Do This in Remembrance of Me

For the communion message the speaker said, “We take the elements to remember His sacrifice on the cross.” For believers today the bread, which represents His body, and the wine, which represents His blood, bring us to the foot of the cross where we remember His sacrifice. However, for the disciples participating in the Last Supper, the impending death of Jesus and the cross would not have crossed their mind. I can imagine each of the disciples brought a different remembrance to the Lord’s Table that day. “After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. For I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me” (Luke 22:17-19 NIV).

Warranty

My friend purchased a previously owned Jeep that had been modified to accommodate larger tires. The vehicle was less than two years old, had low miles and the price was right. The Jeep ran great at 65 MPH or under, but anything over 65 and it had no power. After multiple trips for service and replacing various parts one dealership finally diagnosed the problem. The previous owner had not swapped out the gears needed for the bigger tires. In the course of solving the issues the new owner learned the modifications have also negated some of the warranty. I see something similar on the religious landscape. People try to modify Scripture, revise the plan of Salvation and give Jesus a new look, but they fail to consider that their actions may in fact negate the warranty of salvation. In Revelation John cautions us about adding and subtracting to God’s Word, “I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book” (Rev 22:18-19 NIV).

Know the Scripture

My friend attended a Bible study where she was told by the teacher that people who go to hell don’t stay in hell, they just turn to dust and cease to exist. I was able to give her Scripture references to counter the false teaching, but once again I’m remained of the importance of having the Word firmly planted in my mind. The Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, questioned Jesus. He said, “You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God” (Matt 22:29 NIV).

The Gift of God

When he heard Philip preach the good news, Simon the Sorcerer believed and was baptized. However, it wasn’t until Peter and John arrived on the scene and laid their hands upon believers that they received the Holy Spirit. Simon proposed buying the same ability to lay on hands. Peter answered, “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin” (Acts 8:20-23 NIV). We may not personally know someone a brazen as Simon, but there are believers who, rather than having their heart right before God, want to market and exploit the church for personal gain.

The Lord’s Favor 2019

The child in the manger came to fulfill Scripture. Jesus said, “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor” (Luke 4:18-19 NIV).

Not Ashamed

I go to the gym every morning and one of my gym-buddies, an older gentleman, said, “Do you think all of this is doing us any good?” His question gave me pause. At this point in my life, my physical exercise goal is not for improvement, but rather maintenance. I suppose I have a similar thought when it comes to the study of Scripture. My goal has never been to become a theologian, but rather to have an active and working grasp of Word of God. Paul said, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth” (2 Tim 2:15 NIV).

The Letter

With less than a week before Christmas I had no time to shop for Christmas cards, or colorful holiday stationery. I simply wrote my Christmas letter, photocopied in onto generic white paper, put it in a business security envelope, and stamped it with US Forever flag postage. I trust the recipients will read the letter even though it isn’t decked out with holiday colors, style, or images. My NIV Study Bible, with all its chapters and verses, footnotes, commentary, and references may add color and explanation to the narrative, but I wonder if that might somehow detract from the Epistles. Rather than studying Paul’s letters, it might behoove us to read the letters as he intended…a personal letter. To the Corinthians Paul said, “You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everybody. You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts” (2 Cor 3:2-3 NIV).

More Blessed to Give

As an adult I’ve found myself in a number of long-term care-giving situations and I’ll admit that over the years I’ve thrown a few pity parties. During a recent poor-me situation I was brought up short when the Spirit within me ask if I’d rather be a caregiver, or a care-receiver. In his farewell to the Ephesians Paul said, “ In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’” (Acts 20:35 NIV).

Labor Pains

Even though we moved into our new house in October, we continue to have a punch-list of things that need attention. Most recently we discovered a leak in a shower and the tile must be removed around the drain in order fix the problem. At this point I can only compare building a new house to being pregnant…nine months of anticipation, labor pains and birth. I know that when it is completely finished, I will enjoy the new house; however, getting to the end has been painful. Jesus said, “A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world” (John 16:21 NIV).

Proud Parents

In the movie The Cowboys Mr. Anderson, played by John Wayne, lay dying. His last words to the school boys he hired for the cattle drive, “Everyone wants to see his children better than he was.” I thought of Paul’s words to young Timothy, “I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self–discipline” (2 Tim 1:5-7 NIV). I can only imagine the pride felt by grandmother Lois and mother Eunice as they read Paul’s letter.

The Lord Opens Hearts

Many believers in God hear, but yet fail to respond to the Gospel message. Paul said, “On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there. One of those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message” (Acts 16:13-14 NIV). It occurs to me that even today, some believers need the Lord to open their hearts.

Bethlehem’s Manger

I was taken aback when the pastor said, “I don’t know why he [God] sent his Son to be born in a manger. I don’t understand that.” The simple answer is, “…because there was no room for them in the inn” (Luke 2:7b NIV). The more in-depth answer is that the situation fulfilled Scripture, as well as the requirement that Mary and Joseph travel to Bethlehem to be counted for the census. The prophet Micah foretold, “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times” (Micah 5:2 NIV).

Test Everything

 I sometimes get frustrated will all the electronic alerts on my car. For instance, when the weather turns cold the message on the speedometer display cautions me to drive carefully because the roads may be icy. Mind you, there is no rain, snow, or ice on the roads, it’s just a drop in temperature. Recently the car alerted me to low air pressure in a tire. I aired the tire, but a week later the warning came on again, so I took the car in for service where they removed a screw that I’d run over. Had I not heeded the alert I could easily have found myself stranded somewhere with a flat tire. In the spiritual realm we also have warning and alerts. Paul said, “Do not put out the Spirit’s fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil. May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it” (1 Thess 5:19-24 NIV).

