Mark 16:-7 6/25/2024

“But he said to them, “Do not be amazed; you are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who has been crucified. He has risen; He is not here; see, here is the place where they laid Him.  But go, tell His disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see Him, just as He told you.’”

After the Sabbath, the ladies brought spices to the tomb to anoint  Jesus’ body. But when they got there Jesus was gone and there was an angel sitting in the tomb waiting on them. There are multiple lessons here, but this morning, let’s look at one beautiful nugget of truth hidden in this passage.  

Look carefully at what the angel said to the women, ”Go, tell His disciples and Peter”… Why is that significant?  Why would the angel single out Peter?  Perhaps it was because the last time Peter saw Jesus, he had completely failed him.  Peter had cussed out a servant girl and swore he didn’t know who Jesus was. He had denied his Savior. And Jesus saw him do it.

Still, during the most pivotal moment in history,  God directed His Angel to mentioned Peter by name to those at the tomb so Peter would know,  and the disciples would know,  that Peter was still on the team. 

That is powerful. It assures Christians that  – when we fail, God doesn’t canceled us.  During  your greatest collapse, He won’t turn His back on you… in your worst moment,  you’re still His child. Win or lose … walk righteously or stumble… Nothing changes His love for you.

There will be times you fall  – But there will never be a time you are not loved… So, get up, grab His hand, and keep going.  Ignore the lie that you are now unusable… God is a God of details.  And the detail of including Peter by name after his worst failure… is a beautiful picture of the Heart of the Father.  You are still loved, you’re still useful, and you’re still on the team. 

"For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." -  God  (Romans 8)

2 Peter 2:13-16 6/18/2024

“…They are stains and blemishes, reveling in their deceptions as they feast with you,  having eyes full of adultery that never cease from sin, enticing unstable souls, having hearts trained in greed, accursed children;  abandoning the right way, they have gone astray, having followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved the reward of unrighteousness;  but he received a rebuke for his own offense, for a mute donkey, speaking with a human voice, restrained the insanity of the prophet.”

Peter goes on a riff describing the evil “prophets” of his day … and it sounds so much like America it is frightening. Our society is developing creative ways to sin, renaming it, and proclaiming it normal, and you are labeled a problem if you disagree.

We have become arrogant and ignorant believing we determine the truth… We make up our own facts… cherry-picking our convictions -  and reject God’s Word as our compass.  Claiming to be wise, we have become fools… But as Christians we must stand on truth...  Do I?  Am I a  mouthpiece for God … or am I part of the problem?  Am I walking the tightrope between truth and popularity? Am I becoming like Balaam, in need of a donkey to restrain my insanity of preaching what the world wants to hear?

 What about you?  Are you pursuing God’s plan with God’s truth - or are you pursuing your plan with your “truth”?

The first commandment is that there is One God – That means His word IS TRUTH.  If you change His Word to make it less offensive,  it is like watering down medicine – it may taste better, but it won’t heal your illness.

No one intends to destroy their lives with debauchery, baseless “facts”, and pretending to be their own God.… yet it happens all the time.

That pattern started in the garden with our first failed attempt at being a deity, and creating and following our own “truths”… 

There is a God… and it’s not you…  You don’t argue, debate or negotiate with the omnipotent Creator of the Universe… So, wake up, and abandon the insanity of relativism. Follow the only truth that emanates from the only God and is clearly written in His Word.

“We must not allow our emotions to hold sway over our minds… Our emotions must become subservient to the truth.” - Jerry Bridges 

Revelation 8 6/11/2024

 “When the Lamb broke the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.”

Will this be the first time there will be no sound in Heaven? One half hour of quiet… Will the four-winged creatures in Revelation stop saying Holy, Holy, Holy?  Will there be no praises, no prayers from the saints, no singing? …. Just an ominous threatening silence. What a frightening moment that for the first time ever there will be silence as God prepares to judge the world.

I am disgusted as I imagine the mask wearing and finger pointing on earth when the trumpets begin to sound – As judgement comes our self-centeredness and decadence will be put on full display and we will do as we always have… blame others. But when the 7th seal is broken there will be no excuses or blaming…  and instead of being disgusted at the hypocrisy on earth I need to be sure I eliminate any trace of that hypocrisy in me. 

This passage is a prophecy, and it will be fulfilled exactly as it is presented here - just like so many others in the bible already have been. Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. God is “love”, but this confuses us because we miss define love.  We think of God as a feeble heavenly grandfather and that does not describe the omnipotent Lord of Armies we see in Revelation. Holiness is a requirement if we wish to be in the presence of The Lord.  

