Matthew 22: 36- 40 2/23/2021*

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”  Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Jesus highlights “loving your neighbor” by including it in His answer, even though it was not part of the question … While the church has rightfully focused on loving God …our response to loving our neighbor has often been to look for loopholes. 

In Luke chapter 10, a lawyer asked Jesus, “who is my neighbor?”  What he meant was, “who do I have to love?” …or more to the point “who do I NOT have to love?” Instead of reducing the number of people who qualify … Jesus flipped the question, making it the lawyer’s obligation.

 
Jesus told a story about a mugging victim and discussed how different people responded when they came upon him injured … He did not tell the lawyer how to identify a neighbor – he told him how to be one.

Jesus basically said - it is your problem – being someone’s brother is “on you” … it is your responsibility, not theirs. You cannot limit who you love by race, occupation, political affiliation, or even how they treat you …you are to be a neighbor to everyone God puts in your path. 

Love them like you love yourself…THAT is the second greatest commandment - and Jesus said it is like the first.

 
The importance of brotherhood is in our DNA… In Genesis - God said, “it is not good for the man to be alone" - and that is not just talking about marriage.  

Psychologists who study solitary confinement say that it "destroys people as human beings."  Lack of community can cause anxiety- panic- Depression- Anger- Cognitive disturbances- etc.  If we ever doubted that isolation is dangerous, the statistics from this pandemic have made it crystal clear… As God said, “It Is Not Good.”

Stop looking for someone who looks like you to be your neighbor. Just love the people God has placed around you. It is not up to others to be your neighbor…it is up to you to be theirs. 

“If someone says, “I love God,” and yet he hates his brother or sister, he is a liar” – John (1 John 4:20)

Daniel 2:46-49. 2/16/2021*

“Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell on his face and did homage to Daniel and gave orders to present to him an offering and fragrant incense. The king answered Daniel and said surely your God is a God of gods and a Lord of kings ...”

King Neb almost gets it ... but then misses it completely (he will understand later). But for now he pays homage to Daniel instead of God - He acknowledges God, but continues to pursue his own idols supposing that he now has Daniels God “on call” if needed.

All of Nebuchadnezzar‘s actions are about advancing Nebuchadnezzar.  He is willing to recognize God if it promotes his agenda and will gladly acknowledge any god that helps him get what he wants.....

Does that sound familiar?

On the other hand Daniel gets it completely. 

He seeks to serve God - not to have God serve him. He understands the glory of God and pursues it relentlessly. He is obedient to God’s word whether it is popular or not and will not be swayed by positive or negative public opinion.

 It is hard as Christians when we are insulted - but often the hardest thing to endure his complements without being distracted 

Daniel is praised by the mightiest Ruler on the planet. His career skyrockets - and by all accounts he is a celebrity - MVP of the kingdom.

But it does not catch his eye...Daniel doesn’t take the bait. He remains humble - spiritually disciplined - pushes all credit and glory to God and never lets the approval of man become an idol.

So, which one looks most like you?

Each day who do you magnify? The only person who knows the answer to that question is you. But like those in this passage, your life will play out based on which path you take 

You cannot serve two masters.  Reject self exaltation and relentlessly chase after exalting God. 

The freedom found by not worrying about the opinions of others will be life-changing. But you must be prepared to ignore both insults and flattery - and not allow anything to move your eyes off the prize 

Bob Dylan said you “got to serve somebody” - so decide. Who will you promote today? 

There is no riding the fence. You will pursue God’s glory - or your own - Will you seek approval from God - or approval from others?

“What other people think of you is none of your business” -  Regina Brett

PSALM 139:13,14,16 2/9/2021*

“13 You wove me in my mother’s womb. 14 I will give thanks to You, because I am awesomely and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well. …16 Your eyes have seen my formless substance; And in Your book were written All the days that were ordained for me...”

This passage is not only a strong statement against abortion - it is a mind-blowing declaration from God that should impact our confidence daily.

It exposes the fallacy of self-loathing, or dissatisfaction with our body, appearance, intellect, or abilities. 
 
You did not just happen; you were MADE…you were created.  And criticizing the design of the art, is a direct insult to the artist. 

God is the most imaginative artist/engineer/designer to ever exist. Each part of you was precisely woven in your mother’s womb and there was not one oversight or mistake. Every strand of DNA was carefully placed to make you, who you are.

Furthermore, God did not just create you and walk away - He wrote and is directing the script of your life…each moment of every day is supervised. He is with you…. Nothing is beyond His divine omnipotence? 

