December 27, 2010

FOR TO YOU THIS DAY IN THE CITY OF DAVID A SAVIOR IS BORN AND HE IS CHRIST THE LORD.  Luke 2:11

Many people would say that it’s all over.  Christmas has come and gone. Like the department stores their trees are down and in the box once again.  The presents have been opened, used or returned and all the excitement is over.

But WAIT!  It’s not over!  The day, the event, the celebration of His birthday may be past, but it’s not OVER!  If it is real, it is only beginning.

Jesus Christ came into the world for us.  He was born in a stable in Bethlehem for you and me.  But He lived His life of 30 some years here among us.  The birth event is past but the effects that His life, His death and His resurrection have on us is only beginning. Every day because of Him we are forgiven.  Every day because of Him we are claimed as a child of God. Every day because of Him we have His assurance that He is with us. Every day and every day and every day…

It is my prayer today and every day that the effect that Jesus’ birth has on you will influence how you live your life and how you relate to those around you.

Blessings on your day, 

December 20, 2010

IN THE FULLNESS OF TIME GOD SENT FORTH HIS SON, BORN OF A WOMAN, BORN UNDER THE LAW TO REDEEM THOSE UNDER THE LAW.  Galatians 4:4-5

This is the week.  If you are not finished with your shopping, you only have 5 days left.  I have been finished with my shopping and my preparations a long time ago.  About three weeks ago I thought I was finished with everything that I wanted to give my wife this year, when she looked through some items I left laying on the table and asked why I bought it.  She felt badly when I told her that it was a Christmas present for her. The surprise was gone.

There was quite a surprise when God originally sent us the greatest Christmas present there was.  No one thought that the Savior of the world would be born as a tiny Baby in Bethlehem.

But to our amazement He came and gave His life for ours.  That’s not the way we operate. We would say that it’s not fair.  But in His grace God poured out His wrath on His Son, not us.  In His love, Jesus died for us so we don’t have to spend eternity in hell. And that is one of life’s most pleasant surprises.  But then God is in the surprise business.

Blessings on your day, 

December 13, 2010

WHOEVER DOES NOT PRACTICE RIGHTEOUSNESS IS NOT OF GOD, NOR IS HE WHO DOES NOT LOVE HIS BROTHER.   1 John 3:10

Do you know how many times a day you wash your hands?  Good Hygiene is important to good health.  Washing our hands removes the germs we pick up from people and places.  I try to wash my hands after every worship service before I go on to something else.  I shake hands with a hundred people.  That’s a lot of germs.  I wash my hands when I get home because I have been all over picking up germs off door handles, desks, chairs, and people.  That kind of practice is good for our health.

Practicing righteousness, John says, is good for our spiritual health and relationship with our heavenly Father. In other words you and I need to put our faith to work in our lives. We need to follow the directives of the way our God desires us to live.  That especially shows up in the way we treat and relate to our brothers and sisters.

God wants us to love and care for, to help and serve people.  As we put our faith in God our desire becomes to do what the Father desires.  As we draw closer to Christmas I pray that we are helping and serving others, maybe giving up our own desires to reach out and serve others.

Blessings on your day, 

December 6, 2010

DO NOT BE CARRIED ABOUT WITH VARIOUS AND STRANGE DOCTRINES. Hebrews 13:9

We have been hearing a lot about how unhealthy we are lately.  Omaha is 142 out of 184 healthy cities.  Being overweight is a problem even in children.  Our eating habits and our exercising are being held up for us to change and work on.  We eat way too much junk food or fast food.  And many people do not have an exercise program that they follow. It seems like we have bought into ‘various and strange teachings’ about what we can eat and how we can simply be that couch potato.

Unfortunately we, at times, have done the very same thing with various and strange doctrines that are floating around in our culture and society today.  It does matter what you believe and in particular it matters in Whom you believe.  It does matter if there is Truth that is absolute out there.  And it does matter how you are going to get to heaven.

The real TRUTH is that we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.  He is the only Way.  He came here to lay down His life for us to make heaven possible for each and every one of us.  Let me encourage you to place your trust in Him alone.

