:) and SOBER in 2015!

Isn’t it great to know the Lord and not need chemistry to blur your reality!   

Nehemiah 8:10  “Do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!” 

Ephesians 5:15-21 Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.

Whatever 2014 has been, and wherever 2015 goes, Jesus promised us, “I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20

NEED MORE REASON TO WORSHIP?

"Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created." Revelation 4:11
Just think about it.  We have the amazing privilege of recognizing and relating to the CREATOR of everything!  The following illustration can help drive home the inestimably amazing situation God has honored and blessed us with in knowing Him.

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR AN ASSISTANT?

Tim Keller, a pastor in Manhattan, New York, said that in 1970 a Sunday school teacher changed his life with a simple illustration.

The teacher said, “Let’s assume the distance between the earth and the sun (92 million miles) was reduced to the thickness of this sheet of paper. If that is the case, then the distance between the earth and the nearest star would be a stack of papers 70 feet high. And the diameter of the galaxy would be a stack of papers 310 miles high.” 

Then Keller’s teacher added, “The galaxy is just a speck of dust in the universe, yet Jesus holds the universe together by the word of his power.” 

Finally, the teacher asked her students, “Now, is this the kind of person you ask into your life to be your assistant?” (Timothy Keller, from the sermon The Gospel and Your Self) 

No! You ask Him to be in charge. Why would we in our puny strength want to run the show when we know Someone who has unlimited power? Let HIM run the show! Let God run your life. Then you will be able to enjoy it a whole lot more.

Our Christmas Present is Returning!

“…so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him,” Hebrews 9:28 

Sure sounds good to me!!!  I’m ready!!!

Seeing is Believing???

In a “seeing is believing culture”, where more and more--even seeing is not believing because of all the creations and distortions technology provides, the idea of believing in an ancient historical person and banking one’s whole life on His identity and teaching seems farther than many want to fetch.

Jesus told him (Thomas), “Is it because you’ve seen me that you have believed? How blessed are those who have never seen me and yet have believed!” John 20:29

Nevertheless, Jesus’ words to Thomas apply to the millions who have lived since then, and Peter’s words to his contemporaries who had not personally seen Jesus are certainly affirmed by the millions who have lived since then who have opened themselves to the Spirit of God through placing their faith in Christ Jesus.

“Though you have not seen him, you love him. And even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy,” 1 Peter 1:8

And Christ’s words of promised blessing to all who would hunger and thirst for what is right and true are still good today, and countless people all over the world are experiencing it.

How blessed are those who are hungry and thirsty for righteousness, because it is they who will be satisfied! Matthew 5:6

We began talking Sunday, November 30, about loving God.  Since God is love, and made the first huge move toward us, the discussion inevitably begins with considering God’s audacious demonstration of love toward human rebels by paying the full price for our ransom and adoption.  When that kind of love is acknowledged it is hard to resist.  

And when we receive His love, it not only fills—but overflows our human heart.  That’s His plan—to flood the earth with His boundless, unconditional, soul-satisfying love.  Are you taking it in?  Are you letting it pour out?  Like a reservoir, the more we pour out, the more we can take in.  Ask God to show you more about how to experience His love and share it with others.  It’s the best blessing a human can have, and it’s God’s plan for each of us!  Let's not miss out!

An AMAZING ANCIENT PRAISE of the WISDOM of GOD

Verse after verse of Job 28 describe the extensive processes of finding and retrieving the precious metals and gems of the earth.  As valuable as they are, and as much work as is necessary to acquire them, he says wisdom is of far greater value and can only come from seeking God.  Imagining the crudeness of the ancient implements and methods for mining only makes the poetic comparison with the value of wisdom all the more impressive.  And throughout the book, Job’s relentless refusal to curse God and forsake faith in Him, though he feels abandoned and even opposed by God, attests to the deep confidence Job had that no matter how things looked or felt, trusting God and fearing Him made the best sense.  May we likewise hold to God no matter what comes.  Scripture tells us elsewhere that such faith is worth far more than all precious stones, and that it will ultimately be rewarded richly.

What is the ultimate fate of a person who commits suicide?

