Malachi 3:16 3/29/2022*

“Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord listened attentively and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the Lord and esteem His name.” 

Read that again…It says the Lord listened attentively when they “spoke to one another”.  

I sound pious when I am praying directly to God…and I usually choose my words carefully when I am speaking publicly.  But do I realize that God listens when I talk to others?  

How eager are you for God to hear how you speak to your family?  

Are you okay with God listening attentively when you talk to people at work?  What about when you speak to people you disagree with politically? 

Philippians 4:5 says “Let your gentle spirit be known to all people. The Lord is near.” How often do I forget that “The Lord is near” … and would anyone say I have a gentle spirit?

Do I assume that since I don’t see Him, God is not listening to every word that comes out of my mouth?  How would the content of my conversations change if I focused on the fact that He is interested in what I say? 

As humans we modify our language and content based on who is listening …A person’s rank, power, and prestige can have a significant impact on our communication style, content, and delivery.  How much more should the most powerful Being in the universe impact what we say and how we say it? 

Why have I not realized that God hears more than just my prayers. Nothing I do, say, or even think about today will go unnoticed. He is listening attentively. 

The end of the passage makes it clear that God distinguishes “between the righteous and the wicked”, in some degree based on what we say.  Those who love Him are His treasured possessions and it shows in how we communicate.

The tongue is our spiritual thermometer. It can tell us if our heart is sick.  Make sure you are heart healthy today remembering that nothing you say is private, and nothing you say - no matter who you say it to - is unimportant. 

“The true test of a man’s spirituality is not his ability to speak, as we are apt to think, but rather his ability to bridle his tongue.” 
- R. Kent Hughes

Jude 1:24-25 3/22/2022*

“Now to Him who is able to protect you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory, blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority before all time and now and forever. Amen.”

This short letter from Jesus’ half-brother has an ominous tone…It is full of warnings and admonitions.  Jude states there will be false teachers and blasphemers and warns us to closely follow scripture. He instructs us to vigilantly protect the truth from those who would corrupt it. 

This one-chapter letter is an uncompromising call to action, not a comforting memo…. Yet in this last verse, as Jude wraps up his message – He makes it clear that fear and worry are not part of the program. 

He states that Jesus is able to protect us, keep us from stumbling, make us blameless and give us joy…God’s majesty, dominion and authority are unshakable, and our destiny is to be in His presence forever.

The bible is incredibly clear on this point - yet for some reason today our society is fixated on fear. It has become like a drug to us.  We pursue it, incessantly clicking on things that will cause anxiety and we are unable to stop ourselves from obsessing over what might happen next. 

This verse says that’s a colossal waste of time. 

It states that we have a proficient protector and that our future is to stand in His glory, joyfully blameless.  

No war, virus, political party, or economic collapse can alter that. Christ is not pacing the floor…He is on His throne. Nothing has happened, nor will happen, outside of His permissive will. He possesses all authority, and nothing is trivial to Him…. Not a single sparrow will fall today without His knowledge. (Matthew 10:29)

Jesus loves you and has stated that you are “worth more than many sparrows” …Rest in that truth…You have God’s heart - so trust Him.  Take a break from anxiety and rest in the peace of God.  Nothing can separate you from the love of Christ so, stop feeding your addiction to fear and instead relax in the power of your protector. 

“You do not know the gospel, dear friends, if you have not obtained peace through it; peace is the juice, the essence, the soul of the gospel.”  – Charles Spurgeon

Luke 23:42 3/15/2022*

“Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

That request comes from arguably the greatest theologian of all time. He was not a pastor or professor - but if we examine what he said and the circumstances surrounding his comments, his depth and comprehension is undeniable. 

The thief that hung on the cross next to Christ is the one who spoke those words … 

Having just reprimanded the other condemned man who was mocking Jesus - he revealed well-grounded doctrine and his recognition of Jesus as Lord.

 “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence?  We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”  

With that statement this “theologian” shows remarkable insight. 

He recognizes that he and Jesus are different. He identifies the Messiah’s holiness and acknowledges his own depravity. He is awestruck by Christ’s glory and humbles himself before him as King.  

This thief comes to Jesus with no ulterior motives.  He didn’t turn to Christ after seeing a miracle – the thief is not looking for personal gain. Instead, as he and Jesus were dying - he acknowledges who Christ is and only asks to be remembered in His Kingdom. The thief’s confession comes from being overwhelmed by the majesty of Jesus not the pursuit of personal advancement.

