The Gospel at Bob Evans

 "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast." Ephesians 2: 8, 9

    David and I visited our cousin's church with her yesterday. After a heavenly service, we went to Bob Evans for lunch. Preceding us to the hostess stand was a large, friendly family who recognized us from the church we had just attended, so this sparked a conversation that gave us goosebumps. 

    A lanky man, who was most notable for his cowboy hat, began by saying how much they loved the church in which we had all just worshiped. They had begun attending three months prior; before this, they had been Amish. It wasn't until they heard the gospel of Jesus Christ that they had realized the legalistic shortcomings of the faith in which they had hoped. 

    Once they heard the good news that salvation is not by means of works but only by the grace of God, they left all they had known and placed their faith in Christ alone. Though they had lost all family (save their own) and community, they expressed only joy, no regrets.

    The younger of the two men quoted Jesus' words from Matthew 10: 34-36:

"Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law - a man's enemies will be the members of his own household."

    This courageous faith displayed the value of the precious gospel to the human soul. In my own life, having been raised in a Christ-centered home, I was not challenged as these Amish folks were. However, I had to surrender all to Jesus in my personal life, daily denying myself, picking up my cross and following Him. For me, there are no regrets. 

    I have often wondered what it was about Jesus that caused the fishermen to leave their nets and follow Him. Now I know, as do these new believers whom we met, that "everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up the last day." (John 6:40)

Jesus, the Shepherd of my soul,

Keeping me from all harm,

Ever, until He leads me home,

Safely into His arms.

When I behold Him face-to-face,

Then I will look and see,

Goodness and mercy from His hand,

Surely have followed me.

Precisely

 "This is what the Lord says: If you can break my covenant with the day and my covenant with the night, so that the day and night no longer come at their appointed time, then my covenant with David, my servant....can be broken, and David will no longer have a descendant on his throne." Jeremiah 33: 20, 21

    Did the sun rise this morning? The weather app on my phone not only tells me, with precision, that the sun rose at 6:16 a.m., but I was surprised to see times given for the moon's rising and setting. To be honest, I don't think I was aware of these moon times, but it all points to the faithfulness of our God. 

    Of course, we know that the sun doesn't actually "rise" or "set," rather, there is a specific revolution and rotation going on that keeps track of the times and seasons. And that's how it has been since God ordained it when He created everything (Genesis 1:14). 

    Obviously, no human can alter this, and I am glad no one can. What a mess we would have on our hands if that could happen! So, has God been faithful to His promise? Since the days and nights always come at their appointed times like clockwork, has David always had a descendant on his throne?

    After what's known as the four hundred silent years, the period between the old and new testaments, an angel appeared to a young virgin to bear this message: "Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father, David, and He will reign over Jacob's descendants forever; His kingdom will never end." (Luke 1: 30-33)

    In the fullness of time, Jesus came into our world, though some may have doubted that God would keep his promise. But, He always does, faithfully. As surely as I know the sun will set at 8:46 p.m. this day, I know that Jesus will come again, on the clouds of heaven with all his saints and angels, to set up his kingdom that will never end (Mark 14:62). On that I can depend.

"Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies." Psalm 36:5

A Rare Find

 "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it." Matthew 13: 44-46

    My great-nephew, Mason, and I love to comb for beach glass along the shores of Lake Erie. This summer, he found the "Hope Diamond of the Beach," as it is known among the experts of sea glass: a piece of red glass. 

    Since I wasn't with him at the time of the great find, he was eager to show it to me. During a visit to his home, he brought out a segregated container in which he keeps his collection. There, in a square by itself, was the prized piece. A deep ruby in color, it even felt uncommonly worthy. Truly a rare find.

    Happy he was to have found it, and for good reason. Red is the most difficult to find. Only one piece in 5,000 found may be red. 

    Mason's treasure reminded me of the parable Jesus told, when He compared the kingdom of heaven to finding a pearl of great price. Just as Mason has multiple pieces of other colors, there are many false hopes that may shimmer like red glass along the shore, but they are counterfeit, empty and worthless. 

    There is only one way to eternal life and I am happy to say that Mason has found it in Christ Jesus. John 14:6 plainly says, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." Those are the emphatic words of Jesus, full of grace and truth.

