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

1 CORINTHIANS 4:14-16 8/31/2021*

“I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you. For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus, I have begotten you through the gospel. Therefore, I urge you, imitate me. ”

Two Questions: 
1. Are there people in your life you could say you have “begotten through the gospel”?

2. Are you walking with God to the degree you can encourage others to imitate you?

Paul sees the Corinthians as his children in the faith. He has earned the right to speak by accurately sharing the Word. There is a hint of annoyance in his comment about the 10,000 teachers because the truth he preached was being polluted by others with ulterior motives.

I think God may have that same annoyance at my insistence on new ways to worship…new ways to interpret scripture…new music…new pithy ways to preach… I may have 10,000 teachers but the Holy scripture is what birthed me. I need to cling to that…I need to meditate on the unvarnished, unenhanced, accurate Word of God…and use it to reach others.  

Adding creativity is fine, but the core of my faith is walking through scripture daily. As Darrell Royal said I need to “dance with the one that brung me”.

Secondly Paul has earned credibility with the Corinthians based on his conduct.  His walk matches his talk…. It may seem humble if I am hesitant to say “live as I live” - but it is not so much humility, as it is disobedience.

So, do I continue excusing my defiance – or do I change it? Do I continue to explain my sin, or do I put the bar back were Jesus set it, and strive to reflect Christ?

Constantly using “humble brags” to rationalize my failures gets old.  Talking one way and walking another leads to my actions speaking so loudly that people cannot hear my words.

 

We have been commanded to make disciples…. It is time to invest in people by accurately sharing scripture …it is also time to start living in a way that allows us to say, “do what we do” … not “do what we say.”

“Faith, as Paul saw it, was a living, flaming thing leading to surrender and obedience to the commandments of Christ.”

- A. W. Tozer

 

PSALM 23:4-5 8/23/2021*

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies”

This passage is often quoted in an almost boastful manner…But it hit me differently this morning… It had a comforting, but ominous tone.

The passage doesn’t say IF I walk through the valley of death…It says I WILL walk through it…. I am not carried, I don’t fly…I walk. It doesn’t say I am strolling through a plush garden …it says I am in a deep dark valley, and I am at times assigned the task of putting one foot in front of the other just to get through it.

It is the valley of the shadow of death…the ultimate predator - a dark frightening place. A table is prepared for me but not with friends …sometimes I must sit with enemies who want to destroy me.

Yet, in the midst of all of this- I do not fear, I am protected by the Shepherd, and I am not alone – through the struggle, this is what comforts me.

Too often we try to portray the Christian life as a carefree walk in the park…but you were not given the full armor of God so you could walk in the park…it was provided so you could walk through the valley.  You wear armor to do battle.

People don’t identify with the prosperity gospel because it doesn’t sync up with what they see in the world… The lost see our pristine steeples and our flawless veneers - and look elsewhere for comfort.

We need to get rid of the “perfect life” social media façade, and speak the truth… We’re in a raging battle – the war is all around us…. but we are not alone, we are not afraid - and though bloodied and bruised at times - we are more than victorious.

Drop the perfect Christian charade – be transparent, show your wounds…and others will seek you out …Then you can do battle together… Armor on - walking through the valley without fear, fighting right beside each other.

“There is a beautiful transparency to honest disciples who never wear a false face and do not pretend to be anything but who they are.” - Brennan Manning

Galatians 2:11-12 8/17/2021*

 “But when Peter came to Antioch, I had to oppose him to his face, for what he did was very wrong.  When he first arrived, he ate with the Gentile believers, who were not circumcised. But afterward, when some friends of James came, Peter wouldn’t eat with the Gentiles anymore.”

In Antioch Peter shared meals with Gentiles until some men arrived from Galilee. He then separated himself from his Gentile brothers because he didn’t want to be snubbed by men he perceived as important Jews.

Paul confronts Peter because he had permitted separation in the church based on ethnic and cultural differences.

Whether it is racism, classism, culturalism, or any other “ism” …If it divides the body of Christ, it is “very wrong”.

These divisions show a misunderstanding of the gospel.

Our salvation does not enhance us - it annihilates us and replaces us with something new.  “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.” (2 Cor. 5).

As new creations we recognize no separation based on race, class, traditions, or lineage…. You are not a white Christian, or a black Christian, or a brown Christian … You are a Christian - period - the adjectives are superfluous.

“Christ follower” is all encompassing and definitive. It establishes your identity, sets your value, and determines your behavior.

God made us beautifully different, and we are not called to uniformity – He even created us with our own unique fingerprint – but we are absolutely called to unity.     

If the first thing you see when you look at your brother is skin color, economic status, or ethnicity…you have missed the point. The cross makes all those things incidental.

How can the church unite society when we tolerate divisions amongst ourselves? …Labeling, categorizing, and avoiding each other – cannot be allowed in the house of God… Speaking the truth in love, combating sin, promoting harmony, and valuing each other is what Jesus requires.

Do something today to promote unity.  Educate those who wish to separate us – stop tolerating and enabling unwarranted divisions.

As Christians we must demonstrate the path to becoming blind to things that are unimportant, and completely focused on things that are eternal.

“Until we take seriously God's definition of the church and stop just 'having church,' we will not see transformation in our society.”

