"Though grace is shown to the wicked, they do not learn righteousness; even in a land of uprightness, they go on doing evil and regard not the majesty of the Lord."
Isaiah 26:10
There's so much incredible beauty surrounding us in creation. Simply peering into a flower's blossom is a marvel I cannot explain. It requires more than just open eyes and ears to appreciate creation; it takes a heart pliable before the Potter. How can a person feel the velvety petals of a petunia or note the varied species of sparrows without giving praise to God? Yet, it happens.
Jesus said, "He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous." (Matt. 5:45) Grace is shown with the dawning of a new day. The majesty of a songbird is displayed, free for all to see and hear. The cardinal does not only sing in the yard of the rich or prosperous - it is unbiased, just as our Lord.
Look for the messages of grace today. They abound out of His great love for us.
Will you but see?
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
Saturday, June 21, 2014
Mortality Vs. Immortality
"As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field; the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more."
Psalm 103: 15, 16
I went to a funeral this week, held for a man one year younger than me who died of ALS, Lou Gehrig's Disease. As I perused the pictures that chronicled his life, I saw the years of flourish: all the school pictures, beginning with first grade, his first car, his wedding day, the arrival of children, the passage of time. Then, the winds of mortality began to blow as somewhere on the timeline, he discovered he had a disease. Suffering faded the flower as he gradually declined. How sad.
But listen to these next two verses: "But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children - with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts." Psalm 103: 17, 18
At first, all seems hopeless - "and its place remembers it no more" - like driving past an old cemetery, windswept and forgotten. Will our lives be lived in vain? The Bible goes on to tell us that if I respect the Lord, remember his promises and obey Him, then his love remains with me from "everlasting to everlasting!" No end in sight. God will remember me.
As Jesus said to Martha, he also tells me: "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die...
Do you believe this?" (John 11: 25 & 26)
Psalm 103: 15, 16
I went to a funeral this week, held for a man one year younger than me who died of ALS, Lou Gehrig's Disease. As I perused the pictures that chronicled his life, I saw the years of flourish: all the school pictures, beginning with first grade, his first car, his wedding day, the arrival of children, the passage of time. Then, the winds of mortality began to blow as somewhere on the timeline, he discovered he had a disease. Suffering faded the flower as he gradually declined. How sad.
But listen to these next two verses: "But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children - with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts." Psalm 103: 17, 18
At first, all seems hopeless - "and its place remembers it no more" - like driving past an old cemetery, windswept and forgotten. Will our lives be lived in vain? The Bible goes on to tell us that if I respect the Lord, remember his promises and obey Him, then his love remains with me from "everlasting to everlasting!" No end in sight. God will remember me.
As Jesus said to Martha, he also tells me: "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die...
Do you believe this?" (John 11: 25 & 26)
Divine Vengeance
"Rejoice, saints and apostles and prophets! God has judged her for the way she treated you."
Revelation 18:20
I heard on the news about Hindus in India who persecuted a Christian because he had his son baptized. Then I heard of a Christian in North Korea who was captured and detained because he left his Bible in his hotel room.
Persecution for ones beliefs is not new. John the Baptist was beheaded. Stephen, in the book of Acts, was stoned to death. St. Peter was crucified upside down.
The Lord does not take these things lightly, although it may seem as if nothing is done in retaliation. But there will be a judgment day, when all people will stand before the Living God. Take refuge in the Lord and respect the wrath of God.
Revelation 18:20
I heard on the news about Hindus in India who persecuted a Christian because he had his son baptized. Then I heard of a Christian in North Korea who was captured and detained because he left his Bible in his hotel room.
Persecution for ones beliefs is not new. John the Baptist was beheaded. Stephen, in the book of Acts, was stoned to death. St. Peter was crucified upside down.
The Lord does not take these things lightly, although it may seem as if nothing is done in retaliation. But there will be a judgment day, when all people will stand before the Living God. Take refuge in the Lord and respect the wrath of God.
Casting Your Bread
"A generous man will prosper, he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed." Proverbs 11:25
"Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys."
Luke 12:33
"Give and it will be given unto you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."
