As I have been reading through the book of Acts, I keep thinking about "the beginning" of the spread of the Gospel. Jesus told his followers that they would be the instrument He would use to spread the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ to all the world.
Jesus had selected 12 followers to be His closest friends, men He would mentor to be the leaders of this revolution. By the time Jesus ascended into heaven that number had grown to 120. These men became powerful speakers, boldly proclaiming the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. I am a believer today because of the faithfulness, the boldness of these men.
What if I had been one of the 120 in that day? Would I have done my part to tell everyone about Jesus? Would I advance the Gospel? But the challenge is NOT what would I have done 2000 years ago but what will I do TODAY! The truth of the saving grace of Jesus Christ is still spread primarily by individuals who invite family and friends to church, who share Jesus when the opportunity arises, who live lives above reproach. Am I doing what I can to be a leader of this revolution?
Today is just as challenging as it was in Bible days. With all the interest in Eastern religions and New Age and atheism and witchcraft and politics as salvation and money as salvation and the stock market or laws or government or public figures. We look to anyone and anything OTHER than Jesus Christ for our salvation. But nothing else works. EVERYTHING else will lead to destruction.
Lord God, help me to fulfill the role You have called me to. To be obedient in all the little things You ask of me. To be unafraid to speak when opportunities arise.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Christmas Time
I don't think I am a scrooge or a bah humbug person but I'm not particularly glad that Christmas music is already on the radio. Maybe it's because I get so tired of hearing the same songs over and over. Or maybe it's just a hold over from my retail days.
When I owned a retail store, we went to the gift shows in January to purchase Christmas merchandise for the upcoming season. That was 3 or 4 days of total immersion in Christmas. The merchandise would begin to arrive in my store about May. Over about 3 months merchandise would arrive, be unpacked, priced, repacked.
Because I owned a flower shop and things were hand-made, about September we began to make Christmas arrangements for tables, doors, mantels, etc. Then by mid to late October we began to put merchandise on the shelves...more and more until there was almost nothing but Christmas by Thanksgiving.
And Christmas was around (hopefully in lesser quantities) until the after Christmas sale. Then right after New Year and inventory, left-overs were packed up and 3 weeks later I went back to the show to buy Christmas for the upcoming season.
So maybe I just got Christmas overload for the 30 years I worked retail.
So maybe I just got Christmas overload for the 30 years I worked retail.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Jesus vs Religion
One of my favorite devotional books is Oswald Chambers' "My Utmost for His Highest". I don't know when this book was first written but Chambers died in 1917 so it was a long time ago. In the 1960s the book was updated with modern language and modern word usage.
Today I read something that I guess I knew but had not really thought about. Directed to men who were studying to be preachers of the Gospel, Chambers said, "If we simply preach the effects of redemption in the human life instead of the revealed, divine truth regarding Jesus Himself, the result is not new birth in those who listen. The result is a refined religious lifestyle..."
I thought about sermons I've heard in various churches and on TV and realized I have heard many sermons about the "effects" that didn't say a whole lot about Jesus. The "refined religious lifestyle" is what Jesus fought against while He was on earth. I don't know why it is hard for us to comprehend that first and foremost we MUST have a relationship with Jesus. We can be religious all we want but that doesn't save us, doesn't result in new birth.
Today I read something that I guess I knew but had not really thought about. Directed to men who were studying to be preachers of the Gospel, Chambers said, "If we simply preach the effects of redemption in the human life instead of the revealed, divine truth regarding Jesus Himself, the result is not new birth in those who listen. The result is a refined religious lifestyle..."
I thought about sermons I've heard in various churches and on TV and realized I have heard many sermons about the "effects" that didn't say a whole lot about Jesus. The "refined religious lifestyle" is what Jesus fought against while He was on earth. I don't know why it is hard for us to comprehend that first and foremost we MUST have a relationship with Jesus. We can be religious all we want but that doesn't save us, doesn't result in new birth.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Eye Witness Testimony
Some people who don't believe that the Bible is the word of God or perhaps are just looking for an excuse to discount the Bible, will pick out random verses that "disagree" or seem to contradict each other. As I have been reading through the Gospels it struck me that these same people would not find it odd that two people observing a current incident might have a different take on what happened.
I have heard law enforcement people say that many times witnesses to crimes give very different descriptions of people or cars or who was where.
I say that to say that if the Gospels were more "identical", if every story used exactly the same words, if every writer saw the event the same way, I would be more inclined to think it was all just copies of copies of copies and not a uniquely inspired version of the same event. Even the fact that some of the events surrounding Jesus are in each book and some in only one, tells me that God used each man's personality and perspective to say just what God would have him say.
The fact that every verse does not "agree" is not a reason to discount the Bible. Rather it is a reason to celebrate the unique giftedness of the men God used to give eye witness testimony of His story.
I have heard law enforcement people say that many times witnesses to crimes give very different descriptions of people or cars or who was where.
I say that to say that if the Gospels were more "identical", if every story used exactly the same words, if every writer saw the event the same way, I would be more inclined to think it was all just copies of copies of copies and not a uniquely inspired version of the same event. Even the fact that some of the events surrounding Jesus are in each book and some in only one, tells me that God used each man's personality and perspective to say just what God would have him say.
