Lots of Trouble

There is a lesson that 'lots' of people ignore in today's world. It's found in the Book of Genesis. It's the story of Lot. Here's the background.

Lot and Abraham had parted company back in Genesis 13. Lot chose to go down to the plain of the Jordan.

"So Lot chose for himself the whole plain of the Jordan and set out toward the east." - Genesis 13:11

"Lot lived among the cities of the plain and pitched his tents near Sodom." - Genesis 23:12

Uh-oh. In chapter 19 we read about some men of the town coming to Lot's house and wanting to have sex with some visiting angels. Then Lots said this:

“No, my friends. Don’t do this wicked thing." - Genesis 19:6

"My friends . . ."

"What does light have to do with darkness?" - 2 Corinthians 6:14

"Have nothing to do with such people." - 2 Timothy 3:5

Yet Lot called them his friends.

In today's world we have similar types of people to those in Lot's day. We humans haven't gotten much better at being hoky. As Paul said in his letter to the Roman church, "They are inventers of evil." - Romans 1:30

"But maybe I could lead them to Jesus," we say. "So we should be friends."

Umm, no. Have nothing to do with such people, Timothy!

We can pray for them and love them, as we SHOULD be doing. But should we befriend them? Hang out with them? And interact with them in their activities? Participate in their parades and events?  Not according to the Apostle Paul.

God wants us to be holy. Set apart.

"Be holy for I am holy." - Leviticus 11:45, 1 Peter 1:16

The concept of “holy” is deeply woven into the fabric of Scripture. In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word often translated as “holy” is “qodesh,” which carries the idea of being set apart, consecrated, or sanctified for sacred use. In the New Testament, the Greek word “hagios” bears a similar meaning and underscores the moral and spiritual purity associated with holiness. The idea is that what God calls holy must be distinct in purpose and dedicated to His honor.

When we ask, “What defines being holy?” we are essentially exploring how individuals, communities, and even objects or spaces are designated as set apart under God’s purpose. This designation reflects not only a moral standard but also a transformative relationship with the God who is entirely separate from sin and imperfection. - BibleHub

And the picture? Then president Biden signing a bill into law, protecting gay marriage rights in 2022.

"Be holy, for I am holy." - God

Knees

Thursday night I had a dream. I don't remember too much about it but I do remember that it took place in a church. The building was unfamiliar to me. It must have been after service as only a handful of people were there. Maybe five or six. I was one of them, observing.

Two of the people were having a rather deep conversation. I think one was the pastor of the church. I didn't want to interrupt so I was just walking around behind the pews.

When the conversation ended, the one guy started to leave. Still talking, he was now in the back of the santuary. That's when something happened. I dropped to my knees and began crying. REALLY crying. Face in hands, on my knees. And that's when I woke up.

My first thought was that the Holy Spirit was in this man. But the Holy Spirit is in EVERY Christian. Why was this guy different? I have no idea. But I did come away with this one thought.

If the Holy Spirit resides in every heart, of every believer, why don't we treat that fact with the respect it is due? I mean, this is "God with us." Emmanuel!

“Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, ¹⁴who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession - to the praise of his glory.” - Ephesians 1:13-14

After waking up, I thought about my dream. The scripture above says that we are SEALED, sealed with the Holy Spirit. But how can we tell? There are no doves decending on us from heaven.

Perhaps it's just that when we come to know that someone has the Holy Spirit, we should be humbled by that. When we are standing with someone who has the Holy Spirit, why don't we drop to our knees in the presence of our Almighty God? Not worshipping the person, but the Holy Spirit that resides in them.

There are several instances of people bowing down to the Apostles in the Bible after witnessing healing or some other miracle. Even John bowed down to an angel in Revelation. But in each of those situations, those on their knees were told, "Don't do that. Worship God."

"But he said to me, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your fellow prophets and with all who keep the words of this scroll. Worship God!” - Revelation 22:9

So, maybe that's the end of my story today, and the meaning of my dream. Worship God. Bow down to Him in humble submission. And weep at the knowledge that we have been sealed, and chosen. And that, before the foundation of the world.

"For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight." - Ephesians 1:4

I'm not sure where you're at this morning, but me? I'm on my knees.

Really Moses?

"The Lord was angry with me because of you, and he solemnly swore that I would not cross the Jordan and enter the good land the Lord your God is giving you as your inheritance." - Deuteronomy 4:21

Really Moses? Was God really angry with you because of the Israelites? Let's turn back to Numbers 20 and take a closer look.

"Now there was no water for the community, and the people gathered in opposition to Moses and Aaron. ³They quarreled with Moses and said, “If only we had died when our brothers fell dead before the Lord! ⁴Why did you bring the Lord’s community into this wilderness, that we and our livestock should die here? ⁵Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to this terrible place? It has no grain or figs, grapevines or pomegranates. And there is no water to drink!”

