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.

April 19, 2019

Facing the Unknown

“I am leaving you with a gift – peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” – John 14:27

She is afraid. Anyone would be. Health issues abound and the doctors, so far, haven’t been able to determine the cause. I pray for peace to fill her heart as she waits for answers and healing.

Many of us know that fear that comes with the unknown. We are powerless, alone, afraid. There are some journeys that are solitary, where your only companion is Jesus. He is enough.

Have you cried out in pain? Have you clung to the cross, knowing that it was and is the only certainty in your life? Have you let His Spirit fill those raw places with a peace that knows no bounds?

Life can sometimes be a terrifying journey but Jesus didn’t leave us as orphans to face the hard times alone. Reach out and take His hand. He’s right there beside you.

September 9, 2018

Let It Go

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. – Ephesians 4:30-31

She is a pleasant woman. She smiles brightly but it doesn’t quite reach her eyes. She says all the right things but there’s an underlying bite to her words. Her life doesn’t quite match the façade she tries to keep up.

Her mother died a few years ago. It was awful. A medicine used to treat one ailment caused another and she didn’t survive. Now this daughter is consumed with rage at God. Bitterness dots her every move. She refuses all suggestions for grief counseling. Anger and unhappiness are destroying her life.

This is not what her mother would have wanted. I knew her well enough to know her deep faith in God was unshakeable. She would be horrified that her daughter remains so angry at God for taking her home. Her heart would be broken as she watched the daughter she loved shove everyone away.

This woman’s anger and bitterness is extreme. Most of us will thankfully never reach that point. It doesn’t mean we don’t sometimes let anger and bitterness direct our steps. You don’t think it applies to you? Think again. Every time you want to retaliate against someone, whether it’s another driver who cut you off in traffic or a co-worker who stole your idea, you are letting evil emotions control your actions.

Jesus tells us to love our enemies and to do good to those who would harm us. I know. It’s easy to say but not so easy to do. It’s hard to swallow the rebuttal that rises up when someone harms us. It’s difficult to show mercy when someone has done something awful to us.

How much more so when we think God is the culprit? How sad that the One who can heal and sustain us is the One who bears the brunt of our heartache. This sweet woman – who was indeed a sweet soul before her mother’s death – needs Jesus to heal her. But she won’t let Him in.

What about you? Do you let Jesus come close to you? Do you share with Him the parts of you that hurt the most? Do you tell Him your disappointments? Do you let Him heal you from the inside out?

He knows about betrayal. He knows about bearing the cost of the sins of others. He knows about lies and greed and a heartache that goes deep into your soul. He gets it. We forget that sometimes.

I don’t know what will happen to this woman.  She is self-destructing before the eyes of those who love her most. No one can force her to get help. No one can make her let go of her rage and bitterness. Jesus is the only One who can heal her and she won’t let Him.

What do you need Jesus to heal you from today? Don’t wait. Don’t give Satan that foothold on your heart. Hand it over to the One who loves you most. Let it go and move on.

August 24, 2018

The Choice is Yours

Whether it is favorable or unfavorable, we will obey the LORD our God, to whom we are sending you, so that it will go well with us, for we will obey the LORD our God.”

– Jeremiah 42:6

I have told you today, but you still have not obeyed the LORD your God in all he sent me to tell you. – Jeremiah 42:21

We tell ourselves and others that we’ll do whatever it is God calls us to do. We mean it. Sort of. We’ll gladly step out in faith on a journey of our choosing. But when God calls us to a place we’d rather not go, well, thanks but no thanks.

Faith isn’t for wimps, that’s for sure! God rarely calls us to go someplace nice and safe. He doesn’t usually ask us to do something that is so routine we can do it without even trying. God is all about growth and change and bringing us closer to the imagine of His Son. He can’t do that when our feet are stuck in the sameness of today.

We like our routines, don’t we? We like our days to go smoothly. If we crave excitement, it’s of our choosing. We love vacations, maybe a game or motorcycle ride. We want to be in control. We want to do what we want to do when we want to do it.

But God knows we’d never grow without change. How can unchallenged faith ever grow deep roots? How can we learn compassion if we never experience heartache? How can we learn to trust Him when we only stay where we can take care of ourselves?

It was a bad time for God’s people. They had disobeyed and God had allowed Babylon to take most of them. There was a remnant left. They sought out Jeremiah, the prophet who’d warned them about God’s anger. This was the same prophet they’d imprisoned, the same prophet they’d ignored.

