Monday, May 26, 2014

In My Father's House

"One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock."
Psalm 27: 4 & 5

     When I was a kid, my family went to church regularly. It was a home to me in many ways, a safe and loving place. That doesn't mean I always wanted to go there, like on Christmas morning when I'd rather be opening presents. But, often I relished being in God's house, watching the play of the stained glass colors on the carpet as the wind blew. When my mom was in the choir loft, it was a time to bond with my dad, to smell his aftershave, examine his suitcoat pockets or draw pictures with him on the bulletin.

     When I sat with my mother, I was permitted to open the ladylike clutch that housed the embroidered handkerchief or the delicate comb. Hopefully, I would find a roll of Lifesavers, too. The rings on her left hand fascinated me as I contemplated the solemn vows behind them, for she never took them off. Everything back then seemed so large and strange and mysterious.

     The sermons were (in my mind) long and boring so when the organ piped up, I loved to sing the hymns. I strove to hit the soprano notes along side my mother, who I thought should be a star soloist. The pastor seemed like God to me, so booming was his voice and his robes created a different persona than regular people.

     Observing the enigmatic sacraments of communion and baptism were things I little understood, but one thing I did know: being at church was something quite special. It was a loving, restful place that represented a Presence that was larger than this life, even more deserving of respect than my parents or teachers.

     It was my Father's house and mine.

Friday, May 23, 2014

Can't Touch This

"My sheep listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand."
John 10: 27 & 28

"We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the one who was born of God keeps him safe, and the evil one cannot harm him."
1 John 5: 18

     As my father drifts deeper into dementia, I see a new personality that is surly, argumentative and negative. This usurps the man I knew as loving, easy-going and Christ-like so I wonder, "Does the devil have a hold on him? Could he segue in and take root in my dad's heart?"

     Thanks be to God, the answer is clear: No Way!

     Long ago, when this man asked Jesus to be the Lord of his life, the Holy Spirit took residence for the long haul. God is aware that disease is debilitating my dad's mind, but salvation is not a thing of logic. It's an affair of the soul.

     Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. No one can snatch our hand from his. Satan can do us no harm. Hallelujah! Amen!

     Thank you, God, for you sweet scriptures. What a precious gift I hold when I open my Bible. All the answers I will ever need are right there, in black and white. I love you, Lord.

Running Smoothly

"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
Ephesians 2:10

     I am made to do good. Then, why do I sin?

     God created me in his image, in Christ Jesus, to do good works, but the Fall from grace has gummed up the works.

     I'm so glad God did not leave me there, in that condition, but kept working on me, providing a cure.

     When a frustrating task threatened to overwhelm me, my dad used to say, "Try to outsmart it." That is exactly what God did. He outsmarted Satan at every turn. Christ's death and resurrection cleaned out the rust and gum, oiling me with the Holy Spirit so I may run smoothly, accomplishing those good works God prepared in advance for me.

    

Sunday, May 18, 2014

The Glass That Is Always Full

"For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last days for your sake."
1 Peter 1: 18 & 19

     When I watch the show, "Hoarders", I feel pity for the one who hoards.  Often, the person has experienced a traumatic blow, causing them to go around the bend. In the recent episode I saw, a woman, once a lovely wife and school teacher, harbored debilitating waves of sorrow after her husband was killed in a car accident. She became a sorry shell of the person she once was; bizarre behavior alienated her from family and friends.

    Build your life upon the Rock of Jesus Christ. Before the creation of the world, he stood ready to redeem you with his own precious blood, far more valuable than silver or gold. Think of the bigger picture! When the sameness of life lulls you into an ordinary trance as you traipse to work and back, stop and remember your value. Life without Christ is empty! Marriage cannot fill the void. Neither can money or power or fame or drugs.

     God wants to give us life, abundantly. With him, your glass is always full.

