Endings

I finished reading the book of Nehemiah this week, and each time I get to the end of it, I am always struck by the last words.

"Remember me with favor, my God." - Nehemiah 13:31

Focus on those words for a bit. What a beautiful way to end a prayer. Or a life.

Speaking of endings, March 28th is a day that I will never forget. It's my birthday. Every time I go to the doctor, they always ask what my date of birth is. They are using my birthday as a test, just to make sure "I am who I am."

But the reason March 28th is a day that I will never forget is because it is also the date on which my niece chose to end her life.

Each year, on or about my birthday, I go downstairs to my office and pull out the stack of letters that my neice sent me. She was new to her faith in Jesus and had many questions which I was more than happy to help her with. This was her favorite verse.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11

Ironic . . .

Her favorite musical artist was Phil Wickham. She was quite jealous when she learned I had seen him in concert. She and I were planning a trip to see him before . . . well, before things ended. Again, speaking of endings, the thing she always wrote at the end of her letters is the same thing I often use in my correspondence with others to this day - "love you and miss you."

And that I do. That I do.

Here's a question: How can your niece be your sister?

When you both have Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. 

Love you and miss you, my sister.

See you soon. 🙂❤🙏

Remember - Nilsson

Flowers - Phil Wickham & Jamie MacDonald 

What Why How?

"Apologetics is knowing what we believe, why we believe it, and being able to effectively communicate it to others." - Voddie Baucham

But HOW do we communicate it? Good question.

First, we must KNOW WHAT we believe. And HOW do we do that? We read the Bible. We study it. We find a good, Bible-believing church, with a great teaching pastor and attend every Sunday.

"Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have." - 1 Peter 3:15

We must also be ready. Another important, and often overlooked, part of this verse is "to everyone who asks." That said, what do we say? Do we have our testimony prepared to give? And what actually gives us hope?

The answer to that question is Jesus. It has to be. He sacrificed his own life here on earth for our sins so that we could be with him in heaven. We have hope for a future beyong this world!

But what else? What is missing?

I think love plays a big part. "Love your neighbor," as Jesus says. And as Paul tells us, in just one simple verse. But what a verse!

"So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love." - 1 Corinthians 13:13

Our faith gives us hope. Sharing that hope is simply an act of love for the lost.

A 2AM Prayer

It's 2AM. Again. Why can't I sleep Lord? Is there something I have left undone? Is there something that You want me to do?

Why do I find myself wide awake when I should be sleeping, resting? It's like I have left something unfinished. Like a door unlocked or a faucet left running, there is unrest within me.

"Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me?" - Psalm 43:5

My hope is in You, Lord. There is no one else who can do the things You do. You have power over ALL things. So, why am I awake? Why is my mind not sleeping when that is my desire?

I search in my heart, trying to discover the answer. Is there someone who needs a friend? A prayer? Is there someone I have not loved that you have given me?

So much is happening in this world right now. Such evil and strife. Violence, wars and rumors of wars, hunger, pestilence, earthquakes, floods. What is next, Lord?

"You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come." - Matthew 24:6

It's 3AM now. Will writing these words for You give me rest? I hope so. That is my prayer.

"Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God." - Psalm 43:5

Time to put down the phone. Time to trust. Close the eyes. Rest.

And then this verse came calling.

"Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." - Ephesians 6:17

And I awoke, and it was morning . . .

Training Up A Child

“He said ‘Love… as I have loved you.’ We cannot love too much.” - Amy Carmichael

That was a quote from one of my morning news emails - The Pour Over. This past week at VBS I ended one of our teaching sessions with this question:

Why do you think they have two "old guys" teaching this class?

There were several answers.

"Experience."

"Because you're old."

"They couldn't get anyone else."

Funny. I then asked this: "What is the first and greatest commandment?"

No one had the answer. Slightly disappointing. So, I told them what it was.

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. And love your neighbor as yourself." - Matthew 22:37

I continued . . .

"We're teaching you about Jesus because we love you. It's as simple as that. We know what awaits those who don't know Jesus. It is because of that knowledge, and our love for you, that we teach. We know what will happen to you if you don't repent of your sins, and refuse to humbly turn to Jesus. It isn't good. We would love to see you placing your faith in Him and begin following Him in your life."

