Waiting Impatiently

My bride was in Colorado this past week. While she was away I learned a few things about myself.

First, it was a lot quieter. Lol! The television didn't get used to much. No football games, no home fix-it shows.  Silence. That was a good thing.

There was also no one to talk to. That can be both good and bad. It was a whole lot quieter but there was also no one to talk to when I really wanted to talk. That was sad. Thank God for friends!

The next thing I noticed was I slept really well. I'm not complained or anything. Just making an observation. I slept like a rock!

But the main thing I noticed was just how much I missed my bride and how much I really didn't like living in an empty house. And the yearning increased the closer it got to the actual time of her arrival.

That's when I thought about Jesus. He's the bride groom you know. I wonder if He misses us.

When it's time for him to come get us, will He be waiting outside the airport like I was yesterday? I don't think so. When it's time, our meeting Him will happen in the twinkling of an eye.

"It will happen in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed." - 1 Corinthians 15:52

I also heard He was going to meet us in the air. Do we have to check our bag first or do we just jump up into His arms?

"After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever." - 1 Thessalonians 4:17

One thing I know for certain, as I sit here waiting at the airport, I can't wait to see my bride. And quite honestly, I can't wait to see Jesus either.

The Narrow Road

Would you drive on a road like this? How fast would you take the corner? Would you drive this road in the dark? We make decisions like this every day and we don't even know it.

The problem we have with our daily decisions is that the consequences of those decisions are not immediately visible. It looks safe to us, so why not?

Jesus told us that "narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." - Matthew 13-14

I'm not telling you that God wants you to drive on a road like this. He's telling you to be cautious. This picture represents our life decisions.

Will we drive alone the outside edge of the road with a chance of falling to our death with the slightest mistake? Or will we chose the opposite side where falling rocks from above can crush us in an instant?

I think that God wants us to walk right down the middle. He doesn't want us to make any sudden turns or wrong decisions that will lead to death.

"There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death." - Proverbs 14:12

The road we travel in our faith journey is narrow enough. Satan tempts us to live life on the edge, taking chances and do exciting things. Why? Because he's rather have us die without Jesus than to seek Jesus and complete our journey.

See the lady in this picture? She's living life on the edge alright. She is taking chances with her life just so she can have someone make her famous in this life through a picture on the Internet.

Shortly after this picture was taken this beautiful young woman slipped and fell to her death.

When we begin to believe we can do things on our own and make all the right decisions in life, we often find ourselves proved wrong through addictions, unplanned pregnancies, or, in this case, gravity.

Choose Jesus as your trail guide today. He will keep you safe from harm. You will more than likely live to tell about it. Forever all eternity.

The Best Hugs

I went to visit a friend of mine after church yesterday. When we see each other, my friend usually gives me a hug. I don't mind. He gives the best hugs and here's why.

There are many different types of hugs. There's the "I've missed you" hug for example. It's happy and grateful - a little tighter and longer that a typical hug.

Then there's the "good bye" hug. These hugs can linger for a while, lasting longer because we know we won't see them for a while. Good bye hugs are sad, yet beautiful.

There's also the "polite" hug. This is when you feel like you should hug someone but you don't really know them. This type of hug is quick and hesitant, barely touching the huggie. Forced. Awkward.

The "I surrender" hug is the kind of hug we give each other when we're about to give up or we just can't handle it. These hugs involve leaning on someone for support. They are much-needed hugs. But surrendering hugs are also "I Trust You" hugs. The best.

The "unfulfilled" hug is probably the saddest of all hugs. It is the hug we never got to give. This week in my life is a sad week. It is a time of unfulfilled hugs - the anniversary of two loved people in our community who took their own lives. These two kids both needed hugs when no one was there to offer one.

Never be shy about giving someone a hug. They cost nothing, except perhaps a small portion of your heart. They just might turn out to be the most valuable gift someone will get all day.

I will leave you with a question today. What kind of hug will you receive upon your arrival in heaven? I think it will be TWO kinds of hugs at once. We will be running to Jesus to give Him a hug for all the things He has done for us. And Jesus will receive that hug with knowing compassion, welcoming home another of His lost sheep.

Be Jesus in someone's life today. Give someone a hug. It might just be the best thing that has happened to them in quite a while.

"But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him." - Luke 15:20

Who Are You?

"Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, “Who do people say I am?”

28They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.”

29“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”

There's a question for you. Well, it's more like a question about you I guess. Who do others say that we are? If someone went up to one of your friends and asked them about you, what would they say?

"Oh, she's nice. She sticks her nose in people's business though. Other than that, she's okay I guess."

"He's a real jerk. He never pays back the money he owes. Wastes it all on booze. Stay away from him."

The truest judge of our character is through someone else's eyes. Do you remember the saying, "Beauty is in the eyes of the behold?" The same goes for ugliness.

A friend of mine accused her spouse of being negative all the time. He replied, "That's stupid. I'm not negative!"

We all have an idea of who we are, but who are we, really? Quite often we are our own worst enemy. We can be very hard on ourselves.

Here's a question for you. "Who does Jesus say that we are?"

Ooo, yeah. That gets right to the heart of the matter. God knows everything about us. He knows exactly who we are, not the person we pretend to be.

When all the window-dressing gets taken down and all of the false fronts get removed, who are we, really?

In the Book of Galatians there is a laundry list of who we should be. How many characteristic can you honestly check off?

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." - Galatians 5:22-23

There's a nine-item checklist right there. And here's the catch. We should be exhibiting ALL of those things - if we truly are Christians. If we are a follower of Christ.

When we place our faith in Jesus the Holy Spirit enters us and the sanctification process begins. Over time each of us will become more like Jesus in our character. God works away at our rough edges, one by one, until we are made perfect. At least we become better than we once were.

Look at that list and ask yourself a question about each item.

Do I love others? Even my enemies?

Do I project joy in my life? Am I a joy to be around?

Am I at peace with myself and my situation, always?

Am I patient (forbearance) in all of life's situations?

Am I kind? Good? Faithful? Gentle?

Do I exhibit self-control? ALL of the time?

Every believer should be ALL of these things. But who do others say that we are? Who does GOD say that we are?

I Thirst

When Jesus was on the cross, about to breathe His last, He said something that, on the surface, seems like kind of an ordinary thing to say. Jesus said He was thirsty. I would think that just about anybody would be seeking a drink if they had experienced the kind of day that Jesus had.

"After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” - John 19:28

My questions is: Why did Jesus say that? Was He indeed thirsty? Or was it something else? Isn't yelling out that He was thirsty a selfish thought? Jesus NEVER had a selfish thought - a thought about His own well-being never happened. He was always concerned about serving others and doing what His Father wanted Him to do.

Let's go back a bit in the Book of John to John 4. Jesus is waiting by Jacob's well for a divine appointment with a Samaritan woman.

"When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Give Me a drink.” - John 4:7

Do you think Jesus was actually thirsty? Or was He striking up a conversation with a Samaritan to spread the good news? Jews traditionally avoided Samaritans. It says so in John 9.

"The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans). - John 4:9

Then Jesus said this:

"Jesus answered, “If you knew the gift of God and who is asking you for a drink, you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.” - John 4:10

Now, it says right there that Jesus HAD living water. He had it with Him. Why then, when He was on the cross, did Jesus suddenly become thirsty? Hold that thought.

Skipping ahead to John 10, we can find part of our answer.

"I and my Father are one." - John 10:30

Why was Jesus on the cross in the first place? He was taking our punishment upon Himself.

"God made him (Jesus) who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." - 2 Corinthians  5:21

Jesus took OUR sin upon HIMSELF. In doing that for us He became separated from God. God hates sin. Separation from God was something Jesus had never experienced before in His eternal life. Jesus was totally alone. I think Jesus was 'thirsty' for His Father.

"I thirst!"

He said that and then He died. Resurrected, He no longer thirst for His Father. He was then eternally sitting at the Father's right hand.

Are you and I as thirsty for God as Jesus was on that cross? We should be. We are filled with sin. We sin every day and are thus separated from God. Yet, Jesus died on the cross to take our punishment upon Himself . . . that we might NEVER thirst. That WE might become God's righteousness. HIS righteousness.

Have you tasted the 'living water' that Jesus offers?

Jesus Messiah - Chris Tomlin

Father-Son

Over the past few days I have witnessed the special bond that can exist between a father and his son. I say 'can' because not all fathers and sons have that kind of relationship.

