What Used to Be

When the Israelites, who had been exiled to Babylon, were allowed by Cyrus, king of Persia, to go back to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple of God, there was much joy. This was, after all, the fulfillment of the prophecy Jeremiah spoke during the years just prior to the exile and that Isaiah spoke 150-200 years earlier when God even called Cyrus by name.

What strikes me about all this is what happens after the foundation for the temple is laid. Most of the people shout for joy. But some of the old men, who remembered the previous temple, wept. They could not rejoice in God's faithfulness, their freedom, their return home, the new temple because it didn't measure up to what used to be.

How like that are we today? We revel in the past and don't rejoice in the new things God is doing. Maybe what God is doing does not fit well with our traditions. Maybe it's not our idea of what God should be doing - or how He should be doing it.

How many churches fail because the neighborhood, the demographics, of their location change but the church does not embrace it's neighbors with the gospel of Jesus Christ? We'll just shut the doors rather than do a new thing with new people, telling them, in essence, to "go to hell".

How many times does someone in a church say we've never done that before? Rather than reason to quit, it should be reason to celebrate. God is at work. He even says through Isaiah, "Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?" (Isaiah 43:19)

The rebuilding of Jerusalem and the temple was a new beginning for the people of Israel. Maybe it wasn't as grand as before but God was working in their midst. We should always shout for joy when we see God at work around us. We should embrace it and not grieve the new thing He's doing because God's perception, God's purposes just might be a lot different than ours. Ya think?!

Life Can Be Hard

My Pastor, Perry Noble, started a new series last Sunday on The Life of Job - A Story of Hope. There is a lot of anticipation that God is going to do some amazing things in the lives of hurting people.

Life can be hard. Just because I am a follower of Jesus Christ doesn't mean I get a free pass on the trouble, the anxieties, the worries of this world. But because of Jesus Christ and his death, burial and resurrection, I have victory over all that comes my way. And - as an aside - Jesus was in the very center of God's will for His life when He was nailed to the cross. He didn't get a pass on trouble and pain!

A lot of times we forget that, as believers, this world is not our home. Our lives are just a vapor, a mist, that is only here for a snap of the fingers. Our lives seem so long but on the scale of eternity, the time is nothing really.

However, the pain we feel over broken relationships and broken dreams and disasters and sickness and death and hardships and all the other stuff of life is very real. Often that pain is so intense because we are focusing on ourselves. In the moment of great hurt, we tend to focus on our loss, our pain. Sometimes we focus on anger and assigning blame to the one who hurt us or maybe even to God.

But God wants so much more for us. God comforts us in our pain and our sorrow so that we can then comfort others. If we allow Him to, He will use our circumstances as a testimony of His faithfulness. If we look beyond human wisdom to the wisdom of God, we will know, as Job did, "...that my Redeemer lives, and at the last He will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God." (Job 19:25-26)

Learning to focus on Jesus during times of great hurt will enable us to not only endure but to thrive.

The Way of Love

I've been thinking lately about something my pastor said a few months ago - you can't say you love someone if you are not willing to talk to them about their relationship with Jesus, even if it is awkward or uncomfortable. So how much DO I love those around me - family, friends, neighbors? Often not very well.

  "If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.
  Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
  Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. 
  So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love." 1 Corinthians 13

Is the church of Jesus Christ characterized by love? Do we love the congregation down the street? "By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love one for another." (John 13:35) Do we love the downtrodden, the broken, the addicted in our communities? And what about those on the fast track to job and financial success? "Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 19:23) Are we motivated to pray for and help, rather than criticize, someone who falls into sin? "Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall." (1Corinthians 10:12) "Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness." (Galatians 6:1)

Jesus, help me to love the way You love. Break my heart for what breaks Yours. Open my eyes, my ears, my heart to family and friends and acquaintances who desperately need You and then share Your love with them. Amen.

Wasted Years

I have often thought of my wasted years as those years when I was living in rebellion and wandering as a prodigal, living life the way I wanted to. That is not an incorrect assessment because those were years that I wasted. Not only was my relationship with Christ wasted during those years but the relationship with my family as well. My parents and brother loved me through it all but I didn't allow that love to flow toward me or back toward them because of my sin.

I am so grateful that Jesus Christ never abandoned me. During those years in the wasteland He protected me in so many ways. But what I have begun to think about now is the waste found in the years since I returned home to my Father and Jesus. What am I doing today that will be burned up in the fire as wasted?

Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 3:12-15, "Now if anyone builds on the foundation [of Jesus Christ] with gold,  silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw - each one's work will become manifest, for the Day [of Judgement] will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire."


Gold, silver and precious stone will survive the fire; wood, hay, and straw will be burned up. So what types of things will survive? Love, for sure. Love God, love others. Jesus said these are the greatest commandments. (Mark 12:30-31)

Right attitudes. "...whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." (1 Corinthians 10:31) Doing the right things for the wrong reasons can cause them to be lost. (Matthew 23:1-3)

Proper use of resources given to me by God. "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:21) Am I generous with time, money and other resources? Do I allow them to multiply and build the kingdom of God by wise use? Or do I horde them out of fear? (Matthew 25:14-30)

I need to search my heart - and ask God to as well - to show me any areas I need to work on as I live this life in preparation for eternity. "Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!" (Psalm 139:23-24)

Thankfulness

One of the things I'm really working toward with God is being more thankful. Rather than always asking Him for something just taking time to say "Thank You!"

Not being thankful is taking God's grace and provision for granted. I have so much and too often I fail to acknowledge that all I have comes from God. So what DO I have that I need to be thankful for?

My family - my son, daughter-in-law, grandson and granddaughter. We have a great relationship and are able to share life together.
My health - I don't take any medications for any conditions and at age 63 that is a gift straight from God.
My car - 14 years old but still chugging along - and it was free when I got in back in 2005.
My home - small townhouse that I bought in 2007. The bank stills owns more of it than I do but it is the only debt I have. Good neighborhood, good location, cheaper than rent.
My friends - I have friends that I get to go places with, laugh with, cry with. They enrich my life in so many ways.
America - I don't ever want to take for granted that I live in a free country. Of course it's not perfect but to have been born in this country, to me, is a huge blessing.
My church - God led me to the greatest church ever. Through my church He has allowed me to participate in life change with countless numbers of people.
My salvation - This is the greatest gift of all. To think that God loves me, ME! so much that He sacrificed His Son to pay the penalty for my sins. It overwhelms me every time I think about it!
My life - Waking up each morning, taking another breath, is a precious gift. One day I will leave this earth to be with Jesus for eternity but until that time, I will be thankful for each new day.
Food and water - I live where food prices are reasonable and the water is good and plentiful. There have been droughts and we have been told not to water lawns or wash cars but always have water for drinking, cooking, bathing.
Indoor plumbing and electricity - I love being able to flip a switch to have lights or air conditioning or heat. And if you've ever used an outhouse or port-a-potty, being able to flush a toilet is great.
Sunshine and rain - we need both and God controls them so I will be thankful for each.
Seasons - I love season change. Leaves are beginning to change now as the days get shorter and cooler. Each season has it's own reasons to be enjoyed. Spring of course is the time of renewal and Easter; flowers bloom, grass is green, trees get new leaves, the air begins to warm. Summer is hot but that makes for great times at the pool or the lake. Trees provide needed shade. It's also the main vacation time so life often moves at a slower pace with picnics and cookouts and long days. Autumn is cool relief from the heat of summer. Leaves begin to change colors and fall from the trees. Halloween and Thanksgiving are celebrated. Winter is Christmas and New Year's and maybe even snow. The bright green of evergreens can be seen in contrast to the stark brown trunks and limbs of those trees bare of leaves. And as we've had just enough of the cold, short days here comes Spring again.

There is so very much to be thankful for and I don't ever want to miss the opportunity to thank God for blessing me with so much.

Hope

Hope is something we all want; something we all need. Loss of hope can lead to depression and even suicide. What do we put our hope in?

Money/retirement funds - where does hope go when the stock market crashes or the job ends?

Government - where does hope go if the elected officials don't live up to their promises?

House - where does hope go if the house loses it's value?

Spouse/family - where does hope go if the marriage ends or the kids are rebellious or somebody dies?

Friends - where does hope go if a friend betrays us?

Health - where does hope go if health fails, if a debilitating or terminal illness is diagnosed?

Everything on earth is temporary. Everything. Therefore, nothing on earth can supply hope. The Bible says in Proverbs 11:7, "Hopes placed in mortals die with them; all their power comes to nothing." And in Psalm 33:17 "A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all it's great strength it cannot save." We don't rely on horses these days - unless it's horsepower under the hood of a car - but you can substitute any of the list above for "horse".

