Sunday, April 27, 2014

Doubting Thomas? I Doubt It

"Now Thomas (called Didymus) one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came, so the other disciples told him, 'We have seen the Lord!'
     But he said to them, 'Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it.'"
John 20: 24 & 25

     My pastor asked the congregation, "How would you like to be remembered as Doubting Thomas?"

     Thomas was from Galilee; perhaps he was a fisherman before Jesus said, "Come, follow me." Leaving his life behind, he became one of the Twelve, faithfully following the Messiah for three years.

     In Matthew, chapter ten, Jesus gave the Twelve authority to cast out demons and heal diseases. Then, he sent them on a mission trip. Thomas did amazing miracles in the name of Christ.

     When Lazarus' sisters sent word for Jesus to come to Judea to help their brother, the other disciples were dubious, saying, "But Rabbi, a short while ago the Jews tried to stone you and yet your are going back there?" (John 11:8) Thomas, however, had Jesus' back. In love and friendship, his response was, "Let us also go, that we may die with him." (John 11:16)

     So, after years of selfless, faithful bravado, Thomas' hopes were nailed to a Roman cross and he watched in horror as his Messiah died. Who can blame him for being cynical?

     Needing proof, Jesus met him where he was and gave it to him. The doubts dissipated as Thomas felt the wounds of redemption. He exclaimed, "My Lord and my God!" (John 20:28)

     Tradition says he labored in Parthia, Persia and India, suffering martyrdom in AD 72 near Madras.

     Like Thomas, I hope I am not remembered for my many mishaps and shortcomings, but if I am sidetracked by cynicism, I know that Jesus will meet me where I am and provide what is needed to pull me back into a right relationship with him, ready to respond in miraculous ways, even to the point of martyrdom. May it be so, my Lord and my God.

Just One Question

"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

     While attempting to drive through Mentor the other day, I was listening to the song, "One of Us" (written by Eric Bazilian). Here are some of the lyrics:

 "If God had a name,
What would it be and
Would you call it to his face,
If you were faced with him
In all his glory?
What would you ask if you had just one question?
 
What if God was one of us?
Just a slob like one of us?
Just a stranger on a bus,
Trying to make his way home."
 
 
     I began to imagine, standing before God Almighty, immersed in a realm of dazzling light, smoke and fire - his voice like the thunder of a mighty cataract, ten thousand times more powerfully intimidating than that of the Wizard of Oz - I stand before his amazing Grace and ask just one question:
 
"Why do you love people so much?"
 
     Sure, we all have an initimate few that are unconditionally dear to our hearts, but generally, people are rude, self-seeking and stubborn. Just ask any parent of a toddler and they can testify how promptly evident human nature surfaces.
 
     But then, that is our sinful nature. What did people resemble before the fall from grace in that original state of creation? It must have been something special, something worth saving, for God to sacrifice and forsake his only Son.
 
     Would I sacrifice my child for anyone? No, but then, I am not God (thankfully!).
 
     Getting back to that song...God did become like one of us! If there had been buses in Galilee, I'm sure Jesus would have rode one and struck up conversations with the other passengers.  He loved us that much, to step down from this throne and become human, yet he was without sin.
 
     What would you ask, if you had just one question?

Sunday, April 20, 2014

He is Risen Indeed!

"And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is our faith."
1 Corinthians 15:14

     Death is not the end of the story, rather, it is only the beginning. We serve a risen Savior! He is risen indeed! It is on his resurrection that I hinge my faith, my hope, my very life.

     I love the words of this Bill Gaither hymn. Let it sing in your heart today as your praise God:

Because He lives
I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives
All fear is gone.
Because I know
He holds the future,
And life is worth the living
Just because He lives

He Sets The Prisoner Free

"Let this be written for a future generation, that a people not yet created may praise the Lord: The Lord looked down from his sanctuary, on high from heaven he viewed the earth, to hear the groans of the prisoners and release those condemned to death."
Psalm 102: 18-20

     My nephew and his wife recently had a little girl named Adelina. Only three months old, she is unaware that she, along with all mankind, is a prisoner, simply because she was born a sinner in need of a Savior.

     Thanks be to God that, out of his great love for Adelina, the above verses have been recorded in the Good Book, giving her assurance that he does see, he does hear and he takes action. Jesus Christ has set the prisoners free by breaking the chains of sin and death!

     Hallelujah!

Saturday, April 19, 2014

Heaven is For Real; So is Hell

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am."
John 14: 1-3

     Todd Burpo, the boy whose heavenly experience is recorded in the book, "Heaven is for Real", is one of many who have had such an encounter and told their story to others.

     In her book, "My Glimpse of Eternity", Betty Malz was clinically dead for approximately twenty-five minutes. During that time, her guardian angel lead her through vibrant fields of living color to a place of complete love and everlasting peace. There have been several other very descriptive accounts that I have read and I am grateful for their glimpses into what I already know to be true. Jesus told me he is preparing a place and He is the only way to get there. It is not a figment of imagination, nor is it a mental state; it is a real place.