Conspiracy

My NIV Study Bible noted that in the Near East the coronation of a new king was often the occasion for the revolt of people and kings who had been subject to the crown. The recently released DOJ’s Inspector General report on the FBI and FISA investigations clearly, and embarrassingly, show the conspiracy against the Trump campaign. For me, this is a modern-day example of nations and people who conspire against the Lord. The psalmist wrote, “Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the LORD and against his Anointed One. “Let us break their chains,” they say, “and throw off their fetters.” The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them” (Psalm 2:1-3 NIV).

The Work of God Displayed

Disciples questioned Jesus about the sin associated with a man who was born blind. Jesus said, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life” (John 9:3 NIV). I always assumed the work of God was displayed at the moment of healing, but I’m now reconsidering that thought. The verse states that God’s work will be displayed in the man’s life, not in his healing. In other words, what the man does with the rest of his life, after he received his sight, will display the work of God.

Only What is Given from Heaven

Webster’s defines career as, “A profession for which one trains and which is undertaken as a permanent calling.” Jesus and John the Baptist had similar career skill-sets — preacher, baptizer, teacher, each was called Rabbi and had disciples.  Some of John’s disciples opined that people were going to Jesus, rather than John, to be baptized. To this John replied, “A man can receive only what is given him from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Christ but am sent ahead of him’ (John 3:27-28 NIV). All too often we feel that our career is by our choice and our design. However, John reminds me that in my calling I am sent and can receive only what is given me from heaven.

See for Yourself

The 2 X 3-foot window above the front door in our new house cracked and the builder ordered a replacement. When the installer got ready to replace the window, he discovered it wasn’t cracked, but there was string of glue running the full height of the window. No one had ever climbed on a ladder to inspect the window, nor had the cleaning company cleaned the window because it was going to be replaced. Everyone, including the builder, just took one another’s word for it that it was broken. I’ve always been curious as to why some of the disciples did not believe what other disciples had to say. For example, the women were not believed when they returned from the empty tomb (Luke 24:9-12) and Thomas would not believe the other disciples when the said they had seen the resurrected Jesus (John 20:24-26). Obviously, there are times when we should see something for ourselves and not rely on the testimony of others.

The Favorite Child

Real or imagined, in most families there is a perception of one child being favored over others. Jesus was God’s only son, so there is no family favoritism, and He was loved beyond measure. It gives me pause to know that Jesus loves me the same way God loves his one and only Son. Jesus said, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love” (John 15:9 NIV).

Going Out to Meet Jesus

John described The Triumphal Entry, “The next day the great crowd that had come for the Feast heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the King of Israel” (John 12:12-13 NIV)! Whether it’s in Bible study, fellowship with other believers, or in prayer, I can encounter Jesus. But I’m trying to imagine picking up a palm branch every morning and going out to meet Him…rather than just running into Him throughout the day.

Camouflage

Most of us, especially during the holidays, have experienced losing our car in a packed parking lot. Yesterday at Walmart I noticed a camouflaged SUV with a woodsy paint job that covered the vehicle from the bumpers to the extra carrier on top. No doubt the outdoors man-owner could easily find the SUV in the city parking lot, but if he were hunting in the woods his vehicle would no doubt blend into the foliage. There are times when believers too put on camouflage in order to blend into the world. “Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him. “You also were with Jesus of Galilee,” she said. But he denied it before them all. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said. Then he went out to the gateway, where another girl saw him and said to the people there, “This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth.” He denied it again, with an oath: “I don’t know the man!” After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, “Surely you are one of them, for your accent gives you away.” Then he began to call down curses on himself and he swore to them, “I don’t know the man” (Matthew 26:69-74 NIV)!

The Carpenter

Regardless of one’s profession, career, craft, or trade, it’s natural to compare our work product with that of others in our field. I have to laugh when I think of those in the construction trade (framers, roofers, finish carpenters, etc.) arriving in heaven. On earth Jesus was a carpenter and I can just imagine construction workers scrutinizing the Lord’s carpentry skills. Jesus said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going” (John 14:1-4 NIV).

In the Presence of My Enemies

We had family and friends over for Thanksgiving and one of our guests asked if we could accommodate another elderly gentleman who would be alone on the holiday. Of course, the man was welcome to our home and to share in our table. However, I was taken aback when I learned the name of the additional guest. While I do not know the man socially, when I served on City Council, he was one of my political enemies. I had to laugh at God’s sense of humor. The psalmist wrote, “The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever” (Psalm 23 NIV).

This House is Not My Home

We are in our new house and for Thanksgiving we had 13 people for dinner. This was my first-time baking with a convection oven, setting up tables and chairs in an unfamiliar space, and deciding the best direction to go through the buffet line. Similar to staying in a motel and living out of a suitcase, I can’t automatically do something without stopping to think about what I’m doing, what I need in order to do it and where did I put the things needed to do it with. While I’m enjoying the house, for me it is not yet home. I can relate to the lyrics to the old hymn, “This world is not my home I’m just a passing through…”

Thanksgiving

Jesus instructed the disciples to take away the stone from the tomb of Lazarus. “So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me” (John 11:41-42 NIV). Believers have much to be thankful for, not the least of which is the fact that through Jesus Christ the Father always hears us.

All in the Name of Jesus

As our house was being built, I was taken aback by how often those in the trades (plumbers, framers, electricians, etc.) made excuses for their own short comings by blaming others. The electrician blamed the plumber when his electrical box needed to be relocated. When the carpet wasn’t stretched correctly the carpet layer blamed the electrician for poor lighting. When the texture failed to cover the seams in the sheet-rock the painter was blamed. Some of these workers were believers, yet they too pointed the finger at others to cover up for their own inferior work and mistakes. Paul said, “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Col 3:17 NIV).

