew how to start a web site, so when I was hit with the bug, I began to learn how to bring God’s word alive through this medium. If you are lacking fulfillment in your current outreach, find another. It may be that God is sending you to a new field that needs harvesting! Just please don’t give up on your work for God. There are too few of us at it already! We need you to share with us. God needs your voice. Others need your encouragement. All need your love.
“Alila stood on the beach holding her tiny infant son close to her heart. Tears welled in her eyes as she began slowly walking toward the river's edge. She stepped into the water, silently making her way out until she was waist deep, the water gently lapping at the sleeping baby's feet. She stood there for a long time holding the child tightly as she stared out across the river. Then all of a sudden in one quick movement she threw the six-month-old baby to his watery death.
Native missionary M.V. Varghese often witnesses among the crowds who gather at the Ganges. It was he who came upon Alila that day kneeling in the sand crying uncontrollably and beating her breast. With compassion he knelt down next to her and asked her what was wrong. Through her sobs she told him, "The problems in my home are too many and my sins are heavy on my heart, so I offered the best I have to the goddess Ganges, my first-born son." Brother Varghese's heart ached for the desperate woman. As she wept he gently began to tell her about the love of Jesus and that through Him her sins could be forgiven. She looked at him strangely. "I have never heard that before," she replied through her tears. "Why couldn't you have come thirty minutes earlier? If you did, my child would not have had to die."
Each year millions of people come to the holy Indian city of Hardwar to bathe in the River Ganges. These multitudes come believing this Hindu ritual will wash their sins away. For many people like Alila, missionaries are arriving too late, simply because there aren't enough of these faithful brothers and sisters in the mission field.” (Christianity Today, 1993)
So, are you in the mission field as a worker or not? I bet you stand with Jesus. Am I right?
When I started this web site, I figured there would be a lot of people who would enjoy the Biblical teachings and spiritual encouragement. I’ve been amazed at some of the response. On a normal week, people from across the globe will read on average more than 1000 pages on my web site. On average, more than 200 different people visit the site weekly. I’ve had visits from people as far as New Zealand to read the Meditation for the Day. It has been a joy to bring God’s word to life for you. People are hungry for God’s word. The harvest is plentiful. But, I too have found that the workers are too few. The people on my site often have written me how they want to do more but are hampered by various roadblocks. They engage others to help but find that people don’t take the time to do outreach. Most shocking is that people don’t want to share the Bible or faith with others and shy away from this great responsibility and blessing. God needs you and your faith. God needs to get the message out about Jesus’ saving grace. Are you with Him in pursuit of the harvest?
There are a million ways to share the gospel, heal others, and reach out in Jesus’ name. You just have to find your niche. Find out what you love to do for God and then dream! Find a way to share your faith in some way. I never knew how to start a web site, so when I was hit with the bug, I began to learn how to bring God’s word alive through this medium. If you are lacking fulfillment in your current outreach, find another. It may be that God is sending you to a new field that needs harvesting! Just please don’t give up on your work for God. There are too few of us at it already! We need you to share with us. God needs your voice. Others need your encouragement. All need your love.
“Alila stood on the beach holding her tiny infant son close to her heart. Tears welled in her eyes as she began slowly walking toward the river's edge. She stepped into the water, silently making her way out until she was waist deep, the water gently lapping at the sleeping baby's feet. She stood there for a long time holding the child tightly as she stared out across the river. Then all of a sudden in one quick movement she threw the six-month-old baby to his watery death.
Native missionary M.V. Varghese often witnesses among the crowds who gather at the Ganges. It was he who came upon Alila that day kneeling in the sand crying uncontrollably and beating her breast. With compassion he knelt down next to her and asked her what was wrong. Through her sobs she told him, "The problems in my home are too many and my sins are heavy on my heart, so I offered the best I have to the goddess Ganges, my first-born son." Brother Varghese's heart ached for the desperate woman. As she wept he gently began to tell her about the love of Jesus and that through Him her sins could be forgiven. She looked at him strangely. "I have never heard that before," she replied through her tears. "Why couldn't you have come thirty minutes earlier? If you did, my child would not have had to die."
Each year millions of people come to the holy Indian city of Hardwar to bathe in the River Ganges. These multitudes come believing this Hindu ritual will wash their sins away. For many people like Alila, missionaries are arriving too late, simply because there aren't enough of these faithful brothers and sisters in the mission field.” (Christianity Today, 1993)
So, are you in the mission field as a worker or not? I bet you stand with Jesus. Am I right?
May 16
“Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.”
(John 8:34, NKJV)
(John 8:34, NKJV)
There are many Biblical texts that talk about the need to be free. The founding fathers of the United States knew this and used the concept of freedom to inspire the troops of the Revolutionary War and the original documents of our country like the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Freedom, as a concept, is very biblical. Jesus mentioned in John 8 that “the truth sets your free” (John 8:32). Paul wrote that eternal life is a “free gift of God” (Romans 6:23). Romans 8:2 talks about how Jesus set us free from the law of sin and death. In our scripture for today, we are given a clear picture of the antithesis of freedom, and that is sin. John stated that “whoever commits sin is a slave to sin” (John 8:34). This clearly demonstrates that the only way to living a life with freedom is to be freed from the slavery that sin brings with it.
Most people do not think sins enslave you. They would be wrong. Jesus would flat out deny that thinking. Here in John 8, Jesus makes clear that sin takes control over you. Sin can manipulate you. Sin tells you what to do. When you sin, you become a slave to sin. It owns you.
Dr. J. Wilbur Chapman told of a distinguished minister, Dr. Howard, from Australia who preached very strongly on the subject of sin. After the service, one of the church officers came to counsel with him in the study. "Dr. Howard," he said, "we don't want you to talk as openly as you do about man's guilt and sin, because if our boys and girls hear you discussing that subject they will more easily become sinners. Call it a mistake if you will, but do not speak so plainly about sin. "The minister took down a small bottle and showing it to the visitor said, "You see that label? It says strychnine -- and underneath in bold, red letters the word 'Poison!' Do you know, man, what you are asking me to do? You are suggesting that I change the label. Suppose I do, and paste over it the words, 'Essence of Peppermint'; don't you see what might happen? Someone would use it, not knowing the danger involved, and would certainly die. So it is, too, with the matter of sin. The milder you make your label, the more dangerous you make your poison!"
Sin enslaves. It manipulates you. It controls your life. Why is it that many people see sin as something less than dangerous? Follow the life of one who sins openly and you will see suffering and hurt and even death follow that person because of that sin. Sin destroys a person from the inside out. It will eat away at their joy in life and their view of reality.
The man huddled on the cabin floor was slowly freezing to death. It was high in the Rockies in southwestern Alberta, and outside a blizzard raged. John Elliott had logged miles that day through the deep snows of the mountain passes. As he checked for avalanches and as dusk and exhaustion overcame him he had decided to "hole-up." He made it wearily to his cabin but somewhat dazed with fatigue, he did not light a fire or remove his wet clothing. As the blizzard blasted through the cracks in the old cabin walls, the sleeping forest ranger sank into oblivion, paralyzed by the pleasure of the storm's icy caress. Suddenly, however, his dog sprang into action, and with unrelenting whines, finally managed to rouse his near-comatose friend. The dog was John's constant companion, a St. Bernard, one of a long line of dogs famous for their heroics in times of crisis. "If that dog hadn't been with me, I'd be dead today," John Elliott says. "When you're freezing to death you actually feel warm all over, and don't wake up because it feels too good." (The Prairie Companion)
Did you notice how the man who was freezing to death actually felt warm? That’s what sin can do. Sin will make you feel safe when in fact you are in danger. It will make you think you are free when you actually are its slave. God is like that St. Bernard. God wants to arouse those who will go to sleep contented in their sin that they will suffer for that sin. God wants it clear that you are being manipulated and controlled by your sin.
Seven years ago, I asked an alcoholic to please stop drinking. He told me that he could stop at any time, so he wasn’t really an alcoholic and the drinks were just a way to feel good. I told him that the alcohol was deadly to him and that soon he could not stop. This year, I heard back from that alcoholic. He can’t stop drinking. His body is now suffering terribly from disease. The alcoholism with which he found so much comfort has become death to him. The sins that you sleep comfortably with will someday destroy you. Your only recourse is God. Hold on tight to HIM and there is hope. Reject the sin and you have a chance. Just don’t wait too long. OK?
Most people do not think sins enslave you. They would be wrong. Jesus would flat out deny that thinking. Here in John 8, Jesus makes clear that sin takes control over you. Sin can manipulate you. Sin tells you what to do. When you sin, you become a slave to sin. It owns you.
Dr. J. Wilbur Chapman told of a distinguished minister, Dr. Howard, from Australia who preached very strongly on the subject of sin. After the service, one of the church officers came to counsel with him in the study. "Dr. Howard," he said, "we don't want you to talk as openly as you do about man's guilt and sin, because if our boys and girls hear you discussing that subject they will more easily become sinners. Call it a mistake if you will, but do not speak so plainly about sin. "The minister took down a small bottle and showing it to the visitor said, "You see that label? It says strychnine -- and underneath in bold, red letters the word 'Poison!' Do you know, man, what you are asking me to do? You are suggesting that I change the label. Suppose I do, and paste over it the words, 'Essence of Peppermint'; don't you see what might happen? Someone would use it, not knowing the danger involved, and would certainly die. So it is, too, with the matter of sin. The milder you make your label, the more dangerous you make your poison!"
Sin enslaves. It manipulates you. It controls your life. Why is it that many people see sin as something less than dangerous? Follow the life of one who sins openly and you will see suffering and hurt and even death follow that person because of that sin. Sin destroys a person from the inside out. It will eat away at their joy in life and their view of reality.
The man huddled on the cabin floor was slowly freezing to death. It was high in the Rockies in southwestern Alberta, and outside a blizzard raged. John Elliott had logged miles that day through the deep snows of the mountain passes. As he checked for avalanches and as dusk and exhaustion overcame him he had decided to "hole-up." He made it wearily to his cabin but somewhat dazed with fatigue, he did not light a fire or remove his wet clothing. As the blizzard blasted through the cracks in the old cabin walls, the sleeping forest ranger sank into oblivion, paralyzed by the pleasure of the storm's icy caress. Suddenly, however, his dog sprang into action, and with unrelenting whines, finally managed to rouse his near-comatose friend. The dog was John's constant companion, a St. Bernard, one of a long line of dogs famous for their heroics in times of crisis. "If that dog hadn't been with me, I'd be dead today," John Elliott says. "When you're freezing to death you actually feel warm all over, and don't wake up because it feels too good." (The Prairie Companion)
Did you notice how the man who was freezing to death actually felt warm? That’s what sin can do. Sin will make you feel safe when in fact you are in danger. It will make you think you are free when you actually are its slave. God is like that St. Bernard. God wants to arouse those who will go to sleep contented in their sin that they will suffer for that sin. God wants it clear that you are being manipulated and controlled by your sin.
