You Can't Take It with You But You Can Send Things Ahead

 May 16, 2024

Thursday

I have changed the way I travel. I have always packed too much. Most of the things I pack never see the light of day on the journey. The problem is that I am trying to leave to go somewhere else by taking all that I already have with me. I can't do that.

A new journey causes us to look forward to what we will see and do in a new place. We may expect that we will come back to our old place after the journey is over. That is not the case when we leave this world. We won't be coming back to what we left behind.

And we can take none of the things we have here with us. We come into this world with a body but we leave it without our bodies. The moment of our departure will reveal how little the things in this world have meant. The only thing of value will be those whom we will leave behind. Yet, we will see them again if they have trusted in Christ.

That doesn't mean that there isn't anything in heaven waiting for us. We send ahead the works done by the power of the Holy Spirit which God prepared for us before the beginning of time. They are ours if we continue in faithfulness to the Lord. They can be lost if we don't. In either case, we won't lose our destination for heaven has been assured to those who trust in Christ but the rewards we send ahead can be disqualified if we are not faithful.

The key is knowing that you are packing to go on this journey all of your life. Instead of checking the bags at the airport, you are sending them ahead. Just like your bags, they can get lost. However, they are not lost because of the negligence of someone else. They are lost because of our negligence in remaining faithful to our Lord.

This is why the Apostle Paul presses on to his upward call. He knows that he can be just as unfaithful as anyone else. He knows he can lose all that he has sent ahead. He focuses on his relationship with the Lord. He focuses on what lies ahead. He leaves that which lies behind. He writes:

Philippians 3:12–16 (NASB 2020) ¹² Not that I have already grasped it all or have already become perfect, but I press on if I may also take hold of that for which I was even taken hold of by Christ Jesus. ¹³ Brothers and sisters, I do not regard myself as having taken hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, ¹⁴ I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. ¹⁵ Therefore, all who are mature, let’s have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that to you as well; ¹⁶ however, let’s keep living by that same standard to which we have attained.

None of us has attained perfection. We strain forward to come into a day of glory.

Don't Fall for Every Warning that Calls Someone a False Prophet

 May 15, 2024

Wednesday

Our faith has some fundamentals that we should never deviate from. The Bible is the inspired Word of God. It is completely true with miracles, parables, history and commands. It teaches, rebukes, corrects and trains the disciple in righteousness. Jesus is the only way to salvation. Jesus death on the cross paid the penalty of our sins. Salvation is free and no works will ever attain it. Faith in Christ is the means of receiving salvation. The Godhead is composed of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. They are three persons in perfect harmony. Jesus is coming back for His own someday. These are fundamental. Changing these will cause a deviation from our faith. We must guard these things carefully.

However, there are people on the internet pointing out the differences between how they have interpreted the Bible without any regard of the above principles being violated. They are saying that these preachers are false prophets because they do not agree with them. I don't think this is healthy for God's kingdom.

For example, some churches believe that babies should be baptized. They understand that baptism is now the sign of the covenant with God and note that circumcision was the former sign. Boys were circumcised on the eighth day after birth and could not have made any decision to follow the faith. These churches believe that baptism should follow this same pattern. I disagree but I am not calling those pastors who baptize babies false prophets. We differ in our understanding. We don't necessarily differ on the gospel.

But that's not the issue today. We now have those who will not want to fellowship with churches who have women pastors. Again, I don't see how this is fundamental to our faith. Each passage that seems to say that women can't be pastors is easier to explain than manipulating passages that would give them permission. It appears that women pastors are threatening some long held beliefs. I would say to those who want to believe one way or the other that each should take a careful look beyond their own traditions to see what the Bible actually says. They should look at the context of the scripture in the Bible and the culture to which it is written. They should look at the practices of those who appear to have prohibited women pastors. Each may maintain their position but they shouldn't be divisive over it.

It was the Pharisees who strained at the gnats and swallowed the camels.

Matthew 23:23–24 (NASB 2020) ²³ “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the Law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others. ²⁴ You blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!

Are we like them when we point out non-fundamental practices of each other? Are we trying to claim a higher righteousness as they did? This will neither give salvation nor deny salvation from anyone. We must ask what advantage it is to point out the flaws in others. It only makes us more blind to our own flaws.

I realize that some people are proud of their churches and pastors. They should be. But that pride cannot be a source of superiority. That is when pride gets in the way rather than shows appreciation. Some will speak in a tone of superiority to you. I hope that none of my church members would do that about our church. I would rather we appreciated our church and those who preach the gospel around us.