Sadly, some fathers couldn't care less about the children they sire. They were just interested in their own sexual gratification. They are just interested in themselves. A TRUE father is more interested in His wife and children than he is in his own welfare.

My wife and I watched our grandson play in a football game on Saturday. After the game our grandson couldn't wait to tell his dad about the whole thing, even though his dad had already watched the entire game. A special bond.

I played a few rounds of disc golf later that same day with a man and his nephew - a relationship similar to that of a father and his son. After we had finished playing, the older man said to me, speaking about BOTH of his nephews, "I can't tell you how much it means to me to be out here with these boys."

Many of today's societal issues could be eliminated all together if sons and fathers loved and respected one another.

Jesus and His Father are our perfect example of this ideal father-son relationship. Jesus was, and still is, very obedient to doing His Father's will.

And God the Father's relationship His Son?

"And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” - Matthew 3:17 - Matthew

I am grateful to have a good relationship with my son. And equally as grateful to see that same relationship exists between MY son and HIS son.

As I reflect back on my life I can remember similar relationships with fatherless sons in youth groups at church, encountered while playing disc golf, or while attending Christian music festivals.

Hen a father loves a son, and a son loves his father, the results are NEVER disappointing.

"The Father loves the Son and has placed all things in his hands." - John 3:35

"For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does." - John 5:20

"I am in the Father and the Father is in me." - John 14:11

The Parable of The Life Preserver

"We have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world." - 1 John 4:14

Here's a picture I hope you never get to see in real life. It's a life preserver - mid-flight. If this is your viewpoint of a life preserver in action, you are in some serious trouble, my friend.

There are three aspects of a life preserver's use that are critical to its successful operation.

First is the thrower. Without a strong and accurate throw by the thrower nobody is going to have a good day.

Second, the recipient has to be capable of reaching out to the preserver. Without the desire and ability to be saved, everybody's efforts will be useless.

And lastly, there's the life preserver itself. Unless it is in good shape and ready to be used it could sink or come apart at the seams. It will be useless unless the life preserver is properly taken care of and maintained.

The parable part of this story comes by examining this entire scenario through God's eyes. In life's struggles, God is the always the thrower. Some might say He is also the life preserver and that's true sometimes, but not always. Quite often God uses other people as His life preservers. God uses us to speak to people, to walk along with people who are struggling in life.

The recipient of any life saving effort is usually someone that God has placed in our lives - for a moment, for a season, but always for a reason. When this scenario works perfectly it is a beautiful thing to behold.

Oh, I forgot one aspect to this parable - the rope itself. The rope is love. God's love is always there to save us from ANY situation. And God has promised to never let go of His life-saving love. It is always there.

Notice that the thrower is directly connected to the life preserver. God's love, through His Holy Spirit, makes everything work. Our Christian brothers and sister are the earthly connection to the struggling soul.

Is there someone in your life who is in danger of drowning right now? Tell them about God's life-saving love. All they have to do is to reach out their hand and receive Him into their hearts.

Remember, even after the struggling person reaches out, God is the one that pulls them to Himself. It's a beautiful thing.

Keep a lookout on the horizon in YOUR life. Is someone struggling? Is someone sinking? God has a hold of you. Are you willing to be used to save a life?

The Great Southwest Parable

Recently we learned about thousands of would-be passengers who were waiting to board Southwest Airlines flights. No pilots were available to take them to their desired destination.

[These present-day parables are simply writing themselves these days]

All of a sudden, hundreds of Southwest flights were cancelled on the same day. Some say it was a sick-out over the Covid-19 mandates forced on pilots and flight crews. Sadly, it's simply just another sign of the times.

This story is not really about vaccines or Covid -19. Zoom out and look at the bigger picture. Thousands of people, expecting to go somewhere, were denied the possibility to do so. Sound familiar?

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats." - Matthew 25:31-32

Look at that! Thousands (millions) of people waiting to go some place.

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world." - Matthew 25:34

Everyone is expecting to get into heaven when they die. It's automatic, right? Wrong. Not everyone will be allowed to enter. Jesus Himself has said so.

‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ - Matthew 25:41-43

Are you sure that you have a ticket to get into heaven? Are you SURE??? Jesus is the pilot for your flight. If you have allowed Jesus to guide your life, if you have repented and sought His forgiveness for your sins, if you have repented and He has changed your heart, then you won't have to wait in line long.