Blessings on your day, 

November 29, 2010

THROUGH HIM WE BOTH HAVE ACCESS BY ONE SPIRIT TO THE FATHER. Ephesians 2:18

It was about this time last year that we learned how a couple simply walked into a White House state dinner without an invitation.  By doing this they gained access to the president of the United States, having their picture taken with him.  All of us wondered how in the world that could happen with all the security and checks that people need to go through in order to gain entry to those types of events.

St Paul reminds us that there are no security checks, there are no screenings, there is no list by which people see if we should be able to come into the presence of the Living God and be able to talk with Him.

Paul says it’s because of the Holy Spirit that we have access. It’s because of the fact that our Lord Jesus left the throne room of the Father and came here as a tiny Baby that enables us not only to have access to God but that has made it possible for us to receive the gifts of forgiveness and eternal life as well.

Christmas is coming and we celebrate what Jesus has accomplished for us.

Blessings on your day, 

November 22, 2010

NOW IN MY PROSPERITY I SAID, ‘I SHALL NEVER BE MOVED.’  Psalm 30:6

In re-reading the parable of the Pharisee and the Publican I came to the realization that many times I am that Pharisee.  I judge people. I rejoice that I am not like others.  I set myself apart from those who are suffering and are in need without realizing that in a second that could be me.  I think that events and circumstances could never happen to me. I forget that it is only by the grace of God that I have what I have.

David in Psalm 30 was guilty of that same kind of thought.  He had everything going for him and obviously he felt that nothing could change it.

But he quickly caught himself and realized that for him also it was the grace of God that kept him safe and enabled him to be in the position he was.

Let me encourage you today to remember how dependent we are on the grace of God. Consider how quickly tragedy can strike and our lives be changed.

So whether we have blessings or trials, remember to give thanks to God for His grace and presence in your life.  Blessed Thanksgiving to you.

Blessings on your day, 

November 15, 2010

LET YOUR LIGHT SO SHINE BEFORE MEN, THAT THEY MAY SEE YOUR GOOD WORKS AND GLORIFY YOUR FATHER IN HEAVEN.  Matthew 5:16

I have been reading the latest book about Dietrich Bonhoeffer. And I am impressed by his theology, but more so by his influence on not just the German church but upon the world not only at that time but still today.

And I wonder about the influence and imprint that you and I are leaving today upon our world.  Surely our Lord Jesus Christ influences our daily lives.  But can people around us see His presence clearly in our lives?

Is it possible that people who relate to us know that Jesus occupies our hearts?

We sometimes are slow to speak a word about Jesus or to let people know how important He is in our lives.  But our Lord encourages us to “Let our lives shine…”  Our faith may be a very private matter, but at the same time it needs to be public. People watch us. They know how we live: what we say and what we do.  Do those things reflect that Light of Christ that shines in us?  I pray that they do.

Blessings on your day, 

November 8, 2010

IF YOU FORGIVE MEN THEIR TRESPASSES, YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER WILL ALSO FORGIVE YOU.  Matthew 6:14

Have you ever thought about how difficult it is to really forgive?  I mean forgiveness is not like covering up an offense with a spray of Glade.

Forgiveness comes from the heart. It says that even though the wound may still hurt, I am willing to extend to you a hand of friendship and a word of letting it go.

Forgiveness is an unnatural act.  Deep in our hearts we would like to get even. We would prefer to return the wound.  We desire to lash out and hurt.  But our God enables us to let it go.

Remember Joseph whose brothers sold him into slavery?  He ended up in a foreign land not understanding the language, not knowing his destiny, fearful and alone.  But through it all he understood that “God intended it for good.” I wonder if he spent a couple of night planning on revenge?  I wonder if there was a time filled with hatred?

God enabled him to forgive.  He can do the very same thing for you.  He forgives us and expects us to pass it along to others.  I pray that you can.

Blessings on your day, 

November 1, 2010

APPLY YOUR HEART TO INSTRUCTION, AND YOUR EARS TO WORDS OF KNOWLEDGE.  Proverbs 23:12

Remember when phones were for making phone calls.  Today most phones, at least among young people, are for texting. (I still use mine for making phone calls.) But the whole application thing is becoming THE thing.

You’ve heard it: “There’s an app for that.” The smart phone has become a storehouse of information and data. From checking on the scores or the weather, to looking up information on the net, to googling directions.

