August 24, 2022

 

Casting Stones

 

When they kept questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” – John 8:7

 

We’re all familiar with the story of the adulteress woman. The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought her before Jesus. They had already condemned her and, no doubt, stood ready to stone her to death. That was the law after all.

 

We’re good at following the law, aren’t we? At least when we’re the ones pointing the accusing finger at someone else. It’s just way easier to look at the sins of others rather than those that are within us.

 

How many times have I heard someone – a self-proclaimed Christian – throwing this scripture out to condemn someone or to justify their own unforgiveness. Jesus told her to go and sin no more, they say righteously. And, yes, Jesus did say that. But it’s important not to gloss over the rest of the story in order to get to your weapon of words.

 

Jesus told the one who was without sin to cast the first stone. Are you without sin? I’m surely not. In fact, no one who walks this earth is without sin. But that doesn’t stop us from casting stones, does it?

 

Our world has so much darkness in it right now. We blame everyone else without bothering to look within ourselves to the sins in our own hearts. We are arrogant and justified in our own eyes, failing to understand that our sins turn others away from the saving grace that Jesus offers to all of us.

 

The next time you’re tempted to condemn someone else, check yourself first.

November 12, 2019

Prepare for Darkness

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” – John 8:12

Winter arrived today, its wind blowing furiously as the temperatures dropped. Yesterday was a picture-perfect fall day. Temperatures in the 70's with the sun shining brightly. What a difference a few hours can make.

Isn’t that just like life? We’re going along enjoying our days and basking in the merry-go-round of daily activities. Then, in what seems like a moment, everything changes. The illness, the car wreck, the shattered relationship, the job loss. Where light once had free-reign we see nothing but darkness.

Yesterday, while the light of fall rang true, we prepared for today’s freezing temperatures. We covered pipes, unhooked hoses, carried plants inside to safety. We prepared for the darkness and gloom of today. Why? Because we knew it was coming.

It’s the same with life. The time to prepare for the onslaught of tragedy and grief and out-of-control lives is when everything is fine. We know life is filled with ups and downs, good times and bad times. So we build our foundation on the rock who is Jesus Christ. That way, when the storm comes, He will be our secure and safe place to ride it out.

What are you doing today to prepare for an uncertain tomorrow? Do you read and study God’s Word? Do you pray, thanking God for His amazing blessings and asking for guidance? Do you do good where you can? Do you prioritize people, build relationships, give graciously to build His kingdom?

Life gets so busy sometimes. Too busy. We always think we’ve got another day to make that phone call or watch that flag football game. We think we’ve got ample chances to read the book or rock the baby or attend church. But sometimes that day in the future never comes. And sometimes our lives are so devastated that those wishes are destroyed forever.

Prepare for the coming darkness. Lay your foundation on Jesus. In light or darkness, cling to the One who knows the way.

February 8, 2018

Watch What You Share

“You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is not truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” – John 8:44

It made the social media rounds. It was Super Bowl Sunday and the word was that the NFL wasn’t going to allow the Star-Spangled Banner to be played. People were disgusted with Commissioner Roger Goodell. Some threatened to boycott watching the game.

It was all a lie. Pink sang the National Anthem. Everyone raved about her performance. I only noticed one person come back and post on social media that the information previously shared was wrong. She didn’t apologize for sharing it. She simply noted it was wrong and “someone” obviously got their information wrong.

This woman, along with many others, are wonderful Christians. Except when they aren’t. Did it ever occur to them to check the facts before sharing a lie? Of course not. It’s just too easy to click that share button. It’s not so easy to research the issue themselves.

Everyone knows I’m all about opinions. I love sharing my own and I love to hear different voices debating real issues. We all learn that way. But there’s a line between opinion and lie. So many people don’t understand that.

Another sweet friend defended her right to her opinion. I guess she’s been getting some flack for the hatred she shares on social media. Not from me, I might add. I simply ignore it. I know that very little of what she shares actually has any truth in it.

She is defensive. I understand that. It’s never fun to be criticized. But I think maybe she’s missing the point of the comments. She is certainly entitled to her opinion. But when she constantly shares hatred and then turns around and talks about Jesus, well, she comes off sounding like a hypocrite. And that makes people angry.

It’s a vicious cycle. Hatred begets hatred. Anger begets anger. And lies beget them both. We’re so busy having “opinions” that we can’t hear any voice but our own. We blame it all on Washington but, honestly, it starts right here with all of us.

I wonder what would happen if all those who claim to be Christians simply refused to share hatred and ugliness. It is possible to share your opinion without either of those things. I wonder how our country, and the world, would change if we sought to listen and learn rather than listen and reply.