Yes, there are false prophets. They certainly violate the fundamentals of our faith and lead people astray. They keep people from the gospel. They should be identified and called out for their false preaching. Their character should not be attacked simply because they have a large ministry or they are very persuasive. Their false teaching should be pointed out by revealing the truth of the scriptures.

Please be discerning when someone says that a church is not a real church or that the preacher is a false prophet. Ask why. Don't allow them to be general about this. There need to be specifics to identify a false prophet. Discern whether this is a fundamental error, a means of manipulation or a difference in scriptural interpretation. If it is the latter, don't stop having fellowship. And don't be a scribe or Pharisee either. Ask what they believe about salvation, the Bible and God.

Is Everyone Going to Heaven?

 May 14, 2024

Tuesday

It seems that old heresies just get recycled again and again. One that has gained ground among many is the idea that since Jesus died for the sins of the world, everyone will go to heaven whether or not they have any faith in Christ. This emphasizes the love of God without understanding the justice of God. It ignores so many verses in the New Testament that I can't recite them all. So, I will give more of a summary than a complete treatise on the subject.

If everyone goes to heaven, then what does John 3:16 mean?

John 3:16 (NASB 2020) ¹⁶ “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.

Salvation obviously has a condition here. Those who believe in Him will have eternal life. I would argue that this is more than a perfunctory nod of the head. It is a commitment that places Jesus at the center of all decisions. It is a trust that places the believer in the Lord's hands. It is a day-to-day walk with the Lord. Can we honestly say that everyone has this commitment? Do you think that Adolph Hitler had this commitment? Do you really think that you will one day be standing next to him in heaven?

If everyone goes to heaven, then what does Matthew 7:21-23 mean?

Matthew 7:21–23 (NASB 2020) ²¹ “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. ²² Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ ²³ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; leave Me, you who practice lawlessness.’

Jesus declares that some people think they are going to heaven simply because they have acted like they know Him. They call Him Lord. The next verse points out that they have done things for Him. Some of these things are amazing but they do not come to the level of knowing Him. They practice lawlessness because they do not know Him. And on top of that, He doesn't know them either. Jesus casts them out. These people are not going to heaven.

If everyone is goes to heaven, why would Paul pray for his fellow Jews to have salvation?

Romans 9:3 (NASB 2020) ³ For I could wish that I myself were accursed, separated from Christ for the sake of my countrymen, my kinsmen according to the flesh,

Paul saw that we are all cursed without Christ. He is willing to have himself cursed if only his fellow Jews would have salvation. Of course, no one can trade their salvation so that others may have it. Paul realizes the eternal condemnation that lies ahead for those who never have faith in Christ. He would do anything to see his fellow Jews saved.

If everyone goes to heaven, then what is going on in Revelation 20:15?

Revelation 20:15 (NASB 2020) ¹⁵ And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

This certainly doesn't sound like heaven. After Jesus sent out seventy of His disciples, they came back marveling that they could cast out demons. Jesus told them that this wasn't the real cause for joy. He told them that they should take joy in the fact that their names were written in heaven. Why even have joy in something if there is no downside in not having it?

This is not a matter of God being selfish or arrogant in wanting everyone to do as He says. This is a matter of justice that God must act upon or He cannot be just. The following verse states both sides:

Romans 6:23 (NASB 2020) ²³ For the wages of sin is death, but the gracious gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Justice is served by death. It is not the physical death that so many think it is. It is the death of being forever separated from God. It is a torment that comes from that separation. However, God graciously offers heaven to those who will receive it. If a rescue helicopter comes to save someone who is sitting on top of their house because of a flood and that person will not get in the basket that will save him, how is it the fault of the rescuers?

No, not everyone is going to heaven and that should cause us to pray and work to love people into the kingdom of God. Believing everyone is going to heaven is just a fairytale. 

Acts of Love Rather than Acts of Hate

 May 13, 2024

Monday

I'll admit, I'm like a one trick pony. Once I learn something, I apply what I know everywhere. What have I learned? People who think they are righteous can be as mean as they want to be with perceived impunity. This was the case of the chief priests, Pharisees, Sadducees and scribes who would condemn Jesus to crucifixion. This human condition is still seen in people who will call themselves Christians.

This condition helps me understand how Christians can try to hurt those who do not agree with them. In the process the Christians lose their ability to win people to the Lord and make disciples like they are commanded to do. They ignore the scriptures for what they claim is for the cause of the scriptures.

It seems that each time a secular company endorses sinful behavior Christians call for a boycott. The evident idea is that this boycott will hurt their bottom line profit and they will act like the Christians want them to act. This bothers me. Why should we expect non-Christians to act like Christians? Where in the scriptures does it tell us to make them act like we tell them to act? How did we become their judges?