⁶Moses and Aaron went from the assembly to the entrance to the tent of meeting and fell facedown, and the glory of the Lord appeared to them. ⁷The Lord said to Moses, ⁸“Take the staff, and you and your brother Aaron gather the assembly together. Speak to that rock before their eyes and it will pour out its water. You will bring water out of the rock for the community so they and their livestock can drink.” - Numbers 20:2-8

God said, "SPEAK to that rock." What did Moses do? Let's keep reading.

"So Moses took the staff from the Lord’s presence, just as he commanded him. ¹⁰He and Aaron gathered the assembly together in front of the rock and Moses said to them, “Listen, you rebels, must we bring you water out of this rock?” ¹¹Then Moses raised his arm and struck the rock twice with his staff. Water gushed out, and the community and their livestock drank." - Numbers 20:9-11

Moses didn't get to enter the Promised Land because of his OWN disobedience. Yes, Moses was angry with the Israelites, and the were a stiff necked people, but they didn't keep Moses from crossing the Jordan. His sin did.

When we examine our own lives, can we find things that might keep us from enjoying God's blessings? What about the infertile woman? The Bible says that he closes and opens rhe womb. Upon occasion, God allows Satan to cause us problems. All for His ultimate glory and our good.

Sin is a bigger problem in our lives than most of us are willing to acknowledge. Our next step should be repentance, and let Hod take it from there.

Is there something in our lives that needs to change in God's eyes? Do we need to eliminate certain foods and drinks to live a healthier, happier life? Perhaps it's a relationship that needs to end.

We should be constantly examining ourselves, searching for ways to become more holy. That's a very basic command from God.

"Be holy, for I am holy." - Leviticus 11:44, 45, 19:2, 20:26, 1 Peter 1:15

An Abomination?

This week in Alabama woman received a pig kidney transplant. This medical procedure freed her from 8 years of dialysis. A medical miracle, right? Or is it an abomination to The Lord?

When Jesus was speaking to His disciples about the end times He mentioned an 'abomination.' What was that?

“So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation,’ spoken of through the prophet Daniel - let the reader understand. - Matthew 24:15

He referred to the prophet Daniel here. What did Daniel have to say?

"And at the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him." - Daniel 9:27

At the temple? I have heard Bible experts say that "the abomination that causes desolation" will be the Antichrist sacrificing a pig on the altar in God's rebuilt temple. However, there is no physical temple right now. Nor has the Antichrist made himself known.

Consider this from the Apostle Paul:

"Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?" - 1 Corinthians 6:19

When God gave The Law to Moses back in the day he said this about unclean animals in the Book of Leviticus. Guess what . . .

"And the pig, because it parts the hoof and is cloven-footed but does not chew the cud, is unclean to you. You shall not eat any of their flesh, and you shall not touch their carcasses; they are unclean to you." - Leviticus 12:7-8

Sacrificing an unclean animal on something that was clean would definitely be an abomination to God.

Back to the pig/kidney story. So surgeons just "sacrificed" a pig (an abomination to God) and placed its unclean kidney into a human. If this human was a Christian their "temple" (their body) would contain the Holy Spirit. Do you think that might be an abomination to God?

Yeah, I know, I'm stretching things. But it might be wise for us to consider such things. Especially as we see the day aporoaching.

God is the performer of miracles, not man.

I am reminded of Dr. Ian Malcom from the Jurrasic Park movie. He said this about unchecked scientific endeavors:

"Your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, that they didn't stop to think if they should."

Pig Kidney Transplant Story - AP

I Don't Belong Here

Have you ever gotten the feeling like you don't belong where you are? Maybe it's with a group of friends. Everyone is laughing and having fun, but you get the feeling like you'd rather be somewhere else. Welcome to the world of a Christian, living in "The World."

As near as I can figure, it's because you and I have been set apart for a different purpose.

"Be holy for I am holy." - 1 Peter 1:16

And what does "holy " mean in a Biblical context? It means 'set apart.'

We can feel incredibly alone at times. It's better, in a way, to be totally alone than being surrounded by strangers. Know what I mean?

Do you know why that is? Why we feel so alone, even when we're not? It's because we don't belong here.

Do you have a very close friend? Someone you can trust? Why do we feel so comfortable with them? Similar political views? Similar life experiences? Some kind of special bond?

In the song linked below the words 'I don't belong here' are repeated over and over again. A good reminder for us as we walk through this place.

"We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord." - 2 Corinthians 5:8

At the same time though, we can feel quite at home with our brothers and sisters in Christ. That's because they are our NEW family. We have common thoughts and experiences. A common love for our Savior. The common bond of love.

When Paul wrote to the church in Corinth he said, "I wish that all of you were as I am" - 1 Corinthians 7:7

Paul was speaking about being single, as opposed to being married. Perhaps if we took that opening verse from 1st Peter and tweaked it a bit we could better understand God's meaning for us as we live in today's world.

