Come Lord Jesus

Revelation 22

20He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming soon."
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
21The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God's people. Amen.

What a fitting way to end the year in the Chronological One year Bible. As the book of Revelation and the year both come to an end, I echo the sentiments of John in asking Jesus to come. May it be soon. May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people until they are gathered by Jesus Himself. Amen.

New Life Resolution

Revelation 15

3 “Great and marvelous are your works,
O Lord God, the Almighty.
Just and true are your ways,
O King of the nations.
4 Who will not fear you, Lord,
and glorify your name?
For you alone are holy.
All nations will come and worship before you,
for your righteous deeds have been revealed.”

I long for the day when I get to join with the angels around the Throne of God singing this and other songs of praise to the Creator of the Universe. When I think about all the stuff going on here on the planet, I simply ache to be in the presence of God. Yes, I know that God is with me here, but I truly do desire to be with Him there. Until such time as He calls me home, I will continue to do my best to be a light shining for Him daily. This is not simply a New year’s Resolution, but it is my New Life In Christ Resolution and has been for the 24 years I have lived in that newness of life!

The END of the Story

Revelation 12

10Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say:
"Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God,
and the authority of his Christ.
For the accuser of our brothers,
who accuses them before our God day and night,
has been hurled down.
11They overcame him
by the blood of the Lamb
and by the word of their testimony;
they did not love their lives so much
as to shrink from death.
12Therefore rejoice, you heavens
and you who dwell in them!
But woe to the earth and the sea,
because the devil has gone down to you!
He is filled with fury,
because he knows that his time is short."

I LOVE the picture John paints in this passage! It is the END of the story. Satan is defeated, and in his fury is tossed into the abyss. Jesus reigns forever and ever and His Kingdom is fulfilled! Yeah, I want to be part of that Kingdom, and no I cannot wait for that day to come! Come quickly, Lord Jesus.

WOAH!

Revelation 10

1Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven. He was robed in a cloud, with a rainbow above his head; his face was like the sun, and his legs were like fiery pillars. 2He was holding a little scroll, which lay open in his hand. He planted his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land, 3and he gave a loud shout like the roar of a lion. When he shouted, the voices of the seven thunders spoke.

I love it when Scripture gives descriptions of angels. Nowhere in God’s Word are angels pictured as cute little cherubs with blonde hair and rosy cheeks. Everywhere angels are discussed there is fear among the people who see them. John describes this particular angel as having a face like the sun, burning pillars for legs, and a roaring lion voice like seven thunders. What a phenomenal looking creature! And he is simply a messenger of God! If this creature is the messenger, I can only imagine what the Almighty Creator of Heaven and Earth must look like (actually He is described in Revelation as a bejeweled Being with flaming eyes, a sword coming out of His mouth etc. WOAH!)!!

THAT'S the Jesus I Serve

Revelation 5

11Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. 12In a loud voice they sang:
"Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and praise!"
13Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing:
"To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be praise and honor and glory and power,
for ever and ever!" 14The four living creatures said, "Amen," and the elders fell down and worshiped.

Quite a different reception for Jesus than the one we celebrate this time of year. No shepherds, no manger, no baby. Jesus in His glory is surrounded by countless angels, the elders who sit in the Throne Room of Heaven, and the winged creatures covered with eyes, and they all proclaim Jesus is worthy to receive power, wealth, wisdom, strength, honor, glory and praise! Now THAT’S the Jesus I serve! To Him be praise and honor and glory forever and ever. Amen!

Forgetting Our First Love

Revelation 2

1"To the angel of the church in Ephesus write:
These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands: 2I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. 3You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. 4Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. 5Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. 6But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.

It is the day after Christmas. Shoppers are out bargain hunting and returning gifts. Radio stations are back to playing their “regular” music. Soon, tress will come down, decorations will be boxed up and stored again, and it will be as if Christmas never happened. May those of us who follow Christ never fall into that trap. May we never forget our first love, and may Jesus be glorified by our lives every day of the year.

Merry Christmas

1 John 4

7 Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. 8 But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
9 God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. 10This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.
11 Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. 12 No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us.

On this Christmas Day, may the Love of Jesus overflow in my life. What a blessed man I am. I am married to the most beautiful, godly woman ever. We have four children who love the Lord and serve Him daily. My Dad is here with us, so I am getting to share my love with him as I should scripturally. I live in paradise on earth (Vero Beach, FL). I serve God at a vibrant, growing church (Vero Christian). God has poured His love out on me in so many ways. How could I do any less than to share that love with others at every opportunity. Merry Christmas!

Christmas Wish

1 John 1

1 We proclaim to you the one who existed from the beginning, whom we have heard and seen. We saw him with our own eyes and touched him with our own hands. He is the Word of life. 2 This one who is life itself was revealed to us, and we have seen him. And now we testify and proclaim to you that he is the one who is eternal life. He was with the Father, and then he was revealed to us. 3 We proclaim to you what we ourselves have actually seen and heard so that you may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 4 We are writing these things so that you may fully share our joy.

I proclaim to you that the One being spoken of in this passage is none other than Jesus. On this Christmas Eve, may we all proclaim the Savior’s birth, celebrating God coming to earth in human form to save us from our sins. May the joy of Jesus fill your Christmas season and every day God grants you in the years to come.

Merry Christmas Everyone

2 Peter 3

11 Since everything around us is going to be destroyed like this, what holy and godly lives you should live, 12 looking forward to the day of God and hurrying it along. On that day, he will set the heavens on fire, and the elements will melt away in the flames. 13 But we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth he has promised, a world filled with God’s righteousness.
14 And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight.

Peter doesn’t pull any punches, does he? Here’s the deal. The earth and everything in it will be destroyed. A new heaven and new earth will take its place, and those who belong to Jesus will inhabit that new earth. Those who reject Jesus will be destroyed. Merry Christmas, everyone!

I am a Goober

1 Peter 3

1 In the same way, you wives must accept the authority of your husbands. Then, even if some refuse to obey the Good News, your godly lives will speak to them without any words. They will be won over 2 by observing your pure and reverent lives.
3 Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. 4 You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God. 5 This is how the holy women of old made themselves beautiful. They trusted God and accepted the authority of their husbands. 6 For instance, Sarah obeyed her husband, Abraham, and called him her master. You are her daughters when you do what is right without fear of what your husbands might do.7 In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered.

I am so blessed. I have a wife filled with both inner and outer beauty. I know that I do not treat her as she deserves, because she is a Princess of the Most High God. Me? I am a goober. Thank You, Lord for allowing me the privilege of being married to Peggy Ruth Dixon Blount anyway!

Praise Without Ceasing

Hebrews 13

15 Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name. 16 And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God.

Just as we are to pray without ceasing, we are to praise without ceasing. Showing God our love for Him has to involve more than just our lip service, it requires our life service. Doing good and sharing with those in need, now that is how we praise God. Those are acceptable sacrifices in God’s sight. May my life be an acceptable sacrifice of praise to my Lord and Savior. May people in need benefit from that sacrificial lifestyle.

Focus...Focus

Hebrews 12

1Therefore, 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. 2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Throwing off everything that hinders is a whole lot easier to say than to do. The sin that so easily entangles, does so easily. Running with perseverance takes every ounce of strength I can muster. Fixing my eyes on Jesus is the key. When I fix my eyes on Him, this other stuff is easier. I didn’t say it was easy, just that it is easier. My focus has not been what it should on several days here lately, and I praise God for His patience with me, as I stumble along in the race marked out for me.

Jesus is Superior

Hebrews 8

1 Here is the main point: We have a High Priest who sat down in the place of honor beside the throne of the majestic God in heaven. 2There he ministers in the heavenly Tabernacle, the true place of worship that was built by the Lord and not by human hands.
3 And since every high priest is required to offer gifts and sacrifices, our High Priest must make an offering, too. 4 If he were here on earth, he would not even be a priest, since there already are priests who offer the gifts required by the law. 5 They serve in a system of worship that is only a copy, a shadow of the real one in heaven. For when Moses was getting ready to build the Tabernacle, God gave him this warning: “Be sure that you make everything according to the pattern I have shown you here on the mountain.”
6 But now Jesus, our High Priest, has been given a ministry that is far superior to the old priesthood, for he is the one who mediates for us a far better covenant with God, based on better promises.