That is a heart ready for salvation. Confessing guilt, acknowledging that only Christ can redeem, and following Him because He is King – not in hopes of personal gain.

How does your theology stack up to this condemned criminal’s?  Do you realize your wickedness and God’s perfection? Do you acknowledge Jesus as King or just Savior?  Are you a man after God’s own heart, or just pursuing free grace?

These are all questions you must answer for yourself, but we all need to answer them.

Christ alone is the way, the truth, and the life…have we grasped that?  Are we as astute as the thief on the cross?  Do we see our corruption and His Purity? Do we realize our need for Amazing Grace, and rely solely on Jesus for Salvation?  I hope so because those are the requirements for redemption. 

 "It should not be possible for Christians to be disillusioned. We should have no illusions in the first place. Our faith is in Jesus Christ alone." - Gene Edward Veith

Genesis 9:24-25 3/8/2022*

 “When Noah awoke from his wine, he knew what his youngest son had done to him.  So, he said, “Cursed be Canaan; A servant of servants He shall be to his brothers.” 

After the flood receded, Noah got drunk and fell asleep exposed in his tent. One of his sons, saw him and told his brothers.  Apparently, he intended to embarrass, not protect his dad, and that incurred a curse.

This is confusing because it seems like there is plenty of blame to go around in this story … But it does highlight an important truth.

God is serious about the 5^th commandment, which says to honor your parents…and our culture has increasingly ignored it. 

Today, aging parents are seen as burdens. More and more people seem annoyed at having to take care of those who took care of them. This passage would indicate that path leads to a curse. 

“Honor your parents” is the first commandment with a promise and God is very serious about it being followed. It is not a “suggestion” and God has tied long-term effects to it.

There are many undeserving parents, but like all of God’s commands - the benefit of obedience goes to the “obeyer”. 

On the surface, it appears to only be advantageous to the parents, but in reality, it is even more beneficial to the children who honor them.

I have watched people be self-centered and unkind to their aging parents only to find out later that their own children were watching, and soon follow their example.

You reap what you sow, and long-term problems occur when we don’t follow God’s command and honor our parents even when they are not worthy of it.

If your parents are undeserving, you have an opportunity to break some generational chains. You have the chance to change your family legacy and build a better future for your children and grandchildren.

If you have been blessed with loving parents, the obligation is even more obvious….

Either way - It is not our job to determine our parents’ worthiness of honor, we are simply instructed to grant it to them.

Choose to honor your parents while they are here. Do it because God said to… and it will be credited as obedience, securing peaceful memories and blessings when they are gone.

 “Honor your parents and the Lord will honor you.”
- Woodrow Kroll

 

MATTHEW 28:19-20 3/1/2022*

"Go, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you".

The early church referred to this as the “Great Commission”. Webster defines a “COMMISSION” as “an authorization or command to act in a prescribed manner or to perform prescribed acts:  a CHARGE”.

Many of Today’s Christians seem to think of it as less of a commission and more of a suggestion. Our goal seems to have changed into isolating ourselves from the crowd and hunkering down in “holy huddles”, so we don’t get soiled by the sinners. 

Even when we are “evangelical”, we are much more about “come” to our church, than we are about “go” out to foreigners and strangers. I am not sure how this new goal got started but it seems to have little to do with the original mandate. 

When they asked Jesus what the greatest commandment was, He said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” and He added “love your neighbor as yourself”. 

So, the commandment dovetails perfectly with the commission. It is natural to tell the neighbor you love; about the God you love. In other words, if you believe the greatest commandment, you will fulfill the great commission. 

All of God’s commands work this way…They make sense and work together. It is when we choose to follow only the ones we agree with, that our life becomes fragmented and confusing. 

“Go” …and make disciples everywhere. Love people enough to tell them about your Heavenly Father. Tell them about the amazing grace that saved you and changed you…. 

This will require getting out of your easy chair and leaving your comfort zone, but it is not called the great “suggestion”, so let’s get moving.  You can spread the gospel without loving, but you cannot love without spreading the gospel. 

It is hard work, but it is not complicated.  Nothing in this world compares to the value of leading just one soul to salvation.  So, you decide, will today be another useless waste of time chasing temporary adornments – or will you tell someone the truth and lead them to a knowledge that will change their eternal destiny?