"Be lonely for I am lonely."

We are supposed to feel alone here because this is not our home. But we don't have to STAY lonely. That's one of the benefits of a church family. Go to church and find a family you belong with. A family who loves you.

Visit a friend you haven't seen in a while. Hours will fly by like minutes. Why? Because your 'at home' with them. Give them a hug and hold on for a while.

The Beautiful Letdown - Switchfoot

Set Apart?

I watched some of the Super Bowl yesterday. The first couple of series anyway. Then something began to grate at me. What was I watching? And why was I watching it?

My wife and I used to watch the game just for the commercials and maybe that's what's bothering me this year - the commercials. Ads are designed to sell things. Companies want to make their products / services look appealing so we will want to buy them. But what are they selling? And why?

I think if it was just another football game, this game would have been a good one to watch. Two great teams, two good coaches, playing their hearts out. But then, in creeps "The World." Politics, luxury cars, fantasy movies . . . Mr. Peanut.

And the half-time show. Oh my. Jennifer Lopez and Shakira? I don't have to tell you what THEY were selling. I heard it was just shy of a strip tease show. I was glad I bugged out in the first quarter. I wonder how many impressionable kids watched the show?

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will." - Romans 12:2

If we are  to be transformed, how are we to do that? I think it's through reading the Bible and through prayer. Listening for that "still, small voice" and receiving God's Holy Spirit within us. Not by wallowing in worldly things.

The more we read and learn, the more our eyes are opened. We move closer to God and farther away from "the world" when we follow God's Holy Spirit and His leading.

We are Christians. We are called to be Holy, which means to be "set apart." And perhaps that's a good question for us this post Super Bowl Monday morning. Are we set apart? Are we holy?

Are we Christians?

I'm not picking on any Christians for watching the game (Yes, I am). I watched some of it. But I AM asking this question. WHY were we watching the game? For the football? For the commercials? For the halftime show? Did any of those things make us holy? Set apart from the rest of the world? The world we are not supposed to be like? Probably not.

Lord, help us not to conform to this slowly sinking world. We do the things we say we shouldn't do. We are no better than the rest of the unbelieving world. We should not be part of this world. We are YOURS! Help us act like it. Please!

"Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 16What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God." - 2 Corinthians 6:14,16

Forgive Me - Tenth Avenue North

Nonconformity

I read something today that made me stop and think about the way I am living my life right now. I'd like you to read it too and see what you think.

"Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. 14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” - 1 Peter 1:13-16

What that basically says to me is, "All that stuff you were doing before you were saved? Yeah, don't do that anymore."

We humans are prone to temptation. We are also creatures of habit. When something we used to do in our past dangles itself in front of us in our present, what is our future going to look like? That depends on what we do right here and now.

How can we prepare for temptation? Take proactive steps. Does taking a drink tempt you? Get rid of the bottles in your house, don't go to bars, don't go to parties where alcohol is likely to be served. Don't go down the beer aisle at the grocery store.

Here's another helpful tip. Don't watch television, especially the commercials. Television ads are like IED's -  roadside bombs. You think you're safe then, BOOM! There it is.

Am I being too drastic? Too picky? Too idealistic? Legalistic?

I used the example of alcohol here but it really could be anything. Sexual temptation, gluttony, greed, the list is endless.

What does it mean to be holy? Set apart? From what? We are to be set apart from the world, sin and everything "the world" represents. We were made holy by the precious blood of Jesus and our faith in God. Should we be acting like it?

Every time we are tempted we should pray and get out of the situation we are in. We also should take steps to avoid temptation. We belong to Jesus, not the world.

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will." - Romans 12:2

Ball of Confusion - The Temptations

Oops! My Bad

Have you ever felt like you were in the wrong place? Maybe things looked okay at first but then, later on, things just didn't seem right for some reason. Welcome to MY world.

Monday morning at Wal-Mart was one of those times. I went in, did my shopping, and was just about to get into my car when I got one of those feelings. I opened the car door and noticed the coffee in the cup holder. I don't drink coffee. And did I just see a kid's booster seat in the back? I was about to get into the wrong car! Someone with the identical car to mine was parked just two stalls away from me.  Oops! Wrong car!

Then a week ago in Church I was heading into the men's bathroom after the service. I stepped up to the urinal and began to unzip my fly when I heard a woman's voice nearby. Then I saw high-heels under the toilet partition next to me. Umm, I know the times are changing but I'm not ready for this!!

"I'll come back later," I thought to myself and made a hasty exit. Turns out it was a mom helping her son go potty. That's usually done in the lady's restroom . . . but not THAT day! LOL!

