Only The Lonely

I played a song for my wife the other night. She was unimpressed. Yet the song reminded me of something . . . something. But what was it?

I played it again just the other night after seeing it pop up in my YouTube feed. Again. Then it came to me. It was a Bible verse.

“If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters - yes, even their own life - such a person cannot be my disciple." - Luke 14:26

That was Jesus telling us that if we don't hate everyone on earth we cannot be His disciple.

What?!? Why does Jesus want to us to hate everyone? Wasn't He the one who told us that we were supposed to love our neighbors as ourselves?

"You shall love your neighbor as yourself." - Matthew 22:39

The operative word in this verse is "hate." So, what does this mean? I'm confused.

Basically, the Greek word translated as 'hate' means 'to love less.' The context surrounding the verse is about the cost of discipleship. We must be willing to leave everything for Jesus.

With that concept in mind, we can begin to see how discipleship is a game that 'only the lonely can play.'

In another place a rich young man came to Jesus and asked, "What good thing must I do to inherit eternal life?"

"Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

²²When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth." - Matthew 19:21-22

Jesus must be #1 in our lives - our highest priority. The question we must ultimately ask ourselves is this:

"Do you love me more than these?" - Jesus, John 21:15

That's a tough question to answer, given the world we live in today. Do we love Jesus most of all? Our answer must be, and HAS TO BE, "Yes, Lord! I love you with all of my heart. Sacrificially, unconditionally, with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength."

"'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ ³¹(and) . . . ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” - Mark 12:30-31

Only The Lonely - The Motels

Hate Father & Mother -

 GotQuestions.org

The Cost

This guy is (or was) an NBA shooting guard named Jaden Ivey. He played for the Bulls until March 30th of this year when they waived him. Why did they do that? Was he a bad player?

Jayden was the #5 draft pick for the Detroit Pistons in 2022, so he is VERY good at basketball. Jayden's "problem" is that he's a Christian.

Team management said it was, "for conduct detrimental to the team." That sounds pretty bad. What specifically did he do? For one, he posted this comment on social media:

"They proclaim Pride Month in the NBA," they say. 'Come, join us for Pride Month' to celebrate unrighteousness."

That's it? But wait, there's more! He also talked about Jesus in the locker room. Apparently, Christianity and the NBA don't get along so well.

Jesus can be a very controversial figure ANYWHERE, but in some circles He is extremely disdained. For example, it wouldn't be a good idea to go sharing the Gospel in downtown Tehran. But what if God told you to go there for Him? Would you go?

Jonah was sent to an enemy country to warn them of God's impending judgement, but he refused to go. Not right away anyway. But, when he finally obeyed the Lord, the Ninevites repented.

Being a follower of Jesus can be costly. Millions of people have died for their faith, and there will be many more that will do the same.

"Those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples." - Luke 14:33

Would we do that? Would we give up everything for Jesus? That was Him talking to His disciples in Luke 14. He was also talking to us.

At the present time there are "churches" who support LGBTQ+ behavior in their membership and even in their pulpits. Was Jayden wrong to say what he did? The NBA says 'yes he was.' What do we Christians say? I don't know about you, but I'm with Jayden.

"Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. ¹⁴Do everything in love." - 1 Corinthians 16:13-14

(from  the picture above)

Pass It On!

Have you ever watched the movie Lucy? It stars Scarlett Johansson and Morgan Freeman. I'm not sure I want to watch it. It looks a little creepy.

I've seen a few clips on YouTube though (hence the creepiness opinion). In one of the clips I watched (link at bottom), Lucy calls Professor Norman (Freeman) to talk about his theories.

She is seeking advice on what to do next with all of the knowledge she has accumulated.

Lucy: "All this knowledge. I don't know what to do with it."

Professor Norman: "If you think about the very nature of life, I mean, from the very beginning, the development of the first cell, divided into two cells, this whole purpose of life has been there. Pass on what was learned."

What do we do with all of our knowledge about Jesus, the Gospel, and the Bible? Not many, it seems, want to hear what we have to say. Still, that's what God wants us to do - to spread the news about Him. It can prove to be a difficult assignment. Yet, here we are.

"And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” - Matthew 28:18-20

So, what do we do? How do we approach the unapproachable? We have all this knowledge. How can we make them want to hear it? We have to make it about them, not about us. So, ask them questions . . . about themselves.