Here’s the main point: Jesus is the ONLY way to God the Father. Jesus is the ONLY way through which we can be saved. Jesus is the ONLY way for the forgiveness of sins. Jesus is the One who mediates for us with a better covenant with God, based on better promises. Jesus IS SUPERIOR!

Grow Up!

Hebrews 5

11 There is much more we would like to say about this, but it is difficult to explain, especially since you are spiritually dull and don’t seem to listen. 12 You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food. 13 For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn’t know how to do what is right. 14 Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong.

People are Spiritually lazy. Of that there is no doubt. It is not even up for debate. It takes discipline to study God’s Word on a daily basis. It takes work to pour through the Scriptures. So many people are content to sit in the pews on Sunday mornings, let the preacher tell them what the Bible says, then leave the church building to “live their own life” until the next time they come back to church. Those people are NOT Christ Followers. Jesus is pretty clear about His expectations for those who claim to follow Him. Jesus expects us to grow spiritually daily as we walk with Him. Been in church for a year or longer? Why aren’t you teaching? Hmmmm…

Undivided Attention

Hebrews 2

1 So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it. 2 For the message God delivered through angels has always stood firm, and every violation of the law and every act of disobedience was punished. 3 So what makes us think we can escape if we ignore this great salvation that was first announced by the Lord Jesus himself and then delivered to us by those who heard him speak?

I love the book of Hebrews. To be reminded that Christ is Superior and that we must not turn away from the Truth, is so vitally important. It is easy to get off track. It is not just the busyness of life, but our own selfish ambitions that can cause us to lose focus. These are extremely busy times, and there certainly are many issues vying for my undivided attention. Let me proclaim right now that I am interested in giving my undivided attention to only One Person: Jesus.

Teach the Truth

2 Timothy 4

1 I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when he appears to set up his Kingdom: 2 Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.
3 For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will reject the truth and chase after myths.
5 But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.

It is interesting to me to read Paul’s charge to Timothy here. People who claim to follow Jesus can easily get caught up in the mindset of just wanting their ears tickled. Large portions of those who claim to be Christians would trade the Word of God for manmade traditions. I don’t say these things with a holier-than-thou attitude, but rather with a heart that is broken because of such attitudes. Please, God, use me to teach Your Truth unencumbered by manmade myths or traditions.

Peaceable and Considerate

Titus 3

1Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, 2to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.

I failed in this regard to these instructions yesterday. I allowed anger to get the better of me in a discussion with Dad. My anger grew out of his denial and enabler mentality creeping back in. This anger was mistakenly directed towards my sister. I’m not angry with her, but I was very angry with Dad yesterday. That was not a good attitude for me to have, and it accomplished absolutely nothing! It is time for me to eat some humble pie, apologize to Dad while explaining my anger yesterday so we can move ahead. Man, this Christ-follower stuff can be hard work sometimes. It sure is worth it, though!

Content

James 6

6But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.

In the commercialized season known as “Christmas,” we are bombarded with advertisements attempting to entice us to get “stuff” that we simply cannot live without. How sad that so many who follow Christ fall into that trap. I have no needs at Christmas other than to be with the ones I love enjoying their company. I am a contented man: I have my salvation in Christ; I am married to the most beautiful woman on the planet; we have children who love and serve Jesus; I am blessed to minister at Vero Christian Church, working with people to want to glorify God always; and I live five miles from the beach in south central Florida! Yeah, baby, I am blessed beyond reason. How could I possibly desire anything else?

Submit to God

James 4

7Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Submission to God is one of the toughest things to do ever. I am one of those type A personalities who wants everything in place, and wants to be in control. When I was baptized into Christ, I had to forgo the “being in charge” of my life attitude. That part of me still flares up from time-to-time, and I do have to battle it. My desire is to be used by and to be usable by God. That can only happen when I submit myself to Him, resist the devil and live my life for Christ. It is my desire to submit to God daily and send the devil fleeing from my life.

Opportunity for Great Joy

James 1

2 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

In John 16:33 Jesus reminds us that in this world we will have troubles, but that we can take heart because Jesus has overcome the world. Here, Jesus’ half-brother, James reminds us that trouble is merely an opportunity for great joy. With the events of the past couple of days, there must be a season of unparalleled joy coming my way. I will cling to that thought, and I DO believe that. In the meantime, God, one good night’s sleep would come in handy. Thank You, Lord for being with me in the midst of the current trials in my life. May I lean that much more on You right now. I know that You will work things out for the good, because I do love You and I am called according to Your purpose. My desire is to let Jesus shine in me and through me always. I ask this in His precious Name. Amen.

Sigh

Philippians 4

4Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

This is perhaps the most difficult Scripture passage to live out, ever. Circumstances in my family life involving my Dad and Sister, make it a challenge for me to rejoice, or to NOT be anxious. I know that I have to turn it all over to the Lord, and I am trying. I am trying. I do long for that peace of God, which transcends understanding to guard my heart and my mind. A good night’s sleep wouldn’t be too bad, either.

Begging for Discernment

Philippians 1

9And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, 11filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

I am struggling today. I am torn between forgiveness and mercy AND protecting my Dad for further disaster at the hands of my sister. I wish I could believe that she truly has changed, but I still see a conniving, working behind-backs modus operandi in her. While I want to forgive her, I don’t trust her. Recent moves on her part give me absolutely no reason to do so, but all Dad can say is, “she’s my daughter.” I am trying to discern what is best in this situation, and am seeking advice from people in a position to give me an informed, objective opinion. I am begging God for relief today, because I feel a heavy weight on my shoulders.

Fall to my knees

Okay, so I got out of order in my reading, having read today's passages yesterday (and subsequently having blogged on them), so here is a portion of the reading from Dec. 8th, and my thoughts on that portion of the reading from God's Word:

Colossians 1

15 Christ is the visible image of the invisible God.
He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation,
16 for through him God created everything
in the heavenly realms and on earth.
He made the things we can see
and the things we can’t see—
such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world.
Everything was created through him and for him.
17 He existed before anything else,
and he holds all creation together.
18 Christ is also the head of the church,
which is his body.
He is the beginning,
supreme over all who rise from the dead.[f]
So he is first in everything.
19 For God in all his fullness
was pleased to live in Christ,
20 and through him God reconciled
everything to himself.
He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth
by means of Christ’s blood on the cross.
21 This includes you who were once far away from God. You were his enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions. 22 Yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault.

As I read this passage, I cannot help but want to fall on my knees and worship the Lord Jesus! He alone is worthy of my praise, glory and honor. He alone is worth of my worship. I pray that God will protect me from the evil thoughts that would diminish the role of Jesus. I pray that God would help me to be strong in my passion for proclaiming that Jesus is the Christ, the ONLY Son of the Living God. I am amazed that God would want to declare me without a single fault, and awestruck at the thought that Jesus did that for ME!

Growing Deep Roots In Christ

Colossians 2

6 And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. 7 Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.

Continuing to follow Christ includes doing what is necessary to let your roots grow down into Him. Spending daily time in His Word is the BEST way to grow those roots deeply. Being actively involved with the local church is next. Having an attitude of gratitude is the only way to be. Learning to get along with others is best grasped when you have to get along with brothers and sisters in Christ. Oh yeah, did I mention staying in the Word of God daily? Lord, help my roots to grow even deeper in You this day. Thank You for the local church, for brothers and sisters in Christ, and most of all for the Bible!

Unity In The Body

Ephesians 4

1 Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. 2 Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. 3 Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. 4 For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. 5 There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 and one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all.

