Are You Weary?

 

Have you ever mowed so much grass in one summer? It seems every time I turn around it’s grown two or three inches inhibiting my little Chihuahua’s navigation thorough the yard, chasing down squirrels and running the fence line warning unwanted predators of her dominance. The South Texas temperatures have remained unusually low so far this summer, our rains have been persistent, and mixed with a little bit of sunshine, is the perfect receipt for growing grass, and everything else. I suspect all the fertilizers and growth stimulants I’ve applied to my lawn the past ten years, without any noticeable success, have been activated all at once because my lawn looks better than it has in many years. The problem with that is, I’m pushing the lawnmower a lot more than I really want to. Oh well, Bella and I are getting some great exercise and sleep well.

Working all day at a physical activity leads to a tiredness we can all relate to. We all know the relief of being able to finally sit down and rest. The great thing about physical tiredness is that after a period of rest we feel better and able to return to our activity. When Jesus talks about those who are weary, in the Book of Matthew, Jesus is talking about the weariness of spirit or mind. We seem to be seeing this more often in our modern society. I know many of us have felt that weariness of facing a long-term challenge that wears us down. This mental weariness is a kind of fatigue that physical rest often does not help. This mental fatigue is often brought about through worry, frustration and discouragement which are all tools of Satan, “And Satan is very patient.” Allow that thought to capture you for a few minutes. Your mind is quick to point out to you the patience of Job and the patience of God, but we fail to recognize that the work of Satan may very well be in a field all its own. For we read in God’s Word that “…the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8). I don’t ever recall hearing of a lion giving up after one failed attempt. The lion sizes up its prey before attacking and as an example one can watch the common domestic cat in its preparations to attack and disrupt a normal day. There is no rush; just a calculated wait before pouncing on an unsuspecting victim, which never gets old to them. I hate cats.

[Matthew 11:28-30] Maybe you don’t see Satan in that way, but perhaps it’s time for us all to re-think the working of our greatest enemy. No doubt Satan waited patiently before Eve (and Adam) succumbed to the temptation of the fruit in the garden. And as he waited then, he does so with us “seeking someone to devour.” And unfortunately, his success rate seems to be climbing! Solomon characterizes the one falling into the temptation of adultery “…as an ox goes to slaughter” (Proverbs 7:22). Is it possible that we have allowed ourselves to be so caught up in the pleasures of the world that we have become like ox to the slaughter? The apostle Paul warned Timothy to teach with gentleness so that God may grant repentance, “…and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will” (2 Timothy 2:26). Jesus says there is an answer when the world takes us captive and wears us down. “Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” And it shouldn’t surprise you that even positive things can wear us down. “…let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart” (Galatians 6:9). Satan’s slaughter will void Jesus’ sacrifice and your hope of life eternal.

Yes, I Can!

 

“I can’t; I won’t; I don’t.” These are the words that keep people from reaching their highest potential in life. There’s no telling how different this world would be if certain people throughout the ages had not lived up to their fullest potential. Consider this: What if… Michelangelo had said, “I don’t do ceilings.” * David agreed with his brothers and said, “I can’t do giants.” * Michael Jordon believed his grade school coach and said, “I can’t do basketball.” * Neil Armstrong feared the unknown and said, “I won’t do outer space.” * George Washington weighed the odds and said, “I don’t do revolutions.” * Henry Ford had no vision for the future and said, “I can’t do cars.” * Walt Disney had no sense of humor and said, “I won’t do mice.” * The apostle Paul was worried about persecution and said, “I can’t do mission work.” * Thomas Edison, after failing hundreds of times, had said, “I can’t do lightbulbs.” * Not willing to fulfill the promise of God, Jesus had said, “I can’t do the cross.” Just think what a different world this would be. We have been super blessed all because of a few individuals who chose not to say, “I don’t; I won’t; I can’t.”

The hymn writer, Fanny Crosby (March 24, 1820 – February 12, 1915) gave us more than 6,000 gospel songs. Although blinded by the improper treatment of an illness at the age of six weeks, she never became bitter. One time a preacher sympathetically remarked, “I think it a great pity the Master did not give you sight when He showered so many other gifts upon you.” She quickly replied, “Do you know that if at birth I had been able to make one petition, it would have been that I should be born blind?” Surprised the preacher asked, “Why?” Crosby stated, “Because when I get to heaven, the first face that shall ever gladden my sight will be that of my Savior!” One of Crosby’s hymns was so personal that for years she kept it to herself. Kenneth Osbeck, author of several books on hymnology, says its revelation to the public came about in this way: One day at a Bible conference in Northfield, Massachusetts, Miss Crosby was asked by D.L. Moody to give a personal testimony. At first she hesitated, then quickly rose and said, ‘There is one hymn I have written which has never been published. I call it my soul’s poem. Sometimes, when I am troubled, I repeat it to myself, for it brings comfort to my heart.’ She then recited the lyrics while many wept. The first stanza and chorus reads, “Some day the silver cord will break, and I no more as now shall sing; But oh, the joy when I shall wake within the palace of the King! And I shall see Him face to face, and tell the story – saved by grace!” (“Saved by Grace” Crosby/Stebbins)