There is a verse in the Bible that tells us to cast our bread upon the waters and it will return to you. In other words, if you want something, let it go first. Show that you are willing to do without it, then you will have it. If you want to receive, give.
Look around at your possessions. Has the Lord blessed you with bounty? Do you really need all that you have? My niece read a book about paring down your stuff; the author says you can live with 100 items. Most everyone I talk to laments about their mountains of belongings that are weighing them down. Maybe you could have a garage sale and give the proceeds to your favorite charity?
I read about a Christian speaker at a conference who was trying to drive home the message about serving two masters, God and Money. How attached are we to our money or our belongings? He told the crowd to take our their wallets. "Caress it if you want, then hand it to the person on your right," he instructed. This brought apprhensive murmurings, but when he said, "Now we are going to pass the offering plate and I want everyone to be generous", there was quite an outcry!
A funny test, isn't it? But, I think we can all do with some housecleaning, physically and spiritually. Let go of it! Liberate yourself! Be generous with a great big measuring cup and you will be rewarded with more than you ever asked for.
It really is more blessed to give than to receive. Try it.
"Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys."
Luke 12:33
"Give and it will be given unto you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."
There is a verse in the Bible that tells us to cast our bread upon the waters and it will return to you. In other words, if you want something, let it go first. Show that you are willing to do without it, then you will have it. If you want to receive, give.
Look around at your possessions. Has the Lord blessed you with bounty? Do you really need all that you have? My niece read a book about paring down your stuff; the author says you can live with 100 items. Most everyone I talk to laments about their mountains of belongings that are weighing them down. Maybe you could have a garage sale and give the proceeds to your favorite charity?
I read about a Christian speaker at a conference who was trying to drive home the message about serving two masters, God and Money. How attached are we to our money or our belongings? He told the crowd to take our their wallets. "Caress it if you want, then hand it to the person on your right," he instructed. This brought apprhensive murmurings, but when he said, "Now we are going to pass the offering plate and I want everyone to be generous", there was quite an outcry!
A funny test, isn't it? But, I think we can all do with some housecleaning, physically and spiritually. Let go of it! Liberate yourself! Be generous with a great big measuring cup and you will be rewarded with more than you ever asked for.
It really is more blessed to give than to receive. Try it.
Wednesday, June 18, 2014
Today You Will Be With Me in Paradise
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."
John 14:27
A man in Kenya answered a persistent knock on the door of his home. A gun wielding, vindictive terrorist demanded of him, "Are you a Muslim?"
"No," came the steady reply. "I am a Christian."
That answer brought swift death through a spray of bullets to head and chest as his wife looked on in horror.
The very word "terrorist" can instill fear. The sight of a weapon, angry, snapping eyes and the diseased soul of the perpetrator - all a nightmare. Yet, can anything separate a Christian from his loving Savior?
NO! Romans chapter eight reminds us: "Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword" separate us from the love of Christ Jesus? (verse 35) Even death brings life - better life, eternal life, where sorrow, disease, pain and death are NO MORE.
We really do have the peace that passes all understanding as the courage of Christ even helps us stare down the barrel of a gun.
Perhaps I will never hear such an ominous knock on my door in Painesville, but each day, I must prepare for such an event. Not in fear or trepidation, but in stalwart faith and the courage of the saints who have gone on before me.
"I am a Christian." Hallelujah!
John 14:27
A man in Kenya answered a persistent knock on the door of his home. A gun wielding, vindictive terrorist demanded of him, "Are you a Muslim?"
"No," came the steady reply. "I am a Christian."
That answer brought swift death through a spray of bullets to head and chest as his wife looked on in horror.
The very word "terrorist" can instill fear. The sight of a weapon, angry, snapping eyes and the diseased soul of the perpetrator - all a nightmare. Yet, can anything separate a Christian from his loving Savior?
NO! Romans chapter eight reminds us: "Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword" separate us from the love of Christ Jesus? (verse 35) Even death brings life - better life, eternal life, where sorrow, disease, pain and death are NO MORE.
We really do have the peace that passes all understanding as the courage of Christ even helps us stare down the barrel of a gun.