Seven years ago, I asked an alcoholic to please stop drinking. He told me that he could stop at any time, so he wasn’t really an alcoholic and the drinks were just a way to feel good. I told him that the alcohol was deadly to him and that soon he could not stop. This year, I heard back from that alcoholic. He can’t stop drinking. His body is now suffering terribly from disease. The alcoholism with which he found so much comfort has become death to him. The sins that you sleep comfortably with will someday destroy you. Your only recourse is God. Hold on tight to HIM and there is hope. Reject the sin and you have a chance. Just don’t wait too long. OK?
May 17
“So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.” (Acts 11:25–26, ESV)
Do you go to church or are you the church? This is an important distinction for any Christian to make. In the New Testament, whenever it mentions the word, “church”, it is speaking of a group of people. It is NOT speaking about a building. Thus, in the New Testament, you never “go to church”. You may be a part of a church or pray with the whole church or love the church. The church is a group of people according to the Bible. It is not a building. Sadly, many Christians have not only been oblivious to this fact, but the idea of a church as a building has wrecked the faith of many.
When I lived in St. Louis, there was a “church fire” down the street from where I lived. It was caused by arson. Someone attempted to burn the building down. When I heard two people talking later that day, I was not surprised by their commentary. They both said it was terrible that the church burned down. Did it really? Did all the people burn down? Did the whole church group get set on fire? The church building burned, but the church was not there when it burned. The pastor was at another church. The church was at lunch, watching TV, out visiting the sick, at home praying at the time. The church was not burning. Their building was consumed by fire.
Whenever “the church” gets associated with a building, there are only problems for the future. If the church building is the emphasis when people talk about the church, they are liable to see the building as more important than it is. When people start to love the church building more than the church, maintenance of the building becomes more important than Christian education or missions or prayer lives. It’s all too easy to let this happen.
In Acts 11:25, we are told how Barnabas and Saul went to visit the church in Antioch. There, they taught the people “for a whole year”. It was there that the disciples “were first called Christians” (Acts 11:26). The word for church is singular in the original language. But, the meaning of the word “church” in this verse is “an assembly of people”. It is a group. The word “group” is a singular noun which means more than one. In this verse, the “church” was a group of Christians, not the building in Antioch. The “church” was a congregation, not a place.
We may never get away from the wrong use of the word church in society today. People will ask you, “Where is your church” and sadly, you will have to give an address. They will define “church” as a building with an address instead of a people with a Lord! Though others may define the church as a building, always remember that the heart of a church is the people, not the building. The soul of a church is not built with wood or stone, but with a congregational connection with God.
Since the “church” is identified in the New Testament as a people of faith, how well do you support your “church”. Some people support their church by only giving to a “building fund”. Don’t you find this rather un-Biblical? Doesn’t your “church” need more than a building? As my mother often told me, “It’s sad that church people will often donate more for brick and mortar.” I have also found this to be true. I know people who would never support a church mission or pastor, but give only to the building or to buying tangible “things” for their church. Because of this, I’ve seen churches made up only of a dozen people but with a building that is worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. In the end, the “church” was more associated with the building than with a congregation. Is it any surprise that some church buildings become museums? The soul of the congregation is gone. The building is all that is left. That building will often be listed on the historical record as a “church”. It isn’t. There is no church worshiping there.
You may think today’s Bible Study Meditation is just a bunch of semantics. It’s not. It’s meant to make you consider who runs “your church”. Does the building run your church or do prayerful people? Do costs for the building eat up your budget or do missions take a good portion of your budget? I’ve met churches who spent more than half of their budget on a building. What would this mean to you?
When I lived in St. Louis, there was a “church fire” down the street from where I lived. It was caused by arson. Someone attempted to burn the building down. When I heard two people talking later that day, I was not surprised by their commentary. They both said it was terrible that the church burned down. Did it really? Did all the people burn down? Did the whole church group get set on fire? The church building burned, but the church was not there when it burned. The pastor was at another church. The church was at lunch, watching TV, out visiting the sick, at home praying at the time. The church was not burning. Their building was consumed by fire.
Whenever “the church” gets associated with a building, there are only problems for the future. If the church building is the emphasis when people talk about the church, they are liable to see the building as more important than it is. When people start to love the church building more than the church, maintenance of the building becomes more important than Christian education or missions or prayer lives. It’s all too easy to let this happen.
In Acts 11:25, we are told how Barnabas and Saul went to visit the church in Antioch. There, they taught the people “for a whole year”. It was there that the disciples “were first called Christians” (Acts 11:26). The word for church is singular in the original language. But, the meaning of the word “church” in this verse is “an assembly of people”. It is a group. The word “group” is a singular noun which means more than one. In this verse, the “church” was a group of Christians, not the building in Antioch. The “church” was a congregation, not a place.
We may never get away from the wrong use of the word church in society today. People will ask you, “Where is your church” and sadly, you will have to give an address. They will define “church” as a building with an address instead of a people with a Lord! Though others may define the church as a building, always remember that the heart of a church is the people, not the building. The soul of a church is not built with wood or stone, but with a congregational connection with God.
Since the “church” is identified in the New Testament as a people of faith, how well do you support your “church”. Some people support their church by only giving to a “building fund”. Don’t you find this rather un-Biblical? Doesn’t your “church” need more than a building? As my mother often told me, “It’s sad that church people will often donate more for brick and mortar.” I have also found this to be true. I know people who would never support a church mission or pastor, but give only to the building or to buying tangible “things” for their church. Because of this, I’ve seen churches made up only of a dozen people but with a building that is worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. In the end, the “church” was more associated with the building than with a congregation. Is it any surprise that some church buildings become museums? The soul of the congregation is gone. The building is all that is left. That building will often be listed on the historical record as a “church”. It isn’t. There is no church worshiping there.
You may think today’s Bible Study Meditation is just a bunch of semantics. It’s not. It’s meant to make you consider who runs “your church”. Does the building run your church or do prayerful people? Do costs for the building eat up your budget or do missions take a good portion of your budget? I’ve met churches who spent more than half of their budget on a building. What would this mean to you?
May 18
“Afterward, when Jesus was alone in the house with his disciples, they asked him, “Why couldn’t we cast out that evil spirit?” Jesus replied, “This kind can be cast out only by prayer.”” (Mark 9:28–29, NLT)
Jesus gave His disciples many abilities. He taught them how to understand God’s word, how to heal, and how to deal with evil spirits. Then, Jesus sent the disciples out two by two to the mission field to spread the gospel of the Kingdom of God (Mark 6:7). While doing their work, they were surprised that the demons did not have power over them and many were healed (Luke 10:17). Despite teaching the gospel and healing and casting out demons, the disciples were stumped one day when they could not cast out the evil spirit in a young boy (Mark 9:18). In response, Jesus healed the boy. The disciples then asked Jesus, “Why couldn’t we cast out that evil spirit?” (Mark 9:28). Jesus’ explanation was revealing: “This kind (of evil spirit) can be cast out only by prayer” (Mark 9:29).
Jesus’ healing and explanation in these verses of the gospel of Mark shed light on the power of prayer. Prayer not only connects you with God and opens you up to the Holy Spirit, it also gives you more spiritual strength. In the story of healing above, prayer is the key that healed the suffering boy. Prayer laid the foundation from which Jesus could cast out the boy’s demon. If prayer has that kind of power, you’d think everyone would desire more prayer time. However, it is more common for people today to spend time being entertained by an ipad or computer than spend time with God in prayer. Prayer has become passé and old fashioned. Some see it as part of the life of the clergy, but not a reality in the life of all others. These notions that prayer is outdated or relegated to the pulpit are dangerously lacking. Jesus wanted His disciples to heal the evil spirit, but they could not. Their poor prayer life was the reason. If you remember, later in the gospels when Jesus was in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed while the disciples took the time only to sleep. Jesus nurtured His prayer life. Prayers were lacking among His disciples. In fact, there is no recorded prayer of any disciple in the gospels! Only after Jesus was resurrected did the disciples pray more deeply (sometimes in the Upper Room- see Acts 1:14). After Jesus was resurrected and the Holy Spirit became strong in the disciples, the scripture says they “devoted” themselves to prayer. Thus, they became much more powerful, spiritually.
You can only get to a minimal level in your spiritual walk without a strong prayer life. If your prayers consist mainly of short sentences before a meal, the recitation of the same words over and over, or a couple of thoughts during a moment of danger, your prayer life is seriously lacking. You will not have much spiritual power and ability. Prayer connects you with God like few other things can. Prayer up-builds the Holy Spirit in you. Through real prayer (not rehearsed words or recited words alone), you will find spiritual learning and understanding. After prayer time, stresses will weaken, and trials will become more defined. God will often show you more clarity in spiritual battles around you. God will strengthen and protect you. Prayers give you a depth of peace and the power to fight spiritual wars. Without prayer, you will be more stressed, spiritually weaker, and unable to fight some spiritual battles. Jesus confirmed this in our scripture for today.
Early African converts to Christianity were earnest and regular in private devotions. Each one reportedly had a separate spot in the thicket where he would pour out his heart to God. Over time the paths to these places became well worn. As a result, if one of these believers began to neglect prayer, it was soon apparent to the others. They would kindly remind the negligent one, "Brother, the grass grows on your path." (Today in the Word, June 29, 1992)
When you neglect your prayer time, you will find your paths in life altered. You will find yourself weaker. Others will notice the changes. God will miss time with you. What could be more important than prayer time? Tell me.
Jesus’ healing and explanation in these verses of the gospel of Mark shed light on the power of prayer. Prayer not only connects you with God and opens you up to the Holy Spirit, it also gives you more spiritual strength. In the story of healing above, prayer is the key that healed the suffering boy. Prayer laid the foundation from which Jesus could cast out the boy’s demon. If prayer has that kind of power, you’d think everyone would desire more prayer time. However, it is more common for people today to spend time being entertained by an ipad or computer than spend time with God in prayer. Prayer has become passé and old fashioned. Some see it as part of the life of the clergy, but not a reality in the life of all others. These notions that prayer is outdated or relegated to the pulpit are dangerously lacking. Jesus wanted His disciples to heal the evil spirit, but they could not. Their poor prayer life was the reason. If you remember, later in the gospels when Jesus was in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed while the disciples took the time only to sleep. Jesus nurtured His prayer life. Prayers were lacking among His disciples. In fact, there is no recorded prayer of any disciple in the gospels! Only after Jesus was resurrected did the disciples pray more deeply (sometimes in the Upper Room- see Acts 1:14). After Jesus was resurrected and the Holy Spirit became strong in the disciples, the scripture says they “devoted” themselves to prayer. Thus, they became much more powerful, spiritually.