It is my desire that all who are united with Christ would unite with one another in spirit and in purpose. We may disagree over non-essentials, but in matters of eternal significance, we should stand as one. May the peace of Christ bind us together not just in this Holy Season of Christmas, but every day of the year.

How and Why We Are Saved

Ephesians 2

8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

We are saved by grace through faith, in baptism for good works. It really is that simple. It is through nothing we have done, nor could do that we are saved. It is for the reason of bringing glory and honor and praise to God the Father by proclaiming the Good News of the Gospel of Christ. And yes, we were each created to DO good things for God. Not just tell people about Jesus, but live in such a way as to draw people closer to Him!

Share The Gospel Anyway

Acts 26

28Then Agrippa said to Paul, "Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?"
29Paul replied, "Short time or long—I pray God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains."

When I read this passage, I am struck by several thoughts. First, Paul, the great evangelist that he was, didn’t have a 100% conversion rate. Second, he didn’t let that stop him from sharing the Gospel with everyone anyway. Third, why do I let my fear of not having a 100% conversion rate slow me down in my desire to share the Gospel with a lost, dying world? It is my desire to have everyone with whom I come in contact become what I am except for my sins. May they see Christ in me and want that for themselves!

Not Convewnient

Acts 24
24Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus. 25As Paul discoursed on righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, "That's enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you."

How sad. But, that is the attitude of those caught up in worldly thinking…”I deal with this Jesus when I find it convenient.” Jesus didn’t say it would be convenient, or even easy. He was right, it is neither, but it is worth it to follow Him!

Paul's Salvation Story

Acts 22

6 “As I was on the road, approaching Damascus about noon, a very bright light from heaven suddenly shone down around me. 7 I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’
8 “‘Who are you, lord?’ I asked.
“And the voice replied, ‘I am Jesus the Nazarene,[c] the one you are persecuting.’ 9 The people with me saw the light but didn’t understand the voice speaking to me.
10 “I asked, ‘What should I do, Lord?’
“And the Lord told me, ‘Get up and go into Damascus, and there you will be told everything you are to do.’
11 “I was blinded by the intense light and had to be led by the hand to Damascus by my companions. 12 A man named Ananias lived there. He was a godly man, deeply devoted to the law, and well regarded by all the Jews of Damascus. 13 He came and stood beside me and said, ‘Brother Saul, regain your sight.’ And that very moment I could see him!
14 “Then he told me, ‘The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and hear him speak. 15 For you are to be his witness, telling everyone what you have seen and heard. 16 What are you waiting for? Get up and be baptized. Have your sins washed away by calling on the name of the Lord.’

This is Paul’s conversion account in his own words. So many well-intentioned people want to claim that Saul of Tsarus (who later changed his name to Paul), was “saved” on the road to Damascus. But read what Paul says. On the road, he had an encounter with Jesus, and was instructed to go into the city, “and there you will be told everything you are to do.” He obeys those instructions, and when Ananias comes to see him in Damascus, Paul’s sight is restored, he is told that he will be an Apostle to the Gentiles, and he is instructed in verse 16 to get up, be baptized, having his sins washed away by calling on the name of the Lord.” I guess that whole baptism thing really IS part of the salvation process, now isn’t it?

Where my worth comes from

Acts 20

24 But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.

Paul knows beyond a shadow of a doubt that his return to Jerusalem will result in prison, and possibly even physical death. Yet, he presses on because of the attitude expressed in Acts 20:24. As I read this entire passage today, seeing how others who loved Christ and loved Paul begged Paul not to go, how others prophesied Paul’s arrest, etc. and how Paul is resolved to follow the guidance of the indwelling Holy Spirit in his life, it humbles me to no end. What would my life be like if I was as bold as Paul? I mean, I am trying to follow the Spirit’s leading in my life, but I cannot say that I am singularly focused on that as Paul obviously was. I fall way short in that department. Repentance needs to be my next step, so that I too, may proclaim that my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus!

Take the Bible at its Word

2 Corinthians 11

1 I hope you will put up with a little more of my foolishness. Please bear with me. 2 For I am jealous for you with the jealousy of God himself. I promised you as a pure bride to one husband—Christ. 3 But I fear that somehow your pure and undivided devotion to Christ will be corrupted, just as Eve was deceived by the cunning ways of the serpent. 4 You happily put up with whatever anyone tells you, even if they preach a different Jesus than the one we preach, or a different kind of Spirit than the one you received, or a different kind of gospel than the one you believed.

I’ve been in a Facebook conversation with a recent graduate of a Bible college who does not believe that hell is an eternal place. Yeah, it is complicated, but it makes me sad that a guy can graduate from a Bible college without a full understanding of Scripture. He wants to lean toward the liberal, God-is-only-love side of things without considering the Righteous and Holy side of God. The sad thing is that this guy is working with teens in the church. Let me just say this: I will take God’s Word at its Word. When Jesus says (in Mt. 25:41) there is a place of eternal fire set aside for folks, and the Greek word translated in that verse means “without beginning and end, that which always has been and always will be” well, I guess I’ll believe Jesus and not some puffed up college graduate. Take the Bible at its Word, don’t let anyone lead you astray!

Balancing Act

2 Corinthians 6

14 Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? 15 What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever? 16 And what union can there be between God’s temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God said:
“I will live in them
and walk among them.
I will be their God,
and they will be my people.
17 Therefore, come out from among unbelievers,
and separate yourselves from them, says the LORD.
Don’t touch their filthy things,
and I will welcome you.
18 And I will be your Father,
and you will be my sons and daughters,
says the LORD Almighty.”

There’s a balancing act that must go into place here. I absolutely believe that Christ followers have no business teaming up with non-believers. Be that in business ventures, or in marriage! We who follow Christ have no business teaming up with those who follow satan! Period. I have told students for decades that they have no business dating a non-Christian, and I stand by that advice, as I believe this passage clearly supports my position. However, I also do not want to swing so far to that side that Christ followers would never have anything to do with non-believers. Some would take this passage and say, “see, we shouldn’t even talk to the pagans.” Excuse me…how can we be salt and light if we totally separate ourselves from non-believers? Partner with them? Never? Engage them in life situations where we can let Jesus shine forth through us? You betcha! Walk that balance beam for Jesus, baby!

Clear Effective Communication of God's Word

2 Corinthians 4

1 Therefore, since God in his mercy has given us this new way, we never give up. 2 We reject all shameful deeds and underhanded methods. We don’t try to trick anyone or distort the word of God. We tell the truth before God, and all who are honest know this.
3 If the Good News we preach is hidden behind a veil, it is hidden only from people who are perishing. 4 Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.

When you try to speak the plain truth using plain language or methods, you can run into a lot of opposition. Those whom satan has blinded will oppose you at every turn. They will do everything from trying to water down the message to flat out rejecting the substance of the message. The rejection should not be surprising, but the watering down is so disappointing. My prayer today is that God’s Word is communicated clearly, effectively, and without compromise.

Patience and harmony

Romans 15

1 We who are strong must be considerate of those who are sensitive about things like this. We must not just please ourselves. 2 We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord. 3 For even Christ didn’t live to please himself. As the Scriptures say, “The insults of those who insult you, O God, have fallen on me.” 4 Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.
5 May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. 6 Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Patience is not one of my strong suits, although I am better than I used to be in this area of my life. I know that God has to be infinitely patient with me, so I am encouraged in the knowledge that I can be more patient. I can hold my tongue. I can live in harmony, even when opinions differ. It is not easy, but it is necessary for joining together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Transofrming Thankfulness

Romans 12

1 And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. 2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

On this day after Thanksgiving, I again want to proclaim my love for God and give Him thanks for every good and perfect gift. May my life be a sacrifice of praise. As I daily take stock of the numerous blessings I have received, it is my desire to live in such a way, that others are attracted to Jesus because they see how He is working in my life. Lord, thank You for opening my eyes, my ears, and my heart to Your Word. May my transformed life give You the glory always.

