"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height or 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
Can you imagine a world without advertising? The clock radio goes off, dragging you from peaceful slumber, peppering you with cacophonous ads to buy a car. You stumble down to get the daily paper only to find an annoying sticker over the headline and an inch of ads therein. On your way to work, signs and billboards vie for your attention. After work, you flip on cable television, hoping to relax, yet you are bombarded by cries from mattress companies, makers of orange juice, the Progressive lady with the eyeliner again, and a slew of personal products mentioned that would make grandma roll in her grave. Arenas and ballparks bear the name of the highest supporter. Auto racing winners make sure they don the cap of the best sponsor. Embarrassing ads pop up on your computer before you have a chance to act. Seems like there is no escape from the onslaught.
This, for me, is a parallel to the temptations of Satan. All day long, he prowls about like a roaring lion, vying for attention, trying to pull me from my Christian walk. Portraying his products in an attractive light, he relentlessly badgers and hounds me.
Whenever I become weary of this bombardment, I focus on the above verses. I am safe and secure in the love of Christ Jesus where nothing in all this world or the nether world can separate me from him. He is mine; I am his.
Sunday, January 12, 2014
Do the Right Thing: Repent
"The rest of mankind that were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the works of their hands; they did not stop worshiping demons...and idols that cannot see or hear or walk. Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality or their thefts."
Revelation 9: 20, 21
I read an article about a condominium association that had a stinky problem. Dog owners who resided there were not cleaning up after their dogs. Everyone had to be on their guard and could not freely step about. Kind letters were sent, reminders were posted in the clubhouse reminding those to please do the right thing. Take responsibility. It all fell on deaf ears! Even after an eyewitness lead the association president to an offending party, the culprit denied all wrongdoing and said, "Prove it."
By this time, I'm thinking, "How ridiculous. Just clean up your poop!"
So, the association had heard of a company whose revolutionary idea could help them. Each dog owner must submit their dog to DNA testing so that, if their foul feces was found to match, a stiff fine would be incurred.
If these hard hearted dog owners had taken care of business in the first place, none of this would be necessary.
In the above verses, the remainder of mankind will have survived the following:
Now, I realize that leaving one's dog poop behind is a lesser offense than murder or theft, but integrity starts in the heart with the small things. Seek the Lord while he may be found. He is slow to anger, rich in mercy and abounding in love. He does not want anyone to perish but desires eternal life for all.
Deep in the heart, surrender to God, repenting of all sin. Do the right thing.
Revelation 9: 20, 21
I read an article about a condominium association that had a stinky problem. Dog owners who resided there were not cleaning up after their dogs. Everyone had to be on their guard and could not freely step about. Kind letters were sent, reminders were posted in the clubhouse reminding those to please do the right thing. Take responsibility. It all fell on deaf ears! Even after an eyewitness lead the association president to an offending party, the culprit denied all wrongdoing and said, "Prove it."
By this time, I'm thinking, "How ridiculous. Just clean up your poop!"
So, the association had heard of a company whose revolutionary idea could help them. Each dog owner must submit their dog to DNA testing so that, if their foul feces was found to match, a stiff fine would be incurred.
If these hard hearted dog owners had taken care of business in the first place, none of this would be necessary.
In the above verses, the remainder of mankind will have survived the following:
- Earthquake
- Hail and fire mixed with blood
- A third of the earth will be burned up
- A huge mountain will fall into the sea, destroying ships and sea life
- A third of the waters will become bitter, killing many
- A third of the sun and stars will go dark
- Locusts from the Abyss will sting people for five months
- Angels of death will be unloosed, killing a third of the people with fire and sulfur
Now, I realize that leaving one's dog poop behind is a lesser offense than murder or theft, but integrity starts in the heart with the small things. Seek the Lord while he may be found. He is slow to anger, rich in mercy and abounding in love. He does not want anyone to perish but desires eternal life for all.
Deep in the heart, surrender to God, repenting of all sin. Do the right thing.
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
God's Lost and Found Department
"We had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and he is alive again; he was lost and is found."
Luke 15:32
On our table as a catch-all is a souvenir plate from Jackson Hole, Wyoming. It belonged to my mother; she gave it to me. As I looked at it the other day, I wondered why my mom bought it because it depicts Jenny Lake, the location where I became lost in the woods when I was eight years old. Wouldn't the plate remind her of sad memories? Maybe.
But, then I recalled our tearful reunion that I can still picture freshly in my mind, although it happened 44 years ago. My mom was crying in the back seat of our family sedan when I approached her. I fell into her arms, never having been so happy and relieved! Covering me with fervent kisses, she clung to me in pure love.
Maybe that's why she bought the plate, and now passed it on to me, as a remembrance of our restoration. The cross represents this same restorative love. As a sinner, I was lost, kept from the presence of the Holy God. Jesus, my redeemer, was the only one who could restore me to a right relationship with the Father.
"Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
Was blind, but now I see."