You can only get to a minimal level in your spiritual walk without a strong prayer life. If your prayers consist mainly of short sentences before a meal, the recitation of the same words over and over, or a couple of thoughts during a moment of danger, your prayer life is seriously lacking. You will not have much spiritual power and ability. Prayer connects you with God like few other things can. Prayer up-builds the Holy Spirit in you. Through real prayer (not rehearsed words or recited words alone), you will find spiritual learning and understanding. After prayer time, stresses will weaken, and trials will become more defined. God will often show you more clarity in spiritual battles around you. God will strengthen and protect you. Prayers give you a depth of peace and the power to fight spiritual wars. Without prayer, you will be more stressed, spiritually weaker, and unable to fight some spiritual battles. Jesus confirmed this in our scripture for today.
Early African converts to Christianity were earnest and regular in private devotions. Each one reportedly had a separate spot in the thicket where he would pour out his heart to God. Over time the paths to these places became well worn. As a result, if one of these believers began to neglect prayer, it was soon apparent to the others. They would kindly remind the negligent one, "Brother, the grass grows on your path." (Today in the Word, June 29, 1992)
When you neglect your prayer time, you will find your paths in life altered. You will find yourself weaker. Others will notice the changes. God will miss time with you. What could be more important than prayer time? Tell me.
May 19
“For we who worship by the Spirit of God are the ones who are truly circumcised. We rely on what Christ Jesus has done for us. We put no confidence in human effort,” (Philippians 3:3, NLT)
When a Jewish man from Old and New Testament times wanted to show his connection with God, he would be circumcised. The circumcision would be a sign to all other men that he was serious about God and siding with the God of Israel. Most Jewish parents would have their male children circumcised on the eighth day after birth as a dedication of the child to God. In this manner, most Jewish men were set apart for the God of Israel and given a special connection with God. The apostles thought that a connection with God should not be determined by “circumcision of the body”. To Paul, in the verse above, the real people of God were not those who had their bodies circumcised, but instead the faithful were those who were “truly circumcised”. They were the ones who “worshiped in the Spirit of God” and who “relied on what Christ Jesus had done” (Philippians 3:3). To dedicate one’s self to God through a religious rite like circumcision was seen as “enough” under Jewish law. But Paul went one step further. To him, a person was dedicated to God not through a ritual act like circumcision, but by faithful acts such as true spiritual worship and reliance on Christ Jesus. This means that a connection with God isn’t kept through one’s life solely by religious acts or rites, but instead by a faithful life and commitment in Christ Jesus. True Christians aren’t born that way or made faithful through religious rites. As in our scripture for today, they are highlighted by their adherence to worship in the Spirit and through reliance on Christ.
If you meditate closely on what Paul is saying here, you may want to examine your own relationship with God. Is God important to you just because you were baptized or raised in a church? Is God important to you because you want to be called a Christian or because you like your church? I hope you don't stake the power of your faith on these things. Instead, your commitment to worship in the Spirit and reliance on Christ Jesus should form the foundation of your faith. You aren’t Christian because you are Catholic or Lutheran. You are Christian because of God’s Spirit in you and your commitment to Christ Jesus. Two things should be going through your mind right now: “Is God’s Spirit in me and in my worship?” and “Am I committed, relying on Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior?”.
While working on my Doctorate, I spent a lot of time in other churches doing interviews and having conversations with people from many denominations and creeds. I was surprised by some of the responses people gave me concerning their faith. Many said they were godly because they “belonged to a Roman Catholic Church”, “attended a Missouri Synod Lutheran Church”, or “were raised by godly parents”. When asked about their connection with God, I received responses such as “I spend time with God at church”, or “I’m a nice person”, or “I have lots of Christian friends”. Very few people I interviewed based their faith on having God’s Spirit in their life or living a life dedicated to God in Christ.” Many thought they were deserving of heaven because they were Roman Catholic or followed the Ten Commandments or were baptized. The responses of many so-called Christians was that they connected with God through ritual, not through their relationship with the Holy Spirit or Jesus. I am concerned by their responses. Wouldn’t you be?
On a rough day in the ministry, I visited two dying people. When I met with one, she said, “I can’t wait to meet Jesus. I know I’ll see relatives and friends in Heaven. I am so thankful for Jesus and Eternal life, Pastor!” When I met with the other, he said, “Pray with me, Pastor. I’m afraid this surgery won’t work and about what comes next. I don’t want to die.” If you were the pastor in this situation, what would you do? How would you share your love of God and commitment through Christ? Where would you try to build their confidence in what comes next?
We have “no confidence in human effort” in getting to Heaven and gaining a relationship with God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:3). You can, however, have lots of confidence in God’s Spirit and our Lord Jesus when it comes to your future. Celebrate that confidence. Believe in Jesus with your whole heart and soul. Let God’s Holy Spirit grow in you and whisper to your mind. Isn’t it awesome having a real connection with God? How can you help others to find this confidence in God and connection through Christ?
If you meditate closely on what Paul is saying here, you may want to examine your own relationship with God. Is God important to you just because you were baptized or raised in a church? Is God important to you because you want to be called a Christian or because you like your church? I hope you don't stake the power of your faith on these things. Instead, your commitment to worship in the Spirit and reliance on Christ Jesus should form the foundation of your faith. You aren’t Christian because you are Catholic or Lutheran. You are Christian because of God’s Spirit in you and your commitment to Christ Jesus. Two things should be going through your mind right now: “Is God’s Spirit in me and in my worship?” and “Am I committed, relying on Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior?”.
While working on my Doctorate, I spent a lot of time in other churches doing interviews and having conversations with people from many denominations and creeds. I was surprised by some of the responses people gave me concerning their faith. Many said they were godly because they “belonged to a Roman Catholic Church”, “attended a Missouri Synod Lutheran Church”, or “were raised by godly parents”. When asked about their connection with God, I received responses such as “I spend time with God at church”, or “I’m a nice person”, or “I have lots of Christian friends”. Very few people I interviewed based their faith on having God’s Spirit in their life or living a life dedicated to God in Christ.” Many thought they were deserving of heaven because they were Roman Catholic or followed the Ten Commandments or were baptized. The responses of many so-called Christians was that they connected with God through ritual, not through their relationship with the Holy Spirit or Jesus. I am concerned by their responses. Wouldn’t you be?
On a rough day in the ministry, I visited two dying people. When I met with one, she said, “I can’t wait to meet Jesus. I know I’ll see relatives and friends in Heaven. I am so thankful for Jesus and Eternal life, Pastor!” When I met with the other, he said, “Pray with me, Pastor. I’m afraid this surgery won’t work and about what comes next. I don’t want to die.” If you were the pastor in this situation, what would you do? How would you share your love of God and commitment through Christ? Where would you try to build their confidence in what comes next?
We have “no confidence in human effort” in getting to Heaven and gaining a relationship with God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:3). You can, however, have lots of confidence in God’s Spirit and our Lord Jesus when it comes to your future. Celebrate that confidence. Believe in Jesus with your whole heart and soul. Let God’s Holy Spirit grow in you and whisper to your mind. Isn’t it awesome having a real connection with God? How can you help others to find this confidence in God and connection through Christ?
May 20
“Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the high priest’s house, and Peter was following at a distance. And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them. Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the light and looking closely at him, said, “This man also was with him.” But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.” And a little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not.” And after an interval of about an hour still another insisted, saying, “Certainly this man also was with him, for he too is a Galilean.” But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.” (Luke 22:54–62, ESV)
In the scripture chosen for today is found the story of Peter’s denial of Jesus. Peter didn’t deny knowing Jesus once or twice, but three times in succession. Previously, when Peter was told he would deny Jesus, Peter’s response was “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison or death” (Luke 22:33). In a matter of hours, he was proven wrong. Peter thought his faith was secure. In a threatening moment when he was accused of being a follower of Jesus, he denied everything. Peter denied his faith. Peter denied Jesus. Peter failed. He “wept bitterly” knowing deep in his heart all that he had done (Luke 22:62).
If you look closely at Peter’s spiritual failure in these verses, you will see that Peter thought he was ready for a spiritual challenge when he was not. When everything was going his way after a good meal of much food and wine, Peter was quick to commit his loyalty “to prison or death”. Before that very night was over, Peter’s loyalty faltered and fell apart. In denying Jesus, Peter’s faith came up far short. Peter could hardly believe that he would fail Jesus. But in hours, he did precisely that. Spiritual battles will expose the level and depth of your faith and courage. What you promise in a time of peace and security doesn’t mean you won’t fail in the face of spiritual warfare.
Spiritual warfare exposes your strengths and weaknesses. Spiritual battles with moral choices and difficult moments and tough issues will challenge you to your core. Jesus knew this. Peter didn’t. So often, we think we are ready for spiritual fights in the soul and in our world when we are not. Pride says we are ready when truth says we are not ready.
I met a man who was bitter with resentment. He was unjustly criticized and ridiculed for his beliefs. Numerous people in the community made fun of him or spoke against him behind his back. He came to me complaining that it wasn’t fair. Christian friends gossiped about him, kept him from leadership in his church, and attacked him openly. What had he done? Years before, after traveling to a Billy Graham convention, he gave up drinking and bad old habits. He no longer associated with crude and judgmental old friends. In fact, he would not allow people to swear and be angry in his presence. He’d calmly tell them that in God’s name, they should forgive and forget. Many in his church thought him now self-righteous and arrogant. They purposefully kept him from any church leadership positions. He came to me with righteous indignation saying they were being hypocrites and unfair. He complained that friends in his own church did not support him. He was right. They were hypocritical and unsupportive.
Five years later, after long-standing support for him, I was unfairly attacked by three members of our church. They accused me of being lazy and weak because I had two back surgeries in one year and problems recovering from them. They wanted me to work fifty and sixty hours every week and my doctor forced me to keep to thirty hours at most. My insurance graciously paid for additional help, but that didn’t make them happy. They wanted me working fifty and sixty hours, not two pastors working that many hours.