This chapter makes it clear that judgement is coming…  it won’t be relative… there will be no grading on the curve. There is a holiness required that can only be met by the saving grace of Jesus Christ… it is free, but it is priceless.  I need to be working out my salvation with fear and trembling – relying wholly on the blood Jesus shed on the cross… and letting my conduct reveal that fact. The thirty minutes of silence is coming… What you do now will determine what you hear after that…  Accept His grace and let it be “well done good and faithful servant.” 

“All the grace contained in the Bible is owing to Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior; and, unless we consent to Him as our Lord we cannot expect any benefit by Him as our Savior.” – Matthew Henry

John 13:34 -35 6/4/2024

“I am giving you a new commandment, that you love one another… By this all people will know that you are My disciples…”

Most of us have heard these verses. What many people don’t realize however, are the circumstances surrounding this “new” commandment. Jesus didn’t say this when everything was “hunky-dory”… in fact, the world was coming apart at the seams… Just prior to this,  Judas had left dinner to betray Jesus, Christ would soon have His heart broken by His close friend ...The disciples also would suffer. Their world was about to be shattered by the arrest, trials, and crucifixion of their Savior and friend. 

So, there is a massive impending crisis and what does Jesus do?  He didn’t specify survival techniques; He didn’t outline a political campaign. The game plan appeared to be that they would look the  storm in the eye and love each other better.  He reinforced  it by saying it would be that love that identifies who they belong to.  

If you check the news today, it appears our world is on fire – God says to love one another better… All this click generating panic is not from God. Sure, we should educate ourselves and stand for truth, but our countenance must be of men who trust that God is omnipotent in every circumstance… There is no fear in love and if we rely on His power, we will walk confidently, trusting HIS plans, not ours. 

Jesus says this love is our ID card. People will know I am a “Christian”, Not by my debate skills, but because I fearlessly love others.  

It doesn’t mean we acquiesce to cultural norms; it doesn’t mean we blindly follow instructions… It just means that every plan must clear the standard of loving God and loving others prior to us acting on them.  

Everything I do must be generated by an unfaltering faith in God’s power to mitigate the outcome, and an unfailing love for His children. That will give me the peace and confidence that should flow from all believers, and it will give me the assurance needed to abandon anxiety and instead display this “new” command of loving others. This was Jesus’ answer to the crisis… will I follow it?

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God…“
– God (Isaiah 41:10)

Esther 8:8 5/28/2024

“Now write another decree in the king’s name in behalf of the Jews as seems best to you, and seal it with the king’s signet ring — for no document written in the king’s name and sealed with his ring can be revoked.”

Earlier in Esther,  an irrevocable decree had gone out from Haman to kill all the Jews. But when the king learned the truth, he gave the same irrevocable power to Mordecai.  He did not revoke the edict sent out by Haman… so the danger was still present.  But the  king instructed Mordecai to meet the danger by writing his own decree. 

So, Mordecai summons the royal secretaries. He brings in specialists. He strategically chooses what to write and who to send it to. Then gives it to the fastest riders, and with this new decree God diverted catastrophic injury to His people, just in the nick of time.

What calamity is God in the process of delivering you from?  What battle are you currently fighting?  Just remember that when  God moves, He doesn’t always remove the danger… sometimes He gives us a way to meet it. Mordecai’s decree didn’t eliminate the threat, but it allowed the Jews to prepare for it and defend themselves…. It also revealed that the Queen was a Jew and increased their political power so that many joined their ranks.

God does not always remove us from danger.  Sometimes He provides opportunity,  courage, and strength to fight through it.  Neither fear nor panic are in His playbook, and  It is never too late for God to turn the tables.  In this case all that was needed  was for Mordecai to hold to his convictions, and Esther to be courageous enough to approach the king. 

If you are facing adversity that seems unavoidable, hold your course.  Cling to your convictions and be strong and courageous enough to approach the King knowing He will have a plan. 

If Faith is defined as the evidence of things not seen… then what you’re looking at isn’t what matters… What matters is your faith in what you haven’t seen….Yet.  Hold on, have the courage to look the storm in the eye, keep walking straight, and stand in faith until the rain subsides. 

"True faith rests upon the character of God and asks no further proof than the moral perfections of the One who cannot lie." — A.W. Tozer

Proverbs 29:27 5/21/2024

“An unjust man is detestable to the righteous, and one whose way is upright is detestable to the wicked.”