- Tony Evans

2 Peter 3:1-3 8/10/2021*

“Beloved, this is now the second letter I am writing to you in which I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of a reminder, to remember the words spoken beforehand by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior spoken by your apostles.”

Do I treat people in such a way that I can open a letter to them with the word “Beloved”? Do I conduct myself in a way that makes that greeting seem normal?  

To call someone beloved there must be an intentional granting of importance…a spiritual adoption that sets their value as one made in the image of God.

We know Peter was an “A” type, man’s man.  He argued with Jesus, he cut off ears, walked on water, brashly stated opinions…. So, tenderness did not come naturally to Peter…Yet he begins his second letter with this gentle word. The letter addresses sin and failure by the recipients but to Peter they are still “beloved”.

This is a great template for my own ministry. It reveals an important requirement if I am to be a disciple…affection.

Ministry is fun – but dealing with people can make it a burden…If I allow that to be my approach, I have not earned the right to speak…If I cannot view others as beloved, I have nothing to offer them. 

After a decade of coaching, I figured out that the kid that was the most trouble, and least needed on the team – was usually the one that needed the team the most. And that kid naturally knew whether you cared about him or not, since because of his conduct, he had experienced hostility and rejection before.  

That kid is who I was before I knew Christ - and he will resemble others that God brings across my path. 

Hurt people, hurt people - and I need to look past their behavior and see them as an opportunity to share Christ - not a burden.

I must love them at a level they recognize as “other worldly”. My love must be undeserved…the way Christ loves me. 

Only then will I have earned the right to share the gospel. Only when they see that they are valuable in my eyes will they listen to me sharing God’s plan of salvation. 

 “Don’t tell them Jesus loves them, until you’re ready to love them too.” 

– Steve Camp

Psalm 90:12 8/3/2021*

“So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.”

Is numbering your days part of your decision-making process?... Each of our lives on earth will have a first and last day – so our limitedness should probably be part of our planning method. 

Only today is guaranteed…but statistics say most of us will be given approximately 29,000 days on earth… How are you spending yours?  What are your goals? More importantly are those goals meaningful? … They should be because you are literally giving your life for them.  

Many people don’t achieve what they intend to accomplish in life…Often it is not because they didn’t have time but because they didn’t use it well.  

If you don’t number your days, then there is no drive in your strategy - which leads to procrastination and waste. 

Procrastination is not always a product of laziness; it is sometimes just allowing the urgent to usurp the important. There will always be pressing issues so handle them after you have dealt with the things in your life that have eternal consequences. 

Many of us habitually waste time… which is odd since time is the one thing, we cannot get more of…Still we throw it away staring at a screen watching videos or sitcoms … or debating online with people we don’t know…or sacrificing relationships to make money when we already have enough…. None of that reflects a heart of wisdom.

This verse says to number your days - use them well. Use the life God has given you to do the things God would have you do. 

Realize that choosing an activity - is choosing not to do something else…. make sure the selection makes sense.  Max Lucado suggests that you make major life decisions in a cemetery… which will keep the trivial from distracting you. 

Your Heavenly Father has a perfect plan for you today… If you seek Him, you will find it. So, chase after the things that matter… God, your family, your ministry, helping others…Seek those things of eternal significance first.

The number of days in our lives is finite. Make sure that when your head hits the pillow tonight you are pleased with how you spent today.  

"The bad news is time flies. The good news is you're the pilot." 

-- Michael Altshuler

PSALM 139:23-24 7/27/21*

^“Search me, God, and know my heart; Put me to the test and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there is any hurtful way in me …”

Have you ever let shame stop you from praying that prayer?  Have you ever been afraid to ask God to Search your heart? …You might as well - He has already seen it. (Psalm 7)

Every selfish thought, every hypocrisy. Your pride, your lust, your perversions…The dark things you don’t even admit to yourself…He already knows.

But there is something YOU need to know…He has seen it all and He loves you. 

Regardless of what immorality turns up when your heart is examined…. God loves you; and proved it by dying for you while you were still rejecting Him.

Because God has seen it all…because He has faced it all - so can you. You don’t have to hide anything anymore – because it has all been viewed, paid for, and redeemed. 

Pray the prayer. Ask God to search your heart…and be ready to deal with whatever He finds…No more hiding. There is no sin that He cannot release you from, and there is nothing He can’t forgive…Face the hidden failings that you have been ashamed to confess and allow Him to restore your freedom.  

When you hide sin in the dark, it grows …Drag it out in the light of God’s grace and watch it disintegrate.

There is freedom in transparency - and there is bondage in hiding. It has been said that “we can endure all kinds of pain, but it is shame that eats men whole”. Confess it, knowing that nothing can separate you from His love. (Romans 8)

Cling to Christ and lay your sins at the cross - God has promised to make those sins as far from you, as the east is from the west, they are no longer part of your story. You don’t have to put up a façade. He knows all and loves you.

No more deception. Your value is based on His love not your past… Now you can walk in integrity and tell others about His grace offering the same forgiveness and freedom that has been given to you.

“An exciting and inspiring future awaits you beyond the noise in your mind, beyond the guilt, doubt, fear, shame, insecurity and heaviness of the past you carry around.”- Debbie Ford