The members were so upset, they called a meeting of church leaders and demanded my firing. The church began taking sides. A large majority were upset at my treatment. My friend remained silent as a church mouse. He never took sides. He so wanted to look good to the people, to be accepted, that he never said a word. The same man who was critical of all the hypocrites in the church became a hypocrite himself. He sat on the fence. He wouldn’t “take a side”. And many, many people noticed it. In the day he could have found a way for faith and love to win through, he chose to remain silent and back off. In so doing, he exposed his own sinful hypocrisy of the type he had previously condemned.
We all have that pridefulness that says we will not fail in the day of spiritual battle. You may think you are stronger spiritually than you are. In the day of your spiritual fight, will you back off to protect your image or status? When God wants you to take an ethical stand, will you melt under the pressure of public scrutiny? Will you fight against what is right in order to look good to your peers? Don’t look at Peter’s failure as a sign of Peter’s own weakness. Look at his failure as a sign that no matter how strong spiritually you think you are, spiritual battles have a way of exposing your strengths and weaknesses. Those difficult days have a way of showing who you really are at the center of your heart. When that happens, you may or may not like what you see. If you follow your pride, you may find yourself weeping bitterly in the end.
Then again, that failure made Peter a better man in the end. By facing his weak faith, he knew to hold on to God more firmly. When the Holy Spirit came to him on Pentecost, Peter left his denials behind. He openly shared the gospel. He even died to advance our faith. How will you use your spiritual failures? Will they destroy your faith or make you beg God for more?
If you look closely at Peter’s spiritual failure in these verses, you will see that Peter thought he was ready for a spiritual challenge when he was not. When everything was going his way after a good meal of much food and wine, Peter was quick to commit his loyalty “to prison or death”. Before that very night was over, Peter’s loyalty faltered and fell apart. In denying Jesus, Peter’s faith came up far short. Peter could hardly believe that he would fail Jesus. But in hours, he did precisely that. Spiritual battles will expose the level and depth of your faith and courage. What you promise in a time of peace and security doesn’t mean you won’t fail in the face of spiritual warfare.
Spiritual warfare exposes your strengths and weaknesses. Spiritual battles with moral choices and difficult moments and tough issues will challenge you to your core. Jesus knew this. Peter didn’t. So often, we think we are ready for spiritual fights in the soul and in our world when we are not. Pride says we are ready when truth says we are not ready.
I met a man who was bitter with resentment. He was unjustly criticized and ridiculed for his beliefs. Numerous people in the community made fun of him or spoke against him behind his back. He came to me complaining that it wasn’t fair. Christian friends gossiped about him, kept him from leadership in his church, and attacked him openly. What had he done? Years before, after traveling to a Billy Graham convention, he gave up drinking and bad old habits. He no longer associated with crude and judgmental old friends. In fact, he would not allow people to swear and be angry in his presence. He’d calmly tell them that in God’s name, they should forgive and forget. Many in his church thought him now self-righteous and arrogant. They purposefully kept him from any church leadership positions. He came to me with righteous indignation saying they were being hypocrites and unfair. He complained that friends in his own church did not support him. He was right. They were hypocritical and unsupportive.
Five years later, after long-standing support for him, I was unfairly attacked by three members of our church. They accused me of being lazy and weak because I had two back surgeries in one year and problems recovering from them. They wanted me to work fifty and sixty hours every week and my doctor forced me to keep to thirty hours at most. My insurance graciously paid for additional help, but that didn’t make them happy. They wanted me working fifty and sixty hours, not two pastors working that many hours.
The members were so upset, they called a meeting of church leaders and demanded my firing. The church began taking sides. A large majority were upset at my treatment. My friend remained silent as a church mouse. He never took sides. He so wanted to look good to the people, to be accepted, that he never said a word. The same man who was critical of all the hypocrites in the church became a hypocrite himself. He sat on the fence. He wouldn’t “take a side”. And many, many people noticed it. In the day he could have found a way for faith and love to win through, he chose to remain silent and back off. In so doing, he exposed his own sinful hypocrisy of the type he had previously condemned.
We all have that pridefulness that says we will not fail in the day of spiritual battle. You may think you are stronger spiritually than you are. In the day of your spiritual fight, will you back off to protect your image or status? When God wants you to take an ethical stand, will you melt under the pressure of public scrutiny? Will you fight against what is right in order to look good to your peers? Don’t look at Peter’s failure as a sign of Peter’s own weakness. Look at his failure as a sign that no matter how strong spiritually you think you are, spiritual battles have a way of exposing your strengths and weaknesses. Those difficult days have a way of showing who you really are at the center of your heart. When that happens, you may or may not like what you see. If you follow your pride, you may find yourself weeping bitterly in the end.
Then again, that failure made Peter a better man in the end. By facing his weak faith, he knew to hold on to God more firmly. When the Holy Spirit came to him on Pentecost, Peter left his denials behind. He openly shared the gospel. He even died to advance our faith. How will you use your spiritual failures? Will they destroy your faith or make you beg God for more?
May 21
“Those who till their land will have plenty of food, but those who follow worthless pursuits have no sense.” (Proverbs 12:11, NRSV)
According to the latest studies by the National Center for Education Statistics, the largest major found in colleges today is “other”. Majors in Education, Natural Sciences, Mathematics, and Social and Behavioral Sciences have all dropped in numbers. New majors have popped up to replace them such as “Gender Studies” and “Women’s Studies” and “Black Studies” and such types of degrees. When those who receive these degrees look for a job, they find it difficult to obtain one. Who hires a person for “Gender Studies”? Even when people in these esoteric fields did find jobs, it often wasn’t it their field of study. They found jobs in insurance sales or in phone sales or retail or another entry level position. Their years of study in college for many of these graduates helped few to get a good-paying job.
In one article I read recently, a young man graduated from college with a Political Science degree. He ran for public office and lost, though he made a good showing. What does he do today? He’s a fast food worker. He’s hoping some day to find a better paying job or win an election. How long will that take? After a car accident, he moved back home to live with his parents. I wonder if he has any regrets?
Don was in a bad situation. He went to college for three years, but then dropped out. Then, he took a job in construction until he could land a better job. After several missed working days caused by his excessive drinking, he was fired and began to live on unemployment. Six months later, he found only one job: working for a delivery company. After several years of back-breaking work lifting boxes as heavy as 82 pounds, he hates his job. He feels lost. He’s single and alone. He can barely afford rent and often will not eat well. He has no retirement plan, annuity, or IRA. As he looked back on his life recently, he remarked to a friend how little he has accomplished in his life. He had great hopes in High School. Now, he has college loans to pay off, a back that hurts, a boss who could replace him at any moment, and an empty apartment with only a TV and two chairs. He doesn’t even have a table at which to eat.
There are many people in similar situations in our world. For many of them, they spent their lives or money or time following worthless pursuits. Some spent hard earned money on drugs or alcohol or the slot machine. Their addiction has forced them to rely on others for financial stability. Some have gone through prison terms and have found employment difficult to obtain after their release. Some have wasted years not saving for a rainy day or retirement and after one big health problem have lost everything. I’ve heard women who say their goal in life is to marry a “rich handsome prince”. I’ve seen men who had a goal to “win the lottery”. This is their plan for financial security?
Part of the problem for many today is their waste of time and effort and money on “worthless pursuits”. They wile away hours on video games or social media when young only to realize they should have used that time to build up a savings or get some accreditation that may make them more employable. Some waste their college years partying and not learning. Many spent too much money on a hobby or a habit or a dream only to realize too late that it only ended in a dead end and more debt. The scripture for today tells us that an unwise person will “follow worthless pursuits that have no sense” (Proverbs 12:11). They will not plan for the future or make a “plan B” should something go wrong. The scripture above mentions that the hard work of a person who plans ahead, like “those who till their land”, will have “plenty of food”. It implies that those who don’t plan ahead or work hard will end up hungry.
It is not uncommon to see someone who is floating through life today. Many do not think of tomorrow or retirement or even insurance. Some don’t make plans or budgets or set goals. I have found that as this scripture states, this is an unwise practice. It makes “no sense”. Make sure that in your life you do not get stuck in “worthless pursuits”. The New Living Bible calls people who go after worthless pursuits as those who “chase fantasies” (See Proverbs 12:11, NLB). Are there areas of your life where you “chase fantasies”? Are you good at making plans and setting goals and working hard? According to God’s wisdom literature in Proverbs, I sure hope so!
In one article I read recently, a young man graduated from college with a Political Science degree. He ran for public office and lost, though he made a good showing. What does he do today? He’s a fast food worker. He’s hoping some day to find a better paying job or win an election. How long will that take? After a car accident, he moved back home to live with his parents. I wonder if he has any regrets?
Don was in a bad situation. He went to college for three years, but then dropped out. Then, he took a job in construction until he could land a better job. After several missed working days caused by his excessive drinking, he was fired and began to live on unemployment. Six months later, he found only one job: working for a delivery company. After several years of back-breaking work lifting boxes as heavy as 82 pounds, he hates his job. He feels lost. He’s single and alone. He can barely afford rent and often will not eat well. He has no retirement plan, annuity, or IRA. As he looked back on his life recently, he remarked to a friend how little he has accomplished in his life. He had great hopes in High School. Now, he has college loans to pay off, a back that hurts, a boss who could replace him at any moment, and an empty apartment with only a TV and two chairs. He doesn’t even have a table at which to eat.
There are many people in similar situations in our world. For many of them, they spent their lives or money or time following worthless pursuits. Some spent hard earned money on drugs or alcohol or the slot machine. Their addiction has forced them to rely on others for financial stability. Some have gone through prison terms and have found employment difficult to obtain after their release. Some have wasted years not saving for a rainy day or retirement and after one big health problem have lost everything. I’ve heard women who say their goal in life is to marry a “rich handsome prince”. I’ve seen men who had a goal to “win the lottery”. This is their plan for financial security?
Part of the problem for many today is their waste of time and effort and money on “worthless pursuits”. They wile away hours on video games or social media when young only to realize they should have used that time to build up a savings or get some accreditation that may make them more employable. Some waste their college years partying and not learning. Many spent too much money on a hobby or a habit or a dream only to realize too late that it only ended in a dead end and more debt. The scripture for today tells us that an unwise person will “follow worthless pursuits that have no sense” (Proverbs 12:11). They will not plan for the future or make a “plan B” should something go wrong. The scripture above mentions that the hard work of a person who plans ahead, like “those who till their land”, will have “plenty of food”. It implies that those who don’t plan ahead or work hard will end up hungry.
It is not uncommon to see someone who is floating through life today. Many do not think of tomorrow or retirement or even insurance. Some don’t make plans or budgets or set goals. I have found that as this scripture states, this is an unwise practice. It makes “no sense”. Make sure that in your life you do not get stuck in “worthless pursuits”. The New Living Bible calls people who go after worthless pursuits as those who “chase fantasies” (See Proverbs 12:11, NLB). Are there areas of your life where you “chase fantasies”? Are you good at making plans and setting goals and working hard? According to God’s wisdom literature in Proverbs, I sure hope so!