Jenny Lake may have been a place of heartbreak and pain for our family, but we also remember it as a place of joy, answered prayers, tearful reunion. In the same way, the cross was a lonely, bitter place of mockery and suffering for our Lord, but it became a place of joy, where the lost are found and the blind see.
Luke 15:32
On our table as a catch-all is a souvenir plate from Jackson Hole, Wyoming. It belonged to my mother; she gave it to me. As I looked at it the other day, I wondered why my mom bought it because it depicts Jenny Lake, the location where I became lost in the woods when I was eight years old. Wouldn't the plate remind her of sad memories? Maybe.
But, then I recalled our tearful reunion that I can still picture freshly in my mind, although it happened 44 years ago. My mom was crying in the back seat of our family sedan when I approached her. I fell into her arms, never having been so happy and relieved! Covering me with fervent kisses, she clung to me in pure love.
Maybe that's why she bought the plate, and now passed it on to me, as a remembrance of our restoration. The cross represents this same restorative love. As a sinner, I was lost, kept from the presence of the Holy God. Jesus, my redeemer, was the only one who could restore me to a right relationship with the Father.
"Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
Was blind, but now I see."
Jenny Lake may have been a place of heartbreak and pain for our family, but we also remember it as a place of joy, answered prayers, tearful reunion. In the same way, the cross was a lonely, bitter place of mockery and suffering for our Lord, but it became a place of joy, where the lost are found and the blind see.
Characteristics of a Champion
"A champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out of the Philistine camp. He was over nine feet tall. He had a bronze helmet on his head, wore a coat of scale armor of bronze weighing (about 125 pounds); on his legs he wore bronze greaves and a bronze javelin was slung on his back. His spear shaft was like a weaver's rod, and its iron point weighed (about 15 pounds)."
1 Samuel 17: 4-7
"The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of the Philistine."
1 Samuel 17:37
"David took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd's bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine."
1 Samuel 17: 40
At some point in our lives, we are all faced with Goliath, a seemingly invincible, giant problem. Maybe this champion is called Cancer, or Addiction, or Abuse. Daily, it rears up, stomping over to the battle line, shouting its usual threats: "You can't fight and kill me. You're only a weakling. Come over here and I'll feed your flesh to the birds."
How can you stand up to this armored behemoth?
David knew the answer: The Lord will deliver you. We serve a powerful, living God. He knows how many hairs are upon your head. He has engraved your name on the palm of his hand. He will never leave you nor forsake you. So, choose your five smooth stones: Faith, Truth, Prayer, Peace and the Word of God, then take action! Our struggle is not against people but is against the spiritual forces of the Evil Foe. In order to fight a spiritual battle, you must gird yourself with proper protection and the right weapons. Those are the characteristics of a true champion.
1 Samuel 17: 4-7
"The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of the Philistine."
1 Samuel 17:37
"David took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd's bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine."
1 Samuel 17: 40
At some point in our lives, we are all faced with Goliath, a seemingly invincible, giant problem. Maybe this champion is called Cancer, or Addiction, or Abuse. Daily, it rears up, stomping over to the battle line, shouting its usual threats: "You can't fight and kill me. You're only a weakling. Come over here and I'll feed your flesh to the birds."
How can you stand up to this armored behemoth?
David knew the answer: The Lord will deliver you. We serve a powerful, living God. He knows how many hairs are upon your head. He has engraved your name on the palm of his hand. He will never leave you nor forsake you. So, choose your five smooth stones: Faith, Truth, Prayer, Peace and the Word of God, then take action! Our struggle is not against people but is against the spiritual forces of the Evil Foe. In order to fight a spiritual battle, you must gird yourself with proper protection and the right weapons. Those are the characteristics of a true champion.
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
The Search for Truth
"For great is the Lord, and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods, for all the gods of the nations are idols, but the Lord made the heavens."
Psalm 96: 4 & 5
I watched the movie "Eat, Pray, Love" during which the lead character travels halfway around the globe searching for the truth after a disillusioned marriage. She eats delectable foods in Italy, she experiments with the affections of men and she goes to India to bow with the rest of the Hindus who advise her to empty her mind. Although the script leads us to believe she ultimately finds what she was looking for, sadly I knew the truth evaded her for she never found Jesus.
Only the one true, triune God made the heavens. All other gods are cheap idols, imitation lords. Satan uses anything he can to shade the people from the brilliant Light of the World. Whether you worship the god of the Hindus or the Buddhists, Mohammed or Materialism, be aware of this truth:
"At the name of Jesus every knee shall bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
Philippines 2: 10, 11
If you are searching for Truth, you don't need to go halfway around the world. Just ask Jesus to cleanse your of your sins, believe upon his power to save and follow Him. He will envelope you with the peace that passes all understanding as he places his robe of righteousness upon your shoulders.
Psalm 96: 4 & 5
I watched the movie "Eat, Pray, Love" during which the lead character travels halfway around the globe searching for the truth after a disillusioned marriage. She eats delectable foods in Italy, she experiments with the affections of men and she goes to India to bow with the rest of the Hindus who advise her to empty her mind. Although the script leads us to believe she ultimately finds what she was looking for, sadly I knew the truth evaded her for she never found Jesus.
