There is a lot about the work of God and His movement in our world that brings a lot of mystery. We have questions of 'why?' that will not be answered this side of eternity. Always keep two things in mind: 1) It is not God's job to explain Himself to us. 2) We would not understand it if He did. However, we get glimpses sometimes that we need to grasp as fully as possible. That is what happens in the book of Revelation. It is a book of glimpses that shed light on unknown happenings all around us and some matters about what is to come. It does not tell us near as much about what is to come as some have made it out. The point was to give hope to the struggling IN THE MIDST of their struggling. Victory in the end is reassuring in the middle of it, however, many of the details along the way as been misconstrued.
Today in Revelation 5 we begin to see some of the unrevealing when the unrolling of the scroll is announced. The scroll has been written on and both sides are full. That is not usual, however, the point is that God has filled up this document. There is no room for anyone else to add.
It is sealed with seven waxed, signet ring seals. It is one of two types of packages. Either the scroll is rolled and the edge is sealed with 7 seals or it is held by seven threads each sealed like a glue to the seam of the paper. In the first century, a will was often sealed by seven threads. Upon one's death, seven witnesses must come for the reading and each break one seal. Until all the seals were broken the will could not be read. Because of those traditions, this scroll has often been called God's Last Will and Testament. It is not that God has died. It, instead, means the whole comprehensive purpose of God is comprised on this page. It is all of the redemptive plan of God that is to be revealed. It is the total plan and purpose of God for humanity. Now it was time to be revealed. The problem- nobody is worthy to break the seals. Once again, Christ solves our problems. Revelation 5:2 asks, "Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?" Verse 5 answers the question-And one of the elders said to me, "Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals." What follows is a celebration of the Lord once again...and that is what should follow. The only hope we have of knowing the plan of God and finding direction in doing our part to fulfill His plan is through Christ. He is our hope, our focus, and is not only worthy of our praise but of our full, undivided attention as well. Here is where the hope lies. When we would, otherwise, have no answers, now we do...Christ. When we would, otherwise, not know what to do, now we can...in Christ. When all the world would not make good sense, otherwise, now it can, by studying the Word and focusing on Christ. He will break the seals that bring clarity...one step at a time. Totally rely upon Him today and have a great one!
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Every Knee
If you are reading along with us each day (www.lifejournal.cc), you are being overwhelmed with imagery that is hard to picture in your mind. I saw someone try to draw a picture of these images. I believe they did a poor job. Somewhat the point of the scenes is that we cannot conjur this stuff up. It is beyond us and being described in a way that is to help understand on our level what is way beyond our level. It is almost like when I child asks, 'where do babies come from?' and we answer 'From mommy's tummy.' Enough is said to satisfy their curiosity...for a time. Well, when we talk about the work of God in the midst of the historical setttings of Ezekiel, or the scene of heaven in Revelation 4, those images are beyond us. It is written in a way to give us the idea that is much beyond anything we have ever seen. The word 'like' is used a lot in the book of Revelation because the only way we can grasp the scenes is to compare with something we would be more familiar with. Even with that I believe 'not the half has been told.'
Revelation 4 is the beautiful scene of the majestic throne of God. It is a glimpse of what heaven is like. Or at least it tells us what the focus of heaven is. There are a lot of strong scenes in Revelation and that is due to the stronger message that is being shared through the pictures that are drawn. We see a clear one today. First there are 4 creatures that have different faces and sets of wings. These are similiar to the images in Ezekiel that are described as cherubim or angels but those in Ezekiel have four faces. The wings remind us of the cherubim as well in Isaiah 6. Therefore based upon that, we see these as angels. However, it is a little bigger than that. When we look in their faces we see the face of a lion (the king of the wild), the face of an ox ( the king of the domesticated), the face of an eagle (the king of flying creatures) and the face of a man (representing humankind). Therefore they represent not only all of heaven but also all of earth. We also see 24 elders who are commonly understood to be representing the twelve tribes of Israel of the Old Testament and the twelve apostles of the New Testament. These are around the throne and represent the church of Jesus Christ, both saints of old and new, around the throne of God. Now see the whole picture: what are all these doing? The creatures are saying Holy, holy, holy, and the elders are saying, "Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things,and by your will they existed and were created." (Rev. 4:11) This reminds me of Philippians 2: 9-11-Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
The message today: You better be getting good at worshiping the King because that is what Heaven is all about. Don't you want to excel in heaven? Well, practice worshiping the Lord here and now. I bet when you get there, you will be glad you did. Have a great day worshiping the Lord!
Revelation 4 is the beautiful scene of the majestic throne of God. It is a glimpse of what heaven is like. Or at least it tells us what the focus of heaven is. There are a lot of strong scenes in Revelation and that is due to the stronger message that is being shared through the pictures that are drawn. We see a clear one today. First there are 4 creatures that have different faces and sets of wings. These are similiar to the images in Ezekiel that are described as cherubim or angels but those in Ezekiel have four faces. The wings remind us of the cherubim as well in Isaiah 6. Therefore based upon that, we see these as angels. However, it is a little bigger than that. When we look in their faces we see the face of a lion (the king of the wild), the face of an ox ( the king of the domesticated), the face of an eagle (the king of flying creatures) and the face of a man (representing humankind). Therefore they represent not only all of heaven but also all of earth. We also see 24 elders who are commonly understood to be representing the twelve tribes of Israel of the Old Testament and the twelve apostles of the New Testament. These are around the throne and represent the church of Jesus Christ, both saints of old and new, around the throne of God. Now see the whole picture: what are all these doing? The creatures are saying Holy, holy, holy, and the elders are saying, "Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things,and by your will they existed and were created." (Rev. 4:11) This reminds me of Philippians 2: 9-11-Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
The message today: You better be getting good at worshiping the King because that is what Heaven is all about. Don't you want to excel in heaven? Well, practice worshiping the Lord here and now. I bet when you get there, you will be glad you did. Have a great day worshiping the Lord!
Monday, August 29, 2011
Coffee and Passion
I like my coffee either hot or cold. I did not drink coffee until I moved on the campus of New Orleans Seminary. In the Student Center there was a coffee shop. It had flavored coffees and teas. I had never heard of such. I had never heard of Starbucks and as far as I know they did not exist. Probably in California or something. However, the seminary had a coffee shop. They sold chocolate covered coffee beans, flavored coffees, and such. I remember one night I was writing a paper and eating those coffee beans like they were M & M's....well, they are not. I got caffeinated and everything in my life was buzzing that night. I was awake and was able to write, but I was so jacked up and nervous, I was losing it. However, it was the social scene and the study sessions of seminary that got me drinking coffee. I like it hot. That is until I tried iced coffee. You can get it at McDonald's now (and it is pretty good), but then I had never heard of it and people I told about it (the non-New Orleans type) had never heard of it. I liked it. I like it hot and I like it Iced. I don't like it lukewarm. Nothing worse than pouring a cup of coffee in a Styrofoam cup at the office, putting it on my desk, and then reaching for it and grabbing yesterday's coffee. A good gulp of that will make the heart grow fonder. Nothing worse than lukewarm coffee.
I don't know if Jesus was a coffee drinker but I know what he means when he says in Revelation 3:16- So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. Now what He is talking about is not coffee, it is passion. Either be in love with Jesus, sold out to Him, red hot on fire for His Will and His Way or don't be at all. The evidence of how much you love Him is the evidence of true salvation. We know there are people who love Jesus with a whole hearted passion and it is fun to watch them light up for Him. We need to get on fire for Jesus and then let everybody else see us flame up in our love for Him. We also know that there are people who want nothing to do with the Lord and are cold to the idea of submitting to Jesus. One is fun to look at and the other is burdensome. However, there is nothing worse than one who proclaims to be Christian but shows absolutely no signs of it. Jesus called them lukewarm and those folks will about make you sick.
Don't be lukewarm today. Flame up for Christ and light your world!!
I don't know if Jesus was a coffee drinker but I know what he means when he says in Revelation 3:16- So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. Now what He is talking about is not coffee, it is passion. Either be in love with Jesus, sold out to Him, red hot on fire for His Will and His Way or don't be at all. The evidence of how much you love Him is the evidence of true salvation. We know there are people who love Jesus with a whole hearted passion and it is fun to watch them light up for Him. We need to get on fire for Jesus and then let everybody else see us flame up in our love for Him. We also know that there are people who want nothing to do with the Lord and are cold to the idea of submitting to Jesus. One is fun to look at and the other is burdensome. However, there is nothing worse than one who proclaims to be Christian but shows absolutely no signs of it. Jesus called them lukewarm and those folks will about make you sick.
Don't be lukewarm today. Flame up for Christ and light your world!!
Sunday, August 28, 2011
A White Stone
Don't you love it! Ezekiel and Revelation at the same time. (www.lifejournal.cc) That will keep us spinning.
Every spring I go to a pastor's retreat led by my friend Ken Smith. We will read the same book before we get there and we'll talk about it, talk about what is happening in our ministries (what has worked and what hasn't), we'll worship, we'll pray, and we'll fellowship. It is the greatest conference I've ever been to. For one, Ken puts a lot into it and works hard at it to make sure it is good. But the thing that really sets it apart is the fact that now for about a dozen years I have fellow pastor friends that I meet with annually and never see any other time. All we have ever known about each other is praying, fellowshiping, and worshiping together. It is, for each one of us, an attempt at down time and we cling to that time and those folks with an eager pursuit. I drive a little faster to get there, if you know what I mean. It is special.
Part of the reason it is special is the place where we have met for about the last 10 years. It is a bed and breakfast lakeside resort that is designed primarily as a retreat for pastors. A former pastor, who made it big in investing in tv shopping networks, sold his stock and bought a few hundred acres of prime property in Tennessee and has built several buildings including an entrance barn, a schoolhouse, a chapel, a banquet hall, a huge farmhouse, and several cottages. The name of the place is Whitestone Country Inn. It is a neat place but more than that it is special.
Therefore, I was naturally drawn to Revelation 2:17 this morning- He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.' Now remember John is sending God's message to the persecuted church in Asia Minor and he is encouraging Pergamum not to compromise. If they will hold out (and if they are truly saved they will), then they will receive hidden manna. Remember manna was that source of food from heaven that required a total dependence upon God every day. Moses was instructed after the fact to put some manna in the Ark of the Covenant as a reminder of God's providential care. The Ark represented the presence of God, therefore the hidden manna is about God's presence and care. They will also receive a white stone. (The origin of the retreat's name per owner.) The white stone was what was cast by a member of the jury when was one was acquitted. People also received a white stone when they were invited to an invitation only banquet. You know where I am going, don't you? Based on the cross of Christ and our surrender to Him, we have been acquitted of our sin and given our eternal invitation. The new name is not Ralph, Bob or Jim but instead, as Rev. 3:12 gives indication, the name of Christ is written on us. We are His. It is a mark of ownership and relationship. Therefore the message is: Hang On! Be strong for Christ today. Don't you compromise. There is much in store for us. The half has not been told. Have a great day of worship!
Every spring I go to a pastor's retreat led by my friend Ken Smith. We will read the same book before we get there and we'll talk about it, talk about what is happening in our ministries (what has worked and what hasn't), we'll worship, we'll pray, and we'll fellowship. It is the greatest conference I've ever been to. For one, Ken puts a lot into it and works hard at it to make sure it is good. But the thing that really sets it apart is the fact that now for about a dozen years I have fellow pastor friends that I meet with annually and never see any other time. All we have ever known about each other is praying, fellowshiping, and worshiping together. It is, for each one of us, an attempt at down time and we cling to that time and those folks with an eager pursuit. I drive a little faster to get there, if you know what I mean. It is special.
Part of the reason it is special is the place where we have met for about the last 10 years. It is a bed and breakfast lakeside resort that is designed primarily as a retreat for pastors. A former pastor, who made it big in investing in tv shopping networks, sold his stock and bought a few hundred acres of prime property in Tennessee and has built several buildings including an entrance barn, a schoolhouse, a chapel, a banquet hall, a huge farmhouse, and several cottages. The name of the place is Whitestone Country Inn. It is a neat place but more than that it is special.