The kids just sat there, staring. "They're not getting it," I thought. But just when I was about to lose hope for this youngest generation, something happened.

Each day we have a contest for the kids. A student from each age group gets randimly picked to receive a prize. In the oldest group a dude named Silas won. He got a big bag of treats. Yes!! He ran up on the stage and grabbed his prize. Just as quickly he returned to his classmates.

But instead of gloating about his treasure, he dumped the bag on the floor and shared it with his friends! He gets it!

Silas chose Jesus last summer and was baptized at our church picnic. Hope is a wonderful thing. But sadly, my buddy Silas and his faith are an endangered species. Their numbers are dwindling.

Thankfully, his parents are both believers and are "train(ing) up their children in the way they should go." - Proverbs 22:6

Stay Strong

This past week Facebook posts began appearing about a 12-year old boy in our community who died suddenly and unexpectedly. No cause of death was given, which is unfortunate because we are left to wonder.

"Sudden death" is a term we usually reserve for sporting events, but real-life death is not a game. It wounds the living, and leaves invisible scars on the heart.

There are four things we need to do when we find ourselves faced with death. First, we need to prepare for it. Death IS inevitable, for everyone. How to prepare? I would advise a two-part strategy - read the Bible, and do what it says.

The second thing we need to do is to be strong. God commanded Joshua to "be strong and courageous" when Joshua took over for Moses. God mentioned it 5 or 6 tines. That's good advice. And how do we get strong? We work out - by reading God's Word and not leaning on our own understanding.

"⁵Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; ⁶in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight." - Proverbs 3:5-6

The third thing we should be doing is to pray. It actually should be but our first resort, not last. When we hear of someone's suffering, our immediate response should be to pray.

That brings us to number four and that is to reach out in love. People suffering a loss have been damaged. They need to be loved and comforted. Hugs, tears, and prayers are just what they need. Apply all, liberally.

Jesus told us to build our house (our faith) on the rock (Jesus). We should be a rock to those who are hurting. Remind them of Jesus' truths. Remind them of the hope to be found in Him. Love them unconditionally, and stay strong - for them.

"A wise man built his house on the rock. ²⁵The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock." - Matthew 7:24-25

Stay strong my brothers and sisters.

Stay Strong - Newsboys

The Former Things

“Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” - Revelation 21:3-4

Last Sunday morning I woke up with a Vacation Bible School song playing on repeat in my head (link below). And what a wonderful message it has brought to my ears.

God has promised some amazing things in the Bible. Especially in Revelation 21. No more death, mourning, crying, or pain anymore. Forever! Oh, my. Imagine living in a world like that.

There will be no more presidential elections to concern ourselves with. No more wars or fighting. No more hostages. No more protests. No more 'agendas' to push. No more lies to spin.

The cool thing about these two verses from The Book of Revelation is this. Not only do they refer to a time coming in the future, but they also refer to the change that happens to each one of our hearts when we place our faith in jesus.

So many wonderful things have happened to me lately. It's almost like I am being given one last taste of this world before being taken out of it. These blessings are also a foretaste of things to come!

One thing I DO know for sure is that God has better things in store for us - for each and every child He has called to be with Him in His kingdom. And that is truly amazing because we are ALL sinners.

"For there is not a just man on earth who does good and does not sin." - Ecclesiastes 7:20

God hates sin. Yet He loves and extends grace and mercy to all who believe in Him. Why?

"God is love." - 1 John 4:8

Now, as to "the former things." Everyone has done something that they regret. Wouldn't it be nice to erase all of those things. We can! Through our faith in Jesus. All we have to do is repent, believe, and then we can forever receive the blessing of a new heart.

When we allow Jesus to be our Lord, our 'head,' we become changed. The old has become new . . .

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come!" - 2 Corinthians 5:17

So rejoice today!

Every Tear - AIG VBS Song

The Missing Piece

 

There are several things that can be learned about life simply by doing a jigsaw puzzle. But the most surprising lesson, the most beautifully helpful teaching, is when we discover that one of life's "puzzle pieces" has gone missing.

My wife and I do jigsaw puzzles in our spare time. We've been doing them together for several years now. If we stop and think about the puzzle building process, even about the puzzle's creation itself, we can learn quite a few things.