I Have Sinned

There are more than a few prodigals in my family tree and in the Parable of the Lost Son I relate better to the older son than I do to the prodigal. I suppose my angst comes from the fact the all the prodigals I’ve ever known want to return to the family unit unchanged, unrepentant and unappreciative. It’s easy to rejoice with the lost son who repented and said, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son” (Luke 15:21 NIV). Many of us fail to understand the value and necessity of repentance. Luke said, “So watch yourselves. “If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, ‘I repent,’ forgive him” (Luke 17:3-4 NIV).

Landscape

We’ve hired a landscaper to put in the yard around our new house and I hope the sod will be installed early this week so that I won’t have to deal with a lot of dirt or mud when we have company for Thanksgiving. My daughter, son-in-law and their dog Charlie will be staying with us and it just occurred to me that there is not a blade of grass, shrub or tree around my house where Charlie can leave his mark. From a dog’s perspective the yard, as it is now, must look like a desolate wilderness. I have to admit there are times when I too look at the spiritual landscape around me and it seems there is no place to leave the mark of a Christian.

Hear, Retain and Produce

In the Parable of the Sower, a farmer went out to sow seed and some seed fell along the path, some fell on rock, some fell among thorns and other seed fell on good soil. Jesus explained the “seed” is the Word of God, leaving some of us to think about being selective with where we sow seed. But the Lord never said to stop scattering seed even if it lands on the path, the rocks and among thorns. Jesus said, “But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop” (Luke 8:15 NIV).

Genealogy

  As I read the genealogy of Jesus, recorded in Matthew and Luke, I wonder what my own genealogy might look like. Gail the daughter of Vivian, the daughter of Belle, the daughter of…

  Thankfully, as a believer in Christ the only genealogy I need to know is, Gail, a sister of Jesus and a daughter of God. Jesus said, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother” (Matt 12:48-50 NIV).

Growing Where You are Planted

We hired a landscaper who explained the installation of the sprinkler system, the topsoil he’ll use before putting down sod and how he plants shrubs. We expected him to say the shrubs would be planted in good fertilized soil, but no. He said, “If you put good soil around the plants they might grow faster, but when the roots reach the poor soil they go into shock. Plants establish themselves better when planted in the same dirt they will grow in.” As a mature believer I can look back and see that I grew stronger and more confident in faith simply because I had to grow where God planted me. Paul said, “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building” (1 Cor 3:6-9 NIV).

Witness Intimidation

During the ongoing presidential impeachment hearings Marie Yovanovitch, the US Ukrainian Ambassador who was relieved of her post, said her feelings were hurt and she was intimidated when she was criticized by President Trump. It irritates me when women play the gender card in order to garner sympathy. Seriously, I can’t imagine any man in the same situation saying Trump hurt their feelings. On the religious landscape, believers too are not immune from crying foul by claiming hurt feelings. However, Jesus put things in perspective when he described the age we live in, “But before all this, they will lay hands on you and persecute you. They will deliver you to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. This will result in your being witnesses to them. But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. All men will hate you because of me. But not a hair of your head will perish. By standing firm you will gain life” (Luke 21:12-19 NIV).

Conversion

Some people of faith are cautious and even skeptical that rapper Kanye West has converted to Christianity. Kanye is in good company. Who could have guessed that Johnny Cash and Saul of Tarsus would not only accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, but then accept their mission and calling to bring others to Christ? Paul said, “For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. Whether, then, it was I or they, this is what we preach, and this is what you believed” (1 Cor 15:9-11 NIV).

Emotional Blackmail

I have an adverse reaction to any Facebook post that says, “Can I get a share? I bet no one will share. How many will share this?” In my mind this is no different than a pastor saying, “Can I get an Amen? Let me hear a Praise the Lord. Give me a Hallelujah.” Paul said, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you” (Phil 4:8-9 NIV).  People will put into practice those things they themselves deem praiseworthy and excellent.

Firsthand Account

Many believers today do not look to the Bible for Christian education, but rather they rely on the pastor, Sunday school teacher, or Bible study leader to parcel out the Word to them. Both Luke and John stated their purpose for writing their books. Luke said, “Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught” (Luke 1:1-4 NIV). John said, “Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (John 20:30-31 NIV). The importance of reading the firsthand account of Luke and John for ourselves cannot be understated.

Your Prayer Has Been Heard

Zechariah and Elizabeth, who were both well along in years, had no children because Elizabeth was barren. Zachariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God when an angel of the Lord appeared to him. “When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John” (Luke 1:12-13 NIV). I constantly bombard God with prayers and in the back of my mind I know He hears those prayers. However, I’m trying to imagine a messenger of God affirming, “…your prayer has been heard.”

Serving the Same God

As a Veteran, I appreciate the honor and recognition of yesterday’s Veterans Day celebrations. While there is healthy competition amongst all the branches of service (go Navy!), each branch of the military has a different strength, and they serve with a different focus and purpose of mission…but they all serve the United States of America. On the religious landscape, I can’t help but wonder if we have forgotten that we do not serve a denomination, but we serve God. Paul said, “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men” (1 Cor 12: 4-6 NIV).

Identifying Gossip

My friend will sometimes reference a situation that took place in the church, Sunday school or the women’s Bible study. However, in retelling the situation she doesn’t want to name-names. I’m not sure why she withholds names, but I suspect she feels if she reveals the person’s name others might consider it gossiping…a fear held by many women. Just as a point of observation, I’ve yet to hear a Christian man worry about being labeled a gossip. Proverbs helps us clarify and identify gossip, “A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret” (Proverbs 11:13 NIV). “A perverse man stirs up dissension, and a gossip separates close friends” (Proverbs 16:28 NIV). “The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man’s inmost parts” (Proverbs 18:8 NIV).

