Psalm 43:5 1/14/2025

“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.”

Psalm 43 was written by king David, a man who suffered greatly.  

Like most of us, his suffering resulted from both the actions of evil men in a broken world, and his own sinful deeds …So, this prayer can be seen as a templet for most of the difficult situations we find ourselves in. It calls on us to make a decision… are we going to focus on the circumstances, or are we going to place our hope and  trust in God?

I don’t ask that question flippantly.  Life can be incredibly hard.  In this verse David’s family and friends were trying to Kill him.  David’s heart was breaking. Yet he makes a choice.  He chooses to reject his anxiety and place his hope in God… David makes and executive decision to stop being downcast and instead Praise his Savior, and trust that God is still in the business of delivering His children.  

What about you?  What will you do when your heart is breaking?… No problem is big until it is yours, and the world can be dark and threatening… but we must decide whether or not we think God is still in control.

Sometimes we look for worry, we scan the web looking for reasons to be upset… But sometimes trouble kicks the door in, and feels insurmountable, dark, and unescapable… Even then, we must decide.  Even when our world hangs in the balance, we must choose what determines our actions and attitude. 

Will I trust Him?  Is He God, or not?  Will I, when under pressure, take the situation out of His hands and try to anxiously handle it myself?  

Like David, ask yourself why you’re downcast... If the problem is bigger than God, then continue in your despair … but if not, make the difficult resolution to praise Him in the midst of the battle. You can’t really claim to have faith in a chair until you’re sitting in it. So have a seat. There is only one God and He has proven His love for you. Draw close to Him and rest in His shadow.

“Faith is deliberate confidence in the character of God whose ways you may not understand at the time.” -Oswald Chambers

Jude 1:11-14 1/7/25

“Woe to them! For they have gone the way of Cain, and for pay they have given themselves up to the error of Balaam, and perished in the rebellion of Korah. These are the ones who are hidden reefs in your love feasts when they feast with you without fear, like shepherds caring only for themselves; clouds without water, carried along by winds; autumn trees without fruit, doubly dead, uprooted;  wild waves of the sea, churning up their own shameful deeds like dirty foam; …”

Jesus’ little brother isn’t being very “seeker sensitive” with this reprimand. He’s warning hypocritical teachers who use church to advance themselves, not others, and certainly not God.  Jude describes their actions precisely so there will be no question about what they’re doing:

- The way of Cain was envy. Cain’s sacrifice wasn’t accepted so he murdered his brother out of resentment. 

- The error of Balaam was covetousness, he loved money and adulterous idolatry.

- Korah stood against Moses. Pursued self-advancement and rejected admonishment from godly leaders. 

James says these “pretenders” are collecting dire consequences for themselves. They cater to the rich and mistreat the poor…  not fearing God, and even taking communion in a blasphemous manner. Their envy, covetousness, and pride are making them detrimental to the Kingdom.

As a group, they’re disappointing, like clouds without water.  If the church had been in Texas Jude might have said they were “all hat, and no cattle”.  This duplicity is displeasing to God and carries severe consequences.

Jude doesn’t beat around the bush; this is what we call a good old fashioned “butt chewing”.  The people he is speaking to know exactly who they are, and their response will dictate their future.

What about us…. What will our response be when our own hypocrisy is openly pointed out?  Will we deflect blame and choose the way of Cain, Balaam, or Korah?  Or will we “own it”, confess it, and change it?   

If you want the new year to be different than the past, begin by owning your garbage… and commit to cleaning it up.  …You can’t change what you don’t acknowledge. So, honestly examine your life, accept responsibility, reject sin, and pursue holiness. Start by drawing a circle around yourself and working on everything inside that circle. 

“Sincerity makes the very least person to be of more value than the most talented hypocrite.” -Spurgeon

John 3:20-21 12/31/2024

“For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light, so that his deeds will not be exposed. But the one who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds will be revealed as having been performed in God.”

If you’re sensitive you might want to skip this one, because it is impossible to soften the message this passage delivers. It basically says we are either moths, or cockroaches… We either fly to the light or hide in the dark.  

Our reaction to light does not make us Christian, but it reveals what we worship.  Do we sit on the throne and design our own kingdom, or as servants of Christ, do we follow scripture?

Do I shine God’s light into every area of my life, or do I keep some dark corners for myself?  What about that one area that I know God’s word says is unacceptable, yet I continually take verses out of context and look for interpretations that dim the severity of the warning, allowing me to continue living in what God clearly calls sin? 