Each one of us is a puzzle of sorts that gets assembled over time. A tragedy here, an illness there - sometimes, through no fault of our own, even some of our pieces can become damaged or go missing. Life is interesting that way.

My wife buys me puzzles at Goodwill from time to time. Sometimes, upon their completion, I have found a piece or two missing. I have become pretty good at creating replacement puzzle pieces. They're not perfect of course but they fill a void.

Jesus is the master craftsman when it comes to filling the voids in our hearts. He can heal broken hearts too. Of course, we will still have scars, but we will become whole.

"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name. Great is our Lord and mighty in power." - Psalm 147:3-5

Do you have a missing puzzle piece in your life? Would you like to be healed? Trust in Jesus.

"You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." - Ephesians 4:22-24

Jesus can heal your heart, but you do have to let Him. He is the missing piece you've been waiting for. Open the door.

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me." - Revelation 3:20

Delight and Rejoice!

"Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart." - Psalm 37:4

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" - Philippians 4:4

I am forever learning things as I read the Bible. These two verses are just an example of what I have learned this week. Life should be about rejoicing. Not only about this life that God has given us, but rejoicing about the lives of the others around us as well. It's about looking at life differently, as if through someone else's eyes.

For example, I rejoice in my wife. Yes, we have our differences. We have our disagreements. But we've been married for over 47 years and I still rejoice in her.

Hete's the real question though. Do we rejoice in God? Or do we think of Him as a holy disciplinarian? The Enforcer. OR, do we think of God as someone we are married to? Hmm. Think about that one for a minute. Jesus is often referred to as the bridegroom after all. And we are His bride, right?

Do you rejoice in your wife or your husband? Do you rejoice in your friends? How about your enemies? We are supposed to love them too.

I think what I'm trying to say is that we should rejoice in ALL things. Good, bad, happy, or sad.

Now, what brings you delight in this world? Is it personal success? Is it having enough money at the end of the month to pay all of your bills? Or do we delight in the Lord? He has promised to give us things if we do. "The desires of our heart."

What if we filled up our lives with delight, along with rejoicing? Wouldn't that be a wonderful thing? Isn't that what God desires for our hearts? And just what kind of desires should those be? I can sum them up in three words.

"Faith, Hope and Love. But the greatest of these is love." - 1 Corinthians 13:13

If we place our faith in Jesus, He provides us with hope. And if we have hope for our future, isn't that delightful and a cause to rejoice? You betcha!

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11

When Tragedy Strikes

I woke up this morning to some terrible news. The daughter of one of the youth group kids I love so much was killed in a 4-wheeler accident. What do I even say?

Let's start at the beginning I guess. We live in a fallen world. There is pain and suffering, death and mourning. I get that. But why does it have to touch our children?

One of the 'waypoints' in MY faith journey was the death of another young girl in our community - Cora Jones. Her death was just as tragic and just as hard to understand.

At Cora's death, I was not a believer at the time. I was angry with God so I guess I believed to some extent but there was bitterness in my heart.

"How could God allow such a thing to happen?"

That's the usual question. So, what's the answer? 

The thing we need to remember is that this "life" here in earth is short. It's temporary. According to the Bible we all will live forever. It's just a matter of where - heaven or hell.

"To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord." - 2 Corinthians 5:8

So my young friend's daughter is still living. Just not here. Our minds cannot escape 'the here and now.' We are stuck. Unless, we embrace Christ.

Jesus is where we find hope. It is His grace and mercy that gives us that hope. And it is His abundant love that provides all of those things.

I wish my friend was not suffering such a tragic loss. But . . . 

"God works all things together for the good of those who love Him." - Romans 8:28

So the real question becomes, "Do we love Him, and trust Him, and surrender all things into His hands?"

And that is a question we all must answer for ourselves. Before it's too late to change our minds.

The God Who Stays

What I am about to tell you is a true story, based on real-life events. I testify that these things are true. And also, really quite amazing.

God has truly blessed me by giving many people in my life to love - family, friends, and also youth group kids. This story is about one of those "kids," although many are now in their 30's, married, and have kids of their own.

I first learned of the illness of one of my "kids" through a Facebook post - a fund-raising effort organized to help pay for medical expenses. I immediately sent out a text.

"The kid" and I agreed to meet at a local coffee shop to talk as "what happened" to my friend was too long to type.

