Liars

In his sworn testimony before Congress Michael Cohen, the convicted liar and former attorney of President Trump said, “I have lied, but I’m not a liar. I have done bad things, but I am not a bad person.” Not only is his statement laughable, it is impossible for people who have been lied to in the past to believe. We all know someone — a friend, family member or co-worker, who is a liar. Such behavior is not acceptable in a Christian. Paul said, “Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator” (Col 3:9-10 NIV).

Christian Networking

Last weekend I attended Writers on the Rock, a Christian writers conference held in Denver. The value of networking with other Christian writers is invaluable, not to mention the encouragement from keynote speakers Jerry Jenkins and Philip Yancey. The writer of Hebrews also reminds believers about the importance of networking, “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 10:24-25 NIV).

Give Us Barabbas

Jesus was before Pilate and he said to the crowd, “I find no basis for a charge against him. But it is your custom for me to release to you one prisoner at the time of the Passover. Do you want me to release ‘the king of the Jews’?” They shouted back, “No, not him! Give us Barabbas” (John 18:38b-40a NIV)! It gives me pause to think that many believers shout a similar message today on Sunday mornings. Rather than wanting to hear a message about Jesus Christ, they insist on entertainment, being active in social causes and starting a new church program. We should be shouting, “Give us Jesus!”

Signing In

I weary with all the passwords and sign-ins needed for the computer and the internet. Even in managing my own accounts I must sign out of one in order to sign in to another. I see something similar in different religious denominations who impose man made sign-ins in order to be accepted into their fellowship. The only sign-in God requires it that we believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that we accept Him as Lord and Savior.

The Power of the Gospel

 Jesus healed a deaf and mute man, “People were overwhelmed with amazement. “He has done everything well,” they said. “He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak” (Mark 7:37 NIV). Jesus does the same for us today. Wherever the Gospel is preached, and whenever it is read, there is opportunity for the spiritually deaf hear and the mute speak. On multiple occasions Jesus said, “He who has ears, let him hear” (Matt 11:15 NIV).

No One is Above Reproach

Even though many of us are seasoned believers, there are times when church leadership discounts our opinions and refuses to accept our counsel. After the resurrection, Jesus first appeared to Mary Magdalene. When she told those who were mourning that she had seen Jesus alive they did not believe her. Afterward Jesus appeared to two disciples while they were walking in the country. Once again, the disciples did not believe this firsthand account. Mark wrote, “Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen” (Mark 16:14 NIV).

Pick Up Your Mat

Many highway intersections have been taken over by beggars with cardboard signs claiming handicaps, illness and hard luck. While some people have tried to minister to these folks, most people simply hand them money. I’m reminded of the invalid at the pool of Bethesda. “When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he ask, “Do you want to get well” (John 5:6 NIV)? It occurs to me that even though we do not have the power to heal, the Lord’s question is one that is pertinent even today.  

A Time and a Season

With all the mass shootings being reported there is a common phrase coming from the media about the victims, “Their life was cut short.” I imagine the disciples had a similar thought at the death of Jesus. King Solomon wrote, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die…” (Ecc 3:1-2a NIV).

Spirit Led

My charismatic friend thinks a worship service should not have a scheduled time to end. She feels worship should go on for as long as the Spirit intends. While I understand where she is coming from, most of today’s services are not Spirit led. In my over 120 unannounced visits to local churches, it is the pastor who controls not only the length of the service, but the emotional aspects of the service. At one church when it appeared time was getting short the pastor said, “Don’t worry. At the end of the service I’m going to give you time to dance, shout and run around!” 

Worth Sharing

I often see random Facebook posts where the sender tries to blackmail the reader with, “I bet I won’t even get one share.” For most of us, if we see a good post, we will want to share it with others. Similarly, when we hear a thought-provoking sermon, meditation or testimony we repeat it, or share the gist of it with others. I’m trying to imagine any of the New Testament writers saying, “I bet I won’t even get one share.” Paul concluded his letter to the church at Colosse, “After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea” (Col 4:16 NIV).