Only the one true, triune God made the heavens. All other gods are cheap idols, imitation lords. Satan uses anything he can to shade the people from the brilliant Light of the World. Whether you worship the god of the Hindus or the Buddhists, Mohammed or Materialism, be aware of this truth:
"At the name of Jesus every knee shall bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
Philippines 2: 10, 11
If you are searching for Truth, you don't need to go halfway around the world. Just ask Jesus to cleanse your of your sins, believe upon his power to save and follow Him. He will envelope you with the peace that passes all understanding as he places his robe of righteousness upon your shoulders.
What's the Word?
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning."
John 1: 1 & 2
"That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched - this we proclaim concerning the Word of Life."
1 John 1:1
Recently, the question arose, "What does it mean to say Jesus is the Word?" There are 38 prophecies in the Old Testament concerning Jesus - everything from the time and place of his birth to his death by crucifixtion and through to his ascension into heaven - and they were all fulfilled in the New Testament. God gave his word, literally, and he kept it.
When a person gives his word, it means he promises to do something and is (hopefully) backing it up with his integrity. "I give you my word."
God gave his word, that he would provide salvation; that Word became flesh on Christmas day and dwelled among us. Jesus did not begin life on that first day in Bethlehem, "he was with God in the beginning." I can detect the excitement in the apostle John's voice as he emphatically describes hearing Jesus, seeing his with his own eyes, touching this Word that became flesh!
The word "incarnation" means: the taking on of human form and nature by Jesus conceived of as the Son of God. The creator of human form and nature became flesh so he could live among us. Why? So that, by believing in him, we might have life and become the children of God.
I'm so glad God gave us his Word, and he kept it.
John 1: 1 & 2
"That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched - this we proclaim concerning the Word of Life."
1 John 1:1
Recently, the question arose, "What does it mean to say Jesus is the Word?" There are 38 prophecies in the Old Testament concerning Jesus - everything from the time and place of his birth to his death by crucifixtion and through to his ascension into heaven - and they were all fulfilled in the New Testament. God gave his word, literally, and he kept it.
When a person gives his word, it means he promises to do something and is (hopefully) backing it up with his integrity. "I give you my word."
God gave his word, that he would provide salvation; that Word became flesh on Christmas day and dwelled among us. Jesus did not begin life on that first day in Bethlehem, "he was with God in the beginning." I can detect the excitement in the apostle John's voice as he emphatically describes hearing Jesus, seeing his with his own eyes, touching this Word that became flesh!
The word "incarnation" means: the taking on of human form and nature by Jesus conceived of as the Son of God. The creator of human form and nature became flesh so he could live among us. Why? So that, by believing in him, we might have life and become the children of God.
I'm so glad God gave us his Word, and he kept it.
Forgive and Forget
"For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins."
Matthew 6: 14 & 15
The hardest kind of sins to forgive are the ones done against me when I didn't do anything to deserve that type of treatment. God knows how that feels - what did he do to deserve death by crucifixtion?
Everytime I sin against someone, I also sin against God. Multiply that as each person sins against another, all those sins are committed against God, too. So, let's look at how He forgives...
I love it when someone forgives me, but can they also forget what I did? Or will it keep popping up, like an unwanted ad, reminding me of my dirtiness?
How thoroughly does our Father forgive? Psalm 103:12 says, "As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions fom us." Never the twain shall meet, he won't keep bringing it up again and again. It is removed, blotted out. Isaiah 43:25 says, "I am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more." But remember, if we want to be forgiven, we must also be forgiving.
Pray with me: Lord, teach me to forgive others, just as your forgive me, by thoroughly forgetting the wrongdoing. Take the crimson stains and make them as white as snow. Teach me to do likewise, even if the transgressor is unapologetic; may I forgive for your sake. Amen.
Matthew 6: 14 & 15
The hardest kind of sins to forgive are the ones done against me when I didn't do anything to deserve that type of treatment. God knows how that feels - what did he do to deserve death by crucifixtion?
Everytime I sin against someone, I also sin against God. Multiply that as each person sins against another, all those sins are committed against God, too. So, let's look at how He forgives...
I love it when someone forgives me, but can they also forget what I did? Or will it keep popping up, like an unwanted ad, reminding me of my dirtiness?
How thoroughly does our Father forgive? Psalm 103:12 says, "As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions fom us." Never the twain shall meet, he won't keep bringing it up again and again. It is removed, blotted out. Isaiah 43:25 says, "I am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more." But remember, if we want to be forgiven, we must also be forgiving.
Pray with me: Lord, teach me to forgive others, just as your forgive me, by thoroughly forgetting the wrongdoing. Take the crimson stains and make them as white as snow. Teach me to do likewise, even if the transgressor is unapologetic; may I forgive for your sake. Amen.
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