[Let me pause here to tell you a few things. 1.) I love these kids, 2.) Prayer is amazing, and 3.) Never underestimate God]

We met, ordered our beveages, and sat down to talk. I heard all about the incredible medical journey my friend was on. It is nearing a very critical point.

Then it was my turn to talk and I asked her some questions about Jesus. That's when something very interesting happened.

A song began to play on the music system as I has sharing the good news. Here's the chorus:

You're the God who stays,

You're the God who stays,

You're the one who runs in my direction when the whole world walks away,

You're the God who stands with wide open arms,

And you tell me nothing I have ever done can separate my heart from the God who stays.

God provided a perfect soundtrack for His words of truth. Amazing. The song let us know that God will never run away from us, no matter how big our struggles, or illnesses, might be.

What more do we need in tough times than a God who stays with us as we go through them?

"My grace is sufficient for you for my power is made perfect in weakness." - 2 Corinthians 12:9"

That it is!

I'm not sure if my friend fully relies on God or not but Jesus is definitely waiting "with wide open arms." All my friend needs to do is to run to Him. Jesus, and His Holy Spirit, will take it from there.

The God Who Stays - Matthew West

Peace

Peace. That's something the world needs more of these days isn't it. Peace can be hard to come by in this world in which we live. Unless you know where to look.

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." - John 14:27

Do you have peace in your life? I hope that you do. That verse we just read came from Jesus. The Prince of . . . yessss. The Prince  of Peace.

Peace is something one receives upon placing faith in Jesus.

Life in this world is not easy. We can go through tough times. Plenty of them. But one thing than nobody can take away from us is our faith and hope in The Lord.

Do you have worries and struggles in your life? We worry because of uncertainty. We struggle because we want things to go OUR way instead of God's way.

Place your faith in Jesus. I did. And I woke up with this worship song in my head instead of worries or fears. I have peace in my life. You can too.

"And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:7

My Peace - Maranatha Singers 

Your Worth

Why are you so sad and downcast? Don't you know that the Lord loves you? Don't you know that He cares about you?

"You are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you." - Isaiah 43:4

God is speaking to Israel in that verse but He is also speaking to you and me. His children. Those who have chosen to follow his Son, Jesus.

What would God do for you? Well, He gave up His one and only Son so that you might live. Would you do something like that for someone you didn't love?

There have been many times in my life when I have felt unworthy of God's grace. All I needed to do to snap out of it was to focus on God. Read some reminders in His Word, or talk to God in prayer. Spend time with a friend that He has blessed you with.

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." - Romans 8:38-39

Our problem is that we keep forgetting how much God loves us and just how filled with His grace and mercy our lives really are.

We should be praying, praising, trusting, and depending on God more than ever in these last days. For He is our only hope.

Princess Leia once said, "Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi. You're my only hope."

Ha! Leia was a fool. God is God, not only near, but also "far, far away." He is God not only in this present age but also in times past and future.

"In all your ways submit to him and He will make your paths straight." - Proverbs 3:6

"I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." - Ephesians 3:17-21

The Love List

"When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me."- 1 Corinthians 13:11

There is a transformation that takes place when one becomes a follower of Jesus. Paul alludes to it in the verse above saying, "I put the ways of childhood behind me." He left one way of thinking in favor of another, better way.

This transformation is brought about by the Holy Spirit. And what a wonderful transformation it is!

Paul continues, just two verses later, to tell us what his 'top three' benefits are in becoming 'a believer.'

"These three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love." - 1 Corinthians 13:13

It is our faith in God that brings us hope. Hope is a wonderful thing. Without it, why are we still here? People have taken their own lives because they do not have any hope left. Hope is an essential.

Faith leads to hope. And hope leads to love. If we say we believe in Jesus and also say,  "no one loves me" we are a liar and The Truth (Jesus) is not in us. Jesus loves us.

"I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the father except through me." - John 14:6

Here's a fun little exercise. Make a list of all the people you love. They may not love you, but you love them. Hopefully, your list is lengthy. Would you be willing to die so that they might live?

I am wrote this story the morning we celebrate Jesus rising from the dead. He died once, for all. Even his enemies!