Therefore, I was naturally drawn to Revelation 2:17 this morning- He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.' Now remember John is sending God's message to the persecuted church in Asia Minor and he is encouraging Pergamum not to compromise. If they will hold out (and if they are truly saved they will), then they will receive hidden manna. Remember manna was that source of food from heaven that required a total dependence upon God every day. Moses was instructed after the fact to put some manna in the Ark of the Covenant as a reminder of God's providential care. The Ark represented the presence of God, therefore the hidden manna is about God's presence and care. They will also receive a white stone. (The origin of the retreat's name per owner.) The white stone was what was cast by a member of the jury when was one was acquitted. People also received a white stone when they were invited to an invitation only banquet. You know where I am going, don't you? Based on the cross of Christ and our surrender to Him, we have been acquitted of our sin and given our eternal invitation. The new name is not Ralph, Bob or Jim but instead, as Rev. 3:12 gives indication, the name of Christ is written on us. We are His. It is a mark of ownership and relationship. Therefore the message is: Hang On! Be strong for Christ today. Don't you compromise. There is much in store for us. The half has not been told. Have a great day of worship!
Saturday, August 27, 2011
In the Midst
Today my friends in South Carolina bury a dear saint of God. Oliver Patterson lived to be 94 years old and passed from this life on Thursday. He was a dear friend to me for the 11 years I was his pastor and in the years since. A cattleman, a gardener, a bee man, a pie maker, and a dear saint of God. I adopted him as my grandfather a few years ago. In the years since, I have checked on him when in SC. He still would give me pies and would still speak kind words to me. He told me one day that he liked my preaching on Revelation the best of any I had preached. It is not ironic that we begin Revelation on the day he is buried. Through modern technology (if all works right) I will be able to speak a word at his funeral, although I cannot be there. God bless the Patterson family. You bury a legend today.
Revelation 1 (www.lifejournal.cc) is one of my favorite passages of Scripture. It is the scene behind the book of Revelation. In Revelation 1 John describes being in exile on the island of Patmos and having a remarkable revelation (unveiling) from the Lord concerning current and future circumstances with the churches of Asia Minor. It is God's desire that John write a letter describing what he sees with personal messages for each of the churches. It is to be a letter that is read, copied, and then passed on. If you look at an ancient map, you will notice that these 7 churches are side by side in the order in which they are given. If you were to connect the cities (like a connect-the-dots) you will see an egg shaped route. That was the postal route of the day.
Of all the scenes of Revelation that people love to talk about, my favorite is this one in Chapter 1. He first describes what Christ looked like. Although he saw Christ like this, the symbols of the sight were just as powerful to him and should not be missed by us. The golden sash speaks of honor. The white hair speaks of wisdom. The blazing eyes speak of eyes that see all or his omniscience. The bronze feet speak of unbeatable, able to go anywhere. The voice speaks of power. When these symbols are studied in more detail, the imagery becomes much more real and powerful than my quick tips here, believe me. However, the best part is the verse of the day for me (and always will be). Revelation 1:12-13 says- "Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, 13and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest." With all the honor and power that is mentioned to describe Christ, the overriding theme in Revelation is that Christ walks in the midst with you. The candlesticks or lampstands represent the churches beaming for Christ no matter their circumstances.
It does not always feel like God is there with us, but He is....walking in the midst...It sometimes seems we are alone. We are not, however, He is walking with us in the midst of our circumstances. It sometimes seems that our prayers are not heard and God does not understand. Oh, the things we think! No, He is right there in the midst of the candlesticks....or in the midst of those that proclaim Him as Lord and Savior and lean upon Him for strength for each day.
I don't know what today holds for you, but I know Who holds it. He is IN THE MIDST. Let that soak in all day long....
Revelation 1 (www.lifejournal.cc) is one of my favorite passages of Scripture. It is the scene behind the book of Revelation. In Revelation 1 John describes being in exile on the island of Patmos and having a remarkable revelation (unveiling) from the Lord concerning current and future circumstances with the churches of Asia Minor. It is God's desire that John write a letter describing what he sees with personal messages for each of the churches. It is to be a letter that is read, copied, and then passed on. If you look at an ancient map, you will notice that these 7 churches are side by side in the order in which they are given. If you were to connect the cities (like a connect-the-dots) you will see an egg shaped route. That was the postal route of the day.
Of all the scenes of Revelation that people love to talk about, my favorite is this one in Chapter 1. He first describes what Christ looked like. Although he saw Christ like this, the symbols of the sight were just as powerful to him and should not be missed by us. The golden sash speaks of honor. The white hair speaks of wisdom. The blazing eyes speak of eyes that see all or his omniscience. The bronze feet speak of unbeatable, able to go anywhere. The voice speaks of power. When these symbols are studied in more detail, the imagery becomes much more real and powerful than my quick tips here, believe me. However, the best part is the verse of the day for me (and always will be). Revelation 1:12-13 says- "Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, 13and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest." With all the honor and power that is mentioned to describe Christ, the overriding theme in Revelation is that Christ walks in the midst with you. The candlesticks or lampstands represent the churches beaming for Christ no matter their circumstances.
It does not always feel like God is there with us, but He is....walking in the midst...It sometimes seems we are alone. We are not, however, He is walking with us in the midst of our circumstances. It sometimes seems that our prayers are not heard and God does not understand. Oh, the things we think! No, He is right there in the midst of the candlesticks....or in the midst of those that proclaim Him as Lord and Savior and lean upon Him for strength for each day.
I don't know what today holds for you, but I know Who holds it. He is IN THE MIDST. Let that soak in all day long....
Friday, August 26, 2011
Lima Beans and Sinking Books
We moved the summer I was going into the 2nd grade. My worst years in school was 2nd grade and middle school. The 2nd grade was rough because I went to a new school for only one year while we were transitioning after a career in the military. The kids in that school were horrible. None of them live in the free world today. At least I hope they don't.
The best thing about that year was speech. I had to take speech through the 6th grade for a huge speech impediment. If you didn't know me then, you would not believe it! God touched me at some point and now it is not my speech that is the problem, it is the stupidity to which I say what I say (at least at times). Every year that I took speech (no matter where I took it and I took in 4 schools over 7 years), the goal was to get a lima bean in a cup. I would practice saying the sounds and words that I had difficulty with . When I pronounced something correctly, I got a lima bean in my little bathroom dixie cup. The goal was to fill up the cups with lima beans. Once I filled a cup, a bell would go off and they would feed me a bowl of food. No, I'm sorry that Pavlov's dogs. Instead for me, every cup I filled up would give me a credit and I could buy something with my credits. I don't really remember the prizes...that is except for the prize I claimed in the 2nd grade. That year they had erasers shaped like football players. They were about 4 different poses that you could get. I ended up getting several and playing little football games with them. That was the best part of 2nd grade.
Why did I think about that this morning? I was trying to remember something that was a powerful illustration to me. Those cups were pretty powerful. I remember vaguely looking at my cup and seeing how good my day had been. I remember struggling with the sound of 'r' and not getting many beans. It is served as a powerful illustration for an area of my life that I severely struggled with.
Jeremiah gave a powerful illustration this morning that keeps ringing through my mind. It is found in our reading (www.lifejournal.cc) in Jeremiah 51:63-64-When you finish reading this book, tie a stone to it and cast it into the midst of the Euphrates, 64and say, 'Thus shall Babylon sink, to rise no more, because of the disaster that I am bringing upon her, and they shall become exhausted.'"
That is pretty powerful. The man of God said, "You are going to sink like a rock!" God is not going to put up with your mess forever. This junk is going to stop. And he was right. Babylon IS no more. What I keep thinking about is this: What kind of illustration does God need to give to us to get us to see that He will not tolerate our sinful patterns? The reality is that if we don't get recessive sins out of our lives, we will sink like a rock spiritually. It sometimes takes the thunder bolts and lightning strikes in our lives to get our attention, but it shouldn't. The greatest illustration that God gave us about the seriousness of our sins is the Cross of Christ. What better illustration could you ask for!
So, listen, no Babylonian mindsets today! Hear the Word of the Lord! Christ died so you could walk clean, so walk clean today and honor Him with your life!
The best thing about that year was speech. I had to take speech through the 6th grade for a huge speech impediment. If you didn't know me then, you would not believe it! God touched me at some point and now it is not my speech that is the problem, it is the stupidity to which I say what I say (at least at times). Every year that I took speech (no matter where I took it and I took in 4 schools over 7 years), the goal was to get a lima bean in a cup. I would practice saying the sounds and words that I had difficulty with . When I pronounced something correctly, I got a lima bean in my little bathroom dixie cup. The goal was to fill up the cups with lima beans. Once I filled a cup, a bell would go off and they would feed me a bowl of food. No, I'm sorry that Pavlov's dogs. Instead for me, every cup I filled up would give me a credit and I could buy something with my credits. I don't really remember the prizes...that is except for the prize I claimed in the 2nd grade. That year they had erasers shaped like football players. They were about 4 different poses that you could get. I ended up getting several and playing little football games with them. That was the best part of 2nd grade.
Why did I think about that this morning? I was trying to remember something that was a powerful illustration to me. Those cups were pretty powerful. I remember vaguely looking at my cup and seeing how good my day had been. I remember struggling with the sound of 'r' and not getting many beans. It is served as a powerful illustration for an area of my life that I severely struggled with.
Jeremiah gave a powerful illustration this morning that keeps ringing through my mind. It is found in our reading (www.lifejournal.cc) in Jeremiah 51:63-64-When you finish reading this book, tie a stone to it and cast it into the midst of the Euphrates, 64and say, 'Thus shall Babylon sink, to rise no more, because of the disaster that I am bringing upon her, and they shall become exhausted.'"
That is pretty powerful. The man of God said, "You are going to sink like a rock!" God is not going to put up with your mess forever. This junk is going to stop. And he was right. Babylon IS no more. What I keep thinking about is this: What kind of illustration does God need to give to us to get us to see that He will not tolerate our sinful patterns? The reality is that if we don't get recessive sins out of our lives, we will sink like a rock spiritually. It sometimes takes the thunder bolts and lightning strikes in our lives to get our attention, but it shouldn't. The greatest illustration that God gave us about the seriousness of our sins is the Cross of Christ. What better illustration could you ask for!
So, listen, no Babylonian mindsets today! Hear the Word of the Lord! Christ died so you could walk clean, so walk clean today and honor Him with your life!
Thursday, August 25, 2011
The Writing on the Wall
When Barney Fife got the new convicts in the Mayberry jail, he wanted them to know right off that it was not some cracker jack, small town, easy out jail. Therefore in the eloquence that only Barney could provide, he lectured the new transfers: Here at the Rock, we have two rules: 1) Obey all rules. 2) Do not write on the walls because it takes a lot of work to getting writing off the walls. Then he strutted back over to Andy and reassured him that all would be fine now. You've got to love Barney! They still have never reproduced, even with all the channels, technology, and variety, anything that even compares to the Andy Griffith Show.
This morning as I read our passages (www.lifejournal.cc) I was drawn to John's twofold rule to the elect lady (that is the church) that is found in 2 John 5-6- And now I ask you, dear lady— not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but the one we have had from the beginning— that we love one another. 6And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it. That reminds me of the words of Jesus when He was asked what is the greatest commandment. He replied in Matthew 22:37-40- And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38This is the great and first commandment. 39And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets."
Therefore what Christ is saying is that the Old Testament is dependent upon it and it is the priority of the New Testament as well. That is a big deal, my friend!
If you think about it, all sin is either a direct action against God or a direct action against someone else (your neighbor). Therefore all we have to do today is two things: We need to love the Lord with all that we have and we need to show that love and reflect that love unto everyone we come in contact with. If we do those two things properly, everything else will fall into place. Remember something though: You are not going to do it perfectly today, but do your best. You will get another shot tomorrow....and the next day....until the Lord returns or takes us home. Therefore we ought to be getting better at it.
Work on it today...and no writing on the walls.
This morning as I read our passages (www.lifejournal.cc) I was drawn to John's twofold rule to the elect lady (that is the church) that is found in 2 John 5-6- And now I ask you, dear lady— not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but the one we have had from the beginning— that we love one another. 6And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it. That reminds me of the words of Jesus when He was asked what is the greatest commandment. He replied in Matthew 22:37-40- And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38This is the great and first commandment. 39And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets."