The scriptures tell us that we are to judge those inside the Church. When an incestuous relationship was going on in the Corinthian church, Paul wrote them:

1 Corinthians 5:12–13 (NASB 2020) ¹² For what business of mine is it to judge outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church? ¹³ But those who are outside, God judges. Remove the evil person from among yourselves.

Yes, we judge those inside the church but not on the outside. We can identify sin. There is no problem with that. But we aren't the judges of those outside the church who sin.

When someone takes a stand against Christ and subsequently against us, we can consider them our enemies. We did not make them enemies, but they chose to make us enemies. Jesus was clear what we are to do with our enemies.

Matthew 5:43–48 (NASB 2020) ⁴³ “You have heard that it was said, ‘you Shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, ⁴⁵ so that you may prove yourselves to be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. ⁴⁶ For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Even the tax collectors, do they not do the same? ⁴⁷ And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Even the Gentiles, do they not do the same? ⁴⁸ Therefore you shall be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Our attitude is to love and pray for those who have declared themselves to be our enemies. Sometimes I don't think they even know that they have made us their enemies. The truth is we are irrelevant to what they are doing. Maybe that's really what incites the self-righteous. The church does not have the influence it once had. It had that influence because it condemned all who would not comply with its wishes. Those who want to go a different way no longer feel that pressure. Rome would have had the same attitude in the first century. Their only interest was that Christians complied with their rule. Christianity was irrelevant otherwise. They adopted the religions of each conquered country. Rome would have been willing to throw Christianity in the mix as long as it didn't call Jesus Lord.

The early Christians would never have thought of a boycott. They were in such small numbers and it wasn't their mission to change the world by force. They understood that their responsibility was to proclaim the gospel and disciple the followers. Those who boycott are not sharing the love of the gospel. They are declaring their opposition to those they boycott. I can't see how that will make it easier to love the sinners into the kingdom of God.

Instead of a boycott, why don't we send letters of love to those who endorse sinful behavior? Sure, maybe some may think this is an act of hate too but it doesn't matter for we will have fulfilled what we are supposed to do. What if we asked them to send us their prayer requests? And, yes, we are going to get some "I pray you die a horrible death" requests. That isn't the point. Those who share the gospel should expect to be opposed. The gospel confronts sin. Many people don't like to have their sins exposed or confronted.

Maybe today you should act in a way that shows you love someone who isn't a Christian. Maybe that person is your enemy. Pray for them. Do what the scriptures tell us to do.

The Promise of Mothers' Day

 May 12, 2024

Sunday

Before the Civil War a lady named Ann Reeves Jarvis from West Virginia held "Mother's Day Work Clubs" to help young women learn to properly care for their children. After her death, her daughter Anna Jarvis worked to establish a day in which mothers would be honored for all their sacrifices for their children. A contributor to her cause was John Wanamaker a Philadelphia Department store owner. The first successful Mothers' Day celebration was held in a Methodist church in Grafton, West Virginia as Wanamaker had thousands of people celebrate in his department stores in Philadelphia. 

Anna Jarvis began a massive letter writing campaign to newspapers and prominent politicians urging them to establish a special day honoring mothers. By 1912 many states, towns and churches held Mothers' Day celebrations. Finally President Woodrow Wilson signed a resolution that the second Sunday in May would be established as Mothers' Day.

Today there are few who would deny this holiday. It is a cause for reflection. It is a cause to think of what it is that honors mothers. They were the first to carry us. They were the ones who worked so hard to feed and clothe us. They were the ones who ate after we did and would always give up the last piece of fried chicken so that we could have it.

The Bible tells us that we should honor our fathers and mothers. It doesn't say that we should only honor some of them. We are not our parents' judges. We may think they favored another sibling. We may believe they had nothing left for us after giving it to our brother or sister. We may think they didn't give us enough time. But when we realize that our own parenting was somewhat flawed, we generally agree that our mothers were doing the best they could with what they had. The favor we say going to a sibling may have been to redeem that child from a life of hardship. It may have been a mother's last effort to keep the child from rebellion. We may not know the reasons why. It doesn't matter. No reason absolves us from honoring our mothers.

There is a blessing with this command. We will have a long life in the land the Lord gives. Some will dispute this. They will point out that some die early who have honored their mothers. Of course, we can't deny that many die when young. We can say that this land we are in now is not the land we will live long in. It is when we enter into God's heaven that we will truly live long. 

Honoring your mother will not save you but being saved will honor your mother. Think about it.

Exodus 20:12 (NASB 2020)¹² “Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be prolonged on the land which the Lord your God gives you.

