January 18, 2024

 Love Like Jesus

Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked them: “Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don’t you remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?” – Mark 8:17-19

Almost daily we are assaulted with political diatribe directed toward illegal immigrants crossing our southern border. Politicians are good at pointing fingers; not so good at solutions that actually work. Party divisions are rampant. Yet it seems as though everyone is missing the obvious, especially those who wear the badge of conservative Christian.

Don’t get me wrong. We’ve got a problem and we need to take action. But we need to do that in accordance with what the Bible says to do. Welcome the foreigner. Love everyone. Do good to widows and orphans. Open your hearts to the least of them. In other words, live like Jesus.

Every single person who crosses the border was created in the image of God. Just like you and I. Every person has a name. God knows their name. Every person has a story and God knows and understands what it is. We don’t. We are too busy condemning them for daring to enter our borders illegally that we don’t bother to ask.

A woman and her two children recently drowned while trying to reach our country. We barely heard about them for the outcry of the jurisdictional power struggle between the state of Texas and the U.S. Border Patrol. Three people died! Did anyone mourn their loss?

Oh, how I wish we lived in a time when political leaders were actually statesmen more focused on doing what’s right than on what’s politically designed to boost their power and poll numbers. I long for the days when Christian leadership wasn’t afraid to actually preach God’s Word and guide us to action that aligns with the Bible we claim to love.

Why waste money building a wall that won’t keep people out? Spend that money on hiring more workers to review applications and reduce the amount of time for reviewing immigrant applications to months rather than years.

Stop shipping immigrants to other cities as though they are unwanted cattle. Use that time and money to organize a true plan for caring for God’s people. And they are God’s people. Create a joint plan that includes government workers and churches, synagogues and other religious groups. We are ALL called to care for the least among us. If we all do our part there will be plenty for everyone, including us.

Jesus’ disciples couldn’t understand about bread and yeast. They obviously didn’t even understand how Jesus multiplied meager offerings so that thousands could be fed. We don’t understand either. Our hearts are so hard and we cling so tightly to God’s blessings, that we miss the meaning of it all.

Love like Jesus. So simple and yet, perhaps, the hardest thing we could ever do.

September 1, 2023

 

Call Out to God

 

We do not know what to do, but we are looking to you for help.

– 2 Chronicles 20:12c

 

I love this passage of Scripture. God’s people were about to face a mighty army that they couldn’t possibly defeat. Jehoshaphat was terrified. He took his fears and his petitions before the LORD, the Mighty One who could help.

 

How many times do we run to God with our petitions and our fears, our needs and our wants? It’s when we have used all our resources that we plead to God Almighty for help.

 

How do you stand against the enemy? It could be sickness, a job loss, betrayal. It might be depression, caregiving, financial uncertainty. The enemy takes on many, many cloaks with one end in mind – to derail God’s people from our purpose.

 

But we are not without help. We have a God who loves us more than we can ever comprehend. He stands ready to help but we must ask for that help.

 

This is what God told King Jehoshaphat: Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. (2 Chronicles 20:15b)

 

We don’t have to battle the enemy alone! God doesn’t expect us to. God knows what we need and he’s right there beside us, in the battle, strengthening us and giving us the courage and wisdom we need to accomplish His purposes.

 

Does that mean that God always answers us in the way we would choose? Not at all. Sometimes the answer He gives will break our hearts. But we can trust that God loves us more than we can humanly comprehend. God sees the big picture and knows how it’s all going to turn out. For our good and His Glory.

 

Don’t ever be afraid or panic when the enemy seems to be closing in. Call on the power and wisdom of the One who created the universe. Cling tightly to His promises and He will cling tightly to you.

July 26, 2023

 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave to all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” – Mark 10:42-45

 

The church needed to provide a funeral meal. This is the Deep South and such a thing is expected when a church member dies. In this case, it was the husband of a faithful worker.

 

We no longer are members of this church. When the church voted several months ago to disaffiliate from the United Methodist Church, we moved our membership. So did most of the Sunday school class. In fact, we restarted that class at our new church. The new widow remained at the old church and, presumably, joined another class.

 

You can imagine my shock when the call came wanting us to help provide food for the meal. In addition, one class member was asked to decorate the tables. We all politely declined. Another class member had responded to a request for a previous funeral meal and been treated badly by some who had stayed at the disaffiliated church. The new request was just inappropriate.

 

It was sad that the funeral meal coordinator was worried about having enough food and decorating tables. Did she even have enough workers? It was also appalling that the coordinator was doing it from the hospital. Just a few days earlier, her husband had open heart surgery. Why in the world didn’t someone step up and relieve her of this duty? It was the last thing she needed to be dealing with.

 

The sad truth about this church is that no one wants to work. Being a church member, isn’t about running things. Nor is about how large your check might be. Churches are families who show up, roll up their sleeves and help. Even those who are physically unable to do much can usually make phone calls.

 

Jesus said the above passage after James and John, the sons of Zebedee, had asked for one of them to be at Jesus’ right hand and the other at His left when they all got to heaven. In other words, they wanted to be above the other disciples. You can imagine how that request went over.

 

The Kingdom of God is about being servants. It’s about doing for others. When we lose sight of that, we lose sight of Jesus. We are to be His hands and feet.

 

Should we have stepped up and helped with the funeral meal? No. There are consequences when you choose to split a church over control issues. There are literally hundreds of people who are members of that church. It’s past time for them to get off their collective pedestal and get to work.

July 21, 2023

 

We Are All Pharisees

 

The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed, ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people – robbers, evildoers, adulterers – or even like this tax collector.’

– Luke 18:11

 

How many times have we read the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector and condemned the Pharisee for thinking his sins weren’t as bad as the tax collector’s sins? How many times have we been the Pharisee by justifying our own sins while soundly condemning the sins of others?