Therefore what Christ is saying is that the Old Testament is dependent upon it and it is the priority of the New Testament as well. That is a big deal, my friend!
If you think about it, all sin is either a direct action against God or a direct action against someone else (your neighbor). Therefore all we have to do today is two things: We need to love the Lord with all that we have and we need to show that love and reflect that love unto everyone we come in contact with. If we do those two things properly, everything else will fall into place. Remember something though: You are not going to do it perfectly today, but do your best. You will get another shot tomorrow....and the next day....until the Lord returns or takes us home. Therefore we ought to be getting better at it.
Work on it today...and no writing on the walls.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Do You Know?
John had a burden. I can relate...I have a similar burden. My burden is not near as articulate or anointed or inspired as John's, but it is evergrowing. John wanted people to know Jesus. He wanted them to know Him clearly and without a doubt. I believe sometimes our institutions and man made concepts make it a little more complex than it has to be. Churches have different ways of doing it. >Some take you through discipleship classes and when you have completed your workbook and learned your verses you are confirmed into the church. Discipleship is good and well needed and too often neglected by others, but I have baptized several that told me when they completed such a course, they never were encouraged to surrender their lives to Christ...so they didn't. But everybody told them it was OK. It is almost more of a rite of passage than it is a life commitment.
>Some focus on putting high pressure on someone to come to Christ and providing 'easy' ways of doing it. The two I have seen the most in Baptist circles are 'raise your hand, nobody's looking' and 'repeat this prayer after me.' If you don't know right off what I am talking about, let me explain. After speaking a powerful message on the need of Christ and the dangers of hell, speakers will often says something like, "ok, every head bowed, every eye closed, if you want to give your heart to Jesus, just slip your hand up...nobody's looking...just slip it up....quickly." When a hand is lifted, the speaker will say 'thank you' or 'I see that hand' or 'hands up all over the building.' Sometimes it is the truth but I have peeked before and found out that sometimes it is not. I appreciate the effort and the desire behind it, but Jesus never asked anyone to raise his/her hand when no one was looking. He said, 'come and follow me' in a very public way.
Then there is the repeating of the 'sinner's' prayer. That is when one slowly gives you a prayer to pray and then asks you if you prayed it to come forward and let others know. That is ok, I guess, because people don't know what to say. However, I get concerned that people care more about 'saying the prayer' than they do surrendering their lives. Saying prayers don't bring salvation. Surrendering your life to Christ, confessing your sins and your need for a Savior to Christ...those are the things that bring salvation.
>Some believe your salvation can come and go. They believe you lose your salvation when you commit particular sins or when you are not walking faithfully in your Christian faith. To put my question simply: What sins are the particular ones and how far from a faithful walk is too far? Who draws the lines in such a scenerio and how are we ever sure? We don't reach perfection in this life, so how can we know? I know the answer to the last two questions: the cross of Christ is how we can be sure and how we can know. We have to surrender our lives to Christ and pledge our dependence on Him with life commitment and if we do, if it is real, we can rest in that salvation. Its not going away!
I want you to rest in your salvation. I want you to know that you have given your life over to Christ by confessing your sinful need for Him, believing that He is the only hope you have, and surrendering your life to Him. Want a format or a process to go through to clarify that? Romans 10:9-10 is the best one: If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. Let me clarify because that is my burden. It is a one time commitment. It is not a private matter. A real Christian is open about that and makes it public. Jesus, by His own example, shows us that the way to acknowledge that publicly is through baptism. That public baptism after a personal commitment to Christ is the only baptism that Christ promoted. There is no need for us to wonder, no need for us to doubt, if what we did, we did it right. However, if there is doubts, don't live with them. Let's talk about them. Email me at drheeringa@bellsouth.net. That is my burden, but not only mine. It is the reason why John wrote the Gospel of John. He says it in
John 20:30-31- Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. He reiterates at the end of I John and says he wants us to know for sure. I John 5:13- I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life. If you don't know for sure, let me know. You will make my day! I hope you have a good one.
>Some focus on putting high pressure on someone to come to Christ and providing 'easy' ways of doing it. The two I have seen the most in Baptist circles are 'raise your hand, nobody's looking' and 'repeat this prayer after me.' If you don't know right off what I am talking about, let me explain. After speaking a powerful message on the need of Christ and the dangers of hell, speakers will often says something like, "ok, every head bowed, every eye closed, if you want to give your heart to Jesus, just slip your hand up...nobody's looking...just slip it up....quickly." When a hand is lifted, the speaker will say 'thank you' or 'I see that hand' or 'hands up all over the building.' Sometimes it is the truth but I have peeked before and found out that sometimes it is not. I appreciate the effort and the desire behind it, but Jesus never asked anyone to raise his/her hand when no one was looking. He said, 'come and follow me' in a very public way.
Then there is the repeating of the 'sinner's' prayer. That is when one slowly gives you a prayer to pray and then asks you if you prayed it to come forward and let others know. That is ok, I guess, because people don't know what to say. However, I get concerned that people care more about 'saying the prayer' than they do surrendering their lives. Saying prayers don't bring salvation. Surrendering your life to Christ, confessing your sins and your need for a Savior to Christ...those are the things that bring salvation.
>Some believe your salvation can come and go. They believe you lose your salvation when you commit particular sins or when you are not walking faithfully in your Christian faith. To put my question simply: What sins are the particular ones and how far from a faithful walk is too far? Who draws the lines in such a scenerio and how are we ever sure? We don't reach perfection in this life, so how can we know? I know the answer to the last two questions: the cross of Christ is how we can be sure and how we can know. We have to surrender our lives to Christ and pledge our dependence on Him with life commitment and if we do, if it is real, we can rest in that salvation. Its not going away!
I want you to rest in your salvation. I want you to know that you have given your life over to Christ by confessing your sinful need for Him, believing that He is the only hope you have, and surrendering your life to Him. Want a format or a process to go through to clarify that? Romans 10:9-10 is the best one: If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. Let me clarify because that is my burden. It is a one time commitment. It is not a private matter. A real Christian is open about that and makes it public. Jesus, by His own example, shows us that the way to acknowledge that publicly is through baptism. That public baptism after a personal commitment to Christ is the only baptism that Christ promoted. There is no need for us to wonder, no need for us to doubt, if what we did, we did it right. However, if there is doubts, don't live with them. Let's talk about them. Email me at drheeringa@bellsouth.net. That is my burden, but not only mine. It is the reason why John wrote the Gospel of John. He says it in
John 20:30-31- Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. He reiterates at the end of I John and says he wants us to know for sure. I John 5:13- I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life. If you don't know for sure, let me know. You will make my day! I hope you have a good one.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
The One in You
He was supposed to only bring some bread and cheese to his brothers and a report back to his father. His brothers were in war with the archenemy and everyone was on edge. "Just bring me back some good news" must have been the thought of the father that sent him. However, when the boy that tended sheep got to the battle scene what he found was a standoff. There was an attempt by the enemy to have "a one man from each side represents all" kind of war. Why do you have such a battle? You only want such a battle if you have a hoss on your side. The enemy had a hoss. He stood over nine feet tall, wore armor that weighted 125 lbs. and carried a spear that had a point on it that was heavier than a modern day Olympic shot put. (Have you ever seen those big ole guys heave a shot put?) Not only did he look horrible (to the opponent) but he sounded horrible too. He would yell out threats and speak blasphemously every morning as he walked into the valley and sang "Hit Me with Your Best Shot." (What a sniper could have done for the Israelite army!) For over a month this had been the scene. Besides it being a month, it was 40 days. 40 is considered ENOUGH many times in Scripture. 40 years was considered a generation. 40 days of rain completed the flood. Even the Roman army stopped whipping a prisoner at 40 lashes. Enough is enough. And that is exactly what David thought that morning. After some negotiation with the higher-ups, David walked down in the valley and popped his forehead with a rock like a candle poked into a birthday cake. He fell with a thud. However, before David did it, he answered Goliath's venomous tongue with a powerful word about his Lord. I Samuel 17 puts it this way- 45 David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the LORD will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. 47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” And that, my friend, as Paul Harvey said, is the rest of the story.
He knew His Lord was stronger than any enemy and he knew that victory was found in the Lord. Whether it is a venomous enemy of flesh and blood that you see every day, a tantalizing temptation that you fight every hour, a dread of doubt and discouragement that follows you like a shadow, or the deep gorges of grief that leave you in the shadows, our Lord is stronger than the enemy that you face. I John 4:4- You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. Claim that today and live in the shadow of the cross and not some shadow of the enemy's valley!
He knew His Lord was stronger than any enemy and he knew that victory was found in the Lord. Whether it is a venomous enemy of flesh and blood that you see every day, a tantalizing temptation that you fight every hour, a dread of doubt and discouragement that follows you like a shadow, or the deep gorges of grief that leave you in the shadows, our Lord is stronger than the enemy that you face. I John 4:4- You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. Claim that today and live in the shadow of the cross and not some shadow of the enemy's valley!
Monday, August 22, 2011
The Unwrapping
Paul often describes the message of the Gospel as a mystery. The word for mystery in the Greek is a hard one to define. It has a few meanings mixed into one. It is sometimes translated as a secret. However, the mysterious secret of the Gospel is not referring to being silent about it or not being able to find it. Paul, instead, is describing the difficulty in explaining the total picture of the Gospel to someone that does not have Christ.
How can you explain the empowering of the Holy Spirit to someone who does not know Christ?
It could seem farfetched to them.
How can you explain the power of the cross from a historical event of almost 2000 years ago?
It seems barbaric.
How can you explain the Godman, Jesus Christ, who came once and for all, in order to bring salvation? It seems cultic.
How can you explain the glorious and imminent return of the Lord? It is so apocalyptic.
Maybe that is how we can explain it...it is apocalyptic.
The meaning of the word apocalypse is an unveiling or a revelation. There is unveiling not only about things to come but present opportunities. It is hard to describe because there is so much that God has in store for us that the sharing of such truth is not near as powerful as the unwrapping or the realizing or the experiencing of all that we get in Jesus. Salvation is an evergrowing gift. You just unwrap something new all the time and at the most unexpected times. Salvation is the mysterious, unveiling of a gift that keeps on giving. I John 3 hit on two of the wonderful things about our salvation in our reading today (www.lifejournal.cc). I John 3:1-2 say- See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Did you pick up on John talking about this mystery in v. 1? The world doesn't know what we are as Christians because they don't know Him. Our job is not to describe to them who we are, but to tell them about Him and show them who we are because of His influence and power in our lives. It is a wonderful mystery to ponder on: God has made us, who have accepted Christ, His own children! That is amazing, but that is not all there is. V.2 describes what is to come. Two miracles: Christ will appear! And we shall be like Him! That does not mean we will be little gods. No, it means that as the old song says, "We will understand it better by and by..." The veil will be lifted. The extent of our salvation will be revealed. The package will finally be unwrapped... completely. The mystery will be solved. The secret will be out. We'll finally know all that we got when we got Jesus! What a Day that will be!
Live in the shadow of it today!
How can you explain the empowering of the Holy Spirit to someone who does not know Christ?
It could seem farfetched to them.
How can you explain the power of the cross from a historical event of almost 2000 years ago?
It seems barbaric.
How can you explain the Godman, Jesus Christ, who came once and for all, in order to bring salvation? It seems cultic.
How can you explain the glorious and imminent return of the Lord? It is so apocalyptic.
Maybe that is how we can explain it...it is apocalyptic.
The meaning of the word apocalypse is an unveiling or a revelation. There is unveiling not only about things to come but present opportunities. It is hard to describe because there is so much that God has in store for us that the sharing of such truth is not near as powerful as the unwrapping or the realizing or the experiencing of all that we get in Jesus. Salvation is an evergrowing gift. You just unwrap something new all the time and at the most unexpected times. Salvation is the mysterious, unveiling of a gift that keeps on giving. I John 3 hit on two of the wonderful things about our salvation in our reading today (www.lifejournal.cc). I John 3:1-2 say- See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Did you pick up on John talking about this mystery in v. 1? The world doesn't know what we are as Christians because they don't know Him. Our job is not to describe to them who we are, but to tell them about Him and show them who we are because of His influence and power in our lives. It is a wonderful mystery to ponder on: God has made us, who have accepted Christ, His own children! That is amazing, but that is not all there is. V.2 describes what is to come. Two miracles: Christ will appear! And we shall be like Him! That does not mean we will be little gods. No, it means that as the old song says, "We will understand it better by and by..." The veil will be lifted. The extent of our salvation will be revealed. The package will finally be unwrapped... completely. The mystery will be solved. The secret will be out. We'll finally know all that we got when we got Jesus! What a Day that will be!