Unquestionably, suicide is not the plan of God for an individual.  Paul emphasized to the Corinthian Christians that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit and we are to take good care of them and use them for His purposes.  So if the question is: “Is suicide sin?”  The answer would have to be “Yes” in most conceivable instances.  Does that mean the person is lost to God for eternity because his last action is outside the will of God?  We can’t say that.  If a Christian gets angry or despondent and gets in his car, drives recklessly and dies as a result of a crash, it could be argued that he was not thinking and acting the way he should have as a Christian when he died.  If the definition of sin is taken from Romans 3:23 as “falling short of the glory of God” then there are many instances one could imagine where a person is not doing God’s will when they die, and perhaps their actions are even causal to their death.

God has built the will to live and even survive horrific circumstances into the human psyche.  It isn’t even a matter of Christianity, but a matter of God’s design.  But it is widely known that depression and suicidal thoughts can be a result of mental illness or chemical imbalances in the body.  Without trying to exhaust all the possible scenarios that could contribute to a person’s decision to end his life, and trying to render a judgment on each, it seems far better to leave those questions unanswered and the victims and their families to the mercies and perfect judgments of God.

Romans 14:4 and Psalm 131 and Isaiah 55:6-9 are examples of texts which speak to the wisdom of trusting such questions to God alone.  We don’t like not knowing everything, and we seem to love rendering judgments whether of guilt or acquittal.  But God has not abdicated His role to grant us that authority.  While we know God to be just, we also know Him to be more merciful and gracious than we can even imagine, considering we are incapable of perceiving the degree of our own depravity.  So let such matters rest in His hands, and let us do our best to show His love and teach His liberating truths to everyone we can.

You've Got To Smile at This Guy's Honesty

The following is from Ezra chapter 8, where Ezra the scribe recorded the actions and motivations of their trip from Babylon to Jerusalem to restore temple worship.

21Then I proclaimed a fast there at the river of Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God to seek from Him a safe journey for us, our little ones, and all our possessions.22For I was ashamed to request from the king troops and horsemen to protect us from the enemy on the way, because we had said to the king, "The hand of our God is favorably disposed to all those who seek Him, but His power and His anger are against all those who forsake Him." 23So we fasted and sought our God concerning this matter, and He listened to our entreaty.

Application to us: It’s one thing to sing grand songs of faith or make professions of what we would do if in difficult circumstances.  But when we find ourselves in difficult circumstances and faith in God is needed is when the real test of it takes place.  Humbling ourselves and listening even more closely to the Lord’s voice would be the route to take, even as Ezra did.  He was blessed and strengthened for it, and so will we be.

Big "WOWS!" in Just a Few Words

And he led Him up and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.  And the devil said to Him, “I will give You all this domain and its glory; for it has been handed over to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. Therefore if You worship before me, it shall all be Yours.” Jesus answered him, “It is written,‘You shall worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.’” Luke 4:5-8

Has it ever triggered your imagination when reading this passage to contemplate what actually occurred between Satan and Jesus when it says Satan “showed Him all the kingdoms of the world ­in a moment of time.”?  How did that occur? Could you be shown all the kingdoms of the world in only a moment of time?  I can’t explain that because I am human and finite, but it strikes me clearly that Jesus was divine as well as human in being able to be shown so much in so little time.

One more big thing about this little incident:  There were just three temptations Satan chose to target on Jesus at this occasion.  It would make sense that they would have been pivotal issues, not just incidentals of little consequence.  In this one, the issue was who would be the object of worship.  Jesus responded quickly by quoting the eternal word given to Moses and etched in stone by the hand of God: “Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.”  

Such a headline commandment from God thru Moses, thru time, and now challenged by Satan and answered by Jesus ought to resonate with us who read it today as still being the litmus test or yardstick by which we evaluate our affections, allegiances, and investments of our life resources.  Am I worshipping and serving the Lord my God and Him only?  It’s a contemporary as well as ancient question demanding honest response.  Jesus turned down the opportunity to worship anything else, and so must we. 

God is on Your Team!

He is the Captain.

Are You Judging Me?

That question often gets asked more like an indictment, and “You are judging me.” or “Who are you to judge?” are common accusations when a person feels censured or corrected about something.  In essence, someone taking a negative view of them, “judging them”,  is automatically judged (yes “judged”) to be an offensive foul, regardless of whether they were indeed right or wrong in their actions.