There are many false Christ's in the world today. Most are man-made. That take the original Jesus and tweak Him to their own liking. Then they worship their false god. It's not Jesus. The TRUE Jesus. Those idol worshippers will be standing in line one day, just like the passengers for those Southwest Airlines flights. And they will be denied entry into heaven.

Please, verify your ticket! Does it say, "The One True God" on it? Read the Bible! That is where you will find who He is. Then talk to the pilot - "the author and finisher of your faith." Pledge your allegiance to Him today. Then enjoy your flight!

Love Your Enemies

God never does things half way. When He wants something accomplished, it gets done, whether we want it to happen or not.

For example, when God parted the Red Sea so that His people could escape the attacking Egyptians, that wasn't a SMALL thing. I went on Google Earth and measured the Red Sea. It's 100-110 miles across, depending on where you measure it. 100 miles!

The story of Jonah is another example of God doing something amazing. We all wonder how God could have a fish hold Jonah in its belly for three days, underwater, without Jonah drowning. Open up your Bibles to Jonah, Chapter 1, verse 17.

"Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights." - Jonah 1:17, KJV, NKJV, AB, ASV, ABPE, DRB, ERV, ISV

Different translations of the Bible use different words instead of "prepared" in this verse. Provided, arranged, appointed, designated, commanded, sent. But examine the choice of the word "prepared" here in the King James version. God already created all of the fish in the sea. But now He was preparing one especially for Jonah.

Question: Do you believe that the God, who parted 100 miles of the Red Sea mind you, could prepare a giant fish to hold a human being in it for three days? I do! God can do anything!!

Another thing about the Jonah story that I find interesting was highlighted by our pastor in church yesterday. God wanted Jonah to go to Nineveh. That doesn't seem like a lot to ask until you find out that Nineveh was a huge, sprawling city in the country of Israel's ENEMY!!

That's like telling Franklin Graham to go preach to the Taliban. Would YOU want to go and do that? Uhh, me neither. So, we should cut Jonah a little slack here. Or should we?

God loves everyone, the good and the bad. God knew that many would be saved once they heard Jonah's message of their need for repentance. Jonah was the one with the problem. And so are we.

Our pastor asked a convicting question yesterday. Who is YOUR enemy? Who is YOUR Nineveh? God wants us to love our enemies and to pray for them. Have we done that? WILL we do that? I think it's time to get out of our fish and do what God has commanded us to do.

"You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." - Matthew 5:43-48

Last Days

When you get to heaven and Jesus asks you what you did during your last days on earth, what will you tell Him? Will your answer please Him? The Bible gives us several good answers to choose from.

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." - John 13:34

Jesus loved us so much that He sacrificed His own life so that we could live with Him forever. That's sacrificial love. Do we exhibit that kind of love for others in this world? Do we go out of our way to spend time with a friend who's struggling? Do we spend any of our hard-earned money so that others might have food and shelter?

"Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." - John 15:13

Will we spend any of our last days with God - reading His Word, spending time in worship and in prayer? Will we be praying for those who persecute us, those who do not believe in our glorious God? Or will we spend our last days bemoaning our condition or taking trips on a giant cruise ship?

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

37Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ c 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself." - Matthew 22:36-39

There is a pattern in the teachings of Jesus - to love. Loving God, and loving one another all seem to be very important in God's eyes. They should be equally important in OUR eyes as well, don't you think?

"Well, Lord, I spent my last day witnessing to my nurse about You, I spent time with my family members. I blessed and prayed for each one. And then I looked my spouse in the eyes, squeezed her hand, and now, here I am with you."

"That sounds like a wonderful day. Well done, good and faithful servant."

So.

What shall we do today?

Free Will

If I have free will why can't I yell 'FIRE!' in a crowded movie theater? That's a false question. Anyone CAN yell fire in a crowded room. That is the free will part. The problem comes when our free will words and actions conflict with the current laws. Decisions CAN have consequences.

A store puts up a sign that says 'masks must be worn to enter'. We have free will to enter without a mask. Is it a law that we must have a mask on or is it simply the store owner's free will to put the sign on the door? What IS the law?

God has told us that we must have no sin (zero) in our lives in order to enter heaven. If we've only sinned a little bit, can we still get in? No! This is part of God's law.