God's Love

Romans 8

31 What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? 32 Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? 33 Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. 34 Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.
35 Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? 36 (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”]) 37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.
38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

On this Thanksgiving Day, 2009, I am so thankful for the love of God and the unbreakable bond in that love. It still boggles my mind that God would even WANT to love me. It is so humbling to think that God would WANT to use me in some small way to build up His Kingdom. It is amazing to me that God’s Grace and Mercy are mine. I try to show that same kind of love, mercy and grace to others. While I still struggle in that area with certain people, I know that it is my Christian duty to love them like God loves me. Help me, Lord to live out that love every day, not just on Thanksgiving Day.

Sin's Power Is Broken

Romans 6

1 Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? 2 Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it? 3 Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death? 4 For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.
5 Since we have been united with him in his death, we will also be raised to life as he was. 6 We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. 7 For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin. 8 And since we died with Christ, we know we will also live with him. 9 We are sure of this because Christ was raised from the dead, and he will never die again. Death no longer has any power over him. 10 When he died, he died once to break the power of sin. But now that he lives, he lives for the glory of God. 11 So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus.

The NLT headlines this passage of Scripture: “Sin’s Power Is Broken.” And since we in the Restoration Movement love to cite Romans 6:3-5 in our defense of baptism as part of the salvation process, I wanted to put the whole thing in context. We die to sin when we are united with Christ. We are untied with Christ when we are immersed (baptized) into His death, and raised with Him into a new life. That is what Christian Baptism pictures. It is in baptism that we come into contact with the Blood of Jesus (His death), and are united with Him to be shed of our sin. Yeah, a little country-fied lingo there. We are dead to the power of sin when we unite with Christ and we unite with Him in faith through baptism. Doesn’t get much more simple than that, folks.

Something For Which To Be Thankful!

Romans 3

22 We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.
23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. 24 Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. 25 For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, 26 for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he declares sinners to be right in his sight when they believe in Jesus.

I am so glad that God provide an escape from the penalty of my sin through His Son Jesus! While I fall short of God’s glorious standard (I LOVE the way the NLT renders v. 23), that standard has been met on my behalf through the Person of Jesus. My faith in Him leads to my obedience to the Gospel, so that the blood of Jesus shed on my behalf cleanses me of my sin. Now THERE is something for which to be THANKFUL during this Thanksgiving season!!!

Not for Wimps

1 Corinthians 16

13 Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. 14 And do everything with love.

Five commands from Paul in these two short verse of Scripture. Followers of Christ would do well to heed these commands. Satan does indeed prowl around like a roaring lion (1 Peter 5:8), so we need to stand guard. We need to stand firm in the faith, and not allow it to be watered down by culture or by false teachings. It takes true courage to stand up against such false teachings, because those teachings (“pray Jesus into your heart,” etc.) are so popular within the “Christian World.” In order to be strong, we must be in the Word of God every day. We must allow God to speak to us directly through the Bible, and not rely on someone else’s interpretation of what God says (don’t eat pre-chewed food). Then, there is that command to do it all in love again. Remembering the definition of love as was given in 1 Cor. 13. Yeah, this Christ following thing is not for wimps!

The Gospel

1 Corinthians 15

1Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. 2By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.
3For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. 6After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.

It is the Gospel of Christ that leads mankind to salvation. We must stand firmly upon that Gospel as preached by Peter, Paul and the others in the 1st century, and preach that SAME Gospel today. It is the message that is key. The method may change to suit the environment and the audience, but the message is the same always. I am so grateful that someone loved me enough to share the Gospel with me, and I pray that I may pass along that love through the Gospel message to all with whom I come in contact on a daily basis.

What Does Love Look Like?

1 Corinthians 13

4 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

While this passage is often used in wedding ceremonies, the context in which it was written has nothing to do with a wedding and everything to do with living your daily life in Christ. If we who follow Christ are known by our love, then what should that love look like? It should look like the description in these verses! Patient; kind; not jealous, boastful, or proud; love doesn’t demand its own way, is not irritable, keeps no record of wrongs; doesn’t rejoice about injustice; rejoices when truth wins out. Paul tells us that when we live lives of love, we never give up, never lose faith, are always hopeful and we endure through every circumstance. Man, this living a life of love is tough stuff, eh?

Methods and Message

1 Corinthians 9

19Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. 22To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. 23I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

Do not confuse Paul’s teaching here with the notion of “blending in” with the culture, because those two notions are not one in the same! Paul stood out wherever he went, standing up for the Gospel of Christ. He is talking about using different methods to reach different people, but the message of Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. We who want to follow Christ and make a difference in our culture today for His sake, would do well to remember this.

God IS Cool that Way

1 Corinthians 4

1 So look at Apollos and me as mere servants of Christ who have been put in charge of explaining God’s mysteries. 2 Now, a person who is put in charge as a manager must be faithful. 3 As for me, it matters very little how I might be evaluated by you or by any human authority. I don’t even trust my own judgment on this point. 4 My conscience is clear, but that doesn’t prove I’m right. It is the Lord himself who will examine me and decide.

Yes, this is the same Appollos who was taught the way even more accurately by Priscilla and Aquilla in Acts 18. Now, he is working with Paul and has been put in charge of explaining God’s mysteries. How cool is that? It does remind me of a guy named Rob Cox, who came to me as a teenager, having grown up in a denominational church. We studied God’s Word together, he was immersed into Christ for the forgiveness of his sins, went on to study at Kentucky Christian College (now University), and is a preacher today. Yeah, God IS cool that way!

More Accurately

Acts 18

24 Meanwhile, a Jew named Apollos, an eloquent speaker who knew the Scriptures well, had arrived in Ephesus from Alexandria in Egypt. 25 He had been taught the way of the Lord, and he taught others about Jesus with an enthusiastic spirit and with accuracy. However, he knew only about John’s baptism. 26 When Priscilla and Aquila heard him preaching boldly in the synagogue, they took him aside and explained the way of God even more accurately.

I cannot help but see the modern parallels to Appollos in denomination church teachings. Oh, there are plenty of folks who are eagerly and earnestly following Jesus to the best of their knowledge, they just need to be taught the way of God even more accurately. Man-made prayers don’t save you. Jesus saves you through faith in baptism for good works. May God use me as an Aauilla to denominationalists’ Appolloses and may the way of God be explained to them even more accurately so that they may glorify god through His Son Jesus, always!

Daily Joyful Prayer of Thanksgiving

1 Thessalonians 5

16 Always be joyful. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

The trifecta of Scripture verses not just for this season as we approach the American Holiday of Thanksgiving, but for every day of our lives! Yes, these verses are a run of three winning attitudes. 1) Always be joyful. Joy is not the same as happiness. To be happy is to depend on outside circumstances. Joy comes from within: as in your personal relationship with Christ. Joy does not depend on outward circumstances. That is why Christ followers can be joyful even in the midst of severe trials. 2) Never stop praying. We should have an attitude of prayer, always talking with and listening to God the Father. God desires to have a close, intimate personal relationship with us, and when we fail to speak with Him, it grieves Him greatly. 3) Be thankful in all circumstances. This IS a tough one. When my Mom died of pancreatic cancer in 1993, it was tough to be thankful, but I found reasons to give God the praise, glory and honor He deserves. I know that I can’t see the Big Picture, but that God does. I know that all will be revealed in due time. I trust that God loves me so much, that He does only want what is best for me, even in the midst of really stinky times. Because I know that, I can be thankful in all circumstances. Nothing nor no one can take my joy away from me. I will talk with God constantly each day to draw close to Him, and I will give thanks in all circumstances. This is my daily joyful prayer of thanksgiving. To do any less would be dishonoring to my Lord.

The Love of Christ

1 Thessalonians 4

9 But we don’t need to write to you about the importance of loving each other, for God himself has taught you to love one another. 10 Indeed, you already show your love for all the believers throughout Macedonia. Even so, dear brothers and sisters, we urge you to love them even more.