May 22
“He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he. They are corrupt and not his children; to their shame they are a warped and crooked generation.” (Deuteronomy 32:4–5, NIV)
The passage chosen for today and listed above contains a contradiction. It is not difficult to see. In the first two sentences, we are introduced to a God who is “the Rock”. Twice in these sentences, God is called “just”. He is also called “upright” and “perfect”. In contrast, the last verse speaks about what God’s people did to God who was just. Just after the exodus from Egypt when Deuteronomy 32 was written, this last sentence proclaims that God’s people became “corrupt” and “not His children”. Though God was faithful as a “rock”, solid in His justice, they were “warped and crooked” in response (Deuteronomy 32:5).
Do not be surprised, dear friend, if your faithfulness does not matter to others. You might treat others right, but that doesn’t mean they will treat you fairly in return. You might be honest and truthful, but others may not respond in kind. When this happens, you might get angry or turn resentful or cynical. Don’t do it! God’s response to sin was to hate the sin and love the sinner. Your response to people who are not trustworthy or faithful to you is not to hate the person who hurt you. It is not right to reject that person forever who failed you. God treated His unfaithful people with mercy and steadfast love. At times, God became angry with them. But over time, God’s wrath subsided. God always was ready to forgive the penitent sinner who came back with a right heart. It is not for you to just write off people forever. Though they may fail you, God may have you offer forgiveness or grace where another would be resentful and seek revenge.
Ernest Gordon's Miracle on the River Kwai, is a book about Scottish soldiers who faced brutal conditions in World War Two. “The Scottish soldiers, forced by their Japanese captors to labor on a jungle railroad, had degenerated to barbarous behavior, but one afternoon something happened. A shovel was missing. The officer in charge became enraged. He demanded that the missing shovel be produced, or else. When nobody in the squadron budged, the officer got his gun and threatened to kill them all on the spot . . . It was obvious the officer meant what he had said. Then, finally, one man stepped forward. The officer put away his gun, picked up a shovel, and beat the man to death. When it was over, the survivors picked up the bloody corpse and carried it with them to the second tool check. This time, no shovel was missing. Indeed, there had been a miscount at the first check point. The word spread like wildfire through the whole camp. An innocent man had been willing to die to save the others! . . . The incident had a profound effect. . . The men began to treat each other like brothers. When the victorious Allies swept in, the survivors, human skeletons, lined up in front of their captors (and instead of attacking their captors) insisted: 'No more hatred. No more killing. Now what we need is forgiveness.' Sacrificial love has transforming power.” (Don Ratzlaff, “The Christian Leader”)
Sometimes, people may be nasty in response to your goodness. A friend may attack you when you did nothing wrong. A spouse can treat you poorly when all you did was show some love. A child can say, “I hate you”, when you treated her with kindness. Life is not fair. Good deeds can be overlooked or lambasted. A gift of love or mercy may be ridiculed or rejected. When this happens, realize that you are in the same situation as God has been many times. Your reaction in that situation will display how much God means to you. Your faithful response will be cherished in Heaven, even though it may not be on earth.
Do not be surprised, dear friend, if your faithfulness does not matter to others. You might treat others right, but that doesn’t mean they will treat you fairly in return. You might be honest and truthful, but others may not respond in kind. When this happens, you might get angry or turn resentful or cynical. Don’t do it! God’s response to sin was to hate the sin and love the sinner. Your response to people who are not trustworthy or faithful to you is not to hate the person who hurt you. It is not right to reject that person forever who failed you. God treated His unfaithful people with mercy and steadfast love. At times, God became angry with them. But over time, God’s wrath subsided. God always was ready to forgive the penitent sinner who came back with a right heart. It is not for you to just write off people forever. Though they may fail you, God may have you offer forgiveness or grace where another would be resentful and seek revenge.
Ernest Gordon's Miracle on the River Kwai, is a book about Scottish soldiers who faced brutal conditions in World War Two. “The Scottish soldiers, forced by their Japanese captors to labor on a jungle railroad, had degenerated to barbarous behavior, but one afternoon something happened. A shovel was missing. The officer in charge became enraged. He demanded that the missing shovel be produced, or else. When nobody in the squadron budged, the officer got his gun and threatened to kill them all on the spot . . . It was obvious the officer meant what he had said. Then, finally, one man stepped forward. The officer put away his gun, picked up a shovel, and beat the man to death. When it was over, the survivors picked up the bloody corpse and carried it with them to the second tool check. This time, no shovel was missing. Indeed, there had been a miscount at the first check point. The word spread like wildfire through the whole camp. An innocent man had been willing to die to save the others! . . . The incident had a profound effect. . . The men began to treat each other like brothers. When the victorious Allies swept in, the survivors, human skeletons, lined up in front of their captors (and instead of attacking their captors) insisted: 'No more hatred. No more killing. Now what we need is forgiveness.' Sacrificial love has transforming power.” (Don Ratzlaff, “The Christian Leader”)
Sometimes, people may be nasty in response to your goodness. A friend may attack you when you did nothing wrong. A spouse can treat you poorly when all you did was show some love. A child can say, “I hate you”, when you treated her with kindness. Life is not fair. Good deeds can be overlooked or lambasted. A gift of love or mercy may be ridiculed or rejected. When this happens, realize that you are in the same situation as God has been many times. Your reaction in that situation will display how much God means to you. Your faithful response will be cherished in Heaven, even though it may not be on earth.
May 23
“In arrogance the wicked hotly pursue the poor; let them be caught in the schemes which they have devised.” (Psalm 10:2, RSV)
When I think of one man, I find myself starting to boil inside. I wanted to stop him. I wanted to stop people like him. He lived with his mother. The mother was old and feeble. She was glad to have someone at home to help her. She was glad to have her son around. However, everyone knew the son was just plain evil. He stole from her constantly. He manipulated her to get things he wanted. He lived with her, because he had wrecked everything else in his life. He owed money to people all over town. When he had no place to go, he’d go home. He would flatter his mother and treat her very well, all the while stealing from her behind her back. In her last year of life, he talked her into changing her will. He “helped” her decide to remove the other siblings from the will who “hadn’t helped her as much as he had”. By the time the will was rewritten, he had the house, the belongings, her car, her life insurance policy, and so much more. The mother wouldn’t listen to the protests of the rest of the family. More and more, she closed off all others and let her son “take care of her”. In the end, he took her for everything. She died alone while her son was at the casino gambling with her own money.
The scripture for today reminds us of “arrogant” people who will “hotly pursue the poor” (Psalm 10:2). As I read this verse, I thought initially to myself, “Why would a person go after poor people?” The question reminded me of the woman and her son in my opening paragraph. He went after his mother, then went after what she had left in her estate. She didn’t have much, but he took it all in the end. Whenever the son needed financial help to get out of a fix, he immediately sought out his mother. He would dote after her, and she fell for it every single time. Sadly, the poor in our world will always be the targets of manipulators, abusers, scammers, and those who seek an easy target. The poor often don’t have the resources to fight back. They don’t have their own lawyers. The poor are at the mercy of circumstances. They are easy targets for those who take advantage, sinners who “devise schemes” to take their meager belongings (Psalm 10:2b).
I have a soft spot in my heart for people who are home-bound and aged. I often visited nursing homes, leading worship services there or just visiting. I’ve spent thousands of hours with those who live a frail existence due to age or illness. I’ve watched over their care. I made sure they were safe and not being taken advantage of by the wolves of society. Is there someone in your life whom you watch over? Are there poor, disadvantaged, disabled, or hurting people who look to you for help? Our scripture for today reminds us that God is behind your help. God is one who watches over the needy. God keeps guard over their future.
The writer of Psalm 10:2 is clear that people who seek to hurt or defraud the poor have an enemy in God. In their arrogance, manipulators and abusers will seek to take advantage of the poor. God will hold it against them. God will rectify the situation one way or another. When you manipulate a needy person, God will work against you. God is the protector of the poor.
There are literally hundreds of scriptures that talk about God’s care of the poor. Though in society, the poor often have less help and support, God sees things differently. God has a special heart for the poor and hurting. God is the champion of the needy. God expects you to have this same soft spot for the poor and needy and hurting. God blesses your vigilance in watching over those who don’t have the resources to fight back when a wrong is done.
When is the last time you saw a person “scheming” to take advantage of someone? How can you help those who are the targets of the manipulators and abusers of our world? Do what you can to help. God WILL take notice.
The scripture for today reminds us of “arrogant” people who will “hotly pursue the poor” (Psalm 10:2). As I read this verse, I thought initially to myself, “Why would a person go after poor people?” The question reminded me of the woman and her son in my opening paragraph. He went after his mother, then went after what she had left in her estate. She didn’t have much, but he took it all in the end. Whenever the son needed financial help to get out of a fix, he immediately sought out his mother. He would dote after her, and she fell for it every single time. Sadly, the poor in our world will always be the targets of manipulators, abusers, scammers, and those who seek an easy target. The poor often don’t have the resources to fight back. They don’t have their own lawyers. The poor are at the mercy of circumstances. They are easy targets for those who take advantage, sinners who “devise schemes” to take their meager belongings (Psalm 10:2b).
I have a soft spot in my heart for people who are home-bound and aged. I often visited nursing homes, leading worship services there or just visiting. I’ve spent thousands of hours with those who live a frail existence due to age or illness. I’ve watched over their care. I made sure they were safe and not being taken advantage of by the wolves of society. Is there someone in your life whom you watch over? Are there poor, disadvantaged, disabled, or hurting people who look to you for help? Our scripture for today reminds us that God is behind your help. God is one who watches over the needy. God keeps guard over their future.
The writer of Psalm 10:2 is clear that people who seek to hurt or defraud the poor have an enemy in God. In their arrogance, manipulators and abusers will seek to take advantage of the poor. God will hold it against them. God will rectify the situation one way or another. When you manipulate a needy person, God will work against you. God is the protector of the poor.
There are literally hundreds of scriptures that talk about God’s care of the poor. Though in society, the poor often have less help and support, God sees things differently. God has a special heart for the poor and hurting. God is the champion of the needy. God expects you to have this same soft spot for the poor and needy and hurting. God blesses your vigilance in watching over those who don’t have the resources to fight back when a wrong is done.
When is the last time you saw a person “scheming” to take advantage of someone? How can you help those who are the targets of the manipulators and abusers of our world? Do what you can to help. God WILL take notice.