Live in the shadow of it today!
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Lest We Fall
I love Sundays! I love the fellowship. I love the worship. I love the opportunity to preach. These are gifts from God and I celebrate His Goodness today.
Our passage today challenges us to live for Him in the midst of our circumstances. ( http://www.lifejournal.cc/ ). There are things from within that cause us distractions in living our life for Him. The lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life will keep us all in trouble if we are not careful. Don't run the risk of putting yourself above such issues, as if you have rose above them and no longer suffer with such temptation. As I Cor. 10:12 warns- Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. Don't let your pride falsely deceive you into thinking that you don't need to lean upon the Savior daily for strength. You are dependent upon Him daily or you are not pleasing Him.
There are also forces around us. Be careful for the antichrists. Do not think in terms of large worldly, political leaders that proclaim to be good but are really bad. That is not all there is. Look at little closer. This passage in I John 2 is often overlooked in the antichrist talk. There are many that seem to be good but are really not and that is where discernment comes in and discernment comes from a walk with God that is led by the Holy Spirit. Again, we are daily dependent upon Him. Antichrists are not only large world figures. They are right here 'amongst' us.
So what do we do? Follow the advice of John in I John 2:28- And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming. In other words, hang tight, lest you fall. Let's be strong for Him until He comes.
Have a great day of worship today!
Our passage today challenges us to live for Him in the midst of our circumstances. ( http://www.lifejournal.cc/ ). There are things from within that cause us distractions in living our life for Him. The lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life will keep us all in trouble if we are not careful. Don't run the risk of putting yourself above such issues, as if you have rose above them and no longer suffer with such temptation. As I Cor. 10:12 warns- Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. Don't let your pride falsely deceive you into thinking that you don't need to lean upon the Savior daily for strength. You are dependent upon Him daily or you are not pleasing Him.
There are also forces around us. Be careful for the antichrists. Do not think in terms of large worldly, political leaders that proclaim to be good but are really bad. That is not all there is. Look at little closer. This passage in I John 2 is often overlooked in the antichrist talk. There are many that seem to be good but are really not and that is where discernment comes in and discernment comes from a walk with God that is led by the Holy Spirit. Again, we are daily dependent upon Him. Antichrists are not only large world figures. They are right here 'amongst' us.
So what do we do? Follow the advice of John in I John 2:28- And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming. In other words, hang tight, lest you fall. Let's be strong for Him until He comes.
Have a great day of worship today!
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Shining On Us
I tried my best to prepare for our trip out west. I studied maps, websites, travel books, and talked with folks who had been there. You still can't do it all, and it would not be right to have everything pre-planned. When we got to the Grand Canyon, we rode the buses to the different lookout points, went to souvenir shops, etc. Somewhere in the goings, we heard folks talking about seeing the sunset on the Canyon. We had already scheduled to go to IMAX and see a movie about the Grand Canyon in the next door town of Tuscuyan and we really wanted to do that. We did and on the way back, we passed a lot of cars leaving the Park that had stayed for the sunset. I told Dawn, "we watched it on the big scene and they actually watched it." But the movie was big, good, and very informative about the discovery of the Grand Canyon and we don't regret it. However, we then wanted to see the sunrise.
Dawn and I got up at 5 AM to see a 5:30 sunrise and went outside to stand on the rim. Our hotel room was about 30 yards from the rim. Several others were out there in shorts in 40 degree weather waiting. They stood in silence with their cameras, some nestled up, and some alone. Then the sun came over the Canyon and the shadows started moving with every upward motion of the sun. It was beautiful and breathtaking. On the way back to the room, there were 5 elk eating on the grass between the hotel room and the rim. We stood within 12 ft. of them. A neat and memorable experience.
Let me tell about something greater. I found it this morning in Ps. 67:1- May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine on us. He shines on us. That is even more beautiful. The Lord shines down on us. Not only is the hot Mississippi sun beaming down on us on an August day, but the Lord beams down on us. That is enough to get you going. Why does He beam down on us? Glad you ask. Verse 2 tells us- so that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations. He beams on us so that the testimony of our faith may be known to all we come in contact with.
That is not only a great relief but an opportunity for us to thrive through.
So, dear Lord, beam today in us and through us, and let your name be praised!!
Dawn and I got up at 5 AM to see a 5:30 sunrise and went outside to stand on the rim. Our hotel room was about 30 yards from the rim. Several others were out there in shorts in 40 degree weather waiting. They stood in silence with their cameras, some nestled up, and some alone. Then the sun came over the Canyon and the shadows started moving with every upward motion of the sun. It was beautiful and breathtaking. On the way back to the room, there were 5 elk eating on the grass between the hotel room and the rim. We stood within 12 ft. of them. A neat and memorable experience.
Let me tell about something greater. I found it this morning in Ps. 67:1- May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine on us. He shines on us. That is even more beautiful. The Lord shines down on us. Not only is the hot Mississippi sun beaming down on us on an August day, but the Lord beams down on us. That is enough to get you going. Why does He beam down on us? Glad you ask. Verse 2 tells us- so that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations. He beams on us so that the testimony of our faith may be known to all we come in contact with.
That is not only a great relief but an opportunity for us to thrive through.
So, dear Lord, beam today in us and through us, and let your name be praised!!
Friday, August 19, 2011
153?
In today's Scripture we run across a very interesting passage. It is found in John 21:11- So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. 153 large fish! That is a good day! That is also the exact number of fish fillets that the Senior Adults ate last night at Cravin' Catfish on our outing! Isn't that amazing! Actually that is probably close to how many 36 people ate, but I wasn't not counting, I was kidding.
Why 153? Oh, that is such a question that gives theologians such a challenge they just can't help but get excited.
>Some believe that 153 was the total number of species of fish that they were familiar with in the 1st century, and that is why they caught that many. That would mean that God led them to reach one from every species and that would give an evangelistic perspective to the catch that would encourage them to reach the world. That's good, ain't it? Not really. Historical documentation tells us that it was 157 different species that they were aware of and this Scripture does not even refer to different species.
>Others believe that 153 fish were caught because it is the sum of 1 to 17 if you add all the numerals together (17+16+15+14......). Why would 17 be significant? 10 is considered a perfect number in Biblical Numerology because of the 10 commandments, representing the complete or perfect law of God. 7 represents the "sevenfold gifts of the Spirit." Put the Old Testament and the New together like that and WHAM!, what a message!! Or is it?
>Then there is the triangle theory. If you make a triangle out of 153 dots, you will have an equilateral triangle with 17 dots on each side. That goes back to the 17 numerology with some three-sided trinity thrown in. Don't you wonder, how long did the ole boy work on that one?
>Then there is the 153 languages that made up the world at that time and that it symbolizes reaching the world for Christ. I don't know about that and I can't verify the number of known languages at that time.
So what is it? Why, 153? Well, I don't deny the evangelistic connection. He did call them (and us) to be fishers of men. When we follow His lead and not rely on our expertise, He will bless and many lives will be effected. Along those lines, there is a great passage in the first half of Ezekiel 47 that is a wonderful illustration of the power of God bringing life and it is with a fishing connection. A very cool passage!
So even with an evangelistic connection, why 153? I think it was recorded as 153 fish because it was a remarkable and memorable catch. What fisherman would not remember a day when he got 153 fish. Some estimate that with the weight of a wet net, that they dragged in over 300 lbs into that boat. That is quite a day of fishing! And how did they catch those fish? They did what Christ told them to do. They did not doubt it. They did not disobey even though they had been fishing for so long and THEY were the fishermen. They did what Christ wanted them to do and He blessed them for it. When they left that shore and saw other folks, they would say, "You can't believe what happened today....we got 153 fish..." That is a whole lot more interesting than saying "a bunch of fish." They remembered the number, they shared it, and they never forgot it. They did not forget it when they were trying to do His Ministry after His Ascension and things got tough, either. Somewhere in some jail cell where they were locked up for sharing Christ, they remembered that when you follow the direction of the Lord, He is going to bless you in a mighty way, even after a long day, or a few long days.
So let's just drop our agenda and follow His and let's see what happens....TODAY.....and have a great day doing it.
Why 153? Oh, that is such a question that gives theologians such a challenge they just can't help but get excited.
>Some believe that 153 was the total number of species of fish that they were familiar with in the 1st century, and that is why they caught that many. That would mean that God led them to reach one from every species and that would give an evangelistic perspective to the catch that would encourage them to reach the world. That's good, ain't it? Not really. Historical documentation tells us that it was 157 different species that they were aware of and this Scripture does not even refer to different species.
>Others believe that 153 fish were caught because it is the sum of 1 to 17 if you add all the numerals together (17+16+15+14......). Why would 17 be significant? 10 is considered a perfect number in Biblical Numerology because of the 10 commandments, representing the complete or perfect law of God. 7 represents the "sevenfold gifts of the Spirit." Put the Old Testament and the New together like that and WHAM!, what a message!! Or is it?
>Then there is the triangle theory. If you make a triangle out of 153 dots, you will have an equilateral triangle with 17 dots on each side. That goes back to the 17 numerology with some three-sided trinity thrown in. Don't you wonder, how long did the ole boy work on that one?
>Then there is the 153 languages that made up the world at that time and that it symbolizes reaching the world for Christ. I don't know about that and I can't verify the number of known languages at that time.
So what is it? Why, 153? Well, I don't deny the evangelistic connection. He did call them (and us) to be fishers of men. When we follow His lead and not rely on our expertise, He will bless and many lives will be effected. Along those lines, there is a great passage in the first half of Ezekiel 47 that is a wonderful illustration of the power of God bringing life and it is with a fishing connection. A very cool passage!
So even with an evangelistic connection, why 153? I think it was recorded as 153 fish because it was a remarkable and memorable catch. What fisherman would not remember a day when he got 153 fish. Some estimate that with the weight of a wet net, that they dragged in over 300 lbs into that boat. That is quite a day of fishing! And how did they catch those fish? They did what Christ told them to do. They did not doubt it. They did not disobey even though they had been fishing for so long and THEY were the fishermen. They did what Christ wanted them to do and He blessed them for it. When they left that shore and saw other folks, they would say, "You can't believe what happened today....we got 153 fish..." That is a whole lot more interesting than saying "a bunch of fish." They remembered the number, they shared it, and they never forgot it. They did not forget it when they were trying to do His Ministry after His Ascension and things got tough, either. Somewhere in some jail cell where they were locked up for sharing Christ, they remembered that when you follow the direction of the Lord, He is going to bless you in a mighty way, even after a long day, or a few long days.
So let's just drop our agenda and follow His and let's see what happens....TODAY.....and have a great day doing it.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Burning Bibles
I have plenty of Bibles. I would guess at least fifty. I got nice Bibles and cheap Bibles. I got preaching Bibles and study Bibles. I got a baptism Bible (in case I drop it) and a waterproof Bible (that is kinda cool). I've got my morning study Bible and I've got a couple of funeral Bibles. Won't be long until I have some big print Bibles. I love a good Bible.
I bet if you saw someone burning Bibles you wouldn't like it. I know I wouldn't. The Word means a lot to me and although I believe everyone has a right to do whatever their little evil hearts lead them to do with their property as long as they don't hurt other folks, burning a Bible ain't cool. I read about a Bible burning this morning. Well, not a premium calfskin leather bound, gold etched, double ribboned version but a scrolled, dictated, word from God through His prophet. It is found in Jeremiah 36 :
20 After they put the scroll in the room of Elishama the secretary, they went to the king in the courtyard and reported everything to him. 21 The king sent Jehudi to get the scroll, and Jehudi brought it from the room of Elishama the secretary and read it to the king and all the officials standing beside him. 22 It was the ninth month and the king was sitting in the winter apartment, with a fire burning in the firepot in front of him. 23 Whenever Jehudi had read three or four columns of the scroll, the king cut them off with a scribe’s knife and threw them into the firepot, until the entire scroll was burned in the fire. 24 The king and all his attendants who heard all these words showed no fear, nor did they tear their clothes. 25 Even though Elnathan, Delaiah and Gemariah urged the king not to burn the scroll, he would not listen to them. Wow! The audacity to not even pay attention to what was said. The shunning of a prophetic word to such a degree that he could never review it after it was burned. The pride of a man to close himself off from the Word of God.