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

Paul confirms that command to the church in Thessalonica, and to us today. We Christ followers should be known by our love for one another, and our love for all people. Too often, the Church today is known for what it is against, not what is for. May the love of Christ motivate my every word, my every action not just toward other believers, but for the non-believers as well. I often have a LONG way to go in this area.

Open Minded Scripture Search

Acts 16

13 On the Sabbath we went a little way outside the city to a riverbank, where we thought people would be meeting for prayer, and we sat down to speak with some women who had gathered there. 14 One of them was Lydia from Thyatira, a merchant of expensive purple cloth, who worshiped God. As she listened to us, the Lord opened her heart, and she accepted what Paul was saying. 15 She was baptized along with other members of her household, and she asked us to be her guests. “If you agree that I am a true believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my home.” And she urged us until we agreed.

30 Then he brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household.” 32 And they shared the word of the Lord with him and with all who lived in his household. 33 Even at that hour of the night, the jailer cared for them and washed their wounds. Then he and everyone in his household were immediately baptized. 34 He brought them into his house and set a meal before them, and he and his entire household rejoiced because they all believed in God.

Acts 17

10 That very night the believers sent Paul and Silas to Berea. When they arrived there, they went to the Jewish synagogue. 11 And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth. 12 As a result, many Jews believed, as did many of the prominent Greek women and men.

Okay these three passages from today’s reading strike me because the two passages from chapter 16 are generally ignored by the “faith only” folks. If only they were like the Bereans who are described as “open minded” and are commended for “searching the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth.” I have heard “faith only” preachers tell read the story of Paul and Silas in the Philippian jail only to stop at verse 31, completely ignoring the rest of the passage! That is not just ignorance, that is arrogance! That is deliberate misleading of people. I was so angry it was all I could do to keep from storming out of the assembly (and only out of respect for family members did I keep my seat and hold my tongue at that time…I DID express my dismay at the teaching with family later). My prayer is that the “faith only” false doctrine will be shown to be what it is: false doctrine. May folks who hear God’s Word be given the Whole Gospel so they may properly respond in faith through baptism for salvation.

Setting It Straight

Galatians 3

24 Let me put it another way. The law was our guardian until Christ came; it protected us until we could be made right with God through faith. 25 And now that the way of faith has come, we no longer need the law as our guardian.
26 For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes. 28 There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham. You are his heirs, and God’s promise to Abraham belongs to you.

Let me put it another way: you are united with Christ in immersion (the biblical form of what is transliterated “baptism”), putting on Christ like putting on new clothes. You are NOT united with Christ by saying a man made prayer. You are NOT united with Christ by having water sprinkled on you, pour on you, or thrown at you. You belong to Christ WHEN you are united with Him in immersion. THEN, you are the true children of Abraham, heirs with the promise of God belonging to you. Why do so many well-intentioned people want to teach otherwise?

Suffering Hardships

Acts 14

21 After preaching the Good News in Derbe and making many disciples, Paul and Barnabas returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch of Pisidia, 22 where they strengthened the believers. They encouraged them to continue in the faith, reminding them that we must suffer many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God.

Woah, wait a minute! Did you catch that last part of verse 22? “Reminding them that we must suffer many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God.” Yup, “hardships.” No health and wealth gospel being preached by Paul and Barnabas! No easy way out being taught here. No, sit back in your comfort zones as doctrine of the 1st century Church. American Christians have not the first notion about suffering or hardship as it relates to their faith. I don’t. I live in a land where as of this writing, I am still free to practice my faith without fear of reprisal of imprisonment or death. Now, that may change in the years to come, but for now, there are no hardships to overcome. So, is it any wonder that the Church in America is fat, lazy, and out of touch? Is it any wonder that shysters can take to the TV airwaves, slick unknowing and unsophisticated people out of their money, all in the “name of Jesus.”? Is it any wonder we have allowed the government to take on the responsibilities of caring for the widows and orphans? Maybe it is time for some suffering and hardships so we in the Church in America can get back to our original calling.

Filled With Joy

Acts 13

49The word of the Lord spread through the whole region. 50But the Jews incited the God-fearing women of high standing and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region. 51So they shook the dust from their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium. 52And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

Oh, to be filled with joy after being persecuted for the sake of Jesus! Oh, to be so focused on Christ that no matter what else happens, I could give glory and honor and praise to God through His Son Jesus. May I be encouraged by this passage today, and may my life reflect a desire to stand up for Jesus no matter what, and to give Him praise while filled with joy and the Holy Spirit always.

No Favoritism

Acts 10

34 Then Peter replied, “I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism. 35 In every nation he accepts those who fear him and do what is right.”

God shows no favoritism. In every nation, God accepts those who fear Him and do what is right. It is the people of any nation that God accepts, not a nation itself. Sometimes, we Americans get this mistaken notion that our country is “special” and that God loves America. I contend that God couldn’t care less about the nation of the United States of America, but that He very much loves the people in this nation who fear Him and do what is right. I am not anti-American by any stretch, but America is not my saving grace, either. Jesus is my Savior. The Kingdom of God is my first allegiance. I will serve God whether or not it is legal to do so in America (and I believe we are headed toward a day when it will NOT be legal to do so). I have more in common with my Christian brothers in foreign countries than I have with the pagans in America. I just wish that I could effectively communicate that sentiment without being mistaken for being unpatriotic. I do love America, and I want to see her continue on the path upon which she was founded. That’s something I don’t see happening these days either. Sigh.

Saul Saved

Acts 9

3 As he was approaching Damascus on this mission, a light from heaven suddenly shone down around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?”
5 “Who are you, lord?” Saul asked.
And the voice replied, “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting! 6 Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
7 The men with Saul stood speechless, for they heard the sound of someone’s voice but saw no one! 8 Saul picked himself up off the ground, but when he opened his eyes he was blind. So his companions led him by the hand to Damascus. 9 He remained there blind for three days and did not eat or drink.
10 Now there was a believer in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, calling, “Ananias!”
“Yes, Lord!” he replied.
11 The Lord said, “Go over to Straight Street, to the house of Judas. When you get there, ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is praying to me right now. 12 I have shown him a vision of a man named Ananias coming in and laying hands on him so he can see again.”
13 “But Lord,” exclaimed Ananias, “I’ve heard many people talk about the terrible things this man has done to the believers in Jerusalem! 14 And he is authorized by the leading priests to arrest everyone who calls upon your name.”
15 But the Lord said, “Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel. 16 And I will show him how much he must suffer for my name’s sake.”
17 So Ananias went and found Saul. He laid his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Instantly something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized. 19 Afterward he ate some food and regained his strength.

Saul of Tsarsus encounter Jesus on the road to Damascus, but he was NOT saved on the road to Damascus. This passage clearly confirms that Saul was imply told to go into the city of Damascus and to wait to be told what to do. Then, Jesus led Ananias to teach Saul the Gospel. When he had done that, Saul was baptized. THAT is when Saul was saved. It is so sad that so many people want t twist the Bible to say what they want it to say instead of just reading it, keeping things in context and allowing the Bible to speak for itself.

Balance

Acts 6

1 But as the believers rapidly multiplied, there were rumblings of discontent. The Greek-speaking believers complained about the Hebrew-speaking believers, saying that their widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of food.
2 So the Twelve called a meeting of all the believers. They said, “We apostles should spend our time teaching the word of God, not running a food program. 3 And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility. 4 Then we apostles can spend our time in prayer and teaching the word.”
5 Everyone liked this idea, and they chose the following: Stephen (a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit), Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas of Antioch (an earlier convert to the Jewish faith). 6 These seven were presented to the apostles, who prayed for them as they laid their hands on them.
7 So God’s message continued to spread. The number of believers greatly increased in Jerusalem, and many of the Jewish priests were converted, too.

A proper sense of balance is needed for a church (or an individual) to remain healthy. Folks must be deeply rooted in the Word of God, and they must also reach out to help others within and from without the church membership. One without the other is no a healthy balance. Trying to exist without either is simply stupidity.