Heavenly Dwellings

We are in the planning process to build a new house. While some friends and family have offered suggestions to think about, others have forcefully told me what I need to include in the plans. I must admit I have not responded well to those who insist they know better than I, what it is that I need. It occurs to me that we do something similar to people who we perceive are weak in faith. We try to help them build their heavenly dwelling by insisting we know what they need to do here on earth. 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” (John 14:1-3 NIV).

Christian Witness

I know a business woman who continues to come up against roadblocks set up by establishment men. She is a woman of faith and her current business endeavors include reaching out into the faith community. Some of the entities she contacted have not returned her calls and she said, “I’m afraid even the Christians don’t like me very much.” I don’t know the details behind her thoughts and feelings, but it is a reminder to me that we, as individuals and as businesses, have a responsibility when we put on the name Christian. Peter said, “Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us” (1 Peter 2:12 NIV).

Destroyed From Within

On a national security level, we are on guard because we know Russia and China are trying to infiltrate America on a number of levels. For believers, the idea that Satan and other world religions would infiltrate the Christian church is the furthest thing from our mind. However, the reality is that believers are an easy target when we fail to realize the enemy wants to destroy the church. The church in Pergamum, a place where Satan lives and has his throne, is one example. Believers today are negligent if we do not heed the Lord’s warning. Jesus said, “Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality. Likewise you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth” (Rev 2:14-16 NIV).

Promoting the Book

As I continue to work on my book and I’m considering going through an agent, rather than submitting directly to a publisher. One thing both agents and publishers want to know is how I will participate in promoting and marketing the book. I find that in answering their questions, I’m spending more time trying to sell myself than I am trying to sell the book. I suspect many preachers fall into a similar trap. While always trying to relate to the audience they are, in many cases, selling themselves rather than selling The Book. Paul said, “I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power” (1Co 2:3-5 NIV).

It’s All About Me

More and more the columns published in my local newspaper are all about the writer, his friends and his family. It’s as though the writers are using these columns as their own personal blog and they believe all subscribers are interested in their lives. Paul cautions believers about a similar attitude, “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself 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).

We Don’t Need You

I often stumble across qualified teachers in the church who have taught adult classes in the past and have volunteered to teach again; however, their current church leadership will not let them teach. We know the Lord appoints teachers in the church, so it is curious that leadership would keep these teachers from their called position. Paul said, “But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be” (1 Cor 12:18 NIV).

Abandoning Their Call

The Lord called, “…some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ” (Eph 4:11-13 NIV). In re-evaluating the sermons I’ve listened to over the last few years, I have to wonder if some preachers have abandoned their calling and are now are simply speakers, presenters and entertainers. The message for some pastors no longer comes from personal Bible study, but rather from sermons purchased off the Internet. To merely read a script is not preaching, it’s acting.

Do Not Be Overcome

Most of us are not in a position to make laws, but we do what we can to influence lawmakers to do the right thing. Abortion laws are so horrific and detestable to people of faith that, if we let it, we can be consumed with grief and anger. Paul reminds us, “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Ro 12:17-21 NIV).

Innocent Blood

The blood of aborted babies is on the hands of all who condone this evil. However, that doesn’t deter liberals and politicians from taking part in the murder of the innocent. Their collective voice is one we’ve heard before. Pilate determined that Jesus had not committed any crime and in front of the crowd declared, “I am innocent of this man’s blood. It is your responsibility!” All the people answered, “Let his blood be on us and on our children” (Matt 27:24b-25 NIV)!

Victory in Resistance

America has been fighting the war in Afghanistan for over 17 years with no clear-cut victory and the President wants to get out of the conflict. However, the Joint Chiefs and many politicians want to remain in country as a stabilizing force. I see something similar in the church. Rather than having victory over Satan, many believers would rather try to stabilize his influence. James said, “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double–minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up” (James 4:7 NIV).