We have to get beyond the "Do you believe in God" question. How about using a real-life situation to share the Good News.

"Did you see where Mandissa died? Man, I saw her at Lifest not that long ago. She was only 47. At least she knew where she was going when she died. It makes you wonder. How about you? Are you right with God?"

Of course, they will answer 'yes.' Then share your testimony about how YOU got saved.

"I used to think I was going to heaven too. But then I actually read the Bible. In the Book of James it says this: "You believe that God is one. Good! Even the demons believe that - and tremble in terror" (James 2:19). There's got to be more than just believing that God exists. Is He Lord over your life? Do you follow His teachings? Why then are you living with someone? How we live our lives reflect our beliefs. What will you say to Jesus if you died in a car accident tomorrow? His answer will be, "Depart from me. I never knew you." (Matthew 7:23). Unless you KNOW Him. I love you and don't want you to spend eternity in hell. Please consider giving your life to Christ today! Right now!"

Pass it on.

Lucy: Phone Call

The Heliotrope

There are numerous examples in nature (creation) of how we humans should be living our lives. Our problem is that we are often too busy to notice.

We can see an example of a perfect marriage by watching Canadian geese. They mate for life. Both parents can be found sitting on the eggs and watching over their children.

The "neighborhood watch" concept can be found in the beaver. If they see you getting too close, they will slap their tail on the water, warning all those around them. Then they disappear under water. 

Earlier this month I was traveling south of our house when I came upon a field of sunflowers. It was early in the morning and all the sunflowers seemed to be looking at me through my passager side window.

From that information alone you can tell that the picture above was taken looking west. The road I was traveling on was running north/south. And I was heading south. How can you know all that?

Sunflowers are heliotropes. They follow the sun. In the morning they all face east. Throughout the day they rotate, following the sun as they go. At sunset they are all facing west.

Christians are heliotropes. At least we should be. We should ALWAYS be keeping ourselves focused on The Son - Jesus.

If Christ is our center and our focus it is SO much easier for us to grow and find the things we need to survive life in this hostile world.

How does the sunflower know it's time to rotated it's head 180°? Ask God. How does a Christian know to follow Jesus? Same answer.

Have you ever sung this old hymn?

"Turn your eyes upon Jesus

Look full in His wonderful face

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim

In the light of His glory and grace."

Keep focused on The Light of the world and all of life's problems will fade away. You will also find nourishment for your soul.

"As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” - John 9:4:5

Give Me Everything

No, this isn't a story about American Communism. Today's story is about the cost of discipleship. The cost of following Jesus in a world that refuses to even acknowledge His existence. A world that refuses to bend a knee in obedience to Someone it doesn't think it needs.

There is a tendency for people to forget about God when they are doing well. When life is wonderful and things are comfortable we all tend to ignore the commands of God and the things that He requires from His children.

A friend and I were having a discussion the other day about the twenty-something generation and it's unwillingness to "give up everything," even though Jesus demands that from ALL of His followers.

Jesus is quite clear in His teachings that we must be His and His alone. We are to be holy (set apart) and have nothing to do with the world which is controlled by Satan. We are to be IN the world, not OF it. Speaking to His disciples, Jesus said this:

"If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you." - John 15:19

Are we Jesus' disciples? Then why do we look so "worldly?"

Jesus often referred to Judah and Jerusalem as "harlots" who had prostituted themselves to other gods. Are we any different than they? What are the "other gods" in OUR lives? Our phones? Our schedules? Our ministries?

I used to be a youth leader in my church after I first became a born-again believer in Jesus. That was a great time, but it was also a dangerous time for my marriage. I was so caught up in my youth ministry that I ignored my wife. That was bad.

In the Book of Ephesians Paul wrote about the role of the bride (that's us) and our devotion to Jesus.

"Wives (that's us), submit yourselves to your own husbands (that's Jesus) as you do to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything." - Ephesians 5:22-24

Everything!

The way we dress, the way be talk, the way we act. EVERYTHING should be with God in mind. That's where many fail in their "religion." They are unwilling to sacrifice everything. WE are unwilling.

Let us be willing to give up everything to Jesus. He gave up everything for us.

"And when they had brought their boats ashore, they left everything and followed Him." - Luke 5:11

Into Your Hands

How focused on, and devoted to, God, The Father, was Jesus Christ, our Lord? Totally. 110% Can we say the same?