Obey God Not Men

Acts 5

40 The others accepted his advice. They called in the apostles and had them flogged. Then they ordered them never again to speak in the name of Jesus, and they let them go.
41 The apostles left the high council rejoicing that God had counted them worthy to suffer disgrace for the name of Jesus. 42 And every day, in the Temple and from house to house, they continued to teach and preach this message: “Jesus is the Messiah.”

I LOVE this passage of Scripture. The Apostles rejoiced when they were counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the name of Jesus. In America, those of us who follow Christ complain when the Politically Correct crowd wants to dismiss us, or even discriminate against us. The Apostles rejoiced after being flogged for the sake of Jesus. In America, those of us who follow Christ complain that our viewpoint is being suppressed by the culture, by the government, and by the people. The Apostles were ordered to never again speak in the name of Jesus, yet they continued to do just that knowing what the consequences would be. We may be entering a time of persecution in America, I don’t know. I do know that if it becomes illegal to preach in the name of Jesus, I will be a law breaker. I will obey God rather than man, if man’s law opposes what God’s Word says we are to do.

Proper Invitation

Acts 2

36 “So let everyone in Israel know for certain that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, to be both Lord and Messiah!”
37 Peter’s words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?”
38 Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 This promise is to you, and to your children, and even to the Gentiles—all who have been called by the Lord our God.” 40 Then Peter continued preaching for a long time, strongly urging all his listeners, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation!”
41 Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all.

When the first Gospel sermon was preached on the Day of Pentecost and when it came time to extend the invitation, what was said? Did Peter invite people to “pray Jesus into their hearts?” NO! He invited them to repent and to be baptized in the name of Jesus for the forgiveness of their sins. Why is it that so many people who claim to follow Christ today simply ignore this, or try to diminish this, or flat out deny this? Sigh.

Holy Heartburn

Luke 24

32 They said to each other, “Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?”

Two of Jesus’ followers are down in the dumps over the events that have occurred over the past few days. The man they thought was Messiah has been crucified. They trudge out of Jerusalem towards Emmaus when a “stranger” catches up with them on the road. He seems clueless about what is going on, and they attempt to “straighten him out,” only to find that this stranger seems to have a better grasp on the reality of the situation than either of these two long-faced followers of Jesus. After straightening out the two long faced followers using God’s Word, this stranger finally reveals Himself to be none other than Jesus! Finally, these two followers are illuminated as to God’s Truth. They see the folly of their long-faced, put Messiah in my box, attitudes, and their hearts burn with a passion for the Word, and for the Lamb of God. Holy Heartburn! As I read this passage today, I am reminded not just of my tie-dyed “Hearts Afire” shirt based on this Scripture story, but I am reminded of my past few days. I’ve teetered on the edge of being a long-faced follower, questioning whether or not Jesus really “gets it” and if so how it could all be playing out like it has. I really needed praise team rehearsal last night. Those folks ALWAYS pick me up with their desire to honor God through their musical talents. I really needed today’s Scripture reading. I really need to remember that Jesus has it all under control. I must turn it over to Him, because I can’t see the Big Picture. When I try to cram Jesus into my “Messiah Box” I am committing folly of the worst kind. May my heart burn with a desire for the Word, and for Jesus to illuminate me. No little purple pill (I take Nexium for my stomach acid reflux disease) is needed, this is the kind of heartburn that will do me good!

Closet Followers

Mark 15

43 Joseph of Arimathea took a risk and went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. (Joseph was an honored member of the high council, and he was waiting for the Kingdom of God to come.)

Matthew 27

57 As evening approached, Joseph, a rich man from Arimathea who had become a follower of Jesus, 58 went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. And Pilate issued an order to release it to him. 59 Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a long sheet of clean linen cloth. 60 He placed it in his own new tomb, which had been carved out of the rock. Then he rolled a great stone across the entrance and left.

Luke 23

50 Now there was a good and righteous man named Joseph. He was a member of the Jewish high council, 51 but he had not agreed with the decision and actions of the other religious leaders. He was from the town of Arimathea in Judea, and he was waiting for the Kingdom of God to come. 52 He went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. 53 Then he took the body down from the cross and wrapped it in a long sheet of linen cloth and laid it in a new tomb that had been carved out of rock.


John 19

38 Afterward Joseph of Arimathea, who had been a secret disciple of Jesus (because he feared the Jewish leaders), asked Pilate for permission to take down Jesus’ body. When Pilate gave permission, Joseph came and took the body away. 39 With him came Nicodemus, the man who had come to Jesus at night.

One of the interesting things about reading the Chronological One Year Bible, is getting to see the different accounts side-by-side as you are reading. Two things really jump out at me in this story as told by each of the four Gospel writers:
1) Joseph “took a risk.”
2) He was a “secret disciple” as was Nicodemus.
I wonder how many of us would be classified as a “secret disciple?” How many of us allow the fear of some group from whom we think we need approval to keep us quiet about wanting to follow Jesus. I mean, it certainly is not Politically Correct to do so, and the PC Police are anything but tolerant when it comes to those who would follow Christ. So, lots of folks choose to try to be “closet followers” of Christ. There comes a time when that is simply no longer an option. A risk must be taken. Just like Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus did. I just pray that those who are “closet followers” don’t wait too late, because Jesus says that he who acknowledges Him before me will be acknowledged by Him before the Father. Conversely those who deny Him before men, will be denied by Jesus before the Father.

The Enemy Has Been Defeated

Mark 15

37 Then Jesus uttered another loud cry and breathed his last. 38 And the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.

What satan planned as a defeat, God used for a great victory! When Jesus breathed His last breath on this earth, satan thought he had won. But the curtain separating the holy of holies from the most holy place in the temple was torn in two from top to bottom, signifying the separation between God and man no longer existed. Last night, I had the privilege of baptizing into Christ a dear friend of mine. It topped off an amazing day of good news on several fronts. This morning, I was made aware of some grumbling aimed in my direction. It is easy to get absorbed by the grumblers and allow my joy to be taken away, but I will not give in. Of course satan is on the attack! VCC is doing great things for God. People are coming to know Christ. People are serving Jesus more than ever here. To be attacked from within the ranks is one of satan’s biggest ploys. I will not let it get me down. I will press on, knowing that I serve a risen Savior, that I have support from my Elders and Preacher, and knowing that satan is a wimp. He is only good at snatching defeat from the jaws of victory, so I will continue to be faithful in my service to Christ so that the enemy remains defeated! I will do so with great joy and with a song of praise in my heart!

Truth

John 18

33 Then Pilate went back into his headquarters and called for Jesus to be brought to him. “Are you the king of the Jews?” he asked him.
34 Jesus replied, “Is this your own question, or did others tell you about me?”
35 “Am I a Jew?” Pilate retorted. “Your own people and their leading priests brought you to me for trial. Why? What have you done?”
36 Jesus answered, “My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my Kingdom is not of this world.”
37 Pilate said, “So you are a king?”
Jesus responded, “You say I am a king. Actually, I was born and came into the world to testify to the truth. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true.”
38 “What is truth?” Pilate asked.

“What is truth?” Jesus is the Truth. Jesus is the Way. Jesus is the Life. In a world desperately seeking truth in all the wrong places, it is our responsibilities to teach the Truth in Love so that those seeking may have everlasting Life. Who will you reach today?

Bitter Tears

Mark 14

66 Meanwhile, Peter was in the courtyard below. One of the servant girls who worked for the high priest came by 67 and noticed Peter warming himself at the fire. She looked at him closely and said, “You were one of those with Jesus of Nazareth.”
68 But Peter denied it. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said, and he went out into the entryway. Just then, a rooster crowed.
69 When the servant girl saw him standing there, she began telling the others, “This man is definitely one of them!” 70 But Peter denied it again.
A little later some of the other bystanders confronted Peter and said, “You must be one of them, because you are a Galilean.”
71 Peter swore, “A curse on me if I’m lying—I don’t know this man you’re talking about!” 72 And immediately the rooster crowed the second time.
Suddenly, Jesus’ words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny three times that you even know me.” And he broke down and wept.