This time they were determined to heed whatever God told Jeremiah. They promised. Until Jeremiah told them what God said. They had a choice. They could do as God commanded and remain where they were or they could head toward what they saw as safety in Egypt. They chose Egypt – and death.

We make choices every day as to whether we will follow God or our own wisdom. For example: You feel the Holy Spirit telling you to leave your secure job and move to another. You think about it. You pray about it. But you just can’t trust God enough to take that leap. Several months later your company downsizes and you’re laid off. If you’d followed the Holy Spirit’s promptings, you’d still have a good job. It’s a missed opportunity and heartache you needlessly suffer because of your disobedience.

Maybe it’s something totally different. You’re hanging out with people who sometimes skirt God’s laws. They gossip. Maybe they go out drinking every now and then, then leave the restaurant a little bit tipsy. Maybe they fudge on their expense reports. Maybe they flirt with strangers even though they’re married. Maybe they tell little “white” lies. Nothing big. None of it is big. You are confident you won’t become like them. You’re confident you’ll stay righteous. Until the day you don’t.

We have an uncanny ability to become like the people we hang around with. While we may want to be a positive influence on them, oftentimes it doesn’t work that way. The gossip is too juicy. The crowd is too influential. Before we know it, we’ve become one of them.

It’s not like God didn’t warn us. We just didn’t want to listen. We head down a path toward a place we never expected to go. We’ve pulled away from God. We want Him – but we also want to be part of this world. We can’t have both. Trying to walk that line of obedience when surrounded by the pull of sin, well, we’re bound to fall.

God’s people had to make a choice: follow God or follow their own wisdom. They chose what they believed was the “safe” choice and paid for it with their lives. In a very real sense, we do the same thing when we do what we know we shouldn’t do, hang out with people who are bad influences or we stay where we are when we know God is calling us to something different.

Every day you have a choice to follow God or the world. Choose wisely.

July 26, 2018

Strength Comes From God

“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his spirit in your inner being.”

– Ephesians 3:16

One of the worst things you can say to someone who is hurting or struggling is that they are strong. I know. You mean well. But comments like that are more to reassure you than to reassure the one who is crushed inside.

We want people to be strong. It lets us off the hook. We don’t have to worry so much about them. We don’t have to rearrange our worlds to care for them. Their strength somehow reassures us that no matter what happens, there’s a way to get through it. Somehow maybe we believe that God only calls the strong to the toughest storms.

Nope. God doesn’t give anyone a pass. That is a hard and difficult thing to accept. Shouldn’t a loving God spare us the unending pain? Shouldn’t a caring God prevent awful things from happening? That’s especially true when those things don’t have a cause or, seemingly, a purpose?

Questions haunt the night. Days are filled with busyness. People abound. But it is in the quietness of night that tears flow and our bodies ache with the emptiness that fills our soul.

A sweet friend unexpectedly lost her husband. People tell her she is strong. She doesn’t feel strong. Why should she? Every plan she had, every dream, has just been shattered. Every piece of her foundation has been shaken. A week ago she was a wife and now she is a widow. How does she even begin to pick up the pieces?

There are children to comfort. There’s a business to run. There’s endless paperwork and uncertainty. She is alone. I know. She’s got family and friends surrounding her but make no mistake. She’s alone. Her life partner is gone. The person who brightened her days and was her closest confidant is gone.

God remains. When we get to the end of it all, that is what we hold on to. He is the One who remains. He sees the heart. He sees the pain. It is His strength others see, not our own.

Just breathe. How many times can a person utter those words? Just do this one thing, you tell yourself. Deep breath. You can make it through this. Just another five minutes. And then another. Whew! One more day is done. Now to face the night.

Strength is fleeting. A moment of resolve turns into tears. The slightest thing becomes a mountain. You question. Over and over you question our great Lord, asking why again and again.

The Bible tells us that His ways aren’t our ways. We can’t understand and, honestly, it’s not our place to try. But we try anyway. We want to somehow make sense of something that makes no sense.

There’s no strength in that. Just a simple faith that says you’ll get through this day. Just a firm belief that He won’t leave you in this place of despair. Just a Risen Savior who promises that one day your tears will end and the reunion will be glorious and forever.