I was reading through the Book of Psalms this week when I came across a verse that made me stop and think for a bit.

"Into your hands I commit my spirit; deliver me, Lord, my faithful God." - Psalm 31:5

Gee, that sounded really familiar. That's because Jesus spoke those exact words from the cross. According to Luke, those were the last words Jesus spoke. Jesus quoted scripture just before He died.

"Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." When he had said this, he breathed his last." - Luke 23:46

Wow.

What an example of devotion! I hope that, when I die, I can have that kind of devotion. To use my last breath to quote scripture and to honor God.

But why wait until then? Why aren't we that devoted to God right now? Isn't that what disciples of Jesus should be? Totally devoted? Following their teacher?

When we place our faith in Christ, we should be saying those same words. Acknowledging our sins before God and then surrendering ourselves to Him should be paramount on our to-do list when we place our faith in Christ.

And let that be our prayer today!

Father, into Your hands I commit my day, my life, my everything. Do with my life as You will. I surrender it to you in the name of Your Son, Jesus. Amen.

We must do everything in this life with our Heavenly Father in mind. When we wake up, when we take a shower, when we eat breakfast, and when we fall asleep at night - do we think about Him? Do we honor Him? Do we praise Him?

I'm kind of thinking we should.

Into Your Hands - Matt Maher

The Chain

My wife and I had our grandson over for a sleep-over Saturday night. Boy, did he keep us busy! My wife and I will sleep well tonight. LOL!

"Hey, Grandpa! When can we go downstairs and look at your cars?"

"Hey, Grandma! I'm hungry. Can I eat some Cheetos?"

"Hey Grandpa! What's in THIS box? Can I take it out?"

Grand kids are like sponges, desiring to absorb all knowledge and truth. So what are we feeding them? What are they eating? Exactly what we feed them.

I saw a video this weekend of a baby perfectly mimicking every move Sylvester Stallone was making in the Rocky movie. Amazing. Kids are so incredibly perceptive and absorbent. They pick up on everything and can even catch us, their parents, in lies and inconsistencies.

So, what are we teaching our children?

At lunch yesterday our daughter-in-law was talking about how she would never put her kid into a public school. Sitting across the table from her was our daughter - a public school teacher. People come down on both sides of this topic. Where do YOU stand? More importantly, where does God stand?

Yesterday our pastor spoke about why our church doesn't have a youth group. It was simple reasoning. It's because discipling our children is OUR job as parents, not somebody else's.

The key "teaching" verse in scripture is, "Train up a child in the way he should go and, when he is old, he will not part from it." - Proverbs 22:6

That verse doesn't say who should be doing the training but I am assuming the writer was talking to us parents. My question is, what is "the way they should go?" I think "the way" is God's way, not our way.

^"6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." - John 14:6

If Jesus is the way, are we making sure our children are learning HIS way? Are we teaching them the things they should know that are of God, not of man? Or are we turning our children over to people who may or may not be teaching them the right things? These are all good questions.

There is a chain of responsibility God is implying to us in that verse from proverbs. We ALL should be teaching our children. Each generation, training up our children. We should never break that chain. That is one thing that helps keep us together.

So, as we walk through this world for the short time we are given, let us think long term for our children . . . and their children. Let us establish a firm foundation of faith in their lives so, that when they are old, it will not depart from them. And may the chain of teaching our children the ways of The Lord remain unbroken for generations to come.

Never brake the, never break the chain.
Chain, keep us together. - Fleetwood Mac

The Chain - Fleetwood Mac
Baby Imitates Rocky

Why?

When my sister and I were growing up - sixth grade I think for me - we had a neighbor kid who always came around asking us questions. Then, when we'd answer, she'd always come back with another one-word question. "Why?"

To give you an example, here's an imaginary conversation that quite easily could have taken place at our house.

"Hi, Mrs. Hall. Can Mary come out to play?"

"No, Mary's doing her homework right now."

"Why?"

"Because Mary's teacher gave her some work to do after school."

"Why?"

"Because, Mary's teacher wants her to learn."

"Why?"

"Because she is a teacher and that's what teachers do."

"Why?"

At this point, I imagine my mother turning around and yelling into the house, "Mary, get out here and play!" To which my sister probably responded, "WHY!?!"