But of all the things that you and I can learn and discover with an app on a smart phone, I must say that in the Bible there’s also an ‘app.’  In fact there are a lot of apps that we are missing.

Solomon wrote “APPLY YOUR HEART…  We would do well to follow his advice.

Apply our hearts to knowledge and wisdom. Go on line to find out what God desires of us.  And then “APPLY OUR EARS… We would do well to not only hear what God says but to listen to it and follow it in our lives.

Let’s work at applying God’s Word in our lives.  There’s an app for that.

Blessings on your day, 

October 25, 2010

I WILL HEAL THEIR BACKSLIDING.     Hosea  14:4

What a reception I received a week ago last Monday.  After therapy I decided that it was time to start getting back into my routine at the office.  But because I had visited every classroom before I had surgery I decided that I should visit them again, which I did.  And in every classroom I received the same reception.  “Pastor’s back!”

I felt missed. It made me feel good.  I felt like even after 6 weeks the students had not forgotten me.

I thought of how many times we, as God’s people, for one reason or another leave or fall back, or back off from our relationship with Him.  And how He must miss us!  How He must long for us to return!  How He must desire for us to come back!  He says that He will never forget us.

Our God waits for us.  Our God longs for us to spend time with Him.  Our God desires our company.  And what joy it gives Him when we are there.

Blessings on your day, 

October 18, 2010

I WILL OPEN THE WINDOWS OF HEAVEN FOR YOU AND POUR DOWN FOR YOU A BLESSING UNTIL THERE IS NO MORE NEED.   Malachi 3:10

When I got back to my office to begin getting back to work, I found it a mess.  It seemed like it was worse than when I left it.  There was mail all over the place.  Most of that I was able to sort through very quickly.

There were notes and messages that I was to return.  And of course there are all those daily and weekly things that need to be accomplished.

At first it seemed overwhelming, but then I began to think – what a blessing it is to have all this work to do.  And what marvelous blessings God continues to shower upon all of us.  He certainly opens the windows of heaven every day and pours down blessing upon blessing.

Let me encourage you today to stop and think about some of those blessings that God has poured into your life.  Then give thanks for what He has done.

Blessings on your day, 

October 11, 2010

AND WE KNOW THAT FOR THOSE WHO LOVE GOD ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD.  Romans 8:28

A tradition has begun at my wife’s family reunion. We put puzzles together.  The challenge is to see how fast we can do it.  We put a 1000 piece puzzle together in a little over 3 and one half hours this past summer.

Since my knee surgery I have begun to feel as though my days are like pieces of a puzzle.  Some days make sense and seem to fit together, but others don’t. Some days I have all kinds of energy and others I don’t.  I sometimes feel disconnected from church and what is going on there because I haven’t really been in my office for over a month.  I attended Voters Meetings but had to leave because I was getting too tired.

But I continue to rely on God’s promise that it will work out. Things will come together and I’ll get back in the swing of things.  The pieces will fit and God will see to it that it is good.

Blessings on your day, 

October 4, 2010

OPEN MY EYES, THAT I MAY BEHOLD WONDROUS THINGS OUT OF YOUR LAW.  Psalm 119:18

This past week we have had some gorgeous weather in Nebraska.  Highs have been in the 70’s and lows in the 50’s.  Bright sunshine, beautiful blue skies, and the marvelous colors of fall.  The tree in my front yard as well as the bushes are all turning this marvelous shade of red.

And yet I know there are people who haven’t noticed.  There are people who get up and go to work and come home and do not get outside to enjoy it.

Too much of the time we are preoccupied with the ordinary stuff of our lives.  We have this ‘been there, done that’ attitude.

Unfortunately the same thing is true when it comes to some of the familiar stories that are recorded in the Bible. It’s like we’ve heard that story.

We know what it’s about.  It’s no big deal.  But just like with this beautiful weather it is a big deal.  For every time we hear a familiar story from Scripture there is something marvelous that comes through.

Every time we read a story we can learn something new.