Don’t ever tell someone they’re strong, that they’ll make it through, that they’ll be alright. Nothing will ever be the same and that’s a bitter thing to bear. Pray that the Holy Spirit will strengthen them for the journey. Walk beside them, offering a shoulder, a Kleenex, a helping hand. You can’t fix it but you can love them. At the end of the day, that’s all any of us can do. Love those who are broken inside. Be Jesus. That’s all. Just be Jesus.

June 14, 2018

Doubts Are Normal

When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” – Matthew 11:2-3

There are moments of clarity, times when you know what God has called you to do and you step out boldly in faith. Then real life settles in and the doubts start playing with your mind.

Did you really hear God correctly? Is it truly the Holy Spirit leading you or is it Satan telling you what you want to hear? Are these obstacles just another hurdle to overcome or are they sent by God to stop what He hasn’t ordained?

Don’t you wish you could have a clear reading of exactly what God wants you to do? I’ve often joked that I wish God would give me MapQuest directions for my life journey. I want to do His will in all things but sometimes it sure is difficult to drown out the voices of the world and concentrate on what He is telling me.

It consoles me to know that John the Baptist had doubts too. He knew who Jesus was. Listen to this:

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” – John 1:29

John was confident that Jesus was the Messiah. At least, until John found himself sitting in a jail cell. There’s something about being alone with your thoughts that lets the worry seep in. There’s something about idle time that causes you to question what you thought you knew.

John was fortunate that he could send his disciples to Jesus and ask for confirmation. Jesus didn’t brush off the questions. He didn’t seem offended by John’s sudden doubts. Instead, Jesus provided the reassurance John needed to continue his journey toward death.

So how do we get confirmation for our own journey? Ask the Savior. If you truly seek God’s voice, the Holy Spirit will tell you what to do.

The problems come when the world tells us something different. There’s always someone around to say you can’t do what God has called you to do. There’s always someone to point out all the difficulties that lie in your path. There’s always someone to doubt your calling.

But at the end of the day we aren’t meant to follow the world. We are meant to follow Christ. We are to do God’s will, recognizing that He is the God of miracles. He doesn’t call us to something without intending to make it happen.

That doesn’t mean it will be instant. There is frequently a season of waiting. That’s hard. We are an instant people but God sometimes has lessons to teach us as we wait. Ask what the lesson is. Do all you can where you are. Trust that God didn’t call you forward to abandon you before the end.

Everyone has doubts sometimes. The key is to seek reassurance from the One who knows all things. Don’t give up. You may not see the path but trust that it’s there. God knows the way. Your job is to follow Him one step at a time.

May 10, 2018

Does Satan Know You?

God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them. Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, “In the name of the Jesus whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.” Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. One day the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?” Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of that house naked and bleeding. – Acts 19:11-16

Does Satan know who you are? That was the question posed in the Battle Plan for Prayer workbook. You’re probably thinking, “I hope not!” None of us wants to face an attack from Satan. But if Satan isn’t worried about what we might do for God, then maybe it’s past time we looked in the mirror and asked ourselves why not.

Spiritual warfare is all around us. That’s true whether we recognize it or not. What’s also true is the harder we push forward to serve Jesus and bring God glory, the more Satan wants to stop us. It’s just an unfortunate fact.

One primary way Satan attacks us is in our minds. Satan wants us to believe that God isn’t trustworthy, that He isn’t good, that God wants to deny us all those things we deserve. The devil will twist God’s words and dangle lots of stuff in front of us. His primary purpose is to make us turn away from God.

Don’t do it. Just don’t. Yes, God wants good things for us but that doesn’t mean He gives us everything we desire. It’s not good for us. Think about it this way: Would you let a two-year-old eat chocolate until he got sick? Of course not! You would let him have pieces in moderation so that the chocolate gave him joy and not a sick tummy.

God knows what is best for us, even though we might not always see it that way. He’s trying to mold us into the image of His Son. Sometimes that hurts.

It also forces us to come face-to-face with our total reliance on God. We want to do it all by ourselves. We give something to God – and then we take it back because God isn’t doing it the right way or isn’t completing the task quickly enough to satisfy us. Then our plans fail and we give it back to God. It’s an endless cycle.

We can do all things through Christ. It’s through Him that we accomplish the tasks God has placed before us. It’s not enough to claim faith; we have to believe and live that belief out loud.