"Why?" is one of the best learning questions we can ask. It can also be one of the most annoying. It can be annoying if we don't have an answer that satisfies the questioner.

Jesus asked a lot of questions. Here's a question then, with that in mind. After Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) we can read about Jesus' interactions with individuals. Jesus asked lots of questions.

Matthew 8:7 - "Shall I come and heal him?"
Matthew 8:26 - "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?"
Matthew 9:4 - "Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts?"
Matthew 9:5 - "Which is easier: to say, 'Your sins are forgiven.' or to say 'Get up and walk?'
Matthew 9:15 - "How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them?"

The questions continue throughout the remainder of the book but you get the idea.

Here's a question for you. Why did Jesus ask so many questions if, being fully God and fully man, He already knew the answers? Good question! I think Jesus asked His questions not so HE could learn but that WE might learn. Does that make sense?

So, I have a few questions of my own this morning. Questions that Jesus could easily ask of us? The big question is . . . how will we respond?

"Whom are you seeking?" - John 18:7

And our little neighbor girl might ask, "Why?" Why do we seek Him?

"Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” - Mark 4:40

Why AM I so afraid of doing or saying something in His name? Is it really my lack of faith?

"Do you love me?" - John 21:16

Jesus even gave us hints to help us answer THIS question.

¹⁵ “If you love me, keep my commands." - John 14:21

Jesus actually answered all of our questions on the cross. And all of His previous questions were leading to that fact. Once we arrive, simply by placing our faith in Him, we are adopted into Hid family, given a share in his inheritance, have ALL of our sins forgiven, and are granted eternal life. Not bad, eh?

When we respond to God's Holy Spirit with the correct answer, He no longer is annoying like our little neighborhood girl was. He becomes a blessing. We all will answer the questions Jesus asks. Will we answer rightly in the eyes of God?

"I'm looking someone to change my life. I'm looking for a miracle in my life." - Justin Hayward, The Moody Blues

Question - The Moody Blues
Kids Questions and Letters to God

The Commands of Jesus: Follow Me

[This is the second in a series of articles about The Commands of Jesus.]

As a guy, I don't like to stop and ask for directions when I'm lost. I'd rather figure things out on my own. That usually takes a little time. More time than my wife is willing to spend, should she be in the car with me.

"Why don't you stop at a gas station!" she'll ask.

I usually reply with something like this. "I know exactly where I'm going. Right over there (points at some unseen destination) . . . Be patient. It's right over the next hill . . . somewhere . .  ."

The modern day GPS unit has taken all the fun out of dead-reckoning driving. It (usually) takes you right where you want to go. But driving by the seat of my pants always gets me to where I'm going. It just takes a little longer. And we get to see new things along the way that we wouldn't otherwise have gotten to see! The truth is though, if I would stop and ask directions from someone who knew the way, I would arrive at my destination a WHOLE lot quicker.

When Jesus was calling his disciples he didn't ask them if they would like to come with Him. He told them!"

"18 While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 19 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” - Matthew 4:18-19

Guess what they did. They obeyed his command. IMMEDIATELY! Verse 20

"20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him." - Matthew 4:20

The Greek words used in this text are "deute opiso mou" which means "come after me", or basically, follow me. But what strikes me most about verse 20 is that they IMMEDIATELY followed Jesus. How many of us can say we dropped everything and followed Jesus when we first came to believe?

Although Jesus was specifically calling his disciples at the time, He really is calling us too. And if you combine this command to follow with the first command Jesus gave us - to repent or "turn around" - it's rather easy to see what Jesus is asking us . . . no . . . telling, us to do. Turn around and come after Him. Repent and follow.

Have you repented and followed Jesus? That's a MAJOR question in the life of a Christian. We are commanded to do this. It's not a half-way thing. If we have not repented . . . if we are not following Jesus in the way we live our lives and in our hearts, then we cannot call ourselves Christians. There is no "half-way" with Jesus. It's all or nothing.

Look, we are all sinners. Yet we all tend to wander off the path once in a while. Okay, DAILY! We're just like a bunch of sheep in need of a shepherd. Jesus IS that shepherd. We need to be FOLLOWING His voice, not our own or anyone else's. We are called to Repent and Follow.

"3 So he told them this parable: 4 “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ 7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance." - Luke 15:3-7

What Keeps You From Following God? - The Skit Guys