People like to use the Bible as a shield whenever they can.  After all, it says, “Judge not, ...” (Matthew 7:1-5)  Those two words, “Judge not” taken out of context seem like a great defense against anyone’s correction of us.  However, taken in context it is obvious the point of Jesus warning was to be sure we are not hypocritical or unwilling to have our own ways examined if we are going to call someone else to account. 

Jesus also said in John 7:24: “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment."

In reality, we all have to make judgments (decisions) every day about whom to trust, whom to do business with, or with whom to fellowship.  We don’t need to pronounce our judgments most of the time, and it’s usually best we don’t, but we nevertheless need to make them as we determine what courses of action we will take. 

If we are to some degree responsible for someone else as in a parent, mentor, or supervisory role there are times when it is indeed our duty to inquire, investigate, prayerfully examine our own heart, actions and motives, and then lovingly, but with commitment to the truth and a desire for a positive outcome, correct someone about their actions, attitudes or words. 

They may or may not receive it well, but if it is indeed our responsibility to deliver such a message to them, then “Who are you to judge?” should not come to their mind.  If it does, we should know who we are to them and be prepared to answer.  If we don’t have a relationship which qualifies us to judge them, then indeed their question is a rightful challenge to us and we need to step back in bounds.

Hold On To Your Kite!

Yesterday, when I heard Dr. Michael Brown say that only 8% of Christians read their Bibles regularly, I thought, it’s no wonder many people lack consistency in their behavior and have no good foundation for making important decisions.

If you recall what you know about flying kites, you remember that in addition to the kite itself, which is designed to catch the wind, the tail and the person holding the string are both vital stabilizers which allow the kite to attain and maintain its flight.  A kite cut loose becomes a victim of the wind and takes the path of least resistance toward the ground.

Similarly, when a person intends to live for Christ he is attempting flight far above the heads of those who are content to follow a crowd, do whatever seems right at the time and brings immediate gratification.  However, to attain and maintain such flight requires the anchoring of Scripture as well as the stabilizing tail of the Holy Spirit.  Jesus said that the Holy Spirit will lead us (tail) into all truth and remind us of the things Jesus has said (Scripture).   John 14:26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.  ALSO: Psalm 119:9-11 How can a young man keep his way pure?  By keeping it according to Your word.  With all my heart I have sought You;  Do not let me wander from Your commandments. Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against You.

“Hold on to your kite” is a reminder to stay invested in the Scriptures on a regular basis.  The Holy Spirit will remind us of what we have put into our minds and hearts, but “re-minding” is dependent on having “minded” something in the first place.

Sunday After-Words

"TRANSFORMERS: Most will destroy us; some will rescue us."  That was yesterday's message title.

The message focused primarily on our need to be in the process of being transformed by God’s Word, His Spirit, and those whose transforming lives encourage and challenge us toward further transformation.  If we deliberately and consistently follow this course we will experience transformation into true Christ-likeness.  We were encouraged to fix our eyes on Jesus and determine to run toward Him along with others who are also passionate about becoming like Him.  

The phrase “Most will destroy us” applies to the transformative power of those influences which encourage us toward taking life easier, following the path of least resistance, and listening to the voices which tell us “we deserve it”.  Its various transformative messages include such things as the following:

     “Do what you feel like doing.  It’s easier to get forgiveness than permission.”

     “Don’t make commitments to serve because you need more time for yourself.” 

     “Give in to your kids on whatever they want so you don’t have to be the ‘bad guy’ or deal with their displeasure.”

     “Spend on yourself first, and give to God from whatever is left.  He’s responsible to see you have plenty for both.”

     “Church should be convenient, entertaining, and helpful for keeping a positive attitude.  It’s supposed to be a blessing to me, not a place where I sacrifice to serve others or where others challenge the way I think and act.”

These messages and others like them are “transformers” that are active in our world and can destroy us.  We need to watch out for the bad ones while we seek out the good ones.

LET'S GET NAKED

No, I’m not suggesting we take off our clothes like some current series’ in the media are featuring.  I am suggesting that in relationships of trust and grace we get completely honest with each other about where it is we are struggling.  Ist Corinthians 10:13 should assure us that no matter where we struggle we aren’t as weird as we fear, and it tells us that God’s grace is present and sufficient to help us get it together.  