Do you know why the sons in this passage couldn’t do anything to the evil spirits? Because they didn’t believe in Jesus. They said all the right things but their heart wasn’t filled with the Holy Spirit. It’s not words that save you. It’s genuine belief in our Risen Lord. We are cleansed by the blood of Jesus. There is no other way.

Satan knows that his time is limited. Jesus has already won the war. Satan is out to do as much damage as he can, while he can. It’s up to us to keep fighting in the Spirit.

I’ll ask you again: Does Satan know who you are? I hope he does because that means you’re living a life focused on bringing God glory.

May 24, 2016

God Stands Faithful

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. -- James 1:12

I hate surprises. I do. Almost every surprise I have ever had in my life has been bad news. Today was no exception.

We think we have our lives planned out and then someone else makes a decision and everything gets shifted around. It’s that simple and that complicated.

Sometimes it seems that the harder I try to plan, the harder Satan works to knock those plans down. I am reminded that there really is a war going on and Satan is trying to derail every Christian from doing God’s work and proclaiming His glory.

Last year I participated in a Priscilla Shirer Bible study. She noted that when she agreed to film War Room she was warned to expect an attack from Satan. And she got it. Full force. She obviously persevered and the movie is wonderful.

That’s just how life is. When Satan sees you doing something good, he will do all he can to change your direction. It’s just so important to pray in those times. It’s so important to ask God for guidance and protection. Remember that nothing can touch you without God’s allowing it.

That doesn’t mean bad things won’t happen. They will. It just means that our strength and courage will come form God. We have but to ask. We are His children. He loves us. He will fight for us if we will but stand still.

I didn’t even know what to pray today. I didn’t know what to say, what to ask for or what is the best path. God knows. The Holy Spirit also knows what to ask. The Bible tells us that the Spirit will intercede for us. I am thankful for that.

I have no idea what will happen in the days and weeks to come. I do know that God is in control and that He will work this out for my good and His glory. He promised and God always keeps His promises.

On days like this, when yet another surprise has sent me down another road I didn’t plan to travel, I am so thankful that He is someone I can depend on.

March 9, 2016

Worship Is About God

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” -- 1 Samuel 16:7

 

There was one of those sayings going around Facebook the other day about the worship experience. Rick Warren was quoted: The most common mistake that Christians make in worship today is seeking an experience rather than seeking God.

Amen! I could add that one of the most common mistakes church leaders make in trying to grow their congregations is to focus on the performance rather than on the message and warmth in how people are treated.

We’ve had some disagreements at our church about the performance. Yes. That is the correct word. It’s about lights and order of things and length of songs. As one person noted, it’s like they (the committee in charge) haven’t left room for the Holy Spirit to work.

He has a point. Last Sunday there were several people praying at the kneeling benches as communion ended. One man was distraught over his wife‘s recent suicide attempt. The pastor didn’t have a clue because he’d already headed to the back door to tell people goodbye -- well before the service ended. Fortunately, others stepped up and prayed with this man. He was not alone.

That’s as it should be. I don’t attend church to have an experience. Sure. I like the music. And I enjoy the sermons most of the time. I come for God. I want to gather with His people, my friends, my family, and remember how awesome He is.

Don’t get me wrong. I like order. I like sitting in the same seat every Sunday. But I always want to allow time and be open for the Holy Spirit to move.

My Sunday School Class is a little bit different than some of the others. We begin each week with prayer requests and praises. There’s nothing unusual with that. But some weeks it takes way longer than others. There’s something really special about sharing a bit of yourself with people who care. So people bring their hurts, their illnesses, their problems and we pray over them. If the lesson is a little shorter than I’d planned, oh well. People are more important. It’s a lesson I learned from Jesus.

Attending services on Sunday morning is about God. We worship our Savior and Risen Lord. We invite the Holy Spirit into our midst. That’s what it is all about.

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Embrace The Holy Spirit

Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. -- 2 Corinthians 1:21-22

Okay here’s your first question: How many mistakes have you made today? If you’re completely honest -- and I know you are -- you’ll admit you’ve made quite a few. We all do. Sometimes it’s snarling at someone before we have that first cup of coffee. Other times it’s more serious. But a mistake is a mistake.

Second question: How many times have you done something -- again -- that you sworn you’d never do again? It could be something as simple as eating too much at that wonderful buffet. It could be something far more serious, like loosing your temper with your kids.

