October 28, 2024

                    Claim Your Faith

“But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.– Joshua 24:15

 It’s easy to throw out words, isn’t it? It’s not so easy to live out our faith – especially when it might cost us more than we are willing to give.

God’s people wanted to serve Him. But they wanted to serve other gods too. Today we would label those other gods as money, power, prestige, self. We might choose to serve our church, our pastor, our political leaders. And let’s not forget comfort, financial security, and all our many possessions.

We’re not called to any of that. We are called to serve God. We are called to follow Jesus. Hatred, revenge, greed – none of those things have any part of Jesus.

We are afraid. We’re afraid we won’t have enough money. We’re afraid “illegals” will steal our jobs and our homes. We’re afraid the government will demand our guns and destroy our way of life. We’re afraid of many things and we’re fighting to control it all.

We are justifying evil and claiming Jesus at the same time. And we wonder why our nation is in such turmoil. We can’t believe people are turning away from God. We don’t understand how our actions and our words are leading people to believe that God is evil when He is really only love.

We put our idols, and our fears, above the One true God. We choose to follow evil even as we proclaim that we will follow God.

We are at a crossroads. Will you follow idols? Will you allow fear to dictate your response to the evil we face? Or will you trust God? Will you truly follow Him?

We all have choices to make. Claim your faith and live it.

October 25, 2024

          Death Strikes Suddenly

Jesus wept. – John 11:35

“It’s not what you take when you leave this world behind you, it’s what you leave behind you when you go.”

Those words from the song Three Wooden Crosses have echoed in my mind these past few days. James Smith was a friend, a former boss, a really good, kind and compassionate man. He was devoted to his wife, his children and grandchildren. He didn’t talk a lot about his faith. He simply lived it.

How does a man so filled with life suddenly move to heaven with no warning? When I got that phone call, I kept telling the caller that she had to be wrong. Not James. Surely not James.

Those of us privileged to know him are stunned. Heartbroken. Grief-stricken. And, yet, all the words we’re using to describe him echo the same sentiments. His legacy, which reaches far beyond his family, will live forever.

If you needed someone to laugh with you, James was right there. If you needed a defender, he was the first to step up. If you needed a sounding board, he had two ears that were always available to listen.

His priorities were right in line with his values. I’m not sure how many performances of Nutcracker he sat through over the years. Or how many swim meets he attended. Add class activities and beach fun. He was present in the lives of his grandchildren and he was just as excited for the last event as for the first one.

He rocked babies and gave away brides. He mourned his Daddy and took care of his Mama. He was someone you could count on. His extended family depended on him and he always showed up.

Was he perfect? No. None of us are. But he had his priorities in the right order. He loved Jesus and he loved Barbara, his wife of 44 years. He loved his family and friends.

I look around today and see people lusting after tomorrow with a gaze that never sees today. I see hearts that judge people based on possessions, while neglecting the seeds that grow into tomorrow.

James planted seeds. He planted seeds of kindness, integrity, compassion, honesty. He fertilized us all with hope and laughter. And the gift of his presence.

The coming days, weeks and years will be hard, especially for his family. There’s the new grandbaby he’ll never hold. And the graduation he won’t see. And let’s not forget the Nutcracker ballet and the swim meets and all the other things he will miss. He leaves a large void that none of us can fill.

But Jesus. Well, Jesus wept. And then He stepped up to fill that void as only He can.

September 20, 2024

                 Be Kind to Jesus

Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD

And He will give a reward to the lender.

– Proverbs 19:17

Who are the poor? Do they look like you? Do they live in your community? Are they lazy? Are they children with parents who don’t care? Are they women escaping violence? Are they the person sitting next to you on that church pew?

Increasingly, we have no care for the poor. We’ll gather items for shoeboxes. We’ll contribute diapers or clothes to an organization of our choosing. We might even put a few cans of food into a donation box for the food pantry.

But we don’t want to do anything that might get our hands dirty. We don’t want to associate with people who don’t look like us or speak the same language we speak. We really don’t want to see the poor or associate with them.

Do you remember what Jesus said in Matthew’s gospel?

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.

Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or see you thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?

The king will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

– Matthew 25:35-40

Our world is filled with hate and entitlement. We proclaim a faith we don’t live. We quote scripture but refuse to live it out in our own lives.