I believe that some of the things we are pained over aren’t as big a deal as they seem to us, and other things that bother us less ought to get more attention.  In either case, if we are beating around the bush in our self-disclosure and are not willing to get completely honest with ourselves and a trustworthy mature friend who can coach us with practical, biblically-based counsel, we will likely continue in our present course until we wear out and settle for living with frustration and mediocrity.  Let’s not do that.  We don’t have to take all our clothes off to get real and get better.

HOW DO YOU SEE IT?

John 7:22-24   For this reason Moses has given you circumcision (not because it is from Moses, but from the fathers), and on the Sabbath you circumcise a man. If a man receives circumcision on the Sabbath so that the Law of Moses will not be broken, are you angry with Me because I made an entire man well on the Sabbath? Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment."

From this passage and others we can see that Jesus was often at odds with the religious experts of His time about what God valued and what the Law really called for.  In our current Christian culture there are many who claim faith in Christ, but who reject the church and many of its teachings.  Could it be that the legalism and traditionalism of past decades in much of American Christianity has spurred the reaction of casting off all restraints of historic evangelical teaching and culture? 

Why might this be?  Whenever Bible passages are construed to refer to present situations which did not even in exist when the Bible was written, and the situations are not parallel, the credibility and authority of people teaching such things is reduced on all subjects.  Examples include teachings about the role of women in the church, hair length, jewelry, make-up, the essence of “modesty”, consumption of alcohol, aspects of sexuality, and even music styles.  Then add in conflicting dogmatic assertions about end-time Bible prophecy, spiritual gifts, worship styles, what is “proper” preaching, and a seemingly endless list of other doctrinal or practical sacred cows, and it’s not hard to see why some people want to chuck the whole “organized” church thing and just keep it simple with Jesus and the parts of the Bible they think they understand.   

While that’s very understandable and I could want to jump right into the middle of that crowd, some very clear unmistakable teachings of Jesus do not give us that option.  Surely the Lord knew that such conflicts would occur among His followers, yet He prayed that we might be “one” even as He and His Father are One. (See John 17, 1 Corinthians 1, Psalm 133, and countless other passages) It seems He intended that His Spirit in us would take the sandpaper of our differences and smooth us all into unique but unified parts of His Body that would work together and defer to the Head, maximizing the value of our distinctives rather than letting them divide us.

John 17:20-23 “I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one;  I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me.

It is as we seek the Lord together and share our various and sometimes opposing viewpoints in love that we are all challenged and enriched—and also sometimes frustrated.  Ultimately, God is able to work in us all toward more Christ-like character and a clearer understanding and adoption of what His will truly is.  (See Ephesians 5:11-16)

It's No New Thing

I wrote a couple days ago about the increased tendency for people—Christians included—to believe as true whatever we want truth to be.  While it may be easier than ever to find voices of agreement with our desires in this age of limitless communication, the human inclination toward such is nothing new.  In the Life Journal reading passage for today we see that hundreds of years B.C. there were so-called prophets who were popular for telling people everything was OK, and there was no need to change their ways.  There were a far fewer number of them who actually spoke the word of the Lord and whose prophecies were fulfilled in detail according to what the Lord had said.  The question we each need to consider is: What voices are we listening to?  Do they line up with Scripture or just make us feel good about ourselves?  Here is a short passage from Jeremiah that illustrates the contradictions between a prophet of God and a self-proclaimed one. 

Then Jeremiah the prophet said to Hananiah the prophet, "Listen now, Hananiah, the Lord has not sent you, and you have made this people trust in a lie. Therefore thus says the Lord, 'Behold, I am about to remove you from the face of the earth. This year you are going to die, because you have counseled rebellion against the Lord.'" So Hananiah the prophet died in the same year in the seventh month. Jeremiah 28:15-17

How's Your Money Situation?

There are 3 essential components to successful finances:

Faith: Realizing that God cares for me.  He is the provider of my skills, opportunities, and ultimately all resources come from His almighty hands.

Knowledge: Learning and accepting economic realities of life, rather than thinking credit cards or lottery winnings will help me get ahead.

Discipline: Choosing to trust God and give to Him first, maximizing my income and minimizing my spending, choosing to save some, and spend wisely.

Getting all three of these in this order is also vital. 

Faith is the “God-factor”.  That’s huge!  It’s foundational, or “first base” as some say.

Knowledge is essential in directing Discipline on a wise course, or Discipline can be futile. 

Discipline is the implementation of Faith and Knowledge that brings success and the peace that accompanies it.