In our culture it is easy to find “cheerleaders” for various immoral activity.  There are “churches” who will block the light in any area you desire.  They offer a scriptural buffet, so you can pick and choose what commands of God you want to obey.  They shine the light on areas they agree with and allow complete darkness in areas they don’t want exposed. 

That has never been God’s offer.  His holiness is all encompassing and requires obedience.  If your conduct is determined only by scripture you agree with, you are not worshiping God, you are worshiping you. And therein lies the problem. Every human knows there is a God, but some have declared themselves for the job. 

The choice has been the same since the garden… Do you seek His will, or yours?  Do you ignore uncomfortable verses and dim the light in areas you want left undisturbed, or do you shine God’s word into every part of your life to insure it is what He designed it to be?  

Jesus is the light of the world, follow His word completely and it will lead you out of the darkness.

A moth, or a cockroach… you can’t be both.

“Christian liberty is freedom from sin, not freedom to sin.” – A.W. Tozer

Luke 2:10-11 12/24/2024

“But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.”

How long will we continue to obsess over decorated trees, food, and gifts to the exclusion of the “good news” of Christmas? The food will just make you fat and tired, the gifts will be forgotten, but the good news is what brings GREAT JOY.   

Did you have joy last Christmas?... If not, then this year, read this passage again and change your focus.  You have a Savior who invaded this world of evil to redeem you and radically change your life. Don’t minimize that miracle with reindeer and candy canes.  

Christmas is the most important occurrence in the history of humanity, yet all we think about  are trinkets and decorations… Have you considered what you’re celebrating?  Do you realize that God launched a mission to save your soul two thousand years ago?  

If this is not your emphasis, change your focal point  … Make this your first real Christmas by letting the freedom purchased for you be a new beginning. His birth means you never have to live a meaningless, defeated life again. 

I am certainly no angel, but I have great news that will blow the lid off of your mundane life.  A Savior has been born behind enemy lines. Christmas was a tactical assault,  launched to free you from the chains of sin… God paid your debt.  You have been liberated and offered citizenship in Heaven with your Father who loves you.  That is the staggering  “good news” that changes everything.

Enjoy the family time, eat the pecan pie, have fun giving and getting gifts… But remember that is all just peripheral stuff we do to celebrate the birth of God’s Son, who came to earth so that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life!

So, don’t be distracted by the lights, and presents …  The gift you are looking for isn’t under a tree … It was crucified on one.  Jesus is the gift that provides freedom, redemption,  and Great Joy! Open that gift this Christmas and your life will never be the same.

"Christmas is the day that holds all time together." - Alexander Smith

John 13:4-5 12/17/2024

“...so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist.  After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.”

I always think of my buddy Bruce when I read this passage.  Every day in whatever role he found himself, Bruce lived out what Jesus taught here…  He understood that Christ’s example in this passage eliminates our ability to avoid tasks we think are beneath us or inconvenient. 

My problem in this area is that I love the concept of washing feet a lot more than I love washing feet.  It is even more convicting when I noticed that Jesus was eating dinner at the time and got up to serve His disciples… So now I must be willing to do menial tasks even when they interrupt my plans. It is difficult for me to mesh my perception of “greatness” with a towel wrapped around my waste wiping off smelly appendages… But that just means I don’t get it… It means I don’t have the faintest idea of what greatness is.  

Make no mistake, I am happy to participate in service projects scheduled for appropriate times – where people can admire my selflessness. But unlike the King of Kings, I am seldom excited about interrupting my meal to help my friends… If you have a need, let’s check my calendar and see if it’s convenient for me.

The problem is that my viewpoint constantly has me in the center… Even if I feel convicted for not being enough of a servant - I am soon proud of myself for my conviction… ugh.  I think that’s why Jesus didn’t just talk about serving… He got up and did it.  I think He expects the same from us.

So, what’s your plan? Are you willing to pray for interruptions that allow you to serve others?  Will your lofty position stop you from getting your hands dirty?  What will happen this afternoon when you must choose between finishing your meal, or washing someone’s feet?

It’s pretty simple really, you can elevate yourself today by speaking eloquently about the needs of your neighbor, or you can grab a towel and start meeting them.

“What will you do today, Pick up your Title… or pick up a towel?”
– Bruce Hayes

Ecclesiastes 2:1-2 12/10/2024

“I said to myself, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure. So, enjoy yourself.” And behold, it too was futility.  I said of laughter, “It is senseless,” and of pleasure, “What does this accomplish?” 