That I May Know Christ

 May 11, 2024

Saturday

Following Jesus is the greatest commitment anyone can make. It requires placing your relationship with Christ above all other relationships. It requires that personal comforts not be considered when following Him. It requires that any of the advantages of the accolades in this world, family privilege, economic status or professional position be considered as inferior to walking with Jesus. The Apostle Paul would write:

Philippians 3:4–11 (NASB 2020) ⁴ although I myself could boast as having confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he is confident in the flesh, I have more reason: ⁵ circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee; ⁶ as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless. ⁷ But whatever things were gain to me, these things I have counted as loss because of Christ. ⁸ More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them mere rubbish, so that I may gain Christ, ⁹ and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, ¹⁰ that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; ¹¹ if somehow I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

Sometimes translators try to relate to people by giving a more common English word rather than the best translation. Paul says that he considers all of who he was mere rubbish in this translation. However, this word (skuballon in the Greek) is only used here in all the New Testament. It is used in the common writings of the time to describe the rotting, half-eaten flesh of a corpse or as dung. It was not mere rubbish because we can all tell stories of people who keep rubbish around. Some people have yards with things we would consider rubbish sitting in them. Some people are driving vehicles that we would consider rubbish. But when it comes to dung only those with a mental sickness keep it around. No one in their right mind displays it on their walls or coffee tables. No one uses it for anything profitable except fertilizer. People simply want it done away with. This is the meaning that Paul is using here.

Knowing Christ, the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings has overtaken all the things Paul's contemporaries would have praised him for. Paul places a much higher value on knowing Jesus than pursuing the things of this world. He sees his reward as he works. He seeks to attain the resurrection from the dead. He is not working for his salvation but is working out his salvation.

This commitment must cause us to pause and evaluate our lives. Am I where Paul was when he wrote this? Who can actually say? It is a step by step, day be day process of abandoning self and walking with our Lord. It must be worth it for Paul has given up the easy life to know his Lord.

Is it worth it for you?

The Value of Jesus

 May 10, 2024

Friday

Everything has a relative value. Value is not generated by the thing that is valued. It is valued in relationship to other things. For instance, a bottle of water might sell for a dollar in a metropolitan area. A man traveling by foot across the desert with a satchel of money might pay a thousand dollars for that same bottle of water when it is the only one to be found for a hundred miles. Saving his life becomes more valuable than the money he carries. A woman may take a job that pays less but gives her more time with her family. The time she has with her family is more value that the money she could make working longer hours. 

People do not realize these trade-offs in their lives but still follow them. A person may want to learn the piano but chooses not to practice in order to play video games. Another person may want to lose weight but isn't willing to exercise or eat right. Often they will make excuses that explain their trade-off. "I'm just not talented to play the piano" and "my metabolism just won't allow me to lose weight." They often believe these excuses themselves and pardon themselves for not becoming the people they want to be.

Jesus made His value plain.

Luke 14:26–27 (NASB 2020) ²⁶ “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his own father, mother, wife, children, brothers, sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple. ²⁷ Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.

Many people lessen the impact of these words. They believe they are to embrace their families and their own lives before they follow Jesus. They will say things like, "You can't love others unless you love yourself" and "I need to take care of my family before I can take care of my faith." They don't notice the conflict between their words and the words of Jesus. They don't even realize that they have valued other things ahead of  Jesus. They have a quiet time when it is convenient, come to church when it is expected by others, tip rather than tithe and serve like Jesus needs to bow down to them for their service.

Jesus never stuttered when He called for commitment.

Luke 9:57–62 (NASB 2020) ⁵⁷ As they were going on the road, someone said to Him, “I will follow You wherever You go.” ⁵⁸ And Jesus said to him, “The foxes have holes and the birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” ⁵⁹ And He said to another, “Follow Me.” But he said, “Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father.”⁶⁰ But He said to him, “Allow the dead to bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim everywhere the kingdom of God.” ⁶¹ Another also said, “I will follow You, Lord; but first permit me to say goodbye to those at my home.” ⁶² But Jesus said to him, “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”

This may just be the reason that faith becomes a leisure activity rather than an essential one. It is easier to go along with this world than to be so radical that others don't know what to do with you. They will say that you are too heavenly minded to be of any earthly good. They don't know where reality exists for they believe it is found in earthly good.

Martha, Mary's sister, complained that Mary wasn't helping her prepare for the guests as Mary sat listening to Jesus. Jesus told her that Mary had chosen that which was greater. I have had many women tell me that they can't understand that story. They see their service more important that being with Jesus. That will only make sense on this side of heaven.

So, what is more valuable to you? There is always a trade-off. Can you say that Jesus is more valuable than family or yourself? Jesus must be at the center of your life for that to be true. And yes, you will be of earthly good as a testimony of faith because heavenly mindedness is of ultimate earthly good.