Don’t tell me what the Bible says. Show me. Get your hands dirty. Make a sacrifice for someone you don’t know who can never repay you. Do the right thing even when the wrong thing would be far easier and less costly.

Following Jesus was never meant to be easy. Stop thinking that it is.

September 11, 2024

                          Where Were You?

And now these three things remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. – 1 Corinthians 13:13

As the Alan Jackson song asks: Where were you when the world stopped turning? Most of us remember September 11, 2001 so well. Shock. Disbelief. Sorrow. Anger. Did you hit your knees in prayer?

And what about the day after? Were you kinder, more helpful to strangers? Did you let go of pettiness? Did you remember that we are One Nation, Under God?

Today is a beautiful, if sorrowful, reminder of what really matters. That’s the message Paul was trying to teach the Corinthians. This letter was to address a church in disarray. There was much finger pointing and arrogance. But accolades and bank accounts disappear. Disputes over who’s in charge and exactly how we should worship don’t really matter in the end.

Why do we hate each other simply because we have different views? Why do we use the Bible as a weapon, pulling verses out of context and spewing them at those who have a different point of view? When did we forget that we are ALL created in the image of God?

As I read my Bible today, I once again thanked Him for always telling the truth. God keeps His promises. God never leaves us – even when we leave Him. He loves us beyond anything we could ever imagine.

We are so quick to tell everyone to pray for revival and a return to God. What we really mean is that other people should become like us. We rarely understand that the journey to revival begins with the person we see in the mirror each day.

Where do we start? We begin by loving other people. Really loving them. Praying for eyes to see them as Jesus sees them. We cling to faith and hope in the middle of the turmoil that has seemed to engulf our great nation. We take each step forward with love in our hearts as we follow Jesus on our journey home.

August 24,2024

 Do You Know Jesus

The LORD is near to the brokenhearted,

He saves those crushed in spirit.

– Psalm 34:18

He was only 14. Today his family and friends will gather in the high school gym to celebrate his life. It makes no sense. Death doesn’t always make sense.

It was a normal school day. He and the rest of the football team lifted weights inside and then headed outside. He suffered a “medical emergency” within minutes.

One day we’ll know what happened. One day we’ll understand. But right now we wonder how a seemingly healthy young athlete could simply die.

We’ve cheered him on through more basketball games than I can count. Our grandson is the same age and was on the same teams. Junior high games. Rec ball games. Travel ball games. We watched him play earlier this month.

Our only consolation is that he knew Jesus. This separation is not the final goodbye. We’ll see him again. I am thankful for his faith. I am thankful for the promises of Jesus.

So I turn to you and ask: Do you know Jesus? Have you accepted Him as Lord and Savior? It’s not about knowing the right words to say when someone asks. It’s a heart thing. Has Jesus changed your heart? Do your words and actions reflect Him?

No one expected a 14-year-old boy to die that day. But he did. Don’t assume you’ve got time. One day it’ll all be over. So I’ll ask you again: Do you know Jesus?

September 20, 2024

                    Be Kind to Jesus

Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD

And He will give a reward to the lender.

– Proverbs 19:17

Who are the poor? Do they look like you? Do they live in your community? Are they lazy? Are they children with parents who don’t care? Are they women escaping violence? Are they the person sitting next to you on that church pew?

Increasingly, we have no care for the poor. We’ll gather items for shoeboxes. We’ll contribute diapers or clothes to an organization of our choosing. We might even put a few cans of food into a donation box for the food pantry.

But we don’t want to do anything that might get our hands dirty. We don’t want to associate with people who don’t look like us or speak the same language we speak. We really don’t want to see the poor or associate with them.

Do you remember what Jesus said in Matthew’s gospel?

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.

Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or see you thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?

The king will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

– Matthew 25:35-40

Our world is filled with hate and entitlement. We proclaim a faith we don’t live. We quote scripture but refuse to live it out in our own lives.

Don’t tell me what the Bible says. Show me. Get your hands dirty. Make a sacrifice for someone you don’t know who can never repay you. Do the right thing even when the wrong thing would be far easier and less costly.

Following Jesus was never meant to be easy. Stop thinking that it is.

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.

June 28, 2023

 

God is Faithful

 

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. – Hebrews 11:1

 

I struggle to see. Some days are worse than others but every day is frustrating. It was not what I expected in this season of life.