May 25
“This God—his way is perfect; the promise of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him. For who is God, but the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God? --”
(Psalm 18:30–31, RSV)
(Psalm 18:30–31, RSV)
A soldier was winding his way through a valley in Afghanistan. Phillip and his company were told to search the valley floor for clues to a recent bombing in the area. Phillip didn’t like it one bit. He was exposed. Sniper fire from up the valley walls could break out and cause deadly harm. An ambush from up above could wipe out the entire team. As he walked, Phillip remembered his Bible reading that morning from Psalm 18. He remembered the passage calling God “a rock” (Psalm 18:31). For a split second, he felt it was a warning from God to be careful. A few minutes later, several enemy soldiers shot down into the valley, just as was predicted. Doing everything they could to escape the bullets, the team broke for cover. Phillip saw just to his right a large boulder and hid behind it as shots peppered about him, even hitting the rock and ricocheting off its surface. As he lay there behind the rock, Phillip was surprised at how calm he felt. The rock was impenetrable to small arms fire. Even larger weapons might bounce off. There, in the middle of the firefight, Phillip felt perfectly safe. He gave covering fire from that rock so a few of his soldiers stationed above the valley could hone in on the enemy. In just a few minutes the firing ceased. As Phillip finished his mission, he kept remembering the safety of that rock, and what a wonderful coincidence that his Bible reading for that morning gave him a clue to safety in that exposed valley. He thought of Psalm 23: “ Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall not fear evil. THOU art with me…” (Psalm 23:4).
God is wonderfully protective. God is like a rock. Rocks can be like boulders to shield and protect you. Rocks can be so heavy that they seem permanently embedded in a field. Many soldiers have found comfort hiding from enemies among larger rocks and boulders. I have seen pictures of rescue teams who used rocks to fasten their ropes while rappelling into a gorge to save a crash victim. In ancient times, people used large rocks to show the boundaries of their family land. Rocks on mountaintops became places for altars at which ancient Israelites worshiped our God (as in Judges 13:19-20). God used a rock to shield Moses on Mt. Sinai (Exodus 33:21-22). Clefts of rock and caves shielded several in the Bible from imminent danger (Judges 15:11, Psalm 78:15). I cannot look at a large rock without thinking of God’s protection and staying power.
Just as a huge rock is a sure and safe place to tie a safety rope for a rescue worker, God is a sure and safe protector and guard. Did you know that in ancient times anchors were often made of large rocks? In a storm, a heavy rock to which a rope was tied, would be tossed overboard to protect a boat from becoming damaged or people lost. God is like that rock anchor. When storms are waging in and around you, trust that God who is a sure rock will offer you the safety of His arms. God’s word, found in the Bible, is there to keep you on the straight and narrow path that leads to eternal life. The Bible was written to warn, help, protect, and save you. In a fearful moment, God’s word can bring peace and comfort.
The next time you see a big boulder, remember how God is a rock. Remember that God’s Word is a sure bit of wisdom to grasp tightly in a crazy world. God will be there even when all others have left your side. God will hold that lifeline for you, hoping you hold on until His arms can forever cover and protect you.
God is wonderfully protective. God is like a rock. Rocks can be like boulders to shield and protect you. Rocks can be so heavy that they seem permanently embedded in a field. Many soldiers have found comfort hiding from enemies among larger rocks and boulders. I have seen pictures of rescue teams who used rocks to fasten their ropes while rappelling into a gorge to save a crash victim. In ancient times, people used large rocks to show the boundaries of their family land. Rocks on mountaintops became places for altars at which ancient Israelites worshiped our God (as in Judges 13:19-20). God used a rock to shield Moses on Mt. Sinai (Exodus 33:21-22). Clefts of rock and caves shielded several in the Bible from imminent danger (Judges 15:11, Psalm 78:15). I cannot look at a large rock without thinking of God’s protection and staying power.
Just as a huge rock is a sure and safe place to tie a safety rope for a rescue worker, God is a sure and safe protector and guard. Did you know that in ancient times anchors were often made of large rocks? In a storm, a heavy rock to which a rope was tied, would be tossed overboard to protect a boat from becoming damaged or people lost. God is like that rock anchor. When storms are waging in and around you, trust that God who is a sure rock will offer you the safety of His arms. God’s word, found in the Bible, is there to keep you on the straight and narrow path that leads to eternal life. The Bible was written to warn, help, protect, and save you. In a fearful moment, God’s word can bring peace and comfort.
The next time you see a big boulder, remember how God is a rock. Remember that God’s Word is a sure bit of wisdom to grasp tightly in a crazy world. God will be there even when all others have left your side. God will hold that lifeline for you, hoping you hold on until His arms can forever cover and protect you.
May 26
“By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him;”
(1 John 2:3–4, NASB95)
(1 John 2:3–4, NASB95)
Consistency. That’s what you can trust when you really get to know a person who keeps their word. Consistency. You can trust they will follow through on what they promise. Others may doubt, but you won’t. You know they’ll come through. Those who keep their word, honor their promises, will follow through on those promises no matter what. They consistently can be counted on to come through.
Darcy knew her Dad well. He was not one to be late. He was not one to forget. She had made a “date” with her dad to meet at her college campus. The two hadn’t seen each other for two and a half months. Darcy went to college a thousand miles away from home. She chose this college because of its program and her major. Sadly, she had to move away from her dad. The two were very close since her mother died. Darcy waited at the restaurant for her dad to show up. When he was late, she grew worried. Her father always followed through. He should have called. He always called. Knowing something was wrong, she tried to call his cell, his work, and checked up on his flight. The flight had landed. Where could he be? An hour later, her father appeared at the restaurant; his clothes were sweaty and disheveled. Darcy asked what was wrong. He replied that due to a problem with his rental car, he had been stranded on the highway. In trying to diagnose the problem with the rental car engine, he dropped his phone from his breast pocket into the fan belt. It was shredded. Darcy listened to the tale, laughing at the comedy of errors. By the time they finished eating, she and her father were giggling about his crazy day but thrilled to see each other.
Isn’t it nice to be able to count on another person? I love it when a person is true to their word. I love it when a person is always faithful to their promises and follows through on their responsibilities. I love people whose “word is their bond”. When they vow to be somewhere or do something, you know it will happen barring unforeseen circumstances. When life gets unpredictable and situations become chaotic, you can always count on a person who keeps their word.
In the scripture today from 1 John chapter 2, the author talks about being consistently faithful to God’s commandments through faith in Jesus. When this scripture was written, there were some people who called themselves Christians, but were not. They said they “knew” Jesus, but they didn’t act like it (1 John 2:3). True Christians at the time saw them as false disciples or unfaithful believers. It wasn’t hard to tell who they were. They were the ones who “did not keep His [God’s or Jesus’] commands” (1 John 2:4). This scripture calls them “liars”. Though saying they knew Jesus, they didn’t keep Jesus’ commands. They did not follow through on their word or God’s word.
Recently, a friend of mine who is a former Army soldier called on his phone to chat with me. He was so upset his voice shook. Knowing something really bothered him, I asked him to spill it. He told me that he had asked his pastor to come and talk. The pastor agreed on a time. Then, when the pastor came to see him, the pastor received a phone call and left in just five minutes. The man was very hurt. The two never got to really talk. The pastor never called to reschedule. The pastor hadn’t contacted him in two months. The former soldier felt his own pastor was not a man of his word and this cut deeply.
How good are you at keeping your word? How well do you follow through on God’s commandments? Have others learned to count on you to be faithful no matter what? Does your commitment to God shine through in your whole life? I have met fathers who did not keep their word when work interfered. I’ve met wives who broke promises to their husband to remain faithful “unto death do us part”. Sometimes, when people shake on it, they are not planning on following through with what they just promised. I hope you are different. I hope you are a person of your word. AND I hope you keep your promises to God and follow God’s commandments and plan. Others are counting on it, on you.
Darcy knew her Dad well. He was not one to be late. He was not one to forget. She had made a “date” with her dad to meet at her college campus. The two hadn’t seen each other for two and a half months. Darcy went to college a thousand miles away from home. She chose this college because of its program and her major. Sadly, she had to move away from her dad. The two were very close since her mother died. Darcy waited at the restaurant for her dad to show up. When he was late, she grew worried. Her father always followed through. He should have called. He always called. Knowing something was wrong, she tried to call his cell, his work, and checked up on his flight. The flight had landed. Where could he be? An hour later, her father appeared at the restaurant; his clothes were sweaty and disheveled. Darcy asked what was wrong. He replied that due to a problem with his rental car, he had been stranded on the highway. In trying to diagnose the problem with the rental car engine, he dropped his phone from his breast pocket into the fan belt. It was shredded. Darcy listened to the tale, laughing at the comedy of errors. By the time they finished eating, she and her father were giggling about his crazy day but thrilled to see each other.
Isn’t it nice to be able to count on another person? I love it when a person is true to their word. I love it when a person is always faithful to their promises and follows through on their responsibilities. I love people whose “word is their bond”. When they vow to be somewhere or do something, you know it will happen barring unforeseen circumstances. When life gets unpredictable and situations become chaotic, you can always count on a person who keeps their word.
In the scripture today from 1 John chapter 2, the author talks about being consistently faithful to God’s commandments through faith in Jesus. When this scripture was written, there were some people who called themselves Christians, but were not. They said they “knew” Jesus, but they didn’t act like it (1 John 2:3). True Christians at the time saw them as false disciples or unfaithful believers. It wasn’t hard to tell who they were. They were the ones who “did not keep His [God’s or Jesus’] commands” (1 John 2:4). This scripture calls them “liars”. Though saying they knew Jesus, they didn’t keep Jesus’ commands. They did not follow through on their word or God’s word.
Recently, a friend of mine who is a former Army soldier called on his phone to chat with me. He was so upset his voice shook. Knowing something really bothered him, I asked him to spill it. He told me that he had asked his pastor to come and talk. The pastor agreed on a time. Then, when the pastor came to see him, the pastor received a phone call and left in just five minutes. The man was very hurt. The two never got to really talk. The pastor never called to reschedule. The pastor hadn’t contacted him in two months. The former soldier felt his own pastor was not a man of his word and this cut deeply.
How good are you at keeping your word? How well do you follow through on God’s commandments? Have others learned to count on you to be faithful no matter what? Does your commitment to God shine through in your whole life? I have met fathers who did not keep their word when work interfered. I’ve met wives who broke promises to their husband to remain faithful “unto death do us part”. Sometimes, when people shake on it, they are not planning on following through with what they just promised. I hope you are different. I hope you are a person of your word. AND I hope you keep your promises to God and follow God’s commandments and plan. Others are counting on it, on you.
