He Lives Within Us

When Jesus was 12-years-old he accompanied his parents to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. After the Feast Mary and Joseph thought Jesus was in their company when they started home, but Jesus had stayed behind in Jerusalem. Returning to Jerusalem the parents spent three days looking for Jesus before they finally found him in the temple courts sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking questions. Jesus said to his parents, “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house” (Luke 2:49 NIV)? Today there are those who still look for Jesus in the temple courts — in the church and religious institutions. As followers of Christ it is our responsibility to show those who come to the Lord’s house that Jesus lives in every believer.

When What You Say is True

Some people based their belief in Jesus on the miraculous signs and wonders he performed; and that can even be said of people today. The Apostle John referred to John the Baptist when he recounted, “Then Jesus went back across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing in the early days. Here he stayed and many people came to him. They said, “Though John never performed a miraculous sign, all that John said about this man was true.” And in that place many believed in Jesus” (John 10:41-42 NIV). Likewise, today’s preachers do not perform miraculous signs; however, if all that they say in their sermons is true people will believe in Jesus.

On Account of You

We often underestimate the fact that what we endure (hardships, diseases, heartbreak) often draws others to Christ. John said, “Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and putting their faith in him” (John 12:9-11 NIV). Lazarus himself didn’t do a single thing. He simply died and was resurrected. It should give us pause to think that people might come to Jesus, not because of what we’ve done, but on account of what has happened to us in life.

OMG

I find the flippant expression “Oh My God” offensive. However, it is curious that people use the word “my” in the phrase. For example, when a believer says my God is an awesome God, we use it as a term of endearment and as a claim of a personal relationship with God. I wonder if it registers with people who use OMG as an exclamation point that they are referring to God as my God. The psalmist said, “The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold” (Psalm 18:2 NIV, emphasis added).

On All Occasions

After getting my first book published last week, I wanted to share the accomplishment with those in my church, so I submitted a Prayer Request and Praise to the church prayer chain. I’m disappointed to say that church leadership chose not disseminate the prayer/praise request to the congregation. No one told me why they would not honor the request, so I’m left to speculate on the rejection and the justification. Paul said, “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints” (Eph 6:18 NIV).

Success

I believe my newly released book, The Church Down the Street, will be successful. That being said, I don’t know what success looks like. Looking at success from a spiritual perspective, James said, “My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins” (James 5:19-20 NIV). Saving someone from death is certainly the definition of success.

The Growing Christ

The Holy Spirit revealed to Simeon, a righteous and devout man, that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. When Mary and Joseph brought the eight-day-old Jesus to the temple to be circumcised Simeon took the infant in his arms and said, “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel” (Luke 2:29-32 NIV). Today we don’t look for a child, but rather we look for the adult Lord to return. I have to wonder if we might sometimes overlook the growing and maturing Savior in today’s world.  

The Stones

During the Triumphal Entry the crowd of disciples began to joyfully praise God in loud voices. The Pharisees wanted Jesus to rebuke his disciples and Jesus responded “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out” (Luke 19:40 NIV). This should be a good reminder to all of us…if the children of God fail to praise Him they can be replaced.

Rejoice With Me

On June 12^th I got a book contract, but the Lord didn’t let me bask in the glory of the contract. A mere 2 ½ days later the publisher whipped out a book cover and released the eBook on Kindle, with the print edition for Amazon to follow this week. With my head spinning I’m reminded of the woman who lost one of 10 silver coins. When she found the coin, she called her friends and neighbors together and said, “Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin” (Luke 15:9 NIV). So dear friends, neighbors and family, “Rejoice with me; I have published my first book.”

 

Political Enemies

My political enemy, a member of my church, sporadically attends worship. Even though the man’s wife is cordial during fellowship time, the man himself deliberately avoids coming into contact with me and refuses to speak, or even make eye contact. I’m not really sure what he hopes to accomplish with his cold shoulder because he, I and the Lord who the only one’s privy to his behavior.  The psalmist said, “Does he who implanted the ear not hear? Does he who formed the eye not see” (Psalm 94:9 NIV)?