The fact that every verse does not "agree" is not a reason to discount the Bible. Rather it is a reason to celebrate the unique giftedness of the men God used to give eye witness testimony of His story.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
The One You Have Chosen
Perry started a new preaching series at NewSpring this week. The series is aimed at singles primarily and is titled "Don't get married until..." This first message was "until...you hear from God."
As Perry was reading the scripture from Genesis 24 one phrase that really stuck out to me was in verse 14. As Abraham's servant was talking to God about how he would recognize the woman from Abraham's family and be able to make the correct choice, he said, "...let her be the one You have chosen for your servant Isaac." The one YOU have chosen.
Yes, Abraham's servant had conditions - she needs to say and do this and that - but ultimately he wanted the woman that he believed God had already chosen for Isaac. And when Rebecca came along, she said and did what the servant had asked for. And then the servant bowed down and worshiped God.
When it's all about God, He comes through in a big way. I don't have to stress over stuff, just seek His face knowing that He already knows, that He already has plans, that He loves me passionately and wants only the best for me...in all areas of life, not just marriage.
As Perry was reading the scripture from Genesis 24 one phrase that really stuck out to me was in verse 14. As Abraham's servant was talking to God about how he would recognize the woman from Abraham's family and be able to make the correct choice, he said, "...let her be the one You have chosen for your servant Isaac." The one YOU have chosen.
Yes, Abraham's servant had conditions - she needs to say and do this and that - but ultimately he wanted the woman that he believed God had already chosen for Isaac. And when Rebecca came along, she said and did what the servant had asked for. And then the servant bowed down and worshiped God.
When it's all about God, He comes through in a big way. I don't have to stress over stuff, just seek His face knowing that He already knows, that He already has plans, that He loves me passionately and wants only the best for me...in all areas of life, not just marriage.
Christmas Offering
Perry mentioned today that we will be taking a December/Christmas offering. He told us to begin praying about what we would give. Not just a "$5 thank you Jesus" offering but a real expression of God's faithfulness and my gratefulness.
As soon as he said "give", a dollar figure came into my head so I'm pretty certain that figure is what God would have me give back to Him. But that doesn't mean my mind is closed to what God might want me to do. I am open to whatever God wants from me. God may increase the figure but I certainly don't believe He would ask me to give less. I like it when God speaks and I am listening!
I agree with Perry that I need to give more to my local church than para-church organizations. Not that these organizations are unworthy, just that God asks me to support His church before everything else. Giving is as much an expression of my worship of God as any song I might sing, of any service I might perform, of any words I might speak.
Thank you, Jesus, for caring for me; for providing me with a job and income that I might give back to you. I want to be like the widow who gave out of her poverty - giving until it hurt - rather than those who had plenty and only gave a little.
As soon as he said "give", a dollar figure came into my head so I'm pretty certain that figure is what God would have me give back to Him. But that doesn't mean my mind is closed to what God might want me to do. I am open to whatever God wants from me. God may increase the figure but I certainly don't believe He would ask me to give less. I like it when God speaks and I am listening!
I agree with Perry that I need to give more to my local church than para-church organizations. Not that these organizations are unworthy, just that God asks me to support His church before everything else. Giving is as much an expression of my worship of God as any song I might sing, of any service I might perform, of any words I might speak.
Thank you, Jesus, for caring for me; for providing me with a job and income that I might give back to you. I want to be like the widow who gave out of her poverty - giving until it hurt - rather than those who had plenty and only gave a little.
Who Touched Me?
There is a story in the Gospels about a woman who had suffered from a "discharge of blood" for 12 years. During this time she had gone to many doctors and no one was able to heal her even though she had spent a lot of money. Basically, that means she had an incurable disease.
As the crowds pressed in around Jesus, this woman - who was trying to remain unseen (possibly because of the type of illness she had) - believed with all her heart that just touching the fringe of Jesus' garment would be enough to heal her. And she was right!
Jesus immediately knew something had happened and asked, "Who touched Me?" The disciples seemed to think this was a pretty silly question to ask because of all the people trying to get close to Jesus. But Jesus knew this touch was different. The woman confessed what she had done - and why - and Jesus blessed her for her faith
What about me when I try to "touch" Jesus? Is my reaching out to Him superficial? Am I seeking Him with pure motives? Do I really believe He has the power and the desire to do what is best for me...to bring HIM glory?! Would Jesus look at my faith and bless me?
This woman was a "nobody" in her day but she reached out to Jesus and her life was changed forever. Jesus, who is the same yesterday, today and forever, is still in the business of changing lives for all eternity.
As the crowds pressed in around Jesus, this woman - who was trying to remain unseen (possibly because of the type of illness she had) - believed with all her heart that just touching the fringe of Jesus' garment would be enough to heal her. And she was right!
Jesus immediately knew something had happened and asked, "Who touched Me?" The disciples seemed to think this was a pretty silly question to ask because of all the people trying to get close to Jesus. But Jesus knew this touch was different. The woman confessed what she had done - and why - and Jesus blessed her for her faith
What about me when I try to "touch" Jesus? Is my reaching out to Him superficial? Am I seeking Him with pure motives? Do I really believe He has the power and the desire to do what is best for me...to bring HIM glory?! Would Jesus look at my faith and bless me?
This woman was a "nobody" in her day but she reached out to Jesus and her life was changed forever. Jesus, who is the same yesterday, today and forever, is still in the business of changing lives for all eternity.
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