Have you ever done it? Have you ever done what the king did? Have you ever burned the Word? Even if you have never let a Bible touch a flame, spiritually it is very possible that you read the Word or heard it read and explain to you, and walked away without regarding anything that was said. I am not giving you credit from some methodical pause that got you through church or got you through a devotion, only to lead you to move on at the same pace you were going. We need to value the Word of God. It is God-Breathed, living and active. It cuts to the heart of the matter. Don't cut it out, throw it away or burn it off your conscience. Don't walk away from a reading of His Word and not allow it to effect your life. We ought to be changed. Our mindset ought to be challenged as we take it in. Instead, eat the Word of God. Take it in and let it change your Day. Have a good one!
I bet if you saw someone burning Bibles you wouldn't like it. I know I wouldn't. The Word means a lot to me and although I believe everyone has a right to do whatever their little evil hearts lead them to do with their property as long as they don't hurt other folks, burning a Bible ain't cool. I read about a Bible burning this morning. Well, not a premium calfskin leather bound, gold etched, double ribboned version but a scrolled, dictated, word from God through His prophet. It is found in Jeremiah 36 :
20 After they put the scroll in the room of Elishama the secretary, they went to the king in the courtyard and reported everything to him. 21 The king sent Jehudi to get the scroll, and Jehudi brought it from the room of Elishama the secretary and read it to the king and all the officials standing beside him. 22 It was the ninth month and the king was sitting in the winter apartment, with a fire burning in the firepot in front of him. 23 Whenever Jehudi had read three or four columns of the scroll, the king cut them off with a scribe’s knife and threw them into the firepot, until the entire scroll was burned in the fire. 24 The king and all his attendants who heard all these words showed no fear, nor did they tear their clothes. 25 Even though Elnathan, Delaiah and Gemariah urged the king not to burn the scroll, he would not listen to them. Wow! The audacity to not even pay attention to what was said. The shunning of a prophetic word to such a degree that he could never review it after it was burned. The pride of a man to close himself off from the Word of God.
Have you ever done it? Have you ever done what the king did? Have you ever burned the Word? Even if you have never let a Bible touch a flame, spiritually it is very possible that you read the Word or heard it read and explain to you, and walked away without regarding anything that was said. I am not giving you credit from some methodical pause that got you through church or got you through a devotion, only to lead you to move on at the same pace you were going. We need to value the Word of God. It is God-Breathed, living and active. It cuts to the heart of the matter. Don't cut it out, throw it away or burn it off your conscience. Don't walk away from a reading of His Word and not allow it to effect your life. We ought to be changed. Our mindset ought to be challenged as we take it in. Instead, eat the Word of God. Take it in and let it change your Day. Have a good one!
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
At the Center
Today in John 19 I read about the cross of Christ. John 19:17 says, So they took Jesus, and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called The Place of a Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha. The cross stands at the center of all we do. We live because Christ died and now lives. As He lives, so we shall. We must die to ourselves to become alive in Him. You have to die to really live. You are either born twice or you die twice. If you are born again in Christ, you will not have to face the second death after your life on earth that leads to eternal condemnation due to your sins and your rejection of the opportunity of Jesus. All that we are and all that we have comes back to the cross of Christ. It identifies the Christian.
It also identifies the Church. The way Christ lives, we shall also live. And we shall remember His death (and not get too far from it) until He returns. It is the key to all we do in ministry.
My buddy and mentor, Ken Smith, as often used a quote from George McCloud to define his ministry:
I simply argue that the cross be raised in the middle of the marketplace. For Jesus was not crucified in a church between two candles but on a cross between two thieves. A place so cosmopolitan they had to write his name in 3 languages: Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic. It was the town garbage heap. Where thieves cursed, cynics hurled insults, soldiers gambled. That is where he chose to die and those are the people he chose to die for ... and that is where the church needs to be and those are the people we ought to care for as well.
I would say Amen and I make that my prayer for us today.
Dear Lord today, turn our hearts toward you to live out the Christian life both personally and publicly, both with our families or with strangers. Help us keep the cross at the center of all we do. Only in His Name, Amen.
He died for you. Live for Him. Live for our risen Lord today.
It also identifies the Church. The way Christ lives, we shall also live. And we shall remember His death (and not get too far from it) until He returns. It is the key to all we do in ministry.
My buddy and mentor, Ken Smith, as often used a quote from George McCloud to define his ministry:
I simply argue that the cross be raised in the middle of the marketplace. For Jesus was not crucified in a church between two candles but on a cross between two thieves. A place so cosmopolitan they had to write his name in 3 languages: Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic. It was the town garbage heap. Where thieves cursed, cynics hurled insults, soldiers gambled. That is where he chose to die and those are the people he chose to die for ... and that is where the church needs to be and those are the people we ought to care for as well.
I would say Amen and I make that my prayer for us today.
Dear Lord today, turn our hearts toward you to live out the Christian life both personally and publicly, both with our families or with strangers. Help us keep the cross at the center of all we do. Only in His Name, Amen.
He died for you. Live for Him. Live for our risen Lord today.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Jesus in Social Settings
Peter gets a bad rap. Sadly the early part of his life is often more emphasized than his better years. Peter got better with age, some people kinda fade after their prime. Peter had a foot-shaped mouth. A lot of us cannot attack him too hard for that. He said dumb things and he said them too quick. He was that guy in class that always shot his arm up in class to answer the question, even though the question had not completely been asked yet. By the time the question is complete, it is different that the hand shooter thought and he is left babbling in his foregone conclusions. Oh, what painful memories! The Peter Predicament is why I enter big rooms full of people quietly unless I know them.
Peter was the first to speak in defense of Christ, first to speak of his allegiance, and the second to let Him down. The commitment he made in private, he did not keep in public. John 18:17 describes it: The servant girl at the door said to Peter, "You also are not one of this man’s disciples, are you?" He said, "I am not." Instead of going in with John to see the high priest and Jesus, Peter claimed no allegiance and stood out by the fire and warmed himself with some of the officers that just arrested Jesus. How interesting! Don't you wonder where Malchus (v.10) was? Was he a handwarming courtyard dweller or a court dweller with the high priest? I bet Peter didn't make eye contact with him by the fire or ask him, "Hey, hows the ear?". As my five year old says- "Awk-wwwward!!!", although she doesn't have a clue what it means. Isn't it fascinating how Peter wanted to stand out for Christ in private, but blended right in with the enemy in public? Oh, if the commitments we made on Sunday were only kept on Saturday!
Learn from Peter without going through the confrontation with the Lord, be who you are for Jesus at all times, not just when it is convenient. Jesus did well in social settings. He still does if we just don't leave Him inside, when we warm ourselves by the fire with his foes outside. As the old hymn says- Stand up, stand up for Jesus, yea soldier of the Lord! Do it today!
Peter was the first to speak in defense of Christ, first to speak of his allegiance, and the second to let Him down. The commitment he made in private, he did not keep in public. John 18:17 describes it: The servant girl at the door said to Peter, "You also are not one of this man’s disciples, are you?" He said, "I am not." Instead of going in with John to see the high priest and Jesus, Peter claimed no allegiance and stood out by the fire and warmed himself with some of the officers that just arrested Jesus. How interesting! Don't you wonder where Malchus (v.10) was? Was he a handwarming courtyard dweller or a court dweller with the high priest? I bet Peter didn't make eye contact with him by the fire or ask him, "Hey, hows the ear?". As my five year old says- "Awk-wwwward!!!", although she doesn't have a clue what it means. Isn't it fascinating how Peter wanted to stand out for Christ in private, but blended right in with the enemy in public? Oh, if the commitments we made on Sunday were only kept on Saturday!
Learn from Peter without going through the confrontation with the Lord, be who you are for Jesus at all times, not just when it is convenient. Jesus did well in social settings. He still does if we just don't leave Him inside, when we warm ourselves by the fire with his foes outside. As the old hymn says- Stand up, stand up for Jesus, yea soldier of the Lord! Do it today!
Monday, August 15, 2011
The Prayer of Christ
I learned a lesson a long time ago that I lean on quite a bit as I read and study Scripture. At the time I was in college as a religious studies major (that is, studying Bible) and my friend was going to Bible college. The school I went to and the one he attended had different philosophies and they were different atmospheres. Two different routes to get to the same point. He asked me one night, "Do you know Jesus doesn't pray for lost people?" I gave that 'Huh?' that you can give a friend when you don't know if he is goofy or if it's you that was just ignorant or if you really want to get into that conversation. A more polite way to ask is, "What was that?" However, on a Friday night as a college student loafing in a living room, you say 'Huh?' or 'Do what?' He went on and found this passage from John 17: 9- I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. He then explained that in John 17 He specifically states that He only prays for Christians.
Now, I don't remember how much I knew as a junior in college. I know how I would answer today but I don't remember what I said. It was something like a belly laugh and then a "Dude, you are goofy? To imply that Jesus only prayed for saved folks, says that He don't care for lost people. What in the world is the cross about? What are they teaching you at that school anyway? Why don't you get a real education or why don't I just bulldog you over this couch for being such a dummy?....." I was in college, remember.
However, what I would say today is what I tell you. John 17 is often called the High Priestly Prayer. It is the supreme prayer that Christ prayed for us, the Church, to be united for the cause of Christ. Christ was burdened that we not hinder our testimony by inward conflict. I feel sure He is still burdened about it. And, yes, this prayer was specifically for the apostles and the followers of Christ that would come after them, like us. However, it was the lostness of Jerusalem and their lack of faith that caused him to weep over the city (Matthew 23:37). It was Christ that encouraged us to pray for workers for the harvest (Luke 10:2). It was also Christ who bore the Cup and went to the cross for one reason...the lost.
As Cool Hand Luke (not the apostle) said,"What we have here is a failure to communicate..." The great lesson that I learned that night was the importance of reading the Scripture in context. Because a text without a context is a pretext. It helps to know what you are reading and to get a handle on the larger picture to really understand a passage.
Enough with the hermeneutics lesson. Do you know what this passage is also saying? He prays for us. He prays for our unity. He prays for our witness. He prays that we will not be a hindrance. Christ still prays for us...and you. He LIVES to pray for you (Heb. 7:25). With that, we ought to live for Him. Give Him your all today!
Now, I don't remember how much I knew as a junior in college. I know how I would answer today but I don't remember what I said. It was something like a belly laugh and then a "Dude, you are goofy? To imply that Jesus only prayed for saved folks, says that He don't care for lost people. What in the world is the cross about? What are they teaching you at that school anyway? Why don't you get a real education or why don't I just bulldog you over this couch for being such a dummy?....." I was in college, remember.
However, what I would say today is what I tell you. John 17 is often called the High Priestly Prayer. It is the supreme prayer that Christ prayed for us, the Church, to be united for the cause of Christ. Christ was burdened that we not hinder our testimony by inward conflict. I feel sure He is still burdened about it. And, yes, this prayer was specifically for the apostles and the followers of Christ that would come after them, like us. However, it was the lostness of Jerusalem and their lack of faith that caused him to weep over the city (Matthew 23:37). It was Christ that encouraged us to pray for workers for the harvest (Luke 10:2). It was also Christ who bore the Cup and went to the cross for one reason...the lost.
As Cool Hand Luke (not the apostle) said,"What we have here is a failure to communicate..." The great lesson that I learned that night was the importance of reading the Scripture in context. Because a text without a context is a pretext. It helps to know what you are reading and to get a handle on the larger picture to really understand a passage.
Enough with the hermeneutics lesson. Do you know what this passage is also saying? He prays for us. He prays for our unity. He prays for our witness. He prays that we will not be a hindrance. Christ still prays for us...and you. He LIVES to pray for you (Heb. 7:25). With that, we ought to live for Him. Give Him your all today!