[Matthew 5:45] “…for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” Somewhere, someone is receiving bad news and having to deal with unexpected challenges. It could result in existing in the darkness of being alone, or having feelings hurt, or unsure of when that next meal will come, or wondering how that next payment is going to get made, or surgery combined with excruciating pain during recovery. During times like these sometimes we want to quit right where we are and never take another step because we don’t know what the future holds. Our Creator has given us directions to overcoming our biggest obstacles if we will love, trust and submit our lives to Christ. We will persevere during challenges when we realize: We all suffer at some point (Matthew 5:45); Christians are not immune to grief or suffering (2 Timothy 3:12); We are to help others who suffer (Galatians 6:2); We must bear our own burdens (Galatians 6:5); We must learn to always be content (Philippians 4:11-13).

Are You Willing?

 

We (and I’m using that term very loosely) have almost molded this world into our own image and have it just the way we want it. We can satisfy all our desires, fulfill all our pleasures, feed our fragile egos, do our own thing and no one cares, even if what we do is at the expense of others. The hurt, the heartbreak, the unhappiness we cause others is not important, so long as we come out on top. That is where the world seems to be today. I want to go on record to proclaim – That’s not where I live!!

At a Stanford University commencement ceremony, then Professor David Kennedy, spoke of the “Old West” – specifically, about the regions where the railroad had not yet reached, and people still traveled by stagecoach. Stagecoach lines in those days offered three levels of ticket: First-class, Second-class and Third-class. If you bought a First-class ticket you were guaranteed (or your money back) you would arrive on time after a comfortable ride while enjoying all the amenities offered. A Second-class ticket guaranteed arrival, but also stated that in the case of difficulty en route – a mud slide that might have blocked the road or a broken axle on the wagon – you might be asked to stand-by aside the road for a period of time while the problem is remedied. A Third-class ticket carried the stipulation that in case of difficulty en route, the holder of such a ticket would be expected to get out, go to the back of the coach and help push it through the mud, use a shovel if needed, remove cargo to lighten the load (then repack the cargo) or even help lift the coach to enable repairs. Then Professor Kennedy said, “Even though you have a first class education from a first class college, don’t take the first class or even the second class route through life. Go third class. Get out and make things happen. Put your shoulder to the wheel. Do the heavy lifting. Roll up your sleeves. Spit on your hands and get to work!” In fact, Jesus said that if you want to have a first class life, the only way is to travel third class. “…the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves” (Luke 22:24-27).

[Ester 3&4] When Queen Ester was faced with pleading the cause of the Jew, and perhaps losing the love of the king, she could have reasoned much as does the world: “Right now the king loves me. He chose me from a large number of qualified women. He’ll never permit them to kill me, not even if he does learn that I am a Jew. Why should I jeopardize what I have going for me? After all, I have no assurance that he will save all those people just because I ask him. And after all, did not Mordecai himself say that if I do not ask the king, someone else will be raised up to defend their cause (Ester 4:13-14)? God, I’ve got it too good. Will you please get someone else?” Mordecai was right. God can always get someone else. God could have gotten someone else: *…to be the father of His nation, but Abraham was willing. *…to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, but Moses was willing. *…to direct His armies, but David was willing. *…to pave the way for Christ, but John the baptizer was willing. *…to preach the sermon in Acts 7, but Stephen was willing. *…to be the apostle to the Gentiles, but Paul was willing. Have you noticed all the great men and women we read about in the Bible are those who were willing to do whatever God wanted them to do, regardless of the cost to them personally?

Unreasonable taxation, freedom of speech, religious rights (especially Christianity), capitalism – all the things our fore-fathers fought and died for, are on the line this very day, under fire by those who wish to destroy the United States of America. Are you willing to stand and assure we get to celebrate another Independence Day?

The Way I Ought To Be

 

There is an expression sometimes used to explain behavior. It goes something like this – “That’s just the way I am” or “That’s just the way they are.” People sure enough do have their “ways”. Everybody is unique, and every person has a certain way they go about living their life. But one thing each individual should keep in mind is that we are not locked into a specific lifestyle. The liar doesn’t have to continue lying just because he has always been a liar. The same could be said for any other sin in one’s life. The fact is that we choose our way of living. Every day we make decisions about who we are and what we believe. Our lifestyle adapts to our ever changing environment all the time. Since such is the case, then we can also change the way we practice our Christianity. We don’t have to be Sunday morning only Christians, even if that is all we’ve ever been. We don’t have to keep from being more involved in the work of the church, just because we have never been involved in the past. We don’t have to lack zeal for evangelism, just because in our former days we have lacked the nerve necessary to save a lost soul.