May 27
“Then Satan stood against Israel and incited David to number Israel.” (1 Chronicles 21:1, ESV)
Jerry was “in a mood”. That’s how his wife described it anyway. He got in these moods every now and then in which he was sullen and irritable. Today’s mood was particularly negative, even for Jerry. His wife and kids kept their distance and let dad work things out, which he usually did. The family then saw Jerry get busy at his computer. He worked for hours entering things, looking things up, and then typing things in a database. Finally, at suppertime, Jerry’s wife asked him what he had done all day. He replied: “I’m adding up all my retirement accounts, savings accounts, stocks, bonds, and giving a value to everything I own.”
“Why?”, his wife responded.
Jerry responded with a sneer: “I’m seeing Terry next week, and I want to rub it in his smug face.”
Jerry and Terry had competed over everything for years. When they were both on a baseball team, they compared stats and home runs. When they dated in high school, they competed over dates and friends and grades. Even as a man in his forties, Jerry was still competing with his brother. All his accounting work had wasted his Saturday, but his wife was not going to tell him that. Jerry was out to best his brother, and nothing was going to stop his mood until he got it out of his system.
Many people use numbers and stats to make themselves look good or to pride themselves on their accomplishments. Companies can publish their sales or output numbers to impress stock holders. Children on a school ground can count their friends or add up their grades to use as ammunition against other children. Some people determine their worth by how much money is in the bank, and therefore keep track of every dollar. Even beautiful people can count every pound they’ve lost as a prideful endeavor. With so much pressure to appear successful, some choose to play with their numbers to look even better. Companies can inflate their numbers by padding their books or artificially inflating projections. Social media hounds will buy “likes” to look more appealing to the world. Retailers will have their own employees fill out reviews of their products with lots of stars. For jealous and envious types of people, numbers mean a lot. They even add up to ammunition or leverage to use against others.
In 1 Chronicles 21, the scripture for today shows who is behind some prideful number crunching. “Satan… incited David to number Israel” (1 Chronicles 21:1). We aren’t sure exactly why David was convinced to have a census of the land, but we do know who is behind it. David was influenced by Satan. Satan most likely planted in David’s mind the need to prove himself or his worth by counting the number of his soldiers and people. In the end, David’s army numbered 470,000 in Judah and 1.1 million men in all of Israel (1 Chronicles 21:5). Way back when Israel came out of Egypt, their population was small. But now, under David’s leadership, there were large numbers of soldiers and people. This may have inspired David to feel pride in his leadership and military might. But all it did ultimately was bring down the wrath of God (1 Chronicles 21:7). God knew the number crunching was a prideful act of David. 70,000 men died in a “pestilence” as a result of God’s punishment and lack of protection following David’s sinful act (1 Chronicles 21:14). And David was responsible for every death.
Sometimes, numbers and stats can only lead to prideful arrogance. Counting your “worth” can cause you to think you achieved all your wealth or status or success based on your own doing. Doesn’t God have a hand in your blessings? Did you achieve all that you have without God’s providence? In Proverbs 8:13, pride and arrogance are listed among the things that God “hates”. Yes, hates. Why is pridefulness so terrible? Because it always brings with it some kind of evil. Proverbs 16:18 says pride ushers in “destruction”.
Beware of pride and arrogance. Don’t let numbers inflate your ego. You may think you need to pad your own statistics, but your worth is not determined by numbers. God determines your worth by faithful and righteous living. How well are you doing in that area of your life?
“Why?”, his wife responded.
Jerry responded with a sneer: “I’m seeing Terry next week, and I want to rub it in his smug face.”
Jerry and Terry had competed over everything for years. When they were both on a baseball team, they compared stats and home runs. When they dated in high school, they competed over dates and friends and grades. Even as a man in his forties, Jerry was still competing with his brother. All his accounting work had wasted his Saturday, but his wife was not going to tell him that. Jerry was out to best his brother, and nothing was going to stop his mood until he got it out of his system.
Many people use numbers and stats to make themselves look good or to pride themselves on their accomplishments. Companies can publish their sales or output numbers to impress stock holders. Children on a school ground can count their friends or add up their grades to use as ammunition against other children. Some people determine their worth by how much money is in the bank, and therefore keep track of every dollar. Even beautiful people can count every pound they’ve lost as a prideful endeavor. With so much pressure to appear successful, some choose to play with their numbers to look even better. Companies can inflate their numbers by padding their books or artificially inflating projections. Social media hounds will buy “likes” to look more appealing to the world. Retailers will have their own employees fill out reviews of their products with lots of stars. For jealous and envious types of people, numbers mean a lot. They even add up to ammunition or leverage to use against others.
In 1 Chronicles 21, the scripture for today shows who is behind some prideful number crunching. “Satan… incited David to number Israel” (1 Chronicles 21:1). We aren’t sure exactly why David was convinced to have a census of the land, but we do know who is behind it. David was influenced by Satan. Satan most likely planted in David’s mind the need to prove himself or his worth by counting the number of his soldiers and people. In the end, David’s army numbered 470,000 in Judah and 1.1 million men in all of Israel (1 Chronicles 21:5). Way back when Israel came out of Egypt, their population was small. But now, under David’s leadership, there were large numbers of soldiers and people. This may have inspired David to feel pride in his leadership and military might. But all it did ultimately was bring down the wrath of God (1 Chronicles 21:7). God knew the number crunching was a prideful act of David. 70,000 men died in a “pestilence” as a result of God’s punishment and lack of protection following David’s sinful act (1 Chronicles 21:14). And David was responsible for every death.
Sometimes, numbers and stats can only lead to prideful arrogance. Counting your “worth” can cause you to think you achieved all your wealth or status or success based on your own doing. Doesn’t God have a hand in your blessings? Did you achieve all that you have without God’s providence? In Proverbs 8:13, pride and arrogance are listed among the things that God “hates”. Yes, hates. Why is pridefulness so terrible? Because it always brings with it some kind of evil. Proverbs 16:18 says pride ushers in “destruction”.
Beware of pride and arrogance. Don’t let numbers inflate your ego. You may think you need to pad your own statistics, but your worth is not determined by numbers. God determines your worth by faithful and righteous living. How well are you doing in that area of your life?
May 28
“Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the gospel.”” (Mark 1:14–15, RSV)
When studying how to write, young authors are taught that the first sentence of a paragraph is very important for setting the tone of the entire paragraph. So too, the first sentences of a book are meant to draw the reader into the world of the writer. The introductory words of a speaker are meant to entice the audience to engage the orator. The opening words of a discussion can make or break a romantic evening. Based on these and many other inferences, one’s first contact with another are crucial for any relationship.
In the scripture above, we are introduced to Jesus’ first preaching series on His own. Following the arrest of John the Baptist, Jesus “came into Galilee preaching the gospel of God” (Mark 1:14). Notice with this opening introduction that Jesus didn’t preach about Himself. He didn’t brag about His start to ministry or how great He was. He preached about the “gospel of God”. He pointed people to the good news of God’s saving grace. He came to bring people to a lasting relationship with God in Heaven. His aim was not self-promotion or self-aggrandizement. He was mediating between the faithful on earth and God the Father in Heaven.
Mark 1:15 tells us the topic of Jesus’ first sermon when He taught about the “gospel of God.” His preaching centered on “the kingdom of God” being “at hand”. It was time for God’s people to “repent” of their sins and "believe in the gospel". I find it interesting that in Jesus’ first sermon, he taught about the importance of “repenting and believing” as the two foundational aspects of growing closer to God. If something is wrong in your life, repenting and believing are good places to start. If you need to move nearer to the throne of God, repenting and believing are crucial steps to take.
Twenty years ago, I studied with leaders of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. There, I spent days at seminars and worship services, prayer gatherings and Bible study sessions. Through conversations and reflections, a number of leaders there said that all evangelistic preaching must begin with repentance and a call to faith: repenting and believing in the gospel. In an examination of the preaching of Billy Graham, speakers taught that repentance was the best first step in approaching God. Believing in the gospel was essential to cement a long-term relationship with God. Thus, repenting and believing became the cornerstones to preaching for Billy Graham and evangelists. They believed that Jesus’ first sermon here in the gospel of Mark was a great example for all witnessing for Christ. Repenting and believing worked for Jesus, and they worked for twentieth century evangelists and missionaries.
“Years ago, newspapers carried the story of Al Johnson, a Kansas man who came to faith in Jesus Christ. What made his story remarkable was not his conversion, but the fact that as a result of his newfound faith in Christ, he confessed to a bank robbery he had participated in when he was nineteen years old. Because the statute of limitations on the case had run out, Johnson could not be prosecuted for the offense. Still, he believed his relationship with Christ demanded a confession. And he even voluntarily repaid his share of the stolen money!” (p.13, Today in the Word, April 1989)
If you really want to cement your relationship with God, include repentance and belief into your spiritual life. Take time during worship and in your meditations to confess your sins and recommit your way to God. These two foundational elements, repentance and belief, will show your love of the gospel. They will show that you have responded to Jesus’ opening sermon as well as God’s open invitation to mercy and grace.
In the scripture above, we are introduced to Jesus’ first preaching series on His own. Following the arrest of John the Baptist, Jesus “came into Galilee preaching the gospel of God” (Mark 1:14). Notice with this opening introduction that Jesus didn’t preach about Himself. He didn’t brag about His start to ministry or how great He was. He preached about the “gospel of God”. He pointed people to the good news of God’s saving grace. He came to bring people to a lasting relationship with God in Heaven. His aim was not self-promotion or self-aggrandizement. He was mediating between the faithful on earth and God the Father in Heaven.
Mark 1:15 tells us the topic of Jesus’ first sermon when He taught about the “gospel of God.” His preaching centered on “the kingdom of God” being “at hand”. It was time for God’s people to “repent” of their sins and "believe in the gospel". I find it interesting that in Jesus’ first sermon, he taught about the importance of “repenting and believing” as the two foundational aspects of growing closer to God. If something is wrong in your life, repenting and believing are good places to start. If you need to move nearer to the throne of God, repenting and believing are crucial steps to take.
Twenty years ago, I studied with leaders of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. There, I spent days at seminars and worship services, prayer gatherings and Bible study sessions. Through conversations and reflections, a number of leaders there said that all evangelistic preaching must begin with repentance and a call to faith: repenting and believing in the gospel. In an examination of the preaching of Billy Graham, speakers taught that repentance was the best first step in approaching God. Believing in the gospel was essential to cement a long-term relationship with God. Thus, repenting and believing became the cornerstones to preaching for Billy Graham and evangelists. They believed that Jesus’ first sermon here in the gospel of Mark was a great example for all witnessing for Christ. Repenting and believing worked for Jesus, and they worked for twentieth century evangelists and missionaries.