    If you have found life in Christ, then rejoice for you are very rich indeed. Sell everything you have - leave it all behind - and follow Him. You have found incomparable riches!

    If you are combing for the truth, come to Jesus. Only He laid down His life for you. Only He left the throne behind, donned the clothing of mankind and bridged the gap that lay between heaven and earth. Only He forgives sins and grants new life. Only He loves you.

"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 

Why Was I So Afraid?

     "A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke Him and said to Him, 'Teacher, don't you care if we drown?'

    "He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, 'Quiet! Be still!' Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

    "He said to His disciples, 'Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?'

    "They were terrified and asked each other, 'Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey Him!'" Mark 4: 37-41

    Who is this, indeed, that can bring a sense of peace in the midst of an intense storm, such as battered our area last Thursday? 

    Ordinarily, I love a rousing thunderstorm, when God unleashes His power in a physical way. Even so, when the brooding skies and the urgency of the eighty-plus miles per hour winds demonstrated His force in such a frightening way, I found myself wandering wide-eyed from window to window to check our trees.

    The maple whirled like a dervish, sending our neighbor's patio umbrella somewhere. The gnarled oak defied its age, surprisingly, by standing its ground but it was our eighty-foot tall tulip tree that furiously flung logs in a spitting tempest, hurling them straight into our neighbor's home. Hearing the snaps and cracks, my powerlessness was getting the best of me until the Holy Spirit, aroused in strength, force-fed me the very verses I craved:

    "'Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,' says the Lord who has compassion on you." (Isaiah 54:10)

    "God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with its surging." (Psalm 46: 1-3)

    Like the Sea of Galilee, my heart became completely calm as He rebuked the waves of anxiety that threatened to engulf me. Why was I so afraid?

    After the rains, we all crawled from our homes, a bit bewildered, to survey our new landscape. As we met neighbors we had not previously known, it was this sight that brought mirth to potential misery: a homeless squirrel perched at the peak of my neighbor's garage beneath a slice of the moon, looked down upon the fallen foliage as if to ask, "What just happened?" It brought a knowing smile to us all as we shared in his plight.

    Our neighbor, who is also a sister in Christ, put everything into perspective the following day. Though her home had received the brunt of the damage, after viewing the overall condition of others in our area, she looked at me and declared with conviction, "We are blessed." I couldn't agree more.

"Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and He brought them out of their distress. He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and He guided them to their desired haven. Let them give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds for mankind." Psalm 107: 28-31

     

All the Lonely People

 "The Lord God said, 'It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a suitable helper for him.'" Genesis 2:18

    The only thing I remember from my Ohio History class in high school, oddly, has nothing to do with our state's history. 

    Classrooms in the 1970s differ greatly from the technologically based learning of today so, consequently, it was a big deal when our teacher, Mr. K., brought in a record player one day. We all sat up a bit straighter, wondering what this could entail. He prefaced his lesson with a heart-to-heart talk that made a lasting impression on me. With kindness and compassion, he implored us to consider the kids who were on the fringes of our society, those who appeared lonely or friendless. Then, he played "Eleanor Rigby" by the Beatles, encouraging us to listen to the lyrics. There was an air of thoughtful consideration as we quietly absorbed the lesson.

    The writer of a recent editorial in our local paper reported that loneliness has become an epidemic in our country. The U. S. Surgeon General, Vivek Murthy, has listed loneliness among the top scourges of society such as cigarette smoking and obesity. Contributing factors could include financial problems, health limitations and social media. He is urging communities and individuals to spend time engaging with others, really listening to them. Put down the phone and go visit someone, in person. Evidently, the problem is a very serious one.

    Serious, yes, but certainly not new to mankind. God recognized loneliness in the first man ever created, Adam, which is one of the reasons why He ordained marriage between man and woman. "God sets the lonely in families." (Psalm 68:6)

    Today, I took a bike ride around the block. There's a wee cottage designed only for one; the man who dwells there was outside, so I paused to speak to him. The conversation began around the neighborhood cat we call Hobo before segueing to the problems in our country. The Lord opened a window of opportunity for me to speak of my faith, and I was delighted when the neighbor shared his favorite Bible passages with me in return. 

    Though I am blessed with many loving friends and family members nearby, not everyone is. The exchange between the neighbor and I didn't last long, but the effects of the friendly conversation could last even longer. 