Third question: What can you do about it? Can you change under your own power? Or do you need help? And are you ready to admit that you need help?

I know. That’s way more than question three but it’s all about the same thing: We are powerless to change anything, including ourselves, without the help of the Holy Spirit.

God knew we would need help. It’s just that simple. As much as He loves us, He also understood our human frailties and tendencies to sin. So He sent the Holy Spirit to work within us, refining us, guiding us, growing us so that we’ll each day become closer to our role model for life -- Jesus.

It’s almost comical how we cling to that notion that we can do it all by ourselves. It’s reminiscent of a two-year-old who is determined to “do it by myself” even when his parents know he can’t. It takes several tries, much frustration and usually a few tears for him to admit that he needs help after all. That sounds a lot like the rest of us.

We are, as Pastor Meghan noted last Sunday, all works in progress. We all have a unique and special role to play in God’s redemptive plan. But we can do nothing without the power of the Holy Spirit. It is that Spirit who changes people from within. Our work -- no matter how worthy -- will fail miserably without the power of the Holy Spirit. What is born of the Spirit, will be sustained by the Spirit, Pastor Meghan said.

The disciples waited for the promised gift in that upper room. They didn’t know what to expect. It’s likely they were both scared and confused. Then the Holy Spirit came in a fiery, windy, chaotic moment that changed their lives even as it birthed the church that we are today.

We are not alone. We have help, living within us, empowering us to change and grow more like Jesus each day. All we need do is acknowledge His Presence and accept His help to become part of God’s revival on this earth.

Sunday, May 27, 2012

The Holy Spirit A Great Gift

On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” -- Acts 1:4-5

Wonderful counselor. Constant companion. Barometer of right and wrong. The Holy Spirit living within us. Our gift.

Jesus’ disciples, His followers, His family, had all witnessed numerous miracles. They heard Jesus’ wise words, had seen His wisdom as He dealt with Pharisees and sinners and hurt souls. How could they possibly continue on without Him to guide their words and deeds?

Today is Pentecost. That’s the day God sent the Holy Spirit to live within believers. It’s available to anyone. The Holy Spirit helps mold us into the image of Christ.

I’ve never really been able to explain to anyone what it feels like in that moment when the Holy Spirit arrives. We are made new in Christ. We know that because the Bible tells us so. But how do we explain the peace, the excitement, the nearness of Christ? How can I tell anyone what it feels like to know with an unshakeable certainty that I belong to Him?

Not long ago, a co-worker accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior. He’d always considered himself to be a Christian. But somehow along the way he came to understand the difference between knowing with his mind and feeling with his heart. He was Baptized with water but that came after his Baptism by the Holy Spirit.

“It’s different,” he told me.

I smiled and nodded. “I know.”

Some people are fortunate to grow up in church, always claiming Jesus as their own. They don’t know a time when they didn’t belong to Him. They’ve always known the Holy Spirit. They are blessed. And yet they also have missed something powerful. Because how can we fully know what we have without knowing what it’s like to be without it?

I am so grateful to the Holy Spirit for being there with me. I’m sure I’ve been frustrating at times, when I refused to listen to gentle guiding and instead charted a path that led me astray. But He never left me and, when I was ready, the Holy Spirit’s voice grew stronger and stronger in my life.

Today we celebrate a gift from God, a reminder of His love. We are not orphans. We were not left here alone to await the return of Jesus. We have a wonderful counselor and friend in the Holy Spirit. Thank you, God, for perfect gifts.

Monday, November 28, 2011

How Do You Explain?

But people who aren’t Christians can’t understand these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them because only those who have the Spirit can understand what the Spirit means. -- 1 Corinthians 2:14-15

How do you explain the Holy Spirit to someone who has never felt His Presence? I don’t know the answer even though I’ve tried numerous times to explain it. All I know is that when the Holy Spirit enters your body, your soul, your heart, there is a difference in how you live your life and view the world.

Recently I learned that someone I knew all my life only became a Christian shortly before his death. And I do mean shortly. He was literally days from death when he finally prayed to receive Christ as his Lord and Savior. It took him more than 70 years to understand what he’d been hearing all his life.

I wish I could say I was surprised by the news. I wasn’t. I loved him, I guess, in that way of a child faced with an emotionally distant adult. We were not close. I don’t know that he was really that close to anyone. Even his wife kept her distance at times.