The Challenge of Reading the Bible

 May 9, 2024

Thursday

Hebrews 4:12 (NASB 2020) ¹² For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, even penetrating as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

The Bible is impossible to grasp without the intervention of the Holy Spirit. We read it with a host of predispositions. One of those is that we have been conditioned by the world to read it as it applies to the world. If we read this with our own minds alone, we are likely to make it apply to every trial and challenge we face. When we are sick, we read that Jesus bore all our infirmities and claim that we will be healed. When we are poor, we read that He will supply more than we can ask or think and start claiming money that will certainly roll in.

Our traditions also affect our interpretation of the Bible. If we grew up with a strict understanding of men's domination over women, we will interpret the Bible to say exactly that. We will point to the scripture where a wife is to subject herself to her husband and subtly apply that to every area of men and women. If we grew up speaking in tongues, we will make it equivalent to having the Holy Spirit within us. If we grew up thinking that everyone will get exactly the same reward when they get to heaven we will be hard pressed to make any sacrifices here on earth.

Then, there are the sins that we have accepted. If gossip and gluttony were accepted by our pastors and other leaders in the church, they will never be great sins. They will be past times that we indulge in with impunity. If we have been taught that all alcoholic drink is evil, we will condemn those who have a glass of wine with their dinner. We will even go so far as to prove that none of the wine that godly people drank in the Bible was alcoholic.

Of course one of the worst of our conditions is to believe that we are righteous when we strictly act in accordance with what we believe the Bible says. As the self righteous, we condemn others severely and do not consider our actions as cruel or unloving. We can be as mean as we want to be while using the Bible as a weapon to beat upon those who are below our level of righteousness.

But if the Bible is what it says it is, there should be times when it knocks us off of our feet. It should challenge our past so that we are changed into the likeness of Christ. It should sometimes be so convicting that we rush to confess and seek God's forgiveness. We should be like Josiah when the scripture is found and read. He tore his clothes because he realized that he nor others were doing as the Bible said.

Yes, this means that we just might need to confront our pasts. We must not let the past affect our interpretations of the Bible. We should let the Bible affect the sins of our pasts. We must let it change our practices rather than letting our practices change the interpretation of the Bible. This will be swimming upstream in any denomination that has such a set doctrine on secondary issues that it will condemn those who disagree. It may mean that some of those who call themselves mature Christians will find that they are not so mature.

Yet, this is necessary if the Bible ever acts like a two edged sword that cuts through all of what we have accepted to reveal what is true before the Lord. Again, that can't come from a human who simply reads his Bible. It comes from a committed follower of Christ who prays that the Holy Spirit will completely inhabit the understanding of the scripture before him.

This is the challenge of reading the Bible. 

Fan the Flame of Your Spiritual Gift

 May 8, 2024

Wednesday

Its amazing how much more sense scripture makes when verses are placed in their context. Too many times I have taken 2 Timothy 1:6 alone or 2 Timothy 1:7 alone without relating them to each other. When set next to each other they present a total picture.

2 Timothy 1:6–7 (NASB 2020) ⁶ For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. ⁷ For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.

When someone is engaged in the moment of accomplishment, factors that would normally prevent them from acting are ignored. For example, a person fully engaged in a project may lose all track of time. The project may have been rejected before it is engaged. I have worked into the night installing a TV on a wall or a built-in microwave oven or working on a computer. Once I have engaged in the task, I am oblivious to time or even injury. I notice the blood on my knuckles but cannot tell when I injured myself. The concentration on the task does not allow for these distractions.

When a Christian is fully using his or her spiritual gift the same occurs. It comes to life like a flame and burns brighter with each moment. It exudes the essence of the Spirit that is power and love and a sound mind. It does not shy away from the task at hand. No other course is considered.

I especially notice this when I allow the Spirit to preach for me. I am still the one preaching but it seems like I am no longer aware of whom might be offended or reached by my preaching. I know that there is power but can't claim it as my power any more than I can claim the love I have for those I am preaching to as my love. It is more than me. It is done with my permission but it is not simply my mind for it is much more sound than mine alone. And, yes, I do lose track of time.

This is why cowardice is not an option for the one fully engaged in their spiritual gifts. Once the commitment is made and the gift is in operation, cowardice is gone. Cowardice is running away from something fearful when confronting that fear is the best action. Cowardice takes away confidence. It is the enemy of acting with God for He challenges the faith of those He walks with. Those who flee cannot walk closely with Him. Their faith remains stagnant.

How many Christians have rarely employed their spiritual gifts and experienced this power, love and sound mind? Only a few can know the fulness of the Spirit because they have been arrested by the spirit of cowardice. They have only counted the cost of acting. They have not counted the cost of not acting. Without the Spirit fanning the flames of the gift, God's call often seems impossible.