Oh, if I only wept bitter tears when I deny Jesus. I mean, we pick on Peter in this passage, because after swearing that he will stick with Jesus no matter what, he does deny Jesus three times just as our Lord had said he would. Even though Peter promised it would never happen…it did. When I think about the promises I have made to Jesus…promises to stick with Him through thick and thin…promises to NEVER deny Him with my words, nor my actions…well breaking down in bitter tears would be appropriate. Just as Peter was restored by Jesus, I am so glad that my repentance restores me in my relationship with my Lord and Savior. Father, help me to do better in my walk with Jesus. May I walk closer to Him so that denial doesn’t come so easily. May I live a life that reflects the love of Christ to everyone, especially those who would hate me because of Christ. Especially those who have hurt me, or my family. The rooster has crowed, may my bitter tears be wiped away by the hands of my Loving Lord.

Praying for God's Will

Matthew 26

39 He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”

How could I dare grumble about anything God wants of me? How could I dare fret over where God has placed me? Jesus, knowing that He was about to be scourged and crucified, pays that God’s will be done. That needs to be the prayer of my lips. That needs to be the attitude of my heart. As I go through my daily life, with the ups and downs, and the struggles, I have no reason to grumble. I have every reason to give my praise to my Lord, and to long for His will to be done.

Hated by the World

John 18

18 “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. 19 The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you.”

How appropriate to read this on October 31st. I no longer belong to this world, and I am not interested in participating in the pagan festivities of this world. Be it the pagan festivities celebrated on this date, in the Spring with a symbol of pagan fertility (a bunny), or the pagan winter festival with all the materialistic trappings. I am interested in celebrating Jesus every day of the year! If the world hates me, I count it as a badge of honor. When I stand up for the principles of Christ and am lambasted for those stands, I am only living the life for Christ. Yeah baby, I LOVE it!

Love Like Jesus

John 15
12 This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. 13 There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command.

Loving people the way Jesus loves them is not easy, but it is what has been commanded by my Lord and Savior. It means that I need to show love to those with whom I disagree. It means I need to love those who hate me. It means I am love without condition. Loving without condition does not mean condoning sin, but I am commanded to love the sinner. Yeah, I struggle with this command, but I am trying to do better. Prayers for me in this area would be most appreciated.

Betrayer of Jesus

Mark 14

10 Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples, went to the leading priests to arrange to betray Jesus to them. 11 They were delighted when they heard why he had come, and they promised to give him money. So he began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus.

Betraying Jesus isn’t an activity limited to Judas Iscariot. When I examine my sorry life, I see numerous occasions when I have betrayed Jesus. Times when I laughed at inappropriate jokes. Times when I filled my mind with sinful images and thoughts. Times when I acted arrogantly, and spitefully towards others. Times when my behavior flat out denied Jesus was Lord of my life. I hurt for Judas Iscariot, because I can relate to him. The ONLY difference between Judas and me is that I do repent and ask for forgiveness. I am a wretch, and I have betrayed Jesus throughout my life, but my desire is to never betray Him again. I can use your prayers on this one.

Proper Use of Our Talents

Matthew 25
29 To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away.

God has given each of us our own unique set of gifts and talents. It is His desire that we use these gifts and talents to bring Him glory and honor and praise. Usually when we “Christians” think of gifts or talents, we think of the “big ones”: preaching, singing, playing an instrument, you know one of those “up front” kind of talents. If we don’t have one of those, then we tend to sink back into a “I don’t have anything to offer” kind of mentality. We bury those talents in a hole. I love to be around people who freely give of their talents behind the scenes. Folks who scrub toilets (I have a couple of high school guys who have been doing that all this month as the youth group is the volunteer church building cleanup crew this month). Folks who do the setup and the tear down; who prepare communion each week; who make sure the lights and A/C are all working properly…well you get the picture. I joke with the Habitat for Humanity supervisors all the time that my talent is lifting heavy things. Then, I go do that to help in construction of homes. People see me “up front” each week leading the Celebration Services, but I get much more pleasure and personal satisfaction out of the behind-the-scenes heavy lifting type of service, utilizing my talents in that way. My prayer is that we can help others who claim to follow Christ understand that #1 they have God-given gifts and talents, and #2 they are to use them to bring God the glory and the honor always!

Persecution

Mark 13

12 “A brother will betray his brother to death, a father will betray his own child, and children will rebel against their parents and cause them to be killed. 13 And everyone will hate you because you are my followers. But the one who endures to the end will be saved."

In the midst of Jesus telling about what is to come in the near future, He makes this bold statement: “And everyone will hate you because you are my followers.” Christians in America whine because the culture makes fun of us, because we don’t fit with the Politically Correct Crowd, etc. Wah. Cry me a river. We Christians in America know nothing of persecution. More Christians were martyred in the last century than in the previous 19 centuries before that COMBINED! People are literally laying down their lives for the cause of Christ all around the world. Yet, in America, Christianity virtually costs us nothing. Makes me wonder how authentic we are.

A Three-fer!

Mark 12
28 One of the teachers of religious law was standing there listening to the debate. He realized that Jesus had answered well, so he asked, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”
29 Jesus replied, “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The LORD our God is the one and only LORD. 30 And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ 31 The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.”
32 The teacher of religious law replied, “Well said, Teacher. You have spoken the truth by saying that there is only one God and no other. 33 And I know it is important to love him with all my heart and all my understanding and all my strength, and to love my neighbor as myself. This is more important than to offer all of the burnt offerings and sacrifices required in the law.”
34 Realizing how much the man understood, Jesus said to him, “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.” And after that, no one dared to ask him any more questions.

I love this passage for several reasons: First, Jesus lays it out for us. We are to love God and love people with everything we’ve got. That’s how Christ Followers are to live. PERIOD. Second, being not far from the Kingdom is still not being in the Kingdom, so don’t be fooled by the wording here. I don’t take it as a commendation, but rather a condemnation of the guy who thinks he is so smart. It is not your wits, nor your smarts that gets you into God’s Kingdom, it is JESUS! Third, once again Jesus shuts the mouths of those who wanted to “trap” Him. How sweet!

Proper Citizenship

Luke 20

20 Watching for their opportunity, the leaders sent spies pretending to be honest men. They tried to get Jesus to say something that could be reported to the Roman governor so he would arrest Jesus. 21 “Teacher,” they said, “we know that you speak and teach what is right and are not influenced by what others think. You teach the way of God truthfully. 22 Now tell us—is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”
23 He saw through their trickery and said, 24 “Show me a Roman coin.[a] Whose picture and title are stamped on it?”
“Caesar’s,” they replied.
25 “Well then,” he said, “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.”
26 So they failed to trap him by what he said in front of the people. Instead, they were amazed by his answer, and they became silent.

This is one of my favorite Gospel passages. It reminds me that I owe to the government what belongs to the government, and that I owe to God what belongs to God. Since I was bought with a price (Jesus’ Blood), I belong to God first and foremost. It honors God when I am a good citizen of the country in which I live, but it honors God more when I am a good citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven. May my life reflect that heavenly citizenship always.

Jesus and Children

Matthew 21
14 The blind and the lame came to him in the Temple, and he healed them. 15 The leading priests and the teachers of religious law saw these wonderful miracles and heard even the children in the Temple shouting, “Praise God for the Son of David.”
But the leaders were indignant. 16 They asked Jesus, “Do you hear what these children are saying?”
“Yes,” Jesus replied. “Haven’t you ever read the Scriptures? For they say, ‘You have taught children and infants to give you praise.’” 17 Then he returned to Bethany, where he stayed overnight.