"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up." Ecclesiastes 4: 9, 10

The Choice is Yours

 "If you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it." Genesis 4:7

    Last week, I had the opportunity to see the movie, "The Sound of Freedom." The film is based on the true story of Tim Ballard, a former special agent for Homeland Security, who formed an operation to rescue children who have been sold into sexual slavery. Mr. Ballard is the founder of Operation Underground Railroad, whose four-pronged approach to the widespread and growing crime of sex trafficking includes raising awareness of this assault against the most vulnerable of humanity: children. Hence, the reason for this sobering film.

     Since watching the movie, I have pondered what manner of evil overtakes a person driving them to delve into the deepest abyss of darkness that sin can offer. After all, no one plans to be a deviant when they grow up.

    Looking back on my own life, I remember the first time I had seen pornographic magazines at a friend's house.  I recall the recoiling shock of the images and the immediate shame they produced. I felt dirty; something had shifted and I didn't like it. 

    The Bible says God provides an escape route with every temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13). When Cain was brooding over a perceived injustice, the Lord came to him with the warning in the verse above, giving Cain the chance not to open that door. The choice was his to either rule over it or to succumb to it. We know what route he chose, thereby committing the first murder.

    Jesus warned us sternly just how deep the darkness of sin can be: "If your eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better to enter life with one eye that to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell." (Matthew 18:9) While this extreme measure was not taken literally after I saw that magazine, the reprimand and exhortation was taken very seriously. To have proceeded further down that path would have been to shake hands with the devil.

    Every journey, whether good or bad, begins with one step. When given the choice, step into the light of Christ. 

"The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day. But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble." Proverbs 4: 18, 19

"This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God." John 3: 19-21

      

Faith Under Fire

 "Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him." James 1:12

    When a friend of mine rescheduled our luncheon date, that put me in just the right place at the right time to witness incredible faith in action. Here's the story:

    As I drove toward the village in which I grew up, I spied a column of gray smoke ahead, drawing closer as I went along. Aghast, I recognized the childhood home of a friend of mine that was engulfed in fire! My friend's mother still lived there and her sister occupied the house next door. 

    Everything was happening so quickly and unbelievably; the fire department had not yet responded so there was no time to flounder. As I parked my car, I saw the sister running to the neighbor's in great fear for her mother, so I fled there as well. 

    Feeling the searing heat and hearing the crackles of fire brought the reality of the situation to the forefront, but with great relief, I saw before me the mother along with the neighbor, who had rescued her. Though elderly and in poor health, as I knelt beside her, I detected no weakness of character, even as she watched her home being devoured by blazes. 

    With conviction, she declared to me, "I am a Christian."

    "So am I!" was my reply, as I grasped her hands and began to pray. Rising, I turned to her daughter who joined me in prayer as well, invoking God for strength and peace. 

    Later that day, when I returned to the sister's home to check on everyone, she introduced me to her family. Since they were all believers, I felt right at home. In peace and courage, they were all going forward in faith, though the smoldering ruins of Mother's home lay beyond the melted fence. In fact, they were going to celebrate over dinner. Yes, celebrate! 

    This was a picture of true, tried and tested faith in Christ that had persevered under great trial. The Christian knows that "the Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and He helps me." (Psalm 28:7) He has promised to never leave us nor forsake us so, when faith is under fire, He is right beside us.

"Those who seek the Lord lack no good thing." Psalm 34:10 

    

Making Every Effort

 "And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things." 2 Peter 1:15

    This summer, I was blessed to spend an entire month with my granddaughter, who lives in Houston, Texas, and I made every effort to use the time wisely.

    I was not in pursuit of secular goals, though there was some use of Cocomelon. But, everywhere I could, I allowed the Spirit of Christ to reveal Himself before this dear little one. On my phone, I found Christian children's songs. She especially loved "The B-I-B-L-E" and was still singing it once she returned home. 

    When adding salt to our muffin batter, I couldn't help but speak of our being the salt of the earth (Matthew 5:13). 

    The hardworking ants on the front walk became a lesson in diligence for the work God has given us (Proverbs 30:25). 

    The birds at the feeder opened a delightful path to speak of His divine providence. "Look at the birds of the air," Jesus said. "They do not sow or reap or store away into barns. Yet, your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?" (Matthew 6:26). 