If you are one of God's children, do YOU ever feel like you are in the wrong place here on earth? I sure do. And I believe we all should feel that way. It's like we're hybrid humans. We start out as human beings but then those who have been called to faith receive the Holy Spirit and we become changed. Transformed.

"If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you." - John 15:19

We do not belong here!

Do you know what the word "holy" means? We should if we call ourselves Christians. Holy means "set apart." We have been made Holy by the shed blood of Jesus Christ. We are now different. Aliens in a world we used to call home.

What do you think it will be like in heaven? Do you think we will ever feel like strangers or aliens when we get there? I think that we will feel so incredibly at home that we will forget everything we left behind. Just think . . . finally, after spending years and years feeling "different" here on earth, we will feel totally and completely at home, at rest, and at peace, forever. And that will be the most amazing feeling. And it will last . . . forever. :)

^"20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, ²¹ who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body." - Philippians 3:20-21

I Do Not Belong - Kutless
Somewhere I Belong - Linkin Park

The Need For Repentance

There are times we leave church feeling really wonderful and uplifted. There are also times when we leave church feeling incredibly convicted and down on ourselves. But it's not just church. The same thing happens when we read the Bible or hear some particular lyrics in a song. Why it that?

Let me give you an example. Amazing Grace is a really uplifting song for me. Check out these lyrics.

And when I think that God, His Son not sparing, sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in. That on a cross, my burdens gladly bearing, He bled and died to take away my sin.

Wow! That fact that God would do that for us amazes me and it lifts me up just knowing that God cares about us THAT MUCH. :)

Here's an example of a song that convicts me. It's by the Sidewalk Prophets.

If I saw You on the street and You said, "Come and follow me."
But I had to give up everything; all I once held dear and all of my dreams.
Would I love You enough to let go, or would my love run dry when you asked for my life?

And now for the convicting chorus, as if the first verse wasn't enough . . .

When did love become unmoving, when did love become unconsuming?
Forgetting what the world has told me, Father of Love, You can have me. You can have me.

Ouch.

I heard that song on my way to work Thursday morning, the day after I had written my last story for this blog. I felt convicted about that particular story because it was more of a rant about our two presidential candidates that is was about the God I love.

And so today I write THIS story about repentance. I am writing about the conviction I felt upon hearing a song lyric that made me take action and repent of something I did.

Do you ever hear songs like that or a sermon on a Sunday morning that makes you change the direction of your thinking? They are usually rare but when they occur they can be life changing. It is God's Holy Spirit working in us. Refining us. Changing us.

It's good to have those moments of incredible highs and humbling lows because most days I tend to drift back towards the world I came out of - a world God called separated from. We must always be on guard against drifting back . . . backsliding into who we used to be.

Or love SHOULD be consuming! It should be MOVING! When it's not, we must examine ourselves and make corrections because we are definitely to "be holy, as I am holy" (Leviticus 20:26). To be "holy" means to be "set apart."

I re-wrote my story from Wednesday. You can read it here. If you have read it before I invite you to read it again to see if it have become more God honoring than it was before. I hope you will find it a better example of a "Christian" blog than you did on Wednesday.

Thank you Lord for sending your Holy Spirit who moves in us and through us. He convicts us of our sin, He draws us nearer to You. He is our interpreter - making our words acceptable to your ears. (He had a lot of work to do this past Wednesday for this servants story). Thank you Lord for your grace and mercy and for teaching us to "walk humbly this our Lord" (Micah 6:8)

⁴⁵ Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. ⁴⁶ He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, ⁴⁷ and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. ⁴⁸ You are witnesses of these things. ⁴⁹ I am going to send you what my Father has promised (the Holy Spirit); but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” - Luke 24:45-49

Amazing Grace - Alan Jackson
You Can Have Me - Sidewalk Prophets

The Appointed Ones

Do you think you are special? Unique? Our fingerprints prove that there is no one exactly like YOU, but are we actually unique in a spiritual sense?

I was listening to the Book of Acts in my car the other day. The Book of Acts leads me to write more of these stories, I think, with every time I read it or listen to it. I will hear something from Peter, Paul, Stephen or Phillip, and "boom!" I get convicted in some way or it makes me notice something in a different way. Like when I heard this:

^"44 On the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God. ⁴⁵ But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy; and contradicting and blaspheming, they opposed the things spoken by Paul. ⁴⁶ Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, “It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles. ⁴⁷ For so the Lord has commanded us: 

‘I have set you as a light to the Gentiles,

That you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.’” 

⁴⁸ Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed." - Acts 13:44-48

Only those who had been "appointed to eternal life believed." If they were "appointed," who did the appointing? Well, that would be God. But this sentence implies that there are those who hear the Word but were NOT appointed. They did not believe. My take away from this is that not everyone is appointed to believe. Not everyone will be saved.

Jesus confirms this in the Book of Matthew when He speaks about the "sheep and goats."