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Drought
When we drove out west this summer, I saw signs of drought like I had never seen. Of course, I had never been out west and the terrain is different, the air is drier, it is a different atmosphere. However, I believe that a lot of what I saw was from the bad drought that has impacted them. Cracks in the ground of enormous proportion and riverbeds that were completely dry or down to a trickle. It was sad to see. I could hear the locals talking about short showers and quick handwashes. Most of the places I have lived, the most that has ever been done about a drought was not letting people water their lawn. Of course a lot of people out west have no lawn. Droughts are bad.
I'll tell you what is worse: spiritual drought. When we wander away from God or fell to discipline our lives in a way that pleases Him, drought will set in. Unlike natural drought, we can do something about spiritual drought though. Jeremiah 17:7-8 reminded me this morning:
Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD.
8 He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream,
and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green,
and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.
Let's trust the Lord today...and everyday. Let's seek His Face, listen to His voice and follow His Lead and stay away from being spiritually parched. Worship Him Today!
I'll tell you what is worse: spiritual drought. When we wander away from God or fell to discipline our lives in a way that pleases Him, drought will set in. Unlike natural drought, we can do something about spiritual drought though. Jeremiah 17:7-8 reminded me this morning:
Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD.
8 He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream,
and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green,
and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.
Let's trust the Lord today...and everyday. Let's seek His Face, listen to His voice and follow His Lead and stay away from being spiritually parched. Worship Him Today!
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Tomato Patch Truths
When I was growing up, the neighborhood basketball court was in my driveway. We had an ideal set up for basketball with only one slight problem...a slight downhill trend. We would have big games out there from time to time. However, what I remember the most, was playing out there by myself. For hours and hours I would dribble, shoot, and commentate. In my mind I was 10 men, playing offense and defense all at the same time. I kept score and stats. I was an imaginative kid.
I am embarrassed to say but from time to time the ball would get away from me...surely it was not an airball that I threw. My memory is not serving me well right now regarding how the ball got away from me. When it did, down the hill it would go. At the base of the hill was a garden. Tomato plants were on the first row of the garden. If the ball got away from me, the goal was to stop it before it got to the tomatoes without running beyond the ball into the tomatoes. MOST of the time I was successful. I was not all the time, however, and a basketball can be rough on a good looking, well producing tomato plant.
I am sure it only happened once, but I remember trying to prop up the tomato branches after such a ball got loose and did such a kind of damage. I got good at it. I could make a tomato plant look like it had never been damaged....on the day that it happened. The problem was in the days to follow. If the branch was damaged at its connection to the vine, it was only a matter of time. After a few days, the branch no longer looked good. It would begin to wilt, and slowly die away.
Jesus said that we are the same way. He put it this way in John 15:5- I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. In other words don't be a propped up Christian trying to look fruitful when you are not hooked daily into the vine getting the spiritual nutrients that you need every day to accomplish much or to bear much fruit for the Lord. I read my Bible daily because that is exactly how often I need it...every day. Without it, I (and you) will be wilting. Hook into the Vine and bear great fruit for the Kingdom!
I am embarrassed to say but from time to time the ball would get away from me...surely it was not an airball that I threw. My memory is not serving me well right now regarding how the ball got away from me. When it did, down the hill it would go. At the base of the hill was a garden. Tomato plants were on the first row of the garden. If the ball got away from me, the goal was to stop it before it got to the tomatoes without running beyond the ball into the tomatoes. MOST of the time I was successful. I was not all the time, however, and a basketball can be rough on a good looking, well producing tomato plant.
I am sure it only happened once, but I remember trying to prop up the tomato branches after such a ball got loose and did such a kind of damage. I got good at it. I could make a tomato plant look like it had never been damaged....on the day that it happened. The problem was in the days to follow. If the branch was damaged at its connection to the vine, it was only a matter of time. After a few days, the branch no longer looked good. It would begin to wilt, and slowly die away.
Jesus said that we are the same way. He put it this way in John 15:5- I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. In other words don't be a propped up Christian trying to look fruitful when you are not hooked daily into the vine getting the spiritual nutrients that you need every day to accomplish much or to bear much fruit for the Lord. I read my Bible daily because that is exactly how often I need it...every day. Without it, I (and you) will be wilting. Hook into the Vine and bear great fruit for the Kingdom!
Friday, August 12, 2011
Lincoln Log Truths
I have always loved Lincoln logs. Lincoln logs are those wood building blocks that look like logs and make a cool looking log cabin. I had some Lincoln logs as a kid but I don't remember them as well as I do my little cars or my Legos. I liked Lincoln logs because when you put something together with them, it looked real, unlike most Lego creations. Lincoln log creations were sturdy too, unlike building blocks. They didn't look goofy, like Tinker Toys. It was just hard to beat Lincoln Logs. When you put them together, they built on top of each other well.
This morning as I was reading (http://www.lifejournal.cc/bible/ ) , God gave me some Lincoln Log Truths, the kind that build on top of each other well. The first one was found in Jeremiah 10:23- I know, O LORD, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps. First thing that you have to know to build a strong foundation is that you are not in charge. Make your plans and goals as you want and do all you can to achieve, but remember, you are not in charge. The second truth He layed down for me today builds on that. In John 14:26- But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.
If we are not in charge, then we need some help along the way. How do we get it? When we lean upon the Lord, the Helper, the Holy Spirit, will lead us through. However, notice that the guidance that He gives us are reminders of what we have already heard and read about the Lord previously. It is the Holy Spirit that brings up those passages, or those Grandma truths (if your grandma was giving you Scripture based truths). When the world is yelling all kinds of misguiding, confusing advice, it is the Holy Spirit that reminds us of the guidance that we have in the words of Christ, in the lives of those in Scripture, or in the writings of Paul.
We don't direct our steps. That is what Jeremiah told me. The Holy Spirit guides us by reminding us of the things of God. That is what John tells.
Those are Lincoln Log Truths to build a life on. Take in the Word, listen to the Spirit, and watch Him correlate those truths you read into the events of your day. That, my friend, will guide your steps.
This morning as I was reading (http://www.lifejournal.cc/bible/ ) , God gave me some Lincoln Log Truths, the kind that build on top of each other well. The first one was found in Jeremiah 10:23- I know, O LORD, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps. First thing that you have to know to build a strong foundation is that you are not in charge. Make your plans and goals as you want and do all you can to achieve, but remember, you are not in charge. The second truth He layed down for me today builds on that. In John 14:26- But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.
If we are not in charge, then we need some help along the way. How do we get it? When we lean upon the Lord, the Helper, the Holy Spirit, will lead us through. However, notice that the guidance that He gives us are reminders of what we have already heard and read about the Lord previously. It is the Holy Spirit that brings up those passages, or those Grandma truths (if your grandma was giving you Scripture based truths). When the world is yelling all kinds of misguiding, confusing advice, it is the Holy Spirit that reminds us of the guidance that we have in the words of Christ, in the lives of those in Scripture, or in the writings of Paul.
We don't direct our steps. That is what Jeremiah told me. The Holy Spirit guides us by reminding us of the things of God. That is what John tells.
Those are Lincoln Log Truths to build a life on. Take in the Word, listen to the Spirit, and watch Him correlate those truths you read into the events of your day. That, my friend, will guide your steps.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Not About a Bullet
People often say, "I'd take a bullet for that guy..." Would you? I have always respected Timothy McCarthy. Timothy McCarthy was a special agent with the job of protecting President Ronald Reagan. On March 30, 1981 in an assasination attempt upon Reagan, instead of ducking when he heard the shots, McCarthy jumped between the president and the shooter and took a shot in the abdomen. He laid himself out in a spread eagle jump and did his job to help save the President's life. That blew me away when I was 11 years old and it still blows me away today. (Of course, you've got to realize that I ducked one time at a 21 gun salute at a soldier's funeral. I thought they were going to aim the rifles higher before they shot. Instead they were aiming them at me and they went off. Scared me to death. I guess I'm not quite Secret Service status yet.)
I hold Reagan high on a pedestal and I believe our country has a great example of what a president can and ought to be. We probably would not have had that example if McCarthy had not taken a bullet for him 69 days into his presidency.
Peter was ready to take a bullet for Jesus. The reality is, though, that before Peter died for Christ, Christ merely wanted him to live for Him without reservation. John 13:38- Jesus answered, "Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times.Peter could not do that through the night.
What Christ wanted from Peter is the same thing He wants from us: to live for Him. We should not back away from our commitment to Christ when it is not socially acceptable or not convenient or when a Christian commitment may 'cramp our style.' No, we live on for Him in the midst of all of that. That is what we are to do today. Not deny Him in our words or actions, thoughts or plans but remain committed to Him whatever may come.
Peter died for Christ. He walked through these horrible events surrounding the cross and became one of the boldest voices for Christ in history until they took his life for it. But before his death, Christ just wanted him to live for Him. That is what He wants from us. Few of us, if any, will die for our commitment to Christ, but we are all called to live for Him and die to self in the process.
It is not about taking a bullet. It is about living a life. Do that today.
I hold Reagan high on a pedestal and I believe our country has a great example of what a president can and ought to be. We probably would not have had that example if McCarthy had not taken a bullet for him 69 days into his presidency.
Peter was ready to take a bullet for Jesus. The reality is, though, that before Peter died for Christ, Christ merely wanted him to live for Him without reservation. John 13:38- Jesus answered, "Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times.Peter could not do that through the night.
What Christ wanted from Peter is the same thing He wants from us: to live for Him. We should not back away from our commitment to Christ when it is not socially acceptable or not convenient or when a Christian commitment may 'cramp our style.' No, we live on for Him in the midst of all of that. That is what we are to do today. Not deny Him in our words or actions, thoughts or plans but remain committed to Him whatever may come.
Peter died for Christ. He walked through these horrible events surrounding the cross and became one of the boldest voices for Christ in history until they took his life for it. But before his death, Christ just wanted him to live for Him. That is what He wants from us. Few of us, if any, will die for our commitment to Christ, but we are all called to live for Him and die to self in the process.
It is not about taking a bullet. It is about living a life. Do that today.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
The Cross
I have heard it preached many times by many great preachers. I have been encouraged, uplifted, and intrigued! The problem: that is not what it means. The scripture from our reading today (www.lifejournal.cc) that spoke volumes to me is John 12:32- And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself. How many times have you heard this passage or some preacher's version of it spewed out and followed by "let's just lift Him up with our praise and adoration and let Him draw them." Amen, Brother............. That is... just... not... what it says.
The verb that is used for lifted here is the same one that is used in John 3:14 when Christ said- And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up. The lifting is a term that speaks of physically lifting, not lifting Him in worship. I like to put these two thoughts together and say- As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up and Christ said when I am lifted up, I will draw all people to myself. That is how we ought to understand it.
Now why is it important to get the lifting right here? Because the praise doesn't draw the people, the cross does. When the praise amplifies, glorifies, and emphasizes the Cross, that is where the drawing comes in. Don't think it is you or anything you do that does the drawing or the saving. It is the cross. It is all about the cross!
And it is that cross that we must proclaim. We must lean on it. We must trust in it. It is that cross that we can rest in. I pray that you are resting in it so well today that you cannot help but share it.
And have a good one doing it!
The verb that is used for lifted here is the same one that is used in John 3:14 when Christ said- And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up. The lifting is a term that speaks of physically lifting, not lifting Him in worship. I like to put these two thoughts together and say- As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up and Christ said when I am lifted up, I will draw all people to myself. That is how we ought to understand it.
Now why is it important to get the lifting right here? Because the praise doesn't draw the people, the cross does. When the praise amplifies, glorifies, and emphasizes the Cross, that is where the drawing comes in. Don't think it is you or anything you do that does the drawing or the saving. It is the cross. It is all about the cross!
And it is that cross that we must proclaim. We must lean on it. We must trust in it. It is that cross that we can rest in. I pray that you are resting in it so well today that you cannot help but share it.
And have a good one doing it!
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
On Time
I like being on time. I don't always like getting there real early, but, then again, sometimes I do. The main thing is I like to be on time. Now some places you go, on time is actually ten minutes before. And some places you go, when you know they are not going to be on time, you may be able to be ten minutes late and be just fine. But I like to be on time. If traveling any distance, I like to leave time for road construction, traffic, or other small delays. I work up in my mind when 'on time' is and then I try to get there when I consider the timing to be right. Now, when you hauling other folk with you, their concept of on time is not always the same...but that is not what I am talking about this morning.
