Ready or Not ...2019

Can you believe another year is in the books? Time marches relentlessly onward without asking for either our consent or approval. 2018 isn’t even cold yet and 2019 is already relentlessly marching for­ward. Nothing you or I do will ever get that time back. With each passing day we creep closer towards time’s end. Ready or not, some day it will all come to an end. There will be no more sunrises, no minutes, hours or days. All the things you collected, whether treasured or forgotten, will be passed to someone else. Your wealth, fame and temporal powers will shrivel to irrelevance. It won’t matter what you owned or what you were owed. Your grudges, resentments, frustrations and jealousies will finally disappear. So too, your hopes, ambitions, plans and to-do lists will expire. The wins and loses that once seemed so important will fade away. It won’t matter where you came from or what side of the tracks you lived on at the end. It won’t matter whether you were beautiful or brilliant. Even your gender and skin color will be irrelevant. So what will matter? How will the value of your days be measured? What will matter is not what you bought but what you built, not what you got but what you gave.

[John 10:1-17] The year 2019 will bring with it days of defeat and success. 2019 will bring with it both sadness and great joy. 2019 will bring days of suffering bal­anced with days of healing. 2019 will bring with it days of loss and others of enrichment. For some 2019 will bring with it a day of finality. But, as always, with Jesus there is good news, for there will not be a single day in 2019 that you will have to encounter alone! We have One who can lift us up from de­feat, comfort us in sadness and sustain us through suffering. There is One who can truly place momentary loss into eternal perspective. And not to be forgotten, we have each other, charged with the duty of sharing in life’s highs and lows (Romans 12:12-15) and with bearing “one another’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2). While you are powerless to keep time from sifting through your life like sand through your fingers, you can do something about how you spend it. What will matter in how you spend your fleeting moment in time is not your success, but your significance. What will matter is not what you learned, but what you taught. What will matter is every act of integrity, compassion, courage or sacrifice that enriched, empowered or encouraged others to emulate your example. What will matter is not your confidence, but your character. What will matter is not how many people you knew, but how many will feel a lasting loss when you’re gone. What will matter are not your memories, but the memories that live in those who loved you. What will matter is how long you will be remembered, by whom and for what. Living a life that matters doesn’t happen by accident. It’s not a matter of circumstance but of choice. Choose to live a life that matters. While much time will fall wasted at the feet of humanity, as a follower of Christ you can use your time to God’s glory and time will ultimately deposit you in His timeless glory. Moses said of the Lord’s commands, “This day I call the heavens and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years...” (Deuteronomy 30:19-20a,b). “Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes” (James 4:14).

Rejoice Anyway

Once again Christmas-time is upon us. It’s the season when familiar sights, sounds and smells are all around us. It’s also the time of year when the secular progressives of the world turn their attention more sharply to anything and everything decidedly “Christian”. It’s the season when municipalities ban, or attempt to ban, nativity scenes, Christmas trees, and Christmas lights – not only on public property, but in private businesses as well. It’s the time of year when the long beloved greeting of “Merry Christmas” is replaced by the corporate mandated, “Happy Holidays” and “Seasons Greetings.” Tis the season when the smallest minority of the country, atheists, get a great deal of air time to attack Christianity and Christians from our openly anti-Christian, liberal media outlets. It’s the time of year when it’s most clear that liberal organizations interpret the words “freedom of religion” to mean “freedom from the Christian religion.” It’s the time of year when public school administrators have to walk on eggs in fear of reprimand or reprisal for allowing too much Christianity onto their campuses. Tis the season when the words, “separation of church and state” are twisted, misapplied, and perverted beyond anything our founding fathers had in mind. Tis the season to wake up and realize that we are at war with the ideologies of the god of this world. Tis the season for Christians to take a stand against the devil who is attempting to eradicate everything Christian from our cities, our states and our country. Our God-fearing moral nation is at risk, and freedom is not free.