Perfect and Flawless

The Democrats are up-in-arms about a telephone conversation President Trump had with Ukraine. The President insists he has done nothing wrong or illegal, and that the conversation was a “perfect telephone call”. Many politicians and media outlets disagree; however, what they fail to understand is that in the world of Trump it was a perfect conversation. I see a similar situation between the secular and the religious worlds. An atheist rejects God’s ways and his word, but the psalmist said, “As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him” (Psalms 18:30 NIV).

Gatekeeper

My gym attendance is consistent. Seven days a week I arrive at the same time each morning and, unless it is occupied, I always use the same treadmill. The treadmill is situated in a traffic area that leads to the cubicles for backpacks and jackets, so it’s not unusual for me to speak, or to make eye contact with many of the gym members coming and going. A few days ago, a woman in her late 60’s, who is somewhat sporadic in attendance, greeted me. She said, “You make a great gatekeeper!”  In the Old Testament gatekeepers were assigned to their positions of trust by David, “They and their descendants were in charge of guarding the gates of the house of the LORD—the house called the Tent… They would spend the night stationed around the house of God, because they had to guard it; and they had charge of the key for opening it each morning.” (1 Chron 9:23,27 NIV). I enjoy greeting fellow gym members in the mornings, but I certainly I don’t want to be the gatekeeper who is in charge of opening the gym at 4:00 a.m.

Faith Can Be Seen

We don’t have to tell Jesus about ourselves because He already knows each of us intimately…our motives, hearts, thoughts, and our faith. Four men carried their paralytic friend to Jesus to be healed, but the size of the crowd made it impossible for them to reach the Lord. The men then dug a hole through the roof and lowered the mat that the paralyzed man was lying on. “When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven”” (Mark 2:5 NIV). Jesus knows our faith, but He also wants to see that faith in action.

The Promised Land

We received a couple of inches of snow and a few days later I discovered what I can only describe as mini crop-circles in the still-to-be-landscaped backyard. The tracks, approximately 6 feet in diameter, were in a tight circle; too small and wide for a bicycle track, and absent of any footprints. The next day the elementary-age boys across the street appeared at the backdoor with their remote-controlled trucks and ask permission to pile what snow they could find on the three-foot mounds of dirt to make a slide for their snow boards. I can see why the boys are attracted to our desolate dirt lot because their own home is surrounded with a boring driveway, sidewalk, grass and shrubs. I’m reminded of Moses, who prepared the Israelites to enter the promised land, but because he had been disobedient, God would not allow him to enter the with the Israelites. Moses, who desperately wanted to go into the promised land, pleaded with the Lord, but the Lord was angry, “That is enough,” the LORD said. “Do not speak to me anymore about this matter. Go up to the top of Pisgah and look west and north and south and east. Look at the land with your own eyes, since you are not going to cross this Jordan. But commission Joshua, and encourage and strengthen him, for he will lead this people across and will cause them to inherit the land that you will see.” (Deut 3:26b–28 NIV).

Letting Go

I’m struggling to redecorate my new house. The color schemes and furnishing for the old house just don’t go with the new house. While the old art work reflects my tastes of the past, it does not reflect who I am today…yet I love who I once was and I’m having a hard time letting go of that image. Similar to becoming a Christian, there is conflict and struggle with letting go of the old-self. Paul said, “So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come” (2 Cor 5:16-17 NIV)!

Door of Opportunity

Yesterday, at 4:00 p.m. on Halloween, a young man about 13 or 14 years-old knocked on the door and said, “Trick or Treat”. He was alone, not in costume and carried only a backpack. By all appearances he was simply on his way home from school and Halloween became an opportunity to go door-to-door and ask for an after school snack. After handing him some mini candy bars and closing the door I chuckled at his ingenuity. Jesus said, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened” (Matt 7:7-8 NIV).

Past, Present, Future

Many people at the gym have tattoos displayed in a variety of designs, sizes and shapes. Some graphics cover such a large portion of the person’s body that it is hard to discern the message they want to impart. I wonder if the images represent who the person was, who they are today, or who they aspire to become. I’m trying to imagine Paul sporting tattoos from his previous life, when he was known as Saul. Paul said, “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus” (1 Tim 1:13-14 NIV).

Keepsakes

As I unpack boxes from our recent move into a new house, I keep coming across items of family members who lived with us before they passed away – my mom, sister and mother-in-law. When I started organizing the items, I was taken aback to discover that between the three of them, and myself, we had almost 20 jewelry boxes full of treasures and mementos. I suppose I’ve continued to keep the jewelry boxes, with their contents intact, because they have become keepsakes of the one who owned them. Jesus said “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matt 6:19-21 NIV). I wish someone could explain to me why I’m storing up treasures for those who are now deceased.

      

Homeless

In America today there is a lot of attention on the plight of the homeless. It occurs to me that even though a person may not have a physical home on earth, if they claim Jesus as their personal Savior, they are never homeless. Jesus said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God£; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going” (John 14:1-4 NIV).

The Lost

Wildfires in California have required thousands to evacuate. In an interview one woman evacuated, but then wanted to run back into the home to retrieve her jewelry box which contained he father’s wedding ring. Through tears she said, “But they wouldn’t let me go back in and everything is now burned up.” I’m reminded of the rich man and Lazarus in the afterlife. While Lazarus was comforted at father Abraham's side, the rich man was tormented. He asked if Lazarus could dip the tip of his finger in water to cool his tongue because he was in agony in the fire; however, a great chasm separated them. The rich man said, “Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father’s house, for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment” (Luke 16:27-28 NIV). The woman in California has a shared experience with the rich man, neither can go back to retrieve, nor to save what is lost.