Again we see Jesus citing the importance of children, and especially the importance of teaching children to praise our Lord with their lips and their lives. I have such a soft spot in my heart for Christ Followers who teach children and students. Guess it’s because I’ve been in student ministry for 22 years now. Anyway, in the midst of Jesus’ last few days on earth, and AFTER he has cleared the Temple of the money changers, Jesus affirms children. Jesus reminds us of the responsibility we have to teach our children well, and to bring them up in the fear and admonition of the Lord. Today, I am praying for those who work in children and student ministries. May they be strengthened as they teach our kids who Jesus is!

Cherring For Jesus

Luke 19

36 As he rode along, the crowds spread out their garments on the road ahead of him. 37 When he reached the place where the road started down the Mount of Olives, all of his followers began to shout and sing as they walked along, praising God for all the wonderful miracles they had seen.
38 “Blessings on the King who comes in the name of the LORD!
Peace in heaven, and glory in highest heaven!”
39 But some of the Pharisees among the crowd said, “Teacher, rebuke your followers for saying things like that!”
40 He replied, “If they kept quiet, the stones along the road would burst into cheers!”

I’d rather be a stone praising Jesus than stone silent about my Lord. May my life proclaim His Greatness, and may others see Him at work in me and through me. May the words of my lips be echoed by the works of my life, and may Jesus be glorified in all I say and do every day!

If We Are The Body

Matthew 20
25 But Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. 26 But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. 28 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Mark Hall of Casting Crowns, wrote these words that became the chorus to the song “If We Are The Body”:
But if we are the Body
Why aren't His arms reaching
Why aren't His hands healing
Why aren't His words teaching
And if we are the Body
Why aren't His feet going
Why is His love not showing them there is a way
There is a way

It makes me sad that we struggle to get members of the body of Christ to serve others. Oh, they love to be served, but don’t ask them to participate in outreach ministry. They might serve in some internal ministry at the church, but only a few seem to ever be ready to do things like Habitat for Humanity, etc. I wonder if we are REALLY being the body of Christ?

Angry Jesus, Pt. 2

Mark 10

13 One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him.
14 When Jesus saw what was happening, he was angry with his disciples. He said to them, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. 15 I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” 16 Then he took the children in his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them.

Yesterday, I looked at an instance where Jesus was angry because of sin and the effects of sin. Today, Jesus is angry once again. I though Jesus was all meek and mild…NOT! Look at this passage…Jesus is angry with His disciples because they don’t have a clue why Jesus is on the planet, even after having spent the time with Him that they have! I know that lots of folks look at this passage and concentrate on Jesus loving children (which He does), but I want to consider how even those who are following Jesus closely can sometimes allow their own prejudices to block out the true purpose of Jesus. May I set aside my pre-conceived notions about Jesus’ agenda, and just allow Him to set the agenda. Period.

Angry Jesus

John 11
33 When Jesus saw her weeping and saw the other people wailing with her, a deep anger welled up within him, and he was deeply troubled. 34 “Where have you put him?” he asked them.
They told him, “Lord, come and see.” 35 Then Jesus wept. 36 The people who were standing nearby said, “See how much he loved him!” 37 But some said, “This man healed a blind man. Couldn’t he have kept Lazarus from dying?”
38 Jesus was still angry as he arrived at the tomb, a cave with a stone rolled across its entrance. 39 “Roll the stone aside,” Jesus told them.
But Martha, the dead man’s sister, protested, “Lord, he has been dead for four days. The smell will be terrible.”
40 Jesus responded, “Didn’t I tell you that you would see God’s glory if you believe?” 41 So they rolled the stone aside. Then Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, thank you for hearing me. 42 You always hear me, but I said it out loud for the sake of all these people standing here, so that they will believe you sent me.” 43 Then Jesus shouted, “Lazarus, come out!” 44 And the dead man came out, his hands and feet bound in graveclothes, his face wrapped in a headcloth. Jesus told them, “Unwrap him and let him go!”

I had to go back to yesterday’s reading to get a few verse so I could keep this in the context needed for my thoughts today. In Verses 33 and 38 we read that Jesus is ANGRY! With whom is Jesus angry? Martha? Mary? The crowd of mourners? NO! Jesus is angry because His friend Lazarus has had to suffer physical death. He is angry because Mary, Martha and the crowd are in such deep sorrow. He is angry that sin has done its work in this world, and that the work of sin has yet to be overcome. Oh, it will be overcome when Jesus resurrects from the dead, but for now, sin still has its hold on the world. The effects of sin angers Jesus. Not the sinner, but the sin. God is glorified when that sin is overcome. Sin is overcome ONLY when Jesus is present, and active in our lives. Sin is overcome ONLY when we give our lives over to Jesus. What can wash away my sins? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Count The Cost

Luke 14

25 A large crowd was following Jesus. He turned around and said to them, 26 “If you want to be my disciple, you must hate everyone else by comparison—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple. 27 And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple.
28 “But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it? 29 Otherwise, you might complete only the foundation before running out of money, and then everyone would laugh at you. 30 They would say, ‘There’s the person who started that building and couldn’t afford to finish it!’
31 “Or what king would go to war against another king without first sitting down with his counselors to discuss whether his army of 10,000 could defeat the 20,000 soldiers marching against him? 32 And if he can’t, he will send a delegation to discuss terms of peace while the enemy is still far away. 33 So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own.
34 “Salt is good for seasoning. But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again? 35 Flavorless salt is good neither for the soil nor for the manure pile. It is thrown away. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!”

Count the cost before you agree to follow Jesus. To make Jesus Lord of your life means that you give all rights to that life. You literally put your life in His hands. Too many folks say they want to follow Jesus, but they don’t want to let Him be the boss of them. When I was buried with Christ on August 27, 1985, and raised into a new life with Him, I gave up the tight grip I had tried to maintain on my life. My plans of media work then politics went out the window. I could not imagine wanting to hang out with teenagers in a student ministry, yet 22 years later, I am still hanging out with them (whether they like it or not is another story, grin). My life has been so much richer than it would have been otherwise. I am the most blessed man on this planet, and it is all because I decided to give it all over to Jesus. I am not rich by the standards in the United States, but God continues to supply my material needs (not necessarily my wants, but I am learning to be okay with that). I am married to the most beautiful woman on the planet, and we have three children who love Jesus with their lives…what else could I possibly want? I have the privilege of leading others in a time of corporate praise and worship each Lord’s Day, and there is the aforementioned student ministry of which I am still a part. Yeah, I have counted the cost, and that which I gave up is NOTHING compared with that with which I have been blessed by following Jesus!

Narrow Door

Luke 13

22 Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he went, always pressing on toward Jerusalem. 23 Someone asked him, “Lord, will only a few be saved?”
He replied, 24 “Work hard to enter the narrow door to God’s Kingdom, for many will try to enter but will fail. 25 When the master of the house has locked the door, it will be too late. You will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Lord, open the door for us!’ But he will reply, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’ 26 Then you will say, ‘But we ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.’ 27 And he will reply, ‘I tell you, I don’t know you or where you come from. Get away from me, all you who do evil.’”

The door is narrow, and many will try to enter the kingdom of God without having fully obeyed the Gospel of Christ. They will exclaim, “Lord, Lord,” and He will reply, “I don’t know you.” May my love for Jesus be expressed in my obedience to the WHOLE Gospel, and may my life be different because of that Gospel.

Go Jesus!

John 9

39 Then Jesus told him, “I entered this world to render judgment—to give sight to the blind and to show those who think they see that they are blind.”

Go Jesus, go Jesus, You’re the Healer, You’re the Messiah. Yeah, I just get a little cheer going when I read the story of Jesus healing the man who had been blind from birth. Jesus lays it on the disciples when they misinterpret Scripture, and Jesus lays a big ole whuppin’ on the Pharisees calling them blind to what God has goin’ on. Jesus is no wimpy little Savior, He is a man’s man Savior. He takes on the bullies and puts them in their place. He whips His closest followers into shape, helping them to overcome their preconceived notions, and He does everything to bring glory and honor and praise to God. May my life be like that, dear Lord, may my life be like that!