This isn't the way it has to be. We all could fan that flame. We all could act in the power, love and sound mind. The world could be turned upside-down again. Fan the flame!

Do I Blame God or Praise Satan When Bad Things Happen?

 May 7, 2024

Tuesday

There is no guarantee from God that this day will be a great day.  Everything can go wrong even if you have done everything you can to walk with God humbly. But when things go wrong when you haven't been wrong, do we try to make it fit into God's will?

This is not the first blog I wrote for today. I had one that was rather long that explained how people who had been in Bible-believing churches would follow after false prophets. While I was writing it the power blinked. The blog came back up on my screen so I continued writing for another half hour.  I set it to be published and it disappeared though everything looked right before I clicked the publish button.

Should I assume that God did not want me to publish that blog? It gave six ways that false prophets lure people into their preaching. It said that they were servants of Satan. Could God have some reason that this wasn't to be published? Was losing this blog good? Do I need to recite Romans 8:28 so that I can shrug off the hour spent writing the blog?

Romans 8:28 (NASB 2020) ²⁸ And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

Is it reasonable to say that everything bad has a purpose allowed by God? This question stops short of saying that God caused the bad thing to happen. Saying that God causes all things, even the bad ones, will leave you with a bad God rather than a good God.

On the other hand, since the blog was an attack on Satan, his servants and his tactics, should I assume that he was the one who caused the power blink that ultimately lost the blog? Surely, the Lord gave Satan permission to attack Job. (I am not saying what happened to me has any measure of what happened to Job. I am just saying that Satan has been given permission to attack those who are walking with God.) Job lost his children, his livestock and his health. Satan controlled the wind and fire from heaven. He influenced the hostile people around Job to attack. He made Job miserably sick.

Jesus said that Satan had obtained permission to sift Peter like wheat. Peter would deny Jesus vehemently within hours of Jesus' declaration. Do we blame that on Satan, God or Peter himself?

No, I don't think that I need to invoke Romans 8:28 to explain the loss of the blog. I, also, do not need to give Satan any credit for its loss either. This world is just what this world is. It allows the natural things in the world to happen. God can intervene but most of the time He allows the natural laws He put in place to function as He designed them. Thus, planes often fall when their engines stop, injuries to the heart most often end in death and overspending results in debt.

Matthew 5:45 (NASB 2020) ⁴⁵ so that you may prove yourselves to be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

To think that every moment is a volitional act of God is blaming God. To think that every bad moment is a volitional act of Satan is praising Satan. I must act responsibly. I must walk with God. I must do what is right. However, even all of these things will not assure me of a harmonious day.

So, today may have some glitches. Don't blame God or praise Satan. Pick yourself up and start all over again. 

Maybe this was a better blog anyway.

The Anonymity of Someone Great

 May 6, 2024

Monday

I saw some pictures from the past of the church I pastor. The sanctuary was full. That isn't what it looks like today. Sure, we have two services but combined it would not have been as full as in those past pictures. And yes, there are more churches in the area but the population is also much larger. I don't need to read articles that say that church attendance is not what it used to be.

Yet, I also see churches filled to the brim on TV. These churches have thousands in attendance. What are they doing that I am not doing? Or what am I doing that they are not doing? This question has many preachers running from one church growth seminar to another. They are all looking for the magic that will fill their churches.

So, after being in the full time ministry for over forty years I have concluded a few things. Some of the things these preacher are doing I don't want to do. I must have Jesus as the Christ as the foundation of the church. It cannot be me or some promise that Jesus never made. He never said that everyone would get rich, be healed or become the most successful in his or her field. He never said that giving Him money would make Him love people more or cause Him to give them their wants. Most of Jesus' messages about money warned His followers of its dangers.

There are some things that these charismatic pastors do that I can't do. I may want to do them but I can't. They are able to convince the congregation of the truth through their intellects, through their magnificent deliveries and through their sheer presence. I am not as smart, have tried as hard as I know how to put myself in the hands of Jesus but don't have their deliveries and have nothing in my looks that would draw people to me.

Could it be that some churches are created to reach people but never become mega-churches? It may be their location or they reach people who don't follow the crowds. They baptize one person at a time rather than by the hundreds. They know their members so they rejoice over their victories and grieve over their failings. The people of these churches cannot say they are changed by the pastor. They were changed by the Lord. These people are not swept up in the hype. They put roots of faith down deep. The church misses them when they are gone.