The Assembly of Believers

Mature believers understand the importance of assembling together with fellow believers. However, today’s church places the emphasis of assembly on Sunday morning worship, the preacher and the sermon. In his call for people of faith to persevere, the writer of Hebrews places the emphasis of assembly not on church leaders and structure, but rather on worshipers, “…let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Heb 10:22-25 NIV).

Deception

I have a houseplant that looks like a shamrock, but rather than the traditional green, it is a deep purple color and commonly referred to as a black shamrock. In my old house the plant had lots of indirect sunlight, but remained listless and seldom had new spouts coming up. In the new house the plant is on the kitchen counter under small LED strip lights and it is thriving, putting out new shoots every few days. It appears that the plant is being deceived by the fake light. Similar to the plant, believers too can be fooled into accepting a fake light. James said, “Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created” (James 1:16-18 NIV).

Pure Joy

I attended a Bible study where one member announced she would be leaving the church to start attending another church in the community. She gave several reasons for the decision, but became specific when she said, “There is no joy here.” As she elaborated it became clear that she wanted a more charismatic form of worship that included talking in tongues, which she said she was learning to do. Mentally I questioned how one “learns” to talk in tongues, but I set that thought aside and focused on the woman’s claim that there was no joy in our church. It occurs to me that she has misjudged the situation. The joy she is missing is not found in the church, but rather in found within herself. James said, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:2-4 NIV).

Making the Right Connection

When we packed our electronics, we tried to keep all the cords and attachments together, and to some degree we succeeded. However, when everything winds up in one box, you then have to sort out and untangle which cord goes to which device. Even though there is only one power source, if you don’t have the correct cord or attachment, your device is useless. There are some people and religions who try to connect with God using a variety of means. Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him” (John 14:6-7 NIV).

Not Against Us

I have liberal friends on Facebook who one minute will re-post deeply spiritual messages proclaiming Jesus Christ and the next minute shoot off fiery darts of the evil one whose target is President Trump…a professed man of faith. The disciples saw a man driving out demons in the Lord’s name, but told him to stop because he was not one of them. Jesus said, “Do not stop him. No one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, for whoever is not against us is for us. I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward” (Mark 9:39-41 NIV). Let me suggest that President Trump is not against Christians, nor has he said anything bad against Christ.

Read the Manual

My new house comes with all new appliances, as well as heating and cooling units, and there is an instruction manual to go with each one. I don’t have time to sit down and read manuals when I can’t even find the toilet paper that I packed somewhere in a box. This experience is reminiscent of getting the Keys to the Kingdom of Heaven when I became a Christian and my youth sponsor gifting me with a Bible as my instruction manual. Paul said, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim 2:15 KJV).

Rejoice With Me

My friend has two saucer-size pet turtles that live outside in a sandbox type enclosure. One turtle escaped and became a poster-child for lost pets. Prayers and signs posted on telephone poles finally bore fruit and after two weeks the turtle was reunited to his owner. The turtle had been rescued by neighbors while he attempted to walk across a busy street. Many were praying for the lost turtle and his return ranks right up there with the emotion found in Jesus’ parables of the Lost Sheep, The Lost Coin, and the Lost Son.  Jesus said, “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety–nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety–nine righteous persons who do not need to repent” (Luke 15:4-7 NIV).

All Things

Our old house sold quickly and I can see God’s provision in each step of the process. Even though there were other people involved in the sale, I’ll admit that I felt as though God was watching out for my interests alone. However, at the closing I learned the house was absolutely perfect for the buyer, including having the workshop wired with 220, which the new owner needed for his welding projects. It became clear that all of the maintenance and improvements on our house over the years were not made for us alone, but for the young man who purchased our house. Paul said, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Ro 8:28 NIV).

Moving On

After 36 years of living in the same house we are moving into a new house. Our two children were raised in that house, as well as having family members (mother, sister and mother-in-law) live with us when their health declined. After all these years I still get bulk mail, advertising and solicitations for all those who’ve lived with us. Some days my mother-in-law Ruth, who passed away 18 months ago, gets more mail than we get. Interestingly, those letters become somewhat of a memorial of remembrance to those who have passed on.

Object Lesson

Earlier this summer I scurried up the Post Office steps and crammed my foot into the granite riser and broke my big toe. It became swollen, painful and turned eggplant purple. For a couple weeks I favored the toe with a limp, had a hard time with balance and was forced to reduce my walking speed on the treadmill. The injured toe affected my whole body, including my mental attitude. Any injury is a great object lesson to help us grasp our membership in the Body of Christ. Paul said, “If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it” (1 Cor 12:26 NIV).

When the Spirit Speaks

During a Bible study the ladies discussed what held them back from witnessing, evangelizing and testifying about the Lord. Generally speaking, they seemed to agree it was their lack of knowledge and the fear that they could not respond if they were asked questions. Many of these ladies have been Christians for decades. My sense is they not only underestimate themselves, but also the Spirit living within them. I’m reminded of Stephen who was known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom and who was one of seven men chosen to oversee the daily distribution of food. “Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people. Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)—Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia. These men began to argue with Stephen, but they could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke” (Acts 6:8-10 NIV).

Preaching Ourselves

It is difficult to preach, teach or give a program without, to one degree or another, interjecting ourselves into the presentation. However, there are some who short-change the Gospel of Christ by making themselves the focus of their message. Paul reminds us, “For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ” (2 Cor 4:5-6 NIV).

