John 4:39-41 9/28/2021*

“Now from that city many of the Samaritans believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, “He told me all the things that I have done.” So, when the Samaritans came to Jesus, they were asking Him to stay with them; and He stayed there two days. Many more believed because of His word”

After meeting Jesus, how long should you wait before telling other people about Him? ... Apparently, just as long as it takes to find someone to tell.

The woman at the well was not qualified…. She had been married multiple times and was living with a man she wasn’t married to…but immediately after meeting Jesus she started a revival in her hometown. 

It doesn’t matter how bad your life has been…It doesn’t matter how sinful yesterday was – If you have met Jesus - you have a story to tell. 

Too often we think we are not qualified to share Christ because we haven’t been to seminary - or we have made mistakes that exclude us from talking about Jesus.  

This woman didn’t preach, she didn’t argue theology. She wasn’t qualified to answer questions with scripture, and she had a bad reputation…. but Jesus had touched her heart and that was enough to send her on a missionary journey. 

Many of us have been saved, changed, and educated – We have been in church for years…and yet we don’t speak up.  Fearful someone will know our history and call us hypocrites. We believe we are not competent to reach out to others – so we don’t. 

The difference between the woman in this passage and us - is focus – she wasn’t focused on her credentials; she was focused on Jesus. It wasn’t a religion or a program she was pushing - it was a relationship with a man who knew her every flaw - and loved her anyway.

What about you? Has Jesus impacted you in a way that compels you to talk about Him? Is your love for Christ more important than your reputation? Are you willing to be ridiculed to get some folks in front of Jesus?  

Regardless of your background or education…If you know Christ, you are qualified. Find the courage to say,” Come see the man that changed my life” ... and leave the rest up to Him.

“Every Christian is either a missionary or an imposter.” 

– Charles Spurgeon

Joshua 24:15 9/21/2021*

“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 is not politically correct. 

He proclaims an inflexible right and wrong…He declares The Lord as the only true God …. He is not being inclusive - And he is no doubt offending the Israelites by rejecting their ancestor’s religion. - Yet his desire to speak truth overpowers any need for approval from men. 

Are we as zealous as Joshua, or are we in danger of allowing “virtue signaling” to become an idol in our country?  

The church has attempted to recruit God to our team - instead of joining His. We like the concept of Christianity, but we want to control the details so as not to risk upsetting our emotionally “woke” congregations. We claim “functional deity” for ourselves allowing us to remove anything offensive from the scripture. As Voltaire said, “God created man in His own image, and we have been trying to repay the favor ever since.” That never has, nor ever will be acceptable to the Great I Am. 

When Joshua issues this challenge about false gods to his people, they knew exactly what false god’s he was referring to…. Do we?

Do we realize that popularity can be a god? Do we understand that “fitting in” can be an idol that leads us away from Jesus? Is comfort and tranquility tempting enough to stop us from following God?   

I wholeheartedly approve when Joshua says to other people “choose this day whom you will serve” … But how do I respond when God says the exact same thing to me? My idols of prosperity and comfort are just as repugnant to God as the gods “beyond the Euphrates River, or the gods of the Amorites”.

Joshua’s message is unbending.” …We WILL serve the Lord.” That sentiment could get you canceled today… but Joshua had decided whom he would serve …. It is time for us to decide as well. 

“If I am going to know who Jesus is, I must obey Him. The majority of us don't know Jesus because we have not the remotest intention of obeying Him.”

Oswald Chambers

GENESIS 1: 27 9/14/21*

“So, God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them...”

You can act like an atheist…but you cannot react like one. 

God’s image has been stamped on your core and it shows in your reactions.  If someone steals from you – you will insist on justice. There is no other species on earth that does that…and the reason you do it - is because you were created in the image of a righteous God.  

You have knowledge of a higher power written on your heart. (Hebrews 10). The question has never been “Is there a God?” … It has always been “Who is God?” … People who call themselves atheist have simply decided that they merit the job. 

No one argues we should live by the “law of the jungle” where “might makes right” as atheism would logically advocate …. No one actually believes there is no right or wrong…. The dispute arises over who gets to decide the parameters. 

So, the argument is over relativism not atheism…and the question becomes – Who is in charge?

You need to deal with that question – 

You are the only created being that has been given a moral compass. You can attempt to use “science” to excuse your unresponsiveness to that compass. But in the end, you must deal with your unique awareness of good and evil… You are not an animal with no conscience - and that makes it complicated.  

Scripture says that God is Spirit - and so are you - and your Spiritual aspect is far more important than the physical one… Search for what you already know is there.  Nothing will fill the void you feel except your Heavenly Father. Study the Bible. It is an accurate, historical document that reveals a living Holy God who loves you. 

You are not a highly evolved organism who somehow developed a sense of virtue. God created you as His child - and your desire for justice is a family trait. 

You are an eternal being - in need of eternal truths…. Face the reality of your heritage and it will answer the nagging questions in your heart and fill you with peace and purpose. 

“You don't have a soul. You are a Soul. You have a body.”

― C.S. Lewis

PSALM 25:19-21 9/7/2021*

“Look at my enemies, for they are many, and they hate me with violent hatred. Guard my soul and save me; Do not let me be ashamed, for I take refuge in You.  Let integrity and uprightness protect me, For I wait for You.”

I don’t have many enemies who hate me with violent hatred….  Is that a good thing or a bad thing?  

I know the prince of this world “hates with violent hatred” anything that relates to holiness. I also know that Jesus told His disciples, “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.”

Do I not look enough like Jesus to be hated at times?  Do I not sound enough like Him to be rejected occasionally?  Do I blend in a little too well with people who have no desire to be righteous?

Scripture says this world is not our home…. We are aliens, foreigners…just passing through. But has the church adopted so many of the world’s habits that we appear to be local citizens?   Are we chameleons, who say enough to ease our conscience - but not so much that we stand out in a crowd?

I don’t desire to be hated – but there are opposing forces in this world, and they pursue opposing goals. 

It is our job to light up the darkness. Some people prefer darkness - and do not appreciate what the light exposes.  So, we cannot always expect applause when we shine, but when it is dark, our light is needed most. 

We need to choose this day whom we will serve.  Start looking to integrity and uprightness for protection, and stop counting on our own ability to fit in. 

It would be easier if righteousness was met with approval…and one day that will be the case…. But that is not the offer here on earth. The offer here is to die to self and live for Christ. Our goal is to please God and pursue holiness.

If it is up to us, we should be at peace with all men - but it will not always be up to us and at times holiness will demand unpopular words and actions. 

Saddle up anyway…Speak the truth in love…Walk straight…unashamedly choose your side and wait on the Lord.

“Persecution shows who is a hireling, and who a true pastor.”

- Bernard of Clairvaux