The reason? He was mean. Hateful. Hurtful with his words. I was always told that in his younger years he was physically abusive. I never witnessed that, though I never doubted it either.

It wasn’t that he was all bad. He wasn’t. He could be kind and generous, caring and jovial. But he was a hard man. He’d known poverty and long hours in the fields. And he took his power where he could get it.

Yet this man rarely missed a Sunday morning church service. He’d attended many revivals. He called himself a Christian. He went through the motions, convincing others by his words that he was what he claimed to be. He just never could change his heart or his actions.

Those who knew him best, saw his secret. Denial was pointless though he did it anyway. How dare anyone challenge what he knew about himself? But as death gets closer, it becomes harder and harder to pretend. God sees our hearts and He knows our darkest secrets. He knows when we believe. And He knows when we don’t.

So on that night, shortly before he died, his son spoke again of Jesus. This time he heard. He asked questions. They talked on and on, until at last the man understood. He and his son prayed and, finally, the man found peace deep in his soul. The torment was gone. He was ready to go home.

I don’t know how to explain the saving grace that comes from salvation. I don’t know how to express the feeling of security and love that comes from knowing that God loves me no matter what. I don’t know how to tell others what they’re missing by not knowing our Father and our Lord. I don’t know how to explain the Presence of the Holy Spirit.

But I do know what I believe. I am God’s child. Jesus came to this earth as a man, died on a cross as He took my sins on Him, then Jesus rose three days later. He defeated death and now sits at the right hand of God. In Heaven. That place I’m going someday. That place I call home.

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Follow The Light

The old sinful nature loves to do evil, which is just opposite from what the Holy Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are opposite from what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, and your choices are never free from this conflict.

-- Galatians 5:17

Sometimes God calls us to do something we really don’t feel like doing. Or maybe it’s something way out of our comfort level and we let fear hold us back. Or maybe we feel like we lack the money, the time, or the resources to make it happen. Whatever “it” might be.

Because we never know what God will call us to. Most times in my life I just haven’t really seen it coming. I find myself looking up and asking God if He’s sure. I imagine He doesn’t really appreciate the question but I think He probably understands that my doubts lie with me and not Him.

See, God never calls us to do something without providing everything we need. He’ll provide the money, the time, the resources. He’ll even give us courage -- if we only step out in faith. He’ll give us words and knowledge, helpmates and talents we never knew existed.

A man who has been active in prison ministry for more than 10 years admitted recently there are times we he really doesn’t feel like going to the jail. It’s an every Tuesday night event that is both uplifting and draining. Some nights he has no idea what he’ll say when he goes inside. He doesn’t know what to teach. He doesn’t know where to start. Fortunately, God does. He’s learned to get out of the way and let God do things His way. Not surprisingly, God always has a plan and it’s always good.

We are always in a battle with Satan. That sin part of us wants to kick back and let someone else do God’s work. We’re full of excuses. And those excuses sound good too. Satan will tell us anything to keep us from God’s will. Then he will have won the battle. Oh, but Jesus has already won the war.

So shove Satan aside and step up. Focus your eyes on God and step out in faith. Keep heading toward the light and trust God to lead the way. He won’t ever let you down. You’ll be amazed at what can happen when you let faith rule your heart and your actions.

　

Sunday, June 12, 2011

Holy Spirit Fills Us

Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm in the skies above them, and it filled the house where they were meeting. Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability. -- Acts 2:2-4

Today is Pentecost. We remember when the Holy Spirit came. Peter and the other apostles waited in an upstairs room because Jesus had promised. Jesus said, “John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” So they waited and they were filled.

Dr. Karl Stegall spoke today about being homesick. It’s something all of us know well, whether we identify it or not. We long for something more than we have. We’re never quite satisfied. We believe someone or something can fill that hole inside but it never happens. Not until we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. Then the Holy Spirit fills that space inside of us.

As Christians, we realize that life on this earth is temporary. This isn’t home. Our home is in heaven with God. Oh, we hang on to it with all we’ve got. But everything we have will fade away as we leave our earthly bodies and go to a place with no pain or suffering, only light and happiness as we worship God. What an amazing future we have waiting for us!

The early church understood something we tend to forget. Relationships matter far more than any thing we’ll ever possess.

