Hypocrisy

The media and left-wing Democrats feel at liberty to attack President Trump at every turn. We can all be guilty of throwing darts at elected officials, but in ignorance we fail to realize that the measure we use against others is the same measure the Lord will use against us. Jesus said, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye” (Matt 7:1-5 NIV).

Forgiveness

By all reports Arizona Senator John McCain was a man of integrity who loved deeply. I find it interesting that McCain could forgive the Vietnamese who tortured him for five and a half years while he was a prisoner of war, but refused to forgive President Trump for the political attacks during the 2016 campaign. As per McCain’s direction, President Trump is not allowed to take part in McCain’s memorial service. Jesus said, “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins” (Matt 6:14-15 NIV).

Maturing

In the public education school system taxpayers would not tolerate high school juniors being taught the same curriculum used in elementary school. Public education challenges students and requires they grow in knowledge. That being said, I find it curious that we in the church continue to accept sermons and teaching which remain on an elementary level. Unless we are a recent convert, we should be moved on to more advanced training and instruction. The writer of Hebrews said, “Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And God permitting, we will do so” (Heb 6:1-3 NIV).

Praise of Men

More and more I’m aware of speakers, teachers and preachers who transition to the podium by praising the person who held platform before them. For instance, a soloist or praise team will perform and the speaker who follows will invariable compliment them and their performance before moving on to their part of the program. While I understand the exchange of pleasantries, they sometimes turn into flattery and have the appearance of praise of men. Jesus spoke about the importance of seeking the praise of God. He said, “I do not accept praise from men, but I know you. I know that you do not have the love of God in your hearts. I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not accept me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him. How can you believe if you accept praise from one another, yet make no effort to obtain the praise that comes from the only God” (John 5:41-44 NIV)?

A Priest Forever

The nation grieves the loss of Arizona Senator John McCain, who up until the first of the year, continued to perform the duties of his office. I’m reminded of the priests from the line of Levi. The writer of Hebrews said, “Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office…” Senator McCain’s death, like the priests of old, prevent him from continuing in office and he is now no longer a US Senator. However, on the landscape of faith Christ is our High Priest, “…but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them” (Heb 7:23-25 NIV).

God Breathed

People often critique publications with, “I don’t agree with everything they say, but I can read it and make up my own mind.” Discernment is a valuable skill; however, many people mistakenly approach the Bible with a similar mind set and as they read Scripture they edit out portions they don’t agree with. To people of faith Paul said, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Tim 3:16-17 NIV).

Blocking the Worm

I played an online word game with a man who, after only one game started a chat and began referring to me as, “My dear…, my queen….” At first, I thought he was simply flamboyant and overly dramatic, but in game two he wrote, “My darling…” I have no doubt he was trying to endear himself to some lonely, vulnerable woman and I blocked him from my game play. Paul warned us not to have anything to do with those who have a form of godliness, “They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over weak–willed women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth” (2 Tim 3:6 NIV).

Advancing the Gospel

Many of us feel we advance the Gospel through teaching, leading and work in the church. However, Paul said, “Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly” (Phil 1:12-14 NIV). People of faith sometimes forget that through the chains of disease, infirmity, circumstance and position in life, that we too have the opportunity to advance the Gospel of Christ.

Accumulating Sins

Parents know that children often try to cover-up one lie with another lie. I see something similar in Washington DC when politicians pile up lie upon lie during interviews and testimony. The Apostle John wrote about the Fall of Babylon, “Then I heard another voice from heaven say: “Come out of her, my people, so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues; for her sins are piled up to heaven, and God has remembered her crimes” (Rev 18:4-5 NIV). It gives me pause to think that sins left unrepented can accumulate.

Spiritual Warming

I don’t discount global warming, but I find it is presumptuous to think it is man caused. There are numerous Scripture references showing God controls nature and the weather…Noah and the flood, the sun going backwards, the wind and the sea obeying the Lord’s command. Rather than global warming, I consider floods, drought, forest fires, volcano eruptions, hurricanes, tornados and earthquakes as spiritual warmings. Jesus said, “When evening comes, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,’ and in the morning, ‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a miraculous sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah” (Matt 16:2-4a NIV).

You Did For Me

A local senior citizen’s caregiver left her client’s house with two bags; one contained laundry and the other trash. It wasn’t until the caregiver got ready to do the laundry that she discovered she had kept the trash and thrown the clothes into the dumpster. The caregiver returned to the dumpster only to find the trash had already been collected; however, a quick call to Public Works revealed that the truck had not yet gone to the landfill. The Public Works Department dumped the trash truck’s load in their parking lot and half a dozen employees willingly went dumpster-diving, found the bag of laundry and then cleaned up the parking lot. Jesus said, “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’” (Matt 25:37-40 NIV).

Speak Out

Political activists continue to stifle conservatives by getting in the face of those who’s message they want to thwart. While some use a bullhorn as their weapon of choice to shout down and break the eardrums of those they oppose, others simply do not let them have a platform. Peter and John experienced similar opposition to their message. When the Sanhedrin realized the disciples were unschooled and ordinary men their tactic was to bully and give them a warning, “Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God. For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard”” (Acts 4:18-20 NIV). All believers are called to speak out and not be bullied.