Life Application

The church continues to develop programs and studies to help people understand the Bible and apply it to their lives. I get the concept; however, teaching “life application” to adults implies they don’t have the wherewithal to hear the Gospel and make application for themselves. The writer of Hebrews said, “We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil” (Heb 5:11-14 NIV).

Healing vs. Relief

When people have an incurable disease or long-time disability many of us stop praying for healing and focus our prayers on the symptoms. Two blind men were sitting by the roadside when they heard Jesus was going by. When they called out to Jesus he said, “What do you want me to do for you?” The men didn’t ask for new canes, handicapped housing or live-in care-givers, “Lord,” they answered, “we want our sight.” Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him” (Matt 20:32-34 NIV).

Mouthy

The body of Christ as being made up of many parts and each of us has a part of it. There should be no division in the body and we should have equal concern for each other. Paul said, “If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body…The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you” (1 Cor 12:15-16; 21 NIV)! It occurs to me that the one thing all these body parts have in common, and the one thing that always gets them in trouble, is the fact that they have a mouth. 

Agenda

The Voice is a blind audition singing competition and one element of the television series is to give the backstory of contestants. Recently transgender participant was asked what it meant to be a participant on The Voice the she-turned-he said, “I want people to see me for who I am.” My sense is that this person would rather use the platform to wave a transgender flag than they would to showcase their talent. Unfortunately, the church is not immune to such personal agendas. We sometimes allow our ministry efforts to become more import than the One we minister for, that is Jesus Christ. Paul said, “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Col 3:17 NIV).

Covetousness

Many Democratic presidential candidates are, in one form or another, promoting socialism. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren plan to take money from the wealthiest Americans and give it to others and in doing so they want us to believe they are looking out for the interests of the less fortunate. However, these political candidates are so obsessed with wealth that I’m now wondering if they aren’t in fact leading their supporters into coveting wealth. Paul said, “Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. The commandments, “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal,” “Do not covet,” and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law” (Romans 13:8-10 NIV).

Pressing Forward

A Facebook post stated that Ken, a high school friend, was recently admitted to hospice and will now reside in a care facility. One of his former high school buddies commented on the post, “I’m sorry I haven’t been a better friend.” These classmates, who graduated more than 50 year ago, have apparently remained friendly, but the friendship itself appears to have faded. Spiritually speaking, some of us may have regrets for not being a better friend to Jesus over the last 50 years. Paul, who persecuted Jesus, is an example for us to press forward, “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Phil 3:12-14 NIV).

Do Not Even Judge Yourself

God calls us into ministry and service, but unfortunately fellow believers sometimes waylay our efforts as we try to respond to that call. It’s not unusual to be kept from teaching, leading and serving because others judge us by human standards. Paul reminds us that it is the Lord who judges us, “So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God. Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God” (1 Cor 4:3-5 NIV).

What Some of You Were

Most of us evaluate others on the basis of who they are today, rather than who they might become. For instance, I would have a hard time seeing a convicted serial killer as anything other than a serial killer. However, Paul brought me up short when he said, “Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God” (emphasis added, 1 Cor 6:9-11 NIV).

Spreading a Net

Yet again the Democrats are trying to entrap President Trump by calling into question his conversation with the Ukrainian President. Solomon wrote, “How useless to spread a net in full view of all the birds! These men lie in wait for their own blood; they waylay only themselves! Such is the end of all who go after ill-gotten gain; it takes away the lives of those who get it” (Proverbs 1:17-19 NIV).

Obligated to the Foolish

Paul longed to visit the believers in Rome so that he might impart some spiritual gift to make them strong and that they might be encouraged by each other’s faith. Paul said, “I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles. I am obligated both to Greeks and non–Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are at Rome” (Romans 1:13-15 NIV). I understand Paul feeling obligated to both Greeks and non-Greeks, but I’m trying to wrap my head around his obligation to the wise and the foolish.

If You Believe

The pastor said, “There are times in our life when we want others to pray for us because we don’t feel our own prayers are enough.” Of course there are many reasons to ask others to pray for us and there is power in collective prayers. However, Scripture never says that an individual’s prayers are not enough. Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer” (Matt 21:21-22 NIV).

Make America Great Again

I happen to like President Trumps motto, “Make America Great Again”. However, the motto can give the false sense that citizens are the ones who have the power to fashion America. When in Pisidian Antioch Paul was allowed to speak in the synagogue. “Standing up, Paul motioned with his hand and said: “Men of Israel and you Gentiles who worship God, listen to me! The God of the people of Israel chose our fathers; he made the people prosper during their stay in Egypt, with mighty power he led them out of that country, he endured their conduct for about forty years in the desert, he overthrew seven nations in Canaan and gave their land to his people as their inheritance. All this took about 450 years” (Acts 13:16-20 NIV). We should be reminded that in America’s 243 years of existence our prosperity, then as now, is credited to God alone.  

What’s in a Name

My car died and since it is still under warranty it had to be transported 250 miles over the mountains to the closest dealership in the metro area. It was a relief to find out it was just the battery and a quick fix; however, the time it took to transport the car to and from the dealership meant I was without the car for a week. Since we weren’t close enough to the dealership to get a loaner vehicle, I was relegated to drive Bill’s old truck — which has white paint peeling off in chunks, the turn radius of a tank, a broken gas gage and a misaligned shift indicator. It was a humbling experience. However, I decided I could give the truck more prestige if I simply re-named it and called it “the farm truck”.  As a follower of Christ, we too have a new name and ambiance. Peter said, “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy” (1 Peter 2:9-10 NIV).