Perhaps I will never hear such an ominous knock on my door in Painesville, but each day, I must prepare for such an event. Not in fear or trepidation, but in stalwart faith and the courage of the saints who have gone on before me.
"I am a Christian." Hallelujah!
Saturday, June 14, 2014
Judge for Yourselves
"But Peter and John replied, 'Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God.'"
Acts 4:19
The powers-that-be in the society of the early church were not friendly to those who spoke the name of Jesus. After all, they had crucified this troublesome Jesus and buried him in a sealed, guarded tomb (or so they thought). Didn't that put to death all this talk about a Messiah? Why did these disciples have to keep bringing it up? When told not to speak in the name of Christ anymore, Peter and John replied, "We cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard." (vs. 20)
In our society, it is lawful in some states for same-sex couples to marry. Some Christians are being charged with wrongdoing for refusing to photograph a gay wedding or bake a cake for the occasion as they remain true to God.
When push comes to shove, each believer must judge for himself to obey their government or to obey God. The Bible tells us that what is seen is temporary, what is unseen is eternal. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but the word of the Lord shall never pass away. In this world, we will have trouble, but take heart! Jesus has overcome the world.
Judge for yourselves. Do the right thing.
Acts 4:19
The powers-that-be in the society of the early church were not friendly to those who spoke the name of Jesus. After all, they had crucified this troublesome Jesus and buried him in a sealed, guarded tomb (or so they thought). Didn't that put to death all this talk about a Messiah? Why did these disciples have to keep bringing it up? When told not to speak in the name of Christ anymore, Peter and John replied, "We cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard." (vs. 20)
In our society, it is lawful in some states for same-sex couples to marry. Some Christians are being charged with wrongdoing for refusing to photograph a gay wedding or bake a cake for the occasion as they remain true to God.
When push comes to shove, each believer must judge for himself to obey their government or to obey God. The Bible tells us that what is seen is temporary, what is unseen is eternal. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but the word of the Lord shall never pass away. In this world, we will have trouble, but take heart! Jesus has overcome the world.
Judge for yourselves. Do the right thing.
What Does Jesus Wear?
"He put on righteousness as his breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on his head; he put on the garments of vengeance and wrapped himself in zeal as in a cloak."
Isaiah 59:17
Spiderman has to don a special outfit, thereby transforming him from the meek Peter Parker to the invincible Spiderman, who saves many with heroic acts of righteousness. Slipping into the latex suit of red and blue, flaccid muscles bulge as ordinary human strength becomes supernatural and power overshadows weakness.
Unlike Spiderman, Jesus has no alter ego, no petered-out Parker beneath. He is who he is, through to the core. The first time he came from heaven to this earth, he was born of a woman, in a stable in Bethlehem. He laid down his life for the sins of the world, not willing to condemn, but to patiently wait for sinners to open the door of the heart. Unwilling that any should perish, he turned the other cheek and paved the Way to the Father.
The second time he comes will be with a mighty shout, surrounded by legions of angels, riding on the clouds of heaven. All eyes will see him wrapped in garments of zeal and vengeance as the time comes to judge the quick and the dead.
Today is the day of salvation. Don't put it off until tomorrow. Jesus loves you!
Isaiah 59:17
Spiderman has to don a special outfit, thereby transforming him from the meek Peter Parker to the invincible Spiderman, who saves many with heroic acts of righteousness. Slipping into the latex suit of red and blue, flaccid muscles bulge as ordinary human strength becomes supernatural and power overshadows weakness.
Unlike Spiderman, Jesus has no alter ego, no petered-out Parker beneath. He is who he is, through to the core. The first time he came from heaven to this earth, he was born of a woman, in a stable in Bethlehem. He laid down his life for the sins of the world, not willing to condemn, but to patiently wait for sinners to open the door of the heart. Unwilling that any should perish, he turned the other cheek and paved the Way to the Father.
The second time he comes will be with a mighty shout, surrounded by legions of angels, riding on the clouds of heaven. All eyes will see him wrapped in garments of zeal and vengeance as the time comes to judge the quick and the dead.
Today is the day of salvation. Don't put it off until tomorrow. Jesus loves you!
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