Divisions in the Family of God

As I interview law enforcement personnel for a local online newspaper there is a reoccurring theme of team work and comradery. Most officers describe their relationships similar to a family, a sports team, or the military, “They’ve always got my back. We’ll do anything for one another. We’re all like family.” I’m almost envious of the fellowship enjoyed by this close-knit group of people who, at work and off-duty, keep their common goal in the forefront of their mind. Paul noted a lack of family atmosphere when he spoke to the Corinthians concerning the Lord’s Supper, “In the following directives I have no praise for you, for your meetings do more harm than good. In the first place, I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions among you, and to some extent I believe it. No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God’s approval. When you come together, it is not the Lord’s Supper you eat, for as you eat, each of you goes ahead without waiting for anybody else. One remains hungry, another gets drunk. … So then, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for each other. If anyone is hungry, he should eat at home, so that when you meet together it may not result in judgment” (1 Cor 11:17-21, 33-34 NIV).

Silence of the Lambs

The Sanhedrin was attentive to Stephen’s speech, a recap of Jewish history and quoted Scripture, until he said he came to his own commentary and observations, “You stiff–necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit! Was there ever a prophet your fathers did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him— you who have received the law that was put into effect through angels but have not obeyed it” (Acts 7:51-53 NIV). At those words the Sanhedrin was furious, gnashed their teeth and proceeded to silence Stephen by stoning him to death. Then, as today, the world will do anything to silence those who belong to the Shepherd.

Harsh Treatment of the Body

I like to people-watch and while walking on the treadmill at the gym I recently I saw a woman who appeared frail and anorexic, yet she seemed to force herself to exercise. The rules of the world demand that people be thin, but Paul tells people of faith, “Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self–imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence” (Col 2:21-23 NIV).

Secrets

More and more political corruption, scandals and deviant behavior is being exposed. Many of these individuals never considered that someday they would be caught, publicly exposed and brought to justice. However, Paul reminds us that whether in life or in death, our sins will be surely be exposed. “This will take place on the day when God will judge men’s secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares” (Romans 2:16 NIV).

On a Scale of One to 10

For the last few years the nerve pain in my husband’s hip and leg has sent us to numerous doctors, pain specialists and therapists. The first question that is always asked on the paperwork or by the nurse is, “On a scale of one to 10, what is your pain level now?” On more than one occasion I’ve heard Bill and other pain sufferers say, “It’s an 11.” I’m now intrigued by the idea of measuring spiritual pain and grief on a scale of one to 10 and I need look no farther than Jesus at Gethsemane to see the spiritual pain scale of an 11. “Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me” (Matt 26:36-38 NIV).

Misplaced Aspirations

When America’s Got Talent contestants are interviewed they’re often asked what winning the contest and a million dollars would mean to them. The responses are all similar, “This is my big break. This will change my life. This is my last chance. It means everything. This is what I have lived for.” Believers are not immune from dreams of earthly success; however, we know Who will change our life and Who we live for. Paul said, “Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires” (Ro 8:5 NIV).

Use Caution

When driving I often stop on a yellow light and my husband reminds me that yellow means caution and red means stop. I do something similar with Scripture. Jesus told his disciples to be on guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees and they were confused. They thought Jesus meant bread, but he meant to be on guard against their teaching. When I read that passage (Matt 16:6) I mentally put on the breaks to avoid today’s Pharisees and Sadducees (teachers). However, what the Lord is really asking me to do is use caution with teachers, but come to a full stop if their teaching is in error. “…he was not telling them to guard against the yeast used in bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees” (Matt 16:12 NIV).  

Look Here is Water

Some churches schedule times for baptisms in order to make it more convenient for the staff. Other churches keep their baptismal ready at all times and offer an invitation at every worship service. I feel, out of consideration for the moving of the Holy Spirit, the waters of baptism should always be available. If the baptistery always stood ready making salvation decisions could mirror that of Philip and the Ethiopian, “As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. Why shouldn’t I be baptized?” (Acts 8:36 NIV).

The Value of Godliness

People who work out in the gym are there for various reason. Some older folks are just trying to keep up their flexibility, the overweight want to lose the extra pounds, the handicapped are strengthening their weaknesses and the body builders are working on image. Paul could walk into today’s gym and his words would still be applicable, “For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come” (1 Tim 4:8 NIV).

Your Inner Self

I recently took advantage of the offer for a free seven-day gym membership. As a people watcher I’m amazed at the number of people, men and women alike, who spend hours bodybuilding and then cover up their work with tattoos.  I overlook the chiseled features, powerful pecks, and bulging biceps and my eyes are drawn to undistinguishable designs and graphics that cover their arms, chest and legs. I’m reminded Peter’s charge to the women of his day, “Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight” (1 Peter 3:3-4 NIV).

Lead Us Not Into Temptation

Jesus taught his disciples to pray and I’ve always found one phrase in the Lord’s Prayer bewildering, “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one” (Matt 6:13 NIV). However, once I combine this thought with the temptation of Jesus it makes more sense, “Then Jesus was led by the spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil” (Matt 4:1 NIV). It’s almost as though I can hear Jesus telling me, “I’ve been there, done that and you don’t want to go there.”