[Ephesians 6:11-12] Ever wonder what causes the angels in heaven to shout for joy? There are several instances of angels proclaiming joy, and they all seem to have a common thread. The first instance of the heavenly host expressing joy is during the creation of the heavens and the earth. Recounting the incident, God tells Job that when it happened, “the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy” (Job 38:1-7). Most Bible scholars agree that the morning stars and sons of God are in reference to angels, who apparently were created prior to the earth. So in this instance, we see the angels being joyous because of God using His creative powers to make something that had never existed before. Let’s look at another instance of the angels showing joy. When the proper time came (Galatians 4:4), God sent His Son to be born of the human race. It is at this time in announcing the birth of the Messiah to the shepherds that angels proclaimed it a time of “great joy” (Luke 2:8-14). So here the angels express praise and joy at the coming of the Christ-child, the God-Man, Jesus. As in the creation, they are expressing joy over something that had never before existed. There is one more instance I can find in the Bible of the angels expressing joy – and this one directly involves us. In Luke 15:10 we are told that “there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Seeing a sinner come to God and becoming a new creation brings great joy to the angels. From these three instances, I think we can clearly see that angels get excited over new creations. Think about it: when we have our lives made new through baptism into Christ and we continue to live each day renewed in the Spirit, the angels rejoice over us. What an encouraging thought! “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them!” (Revelation 12:11-12a). Tis the season for spiritual warfare. To God be the glory and rejoice with the angels on high.

Clean From The Inside Out

There’s a lot of talk about giving this month. Even the retail stores, who have separated themselves from the reason for the season, have not moved away from this concept. It is a time to “give to everyone on your list” and “we’re only here to help you with this task …‘cause we have better sales!” But, the reason so many Millennial’s are abandoning Christmas for Halloween as the biggest holiday is because when the “good news of great joy” (Luke 2:8-14) is cut off, crass commercialism and greed are not enough reason to sustain it. Giving to others only makes sense to an increasingly selfish world when it realizes that God gave first …and the most. The expression is true: “we can’t out-give God.” But do we try? Truly understanding and appreciating His gift is the first step for us to pull our focus from our self-absorption and give to others from gratitude to Him.

The story is told of an old man who lived on a farm in the mountains of eastern Kentucky with his young grandson. Each morning, Grandpa was up early sitting at the kitchen table reading from his old, worn out Bible. His grandson who wanted to be just like him tried to imitate him in any way he could. One day, the grandson asked, “Papa, I try to read the Bible just like you but I don’t understand it, and what I do understand I forget as soon as I close the book. What good does reading the Bible do?” The Grandfather quietly turned from putting coal in the stove and said, “Take this coal basket down to the river and bring back a basket of water.” The boy did as he was told, even though all the water leaked out before he could get back to the house. The grandfather laughed and said, “You will have to move a little faster next time,” and sent him back to the river with the basket to try again. This time the boy ran faster, but again the basket was empty before he returned home. Out of breath, he told his grandfather that it was impossible to carry water in a basket, and he went to get a bucket instead. The old man said, “I don’t want a bucket of water; I want a basket of water. You can do this. You’re just not trying hard enough,” and he went out the door to watch the boy try again. At this point, the boy knew it was impossible, but he wanted to show his grandfather that even if he ran as fast as he could, the water would leak out before he got far at all. The boy scooped the water and ran hard, but when he reached his grandfather the basket was again empty. Out of breath, he said, “See Papa, it’s useless!” “So you think it is useless?” the old man said. “Look at the basket.” The boy looked at the basket and for the first time he realized that the basket looked different. Instead of a dirty old coal basket, it was clean. “Son, that’s what happens when you read the Bible. You might not understand or remember everything, but when you read it, it will change you from the inside out.”

[James 1:17-18] Thus, we must; “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). “You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you” (John 15:3). “How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:9-11). “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any two-edged sword, it penetrates even to the dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). Are you being cleaned from the inside out?

The Gospel According To YOU

Not too long ago I read the story of a farmer who was just devastated over the fact that his barn’s roof fell in. Someone asked the farmer, “What happened?” The farmer said that the roof had been leaking so long that the timbers supporting it just rotted through. Of course, one’s initial thought is why did he let the roof get so bad before fixing it? The farmer’s response: “Well ...it just seemed ...when the weather was good there weren’t no need for it, and when it was rainin’ it was too wet to work on it.” I think relationships are much like that old barn. Could it be that some of our relationships are on the brink of collapsing because efforts have not been made along the way to strengthen their infrastructure? What do you thing will happen to that relationship when the next major storm of life develops? How many marriages will fall apart tomorrow because, while at the moment things are good, constant efforts are not being made to strengthen the resolve to love one another “until death do us part” (Ephesians 5:22-33)? How many children will leave home never to communicate with father or mother again because at this very moment fathers are not getting involved in the lives of their children, and mothers are not instilling discipline in their children to grow up to be faithful Christians (Ephesians 6:1-4)? While today may be a good day, and I pray that is for you, don’t forget that tomorrow a storm may come and life could all fall apart if efforts are not made each day to strengthen your relationships. Want to have good healthy relationships? Commit regularly to the little things, so that when the big issues arise, the roof doesn’t collapse!