³¹ “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. ³² All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. ³³ And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. ³⁴ Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: ³⁵ for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; ³⁶ I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ - Matthew 25:31-36

So some of the non-believers we know might not make it? What if that means that our mother, or brother or sister-in-law is doomed? What hope is there for them?

God knows when, where and how every person will come to believe in Him. HE has appointed the day, the hour, the very second that we will be His. Hmm. So, what is the point of evangelism then? If God already knows we are going to be saved next Thursday for example, why should WE care?What does that have to do with us?

What if God wants to use you to do it? What if God wants to use YOU to deliver His message of salvation to one of the goats?

No pressure.

The point of this story is to serve as a reminder to us that . . .

1. God is in control.
2. God knows all things.
3. God knew the person who spoke the words of life into each of us.

With those facts in mind, here are some questions to be answered by each of us:

Question 1: Is God going to use YOU to speak into someone's life today?

Question 2: Are you ready?

Jesus told us that we are to be a light unto the world . . .

¹⁴ “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. ¹⁶ Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." - Matthew 5:14-16

Are we shining brightly? Are people looking at us and seeing Jesus? We who believe, were chosen. We were chosen by God! And WHY were we chosen? Not because we're pretty or because we smell good. I believe we were chosen for a purpose. The question has already been asked. Are we ready?

^"14 For many are called, but few are chosen.” - Matthew 22:14

"You don't need no ticket, you just praise The Lord."

 People Get Ready - Curtis Mayfield

The Mindless Drone

Do you have one of those "mindless" jobs? Doing the same thing over and over and over?

Mowing the lawn is one of those mindless kinds of work for me. After you figure out how to start the lawn mower you pretty much just push it and watch it cut grass.

Have you done the same thing for so many years that it becomes dull, boring and mundane? I have driven 45 minutes to work each morning for 30 years. There have been times when I don't remember going past towns because I pass them every day and the same boring trip just numbs my brain.

How is your faith these days? Does going to church numb YOUR brain? Has your faith become so . . . routine . . . that you have forgotten the reason you were going to church in the first place? I think that describes a lot of people in the present-day church.

Do you remember the episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation where Captain Picard got assimilated in The Borg? He became one of thousands of mindless drones, methodically serving "the collective" without thought or reason. Is that who we have become as church goers? Just mindlessly going through the routine? Without meaning or emotion? I hope not. We are called to worship "in spirit and truth."

"23 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” - John 4:23-24

Is that how we worship? It that how we live our daily lives? Do we look like "boring Christians" as we walk through, and become assimilated into, this world? Or do we stand out in a crowd as we live out our faith? God does not desire mindless worshipers, but He does seek worshipers who lose themselves in worship. There is a distinction there. God has told us how we must worship. The question is, are we obeying His command?

When Captain Picard got "plugged in" with the wrong group of people his individuality and uniqueness were lost. We Christians are supposed to be holy - "set apart". Are we? Or are we simply part of the collective, going through the same mindless routine Sunday after Sunday?

There is a fine line between losing "self" in worship and an unfeeling, mindless worship. We must be cautious of not falling into the trap of sameness and boring repetitions.

Right before Jesus taught us how to pray (The Lord's Prayer) He offered these words of warning.

7 “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 Pray then like this:

“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. 10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread, 12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil." - Matthew 6:7-13

You and I have been set apart by our faith in Jesus. We SHOULD stand out in a crowd. Jesus did. As believers we are called to be light in a dark world . . . to be like Jesus. Are we shining brightly? Today, let us stand out. Let us DO as Jesus taught us, not simply exist . . but get to work. Let us make a difference for God and His kingdom . . as long as it is called "today."

We Are The Borg

Worshiping You - Deluge

Frustration

If I had to select one word to describe my Christian walk these days it would have to be "frustrating." I never used to feel that way but lately I'd have to say I feel frustrated most of the time. My prayers are deeper, I have more biblical knowledge, I know more about God than I ever did, yet I find myself more frustrated than ever before. Why? That's easy.

I have a tremendous passion for youth - reaching youth, by whatever means necessary for Jesus. My frustration comes with their disbelief. It comes with the hypocrisy I see in their alleged faith in Jesus - telling my they are Christians, all while living as the pagans do. That is VERY frustrating to me.

I love these kids greatly and have been trying to figure out different ways to reach them, all of them. MOST of my ideas fall flat as a pancake. Why? Well, honestly, it's because they are MY ideas, not God's.

It seems as if today's teens are all born with A.D.D. (Attention Deficit Disorder). They are easily distracted and, I believe, it is because they have been raised that way. Subliminally trained in the art of self-distraction. Or better put, self-ALLOWED distraction. Many young adults are afflicted with the same debilitating disease.