Climate Change

Many people say climate change is man-made and they predict what the future of the world will look like if we don't sign on to the Green New Deal. However, the prophet Joel revealed what God said about climate change in the last days, “I will show wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved’” (Acts 2:19-21 NIV).

Cast Out of Heaven

The Apostle Paul caused a riot in Ephesus when it was reported that he said man-made gods were no gods at all. For two hours the crowd shouted, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” The city clerk quieted the crowd and said, “Men of Ephesus, doesn’t all the world know that the city of Ephesus is the guardian of the temple of the great Artemis and of her image, which fell from heaven? Therefore, since these facts are undeniable, you ought to be quiet and not do anything rash” (Acts 19:35-36 NIV). I have to laugh at these undeniable facts; particularly the idea that being cast out of heaven is a qualification for being a god. Peter said, “For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them into gloomy dungeons to be held for judgment…” (2 Peter 2:4 NIV).

Arbiter for the Spirit

My pianist friend was in charge of the music sets for her congregational worship, but a church administrator asked her substitute other selections. When the pianist explained she could not and would not make last minute changes, the administrator said, “Well, you obviously aren’t listening to the moving of the Spirit.” To her credit the administrator came back later to the pianist and apologized; however, it is clear that the administrator thinks she is an arbiter for the Spirit. Paul said, “If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like–minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others” (Philippians 2:1-4 NIV).

Alive and Active

In his attempt to relate to the congregation my pastor unwittingly devalues the Bible and hinders the power found in the Word of God. On multiple occasions he has said the Bible is hard to understand. Sunday his sermon began, “To some of you the book of Hebrews is boring.” The writer of Hebrews most certainly takes exception to the comment, “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double–edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (Heb 4:12 NIV).

Tarnished Temple

In Hollywood and on television homosexuality is pervasive. Even though actors may try to convince the viewing public that they are only acting, I’m bewildered that heterosexual actors would play the part of a gay with such a display of sexual acts. Paul said, “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is sacred, and you are that temple” (1 Cor 3:16-17).

Blind Spot

Some believers think they can follow Jesus by walking in His blind spot. It should give us pause to know that it is not just our walk that the Lord sees, but it is also the motives of our heart. Paul said, “My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God” (1 Cor 4:4-5 NIV).

Let Your Light Shine

A man who plays guitar in a local band said, “Right now there are only three of us, but we have another guy who is going to start playing with us.” He laughed and said, “We need another person. It’s hard to hide when there are only three people.” Believers can feel a similar reservation when it comes to sharing flickering flames of faith. However, Jesus said, “No one lights a lamp and hides it in a jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, he puts it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light. For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open. Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken from him” (Luke 8:16-18 NIV).

Teach Us to Pray

Jesus went up on a mountainside and began to teach his disciples, the session included the Lord’s model prayer (Matt 6:9-13). It appears that later in Jesus’ ministry an unnamed disciple said, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples” (Luke 11:1b NIV). I’m wondering if this particular disciple was a new recruit, or if perhaps he had missed the Sermon on the Mount and the lesson on prayer. Jesus said to them, “When you pray, say: “‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation’”. (Luke 1:2-4 NIV).

Know Who You Are

Often Christians are bold and courageous until someone stops us in our tracks by saying, “Just who do you think you are?” At the gym I go to everyday there is woman who is so disagreeable that everyone goes out of their way to avoid her, even to the point of not making eye contact. Over the Labor Day weekend this vixen personally took me to task when I ask the attendant to adjust one station on the bank of eight television sets. In a loud voice she said, “Oh great, so everyone gets to watch Fox News!” I said, “Well, yes we can.” She colored the air blue with, “What the #@*#?” It wasn’t until the next day that I confronted her about her bad behavior and informed her that she would not again speak to me in such a manner…and that she really did not want me as her enemy. She said, “Who do you think you are?” I recalled that some Jews confronted Jesus in a similar way, “Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?”  Jesus replied, “If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me” (John 8:53-54 NIV). In my situation the Holy Spirit prompted me look her in the eye and simply say, “I know who I am.”

Tradition

It’s been my church experience to have two communion trays, one for the bread and the other for the juice. The emblems were served in an orderly manner with the plate of bread passed down the pew from one person to the next, followed by the juice. When we established a new church, we went with a more efficient one-piece communion tray where the bread is placed in the small center section of the tray, surrounded by thimble sized cups of juice. After taking communion last Sunday I watched as the person next to me partook of the emblems and I was surprised when they drank the juice first and then they took the bread. I wanted to say, “Stop! That’s not the right order. You eat the bread first and then drink the juice.” The order in which we consume the emblems is of little importance, but it does give those of us who are rule followers mental whiplash. Paul said, “For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes” (1 Cor 11:23-26).

Frenemy

As a former elected official, I’ve made it a point to keep political enemies at arm’s length. However, last week I was caught off guard when I came face to face a former enemy while shopping at Walmart. He reached out to shake my hand and after his greeting we spent five-minutes discussing local politics. He avoided talking about the personal attacks he’d made, but he expressed regret for being manipulated, deceived and used by others. I’ve never really understood how people can be enemies one day and then cordial the next, but it is possible. Jesus was taken before Pilate and Herod, “The chief priests and the teachers of the law were standing there, vehemently accusing him. Then Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked him. Dressing him in an elegant robe, they sent him back to Pilate. That day Herod and Pilate became friends—before this they had been enemies” (Luke 23:10-12 NIV).

Preparing a Place

The new house we are building is adjacent to our current residence and I can step out on my back deck and watch as every 2 X 4 is framed, every shingle nailed and every window and door hung. It can be exciting. However, it takes a minimum of six months for construction, so it can also be like watching paint dry. This experience has put the construction of my heavenly dwelling into a whole new perspective. Jesus said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going” (John 14: 1-4 NIV).