Appreciating the concept of 'on time', I find myself hoping and maybe even expecting others to be on time. If you say you are going to be somewhere at a certain time, be somewhere at a certain time. It is about honesty and politeness. However, imposing my pet peeve upon others, may not always be what I should do.
I like God to be on time. I pray and ask Him to intervene and look forward to seeing how He will work. However, sometimes God does not appear to be on time. He did not seem to be when Lazarus died. John 11:32- Now when Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet, saying to him, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died." He looked late. It looked like the hope of Lazarus was gone. That is what it looked like. However, the reality is that Christ was on time. He was on time for what He wanted to do. He was on time to do it the way He wanted to it. He was right in line for his appropriate schedule. He still is. When He seems late or detached or hopeless, He is not. He is always on time. So don't get antsy about it.
I may be late. As much as I hate it, sometimes I am late and it is no one's fault but mine. But God is never late. He may seem like it, but He is not late. Aren't you glad that whatever burden you have today, the Lord will be on time to move and work in and through your circumstances on His schedule and in His way. Trust Him with it today and have a great one.
Appreciating the concept of 'on time', I find myself hoping and maybe even expecting others to be on time. If you say you are going to be somewhere at a certain time, be somewhere at a certain time. It is about honesty and politeness. However, imposing my pet peeve upon others, may not always be what I should do.
I like God to be on time. I pray and ask Him to intervene and look forward to seeing how He will work. However, sometimes God does not appear to be on time. He did not seem to be when Lazarus died. John 11:32- Now when Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet, saying to him, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died." He looked late. It looked like the hope of Lazarus was gone. That is what it looked like. However, the reality is that Christ was on time. He was on time for what He wanted to do. He was on time to do it the way He wanted to it. He was right in line for his appropriate schedule. He still is. When He seems late or detached or hopeless, He is not. He is always on time. So don't get antsy about it.
I may be late. As much as I hate it, sometimes I am late and it is no one's fault but mine. But God is never late. He may seem like it, but He is not late. Aren't you glad that whatever burden you have today, the Lord will be on time to move and work in and through your circumstances on His schedule and in His way. Trust Him with it today and have a great one.
Monday, August 8, 2011
Drink Up
"I did it MMMYYY Way!" Frank Sinatra sang it well. It sure sounded good when he sang it. However doing it your way is not near as glamorous as it seems. The road of good intentions is a bumpy, muddy, mirey road that will not get you where you are attempting to go.
God used Jeremiah to speak to Judah in the days before they were taken into captivity. It was all about to blow and God was using Jeremiah to warn and to guide His people. There was a long history of Israel doing it their way. It led to the divided kingdom. Israel, the Northern Kingdom, continued in their ways with one evil king after another until the Assyrians overtook them. That left Judah, the Southern Kingdom. Judah was in better shape. There had been some good kings along the way but there were also some wicked ones...too many. The people loved their idols too much...they loved it...their way.
God described it to Jeremiah like this- For my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water. --Jer. 2:13. Why build a well when there is a freeflowing stream running right through your yard? Why try to cup water in your hand and carry it when God has provided a clear glass? Why are we determined to do it our way?
My almost 5 year old (This Thursday is her birthday) is a go-getter. She can do it. And unless she will get hurt or I will have to clean up a mess from her attempts, I let her. The reason: She will have to do it. She needs to learn. She needs the confidence. She will be opening things for Daddy one day and I want her to be good at it. That is her. It is not us. What God can provide for us, we can never provide for ourselves . It is not about outgrowing the need for God, we will not. We will always be dependent on Him providing us the greatest refreshment and sustenance in life through Christ. So don't dig out your own path. What are you doing digging a well when there is a free flowing river rolling through your life that helps you to yield your fruit in season and helps you to prosper in whatever you do (Psalm 1)? Just drink up...all day long.
God used Jeremiah to speak to Judah in the days before they were taken into captivity. It was all about to blow and God was using Jeremiah to warn and to guide His people. There was a long history of Israel doing it their way. It led to the divided kingdom. Israel, the Northern Kingdom, continued in their ways with one evil king after another until the Assyrians overtook them. That left Judah, the Southern Kingdom. Judah was in better shape. There had been some good kings along the way but there were also some wicked ones...too many. The people loved their idols too much...they loved it...their way.
God described it to Jeremiah like this- For my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water. --Jer. 2:13. Why build a well when there is a freeflowing stream running right through your yard? Why try to cup water in your hand and carry it when God has provided a clear glass? Why are we determined to do it our way?
My almost 5 year old (This Thursday is her birthday) is a go-getter. She can do it. And unless she will get hurt or I will have to clean up a mess from her attempts, I let her. The reason: She will have to do it. She needs to learn. She needs the confidence. She will be opening things for Daddy one day and I want her to be good at it. That is her. It is not us. What God can provide for us, we can never provide for ourselves . It is not about outgrowing the need for God, we will not. We will always be dependent on Him providing us the greatest refreshment and sustenance in life through Christ. So don't dig out your own path. What are you doing digging a well when there is a free flowing river rolling through your life that helps you to yield your fruit in season and helps you to prosper in whatever you do (Psalm 1)? Just drink up...all day long.
Sunday, August 7, 2011
All I Know
I was a religious studies major in college. When I went to get my master's, I was put in some seminars that gave me extra credits and allowed me to graduate on an accelerated schedule. What an experience that was! The first seminar was Bible Backgrounds or something like that. The first week I read an archaelogy textbook and then wrote a paper on what I read. The next Monday I sat at a round table with a bunch of nerds that happened to be very smart and showed my ignorance in our round table discussion.
The next week we read The History of Israel by John Bright. There is a reason why God did not use John Bright to write the Bible. His writing was not inspired or inspiring. Try to read a chapter of that before your next surgery and you will not need anesthesia. I was taking Greek and doing this extra seminar along with my other classes. Typically we did not go to class on Monday and seminary classes were held Tuesday through Friday. That is unless you are sitting at a round table with a bunch of people a lot smarter than you, talking about the 600 page book you read on the weekend before. For a boy with reading comprehension problems (I never could do well on the 4th grade 'listen-to-the- story-on-record-and-then-answer-the-questions' tests) this was like shock treatment. From time to time I still wake up in the night in a cold sweat after flashing back to hearing that professor look across the table and say- Mr. HEIOWWOUGRHGA, tell us about the bronze age.
I guess -"That is the age before you get to silver and then gold." was not the right answer.
My point: I spent more time in college getting 4 degrees than I did in public school. I have tried to train myself both privately and academically to know as much about the Word and about Christ as possible. Yet one of my favorite passages is still what I read this morning in John 9 when they are questioning the healed man that had been blind. Question after question and finally he says- "Whether he is a sinner I do not know. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see."- v.25.
I encourage you to study the Word of God. That is why I write this. I encourage you to do it daily. I encourage you to be in church today, take notes, and get all you can from it. Extra discipleship courses are great to give us better understanding. You need all that. However, more than any of that and BEFORE most of that, you need a personal experience with Christ that opens your eyes and changes your life. You need to know Christ. You need to take part in what Paul often called the Mystery or the Secret.
That mystery is two fold. No one can really tell you the depth of change that comes from coming to Christ. They can share and encourage you but you have got to experience it. Until then, it is a mystery.
2nd, it never stops unwrapping. It is the gift that keeps on giving. You learn more and more about what you got when you got Jesus until He takes you home to be with Him.
However, all of that starts with your spiritual eyes being opened in the same sense as this man's physical eyes were opened and admitting- "I don't know all that, all I know is Jesus has changed me." Hallelujah, O what a Savior! Yeah, I supposed to know something by now, but none of it is as strong or as real or as life-impacting as knowing Christ lives in me. "All I Know is Christ in Me."
I hope that is so for you. If so, enjoy that today in worship!
The next week we read The History of Israel by John Bright. There is a reason why God did not use John Bright to write the Bible. His writing was not inspired or inspiring. Try to read a chapter of that before your next surgery and you will not need anesthesia. I was taking Greek and doing this extra seminar along with my other classes. Typically we did not go to class on Monday and seminary classes were held Tuesday through Friday. That is unless you are sitting at a round table with a bunch of people a lot smarter than you, talking about the 600 page book you read on the weekend before. For a boy with reading comprehension problems (I never could do well on the 4th grade 'listen-to-the- story-on-record-and-then-answer-the-questions' tests) this was like shock treatment. From time to time I still wake up in the night in a cold sweat after flashing back to hearing that professor look across the table and say- Mr. HEIOWWOUGRHGA, tell us about the bronze age.
I guess -"That is the age before you get to silver and then gold." was not the right answer.
My point: I spent more time in college getting 4 degrees than I did in public school. I have tried to train myself both privately and academically to know as much about the Word and about Christ as possible. Yet one of my favorite passages is still what I read this morning in John 9 when they are questioning the healed man that had been blind. Question after question and finally he says- "Whether he is a sinner I do not know. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see."- v.25.
I encourage you to study the Word of God. That is why I write this. I encourage you to do it daily. I encourage you to be in church today, take notes, and get all you can from it. Extra discipleship courses are great to give us better understanding. You need all that. However, more than any of that and BEFORE most of that, you need a personal experience with Christ that opens your eyes and changes your life. You need to know Christ. You need to take part in what Paul often called the Mystery or the Secret.
That mystery is two fold. No one can really tell you the depth of change that comes from coming to Christ. They can share and encourage you but you have got to experience it. Until then, it is a mystery.
2nd, it never stops unwrapping. It is the gift that keeps on giving. You learn more and more about what you got when you got Jesus until He takes you home to be with Him.
However, all of that starts with your spiritual eyes being opened in the same sense as this man's physical eyes were opened and admitting- "I don't know all that, all I know is Jesus has changed me." Hallelujah, O what a Savior! Yeah, I supposed to know something by now, but none of it is as strong or as real or as life-impacting as knowing Christ lives in me. "All I Know is Christ in Me."
I hope that is so for you. If so, enjoy that today in worship!
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Throwing Down the Stones
I have found throughout my life, although it should not be so, that our life events effect our theology, many times, more than our theology effects our life. We think things are horribly awful sins with no way around it until we find ourselves in such sins, or our kids or loved ones struggle through the horrors of sinful entrapments. Feeling the struggle ourselves or watching those we love struggle with them causes us to loosen our grip on those things that we grab onto as so awful. Now that should not be, sin is sin and all of it is wrong. We need not make light of it because we or ours are involved in it and we need not make it a big deal because you and yours is involved in it. Sin is sin. Instead we need to focus upon acknowledging ours for what it is, walking away from it, and not be so concerned about those of others. That is unless our concern is one to love them back in a right relationship. Throw the stones down! We are just being a distraction to ourselves and to others in the long journey. Or as Jesus said in John 8:7- And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, "Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her. Today, strive to live your lives on the Rock and put the stones away.
Friday, August 5, 2011
Reform In America
What if a Josiah came to America ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Kings%2023;%202%20Chronicles%2035;%20John%207 )
And there was a great reformer that came to office in America. His influence was so wise that both of the political parties strived to work alongside him to improve the financial and moral mindset in America. A Constitutional Amendment requiring a balanced budget was established. Not only was it kept, not leading to any deficit that first year, the debt clock significantly slowed as the payments toward the debt increased.
Understanding the great financial needs within their own land, they withdrew support to other countries based on need and allied connections. It was made known that the intention was not to harm or set back, but the fact remained that the money was not yet available to help in such a way.
The reformer met with the governors of each state and reminded them of states rights concerning the laws in which they established. However, he also reminded them of the federal rights and the need for taxation to reflect the moral standards in America. Therefore same sex marriages would not be able to file joint tax returns, nor would they share Social Security benefits.
The reformer also strengthened the borders, deporting illegals and allowing their children who were citizens born in America to stay with legal Americans if they so choose and if they had such family or friends to remain with. If not, they must return with their parents to the native land until adulthood and then they could attempt to refile for a return to America.
The welfare dept was radically changed. Food stamps went to only those who could adequately report the need on the quarterly basis in which they were required.