That doesn't mean that I fail to pray for revival. I pray that God will fill our church and all the churches around us. I pray that we will all be purified so that we will reach people without tricks, hype, marketing techniques and charisma. I pray for revival before Jesus returns. I am not sure that His return is far off. I am convinced that I will not bring about revival. I am convinced that only the Holy Spirit will bring that to the churches. I believe it will start in the smaller churches because God does not share His glory with a preacher. I know that no one would point toward me if revival breaks out.

Sometimes God does great things with people whose names never hit the spotlight. I pray that I am one of those people. The Magi were men like this. They gave great gifts to the Savior without anyone ever knowing their names. Yet, nearly every Christmas we talk about them. 

Maybe you have thought that you must do something great for the Lord when all He wanted you to do was join Him in what He is already doing. Maybe your name will never be up in lights. Maybe you could be as great as those who did great things but never demanded anyone know their names.

Matthew 2:11 (NASB 2020) ¹¹ And after they came into the house, they saw the Child with His mother Mary; and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

God's Message to You for Today

 May 5, 2024

Sunday

I believe the Bible. I don't just believe in it. I believe it. There is a difference. I can believe in a friend. I can believe he is trustworthy. However, my friend may be misled. Therefore, he may say something that isn't true even though he believes it is. In that case, I don't believe him but I can still believe in him. He is still trustworthy but misled.

The Bible speaks truth. It reveals who is truth. It was God-breathed and contains no errors. However, those who interpret the Bible cannot say the same thing about themselves. Their interpretations are not God-breathed and they may contain error.

Too often, we believe a preacher or theologian as one who is truth. Though they may have spent countless hours studying, their interpretations may still contain error. One error that some have is citing another person above the Bible as truth. In other words, the interpretation from some is considered as true as the Bible. While insight into others interpretations are helpful, they cannot take the place of a personal study of the Bible. That study must include the Spirit's leading in understanding.

Traditions also muddy our understanding of the Bible. Traditions often result in doctrine. Doctrine will read itself into the Scriptures if one is not cautious. In other words, the words of the scripture are translated to meet the doctrine. In some cases, it isn't necessary to make the scriptures comply with doctrine. Many just ignore the scriptures that don't agree with their doctrine.

Today, as we read scripture, we see it as God's message to us for today. That means that God knew that we would read it on this day. He, through the Holy Spirit, has a message for us. It is truth. The truth neither depends upon what others have said or the doctrine that has been developed for it to be truth. The truth may agree with others and doctrine but the others and the doctrine depend upon the Word not the other way around.

For many people this is dangerous territory. It is easy to believe in heresy when the interpretations of others and doctrines are ignored. Surely, they must be considered. We must be sure that it is the Holy Spirit who is leading our interpretation.

When in college, I took a course called "The Bible as Literature." The professor was an Episcopalian priest who left out any mention of understanding the Bible through the Holy Spirit. It was read like any novel. It left no impressions on me. That is not the proper way to handle something as precious as the Bible.

So, we read the Bible today without prejudice. We read it as God's message to us. We read it with the understanding of the Holy Spirit. We read it in prayer for we may not interpret what the Spirit is saying to us. We read it to be changed. We read it with awe. We read it as truth. 

We believe the Bible.

2 Timothy 3:16–17 (NASB 2020) ¹⁶ All Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness; ¹⁷ so that the man or woman of God may be fully capable, equipped for every good work.

What Would You Ask of Jesus?

 May 4, 2024

Saturday

We have lots of fairy tales that give someone a wish. These stories were read to us and we read them for ourselves. It seemed wonderful to think that something could be given just for the wishing. We started asking and kept asking when we got older. Then, we quit.

We shouldn't have quit. We just should have changed who we were asking. God is the one who answers prayers. We should have become more discerning. We can't expect to get things that are against God's will. We can't rob the bank and pray that God will give us a fast getaway car. That would be inconsistent with God's character.

On the other hand, what would you ask of God if He asks?

Luke 18:35–43 (NASB 2020) ³⁵ Now as Jesus was approaching Jericho, a man who was blind was sitting by the road, begging. ³⁶ But when he heard a crowd going by, he began inquiring what this was. ³⁷ They told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. ³⁸ And he called out, saying, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” ³⁹ Those who led the way were sternly telling him to be quiet; but he kept crying out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” ⁴⁰ And Jesus stopped and commanded that he be brought to Him; and when he came near, He asked him, ⁴¹ “What do you want Me to do for you?” And he said, “Lord, I want to regain my sight!”⁴² And Jesus said to him, “Regain your sight; your faith has made you well.” ⁴³ And immediately he regained his sight and began following Him, glorifying God; and when all the people saw it, they gave praise to God.