 

Isn’t that how it often is in our faith journey? Just as we enter a season of strong faith, we find ourselves rocked by yet another challenge. We do believe; Lord help our unbelief! (Mark 9:24)

 

Gratitude fills my heart. It could be so much worse. I know that. I am blessed that I can see some. I can still read, which is huge for me. And I am so, so grateful for a doctor willing to send me to a specialist who diagnosed my eye disease. I could easily have gone blind without that diagnosis.

 

Still, sometimes as I list my blessings, my heart wants to delve into self-pity. Isn’t it enough that I already deal with the side-effects of chemo? Must I add yet another issue? Then I look around and remind myself once again that I am truly blessed.

 

I know that God is in this place. I count blessing after blessing, the most important one being that He never, ever left me. When my world fell apart, He was there. When I was being blamed for sins that weren’t mine, He was there. When I was afraid of the future, He was right there.

 

We lose sight of that sometimes. We forget that God holds us tightly throughout our journey. He knows exactly what we need, and who we need, before we even realize it. God takes care of His own.

 

Several years ago we had some sweet friends going through a terrible trial. He was a pastor who’d lost his church. It got ugly as the pastor stood firm in his faith. During that season of renewal, God provided jobs and strength. Now this same pastor serves a church that adores he and his family. God has blessed them more than they could ever imagine.

 

What I remember most about his season of grief, is his attitude. He told me that God held him in the palm of His hand and there was no better, no safer, place to be. (Isaiah 49:46) He was so right.

 

I don’t know what you’re going through right now but know that God is there with you. Have faith that He sees you and has good things planned for you. (Jeremiah 29:11) Hold tight to your hope because He is faithful. Always. Forever. Faithful.

July 12, 2021

 

Separate Politics, True Faith

 

Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.” – Matthew 12:25

 

We have turned our faith into a political debate. We divide amongst ourselves based on political ideology rather than love of Jesus. We’ve chosen to pick out parts of the Bible that “apply” to us and our beliefs and ignore the rest. Do we really believe that God will stand for our selfish ignorance?

 

We excuse politicians for bad behavior simply because we believe deep inside that their policies are good for our bank accounts. We ignore the hate-filled Facebook posts by people we like maybe, just maybe, because it’s what we want to say. We condemn the poor, blaming them for our own economic woes. We judge and we judge and we judge.

 

We do everything, it seems, but love others unconditionally. We do everything but lend a helping hand. We don’t want to get dirty. We don’t want to give up our time or our money or our churches for anything or anyone we aren’t comfortable with. We want to surround ourselves with those who look like us, speak like us, are economically comfortable like us and who believe like us.

 

We call out those who defend the rights of the underdog, calling them atheists and liberals and dreamers. We focus on one or two issues and call ourselves conservative Christians when the reality is that our lives are anything but a reflection of Jesus.

 

Who are you? Perhaps you’re the one who puts yourself on a pedestal and demands that your way is the only way. Perhaps you are the modern-day Pharisee demanding that those who love Jesus follow your rules and ignore everything else the Bible says is true.

 

Don’t mix true faith in Jesus with political views that ignore the needs of everyone. Faith and politics aren’t the same thing. Trying to weld the two together is a disaster we see unfolding before our eyes.

February 11, 2020

Does His Walk Match His Talk?

Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. – Matthew 7:15

Do you believe everyone who claims to be a Christian actually is a Christian? It’s not a trick question. A simple yes or no will do.

Most of us realize that not everyone who professes faith actually is a person of faith. Jesus warned us about such people. But sometimes it’s hard to see past a person’s proclamations and really look at their actions. We prefer the lie because it makes our lives so much easier when perceived actions align with what we desperately want to know as truth.

Let’s make one thing clear. Only God knows the hearts of each of us. Only He truly knows if someone is saved by belief in Jesus or is just playing a part. It’s not about being “good” or “smart” or “successful” as judged by worldly standards. It’s all about Jesus. That’s something really basic that we sometimes brush aside in an effort to see the best in people.

Here’s another truth: someone who truly believes shows that belief by changed actions. No. Our actions don’t save us. Only Jesus does that. But faith changes us from the inside out so others should see a difference in our words and our behavior.

I don’t understand how people who loudly proclaim their Christian faith can look at President Trump and proclaim him as a man of true faith. His words line up perfectly with what we believe except his actions repeatedly tell us something else.