     In the New Testament, Jesus spoke more often of hell than he did of heaven, calling it a place of weeping, gnashing of teeth and eternal punishment. In his parable of the rich man and Lazarus, found in Luke 16: 19-31,  both men die. Lazarus is carried to heaven by the angels, but the rich man went to hell, where he was in torment. He longed for Lazarus to be returned to earth so he could warn his brothers of this very real place, but he was told: "If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead." (Luke 16:31)

     Jesus himself rose from the dead. His body was never found. He showed himself to hundreds of eye witnesses and dispatched his disciples to go into the world and share this wonderful news. All of them died as martyrs with the name of Jesus on their lips.

     God has told us about creation, man's fall from grace, Jesus' death and resurrection, eternal life in heaven or eternal torment in hell.

     Are you listening?

The Breath of God

"The Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being."
Genesis 2:7

"Again, Jesus said, 'Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.' And with that he breathed on them and said, 'Receive the Holy Spirit.'"
John 20: 20 & 21

     When God made the world, he spoke and it became so. Only with man did he form the creature from the dust and gave him his own breath. The mammals all breathed, but only man received the very breath of God. Why?

     I believe it's because he wants us to know the origin of every breath we take. All the rest of creation die and return to the dust, but we are made in God's image, set apart as something special. We have a soul.

     After Jesus' resurrection, he commissioned his disciples to spread the gospel, but before he ascended into heaven, he gave them his breath of life from his Holy Spirit. They were already physically alive, breathing with their lungs, but now they were empowered with spiritual life.

     With every rise and fall of my chest, I am reminded of the origin of my physical life and my eternal, spiritual life.

Keep In Shape

"Therefore, my dear friends...continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose."
Philippians 2: 12 & 13

     I have a physically demanding job, so before I report to work, I take time to stretch and exercise a bit. If I don't stay in shape, I cannot perform well and an injury might occur to set me back.

     God has also given me a spiritual body that I must exercise. Feeding on scripture, staying vital through prayer and connections to the family of God are ways to stay in shape and be alert against evil enemies.

    Do not become a Christian couch potato.

Sunday, April 13, 2014

Lead On, O King Eternal

"Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death."
1 Corinthians 15: 24-26

     Who ever heard of King Asa, King Abijah or King Omri? If you are well versed in the pages of the Old Testament, you may be familiar with these kings of Israel.

     In the days of Jesus, the Israelites were waiting for a king to come end the misery of Roman dominion, so when they thought Jesus was the conqueror, they welcomed him with a grand procession on that first Palm Sunday in Jerusalem. However, Jesus had much more to conquer than just the Roman Empire. He will reign victorious over ALL dominion, authority and power - that even includes our number one enemy, Death. Had Jesus been only an earthly king, his name would have become as obscure as Omri, yellowing the pages of history.

     There's an ad that claims, "You're in good hands with Allstate." While this may sound comforting, we've all dealt with insurance companies to know this is untrue.

     The good hands that hold me bear the nail marks of the cross. He will not let me go, rather he will hand me over personally to God the Father after he has the victory over all his enemies.

     Jesus is my hero!

I love this stanza from the hymn, Lead On O King Eternal:

Lead on, O King eternal,
Till sin's fierce war shall cease,
And holiness shall whisper
The sweet amen of peace.
For not with swords loud clashing,
Nor roll of stirring drums;
With deeds of love and mercy
The heavenly kingdom comes.

Jesus Is Mightier

"Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry."
Matthew 4:1 & 2

     Adam and Eve lived in a beautiful garden planted by God himself, so one can only imagine the wealth of lush bounty therein. They sated themselves in a paradise of plenty, so one would think when that serpent called Satan slithered into their lives, they would have looked around at the good life they had and told him to buzz off. But it is common knowledge they did not.

     When Jesus was tempted by this same Satan, he was in the desert, alone, starving and extremely thirsty - yet, he withstood temptation three times. Jesus Christ proved himself infinetly stronger and mightier than any of us, so when we are faced with temptations, we can draw on His strength to be overcomers.

Sunday, April 6, 2014

God is my Dispatcher

     After his resurrection, Jesus appeared to the disciples, showing them his hands and side - infallible proof that he was the risen Lord. Then, he invoked peace and gave them a mission:

     "'As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.' Then he breathed on them saying, 'Receive the Holy Spirit.'"  (John 20:19-23)

     As a Christian, what has transpired here is meant for me as well. I have a mission to perform and my dispatcher is God.

     When a person is in distress, they dial 911. A dispatcher answers phone. It is that person's job to connect the distressed party with a saving force.

     This is how prayer works. The calls come in; the Dispatcher must have capable, properly equipped forces to send in response.

     Lord, may I always be ready and dressed in the full armor of God so I may go where and when you send me. For, this is not a game; this is a serious battle against all evil. If I am at home, sick with sin when that call comes in, what good am I? Remind me throughout the day of my important mission, my share in this saving force against evil. The Holy Spirit was breathed upon me so that I may emphatically say, "Send me! I wanna go!"