Wolves and caribou don’t go to the watering hole together. Their lifestyles exclude each other. That applies to people too… unjust men, and upright men don’t form community groups together. Their goals don’t line up. 

However, verses like these are often conveniently misapplied.  We use them to justify spiritual arrogance and exclude people we don’t like -or when we want to party, we are quick to declare that Jesus ate with sinners. If we want to ignore sin in others, we quote the verse that says don’t get the splinter out of your brother’s eye with a log in your own, and we tend to leave it there.  But the next verse says remove the log, and help your brother get rid of the speck…. God demands love and change.  We love the love, but we bristle at sanctification.

Jesus ate with sinners to instigate life changes, not to normalize sin or promote inclusion. Conversations with “sinners” ended with “sin no more”….or  “give away your wealth and follow me”.  The Jesus who dined with criminals said  - “if you love Me, you will keep my commandments”. He also said, “you are either for Me or against Me”. In other words, choose a team. You  can’t play for both squads.

I love sinners and pursuing their salvation is the reason I’m still here.  So, at times I seek their company.  But my ambition is their conversion. Conversely, when I am in the trenches of life and need help, I seek men who share my faith and will battle next to me. 

I wish I could serve God wholeheartedly, and be completely comfortable, accepted,  and loved in this world… but that simply cannot happen.  I must choose who I’m going to serve.  If I intend to soar like an eagle, I can’t wallow in the mud. There are no muddy eagles. I must choose a team and follow their playbook. 

However, as I soar, I must remember Christ delivered me from my filth … So, I should love sinners so much that I am drawn to them… Not to  wallow in the mud with them… but to show them where they can get their wings. 

“Evangelism is just one beggar telling another beggar where to find bread.” - D. T. Niles

Ezra 4:4 5/14/2024

“Then the peoples around them set out to discourage the people of Judah and make them afraid to go on building. They bribed officials to work against them and frustrate their plans …”

The Israelites were in exile and decided to build an altar to God. Those in the area were opposed to their plan.  But that didn’t deter the Israelites. As we have westernized Christianity, we have fallen into the trap of believing that God leads by removing resistance.  In fact, the opposite is often true.  When Jesus said don’t be surprised if they hate you, because they hated Me first.  The implication is that I should be concerned if I fit into this world a little too well.  Resistance is often God showing me I am going in the right direction not the wrong one.

Jesus said, "…I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves” (Matthew 10:16).  We are called to be different… and some people don’t like different. But many churches focus on being innocent to the exclusion of wise, for fear of offending.  This is illogical. We are in a war and the enemy has no interest in peace negotiations.  Nothing is easy since the fall and we must expect to struggle. 

When we follow God - there will be opposition. Both spiritual and physical. The easiest way to get blindsided is to not expect resistance. We are working against rulers, authorities, powers of this dark world and against spiritual forces of evil. (Ephesians 6:12) And when you advance God’s Kingdom you can expect a response from the gates of hell . 

The Jews were trying to build an altar. The enemy schemed to stop those plans. Be certain that no good work goes unnoticed or unopposed.  The bigger the goal the bigger the fight that should be expected. Be wise… be determined… be prepared.  

We are to be peaceful when it is up to us… but it is often not up to us.  Be prudent and sensible… but in a reckless kind of way. God has demonstrated that there is no reason to fear those who try to discourage us and make us afraid. ….Remember that the lamb of God is also the Lion of Judah… Build the altar.

 “It’s a jungle out there…used to be a garden.” - Tonio K.

Isaiah 6:6-8 5/7/2024

“Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal in his hand, which he had taken from the altar with tongs. He touched my mouth with it and said, “Behold, this has touched your lips; and your guilt is taken away and atonement is made for your sin.”   Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I. Send me!” 

Put yourself in Isaiah’s shoes  … There is an angel approaching you with a coal in his hand from a fire so hot that he used tongs to get it out. As he stretches it towards your lips do you duck, do you run?  – does it burn?   However it feels, you are told that your guilt has been removed and your sin has been paid for by the grace of God … How do you respond?  

The chorus of the song “I can only imagine” asks a similar question : “Will I stand in Your presence? Or to my knees will I fall? Will I sing Hallelujah? Will I be able to speak at all?”… when I hear that, I think to myself, I will  definitely fall down in silence - ashamed of how undeserving I am … That sounds good on the surface, however with that response the focus is still on me.  As I fall in silence my thoughts are about me and my weakness, not the power of the blood that was shed for my atonement. 