I also don’t understand how these same people can look down on those who don’t support Trump and question our faith. Some go so far as to say Democrats are atheists and only Republicans are true Christians. They don’t see their black and white judgements as contrary to biblical teaching. They don’t see the holes in their own faith as they look down on the poor, the elderly, the immigrant.

Here’s another truth: Neither political party gets it all right or all wrong. We can only pray and vote the convictions of our heart. But to praise a man who lies, degrades women and walks and talks with an arrogance that belittles anyone who disagrees with him? His words may proclaim Jesus but his actions repeatedly tell us something different.

May 11, 2019

Faith Reveals Itself

In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. – James 2:17

In that dance that happens when you first meet someone, we discovered that we had a mutual friend. It bonded us in an odd sort of way. We had something, or in this case someone, in common.

“She lives her faith more than anyone I have ever known,” the woman said. I nodded in agreement. It was a genuine compliment that revealed an incredible truth.

Our friend isn’t a flashy, in your face type of Christian. She doesn’t go around slamming others or pushing a political agenda. Instead, she practices kindness and mercy in all that she does. She can debate issues, and does so, with facts and Scripture references. It’s not about politics or “acceptable” answers. It’s about what the Bible truly says.

There are those who call her liberal. I suppose in some ways she is. I see Jesus in her. He was somewhat of a liberal Himself while He preached the gospel on this earth. He wasn’t motivated by money or political correctness. He didn’t care too much for man-made rules. He taught God’s Word. He told us to be kind and merciful, to forgive everyone and to love everyone too. Yes. Our mutual friend is a lot like Jesus.

Being Jesus on earth isn’t about condemning others for not meeting our standards. It isn’t about judging what we don’t know and have no business commenting on. It isn’t about gossiping and political rallies and plucking out Bible verses to further our own agendas. It’s about living the life God has called us to live in the best way we can. It’s about showing others Jesus. My friend does that by how she lives her life. Do you?

January 6, 2018

Draw Others to Christ

I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. – Philippians 1:20

Paul didn’t write these words from inside a cushy house. He wasn’t being waited on by servants or enjoying luxuries without end. Paul was sitting in a jail, uncertain when his life might end.

There’s something about facing death that puts everything into perspective. Suddenly, it’s not about us. Our faith either makes us strong enough to endure whatever comes or is so shallow that the doubts turn us angry and bitter.

Have you ever witnessed someone flattened by sudden illness? It becomes a true test of faith, doesn’t it? It’s just so easy to sing Jesus’ praises while life is going good. We are happy and content and our faith is strong and sure.

Then something awful happens. The test results show cancer. The shallow breathing reveals a devastating heart condition. The slurred speech and clumsiness signal a life-changing stroke.

It is in those darkest moments when our true faith emerges. Circumstances either cast us adrift, causing us to flounder and forget our anchor, or they draw us toward the only One who can strengthen us and carry us through the journey.

Have you ever watched someone slammed with the unexpected death of a loved one? They either turn angry and bitter, blaming God for their loss, or they lean into the comfort only He can provide. One path brings life while the other path leads to destruction.

Our testimonies don’t really lie in the good days of life. Sure, people are watching and we are witnessing whether we are aware of it or not. People see our faith, how we live and behave in the every day ordinariness, and they see us as either people of God or hypocrites masquerading as Christians.

But it is in the valley, in those places of deep darkness, that people really come to understand who Jesus really is. It is when we cling to the cross that they understand God isn’t merely about the good times.

Life really isn’t about how many times we attend worship services, though that matters. It isn’t about how often we check that Christian box or whether we volunteer and tithe. It’s about what we show people when darkness threatens the light of Christ in our own lives.

We never know how we’ll react in devastating circumstances until it happens to us. We don’t really understand the strength Christ offers until His strength is all we have to get us through another day.

Paul was facing the worst of circumstances and what he wanted above all else was that his life exalt Christ. He wanted others to know Jesus through his words and actions, no matter the circumstances.

What about you? What do you want people to remember about you when your life comes to an end? Do you think they’ll remark about how stylishly you dressed or how much stuff you owned? Or will they see you as someone who loved Jesus and lived for Him in all you said and did?

We only have one life to live before we head home for eternity with Jesus. No matter your circumstances, let your life draw others to Him.