 
How many times have you looked back on your life and understood the Will of God - when it was impossible to grasp as it unfolded?  Rest in God’s track record, and if you cannot see His plan yet…Trust His proven love.

You are the only “you” God made.  You have been awesomely and wonderfully created. Stop listening to voices that discount your value - you are uniquely equipped for your specific mission.

The objective is not about you or me…it is about the Glory of God.  Do not pursue self-esteem – but do not tolerate the thought that your creator was careless in your design…The One who loves you is in complete control. 

Today is ORDAINED for YOU to glorify God. No one else can do what you have been called to do…You were made for such a time as this.  So, go out confidently and bring glory to your King.

“When the Lord lays His hand upon a man, that man ceases at once to be ordinary. He immediately becomes extraordinary, and his life takes on cosmic significance. The angels in heaven take notice of him and go forth to become his ministers (Hebrews 1:14)”
 - John Piper

PSALM 23:2 2/2/2021*

“He lets me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters.”

We often spend our days controlled by anxiety…because we choose to… That seems like an abrupt statement but examine it before you disagree. 

This psalm says that God ‘s shepherding affords us the opportunity to lie down in peace and plenty. To refresh our thirst in quiet waters --- if we will do it.
  
Life is full of challenges – tough situations - but we should be the most unflappable people on the planet. The bible says people will know we are Christians by our love…but perhaps the second most distinguishing characteristic should be serenity. While the world panics and wrings their hands - we should be different. 

One of the most important evangelism tools you have is peacefulness. Why would anyone be interested in your God if you are just as unhinged as they are?

Paul asked the question in Roman’s “If God is for us who can be against us?”. …. It is a rhetorical question intended to show the absurdity of our fear.  If God is your protector – what danger do you think troubles Him? 
 
As I wake up this morning I can be in green pastures regardless of my circumstances.  My God is with me, inviting me to walk with Him today in perfect protection.  He will provide my needs if I will follow Him and not try to control what I believe is threatening me.

Have you ever seen a sheep charge a wolf to fight him on his own?  Does that seem like a good plan to you?...Then why are we constantly doing it? 

Rest in the shadow of your Guardian.  Keep in Mind that He loves you and created you to abide with Him, in His full protection…and relax in that blessing. 
 
Remember that the Eastern Shepherds referred to here - never drive their sheep, they lead them. So, follow Your Shepherd today and He will provide safety. 

Listen to His voice and He will lead you to green pastures beside still waters…and the world will notice a difference in your countenance.

Your job then, is to be prepared, and when they ask about it – be ready to share the truth that sets men free.

  
“Peace doesn't mean that you will not have problems. Peace means that your problems will not have you.”
- Tony Evans

TITUS 2: 1-2 1/26/2021*

“But as for you, proclaim the things which are fitting for sound doctrine. Older men are to be temperate, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance.”
 
Paul is writing the owner’s manual for Christians.  And this passage deals with “Older men”. So, the rest of you take the morning off, and we old guys will just talk amongst ourselves.

 
Having just told us not to be, hypocritical posers…. Paul clarifies what we are supposed to be …”Accurate”. We are to speak truth and teach sound doctrine.

  
That sounds simple, however it is getting more and more challenging, as people who hate truth, start calling truth hate. It is no longer popular to speak truthfully…and you can expect to be attacked for doing so.

 
While speaking God’s truth can be dangerous… it is not complicated…. you do not need to speak Greek or Hebrew – There is no requirement of great orator skills – You just need to boldly proclaim the things which are clear in scripture.
 
And if you want people to listen, you must show them that truth works…put it into practice…be temperate, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love and in perseverance.

  
Take a hard look at that list of adjectives and decide how many of those words describe your life …determine today to improve on that because your effectiveness will depend on your consistency.

Men in our culture no longer strive to be temperate, or dignified, or self-controlled…In fact the opposite seems to be in style. There is an entire generation of young men who have never seen mature Christianity lived out for them … and that is on us. We need to show the world a different path, not just talk about it.

 
If you decide to do this it will not be met with applause - that is why Paul mentions perseverance… You cannot have perseverance without something to persevere through – and if you start speaking truth there will be opposition.  So, our job as old codgers, is to walk through the trouble and be accurate, dignified, and loving.
 
This will take a resolute decision - followed by action…. Agreeing with the concept is meaningless unless you do something about it. You can make a difference starting today, but it will not happen by accident.