What Do You Want to Believe?

I’m guessing that most people these days believe whatever they really want to believe.  You ask “Why?”.  

A cataclysmic shift has occurred in how people’s beliefs are shaped today compared with a few generations ago.  Parents, grandparents, pastors and teachers used to be the trusted authorities and counselors on what to believe and how to live.  But with the information explosion largely fueled by the internet, alternative viewpoints and arguments on literally every subject can readily be accessed and shape thinking and behavior. 

So instead of trusting the wisdom of previous authorities, if a person wants to think and act contrary to their counsel all they have to do is google an opposing viewpoint and feel quite justified in charting a different course.

So what?  More to come on this phenomenon.

A LOOK IN THE MIRROR

Jeremiah was a young man to whom God assigned a message of judgment on the nation of Judah.  Judgments aren’t fun to read, but the transgressions cited and the judgments rendered can be very insightful and helpful if we will examine our own lives in light of them. 

God has not changed in all eternity, so certainly not in the period of history since His dealings with His people through the prophets.  Jeremiah is part of the current readings from Life Journal daily reading guide which many follow, and chapter 2 deserves personal reflection on how we are serving God or serving “the works of our own hands”.  Here are two verses from chapter 2:  (italics mine)

11"Has a nation changed gods when they were not gods? (No.  We’re pretty loyal to our idols/gods because we made them up in the first place to fit our desires.)

But My people have changed their glory (the true God) for that which does not profit.

13 "For My people have committed two evils:

They have forsaken Me, The fountain of living waters,

To hew for themselves cisterns, broken cisterns that can hold no water.

VITAMINS

"Take your vitamins."  Ever say that or hear that?  They are supposed to improve our health, energy levels, etc.  As I was going online toward my passages of Scripture for reading and meditation today I was first prompted toward a "verse of the day".  I read it and thought, "That's kind of like a vitamin.  Or maybe a triple shot mocha, depending on your preference."  In either case, it occurred to me how even one verse of Scripture taken in and considered for 10-30 seconds can energize, encourage and enrich one's heart and mind.  In addition to our "meals" of God's Word, sometimes just a "vitamin" is a great thing to take a few moments for.  BTW -That verse was Ephesians 5:1-2 "Follow God's example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us..."

Leaders and Followers

Leaders and Followers: We are all both to somebody.  We need to choose carefully whom to follow, and live responsibly, knowing others may be choosing to follow us.  

Hebrews 13:7-8 Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

That Unsaid Last 2%

Had any “last 2% conversations” this week?  They can greatly strengthen and lubricate relationships when done in a spirit of love and value of the other person.  May God grace us toward wholesome, honest loving relationships.  No passive/aggressive.  No avoidance.  No beating around the bush when understanding is crucial.  

Jesus is the perfect example of dealing with relationships in love and truth, mercy and truth, grace and truth.  He calls us as sinners, but deals with our sin and makes us saints.  He calls us to similarly deal in love, mercy, grace and truth with each other.  Let’s determine to always do it!  (If you had to miss last Sunday’s get together, you want to catch the message @ lifepointschurch.com)

Out of Darkness Into His Marvelous Light!

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 1 Peter 2:9

His call continues to draw us out of our old ways of thinking and acting into His excellent ways of living in marvelous light.  

What is the Holy Spirit drawing you towards thinking and doing today?  

What are the Scriptures showing you about God’s excellencies and pathways for living?  

What has He already done in your life that you are proclaiming to others?  God is calling them too, and you are part of His mouthpiece.

It's Gonna Get Better!!!!

I enjoy life most of the time, but whether it’s a yummy moment or a yucky one I often remind myself that something far, far, far better is yet to come, and it will be unending.  After considerable writing about what’s ahead for those who follow Christ, Paul concluded with the following: “Therefore, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”  1 Corinthians 15:58

If You Really Loved Me

Someone said there are three kinds of love: I love you if…,  or I love you because…,  or I love you in spite of...  Obviously, God’s love for us is an “I love you in spite of” kind of love in that while we were sinners, and whether we love Him or not, He died for us and demonstrated His unconditional “in spite of” kind of love. (Romans 5:8)

But what about those three kinds of love between people?  Oftentimes people handle love only in conditional ways such as “because…” or “if…”.  In the “because” kind, loving responses are based on something they are getting from the relationship.  Many relationships are based on reciprocal “because” kinds of loving.  When one party ceases to need or be receiving from the other, the relationship dies. 