January 4, 2018

Take the Step

By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. – Hebrews 11:8

The New Year is calling to us. It is inviting us to new places, new adventures, new roads to travel. Are you heading out or hunkering down?

Abraham didn’t have to go when God called him. Abraham could have said no. God gives us the freedom to make choices, good or bad, as we live life on this earth. Abraham chose to follow God, even though he had no idea where he was going or what challenges he might face.

In a very real sense, Abraham took a chance on God. He believed God and the promises God had made to him. We look at those passages in the Bible and, still, we hesitate on the calling God has made on our own lives. We explain that times were different then. We rationalize that Abraham was a very special person and, thus, much more qualified to follow God.

Except that we’re really no different than Abraham. We’re special because God made us. We’re qualified because God provides all that we need to accomplish the task He sets before us. The difference between us and Abraham? Faith.

Somewhere along the line we’ve gotten the notion that following God should be easy. We’ve come to believe that stepping out in faith should come without hardship and doubts. We truly think that God’s calling doesn’t involve actual work or sacrifice on our part. Where in the world did we get that belief? Certainly not from the Bible.

Jesus promised that in this world we would have trouble. I know. It’s not what we want to hear. We want an easy life filled with blessings and little to no heartache. That’s not the life Jesus promised. That’s just not reality.

Faith means we trust God when we can’t see the way forward. Faith means we trust God when doubts set in and naysayers abound. Faith means we trust God in the storm, certain that it will pass and God’s blessings will come in abundance.

Faith also means understanding that our journey here is not about us. Sure, God wants us to enjoy life. But this life He’s granted to us really isn’t about us. It’s not. But we sure do have a hard time with that, don’t we?

Putting God first doesn’t fit with who society tells us we should be. Isn’t life supposed to be about us? Isn’t it supposed to be fun, filled with blessings, with little to no sacrifice on our part?

This isn’t our home. We know that but sometimes we have a difficult time wrapping our minds around it. We are restless, hungry for something more but we can’t seem to understand that we’ll never really be content so long as we live on this earth.

So, what has God called you to do in this New Year? It’s probably won’t be an easy journey. It might not be something you particularly want to do. It might require sacrifice and hardship and skills you never thought you had. Do it anyway.

January 1, 2019

A New Day

“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” – Isaiah 43:19

“But you will not leave in haste or go in flight; for the LORD will go before you, the God of Israel will be your rear guard.”

– Isaiah 52:12

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! – 2 Corinthians 5:17

What are your New Year’s resolutions? Did you giddily toast to your dreams? Are you determined to live differently this year? Did you make plans for good things?

Why do you think this year will be different than last year? Are you different? Are you more determined? Has life rocked you to the core and changed your direction?

We like to think of the first day of a new year as a new beginning. In many ways, it is. But it is only a new beginning if we are willing to make real changes in how we live our lives. Dreams are great but they don’t do anything unless we are willing to take action.

Sometimes we get so mired in the past that we lose our hope for today. We get so overwhelmed with where we are that we can’t seem to make ourselves take small steps toward who we want to be.

Our goals were so attainable in the giddiness of the New Year’s Eve celebration. We felt strong enough to conquer anything. And, maybe, for a day or two we bask in the glow of change.

The reality isn’t always so easy. There’s no way to lose weight without changing our eating habits and adding physical activity to our lives. No amount of dreaming or fad diet challenges will cause us to lose weight. We’ve got to actually step up and change.

The same is true with seeking a new job, changing relationships, living more determinedly for Christ. Jobs don’t happen without applications and networking. Relationships don’t change without time and effort. Living for Christ doesn’t happen without spending more time with Him and actually stepping up to serve.

Do you see the pattern? Are you willing to do the work necessary to live differently in 2019?

Don’t let the past overwhelm you. And don’t get caught up with how large that mountain looks. Every goal is reached by taking one step and then another. You don’t have to do it all at once. You simply must take one step toward it today.

Can you do that? Do you trust God enough to follow the dreams He’s planted deep inside of you? Can you move forward even when you quake in fear? Are you willing to follow the light?

God never leaves us alone. He never lets us to wander without reason. Seek His wisdom and move forward into the New Year. God has called you to great things but it’s up to you to take that first step.

December 19, 2018

Excuses

Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head.

– 1 Samuel 17:38

He was only a shepherd boy. Sure. He’d been anointed by Samuel but he was still the same boy. He’d come to bring bread and cheese to his brothers, who were on the front lines of the fight against the Philistines.