 
“Be dogmatically true, obstinately holy, immovably honest, desperately kind, fixed upright.” – Charles Spurgeon

Daniel 2:14 1/19/2021*

“14 Then Daniel replied with discretion and discernment to Arioch, the captain of the king’s bodyguard, who had gone forth to slay the wise men of Babylon.” 

Daniel is an adviser to a king in a foreign land…He has just received news that he has been moved to death row - yet he responds with discretion and discernment.

Is that our response to bad news?  As believers, we teach bible, sing in the choir, sit on the front row at church - but when the chips are down – do we have faith?  When things get difficult, does our walk match our talk?

Mike Tyson once said “everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth” …Will my plan take a punch?... Is my faith solid or weak?

  
Daniel’s faith was solid - he kept his poise – ask some questions …then he and his friends went to God in prayer.

Is that how you respond to trouble? Do you answer with discretion, or do you fly off the handle?...Do you go to God, or do you run from the problem? Do you ask friends for prayer, or for pity? 

The answer depends on your faith. 

“Without faith it is impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11:6). And faith is not faith until it is all you have left. There is no middle ground when it comes to actually trusting God. You cannot call it faith until you are leaning on it.

You can approve of a chair, you can enjoy the design of the chair, but until you sit down and rest in it – you don’t have faith in that chair.

Do you rest in your faith during times of trouble - or have anxiety while you talk about faithfulness?

Let’s take a lesson today from this prophet in the Old Testament facing a death sentence. Let’s respond with discretion and discernment to those who threaten us…not because we have false confidence in our position, but because we have supreme confidence in our God.

 
Faith is not a last resort - it is plan “A” …It is the strongest weapon you have and the only way you can live in peace and please God ….so the question today is…. Can your faith take a punch?...if not, it is not faith.

“Faith is not believing that God can. It is knowing that God will.” 
- Ben Stein

Proverbs 17:27 1/12/2021*

“Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.”

Everyone wants to have conversation, but no one wants to hear what others have to say. We have decided that we know the truth and now our job is to educate others. 

The problem is you may not know the truth.  You think you do - and there are algorithms online that lump us into like thinking camps, so our “itching ears hear what they want to hear” … but accuracy has nothing to do with the filter. 

This illusion prompts us to condemn with self- righteous indignation when we hear a different opinion. Friend, family…it makes no difference. If you do not conform you are evil.  

Often however, the problem is not different opinions, but different “truths” … “Facts” that are often wrong, but never doubted…checked by people who believe what we believe.

The truth…the real, unadulterated truth is hard to find…especially when we are not looking for it.

Anyone can spew lunacy with the click of a button. And the vendors of cyberspace manipulate what we see, based on our own clicks, to convince us that everyone (except a few extremists) agree with the “facts” in our online community.

So, when challenged we shout them down with our “truths” and judge them for questioning the statements on our news feed.

But a man of understanding restrains his words. He remains calm and listens. 

You do not need to change your opinion but consider that you may have different data instead of different morals. Judge information not intentions. Seek to help others understand, instead of trying to humiliate them.

We live in a country where (at least for now) it is legal to disagree. So, search for truth and be willing to adjust your position based on correctness. 

If it appears you have been misled…dig deeper. If your position is accurate, know that condescension and ridicule has never changed an opinion. You may win the argument; but you will lose a friend. 

Stop talking for a minute and consider what others say … Then share your opinion. Find worth in other people, restrain your words, have a cool spirit, and be a man of understanding.  

We are commanded to love each other, and you cannot love without listening.

“Never miss a good chance to shut up.” - Will Rogers

Hosea 5:3 1/5/2021*

“I know Ephraim, and Israel is not hidden from Me; Because now, Ephraim, you have been unfaithful, Israel has defiled itself.”

How foolish of us to live deceivingly and think we can concealed our sin from God.  God is completely aware of who we are.
 
Too often we put on different masks for different people...  But God sees all. Including the arrogance of posing as a “good” Christian while judging those who are not as skilled in presenting the façade.
 
God knows your depravity. Your deepest, darkest secrets, the deeds, and thoughts you are most ashamed of – The things you bury and try to forget…These are the brutal reasons for the Cross … and none of us are beyond needing the enormous payment the cross provides.

We are called to point out and stand against sin – but we should do it transparently, not in an accusatory manor as though we do not battle sin ourselves.  None of it is hidden from God, and none of it is OK with Him ... And yet, because of the Cross - We are clean.
 