But Isaiah focuses on God… when God asks for volunteers he shouts,  “Here I am, send me!”   Isaiah is thinking of God’s power not his own failures and  lack of strength … they are irrelevant.  Can I get there?  Can I die so completely to myself that I don’t have to “humble brag” about my unworthiness. Can I be so sure of God’s strength that my past weakness becomes immaterial? Today I will focus on The King of Kings. I will eliminate the self-centeredness I have disguised as humility, and eagerly look for ways to boldly serve God.  

Will you yell “here I am, send me”… Will you trust God - or will you sit in silence today, focused on what you can’t do?

"True humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less.” -  Rick Warren

Genesis 3:12 4/30/2024

“The man said, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate.”

Blaming others for our conduct started in the garden.  When God asked if Adam had eaten the apple,  Adam blamed Eve, and then he blamed God… What about you, do you own your mistakes, or do all your apologies have a big “BUT”?  

We tend to say, “sorry, BUT… , and explain why we did what we did … Instead, be sorry for your actions  - or offer reasonable explanations for them -  but choose one, because both aren’t true.

As a society we have lost the ability to own our behavior.  We blame parents, culture,  our environment… you name it, we blame it.  This comes from a stubborn refusal to look in the mirror. Brace yourself … Sometimes your problem is completely your fault.  Confess, repent, and change it. 

Life doesn’t give participation trophies, you reap what you sow, and the consequences don’t change because you “feel” like they should.  So, make it your default reaction to “Own” your mistakes... Stay with me on this because there is an upside to approaching life this way… It gives you power.  

Obviously, there are times when we suffer innocently.  But when your life has been upended and you are blamed for it, you can respond in one of two ways:

1. – Deny all responsibility and blame others, leaving you with no power to fix it, making you a victim. 

or

2. – Own the problem and consider remedies, which gives you control. 

Do you want to be a victim?  If not, consider the possibility that you might bear some blame for the situation. That helps you respond calmly to accusations, which allows people who love you to help you. That calmness will also confuse those who are attacking you out of spite.  Humility and confidence produce thoughtful consideration,  instead of the knee-jerk argumentativeness we often see today.

Make “Owning it” your first consideration when responding to complaints … Look In the mirror, could It possibly be your fault?  You should hope so…  because then you can fix it. To gain wisdom, you must admit that you still have things to learn… OWN IT.

"If you could kick the person in the pants responsible for most of your trouble, you wouldn't sit for a month. - Theodore Roosevelt

Ecclesiastes 1:2 4/23/2024

“Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher. “Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.”

Have you read Ecclesiastes? It’s not what you would call light reading.  It is eleven chapters of making sure we understand that without God, life is pointless… The last chapter gives us the solution… but it takes a while to get there. So, why did God include this book in the Bible? 

Perhaps it is because disloyalty and distractions are our greatest temptations.  We constantly chase false gods who compete for our devotion. We search for idols in our lives to give us significance. That is problematic because as Spurgeon says: “If Christ is not all to you, He is nothing to you.”  

Is Christ everything to me? Or do I have little deities I pursue to make me feel important? Is growing my relationship with God my primary goal? My calendar and checkbook would argue against that. The time I spend meditating on scripture, compared to time spent pursuing the next dollar or accomplishment, would indicate that there is competition for my allegiance. 

So, Ecclesiastes  provides research data for me to contemplate.  The richest, wisest, most powerful king who ever lived methodically evaluates every possible angle to worldly fame, pleasure, possessions, and power… Read his report, examine the data, and contemplate his conclusion.  His examination is comprehensive and exhaustive and concludes that the world is unable to provide any true meaning. Nothing this planet offers can compete with what Paul calls “the surpassing greatness of knowing Jesus Christ.”

The summary is that the grief and pain this world thinly masks with trinkets and baubles is ever present - and unless there is something more -  we are gerbils running on our little wheel, and it is meaningless. 

So, God includes this book and demands  we choose our compass... Ecclesiastes is saying “Fish or cut bait”.  Is Jesus everything to you? God’s offer is to be your King… not an additive used to achieve your goals. Abandon your idols and follow Him - or quit talking about it. If you choose Christ, commit to Him completely and stop chasing the wind.

It is really pretty simple. We were created to worship God – We are here to bring as many people as we can to Heaven … everything else is redundant. 

“Your commitments can develop you or destroy you, but either way, they will define you.” - Rick Warren