Nelson Henderson said, “The true meaning of life is to plant trees; under whose shade you do not expect to sit.”  That’s a nice quote but it’s misleading.  Kindness and unselfishness towards others are evidence of a meaningful life, but they are only symptoms. They are byproducts of  WHY we were created.  This passage points out that when it comes to the meaning of life, we habitually chase appearances, instead of the actual source.

Solomon achieved everything we think makes life meaningful. Wealth, power, popularity…  He accomplished it all, won it all, and realized it was all meaningless. Yet when we read Ecclesiastes, where Solomon documents this failure, it doesn’t change our aim.  We continue to pursue trivial things in order to find meaning… build, buy, own, wisdom, pleasure… all just chasing the wind. And at the end of the chase, everyone finds out that nothing matters, except one thing. 

In the movie City Slickers, Curly points that out… but he thought the “one thing” was different for everyone. The fact is it is the same thing for all of us. We have all been designed for the same purpose… to have a beautiful, loving, eternal relationship with our Heavenly Father.  Fellowship with God  is the reason you were created, and nothing will fill the void you feel except that relationship.

Concerning Henderson’s quote, any tree you plant will die and be forgotten, regardless of who sat under it. Furthermore, any trinket you purchase will rust; any accolades you receive will disappear. Those things can be enjoyable but true meaning is only found in an eternal relationship with your Heavenly Father… If you miss that, you miss it all.  

God created us for Himself, and our purpose is to walk hand in hand with Him daily.  That should start today, and never end. Embracing the fact that you belong to God and fully pursuing that relationship is the only thing that gives your life eternal meaning – anything else is the wrong target, and even if you hit it, will leave you disappointed. 

"… I have redeemed you; I have called you by name: you are mine"  - God  (Isaiah 43:1)

John 12:9-10 12/3/2024

“But the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death also,  because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and were believing in Jesus.”

This verse made me laugh.  Jesus had just raised Lazarus from the dead,  and the best threat the chief priests could come up with was to kill him again?   What do you think Lazarus had to say about that? … Probably something like, “Really? … Again? …  You guys understand that doesn’t scare me, right? …  I’ve been there, and there, is better than here”. 

The priests are clearly the ones who are fearful here ...  I bet most would have rather heard Lazarus discuss the afterlife, instead of threatening him with more of it… How revealing is it that this groups ultimate threat was something that Jesus had already exhibited complete power and control over? 

As I imagine Lazarus’ attitude toward their attempts to intimidate him – I am challenged by it.  

Haven’t I too been released from the power of death?  Hasn’t death lost its sting in my life just as it had in Lazarus’?  I should be bolder, less intimidated, and less focused on the temporal,  as I have already begun my eternal life… I have died and been raised to walk anew in Christ…  The only thing  that physical death changes now, is location. 

These facts should change us.  As in this passage, are we so bold that it can be said that on account of us, many are going away and believing in Jesus?  If not, why not?  What are we afraid of?  Where is the courage we see in Lazarus after he was called out of death? Our salvation means we too have been called out of the grave to walk with Christ.  Based on that, shouldn’t we be more like Lazarus when this world is threatening?

My guess is, that the day after Jesus raised him, Lazarus’ “to-do” list looked very different than it did before… His fear and anxiety about worldly issues no doubt vanished as he walked out of that tomb… Maybe we should examine what we allow to frighten us, and what we plan to invest our time in today.  Let’s make sure that as people  who have already been delivered from death, we are fearlessly chasing what matters.

“Living in the light of eternity changes your priorities.” - Rick Warren

TITUS 2: 9-10 11/26/2024

 “Urge bondslaves to be subject to their own masters in everything, to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, not pilfering, but showing all good faith so that they will adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect.”

“Bondslave” refers to  people who had acquired debt and for financial reasons were sold into slavery.  Paul isn’t validating slavery in any form. He is stating how we are to conduct ourselves when we end up in oppressive situations.

There are many forms of slavery today. Criminal slavery imposed on others,  as well as slavery, we impose upon ourselves such as career, credit card debt, image, etc. … So, there is a lesson here on what you allow yourself to be a slave to,  but that is not the point of this passage. 

Instead, these verses reinforce Colossians 3:23 “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men”.  The concept is to realize that you are God’s servant, no matter what the endeavor.  It is all encompassing, and  “fairness” is not the target, excellence is. 