Was the question Jesus asked necessary? Shouldn't anyone have known that a blind man would ask to have his sight restored? Maybe, but the blind man expressed his faith in the question. Blind men without faith in Jesus' ability would have asked for something any man could do.  (Mark gives the man the name of Bartimaeus.)  Bartimaeus believed Jesus was more than a man. 

Too often, we may ask Jesus for something that we could have received from any man. We will hold back from asking too much. It seems okay to ask for a new job. We are discouraged from asking for $100k to pay off our house. We desperately cry out for healing from cancer but we do so like we would buy a lottery ticket. It just might win but we have no faith that it will. We might be healed but we have no faith that we will.

So, what would you ask from Jesus if He stood before you and asked? Be careful, whatever you ask will reveal your faith in Him. What would be pleasing to Him and go beyond what any man could do? Don't hold back. Be willing to accept what He gives you. Then, make sure you follow Him.

Today's "To Do" List

 May 3, 2024

Friday

What's on your "To Do" list? If you make one, like I do, you put the things that must be done first. Then, you list what should be done. Last, there is the "nice to do" things follow. Things will go haywire if you get these things out of order. Of course, God can change your plans. Everyone needs to be sensitive to that.

So, what's on the "Must Be Done" list?

1. Acknowledge God by thanking Him for what He has done and honoring Him by praising Him for who He is. Failure to do this step is the root for many to stray away from God. They can't even see Him in creation. They come up with speculations and theories that leave God completely out of every day.

Romans 1:21 (NASB 2020) ²¹ For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their reasonings, and their senseless hearts were darkened.

2. Spend time with God in prayer. This has two parts. First, confess any known sin. Remember that if we say that we have no sin that His word is not in us.

1 John 1:9–10 (NASB 2020) ⁹ If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous, so that He will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ¹⁰ If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.

Second, commit your life on this day without any reservations. Remember that Jesus was committed to His Father's will above saving His own life. That is what we pray when we repeat the Lord's Prayer.

Matthew 6:10 (NASB 2020) ¹⁰ ‘Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.

3. Read and meditate on God's word. Many times God's word will help you understand what you are doing. Many times the answers to other prayers are found in God's word. It is essential for you to walk with the Lord.

2 Timothy 2:15 (NASB 2020) ¹⁵ Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a worker who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.

4. Join God in what you see Him doing. This was Jesus method of acting in His Father's will. You, too, need to look at what is happening, note what God is doing and join Him in it. For example, God is bringing divorced people to the church. You look to where you can minister to them. Or, God is pressing you to pray, join Him by inviting others to pray with you.

John 5:19 (NASB 2020) ¹⁹ Therefore Jesus answered and was saying to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in the same way.

5. Depend on His strength for the day. This includes what you will do with Him and the attacks that you will endure from the evil forces coming against you. Those who say they never see the devil must be traveling along the same path or they would run into him. You need strength to put everything in perspective. You need strength to know that this is not your home. You need strength to walk when you would normally be weary.

Philippians 4:13 (NASB 2020) ¹³ I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

Keep this "To Do" list and your days will be His. They might not be easy. They might have many disappointments. They might even see tragedy. But you will know that God is with you and will bring you through whatever you face.

Can I Join Any Church I Like?

 May 2, 2024

Thursday

So, you are looking for a new church. Does God direct you to that church or do you choose one that you like? Are there features that you should look for in a new church?

Of course, you need a church grounded in God's word, the Bible. Otherwise, you are guaranteed to receive heresy. Beyond that, there is only one thing a person walking with the Lord needs to know. Is there a ministry for me in this church?

Too often, church attenders are consumers looking for the best deal. They want to spend their time in a place that pays off. The sermons and music should be uplifting. The ministries should be the best for them and their families. The youth ministry must interest their children. The children's ministry must engage their children. The music should be like a concert that no one can forget. The whole church needs to be cool, too. Only the "in" people should attend the church they attend.

It is this attitude that has squeezed the life out of churches. The churches who are under this pressure do not understand that it is God who builds His church. They are marketing themselves just like the rest of the world because they are not just in the world, they are of the world.

Those who are walking with the Lord must have a ministry that God walks with them through. They need to know that the church that is walking with God will be attacked. They need to know that the church walking with God will be a challenge. They need to know that God may have them in a church that isn't so perfect and it may be filled with genuine sinners who need a savior. They need to know that the church needs them if God has sent them to a church walking with God. The church is a body and every part of the body has a function. They need to know that being a part of the church God has for them will not let them be attenders only. They need to know God expects to use them to grow His church. 

Some of you reading this have a ministry. A ministry means that you go where God tells you to go. God bless you. You are truly walking with the Lord. God is working in you.

Philippians 2:13 (NASB 2020) ¹³ for it is God who is at work in you, both to desire and to work for His good pleasure.