[2 Corinthians 3:1-3] What would you say is the most read gospel? Is it Matthew, the first book that a reader comes to in the New Testament? Is it the action packed gospel of Mark? Is it Luke, the gospel for all men? Is it John, the gospel penned by the disciple whom Jesus loved? In all likelihood, the most read gospel is not any of these four. It is the fifth gospel – YOU! Leroy Brownlow (Give Us This Day) wrote: “The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, Are read by more than a few, But the one that is most read and commented on, Is the gospel according to You. You are writing a gospel, a chapter each day, By things you do and words that you say. Men read what you write, whether faithless or true, Say, what is the gospel according to you?” To the saints in Corinth, Paul wrote, “Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation to you or from you? You yourselves are our letter, written on your hearts, known and read by everybody. You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.” The Corinthians were an epistle known and read of all men. Of course, the same holds true with us. What are men reading in, You? Will your life cause them to glorify God? “...let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16); “Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us” (1 Peter 2:12). Or, will they blaspheme God? “As it is written: ‘God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you’” (Romans 2:24; Isaiah 52:5; Ezekiel 36:22) or His word “...so that no one will malign the word of God” (Titus 2:5). Wednesday is our 33^rd wedding anniversary and I pray often that we continue in the love found in God’s Word.

What's Your Request?

“What do you want for Christmas” is a question asked millions of times each and every year in the pursuit of one attempting to please another with giving gifts that will bring happiness. When I was a boy, I was into the Sears catalog a full month or two before Christmas. The toy section was full of wants and dreams. I never thought of the expense involved, they were gifts, right? I never did get all I wanted but it seems I always had what I needed. My parent’s monetary constraints never did dampen my wishes though.

[Mark 10:36, 51] Our wish list with a God who has no such constraints would be extensive. If, however, we could only receive those things which were justifiable needs, what would they be? Well, we always need more money, but we’re still living without it. Imagine for a moment that Jesus is literally standing in front of you. With bated breathe you wait for him to say something, and then, to your surprise, His words are in the form of a question, “What do you want me to do for you?” You might have expected him to say, “get your life straight...” or “follow me...” or “go and make disciples...” but not, “What do you want me to do for you?” Why not? Jesus is a servant (Mark 10:45) and is willing to give all he has to you. So, what would you do if Jesus asked what he could for you? Would you ask for greater health? Jesus asked a man who had been lame for 38 years if he wanted to get well (John 5:6). The man said he needed help and Jesus healed him on the spot. Better health is an appropriate request, but we can’t keep it forever. Would you ask for greater faith? A father brought his son to Jesus (Mark 9:14-29). The boy was possessed by a mute spirit that would throw him down, cause him to foam at the mouth, gnash his teeth and become rigid. Jesus’ disciple couldn’t cast the spirit out. The father said to Jesus, “...if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” Jesus replied, “Everything is possible for him who believes.” The boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” Jesus commanded the spirit to come out of the boy never to enter him again. A stronger faith is an appropriate request. Would you ask for a better relationship with the Lord? This was the desire of the apostle Paul when he said, “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead” (Philippians 3:10). Paul latter affirmed he was given his desire, “...That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day” (2 Timothy 1: 12).There’s nothing more important than a right relationship with the Lord Jesus growing in His grace and knowledge (2 Peter 3:15-18). The single greatest thing that we truly must have from God is salvation, redemption, forgiveness, and the reward of heaven. It matters not if we prosper in wealth and health is vain, compared to salvation (Matthew 16: 24-27). A person rewarded with heaven is saved from hell. This is the thing we need. This is what we must have and it can only come from Jesus (John 14:6). He, therefore, is the Savior and he stands not only able to provide this but is willing and desirous to do so. Isn’t it ironic that failure to receive the one true thing we need is the result of our refusal to accept it, or for that matter, ask for it? And heaven is yours for the asking and the answers are in God’s Word, Jesus (John 1:14). The gracious Lord of heaven still says, “What do you want me to do for you?” What’s your request?