Do you remember the Roman Centurion? He was one of those who had just crucified Jesus. After Jesus had given up His spirit the Centurion said this, "Truly, this man was the Son of God." - Matthew 27:54

What do you think the Centurion's life was like after that day? Knowing that he helped kill the Son of the Living God?

We meet people every day. In line at the grocery store, at school, at the gas station. Do we love them? If we do, would they be able to tell? Maybe they need some hope. Do they know Jesus?

Tell them about Him and what He has done in your life. How He has given you hope through your faith. You will soon find yourself adding to that 'love list' you just made. And isn't that love list really a prayer list?

The key is faith. The gift that awaits is love.

"You have received, freely give." - Matthew 10:8

Freely, Freely - Aaron & Esther

F.R.O.G.

When I was much younger (in my 40's and early 50's) I would often wake up in the middle of the night, worrying about work.

In the wee hours of the morning, my eyes would look like Mr. Frog here - bugged out, trying to solve some work-related problem. That doesn't happen anymore.

"Well, Bob, you're retired now so . . ."

It's more than just the work aspect. What's interesting is that I don't worry about ANYTHING anymore. AT ALL.

And it's not like I haven't had anything to worry about. Friends of mine have died this past year. People I love have suffered through incredibly debilitating medical procedures.

I have friends and relatives who have been beaten, who suffer from anxiety and depression, and others who have lost their jobs. The world is at war, for heaven's sake. And still, all is calm within me. Why? What happened in my life to change all that once was?

Let's get back to my little frog friend. He looks pretty nervous, doesn't he? Maybe it's a snake stalking him. Or maybe he just looks that way all the time. It's his name gets the attention here, today.

FROG is an acronym for Fully Rely On God

When we fully trust in Jesus . . . FULLY rely on Him . . . anxiety and worries just leave us. Hey, I don't understand it. It just happens.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:6-7

If we claim  to be Christians, yet we still worry about things, are we FULLY relying on God? Isn't 'worry' thinking that God can't handle things?

It is the promised Holy Spirit living in the heart of every believer that calms our fears and gives us that peace.

If we say that we believe in Jesus yet we still worry, I say, "Really?" Are we fully relying on God?

Read those verses again. It says "the peace of God WILL," not that it might or may.

Remember the acronym FROG. What does the 'F' stand for?

Fully.

"Do not be anxious about anything" the verse says. Is that not a command? Are we not sinning against God then if we are anxious?

Trust in the Lord.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight." - Proverbs 3:5-6

Five Finger Death Punch

Last week we were all witnesses to a terrible tragedy. Five lives were lost at a depth of 13,000 feet in the Atlantic Ocean. Did you notice how we all clung to one word? Hope.

If we condense the week's headlines and and emotions into just a few key words we end up with something like this:

Fear, hope, waiting, loss. 

There are lots of stories with 'similar features' in the news these days. Whether it's a missing child, a suicide, or when someone gets sick and dies, the process still features those four words.

I had a friend who had cancer. When she was first diagnosed, there was fear. Then came hope as the doctors ran tests and came up with a plan of attack. Third came the waiting, for the chemo to do its thing. People prayed and there still was hope. But then, in the end, there was death. And that was it. Sad.

If only we could expand and maximize the 'hope' side of things. Perhaps by adding a fifth word, a 'fifth finger', to the four listed above. We can then make a fist and give death a 'Five-Finger Death Punch'!

Fear, Hope, Waiting, Loss and . . .

Jesus!

Without Jesus, our lives end in loss - an eternity in hell. But WITH Jesus . . . with Jesus, we receive an eternity in heaven. It's our choice. Which will we choose?

For me, I have choosen Christ! Won't you join me? Roll up your five fingers into a fist today and punch death right in the face. Extend and expand the 'hope,' for yourself and for others. Share your story today.

The following is a music video that speaks to the problem that many of our nation's veterans have, transitioning back into society. It also offers us ways to contribute.

Wrong Side of Heaven - Five Finger Death Punch

Through the Window

If we read the Bible often enough we can begin to notice things. Repeated words or stories. Such is the case with today's story about windows.

In the 19th chapter of 1st Samuel, King Saul is trying to kill David. David's wife Michal warned David and helped him escape when Saul's men came for him.

