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.
The Christian Ear is a forum for discussing and listening to the voice of today's church. The Lord spoke to churches,“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” Rev 2&3
June 28, 2019
June 27, 2019
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.
June 26, 2019
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.
June 25, 2019
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).
June 24, 2019
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).
June 21, 2019
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.
June 20, 2019
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.
June 19, 2019
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.
June 18, 2019
Rejoice With Me
On June 12th
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.”
June 17, 2019
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)?
June 14, 2019
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).
June 13, 2019
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).
June 12, 2019
Serving Milk
June 11, 2019
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).
June 10, 2019
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).
June 07, 2019
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.
June 06, 2019
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.
June 05, 2019
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).
June 04, 2019
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).
June 03, 2019
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.”
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