In the conditional “if” kind, loving responses are based on if you agree with me, or if you do what I want you to do for me.  But if you disagree or won’t support something I’m doing, we’re done. 

If we use God’s love as the reflection and definition of true love, then “because” and “if” relationships don’t deserve to be called love at all.  They are basically just standard human manipulations based on our insecurities and efforts to meet our own personal felt needs through interactions with others. 

Though unconditional love is a marvelous thing, there are times with people when even it isn’t enough.  If they only know “because” or “if” kinds of “love”, when they are given unconditional love that doesn’t include agreement with them or giving them whatever they want, they check out, and will often claim they weren’t loved at all or loved very well.

Where does this happen?  In marriages, among siblings, between parents and children, and in the Body of Christ.  Wherever love is expected, it can be misunderstood, wrongly defined, withheld, and a tool of manipulation. 

God expects us to love with His “in spite of” kind of love, and to “speak the truth in love” to each other, even when the truth isn’t what someone wants to hear or believe that it is so.  (Ephesians 4:11-16)

Bottom line: We should determine to love everyone with God’s “in spite of” kind of love.  And be sure the loving relationships we have with others are not ones in which we are manipulating them to get what we want, or letting them do that to us.  God’s kind of love does not manipulate.  It serves and blesses, but always stands with the truth.  (1 Corinthians 13:4-8 This passage says it pretty well, don’t you think?  J)

Help Somebody

This past weekend I went into a Taco Bell in early morning and saw what appeared to be a mother and her two girls get out of their old truck, split up and go into both restrooms, lock the doors and make quite a bit of noise with the water.  Seemingly getting “cleaned up" for the day.  We are all seeing people struggling just to exist and have something to eat.  

IDEA: Rather than be numbed by the numbers of people in this condition, find somebody who truly needs help and is doing the best they know how, and ask God how He would have you help them.  Most people in dire straits get more criticism and suggestions than compassionate help.  If a lecture would change their situation they would be in good shape.  The love of God demonstrated as compassionate assistance with basic needs can be a powerful witness, and is something Jesus did when on earth, and does today through His Body.  Do to others what you would want them to do to you.  Familiar ring?  We can make a difference for some.

WINDS OF CHANGE

Seemingly every place we look things are changing, and in many cases the changes don’t look good.  The national debt clock keeps driving the US economy deeper into a hole, while the economy is stagnant and the number of individuals and families in poverty keeps growing.  There is true human tragedy at our borders and stories of tragedy in the homelands from which people are fleeing.  Ukrainian immigrants in the US are worried about their families and friends back home and wondering what will become of their country.  Israel is in a fight for its survival amidst hostile neighbors and a passive if not hostile world.  Terrorism is widespread and growing all over the world, and Western democracies and Christians everywhere are the primary targets.  The Veteran’s Administration and the IRS are two of the many domestic government scandals near the top of the news cycle, undermining confidence in our government.  And all that barely scratches the surface of the troublesome news that blows at us and around us every day. 

What’s the effect of this kind of bombardment?  It wears on us.  It causes us to wonder what’s next.  It makes us want to find shelter from it.  It makes us want to escape to a place no country wants to take over and no terrorist wants to bomb, and where the economy is independent and simple.  It makes us want to turn away from people and avoid conflict wherever we can.  We want to turn inward. 

It’s important to recognize that such influences around us cause us to feel certain ways and think certain things are the solution to our discomfort.  While some responses of turning inward or making changes have some merit, others can seem good, but be very wrong and costly.  For example, deciding to spend more time with the Lord and His Word to combat the pressures of life is a good choice, while turning away from the Lord and seeking comfort or excitement in other people or places is choosing death to our souls.  It’s like going to the ocean to get a drink.  Some people think getting rid of their spouse or having a fling with someone else will brighten their life.  Some think a new hobby, sport or entertainment pastime will ease the pressure they feel.  Some decide to “party”, which is basically giving up on making life work, and trying to bring some passing pleasure into a life that is filled with disappointments and hurts.  Choices.  Winds. 