“Untold millions are still untold.”

― John Wesley

1 Timothy 4:7-8 2/22/2022*

“But reject irreverent, silly myths. Instead, train yourself for godliness. For physical exercise is of limited value, but godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for the present life and for the one to come.”

About 185 million American’s will attempt to diet this year. We will spend 30 billion dollars on gym memberships and will purchase countless nutritional supplements in pursuit of physical health. 

That’s good. However, this verse says there is something better. 

Let’s compare our vigilance regarding physical health - to our attentiveness monitoring what our soul consumes, and our daily spiritual training. 

Isn’t it odd that we count calories and micromanage every meal, while consuming junk media, starving ourselves from scripture, and allowing toxic, immoral images into our mind each day? 

How have we arrived at a point where we are hypersensitive about GMO’s in our national diet, and yet tolerate our children being fed dishonest and illogical information in the classroom?

We are fanatical about our physical wellbeing and have disregarded our souls. It is as if we have become obsessed with the paint job of the car while utterly ignoring the condition of the engine. 

What if you changed that and began looking inward?  How would your thought life be impacted by eliminating pornographic communications? Would your mood change if your entertainment wasn’t filled with violence and depravity?  What would happen to your anxiety if you stopped binging on news designed to frighten and control you?

We have been lulled to sleep… Not making these changes is the spiritual equivalent of eating every meal at Krispy Kreme and thinking we’re going to lose weight. 

God’s word instructs us to reject harmful input. Open your Bible and meditate on scripture focusing on “whatever is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent and praiseworthy” (Phil 4:8). Think about the impact on your life if you actually did that.

Eating right helps your body become healthy, fight off illness, and function at a high level.  Your soul responds the same way.

Begin your spiritual training today. Watch what you allow into your soul and exercise your spiritual muscles with prayer and Bible study.  That will not only be beneficial for this life – but for the one to come as well. 

“You are what you eat.’ And that fact applies infinitely more to your soul than it does your body.”

― Craig Lounsbrough

1 Peter 3:14…16 2/15/2022*

“And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be in dread, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone ….”  

“…and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who disparage your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame.” 

When the writer tells us not to fear, he is referencing actual physical danger. What persecution will you face today…how will you respond? 

In 1536, William Tyndale was burned at the stake for translating the bible into English that the common man could read. His martyrdom makes my hesitancy to talk about Jesus in some settings seem pathetic. 

Being “prepared to make a defense” means being ready to be ridiculed…It also means being ready to be in danger for the gospel. 

That opportunity is approaching faster than we think. Today in Canada, you must choose between speaking truth about God’s plan for sexuality- and going to jail. In other countries the choice is silence about Jesus -or death. Christ said that serving God would be dangerous…and He was talking about much more than being “canceled”.

We must not only speak up –we must also live with integrity. 

“keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who disparage your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame.” 

Is this true of you?  Does your behavior shame those who slander you?  

Does the church have integrity? Do we love those who don’t look, or think like we do?  Those are the people who will disparage us, and unfortunately our conduct sometimes gives them the right to do so. We occasionally forget that we are fighting FOR them…not WITH them. 

Our consistency is what gives our message credibility. Keeping a clear conscience, and living authentically, won’t happen by accident, but it is crucial.

The message we carry is literally a “life or death” situation…we cannot be lulled into thinking this is a game… Hell is real, and no one was clearer about that than Jesus. Our mission is to stop people from going there. 

Determine the value of eternal life for yourself, and those you love.  Then feel free to be frightened, intimidated, or distracted by anything more valuable than that.

“Courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyway.”

― John Wayne

Nehemiah 8:10 2/8/2022*

 “Then Nehemiah told them, “Go and eat what is rich, drink what is sweet, and send out portions to those who have nothing prepared, since today is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

The people of Israel were weeping because the book of the Lord had pierced their hearts. Nehemiah told them to smile…He told them to celebrate, because the joy of the Lord would make them strong. 

The same is true today. Joyfulness in the Lord gives us power. Yet somehow the church has become the most somber place on earth. Our sharing of the gospel is ineffective because we do it out of duty – not joy. If you ask people what traits they associate with Christianity you will probably hear stuffy, judgmental, boring, maybe arrogant…but you will seldom hear Joyful …and that is one reason the church struggles today.  

If we pursue faith, love, and wisdom and we seek courage, peace will result. And that peace will generate unquenchable joy that is impossible to hide from those who don’t have it. 