Friday, April 4, 2014

Are You Ready?

"But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet and the door was shut. Later, the others also came. 'Sir! Sir!,' they said, 'Open the door for us.' But he replied, 'I tell you the truth, I don't know you.' Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour."
Matthew 25: 10-13

The Parable of the Ten Virgins
 
     Ten virgins. All had lamps. All went out to meet the bridegroom. But, half were wise, half were foolish. The wise ones were ready; they brought extra oil in jars so their lamps would not go out. They knew it was their personal responsibility to be ready at any hour. When the bridegroom came at midnight, though all ten were asleep, the wise ones were ready. They went to the wedding banquet while the foolish ones were tearing around, looking for oil. Unprepared, they'd wanted to sponge oil off the wise ones, but the bridegroom came while they were at the hardware store.
 
     Each person must accept Christ and thereby receive his saving grace for themselves. Your parent's faith won't cover you. The belief of the crowd you hang with will not matter. Membership at a church or philanthropic deeds won't do it. The Lord looks upon the heart.
 
     What's in your heart? Are you ready? It would be a horrible thing for the door to be shut and the Lord to say, "I do not know you." Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." Repent of your sins, invite Jesus into your heart and life and you will have the peace that passes all understanding. Then, you will be ready for anything! 

Thursday, April 3, 2014

Be An Overcomer

"To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God."
Revelation 2:7

"To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it."
Revelation 2:17

"To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations."
Revelation 2:26

"He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels."
Revelation 3:5

"I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God."
Revelation 3: 11, 12

"To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne."
Revelation 3:21

"He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son."
Revelation 21:7

     Jesus's advice is sound and wise: overcome Satan's wiles and the temptations to forget about God's will and go along with the masses. Hold on, guard your crown, because He is coming soon!

     Remember, ALL of the prophecies concerning the first advent of Christ came true, just as predicted. He was born of a virgin, in Bethlehem, of the lineage of David, so don't think for a moment that the predictions of his second coming are false. He is coming soon so be ready. Be strong and courageous and you will be given all this:
  • Spiritual food
  • A new name
  • Authority
  • Robes of righteousness
  • A memorial pillar
  • Enthronement
  • An eternal inheritance
     Christian singer, Mandisa, sings her song, "Overcomer" in a powerful voice. Here is an excerpt:

The same man, the great I Am
 
The one who overcame death
 
Is living inside you
 
So just hold tight
 
Fix your eyes on the One who holds your life
 
There's nothing He can't do, he's telling you
 
You're an Overcomer!

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

What Became of Barabbas?

"With one voice they cried out, 'Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us!' (Barabbas had been thrown into prison for an insurrection in the city, and for murder.) Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate appealed to them again. But they kept shouting, 'Crucify him! Crucify him!'...So Pilate decided to grant their demand. He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, the one they asked for, and surrendered Jesus to their will."
Luke 23: 18-21, 25

     I wonder what became of Barabbas? Having committed the crimes that earned him the death sentence, he suddenly found himself set free! Someone else had paid his debt for him. Was he curious to know more about this man, Jesus? Did he witness the execution with tears in his eyes, knowing that an innocent man bore his floggings, his nails, his torment? Did he kneel at the foot of the cross and ask forgiveness of his sins? Or did he, with a smirk, say to Jesus, "Tough luck, fella" and go on his merry way?

     Jesus died in my place, too. Like Barabbas, I have been set free from the death sentence I have earned. The Bible says, "The wages of sin is death." Seeing the dear price that Jesus paid in my stead, how could I go on never mending my ways? What have I done to show my gratitude?

     We are all Barabbas.

    

The Character of Contentment

"Mordecai the Jew was second in rank to King Xerxes, prominent among the Jews, and held in high esteem by his many fellow Jews because he worked for the good of his people and spoke up for the welfare of all the Jews."
Esther 10:3

     Mordecai, a Jew from the tribe of Benjamin, had been carried into exile from Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, among those taken captive with the King of Judah. He also adopted his cousin, Esther, who was an orphan. He was a good parent to her, watching out for her welfare and giving sound advice. As the story of Esther goes, he uncovered a conspiracy against the king, for which he was later honored.

     The integrity and character of this man were the same when he was a poor exile sitting at the gate as it was when he was second in command, rich and powerful. This was due to his firm foundation, the unchanging Rock of God.

     Lord, teach me to be content, no matter what I own. Like Mordecai, I need to be an advocate for the Christian people, humbly walking with you so that others may see your Light in my eyes. Teach me to put aside my selfish desires and seek your will, even in times of adversity. Mordecai donned sackcloth and ashes, fasted and prayed when the fate of the Jews seemed sealed by the king's signet ring. Yet, look at how beautifully you turned those tables. The Jews retaliated against their enemies and gained fearful respect from their adversaries.

     "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."