“Years ago, newspapers carried the story of Al Johnson, a Kansas man who came to faith in Jesus Christ. What made his story remarkable was not his conversion, but the fact that as a result of his newfound faith in Christ, he confessed to a bank robbery he had participated in when he was nineteen years old. Because the statute of limitations on the case had run out, Johnson could not be prosecuted for the offense. Still, he believed his relationship with Christ demanded a confession. And he even voluntarily repaid his share of the stolen money!” (p.13, Today in the Word, April 1989)
If you really want to cement your relationship with God, include repentance and belief into your spiritual life. Take time during worship and in your meditations to confess your sins and recommit your way to God. These two foundational elements, repentance and belief, will show your love of the gospel. They will show that you have responded to Jesus’ opening sermon as well as God’s open invitation to mercy and grace.
May 29
“Hate evil, love good; maintain justice in the courts. Perhaps the Lord God Almighty will have mercy on the remnant of Joseph.” (Amos 5:15, NIV84)
In the days of the prophet Amos, there was much sin in the land. Judges were being bribed, violence was common on the streets, and God’s laws had fallen out of favor. Poor people were being manipulated and abused. Politicians and religious leaders were drunk with power and corruption. In the midst of all these spiritual sins, God called Amos to preach against the sin in the land. God was planning to strike hard against the sinful. However, just before carrying out His judgment, God gave Amos the words in the scripture above. They were the last words of hope, a second chance, an offer of reconciliation. At that dark hour, God was hoping the people of Israel would come back to their faith and cease their sinful ways. God commanded the people to “hate evil, love good” and “maintain justice in the courts” (Amos 5:15). This would result in the quelling of God’s wrath. This would be a sign of faith. “The Lord God Almighty would have mercy” on those who repented and returned to faith.
I want you to notice the conditions God set forth in order for the people to be forgiven and receive mercy. There were three conditions in all. First, the people would have to “hate evil”. They weren’t to dabble in sinful ways. They were not allowed to only stand against evil ways. They had to “hate” evil. They had to abhor it. They had to utterly reject it. This would be the first sign of true faith.
The second condition to securing mercy in Amos’ day shown in the verse above is for the people to “love good”. In contrast to “hating evil”, the people were to celebrate, promote, and support good things. They were to love doing good and encourage one another to accomplish good deeds.
The third condition for finding the mercy of God in the day of Amos required “maintaining justice in the courts”. This meant that God’s law and the clear administration of right and wrong needed to be found in the court system of the day. Rich people couldn’t manipulate the system with smooth-talking lawyers. The powerful couldn’t run roughshod over the weak, ill, or abused. Bribes of judges and courts were to cease. Twisting the law to one’s favor would no longer be allowed.
As I examined these three conditions for God’s mercy to return to the holy land, I am struck by the willingness of God to forgive and offer grace. Despite terrible sins in the land, God wanted the people to return to their roots of faith. God wanted desperately for the people to give up their sinful ways. God wanted to save them. The same God who later pronounced judgement upon Israel and Judah tried over and over to save them from themselves and their sin. God desired mercy. The people rejected God’s conditions.
If you or any nation today desires God’s mercy and grace, I believe the above three conditions still apply. God’s providence will be extended wherever the hatred of evil, the love of good, and justice in the courts is found. God’s wrath and judgment will bring a shadow over people or nations who do not embrace these conditions.
Look back upon your life. How often have you promoted, encouraged, and supported these three conditions given by the prophet Amos in our scripture for today. Have you followed these holy conditions? Do you embrace them? Whether you are going to vote or desiring a better world, these three conditions are a good place to start. In your life or in your country, they are the best conditions for a better world.
I want you to notice the conditions God set forth in order for the people to be forgiven and receive mercy. There were three conditions in all. First, the people would have to “hate evil”. They weren’t to dabble in sinful ways. They were not allowed to only stand against evil ways. They had to “hate” evil. They had to abhor it. They had to utterly reject it. This would be the first sign of true faith.
The second condition to securing mercy in Amos’ day shown in the verse above is for the people to “love good”. In contrast to “hating evil”, the people were to celebrate, promote, and support good things. They were to love doing good and encourage one another to accomplish good deeds.
The third condition for finding the mercy of God in the day of Amos required “maintaining justice in the courts”. This meant that God’s law and the clear administration of right and wrong needed to be found in the court system of the day. Rich people couldn’t manipulate the system with smooth-talking lawyers. The powerful couldn’t run roughshod over the weak, ill, or abused. Bribes of judges and courts were to cease. Twisting the law to one’s favor would no longer be allowed.
As I examined these three conditions for God’s mercy to return to the holy land, I am struck by the willingness of God to forgive and offer grace. Despite terrible sins in the land, God wanted the people to return to their roots of faith. God wanted desperately for the people to give up their sinful ways. God wanted to save them. The same God who later pronounced judgement upon Israel and Judah tried over and over to save them from themselves and their sin. God desired mercy. The people rejected God’s conditions.
If you or any nation today desires God’s mercy and grace, I believe the above three conditions still apply. God’s providence will be extended wherever the hatred of evil, the love of good, and justice in the courts is found. God’s wrath and judgment will bring a shadow over people or nations who do not embrace these conditions.
Look back upon your life. How often have you promoted, encouraged, and supported these three conditions given by the prophet Amos in our scripture for today. Have you followed these holy conditions? Do you embrace them? Whether you are going to vote or desiring a better world, these three conditions are a good place to start. In your life or in your country, they are the best conditions for a better world.
May 31
“Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits— who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases...” (Psalm 103:2–3, NIV)
The concept of God being a “Great Physician” or “Great Healer” is ages old. Healing and faith tend to go together. Some have found that when they turned to God, they were healed. Others have been healed and known it was the hand of God that was responsible. Their faith journey began with God’s healing touch. Sadly, in modern times, people often look to pills and specialists for healing. They ignore scripture, grace, God, and prayer for healing. I remember when visiting for a man at the hospital, I asked if he wanted to pray. He said, “It couldn’t hurt.” I thought to myself, “O ye of little faith!” It can do a lot more than that! God heals. God has legendary powers as the Great Physician. I have seen many doctors give credit to God for healing. I have witnessed healing miracles of all sorts. I do believe there is a strong connection between faith and healing.
“We are all more or less suffering under the disease of sin. What a comfort to know that we have a great Physician who is both able and willing to heal us! His cures are very speedy—there is life in a look at him; his cures are radical—He strikes at the center of the disease; and hence, His cures are sure and certain. He never fails, and the disease never returns. There is no relapse where Christ heals; no fear that his patients should be merely patched up for a season, he makes new men of them: a new heart also does he give them, and a right spirit does he put with them. He is well skilled in all diseases. Physicians generally have some speciality. Jesus does not. Jesus Christ is thoroughly acquainted with the whole of human nature. He is the only universal doctor; and the medicine he gives is the only true catholicon, healing in every instance. Whatever our spiritual malady may be, we should apply at once to this Divine Physician. There is no brokenness of heart which Jesus cannot bind up. “His blood cleanseth from all sin.”” (C.H. Spurgeon, Morning and Evening)
In Psalm 103, God’s legendary healing was lauded by David. He believed that the Lord should be “praised”. He celebrated a God who is full of “benefits” such as healing. God’s power includes the “forgiveness of sins” and the “healing of all your diseases” (Psalm 103:3). Notice that this psalm does not limit where or when God heals. God can heal ALL diseases. And yet, this verse links forgiveness and healing. This is not unintentional. There is a great spiritual link between forgiveness and healing. Forgiveness often includes healing. Healing often accompanies repentance and forgiveness and grace.
Sadly, some have distorted the connection between healing and forgiveness. They think that when a person is ill or unwell, it is always caused by sin. Not true. Even Jesus challenged this misconception (Luke 9:1-3). Though not all sin causes illness and disease, it does cause some. This does not lessen the fact that forgiveness can often bring healing and wholeness. How often did Jesus say “your sins are forgiven” when he healed people? Do you realize how sin can cause disease and illness in your body and mind? Are you aware of the connections between illness and sinfulness?
Like forgiveness frees the soul from the clutches of sin, healing frees the body from the suffering of disease. It is no surprise that scripture points to connections between forgiveness and healing. If you want to prevent disease and illness from controlling your life, make sure you repent and seek forgiveness and healing from the Great Physician in Heaven!
“We are all more or less suffering under the disease of sin. What a comfort to know that we have a great Physician who is both able and willing to heal us! His cures are very speedy—there is life in a look at him; his cures are radical—He strikes at the center of the disease; and hence, His cures are sure and certain. He never fails, and the disease never returns. There is no relapse where Christ heals; no fear that his patients should be merely patched up for a season, he makes new men of them: a new heart also does he give them, and a right spirit does he put with them. He is well skilled in all diseases. Physicians generally have some speciality. Jesus does not. Jesus Christ is thoroughly acquainted with the whole of human nature. He is the only universal doctor; and the medicine he gives is the only true catholicon, healing in every instance. Whatever our spiritual malady may be, we should apply at once to this Divine Physician. There is no brokenness of heart which Jesus cannot bind up. “His blood cleanseth from all sin.”” (C.H. Spurgeon, Morning and Evening)
In Psalm 103, God’s legendary healing was lauded by David. He believed that the Lord should be “praised”. He celebrated a God who is full of “benefits” such as healing. God’s power includes the “forgiveness of sins” and the “healing of all your diseases” (Psalm 103:3). Notice that this psalm does not limit where or when God heals. God can heal ALL diseases. And yet, this verse links forgiveness and healing. This is not unintentional. There is a great spiritual link between forgiveness and healing. Forgiveness often includes healing. Healing often accompanies repentance and forgiveness and grace.
Sadly, some have distorted the connection between healing and forgiveness. They think that when a person is ill or unwell, it is always caused by sin. Not true. Even Jesus challenged this misconception (Luke 9:1-3). Though not all sin causes illness and disease, it does cause some. This does not lessen the fact that forgiveness can often bring healing and wholeness. How often did Jesus say “your sins are forgiven” when he healed people? Do you realize how sin can cause disease and illness in your body and mind? Are you aware of the connections between illness and sinfulness?
Like forgiveness frees the soul from the clutches of sin, healing frees the body from the suffering of disease. It is no surprise that scripture points to connections between forgiveness and healing. If you want to prevent disease and illness from controlling your life, make sure you repent and seek forgiveness and healing from the Great Physician in Heaven!