The biggest culprit in their A.D.D. training has got to be the "smart" phone. Since its invention back in 1973, our attention has been increasingly diverted to answer the phone. Everyone has a cellphone these days. And everyone snaps to attention as soon as their phone lights up or vibrates itself, pleading for attention. As soon as that signal arrives, our focus switches gears and whatever we were thinking before stops in favor of the new thought - "Someone wants to talk to me." It's all about us these days.

My wife and I went out to dinner with our daughter Saturday night. We went to a local bar and grille - the Saturday night before St. Patrick's Day. Probably not the wisest choice. As we sat there, I saw several people I knew. One kid who used to come to youth group was tending bar. Two others came in with dates. Each of them has tattoos now. I am not preaching today about "the evils of getting tattoos" but the ones I saw were not very Godly and it seems as if tattoos are all the rage these days.

I just shake my head in wonder. Tattoos, piercings. God gave us bodies, bodies He created specifically for us, and somehow we feel the need to customize them. Aren't they sufficient already? This is frustrating to me.

All three of these "kids" are professing Christians. All have been baptized by water. I wonder if the Holy Spirit has made a visit in their lives from what I observe. Nothing says "Jesus" like a tattoo of a skull in the middle of your back. I'm getting off track here.

Frustration is probably not the perfect word of this blog post. Perhaps it should be "Weeping and Gnashing of Teeth" because that is what I am feeling as I watch these young people, and older ones too, walk down a path that leads to destruction.

As a Christian, I am constantly examining myself to make sure I am not straying off the path. If I find anything in question I repent of it and try to change what I am doing. I do not embrace the sin, like I see so many doing these days. Frustrating.

I don't want anyone to think I have everything all figured out. I struggle like everyone else. But I don't want to live in my sin. It offends my God! So I repent. I pray for all of us as we walk through this world - to be in the world but not part of it. I go out of my way to meet with these young adults to remind them WHOSE they are. I ask them questions to make them think. They are the same questions I ask myself.

When Jesus was speaking with his apostles he told them this:

18 “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you." - John 15:18-19

That verse reminds me that I was chosen out of the world. I am to be holy as I walk through this place. That means "set apart." I should look different than those who do not believe. I should stand out. I should be different.

I'm just like everyone else. I get sucked into watching movies that are not God-honoring. I have thoughts go through my head that are not very God-honoring as well. They disgust me. I turn the TV off, I clear my head of impure thoughts and fill them instead with scripture. Still I fail. It's frustrating. So what do we do?

We live our lives, we love our neighbors and we continue to walk our sanctification paths towards Jesus. As we go through this world we walk arm-in-arm with our brothers and sisters. We reprove and rebuke like Paul told Timothy to do. We walk side by side, in love, with other believers and hopefully they will do the same with us. In that way we will grow rather than break down, encourage rather than DIScourage. One day we will no longer feel frustrated in our walk but delighted instead. We have been called into God's family. We should act like it.

. . . in my opinion.

But God . . . (those two words are amazing all by themselves) . . . but God has removed my frustration and replaced it with something. More on that next time. Until then, may God enlighten your time in this world - enlighten it with His Word. Read my friends, read. Read out loud!

"4 I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. 3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. 5 As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing." - 2 Timothy 4:1-8

The Spirit of Christmas

In our house I have taken on the responsibility of opening all the Christmas cards that we receive. Each day when I get home from work I zip them open and read them to my wife. She knows that I like to read them so she leaves them for me on the counter until I get home.

I have noticed a few things about Christmas cards. Some people just sign them and let the printed message do the talking, Others write short little notes. Some people include letters, documenting family vacations, births, deaths and weddings and others simply send a picture postcard. No signature, no envelope, just a card with images on it.

As I was opening the cards we received yesterday I noticed something that made me stop and think for a bit. Let me show you the messages on the cards and see if you can discover the same thing I did.

The first card said, "Many good wishes for Christmas and the coming year." There was a gold ornament on the cover . . . and there was glitter. I hate glitter. It gets everywhere. I will still be seeing it after the snow melts I'm afraid.

The second card had the picture of a snowy church on the cover. There were cardinals in pine trees and it was snowing. Pretty. Inside the card read, "Sending you Christmas blessings and wishing you a joyous new year." Nice. A little better than the first (no glitter) but still missing something.

The third card featured a picture of a lighthouse with a big word "Peace" on the cover. "May the Spirit of Christmas lighten your heart and bring happiness in the coming year." Catchy. But a lighthouse for Christmas? Well, there was a wreath on it.

A fourth card had an old farm house and a barn on the front with a rising full moon and snow-covered  lawn. Inside the card there were these words. "THE SPIRIT OF THE SEASON RESTS IN THE STILLNESS OF A WINTER'S NIGHT." Really? Is that where the spirit truly rests?

I paused for a moment before opening the fifth of the five cards we had received. Finding myself somewhat sad I thought to myself, "I feel just like Charlie Brown asking his friends if anyone knew what the true meaning of Christmas was.