Except no one wanted to take on Goliath. No one was willing to challenge the giant and almost certainly die. Except for the boy whose trust in God was so great that he believed God would show His glory by allowing him to defeat Goliath.

David’s brothers were angry and believed their little brother was showing out. I suppose it was easier to be offended than to face the reality that their youngest sibling was braver than they were.

King Saul agreed to let David try. This was long before he turned on David and tried to have him killed. Saul offered David his personal armor. His intentions were good but David didn’t need Saul’s armor. He wasn’t accustomed to it and the very items meant to protect David would have hindered him.

How often do we try to add resources to what God has already provided? He’s equipped us for what He has called us to do but we’re still making excuses. We’re certain that we need something more, something better, something that will insure victory. It’s easier to trust in a coat of armor than a God we know but don’t see.

Faith calls us to something greater.

David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the LORD will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’S, and he will give all of you into our hands.” – 1 Samuel 17:45-47

David wasn’t arrogant because of his own abilities. He simply knew with deep certainty that God would show up. What would you do if you knew with that deep certainty that God would show up? Why do you doubt?

We’re all good at making excuses for not doing what we know God has called us to do. We want the perfect time. We want all the perfect resources. We want to be in the perfect frame of mind. We want a reason not to try because when we try we reveal the depth of our faith.

Do you believe? Really? Truly? Then what are you waiting for? God has already given you everything you need to do what He has called you to.

December 12, 2018

Faith Comes First

“Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. The ax is already at the root of the trees and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”

– Luke 3:8-9

But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”

Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.

– James 2:18

They are good. They’re quick to point that out if anyone tries to tell them about Jesus. They don’t want to listen. They aren’t willing to hear.

In their minds, they are good people. “I’ll just take my chances,” is a popular response. It’s not about chances. If you believe in Jesus, believe He came and died for our sins and rose three days later, you are saved. If you don’t, you are headed to hell.

Sometimes we try to cover the truth with platitudes. Maybe if we surround it with nice things, we won’t have to deal with the black and white nature of sin. We don’t want to tell people we like, people who are basically good people, that Jesus is the only way to live.

Some people truly believe their deeds will save them. They just do. It’s not true but it gives them an excuse to continue on without ever really making a decision. They don’t want to turn their lives over to Jesus. They don’t want to hand Him control.

Others know all the answers. They’re saved. They love Jesus. They attend church. They tithe sometimes. But they aren’t quite willing to give up their sins. They’re forgiven so what does it matter? They want the security of Jesus, they want the reassurance that Heaven is in their future, but they also want to live however they choose in the hear and now.

Does any of this sound familiar? Maybe you know someone, or several someones, who fit into one of the other of those categories. Maybe one of those categories describes you.

John the Baptist was preaching about the Messiah. He was baptizing people with water. He was laying the way for what was to come. Some Jews thought they were good. Abraham was their father. They had no need for a Savior.

Yet, they did. God sent His Son and they missed it. They rejected Him and crucified Him. They were so busy with their rules, with knowing everything, that they missed what was truly important.

The same is true for those who claim a faith they don’t live. How is it possible to have true faith without wanting to change your life and please the One who gives us life? It isn’t. Because true faith brings change inside of us.

That’s what James was saying. Some people think being good, doing good, is all they need to be saved. They’ve got it all wrong. It is faith that saves us and, because of that faith, we want to do good to honor Jesus.

Life is hard. Do good. Be kind. But don’t ever forget that none of it matters if Jesus Christ isn’t in your heart.

November 20, 2018

What Does Your Life Say?

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night. – Psalm 1:1-2

The discussion turned to what others see in us as we go about our daily lives. We are Christians, people who claim a faith that lives inside of us and directs our steps. But it is our actions, not our words, that preach what we truly believe.

John Wesley, who founded the Methodist denomination, lived his faith. He died a pauper because he gave away almost everything he earned. He wasn’t always the most well-liked person because he refused to go along with the establishment. When he saw a need, he attempted to find a solution. People don’t like change, especially when change might cost them something.

We see this same thing happening in our world today. I’m not really sure how one political party gained the reputation for being the “Christian” party and the other gained the reputation as being for those who don’t believe. As I’ve said before, neither political party gets it all right or all wrong when it comes to following God’s Word.