And all the believers met together constantly and shared everything they had. They sold their possessions and shared the proceeds with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity -- all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their group those who were being saved. -- Acts 2:44-47

Stegall said that the older we become, the more we long for relationships. We want to surround ourselves with people, with friends and family. We want people who care about us and who will mourn us when we’re gone. Yes, God created us for relationships with other people.

Today we celebrate the arrival of the Holy Spirit. Let us also remember how the Holy Spirit united believers in relationships they would last forever.

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Do Others See Jesus In You?

"Now I am going to him who sent me, yet none of you asks me, 'Where are you going?' Because I have said these things, you are filled with grief. But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you." -- John 15:5-7

Would you live your life any differently if Jesus were walking beside you today? I'm not talking in the Spirit. As believers, we know that Jesus is with us always. I'm talking about if He were as present to you as your spouse, your best friend or the preacher on Sunday morning. If He were standing there beside you and you could reach out and grab His hand, would you be living your life any differently?

You're probably squirming a little bit right now. Maybe even getting all puffed up and defensive. You live a good life, you're thinking. And you probably do. We're all sinners. Jesus knows that. He paid the price for those sins. But would you do anything different if He were going through your day with you?

For example, would you honk your horn and yell at that driver who just cut you off in traffic? Would you have an attitude with the cashier because the line was so long? Remember Jesus is right next to you in that line. He's probably smiling at the cashier. He knows how difficult it is to be on your feet hour after hour. He knows it isn't her fault the line is so long. Jesus is patient and kind. His manner shines against your darkness. His compassion is a stark contrast to your impatience.

Would you rush past the elderly widow at church, refusing to take time you think you don't have to speak kindly with her? Jesus would stop. He would make time. He'd probably give you a look, grab your arm and tell you a parable that would make you squirm. He'd make His point so that maybe next time you'd remember to care for the widows around you.

Would you take a nap during the church service? Would you complain that the preacher talked too long? Would you spend the afternoon working if Jesus was walking beside you?

Would you behave differently is He went with you to your job on Monday morning. He'd be right there listening when you criticized your boss. He'd hear every word as you and a few co-workers gossiped about a fellow employee. He'd see you ignore a new worker who sat alone at lunch.

I think sometimes we try to fool ourselves into thinking that God doesn't really see the "little" bad things we do each day. We're so busy having our day that it probably doesn't even occur to us that what we're doing is wrong. We're focused on ourselves, not the people we encounter. See that's one big difference between us and Jesus. He notices people. He interacts with them. He is gracious and kind, loving and forgiving. Doesn't sound too much like us, does He?

As Christians, Jesus is supposed to live inside of us. He sent the Holy Spirit to guide us through life and make sure we would never be alone. Yet we live as though we are alone. We live as though Jesus doesn't see what we do. No wonder people are turning away from Christianity and seeking God somewhere else. They don't see Him in us, so they assume we don't know Him either.

We know we are Christians through faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. The world knows we are Christians when they "see" Him walking beside us and living within us.

Monday, February 8. 2010

Christ Changes You

"See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland."

-- Psalm 43:19

Being saved changes people. It's that simple. By giving ourselves over to God, by accepting the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross for us, we are becoming new again. The Holy Spirit lives within us and we feel His presence.

I've never understood how someone can be what I've always called a "Sunday morning christian." We've all known folks like that. Most of us probably still know a few of them. They show up at church on Sundays, full of righteousness and ready to condemn the sins of everyone around them. Then they go home, take off their finery, and proceed to spend the next six days doing just as they please. It really makes me wonder if they have a clue. How can anyone who has truly invited Jesus into his/her heart ignore that fact in their daily life?

I worry, too, about those who profess to know Jesus but don't understand what I'm talking about when I mention the Holy Spirit. They don't get that accepting Jesus as Lord and Saviour is way more than something you do with your head. It's what you do with your heart. It's what happens when you hit your knees, in good times and bad.

Of course, I don't know that I help matters because the presence of the Holy Spirit isn't something I can explain. I can tell you the exact moment He entered me, the exact moment I went from knowing about Jesus to knowing Jesus personally. I can describe His comforting presence when I am troubled and alone. I can share the joy I feel when He blesses me with a new hope and His light shines down on my day.

I want that for everyone. I want all His children to feel His love, to know that His hands are reaching out to hold them and guide them and bless them. I want them to know that God isn't just about Sunday mornings. He's present every day of the week. He's present in the big deals of our lives. And He's present in the smallest details. He is with us always, if we'll only invite Him in.