The fifth card was from a friend and a member of the church I worship at. I had hope that perhaps THIS card would contain the Christmas greeting I was longing to hear. My friend did not disappoint. :)

"For unto us is born a Savior."

Thank you Larry and Char!

What has happened to Christmas, my friends? It certainly is not what it once was. But what happened to it? Does the true meaning of Christmas even exist anymore in the hearts and minds of me? Yes, there are some that embrace it's true meaning but that number seems to be getting less and less these days.

Certainly Christmas still exists. It's on the calendar after all. But the true meaning of Christmas has changed somehow - morphed into something new. New, but not necessarily better. Still, the TRUE Spirit of Christmas CAN be found if you know where to look for it.

Friday night I was surfing the satellite dish guide and came across an old movie - the 1938 version of A Christmas Carol. It was an old black and white production but it showed me something about the TRUE Spirit of Christmas. Bob Cratchit had just been fired from his job by his boss Ebeneser Scrooge. Mr. Cratchit was moping along on his way home, probably trying to figure out what he was going to tell his wife, when something happened to him. He took his final earnings and bought his family a wonderful Christmas dinner . . . with a smile on his face.

A Christmas Carol (1938 Version)

The Spirit of Christmas is still out there. We just have to search a little longer, a little harder, to find it these days. May this Christmas find your search for its true meaning a successful one. Jesus is the reason for the season, He is the source of Christmas. He IS Christmas. Any pretenders offering Christmas in lighthouses and colorful birds on trees are not offering the true meaning of Christmas. They might be pretty and catching to our eyes. But the true meaning of Christmas is Jesus. It is found in the Christ-child, born on one VERY holy night.

May you find the true meaning of Christmas this year . . . in your hearts. And may God be praised for this most-precious of gifts . . . His one and only son.

O Holy Night - Josh Groban & The Nativity Story

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." - Isaiah 9:6 (prophesied 700 years before the birth of Christ)

Humble

Humility is a rare commodity in today's world. Instead, our culture tends to encourage self-promotion and self-aggrandizing behavior.

From an early age we are encouraged to get the best grades in school so that we can go to the best schools and get the best jobs. Our resumes are often filled with the most flattering information, often to the point of making us look better and more appealing than we really are. I wonder how a potential employer would react to a truthful resume . . .

"I'm not all that excited about working for your company. I'm here because my overly-protective, 90-year-old mother wants me to move out of the house. Although I sometimes drink too much on weekends and tend to sometimes be abusive towards others, I am a good worker on the days I feel like showing up. To be honest, I have tried to get hired at other places but none of them would give me a shot after hearing about my pedophilia conviction. By the way, is that a picture of your daughter on the wall?."

Yeah. Truth is often something we tend to avoid or even hide.

I was at a funeral this weekend where my brother-in-law delivered the eulogy. He did a wonderful job. He spoke about humility and about what it REALLY takes for us to come to a saving faith in Christ.

He said that we must humble ourselves. He is right.

Do you remember the movie The Ten Commandments? Of course you do. Everybody does. DO you remember the scene when Moses went up on the mountain because he had seen a burning bush? As he approached the bush the voice of God said," Remove your sandals for the place on which you are standing is holy ground." Moses did as he was told.

God then told Moses that he (Moses) was to lead God's people into the promised land. Then Moses, on his knees . . . on his FACE at times . . . asked God, "Who am I that you should send me?" Moses was humble before the Lord and God blessed him.

As we go through this day may we think of others before we think of ourselves. May we think of GOD before we do ANYTHING. May we become least in this world that encourages us to be the best. May we live our lives FOR God by serving others . . . not helping ourselves.

"30 He must increase, but I must decrease.” 31 He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way. He who comes from heaven is above all." - John 3:30-31

"6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen." - 1 Peter 5:6-11

Humble Thyself In The Sight of The Lord

World

There is a constant, steady pulling that we humans experience, day in and day out. It is a force as steady as gravity. It is also just as unnoticeable. It is something that is not readily visible to the untrained eye yet it is all around us. No, I am not writing about The Force or The Matrix. Those concepts are fictitious. My topic for today, although similar, is all too real. I am writing about something the Bible refers to as "The World."

We are told in God's Word that we are to be IN the world but not OF the world. What exactly does that mean? What is "the world" anyway?

Well, the concept of "The World" in scripture comes from the Greek word cosmos. Sound familiar? It should. Cosmos is a word we use today to describe the universe. But back in Jesus' day cosmos described the inhabited earth and the people who lived on it. Our present-day definition is typical of how we humans tend to see our importance, bigger than we really are.

To help us understand this concept let's listen to what our Lord has to say. In this example Jesus is talking to his disciples.

"19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you." - John 15:19

So if we are "of the world" worldly people will think we are normal. That makes sense. And if we are "not of the world" people will hate us and think that we don't belong. I have found that to be true.