The words "free" and "will" makes us think that we can do whatever we want, and that's true, to some degree. But sometimes our decisions effect others or break laws. Than what?

The latest free will choice is the vaccine mandate. 'You must take the shot or you will be fired.' Time to make a choice. Notice it's a "mandate" and not a law.

What is our free will choice? We can find a new job or sue to retain our current job. What do we do when our free will clashes with someone else's free will?

What would God have us do? He has told us to obey our ruler's laws, except when they conflict with HIS laws.

A time is coming when we will have to make another choice. This choice is referred to in the Bible as 'the mark of the beast'. It will be a free will choice. If we refuse to take the mark we will be unable to buy or sell. That, and we will get our heads cut off, but other than that . . .

Will we choose the mark so that our lives will be easier? Or will we chose to refuse the mark in order to follow God's will for our lives. WE must make a choice.

How will YOU choose?

"But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” - Joshua 24:15

Imminent

Have you ever watched a sunrise? A sunrise is an interesting combination of the gradual and the sudden. It kind of sneaks up on you, ever so slowly, and then, Whoomp! There it is! 

There are visible signs just before the actual rising of the sun. Signs that the actual appearance of the sun is imminent. The sky begins to brighten. Birds begin to sing. Then, suddenly, a bright light stabs you in the eyes and the sun becomes visible.

Most people don't see the rising of the sun. They are either sleeping or getting ready for work or school. Yet there is no stopping the sunrise. It is as certain as death and taxes.

The return on Jesus, The Messiah, is imminent. There have actually been signs of His coming but most haven't seen them. They have been distracted by other things. Things of this world. But what are the signs of the soon return of Jesus? Look at this conversation that Jesus had with His disciples.

"As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” - Matthew 24:3

The very first words out of the mouth of Jesus in answer to their questions was this:

"Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you." - Matthew 24:4

Is there any deception happening in the world today? Have you been fed any lies or half-truths recently?

So, what are some other signs of His coming? Well, instead of things getting brighter, this Son-rise will feature increasing darkness - another sign of His imminence.

Verse 6 - Wars and rumors of wars.

Verse 7 - Nation will rise against nation.

Verse 9 - We will be persecuted for our faith.

Verse 10 - Many will turn away from the faith. Many will betray and hate each other.

Verse 12 - And increase of wickedness.

Does any of this sound familiar? These are the signs of His coming! They are happening right now!

Place your faith in Jesus before the Son rises in the east. As soon as His glorious light hits your eyes it will be too late for those who have not made their decision. Choose Christ today. Please. All of your tomorrows depend upon the decision you make today. Choose Jesus!

Try To Hang On

I woke up with a song in my head this morning. The lyrics that kept on repeating were, "Something greater is on the way. Just hang on. Try to hang on."

When Jesus was talking with His disciples in Matthew 24 they specifically asked Him, "What will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?" His answer perfectly reflects our world today. Here is an excerpt.

"At that time (the time of His coming) many will fall away and will betray and hate one another, 11and many false prophets will arise and mislead many.

12Because of the multiplication of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold. 13But the one who perseveres to the end will be saved." - Matthew 24:10-12

Our perseverance is being tested right now. Do we have what it takes to "endure to the end"?

It's hard to watch the news at night and to hear the stories about how far we have fallen as a nation and as a people. Murders, unrest, our politicians want to defund the police - the very people they hired to enforce the very laws THEY created. It's crazy out there!

So, how can we "endure to the end" . . . in such a world as this?

Jesus answered that question for His disciples as well.

"At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and all the tribes of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. 31And He will send out His angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other." - Matthew 24:30-31

Now the only unanswered question is, "Are you one of the elect?"

"The elect" are the true believers in Jesus, The Messiah. They are "The Church." They are not the Roman Catholic church. the Greek Orthodox church, or the Lutheran Church. "The Church" of Jesus Christ is made up of true believers from ALL of our worldly churches.

And not all of the members of our earthly churches will be saved. Only those who have truly given their lives over the Christ. Those who worship in spirit and in truth, those who serve their King every day of their earthly lives, those who sacrifice "self", those who would die rather than deny faith in God.

Look, things these days are tough. There's no denying that. It's hard to get through a day without feeling depressed and in despair. But we must rejoice!! Why? Because . . . "Something greater is on the way. Just hang on. Try to hang on."

The Veil - David Crowder Band