Put Your Sword Away

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
John 13: 34 & 35

     When Jesus was being arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane, Peter burned with the desire to retaliate so he drew a sword and lopped off the ear of the high priest's servant. But Jesus admonished him to put the sword away, then he healed the afflicted's ear.

     Sometimes, when I read of injustices, I want to draw a sword, bringing swift justice. But Jesus' kingdom is not run that way. If I truly love others as he does, how then can I do them harm? Even as Jesus suffered on the cross, he prayed for his perpetrators.

     I am not drawn to religions that wish to rain havoc on the infidels, rather I want to be a Christian. The love and forgiveness attract me.

Friday, May 16, 2014

The Persecution of Christians

"Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life."
Revelation 2:10

     A girl in her mid-teens went to school one April morning in the town of Chibok, Nigeria, unaware that this day would be quite different than the day before. Gun-wielding fighters from an Islamic terrorist group erupted violently into her life and that of her fellow students as more than three hundred girls were kidnapped from their school on April 15, 2014. Most of those seized were Christians, but a news video released by their captors showed them wearing hijabs, chanting Islamic verses and claiming conversion to the Muslim religion.

     I wonder why they converted? Could violent men bearing guns have any influence? What would I have done under the same circumstances? As a young woman with my life ahead of me, would I bow under the persecution, or would I be faithful, even to the point of death?

     I'd like to think I'd be a courageous martyr, like Stephen, whose face lifted to the parting heavens and basked in the glory of the Lord, but the fear of death pushes people to a crossroads. Which road would I choose? After all, it is not far-fetched to think an armed Islamic militant may march into my home one day and force me to kneel in fear.

     Oh Jesus, blessed Redeemer, you withstood death by crucifixtion, humiliation and mockery from your own people. Silent as a lamb, you bore it all, even though legions of angels stood ready to rescue you. Why did you do that? So sinners like me may receive the crown of life. Lend me your courage! May I be fully dressed in the armor of God, armed like a Christian soldier in faith and righteousness! Thank you for being a God of love, never fear! You are the one true God and I love you so much.

My Omniscient God

"I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve."
Jeremiah 17:10

     My patience was under fire when I had to call a large company and proceed through a mind-boggling maze of robotic questions. After ten minutes of pressing this and that, being volleyed about like a ping pong ball, I finally got through to a real person. The robot had told me that my call may be monitored or recorded, so I guardedly restrained the torrent of hot words that perched on the back of my tongue. Still, I let the employee know of my frustration and, to her credit, she handled it very well, voice never raising. You see, she was also being recorded!

     How differently we would treat each other if every thought, word and deed were being recorded. According to the above verse, this is quite true! Everyone would rather be remembered for that one random act of kindness when they helped an old man with a heavy object. We would rather forget about the nine other times when road rage snarled our lips and steam came out our ears.

     Thank the Lord that Jesus died for our sins, nailing all our nastiness to the cross! Now, in the knowledge of the price that was paid and with the divine help of the Holy Spirit, may I keep from sinning and live a God-pleasing life.

     "Beware of the sin of looking down on those for whom Christ died. After all, He plunged into the sewage of a sinful world to save the likes of you and me. We, in turn, can share his grace with those who need it most." - Dr David Jeremiah

Be Fully Persuaded

"Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him: "So shall your offspring be". Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead - since he was about a hundred years old - and that Sarah's womb was also dead. Yet he did not waiver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised."
Romans 4: 18-21

     What has God promised you that may sound a little far-fetched?

     You know, God asks us to believe in many things that may seem impossible or beyond human reason. Consider these headlines in history:

  • World Created in Six Days (Genesis 2:1)
  • Deluge Kills All But Eight (Genesis 7:21
  • Sea Parted Down Middle: People Cross on Dry Land (Exodus 15:19)
  • Dead Boy Rises (1 Kings 17:22)
  • Donkey Berates Man (Numbers 22:28)
  • Three Men Walk Through Fire Unscathed (Daniel 3:26)
  • Paltry Lunch Feeds Five Thousand-With Leftovers! (Matt. 14:17)
  • Virgin Gives Birth to Boy (Matt 1:18)
  • Two Blind Men See (Matt 9:30)
  • Man Walks On Lake (Matt 14:25)
     When I saw the recent movie, "Heaven is for Real" about a four-year-old boy who visited heaven, I was disappointed in the lagging unbelief of the adults around him. Even his own parents (and the father was a pastor) struggled with it. I wanted to yell out: What is so hard? What is wrong with you?