It doesn’t stop us from pointing fingers and getting angry at others for believing differently that we do. I’ve watched people I once thought were Christians who lived their faith fall into ugliness that comes when people are more concerned with their wallets than with their hearts.

I get it. I do. No one wants to work hard so that someone who refuses to do anything can partake in material blessings. But that’s where we take the wrong fork in the road. We aren’t called to fix or judge others. We are called to love, to work hard as though we are working for God, and to be generous with our time, talents and possessions. But, like the belligerent 2-year-old who refuses to share, we throw a tantrum and just say no.

I have a once sweet friend who has allowed herself to get so caught up in national politics that she has now become someone I don’t even know. It’s not about differing political views. I could care less about that. It’s that she is all about hate and possessions, condemning what she doesn’t know or understand, and spreading lies because it “sounds right.” I’m not the only one who sees it. A few have called her on it publicly. But she can’t see the change in herself as she pushes forward with her “opinions.”

People don’t see Jesus when they hear her or read her words. They aren’t drawn to Him because there’s no kindness or love, no mercy or compassion, in anything she says or does. She goes through the motions but her heart has hardened. It’s really sad.

We were never called to be like the world. Jesus repeatedly told us how to be different: love your enemies, do good to those who seek to harm you, share everything, put God before self or even your families. But those words of our Savior make us uncomfortable. We want to pick and choose which to follow. It was never meant to be that way. We were never meant to be that way.

Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.

See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. – Psalm 139:23-24

I wonder how many of us pray this verse? I wonder how uncomfortable the response from God might be? Are we willing to hear Him? Are we willing to look deep into our hearts and make the changes necessary to truly live like Jesus?

Many people know Jesus because of what they see in us. What type of message are we sending? What type of lessons are we teaching? Make sure your actions line up with the faith you claim. It won’t be comfortable but it surely will be worth it in the end.

September 30, 2018

How Far Will You Go?

From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. – John 6:66

How devoted are you to Jesus? How much do you love Him? How far will you go when He calls you to a path not of your liking? What will you do, how much will you sacrifice, to fulfill His calling on your life?

It’s easy to follow Jesus when the path is sure and the work light and easy. It’s a good life, we tell ourselves. God is good, we share boldly.

And then, one day, it’s not. Your best friend gets a cancer diagnosis and, after surgery and treatments and hours of prayer, dies. Your husband spends years building a career that provides a good life for your family until, one day, his company goes under and you’re left with a meager bank account and no prospects for a new job.

Should I go on? There’s the child you’ve asked God to protect and guide since before he was born. He’s addicted to drugs. Maybe you thought you’d found the perfect church only to hear another church member gossiping and spreading ugly untruths about you. Maybe you’re infertile, or alone, or your husband is having an affair.

Do you still follow Jesus throughout it all? Do you still love Him and trust Him? Do you still believe He wants what is best for you?

Life rarely turns out the way we’d imagined. Our plans, well, they rarely direct our lives. God has a way of showing up and turning our world upset down. Sometimes it hurts. Always it ends up growing us and molding us into the people He wants us to be.

Staying the course is hard. It’s not like God gives us a map. We don’t get to preview the twists and turns before they happen. We don’t get to choose only good things.

I get it. I do. But here’s a hard truth:  It’s in the hard times, the hurtful moments, that we grow the most. It’s when we have nowhere else to turn that we finally cry out to the only One who can fill us with His peace, healing us from the inside out.

That’s when some people turn away. They want an easy button. They don’t want to walk through the pain. They don’t want to suffer. They don’t want to believe God knows best when He says no. They don’t want to trust when Jesus says wait.

It’s easy to turn to other things, isn’t it? Alcohol and pills dull the pain. Stuff, whether it’s the latest electronic gadget or a new outfit, makes us feel better. We can relax in front of the television, binging on escapism programming as we stuff unhealthy foods into our already overweight bodies. We don’t need Jesus. We can take care of ourselves. That’s what we tell ourselves anyway.

What about you? Can you stay the course, trusting Him, when the way is rocky and the final outcome uncertain? Can you believe in Him, in His goodness, in His love, when life hurts?

We don’t always get the answers we want in life. We don’t always understand why He allows us to hurt so deeply when we’ve tried so hard to follow Him? Through it all He changes us, molds us, until one day we look up and realize we’re really thankful we stayed the course and trusted Him through the hard times.