 

Ouch. Most of us live pretty good lives, at least according to ourselves. We try to be good people. We don’t go around shooting people or robbing others or blatantly telling lies. We help those we think need it. We pray sometimes. We may even read the Bible. But we still don’t get it.

 

I’m struggling now to show grace and mercy to someone who is committing adultery. I see the heartbreak he has inflicted on his wife and children. It drags on and on as he tries to discover what will make him “happy.” I honestly would like to throttle him. I suspect God would like to throttle me sometimes too.

 

No. I haven’t committed adultery. But I have judged the sins of another. I have condemned what is not mine to condemn. I have failed to show love and grace, mercy even, as I have held onto my anger. My sins are great.

 

The hard truth is that we are all Pharisees. Pastor Adam Hamilton described himself as a recovering Pharisee who sometimes falls off the wagon. That is true of all of us. We are quick to point fingers, gossip, and condemn the sins of someone else all the while justifying our own sins.

 

I am not excusing his actions. But I also refuse to excuse my own. I pray that God will open both of our hearts so that we may be healed. That’s where he’ll find “happy.” That’s where I will find it too.

July 16, 2023

 

Are You Willing?

 

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. – 1 John 1:9

 

I was reading a devotional the other day about those who refuse to confess their sins. You know them. They refuse to take responsibility for their actions. They are forever pointing fingers and blaming others for their decisions. They don’t change because they don’t see the need to do so.

 

It really hit home with me because I love someone who is doing just this. He has destroyed his family and, likely, will eventually destroy himself because he won’t admit that he did something wrong.

 

We tend to think of people like this as drug addicts or thieves but that’s not always the case. Sometimes it’s someone who commits adultery. It might be someone who can’t manage money and bankrupts themselves and their family. It could be someone who always lies just because they can.

 

It can also be someone who is abusive. How often do abusers blame their victims? How many times do rapists say it wasn’t their fault?

 

Jesus offers us a lifeline. He beckons us forward to confess our sins. He promises to forgive us and help us to be different, to do different, if we will only draw near to our Savior. It might be the hardest thing we ever do. It will also be the best thing we could ever do.

 

In my loved one’s case, he’s still pointing fingers and blaming others. He’s angry and lashes out at those around him. He wants to be “happy” but he’s the unhappiest he’s ever been. No one can reach him. Jesus waits but for now He’s on the sidelines.

 

Do you know anyone like that? Maybe you are that person? Does anger consume you? Is everything bad that happens always someone else’s fault? Are you putting yourself before everyone you claim to love?

 

Jesus waits. He’s ready to help you. But first you have to confess your sins. You must accept responsibility. You have to lay down your pride and admit you don’t have all the answers. Jesus has the answers. He alone can free you and heal you. Are you willing to let Him?

July 15, 2023

 

Do You Truly Know Jesus

 

“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” – John 14:18

 

A woman I knew years ago just lost her father. Her mother passed a year ago. She is reeling with grief and a new reality. Her father is no longer in pain and she is grateful for that. But she is also starkly aware that she is now an orphan.

 

She is not alone. Her husband walks beside her on this journey of grief. Her children strengthen her. But it’s not the same thing. It’s a new season of life.

 

Jesus knew that we would suffer great loss in our earthly lives. He understood that people die, they leave, they break our hearts. But Jesus promised He would never leave us as orphans. Jesus always keeps His promises.

 

In this passage, Jesus explains about the Holy Spirit. I doubt His disciples could fully understand what Jesus meant. How could they? Jesus called Him the “Spirit of Truth.” He went on to say, “The world cannot accept Him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.” (John 14:17)

 

It’s the difference between truly knowing Jesus and knowing about Jesus. Many people know about Jesus. They can answer the questions. Maybe they grew up in church, participating in all the activities, but never truly accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior.

 

This woman will see her parents again. They are with Jesus, as she will be one day. Faith gives us strength to walk through grief. In the years between the here and now and what’s to come, the Holy Spirit will comfort her.

 

Do you know that comfort? Have you surrendered your life – all your todays and tomorrows – to the only One who can save you? Or are you simply going through the motions of faith? Don’t wait to figure it out. Time passes quickly and one day it will be too late.

July 14, 2023

 

Wealth is Uncertain

 

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. – 1 Timothy 6:17

 

We live in a country where financial abundance is the norm. We don’t always feel that way, especially in these days of rising prices. But it’s true. The United States is a wealthy country filled with financial blessings that many in the world don’t enjoy.

 

In our own world, there’s a hierarchy that believes those with more wealth are “better” than those who have less. It’s a class system that has long existed and likely isn’t going away. The wealthy believe they have the right to run things. The middle class want part of that power. And the poor long to be middle class or wealthy.

 

James warns us not to treat people differently if they are affluent. (James 2:2-4) Yet we do it anyway. It’s expected. Certainly, the wealthy expect it.

 

The wealthy count on their money to always take care of them – except when it can’t. This is Paul’s warning as he writes to Timothy. Tell the wealthy not to be arrogant. Money can’t be counted on to save them. Did I hear a few of you scoff at that?

 

It all sounds good until bad investments or a downturn in the economy, wipes everything out. It is a wonderful concept until a family squabble liquidates an inheritance. And it seems like the best thing until money can’t buy a medical treatment that will cure cancer or other medical issues. Then all the money in the world won’t help.

 

Solomon had wealth and wisdom but he still sinned greatly. Why? He let others – mainly his many wives – lure him away from following God. Anything that entices us away from God is wrong and will only lead to disaster.

 

Money is not wrong. It’s not evil. But loving and trusting money more than God will lead to ruin. It leads to arrogance and self-serving desires. Use the gifts God has given you to do good. Know that God alone is responsible for your blessings. Trust God because only He can save you.