There was also a reevaluation of the justice system in America. Those that were sentenced to death by a jury of their peers no longer waited 15 to 20 years for their execution. 30 days were allowed for an appeal. Within 30 days the appeal board evaluated it. If the appeal was not successful, justice came within 90 days of the original convicton saving the states and nation over a half a million dollars per felon.
When Christmas came, all holiday trees were removed and replaced with Christmas trees. Proclaiming himself to be Christian and reminding that the nation was established upon religious liberty and the motto on our money is In God We Trust, reminders of the Navity were placed throughout the White House...
Kinda fun to think about ain't it. Might need to think it out a little more but I could not help but think about such scenerios. However, notice in our reading that it was too late for Judah. I hope America is not too far gone.
Pray that God would bring rise up Reformers in America. I would love your response or added reformed notions. A "You might be a reformer if when you come to office...." list we could establish.
Email me at drheeringa@bellsouth.net. Have a great day.
And there was a great reformer that came to office in America. His influence was so wise that both of the political parties strived to work alongside him to improve the financial and moral mindset in America. A Constitutional Amendment requiring a balanced budget was established. Not only was it kept, not leading to any deficit that first year, the debt clock significantly slowed as the payments toward the debt increased.
Understanding the great financial needs within their own land, they withdrew support to other countries based on need and allied connections. It was made known that the intention was not to harm or set back, but the fact remained that the money was not yet available to help in such a way.
The reformer met with the governors of each state and reminded them of states rights concerning the laws in which they established. However, he also reminded them of the federal rights and the need for taxation to reflect the moral standards in America. Therefore same sex marriages would not be able to file joint tax returns, nor would they share Social Security benefits.
The reformer also strengthened the borders, deporting illegals and allowing their children who were citizens born in America to stay with legal Americans if they so choose and if they had such family or friends to remain with. If not, they must return with their parents to the native land until adulthood and then they could attempt to refile for a return to America.
The welfare dept was radically changed. Food stamps went to only those who could adequately report the need on the quarterly basis in which they were required.
There was also a reevaluation of the justice system in America. Those that were sentenced to death by a jury of their peers no longer waited 15 to 20 years for their execution. 30 days were allowed for an appeal. Within 30 days the appeal board evaluated it. If the appeal was not successful, justice came within 90 days of the original convicton saving the states and nation over a half a million dollars per felon.
When Christmas came, all holiday trees were removed and replaced with Christmas trees. Proclaiming himself to be Christian and reminding that the nation was established upon religious liberty and the motto on our money is In God We Trust, reminders of the Navity were placed throughout the White House...
Kinda fun to think about ain't it. Might need to think it out a little more but I could not help but think about such scenerios. However, notice in our reading that it was too late for Judah. I hope America is not too far gone.
Pray that God would bring rise up Reformers in America. I would love your response or added reformed notions. A "You might be a reformer if when you come to office...." list we could establish.
Email me at drheeringa@bellsouth.net. Have a great day.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Walking with a Limp
It is interesting to me. I have been pastoring for close to twenty years. I've preached in a variety of settings, led churches to venture into all kinds of stuff, and walked through valleys with folks many times. The one thing that I believe has created the most profound markers in my ministry (points on my personal timeline) are some of the deaths that I have wallowed through with family and friends. I buried a 3 year old one time that I believe took years off my life. I sat in an ICU waiting room for 36 hours while a 21 year old was dying after a car wreck and then escorted the family in to say goodbye. I have stood over a drug overdosed body while his Momma said goodbye and then left to go lead my church in revival. What a rollercoaster! I have come home from vacation twice for senseless suicides. I've led the private funerals for families that lost their new child before they were ever able to hear the baby cry. And now I find myself in a spot like that again when a darling 16 year old left a stop sign a little too early. I am humbled by the opportunities that God gives me, amazed by how He walks with me, and slowed more by the pain of others than my own. This is an interesting thing...this thing we call ministry. Please don't misunderstand. I do not mean to list some hall of fame of tragedy here. If you are in ministry long enough, you will face all this stuff. Every community does. I am just reflecting out loud on a computer screen. Why? Because I realize that like when Joshua led the people to put down memorial stones in the bed of the Jordan River to mark the path that God had led them on, I am now planting another rock on my path. These are the things that you never anticipated in ministry yet mark you more than maybe anything else. So today I'll unearth another spiritual stone and mark my path with the reflection of a sweet, precious teenager that we feel was taken too early. I will walk away with a limp like Jacob did in his wrestle. However, I will always be grateful, not for tragedy, but the small part that God and the grieving allow me to play as I try to provide a little comfort along this sometimes very painful road called life.
Josiah is such a blessing this morning. Oh, that God would raise up a reformer for America as He did for Judah. He became obvious during his reign that the key problem was the Word of God was misplaced. Josiah, in response, told his assistants to- Go, inquire of the Lord for me and for those left in Israel and in Judah, concerning the words of the book that has been found...to do according to all that is written in this book.- 2 Chronicles 34:21. In God we Trust and In His Word We Find our Guidance. Don't neglect him today and pray for those who are hurting.
Josiah is such a blessing this morning. Oh, that God would raise up a reformer for America as He did for Judah. He became obvious during his reign that the key problem was the Word of God was misplaced. Josiah, in response, told his assistants to- Go, inquire of the Lord for me and for those left in Israel and in Judah, concerning the words of the book that has been found...to do according to all that is written in this book.- 2 Chronicles 34:21. In God we Trust and In His Word We Find our Guidance. Don't neglect him today and pray for those who are hurting.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
In an Instant
Horrible tragedy hit our community yesterday. A star that shone the brightest was snuffed out of this life. http://www.wtva.com/news/local/story/Community-mourns-death-of-beloved-student/IbVYd80yxEWsrtWKKFHnJQ.cspx Elise was on her way to teach my children, in whom she took special time with, in cheerleader camp when it appears the rising sun caused a blindness that led her to hesitate in front of a jet fuel tanker truck. I dropped off my children at camp and then met someone in the road that told me what happened. I spent most of the rest of the day with her family and hurting students. Elise loved the Lord, she loved all she came in contact. It was obvious at a prayer service last night that hundreds of kids thought she was their best friend. I guess in some ways she was. That is not even a post-mordem exaggeration. The girl was sharp. I knew her because the quarterback she dated is a part of one of the dearest families in my church. Elise came to our church every Sunday night and sang in our youth choir. She will be dearly missed.
Due to the love and ministry of our church, I will play a part in her memorial service and I could not be more honored to have a part. Boy, these are heavy days! With two children of my own, it just really hits hard. Hard to explain the uneasiness I get through the tragedy the Mobley's face. Tough days. However, Elise made it so much easier on us. She loved Jesus and I cannot help but think that because Christ lives, so she lives. There are worse things than being snuffed out instanteneously from this life and plunging into the presence of the Lord forever. That is exactly what she did. Praise the Lord for her! I like the way Jesus spoke to me this morning from John 5:26- For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have in himself. (Today's reading: (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Nahum%201,2,3;%20John%205 ))
Make the most of your every minute. We don't know how many we have. Do what you need to do today. And do it while you remember that the One who holds life in His Hand is holding yours throughtout your day.
Due to the love and ministry of our church, I will play a part in her memorial service and I could not be more honored to have a part. Boy, these are heavy days! With two children of my own, it just really hits hard. Hard to explain the uneasiness I get through the tragedy the Mobley's face. Tough days. However, Elise made it so much easier on us. She loved Jesus and I cannot help but think that because Christ lives, so she lives. There are worse things than being snuffed out instanteneously from this life and plunging into the presence of the Lord forever. That is exactly what she did. Praise the Lord for her! I like the way Jesus spoke to me this morning from John 5:26- For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have in himself. (Today's reading: (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Nahum%201,2,3;%20John%205 ))
Make the most of your every minute. We don't know how many we have. Do what you need to do today. And do it while you remember that the One who holds life in His Hand is holding yours throughtout your day.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Voting Day
Today is Election Day or at least, Primary Day. Voting Day is always an exciting day for me. Since that Political Science Class that I took when I was a Senior in High School, I have loved the opportunity to vote. Reagan was president when I was in high school (...Those were the days...). In 1986-87 the Democrats were lining up to take the place of a Republican president. It was a given that George Bush would run, but on the Democrat side, there were a host of possibilities. We studied them all. That was when Biden and Gore's names became familiar to me. Actually of the Democrats we studied, they were my favorites. I was either mighty naive or little did the world know about them. Anyway, I grew a love for the political process and have followed it ever since. Thank you, Miss Brenda Benton, my wonderful high school history teacher.
I have several friends running in this race locally, so my curiosity is definitely peaked. I am also excited because an election is an opportunity for change. In America we still have a voice and we can bring change everytime we go to the polls. We can play our part in making what is wrong, right...And there is definitely a lot wrong. That is what I thought about this morning when I read 2 Kings 21:24- But the people of the land struck down all those who had conspired against King Amon, and the people of the land made Josiah his son king in his place. This morning I read about the horror of Manasseh as king and the continued trouble under Amon, however with Josiah came radical change. The wrong things Manasseh had built up, Josiah tore down. It was radical change.
That is the opportunity we have every time we go to the polls. Prayerfully do your part today.
I have several friends running in this race locally, so my curiosity is definitely peaked. I am also excited because an election is an opportunity for change. In America we still have a voice and we can bring change everytime we go to the polls. We can play our part in making what is wrong, right...And there is definitely a lot wrong. That is what I thought about this morning when I read 2 Kings 21:24- But the people of the land struck down all those who had conspired against King Amon, and the people of the land made Josiah his son king in his place. This morning I read about the horror of Manasseh as king and the continued trouble under Amon, however with Josiah came radical change. The wrong things Manasseh had built up, Josiah tore down. It was radical change.
That is the opportunity we have every time we go to the polls. Prayerfully do your part today.
Monday, August 1, 2011
Stop and Pause
There's a new coach in town. He's from football loving Alabama. It is in his blood. He has a fire in his belly. He has a history of winning and wants to bring it here. As a football lover, I have chills and tears in my eyes just writing that. He is driven. Today is the first day that high school can practice in our state. Our coach called the media, told the touchdown club and the cheerleaders that practice would start at midnight. Last night at midnight they started practicing. If that don't remind of the Junction Boys of Bear Bryant, well, you don't love it as much as I do.
So where was I at midnight last night? In the bed. No, I am not proud of it. Due to an early leave this morning (intending to be earlier), Millie and I had laid down for a nap before the family went to watch football practice. It was a football supporter event. However, when it came time to leave, I subconsciously ignored the alarm (I don't do that) and slept on until 12:20 AM. When I awoke, Abby and Dawn was gone to football practice...in my car. Nothing more uncool than leaving me to find my van key thing (they don't make real keys anymore), wake up my almost 5 year old and ride down to the midnight practice in the family van. But that is what I did. When I got there, it looked too much like spring football to me. I had battle flashbacks. At 1:15 we came home. I finally went back to sleep at 2 AM.
This morning I am going to Birmingham. Teresa Criddle is having a kidney transplant from her brother, Stanley Watkins. Please remember those folks today.
And when you do, stop and pause on your most familiar verse. It is part of our reading today. Stop and pause and think about what Christ has done for you.
Pray, stop, and pause...and have a great day.
So where was I at midnight last night? In the bed. No, I am not proud of it. Due to an early leave this morning (intending to be earlier), Millie and I had laid down for a nap before the family went to watch football practice. It was a football supporter event. However, when it came time to leave, I subconsciously ignored the alarm (I don't do that) and slept on until 12:20 AM. When I awoke, Abby and Dawn was gone to football practice...in my car. Nothing more uncool than leaving me to find my van key thing (they don't make real keys anymore), wake up my almost 5 year old and ride down to the midnight practice in the family van. But that is what I did. When I got there, it looked too much like spring football to me. I had battle flashbacks. At 1:15 we came home. I finally went back to sleep at 2 AM.
This morning I am going to Birmingham. Teresa Criddle is having a kidney transplant from her brother, Stanley Watkins. Please remember those folks today.
And when you do, stop and pause on your most familiar verse. It is part of our reading today. Stop and pause and think about what Christ has done for you.
Pray, stop, and pause...and have a great day.
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