Someone said, “Since we can’t control the wind, we need to adjust our sails.”  Wise adjustment means setting them in a way that the winds of life push us closer to God, His people, and the important relationships and responsibilities that go with serving His eternal purposes for our lives.  His plan is that trials would grow our faith in Him and develop His character within us as we live in humility and grace with the people He has strategically placed in our lives and to whom we have made commitments.

When the going gets tough, the ones who stay on course get tougher, and are ultimately rewarded.  I pray for you, and let’s pray for each other what Jesus prayed for Peter, that his faith would not give out, even though Satan desired to sift him like wheat.  (Luke 22:31-32)

See also along these lines: James 1:2-4, 1 Corinthians 15:50-58, Hebrews 12, Hebrews 10:23-36

Remember, “It is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13) and “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6)

Hang in there, and draw closer to Christ!

Keep Looking WAAAAY Up!

The news isn't good these days.  But guess what--God isn't nervous or caught off guard or hindered in any way.  We are with Him for the looooong haul if we're trusting Jesus as our Lord and Savior.  Whatever you see around you that's troubling, whether in your home or on the news reports, get outside, look up, and praise the One Who promised He'd never leave you or give up on you.  He's got you in His hands, and He's coming back to take you with Him.  He'll ultimately be seen as Lord of all by all, and will settle all scores justly.  Look at the clouds, the sun, moon and stars, and remember He knows each of them as He knows the very hairs of your head.  "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!" Philippians 4:4  

Just Be Nice

This Sunday (20^th) we’ll be talking about the causes and effects of just being nice.  Most everybody can be nice when they want to, but imagine just being nice and never being mean or rude.  What potential for effective evangelism is there in just being nice?  If you have some thoughts, illustrations or examples along this line, ,please share them with me this week.  You may improve the Sunday message.  Wouldn’t that be nice!  Send to duanecoller@hotmail.com or text to 860-7170.

Feelings Like Snowflakes

Snowflakes seems like a refreshing thought during a week like this, but if they were exposed to these temperatures they would dissolve quickly and even evaporate.  The creation and preservation of snowflakes is dependent on cold temperatures.  

Our feelings about many things are similarly dependent upon various circumstances around us and thoughts we choose to dwell on.  It’s why feelings make a very inconsistent basis for determining actions, yet many people let feelings guide their lives.  

By contrast, Scripture tells us to keep our minds on the Lord and to guard our thoughts.  That secures good thinking, proper actions, and thus even improves the feelings we experience.  (Philippians 4:4-9, Proverbs 4:23, Hebrews 12:1-3, Colossians 3:1-4, and so many others!)

Football Practice is TOO HARD!!!

Imagine the mother of a football player complaining to the coach that her son is coming home from practice tired, hungry and sore, and that practices shouldn’t be so physically demanding.  Is that how we sometimes pray to God when life, and maybe even the devil is dealing challenging blows to us?  How did Jesus pray for Peter when he was in such a place?   “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” Luke 22:31-32  …Perhaps we should follow Jesus' example and focus on increased faith rather than decreased difficulties.

God is not a WINDMILL

Windmills are operated by the pressure of wind against them.  Whether considering Jesus’ instructions not to keep repeating ourselves in prayer like the heathen (Matthew 6:7-8), or Solomon’s exhortation to let our words be few in speaking to God (Ecclesiastes 5:2), or James’ reminder (5:17-18) that God affected the rain or drought on a whole country for 3 ½  years by the two simple prayers of one man, it is evident that God is not more or less inclined to act because a number of people are begging Him, using certain buzz words, or appealing to His emotions based on their own.  

While there are times when groups of people need to humble themselves before God and ask Him to change them, that is different than supposing that God’s will in a situation will be determined by how many people “pray hard” (whatever that means) for something they want or think should be done.  Remember: God is BIG, WISE, LOVING, FAITHFUL, and INVESTED in us as individuals and in the world as a whole.  We need to trust and rest in Him, and be thankful that He is in control from today thru eternity!

I Like Feelings Too!

Faith vs Feelings.  Ever hear of that competition?  We're going to talk about "feelings" of faith tomorrow, and hopefully reduce the idea of competition between them.  Real faith generates real feelings.  Real feelings can substantiate faith.  In the same way that James said faith and works go together, and one without the other is suspect, so faith and feelings should travel well together.  It's just important to know the role each plays and the platform on which the foundation of faith stands.  It's not the feelings!  More to be said...