    At church, she went with me to collect the offering as the congregation heartily sang, "Stand Up! Stand Up for Jesus!" 

    At home, after we said grace, we all raised our hands heavenward and sang, "Amen! Amen!" 

     From the time of her conception, I have prayed for her heart to be fertile ground for the gospel, which is the Good News that Jesus loves her and gave His life for her. He will never leave her nor forsake her, and He will look for her if she becomes lost along the way. 

    I have written my testimony, telling the wondrous things God has done for me so that, after my departure from this world, there will be no doubt about the reason for the hope that Grandma had. 

    I saw this adage on a sundial once: "Do not squander time; it's the stuff life is made of." So true. Lord, help me to make every effort to plant seeds, water them and hoe out the weeds because that's what it takes to produce a crop. 

    Grow, Little Esme!

"These commands that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." Deuteronomy 6: 6-7

The Butterfly's Testimony

 "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. Day after day, they pour forth speech; night after night, they reveal knowledge. They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the end of the world." Psalm 19: 1-4

    What sound does a butterfly make? None, to my knowledge, but this lovely creature has much to say.

    While riding my bike through the park, I slowed when I spotted two people on the path who were bent over with a stick in observation of something. The man bid me to come slowly and view the sight. He explained that, as they were strolling along, this butterfly abruptly fell from the confines of its chrysalis above. Here was this work of art, slowly fanning its wings to dry, and we had the benefit of seeing the fabulous display. Usually, these winged beauties flit about so quickly, the curious observers only catch a glimpse. But here in the woods, we three were treated to its full glory until the man, who had coaxed it onto a stick, carried it to a safe place.

    As I stood in awe, the work of God's hands came to my mind and I wondered if the couple shared my belief. I should have asked them; perhaps it would have opened the door to share the gospel. But here was the silent testimony of a butterfly, which plopped down right in front of their noses. A trained ear could hear it say, "Come and see what the Lord has done!" 

    When an artist wants to draw attention to her art, she may have an Instagram account that gives the viewer a nibble of something more. Then a link to her Etsy shop may be provided inviting the curious to "come and see." In this way, the artist's creation can be seen around the world through the wonders of the internet.

    God has been leaving His nibbles along our way since the creation of the world, inviting us to probe further. "Who made this fascinating creature?" He bids us to ask. The invitation stands to meet the Artist. Worldwide, there are 18,500 species of butterflies who have a testimony to share. If only people would come and see.

"For since the creation of the world, God's invisible qualities - His eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. God has made it plain to them." Romans 1: 19, 20

The Evangelist and the Eunuch

 "Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, 'Go south to the road - the desert road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.' So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the Book of Isaiah the prophet. The Spirit told Philip, 'Go to that chariot and stay near it.'

    Then Philip ran to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. 'Do you understand what you are reading?' Philip asked.

    'How can I,' he said,' unless someone explains it to me?' So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him...Then Philip began with that very passage of scripture and told him the good news about Jesus." Acts 8: 26-31, 35

    I have had many Philips in my life and I was blessed to be surrounded by many of them last Sunday when I was baptized. As I sat in the back of the church with my little granddaughter in my lap, I felt saturated by the love of God inside and out as I recounted the people in my life, sent by God, who brought the gospel to me, encouraged me and courageously spoke truth to me. 

     I thought of the very first Philips, my parents, who are with Jesus now. They taught the love of God to me daily as they lived out the Scriptures. Along the way, there were Sunday School teachers who may have thought I wasn't listening, but I can recall some of the songs and stories to this day. 

    Then there were teams of volunteers who brought Vacation Bible School to me, where I made a macaroni cross. The pastor, who baptized me as an infant, also taught me the ins and outs of the Bible in Catechism class. As I grew and moved around, there were pastors, teachers, radio broadcasts and printed media that nurtured my faith along the way. Friends sent cards or bible verses; people interceded for me in prayer. 

    At times, I have been like the eunuch in this account who needed help understanding the scripture. Other times, I have been able to come alongside another and explain the gospel truth, like Philip. Either way, it is the Holy Spirit who dispatches believers to spread the good news, and it is this same Spirit who aids the listener to comprehend what's being said. Apart from Him, we can do nothing.

    So, whether we have questions or answers, no one stands alone. We need one another.

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." Hebrews 12:1