"Saul sent men to David’s house to watch it and to kill him in the morning. But Michal, David’s wife, warned him, “If you don’t run for your life tonight, tomorrow you’ll be killed.” So Michal let David down through a window, and he fled and escaped." - 1 Samuel 19:11-12

That phrase, "through a window", caught my attention. I've read that before. 'Through a window' appears 11 times in the Bible.

The first is in the Book of Joshua when spies were sent into Jericho. To escape, Rahab let the spies down 'through a window.'

"So she let them down by a rope through the window, for the house she lived in was part of the city wall." - Joshua 2:15

Who was Rahab? A prostitute, yes, but what else is significant about her? And what did she accomplish for the spies?

Well, she delivered the spies from certain death. And she was in the lineage of the Messiah - Jesus.

The Apostle Paul was another example of someone being saved by being let down "through a window."

"In Damascus the governor under King Aretas had the city of the Damascenes guarded in order to arrest me. But I was lowered in a basket from a window in the wall and slipped through his hands." - 2 Corinthians 11:32-33

Who was Paul? An apostle of our Lord, Jesus Christ. 

Hosea 13:3 mentions "escaping through a window." Even the Song of Songs speaks of someone "looking through a window." That 'someone' is Jesus.

It is only 'through' our faith in Jesus that we can escape this world and the death that awaits us all. Our faith in Jesus is the window.

We all have heard the phrase a "window of opportunity." What good is that opportunity if we don't take it? What good is a window if we don't use it?

"God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape." - 1 Corinthians 10:13

WE are the ones that have to get into the basket, as Paul did. WE are the ones who have to go "through the window" by placing our faith in Jesus.

God has provided a means to escape sin and death. His name is Jesus. And Jesus is waiting on the other side of the window. Watching. Waiting.

What are you waiting for?

Living In Egypt

Where do you live?

Sorry. I shouldn't have sprung that question on you so early in the morning. It's a trick question you see.

"For in him we live and move and have our being." - Acts 17:28

Today's verse is not attributed to one of the Apostles or to Jesus. It is a quote from Epimenides, an ancient Cretan philosopher. Paul used the quote when he spoke to the Greeks in the Areopagus in Athens.

Paul used the words of someone they were familiar with to explain to them who he was and what he was doing there. And what was Paul doing in Athens? He was spreading the good news about Jesus, The Messiah. What Paul was saying was that, in Christ, he lived and moved and had his being."

I invite you to read that verse again. Read it slowly and let its words seep deep down into your heart.

Now.....with the words of Epimenides fresh in your mind, 'where do you live?'

We live....in Christ!

Why?

Because, "in Him, we live and move and have our being." At least we should.

When God's people lived as slaves in Egypt they prayed for a deliverer. God heard their prayer and sent them Moses. But when Moses led them out of Egypt most wanted to return there when times got tough.

"They said to Moses, “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? Didn’t we say to you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians’? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!” - Exodus 14:11-12

My friends, wherever we are physically living, this world is spiritually "living in Egypt," right now. Even though we are slaves to it, we like it here. We're used to it. We're comfortable.

Jesus is our deliverer. He came to deliver us out of Egypt (this world). And He will do it again one day. Soon. But until then, we will keep "making bricks," or whatever else it is we do. Only we will do so with an incredible hope. Hope in our deliverer,  Jesus. 

"Where do you live?"

"In Christ!"

Ambulance Observations

A few observations for you this morning from yesterday's ride in the back of an ambulance. Before I begin however I would like to thank all of my family and friends who prayed for me. I am sitting in my living room today, writing this story, as a result of those prayers, and God's grace. I love you all.

Devotion - This was exemplified by my wife. Always by my side. Driving me to the hospital, holding my hand in the ER, following behind me as I was transported to another hospital. She is a picture of love and devotion.

"Your lovingkindness, O Lord, extends to the heavens, Your faithfulness reaches to the skies." - Psalm 36:5

Servants -- the staff of two hospitals and an ambulance service. They did their jobs, like they do everyday, often without acknowledgement. Yet their work is essential if anyone is to be saved.

"Love the Lord your God, walk in obedience to him, keep his commands, hold fast to him and serve him with all your heart and with all your soul." - Joshua 22:5

Love - My phone kept lighting up yesterday with messages of encouragement and prayer. Each time I saw their names I thanked God for them.