Take Up Your Cross

Simon the Cyrene was on his way in from the country when soldiers forced him to carry the cross upon which Jesus would be crucified. Believers today are not forced to carry the Lord’s cross, but Jesus spoke plainly when he said, “Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it” (Matt 10:37-39 NIV).

Connected

At a luncheon I sat with a woman who moved back to town, the town of her youth, a couple years ago. I asked if she was established with a church and she lamented she just couldn’t get re-connected to a church because no one could take the place of a former beloved local pastor, who is now deceased. A little later in the conversation she told me she and her family recently joined the Elks Club and how excited they were to be connected to the community. The writer of Hebrews said, “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 10:23-25 NIV).  

Serving Milk

 All preachers are not alike and it’s not unusual for congregants to compare and contrast the difference in sermon content, style and delivery of the pastoral staff. I recently overheard an older woman say, “Don’t get me wrong, I like Pastor X as a person, but he talks to us like we’re 10-years-old. But Pastor Y equips us with answers to our questions. When we’re equipped, we can go out and share with others.”  Paul said, “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 5:13-14 NIV).

Don’t Be Afraid

There are times when we, like the disciples, are rowing our earthly boat and straining at the oars because the wind is against us. We may not always see Jesus walking of the water, but we should be able to recognize when the Lord climbs into our boat the wind dies down. Jesus said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid” (Mark 6:51b NIV).

Best Seller

Today the publishing industry expects authors to promote their own books, consequently when you submit a book proposal to a publisher, they want to know your marketing plan. The book I wrote is about my experience visiting churches and one element of my marketing plan is the book’s appeal to local residents. Because my book has numerous quotes, some people in my community might purchase it for no other reason than to see if they are named and quoted. The Lamb’s Book of Life is not available to us today, but if it were it would no doubt be a best seller. John wrote. “If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire” (Rev 20:15 NIV).

The Son of God

As Jesus hung on the cross those who passed by hurled insults at him. But it was the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders who mocked him, “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the King of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him” (Matt 27:42 NIV). Even today there are those who refuse to believe in Jesus unless he meets their demands.

Entrusted With Wealth

In the Parable of the Bags of Gold a wealthy man entrusted his servants with bags of gold. To one he gave five bags, to another three bags and to another one bag, according to their ability. We normally apply this parable to individuals, but my sense is we can also apply it to the church. God has entrusted churches with wealth, each according to its ability. When the Master returns, will he say to my church, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness” (Matt 25:21 NIV)! Or, will my church be the one who was afraid and hid their gold in the ground where it would not even gain interest.

Actions Speak Louder Than Words

Last Sunday and elderly widow with dementia appeared flustered when she came in late to church. After she settled into her seating area a husband and wife who had been seated behind her left their seats and went to sit on either side of her. The wife put an arm around the widow and gave her a hug and the husband patted her shoulder. As I waited for the sermon to begin, I couldn’t help but think that the actions of all three of these believers spoke volumes and their actions were a sermon unto themselves. John said, “Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth” (1 John 3:18 NIV).

I Took Your Advice

I go to the gym every morning to walk on the treadmill and occasionally I’ll visit with fellow tread-millers. One woman I talk with is 20 years my junior and we talk on a variety of topics — politics, church, faith, self-reflection. Last week we were discussing relationships and she said, “I took your advice…”.  Proverbs says, “Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice” (Pro 13:10 NIV).

Rejection Slip

The publishing industry has changed dramatically in the last few years and it is very difficult to get your work published. In March I submitted a book proposal to an agent and I just got a letter back that said, “Thank you for sending us your proposal for review. Unfortunately, it has been decided that yours is not what we are looking for at this time.” From the secular perspective I absolutely understand the marketing decision. However, from a Christian perspective it gives me pause. I can’t help but ponder the Gospel writers submitting their book proposals and getting a rejection slip that said, “Unfortunately, it has been decided that yours is not what we are looking for at this time.”