Today’s “entitled” philosophy does not embrace this teaching. This passage demands your unfair boss and the selfish people on your team become important to you. It requires you to enthusiastically work with, not against your demanding employer.  It expects you to be a servant in your marriage and family even when it is not reciprocated. Every group you are involved in should run smoother because you are a part of it, even when it is unfair or one-sided. Your assignment is to treat others as more important than yourself simply because God loves them.

That is where the bar has been set. And though it is tough to swallow in our culture of individual rights, the all-important goal is not to tarnish the name of your Savior.  If you think this is unfair – you are correct… But you don’t want fairness, you want grace. That is what God has given you,  and what you must offer others as well. 

So, if you can’t sacrificially treat your family with respect, work hard for your boss, and be a positive influence on your friends, please don’t teach Sunday School.  This chapter says your self-centered response to unfairness will significantly minimize any impact your religious lecture might have.

“Preach the gospel at all times, and if necessary, use words” - St. Francis

John 4:10 11/19/2024

“Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”

The most troubling flaw in my prayer life is that I often forget who I’m talking to… Jesus tells this woman she doesn’t ask the right questions, because she doesn’t know the power He possesses.  I spend a lot of time in prayer making suggestions instead of listening because I forget who He is… If I contemplated the majesty of  the one hearing my prayers, they would be different. 

When Christ gave us the templet for praying, He said… “Our Father who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name”. Hallowed means respected, holy, sacred…  the natural next step after such an acknowledgement  should be to contemplate that… It makes sense that His holiness would shape your interaction with Him. 

The next phrase, “thy will be done”…  is the only logical progression… If you realize you are communicating with The Creator, the only rational next statement is to ask Him to control everything in your life.  If you prefer your own will, then you too have forgotten who you’re talking to. 

The foundation of my prayers must be the recognition of His Power. When I begin there, I ask the right questions… Instead of “placing my order” for the day, I come desiring guidance. I come with more questions and less solutions. Approaching God with a  “poor spirit” gives me the attitude that prepares me to hear the correct answers.  

There is a difference between saying your prayers and praying.  One is a one-way religious exercise in frustration, and the other is a two-way personal communication that results in guidance, power, and peace. 

The enemy’s desire is to have us habitually recite our memorized mantras, instead of crawling into the lap of our loving God and praying… Prayer brings our heart before Him with all our scars and allows us to receive the healing power of our Father.  Prayer changes things, and its power comes from the  power of the One to whom we pray. 

“Our ordinary views of prayer are not found in the New Testament. We look upon prayer as a means for getting something for ourselves; the Bible’s idea of prayer is that we may get to know God Himself.” -  Oswald Chambers 

1 Thessalonians 4:17-18 11/12/2024

“…Then we who are alive, who remain, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.  Therefore, comfort one another with these words.”

“Two minutes!”... 

We used to shout that in the locker room as the time approached for us to head to the football field for the game.  The excitement and anticipation were palatable.  All the work that we had put in, all the sweat we had invested – was forgotten and overrun by our enthusiasm. You could hardly hold us back as we were headed out to play. Our focus was not on the safety and comfort of the locker room but the reckless excitement waiting for us on the field. 

That kind of focus and anticipation is what we should feel every morning as Christians.  JESUS IS COMING BACK… And it won’t happen gradually. Like a kickoff… the trumpets of Heaven will sound, and the King will return.   The question is not IF, but WHEN? 

Do I live in that reality? Do I wake up each morning with that thought on my mind motivated by Heaven …or am I distracted by the temporary trinkets of this world? 

C. S. Lewis turned our worldview upside down when he pointed out that you don’t HAVE a soul… you ARE a soul… you HAVE a body.  Is that my templet for life? Do I live as though everything in the physical realm is temporary and only the Spiritual is infinite?

Being a part of a church is wonderful, having buddies who support you and remind you that we are not alone is uplifting… But the kickoff is the reason for the team. The Kickoff is our purpose… and this is what should occupy our minds through the difficult times of preparation. Christ’s return is the event that should dictate a mood of anticipation and excitement as it approaches.  

This passage says this is what we should use to comfort each other and prepare ourselves for His return.  We must acknowledge that flesh is fleeting and will pass away – The Spirit is eternal…  the main thing, is to keep the main thing, the main thing…. Will I leave the house this morning with my mind set on Heaven?...

”Two Minutes!”

“The successful warrior is the average man, with laser-like focus.”
— Bruce Lee