     Yes, I believe every one of those zany headlines. I believe in the resurrection of the dead. I believe Christ ascended into heaven and will return again with a victor's shout, coming down from the clouds surrounded by angels. I know that my Redeemer lives because I am fully persuaded by faith simply because:
     God said it, I believe it and that settles it.

Take a chance, step out on a limb, believe in the unbelievable. God is amazing, never boring. He has a sense of humor and integrity unbeknown to mankind. Life is an adventure when you take God by the hand!

"All things are possible with God." Mark 10:27

Saturday, May 3, 2014

Just Say It

"The people to whom I am sending you are obstinate and stubborn. Say to them, 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says.' And whether they listen or fail to listen - for they are a rebellious house - they will know that a prophet has been among them."
Ezekiel 2: 4 & 5

     Before Jesus ascended into heaven, he gave his disciples the Great Commission: "Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature." (Mark 16:15) As a Christian, it's my mission to tell others what God has said and done. Will the hearers listen? That's not up to me, but at least they'll know they have been told.

     In the next verse, in Mark, Jesus said, "Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned." That is very plain, easy to understand. Will people listen?

     As sinners, we are under a curse, a disease, called sin. We need a savior. God sent his Son, Jesus, as a baby in Bethlehem, to live among us and show us the way. He was without sin, able to sacrifice himself as the spotless Lamb of God, thereby breaking the bondage of sin and death.

     Christ died for you. He rose again. He ascended into heaven where he sits at the right hand of God, the Father. He will come again to judge both the living and the dead. Repent of your sins today. Believe and be baptized in the name of Jesus and you will be saved.

Don't Let Your Head Swell

"Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble."
Daniel 4:37

     Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, had a dream that, when interpreted, warned him to repent of his evil ways. He walked around his kingdom with his chest puffed out, thinking he had built all that on his own so, he was to humble himself before God or he'd be "driven away from people and will live with the wild animals" for seven years, eating grass. Quite a different lifestyle than the affluent one he was used to as king.

     God, in his great love, gave him this dream, sent him Daniel as interpreter and allowed twelve months to pass, giving King Neb ample time to think things over. At the end, however, as his bragging tongue was still awag, his dream became a living nightmare. It's interesting to note that, after the seven years, King Nebuchadnezzar was restored to his kingdom and entrusted with more than he had before. What a loving God we serve!

     The moral of this story, for me, is:  Give God his due credit. Don't think more highly of myself than I ought. When God says something, he means it, but he is also a patient and loving God. I'm glad he is one who keeps his word. That is Someone I can trust!

Walking in the Wilderness

"Observe the commands of the Lord your God, walking in his ways and revering him. For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land."
Deuteronomy 8:6 & 7

     Our journey to the Promised Land can, at times, feel like forty years of wandering in the desert, like the Israelites did. The electricity goes out, you get a speeding ticket, your loved one goes to the hospital, someone you know is diagnosed with cancer, your computer gets a virus, your cable bill goes up...and that was just today. What will happen tomorrow?

     The good news is, for believers in Christ, we are on our way to a better land. We are in a foreign land, akin to being an immigrant, for our real home is in heaven. Along the way, God will be there to take care of us, just like the Israelites. He sent manna and quail for food, caused water to flow from a rock, and made sure their clothes and shoes didn't wear out. Yes, they still had problems, but, walking with God along the way, they had a problem-solver as their disposal.

     So do we, and he is leading us to an even better place than we can imagine!