I should be that person who is always smiling…Not because nothing ever goes wrong - but because one amazing thing went right – Christ rose from the dead and because of His grace, I will spend eternity with Him. 

The word “Gospel” is the combination of the Hebrew words for “good” and “message”.  So, if we carry God’s good message, how are we not beaming? 

We are not oblivious to the trouble in our lives; however, we are more aware of the deliverance the cross has provided - so joy shines out of us. 

Nehemiah told them to celebrate because the day was holy.  When you are indwelled by the Holy Spirit, every day is holy…and every day should contain Joy. 

If you want more power in your walk and your witness, try smiling. Try focusing on the amazing gift God has given you.  Joy, like peace, is not dependent on circumstances – It is dependent on the fact that God saved you from your sin …That produces joy - and that kind of Joy is unshakeable. 

Once you have the faith, love, and wisdom to know what God wants you to do…if you will do it with Joy, you will be unstoppable.

“Never learn doctrine from someone who doesn’t have a sparkle in their eye” – Anonymous

Philippians 4:9 2/1/2022*

“Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”

The fifth word in our life plan is “peace”.  This verse tells you how to get it – and teaches an important principle. Paul didn’t just say “do what I say” – he said “do what I do” … Can you say that?  That is your target, because obedience produces peace.

Peace is not the absence of difficulty – We need more than that …Mark Twain said “I am an old man and have known many troubles. Most of which never happened.” His point was that even without difficulties we destroy peace with anxiety and worry. 

Peace is not a natural characteristic; it must be acquired. That’s problematic since it is what we need most. Peace is the golden ring of life. It is what we all want when our head hits the pillow at night. 

The world constantly offers peace, but never delivers. Men chase money, drugs, sex, fame…all in a futile attempt to find serenity but there is no source for it on earth. 

The God of peace is its only resource. Psalms says: “He lets me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters.” This beautifully illustrates the contentment and tranquility of a lamb that is guarded by The Shepherd…. That is peace, and whether you are aware of it or not – it is the thing you desire most. 

But how do you get it?

This verse says to obey the gospel…put it into practice.  Seek faith, love, wisdom, and courage - and the God of peace will BE WITH YOU. 

It’s a lifestyle…a state of calmness that comes from a relationship with your creator. Not the absence of trouble but the presence of God. Which makes peace not a fragile condition dependent on circumstances, but a permanent state dependent on the power of The Almighty. That is why we can have peace even when we don’t understand…because it is not based on us but on God.

Persistently obey His Word. Choose faith over fear - and rest in the green pastures and still waters that the presence of your loving Shepherd provides.

“God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself because it is not there. There is no such thing.” - C.S. Lewis

Deuteronomy 31:6-8 1/25/2022*

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” 

We are halfway through the life plan of Faith, Love, Wisdom, Courage, Peace, and Joy.

Today’s word is “Courage”, which is challenging if you have not mastered the first three components. However, if you are walking in faith, love, and wisdom it will produce stability and understanding which eliminates fear in your life. 

God is never frightened or anxious, and He does not expect us to be either. Scripture says, “greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.” That is our source of courage … not our own power, but the strength of Christ who lives in us. 

Any other type of bravery is a paper tiger. Like a Chihuahua barking at a Doberman – what some call courage, is simply fear hiding in bravado. 

True courage is quiet and calm. It does not ignore danger it simply sees it in context. While we may feel fear – it is dwarfed by the power of God and His promise to never leave us. Bravery is focusing on His power and promise – instead of our problem.

Not acknowledging danger is foolishness. But a man who realizes that fear is not from God – can disregard the dread and continue down the path God has set before him. 

There is no need to search the web for reassurance. We don’t require others to agree with us. The source of our courage comes from the faith we have in God who loves us and is in complete control. 

Everything I face today must pass through God’s hands before it gets to me.  If I believe that, no response other than courage makes sense.

Courage is not a feeling; it is a decision. You choose to trust God and share the gospel. Courage is not ordinary, and it will make you stand out like a beacon in a dark world of fear and anxiety. 

You have chosen to be called a Christian, but as William Wallace said: “men don’t follow titles, they follow courage”.  So, stand on scripture, and live courageously in the power of God - and men will follow you to Christ.

“You always need divine protection, and believer in Christ, you shall always have it.” – Charles Spurgeon