Knee Jerk Responses

God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

2 Timothy 1:7

 

Why are we such a fearful society?  A tragedy occurs and we have marches and rallies  and calls to ban this, that, and the other....but we are somehow fearful of actually DOING something to help prevent a lot of the rampages.  When did we stop teaching our children about respect, courtesy, and the fact that everyone has value?

 

I can remember as a child being taught to respect other people and other people's property.  Why?  Because of the simple verse we call "The Golden Rule."  Yet some seem to have changed the rule to read: Do to others BEFORE they can do to me.  And our Pit Dwelling enemy has taken full advantage of our fear.

 

If we fear, we become ineffective and the Pit Dweller wins.  But look again at today's verse: "God HAS NOT given us a spirit of fear and timidity" our fear to do what is right does not come from God!  It comes from the pungent pit!  God HAS given us the spirit of POWER, LOVE, and SELF-DISCIPLINE!!  God has given us exactly what we need to do what is right, and we must focus on that instead of being fearful!

 

So ask yourself again, is it better to do what is right even though it might be uncomfortable for us and take some effort, or should we just let this world degrade into a free-for-all?

Has The World Gone Mad?

But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives,
    and he will stand upon the earth at last.

Job 19:25 

 

Watch the news; scroll down Facebook; read the paper and it will appear as if the world has gone mad!  Almost every day someone goes on a rampage!  Every day someone or group protests because they were offended by something or someone!  Almost every day you hear about another Law Enforcement Officer being shot or a school being shot up or some theater or some government building.  It's as if we are beginning to go to war against ourselves!

 

This continuous news is distressing.  It's frustrating!  It's depressing.  It's demoralizing.  And if we let it get to us, we will begin to wonder whether God really is in control.  The Pit Dweller appears to have ramped up his game in his efforts to cause us to fear and doubt.  But I urge you....I urge you with every ounce of my soul....Stay Strong!  Claim the promise that Job did when he was going through the worst time of his life: "I KNOW that my Redeemer lives!"  

 

I'm not saying that everything will be hunky-dory for us because we believe, but we will have the strength to resist the Pit Dwellers tricks!  We can rejoice that God does live and He IS in control even when it seems the world is falling apart around us.  Remember Noah?  The entire world was destroyed by flood but Noah knew his Redeemer lives, and he was saved.  How about you?  Does your Redeemer live or will the Pit Dweller (who stinks of smoke) steal your faith?

 

I KNOW THAT MY REDEEMER LIVES!

Lent Challenge

So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

Hebrews 4:16 

 

Lent is, once again, upon us.  It began on Valentine's Day, which I believe is appropriate because God's great Valentine to us was His Son, Jesus Christ.  And with Lent begins a 40 journey to prepare our hearts, lives, and spirits for Easter!

 

People will tell me what they are "giving up" for Lent.  They say they will give up soda, alcohol, fried foods, swearing, sports, Facebook, Twitter, and the list is endless. While the giving up of things which take our focus from Christ is a good thing, I would ask for a different Lent activity.

 

I issue this Lent Challenge for those of stout of heart and fearless in their prayers:  Join me in spending each day of Lent praying for our Nation, that we may focus more on our commonalities than our differences.  Pray that we would learn to work together.  Pray that we would be humbled until we have no alternative except to work together.  Pray that we would get rid of all the pettiness that causes us to believe we are better than anyone else.  Ask God to replace our negativity with His love, encouragement, and desire to be part of each other.

 

Are you up for it?

Second Childhood?

About that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?” Jesus called a little child to him and put the child among them. Then he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Matthew 18:1-4

We are competitive, aren't we?  We'll turn anything into a competition.  Who can hold their breath the longest?  Who can jump the highest?  Who can eat the most ghost peppers and keep them down?  We all want to be the best at something.

The Disciples weren't any different.  They wanted to know who would be the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.  Somehow, I can picture the smug, over-confident faces of these who asked Jesus who would be the greatest, feeling as if Jesus would pick one of them. And to their surprise (or dismay) Jesus didn't pick any of them; instead He put a child up as an example of who would be the greatest in Heaven.

Why would Jesus do that?  What's so special about a child that they would be the greatest in Heaven?  Think about it!  Children rely on their parents for everything.  Children trust their parents to love them, care for them, teach them, and provide for them.  Hmmm....isn't that how we are supposed to be with God?  Trusting Him for EVERYTHING?

You see, until we come to the point in our lives that we can set aside our own jaded, cynical, self-serving pride, we are not acting like Children of God!  Until we let God do His job and stop trying to do it in His place, we are not acting like Children of God.

We must become like children with God as our parent. THAT is the example Jesus put before the Disciples....and us.  

Do You Truly Care?

This is the message you have heard from the beginning: We should love one another.

1 John 3:11 

 

Today is Valentine's Day (I hope you got something for your Valentine).  Yes, Valentine's Day is all about love, but I contend it's not just about couples rather it's about LOVE, friends included.  Let's face it, friends are friends for a reason.  But here's my question, when was the last time you let them know you appreciate and care about them?  Doesn't have to be in some "mushy" way either, just let them know they are important to you and that you care.

 

After all, Jesus reminded us that we need to love one another (the word He used was the word agapaō which means "to be fond of, to love dearly" and gives the impression of unconditional love and caring).  So.....do you care for those you call "Friend"?  How about those with whom you interact daily?  When was the last time you actually let them know?

How To Hug A Porcupine!

Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.

Romans 12:18

 

Have you ever tried to hug a porcupine?  Yeah, probably not, which is a wise decision.  But have you ever tried to deal with a difficult person?  This discussion came up in Bible study last week.  How do you deal with "prickly" people?  

 

First, don't take their prickliness personally and be quick to forgive.  Try a change of perspective.  Perhaps they are under a lot of stress and pressure.  Perhaps they are having one of "those" days. Perhaps there are issues you aren't aware of.  Perhaps they don't realize that they are being a porcupine.

 

Second, be cordial, courteous, and friendly.  Sometimes people who are having a bad day just need a smile and a "Hi" from someone to let them know you care. Sometimes it's best to do is let them know you care and then give them some space.

 

Third, remind them they have value.  Everyone likes to know their efforts are appreciated.  Matter of fact, everyone likes to know they are appreciated and valuable. We like to know that our contribution to this world matters.

And above all else, put yourself in their shoes if possible.  If you were being a porcupine, how would you want to be treated.  Jesus told us to Love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength and to love others as we love ourselves.  Respond to porcupines with love and respect.  After all, we all have those days where we are porcupines.

When Will We Become United?

And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes. There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Galatians 3:27-28 

 

Why do we spend so much time and effort focusing on our differences instead of our commonalities?  

 

Didn't God create all of us in His image?

 

Yet we want to be divisive instead of uniting.  Why?

 

Yes, we do have differences, but we all share things in common.  For example, when the heart stops, we die.  Ever hear of anyone living a regular life with no heartbeat?

 

You see, the truth of Christ is simple: We are all the same in His eyes.  He died for me just like He died for you.  He never said, "I'll hang on this cross only for those who are over 6' tall with green hair" now did He?  

 

I don't care who you are, in Christ we are family (don't look so scared).