Abandoning Your Faith

In his Sunday sermon my pastor mentioned two prominent, celebrity-type preachers who are going through a crisis of faith. I’m guessing the pastor did not give their names because he didn’t want the appearance of having spread rumors about another pastor. However, it’s important for us to know the names of celebrated Christian authors, speaker or leaders who go over a spiritual cliff and renounce their faith, if for no other reason than we no longer purchase their books. Paul said, “The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron” (1 Tim 4:1-2 NIV).

The Winds and the Waves Obey God

Hurricane Dorian is poised to hit the US this week and I expect the media to report that global warming played a role in the severity. However, I did not expect conspiracy theories that this category-five storm is deliberately man-caused. I’m baffled when people try to marginalize God by asserting that man controls nature. Jesus and the disciples were on the lake when a furious storm came up and the waves swept over the boat. Jesus was sleeping, “The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him” (Matt 8:25-27 NIV).

Labor Day

Having enjoyed the Labor Day weekend, I’m mindful that my generation is reaping the benefits of past generations. Jesus said, “Even now the reaper draws his wages, even now he harvests the crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together. Thus the saying ‘One sows and another reaps’ is true. I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor” (John 4:36-38 NIV).

Asking Jesus to Leave

Jesus healed a demon-possessed man who was possessed by a collection of demons named Legion. Jesus drove them out and when he gave them permission to go into a herd of pigs, the pigs rushed down a steep bank and drown in a lake. When the townspeople learned what had happened and saw that the demon-possessed man had been cured they were afraid. I can understand their fear, but I don’t understand their actions, “Then all the people of the region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them, because they were overcome with fear. So he got into the boat and left” (Luke 8:38 NIV). It gives me pause to know that when we call, Jesus is there; but if we ask him to leave, he leaves.

The Cost of Following Jesus

We are building a house adjacent to our existing residence and although it is now weathered in, the exterior doors are not yet in place. A couple nights ago a neighbor alerted us that he’d seen a guy entering the new house with a backpack and he suspected the man planned on spending the night. In hindsight we should have called the police, but Bill and I took it upon ourselves to check it out. The squatter had already opened up his bedroll in the pantry and was talking on his cell phone to someone about “smoking weed.” Out of the dark Bill said, “Not in my house you don’t!” Quickly stuffing his bedroll in a duffel bag the man apologized as he scurried out of the house. As the man disappeared down the street, I couldn’t help but speculate on where he would sleep that night. There is a cost to choosing the life of a transient or vagabond. Similarly, following Jesus is a life choice and it too comes at a cost. Jesus said, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head” (Luke 9:58 NIV).  

By Invitation Only

In a board meeting and the speaker began his public prayer, “Lord, we invite your presence to this meeting.” While I understand the intent of the man’s prayer, I have to laugh at the idea that the Lord needs an invitation to be in our midst. Jesus said, “Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them” (Matt 18:19-20 NIV).

Deserving or Undeserving

Some elders of the Jews petitioned Jesus to heal the servant of a Centurion, “When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, “This man deserves to have you do this, because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.” So Jesus went with them. He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed” (Luke 7:4-7 NIV). It’s interesting that others sometime measure us differently that we measure ourselves. The elders thought the Centurion deserving, but yet the Centurion though himself undeserving.  

Highly Regarded

Our current house is on the market and right away we received an offer; however, the offer was much lower than the asking price. After dealing with the indignation we made a counter offer, but it remains to be seen if the buyer will accept it. It’s not that I want more than the property is worth, but neither do I want less. On a personal level I consider myself humble, but it appears I have more to learn when it comes to personal property. Paul said, “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself [or your personal property] more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you”  (Ro 12:3 NIV emphasis added).

Watch

When I know someone is coming to my house, whether it is a paperboy, the mailman or a friend, I watch for them. Without a doubt we know Jesus is coming again, yet many of us watch for Him with less urgency and expectancy than we use for a deliveryman.  Jesus said, “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him” (Matt 24:42-44 NIV).

It’s Our Responsibility

When we sin against another, the last person we want to go to and ask forgiveness from is the one we’ve sinned against. Often, we look to others to help us salve our conscious and absolve us from the sin — God, a friend, a priest, those in authority. Judas did something similar, “When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders. “I have sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood.” “What is that to us?” they replied. “That’s your responsibility” (Matt 27:3-5 NIV).

Favoritism

Whether you’re a mom, a grill master, or a restaurant chef, you usually cook for the enjoyment of others. In the church, leadership often gets frustrated trying to please people (music style, programs, etc.) and they may resort to making choices to please themselves. The justification for favoring their own choice over the desires of others becomes, “You can’t please everyone.” Favoritism, even favoritism towards oneself, is forbidden. James said, “If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it” (James 2:8-10 NIV).

Preparedness

We just listed our house with a realtor and now I have to prepare for local realtors to tour my home and to schedule showings for perspective buyers. I’m not concerned with getting it ready to show, but rather in keeping it show-ready. Until we get a contract on the house, I’m going to be forced to stay in a state of readiness. Spiritually speaking, Paul gives us a similar charge, “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have” (1 Peter 3:15a NIV).

One and the Same Spirit

As believers observe one another, they should see an identifiable Christ likeness in word and deeds. However, the vision for some people is clouded by race, gender, political party and denominational leanings and they fail to see Christ. Let me suggest we put on spiritual glasses and not only look for the Holy Spirit living in others, but acknowledge that the Spirit living within you is the same Spirit living in others. Paul said, “The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink” (1 Cor 12:12-13 NIV).