In this next example Jesus is praying to God. He is seeking God's protection for the disciples.

"14 I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world." - John 17:14-16

If we are disciples of Christ would He not also pray for us? Would He not seek to protect US from the evil one? I think He would. That's why he warned us several times here not to become part of the world!

It is so easy to find ourselves pulled, pushed, nudged, diverted and cajoled in it's direction, just like gravity. We are made to think that joining in on all the "fun" is expected of us. It is easy to feel that way because the world is all around us, waiting for us. Waiting to devour us.

So how can we keep ourselves from falling prey to the evil one (who controls this world)? By feeding ourselves with the Word of God. That is our weapon. Pray to our Lord's continued protection, that we might not fall prey to the schemes of the devil. And gather together. You have heard of the phrase "there is safety in numbers?" There is truth in those words. We must help one another and keep each other accountable. Being saved is one thing, but being safe is another.

Cling tightly to Jesus. Hold fast to His teachings. Place your faith and trust in the One who died for your sins so that you might appear righteous in God's eyes. We who believe are NOT a part of this world.

"2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." - Romans 12:2

Shoes

Everyday, when I am getting ready for work, I sit down in our big, overstuffed recliner and I put on my socks and shoes. Gotta have something on my feet! If I didn't, my feet would get cold, especially on mornings like today . . . when is was 36 degrees outside!!

Do you put both socks on first and then both shoes? Or do you put one sock on and then one shoe, then the other sock and the other shoe. Reminds me of an All In The Family Episode. See the link at the bottom of this post.

Shoes are good. I wouldn't suck on them like my grandson does but I wouldn't take a walk on a gravel driveway without them! Although, I DO remember doing just that . . . walking on a gravel driveway that is. How come, when we walk across stones or something else that hurts our feet, we lift our arms up, like it will take some of the weight off? Weird.

Did you ever walk across seemingly "safe territory" in your bare feet, like a kitchen floor, and then step on something that was really hard with your heel? Youch!!! Man, I'd rather be on the gravel driveway! At least I would KNOW what was coming.

I don't have many shoes. I have a black pair, a brown pair, some casual shoes (brown) and some sandals. I have a couple pair of old, ratty tennis shoes in the garage - one for mowing the lawn and one for hiking, but that's it! My wife has WAY more shoes than I do.

My wife's shoe collection used to cover the floor of her closet. That was a lot of shoes! But apparently it wasn't enough. She bought a triple-decker shoe rack this summer. Now her shoes crawl up the wall, three-high, and they STILL cover the floor of her closet!!

If you think it sounds like my wife has a lot of shoes . . . have you ever heard of a woman named
Imelda Marcos? Her husband was the president of the Philippines until the mid-eighties. That lady had a lot of shoes - over 3,000 pair!!!

I have been thinking a lot about shoes lately and I have a question. But first, let's open up our Bibles to a couple of passages, the first one being in Exodus, the third chapter.

"Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 And the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. 3 And Moses said, “I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.” 4 When the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” 5 Then he said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” - Exodus 3:1-5

Now, for the second reading, I would like you to turn to the New Testament. The Book of Matthew.

"18 Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 19 Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” - Matthew 18:18-20

And now for my question. My question is this . . . if, when two or more of us are gathered together and Jesus, who is fully God, is with us in spirit . . . why don't we take off our shoes? Wouldn't the place upon which we are standing be "holy ground"? God is there with us . . .

Or do we not think that God is really there at that very moment? When He has told us that He would be? And at the very least, why don't we act like God is standing there with us whenever we pray? I would think that we would pray differently, more reverently, if we truly believed that God was amongst us.

So that is my question for you today. If we knew we were going to be in the actual presence of Jesus later in today, how would we act? How would we behave before hand. Would we be trembling in fear because of all of the things we have done? What would we even say? Would we fall face down at His feet in total brokenness. And, if we truly believed that God was with us in church, because we are all "gathered in His name" . . . why do we not see row upon row of shoes on the floor outside our sanctuary doors?

John the Baptist once said about Jesus, “I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know, 27 even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.” - John 1:26-27

Shoes are part of our everyday wardrobe. EVERYBODY wears shoes. Perhaps we should "put on" Jesus before we set "foot" out there in the cold, dark world. Maybe we should act as if Jesus were walking with us because . . . . perhaps He is. Would you let Jesus wash our feet like he washed the feet of His disciples? That would be hard for me to do. He is our King! But he lowered Himself and became OUR sin. One could say that "he put on OUR shoes," exchanging our unworthy sandals for His so that we could walk with Him . . . forever. Think about that when you put on your shoes and socks tomorrow morning . . . and as long as you have your head bowed to tie your shoelaces . . . :)_

Shoes and Socks - All In The Family

Imelda's Shoes - a brief documentary on Imelda's shoe collection