[Joshua 24:14-24] We can live our life as our relatives before us. We can serve God in the same way they did, with the same zeal, or the lack thereof. We can worship like they worshipped. We can do all in religion, just the way our relatives have; just because that’s the way they did it, regardless of the right or wrong of it all and regardless of what the Bible says. Before Joshua died, he recognized the temptations the people would face, the temptation of falling away from Jehovah and going back to the idols of their ancestors. Jesus said, “He that loves mother or father more than me is not worthy of me; and he that loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me” (Matthew 10:37). We can live our life like everyone around us. We can call it peer pressure, social pressure, cultural pressure – but it’s really all the same, the temptation to be like everybody else. The false gods of the world promote fornication, gluttony, drunkenness and all sorts of self-satisfying depravity. The land in which we now dwell in is full of idolatry and covetousness, and there is a great deal of pressure put on Christians to conform and compromise the truth of God’s Word. “…but seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness…” (Matthew 10:37). 

Regardless of what mom or dad believe and do, regardless of what people around us are doing, we can choose to follow Jesus. What we need to do to get started is really very simple. We need to pray earnestly that God will change our hearts and make us aware of our spiritual shortcomings. Then we need to follow up by changing our behavior and making it a habit of doing things we have always wanted to do for Christ. With God’s help, we can change our way of life! We can do things differently than we have ever done them in the past! Peter wrote about the importance of no longer living the rest of our time in the flesh for the sake of sin, but instead, living for the will of god (1 Peter 4:1-3). The point is that God not only has the power to save us from spiritual death; he has the power to change our life for today. That is a very exciting proposition! We don’t have to wait for Jesus to return to be blessed of God. We can be blessed immediately by simply making the choice to live for God today. 

Faithfulness; Commitment; Evangelism; Humility; Kindness – These are ways of life that please God (Ephesians 5:8-14). We must stop saying to ourselves who we are and what we practice is “good enough”. Because of God’s authority as the Creator, the blessings and goodness of his love, and his severity as Judge, may we all declare as Joshua did, “…But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Amen!

Fathers

 

When they came home from school disappointed about something or looking for a snack, the first thing out of most children’s mouth is, “Where’s Mom?” When money is needed or a parental final decision has to be made it’s always, “Go ask your father.” Such is the common pecking order in the typical family. Moms are always needed, expected to be on call 24-7. Dads, well… perhaps not so much, until maybe there’s a loud thunderstorm, or when there’s something lurking outside a bedroom window, or when a bicycle is broken, or when it comes time to acquire a driver’s license, or… well you get the idea. Most dad’s sort of figure that “need” and “love” go hand in hand. To be needed is a way of being loved by family. Dad’s like for their children to depend on them since they have a heart full of love for them. Dad’s want their children to need him and love him. It’s an outright shame that some of the world portrays the father figure as an oppressive, domineering dictator who enslaves a woman to have his children and then abandon the whole situation to pursue his own desirers in life. That’s like saying, “I’ve had three flat tires in my fifty years of driving so in my mind all tires are weak and can’t wait for the opportunity to ruin my day with another flat.” Yep, makes about as much sense. Unfortunately, there are some deadbeat dads out there, but I’m happy to say the family as a whole is still intact and fathers are doing a great job with wonderful kids.

Here are a few quotes from some people you may be familiar with, name wise anyway, that may surprise you. * “My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person… he believed in me.” – Jim Valvano * “A father carries pictures in his wallet where his money used to be.” – Steve Martin * “When a father gives to his son; both laugh. When a son gives to his father; both cry.” – William Shakespeare * “By profession I am a soldier and take great pride in that fact, but I am also prouder, infinitely prouder, to be a father. A soldier destroys in order to build; the father only builds, never destroys.” – Douglas MacArthur * “The older I get, the smarter my father seems to get.” – Tim Russert * A father sits back and sighs, and maybe even sheds a tear, when a son or daughter rings the phone just to say, “Thanks, dad. I love you.”

[Ephesians 6:4; Colossians 3:21] “A father is neither an anchor to hold us back nor a sail to take us there, but a guiding light whose love shows us the way.” – Unknown

Our God is the greatest father ever, period. He invites all of his children to trust in him. Peter wrote, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:6-7). Needing God and leaning upon God like a father is a way that we express our love for him. John writes to the baptized believers in Christ: “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure” (1 John 3:1-3). Isn’t it great to know God does not have any grand-children, or step-children. God has only children, born of the spirit (John 3:1-8) as God is spirit. “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” Fathers, you have no idea what the Lord has in mind for your children’s future. Teach them to be responsible living in this life and prepare them for the next life – eternal life with God the Father.