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” - John 13:34-35

Peace - Through all the needles, tests, and pain of the past few days, none of it bothered me our caused me any amount of anxiety. Why? Because God takes away our fears. His power over all things is amazing.

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:6-7

Hope - These past few days have proven God's grace, mercy and love for those who love him. That provides hope for any and all such encounters in the future. Hope is essential to the living of life.

"But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." - Isaiah 40:31

In our times of trouble, God is always there. When we are alone, He is with us. When we are anxious, God calms all our fears.

So, if you are anxious, in trouble, and feeling alone, that is because you have not fully trusted in God. God is not a cross you wear around your neck. He is the hope and love that we have in your hearts.

"Faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." - 1 Corinthians 13:13

The Big Question

There is one question we all must answer at some point in our lives. And it's not 'Do you believe on God?'

There are many gods. The 'Do you believe in God?' question is far too broad and therefore meaningless.

We need to be able to answer the question that God will ask all of us one day.

"Are YOU righteous?"

That's a big question for sure. Only the righteous may enter heaven. The answer to the "Are you righteous?" question, of course, is no.

"There is no one who does good. Not even one." - Romans 3:12

We must be righteous if we are going to gain entry into heaven and have eternal life. But how?

"Who then can be saved?" - Luke 18:26

That brings us to John 3:16

" For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." - John 3:16

There's the REAL question.

"Do you believe in Jesus?"

Many will answer yes to that question. But do they? Do they really believe in Him? Do they even KNOW Him? And, more importantly, does Jesus KNOW us?

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!" - Matthew 7:22-23

I never knew you...... ouch.

I wonder if that shouldn't really be our prayer.

The Bible says that God knows our hearts. He knows our thoughts. So shouldn't our desire be to have pure thoughts and clean hearts so that when He examines us He will find us righteous like Noah, Daniel, and Job?

"If I send a plague into a land and pour out my wrath on it through bloodshed, killing its people and their animals, as surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, even if Noah, Daniel and Job were in it, they could save neither son nor daughter. They would save only themselves by their righteousness." - Ezekiel 14:19-20

Heavenly Father, you know me. I am unworthy of the grace You extend to the righteous. My only hope of forgiveness, eternal life,  and entry into heaven is through my faith in your Son, Jesus. So I cling to Him in my belief and in my desperation. I repent of my sins, seeking Your forgiveness, Lord. I trust in your promises of salvation through your Son. And I thank you for blessing me with your adoption of this poor soul into your eternal heavenly family. I thank you, Lord, and I praise you, and it is in the name of your Son Jesus that I pray these things to You. Amen.

Lessons From Job

Reading through the book of Job, I was struck by a few things. No injuries. Lol! But they are good reminders for us, every day of our lives. 

First, God blesses those who love Him.

In chapter one we read, "He was the greatest man among all the people of the East." He had a wife and ten kids, and tons of livestock, but the most important thing about Job was that "he feared God and was blameless and upright." (verse 1)

The second thing we can learn is that God watches over us. 

This becomes apparent when God says, "Have you considered my servant Job?" God not only tracks our actions and thoughts but He knows us by name!

Thirdly, God allows pain and suffering in our lives.

Why? To teach. In this book, God teaches Satan a lesson, Job's three friends, and Job himself.

The fourth thing we can notice is that God gives us friends, who walk with us through tough times. And even though Job's friends didn't always offer the most constructive ideas, they did come to be with their friend. They sat with him and listened to him rant and complain. In short, they loved him.

The fifth thing we can see is near the end of the book, when God speaks. God reminds Job and his friends that God is in control. God created all things and knows all things. Nothing happens without God allowing it.

And the sixth thing we can learn from reading Job is that God will continue to bless those who love Him. Especially through the hard times.

It's easy to praise God when things are going well. Not so much, when times are hard and not going according to OUR plans.

Jesus reminds us of this when He said in Matthew 24:13, "the one who endures to the end will be saved."

The entire world is going through a tough time right now. Wars, rumors of wars, earthquakes, pestilences. It's all prophesied  in the Bible. But those who have faith in God, and who have faith in His Son, Jesus, will be saved.

Let us praise God through the storms we face in life. Because, just like with Job, we will be doubly blessed because of our enduring faith.

Praise You In This Storm - Casting Crowns