If your “opinion” is a lie, it comes from Satan. Be careful what you share. Is it kind? Does it show respect for all those created in God’s image? If the answer is no, then don’t share it. Don’t say it. Don’t be a part of it. And, certainly, don’t excuse it as your “opinion.”

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

What Are You Waiting For?

To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” -- John 8:31-32

What would you do if you knew you were totally accepted, perfectly loved, and supported beyond measure? What would you accomplish if the fear that holds you back suddenly failed to exist?

The truth sets us free from doubts, fear, selfishness, insecurity and the judgments of others. When we begin to realize that God chose us, that He loves us, and that we are perfectly made by Him, then we start to understand the possibilities. That is freedom.

Stop and think for a moment about all those things you have never tried because you were afraid you would fail. Consider all those times you’ve felt a tug toward something more and you held back because you didn’t believe in your own abilities.

Or maybe you’re someone who listens to the court of popular opinion. You seek everyone’s opinion about any idea or activity -- everyone, that is, except God. Your excuse is that you don’t know what God wants. The truth is that you’re so busy asking others and talking about it, that you really haven’t had time to sit down and hear what He has to say.

We’re good at excuses. We’ve got one for everything we don’t want to do. And we’ve got one for every time we hear God calling us to something more, something better, something scary and new. Because we don’t want to step out in faith and believe His promises over our own lives.

We forget that He chose us. That He loves us unconditionally. That He loves us where we are now and for what we can become. We forget that sometimes. We want to wait until we’re good enough, smart enough, talented enough. But we’re already enough for God. And He’s more than enough for us.

The truth will set us free. His truth spoken over our lives. He beckons you forward. Grab hold of His hand. What could you do with Jesus by your side? What could you accomplish if you trusted the One who fed thousands with five loaves of bread and two fish?

Don’t be afraid anymore. Take a step forward in faith and grab hold of His hand. He won’t let go and you won’t fail. You belong to Him and He loves you unconditionally.

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

God’s Truth Sets Us Free

For the Scriptures tell us, “Abraham believed God, so God declared him to be righteous.”

-- Romans 4:3

But people are declared righteous because of their faith, not because of their work.

-- Romans 4:5

We can’t earn salvation. Most of us know that. So why do we keep trying? Why do we find it so hard to accept the grace God has offered us? Why does the idea that Jesus Christ died horribly on a cross for you and me seem so far beyond what we can comprehend and accept?

Everything about what God has done for us, what Jesus has given us, goes against human nature. Obviously. God is, well, God. We can’t possibly comprehend His ways. Yet we try. We want to understand what we can’t possibly understand.

How can we believe we’re really saved, that we really have received the gift of eternal life, if we can’t accept that the gift comes without strings? Really. We believe so therefore we are saved. Faith. That’s all it takes.

We want to earn our salvation but we can never, ever be good enough to earn an eternity with God. So we want to know why, and how, God could love us so much that He’s willing to send His Son to die for us. In our world of people always expecting something in return for every good deed, it just doesn’t seem possible that the Creator of the universe would do something so loving and kind for those who can’t begin to deserve it.

But a funny thing happens when we slowly do begin to accept His gift. We want to do good. We want to be kind and loving and generous. While our deeds can’t save us, we want to please God. We want those we encounter each day to see Jesus’ light shining out from us.

Beth Moore made a wonderful observation in a DVD study. She said that our actions show our true belief systems. When we don’t believe ourselves worthy to accept God’s gift, we fall back into our old ways again. Self-sabotage, if you will. We know we aren’t worthy so we behave accordingly. It’s when we let go of that belief that we are truly free.

“And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” -- John 8:32

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Believe God

"So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." -- John 8:36

Don't you just hate expectations? Someone always expects something from us. We're to behave a certain way, do certain things, say or don't say what we mean. I could go on and on. People want us to be how they think we should be.

I understand that some expectations are good. We expect, for example, that someone driving a car on the highway is actually a licensed driver. We need rules like that. But what about the expections that limit who and what we are?

A teacher tells us we aren't smart -- and we believe her. A parent tells us we can't reach our dreams -- and we believe it. We believe we aren't pretty, aren't worthy, aren't capable. We believe all those around us -- voices of Satan -- who tell us we can't do what we truly believe God has called us to do.

The truth will set you free. It's what the Bible says. So what would happen if you stopped believing all the lies you hear that limit you and started believing what God thinks about you? The possibilities become endless.

God wants good things for you and me. He wants us to be happy and successful. He wants us to live our lives in His will, doing His work, for His glory. He wants to set us free from the sin that holds us in bondage. And that's what sin does. It limits all the possibilities that God offers His children.

So get down on your knees and ask God to show you what He has laid out for you. Bask in His love and accept His gifts. He has great plans for you that go far beyond anything you could ever imagine. Let Him show you all that you can be when you walk in His will.