So, if I can't put my hope in money or friends or my spouse or my health, what is there? There is the only one hope, a sure hope, a never ending hope for all mankind. That hope is God. Throughout the Old Testament the writers speak of the hope found only in God. This is especially true in Job and in the Psalms. "Yet if you devote your heart to [God] and stretch out your hands to him...You will be secure because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety." (Job 11:13-18) Psalm 119 has many references to "hope in your laws", "hope in your word", "you have given me hope". 

The prophet Isaiah said, "but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." And Jeremiah tells us, "I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Paul in Romans 15:13 calls God the God of hope and tells us hope comes from the Holy Spirit when he prays, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." 

To know God, through Christ Jesus, is to know the only hope of the world. "remember that at that time you were separate from Christ...without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who were once far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ." (Ephesians 2:12-13)

No Condemnation

"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death." (Romans 8:1-2)

From the moment we are born, we are all condemned to death. Because of Adam's sin, God said, "By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust and to dust you shall return." (Genesis 3:19)

So this frail, finite earthly body will die; it will return to dust. Because of sin. And I am a sinner. By God's standards. Man's standards don't count, only God's, because...well, HE IS GOD! And I am not.

Sin is what brought the condemnation of death. Paul tells us "those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace." (Romans 8:5-6)

Death or life and peace. Sounds like a no-brainer to me. Jesus said, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him." (John 3:16-17)

God has done everything necessary to make us right with Him by sending His Son. Jesus did all the work for our salvation on a cross in Jerusalem 2000 years ago. Jesus was condemned to death to pay the price for all the sins for all mankind for all time. But praise be to God, Jesus did not stay dead. He was raised to life in three days and "if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you." (Romans 8:11)

Life Can Be Hard

Sometimes life overwhelms us. A friend or family member dies. Someone close to us is living a dangerous or addictive life. A marriage ends. A child gets sick - really sick - or maybe I do. A job is lost. Life can be hard.

I can remember hearing Christians say things that might make one think if you're following Christ nothing bad should ever happen to you. Perhaps you don't have enough faith. Perhaps you have un-confessed sin in your life. The reality is Jesus said that we WILL have tribulation in this world.

"I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have tribulation. But take heart, I have overcome the world!" (John 16:33) So what do we do when our world crashes down around us? We turn to Jesus. Does that mean that the child will get well or the friend will give up the addiction or a new job will be found today? Not necessarily.

Jesus didn't say I will take away all your tribulation but I will give you peace. Peace is not complacency; not an "Oh, well, there's nothing that can be done" attitude. Peace is a realization the God is in control. Yes, we still pray. Yes, we still speak words of encouragement. Yes, we still go about living and doing what God has called us to do. But we remember God's love toward us, understanding that His love is perfect and "perfect love casts out fear". (1 John 4:18) 

The apostle Paul said, "We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us." (Romans 5:3-5)

So when life is hard - as it will be for all of us at some time - know that God is building character and hope in Him for those of us who are His children. "But to all who did receive [Jesus], who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God." (John 1:12) The best question to ask when life is hard is have I received Jesus so that I may know His peace and God's love.

Romans

I never tire of reading the Bible. Even though I have read it from cover to cover numerous times and some books, like Romans, again and again and again, God's word is always fresh, always new, always alive. That's one of those God things that I don't understand - the Bible being alive (Hebrews 4:12) - but that I believe it because I have experienced it in my life.

Part of what I love about Romans is God's plan of salvation made extremely clear.

"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," (Romans 3:23) As my pastor would say, the Greek word for all means...all. If you are a person, you are part of "all". Doesn't matter who you are, what you do, where in the world you live, rich or poor, "good" or "bad" - ALL of us fall short of God's perfection.

"but God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8) Since we are all sinners, God's love is poured out for all of us - everyone, every where. Christ died for all humanity. God loves us and sent Jesus to bear our punishment for our sins. He wants us so much He did everything necessary to make us right with Him.

"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23) Death or life? That is the question before each of us and a choice has to be made.

"because if you confess with your mouth 'Jesus is Lord' and believe in your heart God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." (Romans 10:9) God did not make this complicated. No pilgrimages to make, no service to perform, no steps to climb. Believe and confess."For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved." (Romans 10:10)

"For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." (Romans 10:13) EVERYONE - no matter our age, our race, our economic status, our nationality; no matter how heinous or trivial our sins by human standards. Everyone who can confess Jesus is Lord will be saved.

I am so grateful to this loving God who pulled me up out of the mire of sin, the pit of despair and set my feet on solid ground. The way to God is simple - but there is only ONE way. That's what throws so many people off. They want THEIR way, not God's way. Jesus said, "Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few." (Matthew 7:13-14)