There is freedom in that.  We do not need to project false piety. We do not need to craft our spiritual “profile” to conceal the blemishes. What we DO need to do - is own it - and stop pretending it is okay.
 
Something that has disappeared from our doctrine is a hatred for sin that generates confession and repentance…. We prefer instead to blame our sin on others, call it sickness, or normalize it.
  
But God says we need to confess sin with tears on our face …. Not so God will know about it - but so He will know that we know about it…. and that we know that it is unacceptable.
 
Confession that leads to repentance produces change…and that is what God intends for you. Christianity cannot be a part of your life – it must end your life - and allow you to be reborn as a new, different person.
 
If we intend to be called Christians, we must abhor sin and reflect Christ in our attitudes and actions.  If we are not committed to this, we either need to change our ways - or change our name. 
 
“More than once Jesus deliberately addressed certain issues that quickly diminished the number of onlookers. It was commitment that thinned the ranks.” - Chuck Swindoll

Ephesians 4:22-24 12/29/2020*

“… put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” 

This is the time of year we get to start over. 

We usually try to lose weight, be more disciplined, manage our finances, etc.   Those things are important, but what if this year you did something astonishing? 

What if you took God at His word and put on a “new self” – not in temporary surface ways - but through significant eternal changes that would renew your mind and create a real turning point in your life?
 
What if instead of losing weight you lightened your heart with forgiveness and gratitude?
 
Maybe instead of just working out physically you got stronger spiritually by consistently handling the Word of God?

What if instead of managing your earthly wealth you made some eternal investments?

God is all about new beginnings…. That is why He put the New Year right after Christmas – Christmas allows the past to be gone, and the future to be unlimited.
 
So, let’s instigate and promote renewal today –
 
First, think about who you need to forgive?...or someone you need to thank?...Cleanse your heart, and write them a letter.

Second, buy a journal and begin daily tracking your time with God. 

Third, take some money from your next paycheck and enjoy figuring out how you can bless others with it.
 
Be “all in” on this verse…. Flush the old self - and live the new life that Jesus purchased for you at Calvary.  God’s mercies are new every morning…so celebrate every day.
 
Create habits…. Write a letter every week, make journal entries every day, and find a way to give gifts every paycheck.  Move your focus from temporary to eternal targets.
 
2020 was hard but when you hit bottom you have two choices…either splatter or bounce…make 2021 the year you decided to bounce back better than before…Then form some habits that will facilitate that decision.
 
Take God at His word and put on the “new you” every morning. Because of what God did at Christmas …. you really can change.

“The first step towards getting somewhere is to decide you’re not going to stay where you are.” - J.P. Morgan

Philippians 1:12 12/22/2020*

“Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel.”

Paul is writing to his friends in Philippi explaining difficulties he has been facing.  He is not discussing a bad day at the office…or having his feelings hurt.  He is referring to his arrests, years of captivity, physical beatings, shipwrecks, betrayals, etc.

 
As I read this verse I am embarrassed by what unsettles me… daily I find reasons to be offended and upset…yet Paul sits in a prison and rejoices.

I need that kind of strength - and it comes from perspective. 
Paul says “my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel” …  That is all that matters – everything else is just details.

 
No matter what problem I face today – no matter who is President – no matter how I am treated - no matter what seems out of control for me and those I love …. My King is in power, and His plan should be my focus.

  
The truth is – I have never been in control - so why do I get rattled when that suddenly becomes apparent?

  
God is in control. Nothing surprises Him, and He has promised that all things work together for good if I love Him and am called according to His purpose.

  
He has made that promise to you as well… Rely on it.

Realize that headlines are designed to shock you… Gossip is geared to disturb you …eliminate their power.  Change your point of view. Gaze at the Creator not the created. The power you gain by looking at things from a heavenly perspective cannot be overstated.

  
We are eternal beings who serve an eternal God.  Stop letting temporary circumstances fluster you.

As Paul does, look past the prison bars today and see God’s handiwork in whatever trial you are facing.  Like a butterfly struggling to come out of the cocoon…God is using these temporary battles to strengthen your wings. 

If you will focus on the fact that your momentary trials are generating staggering eternal progress it will dramatically alter your outlook.  

This new attitude will produce Joy and confidence that will soothe you - and your peace will attract others and allow you to point them to the Lord.

 
“Many men owe the grandeur of their lives to their tremendous difficulties.”
 - Charles Spurgeon