The Psalmist is right – we need to pray “O Lord, Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things…”

Blessings on your day, 

September 26, 2010

JESUS SAID TO HER “MARY.”  SHE TURNED AND SAID TO HIM IN ARAMAIC, “RABBONI!”  John 20:16

Do you like your name?  I’ve always liked my first name, but haven’t been all that thrilled about my middle name.  Yet I realize that in my family my name is unique.  My brothers and sisters had names of relatives.  I do not.  They continued the family tradition of carrying a grandfather’s name, an uncle’s name, a mother’s name, an aunt’s name.  But I didn’t.  My two names hadn’t been a part of my family ever before.

I would imagine when our Lord Jesus said “Mary” what a joy that was to hear.  What would it be like to hear Him speak our name?  “Jane, I am watching over you.”  “Bernie, I love you.”  “Sally, be assured you are mine.”  “Terry, I am with you.”

Know that in Baptism He claims you as His own. And you, each of you, belong to Him.  He knows your name.  He acknowledges you.  And He loves you as His very special child.  He forgives you. And He guard and keeps you.  You are indeed HIS!

Blessings on your day, 

September 20, 2010

GRANDCHILDREN ARE THE CROWN OF THE AGED, AND THE GLORY OF CHILDREN IS THEIR FATHERS.  Proverbs 17:6

I remember that my father was an amazing man to me.  He was able to do most everything. He could fix things. He worked hard. He was respected by many.  And he knew so much. Plus he was the fastest guy I knew.  I was always proud of him.  Every where we went there was always someone who knew him.  So I was always ready to tell people about him.

But unfortunately I don’t find that true of my life when it comes to my heavenly Father. I don’t know what’s the matter with me? For my God is amazing.  He can fix anything. He knows everything. He loves me.  He created me and He died for my salvation. And I certainly am proud to be His child.  But why am I so hesitant to talk about Him with others?

I feel badly that I am not such a good ambassador when it comes to my God.

But I rejoice that he still claims me to be His own.  He still wants me as His child. And He still forgives me.  He does all of those things and more for you.  Rejoice in the love of God today.

Blessings on your day, 

September 15, 2010

LET YOUR GOOD DEEDS SHINE OUT FOR ALL TO SEE, SO THAT EVERYONE WILL PRAISE YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER.  Matthew 5:16

I think we have all heard of people ‘passing it forward.’ Like the person in a car in the drive thru who pays for the person’s coffee behind them.

Or the guy who pays the bill of the table next to him at a restaurant.

But I read where a Bible study small group of men noticed that their waitress was a bit frazzled as they ate their dessert over a cup of coffee.  Finally one of them asked if she were alright.  Her response was “I’m okay, it’s just that our dishwasher quit tonight and all of the servers are now serving AND washing. It’s just a bit overwhelming…”

Well, this small group finished their pie in a hurry and went to work; two washing dishes and two cleaning up tables.  When their waitress saw what was going on, she asked “WHY? Are you guys doing this?”  The man’s response was ‘because you needed some help. We believe God’s love is better shown than just talked about.”

In minutes this waitress was telling everyone in the place about these special guys who were demonstrating the love of God to them.

When was the last time you stepped up and stepped out to help someone to demonstrate the love of God to someone?

Blessings on your day, 

August 30, 2010

Pastor is out of the office.

August 16, 2010

Pastor is out of town

August 9, 2010

I AM NO LONGER WORTHY TO BE CALLED YOUR SON. MAKE ME LIKE ONE OF YOUR HIRED SERVANTS.  Luke 15:19

When I was in Seattle I drove past a place where there were day workers standing around waiting to be hired.  I couldn’t help but think of the parable of the workers that the master hired at various times of the day.

You remember the story, some were hired in the morning, some at mid-day, some later in the afternoon and then there were those who were hired with only one hour left in the work-day. And they all received the same pay – a complete day’s wage.

The unhappy workers thought they should get more because they were into comparisons forgetting the fact that they got enough money to provide for their family and themselves. It was a full day’s pay.

We’re like that. Sometimes we compare things too. We compare what we get with others. We compare and compare.  But if you think in terms of spiritual gifts in connection with this parable, everybody receives the gift of eternal life from God. Should we get more than that if we have been part of the kingdom all our lives?  What more can there be?  We will be in the presence of God.  We will be sitting at the banquet table.

That’s the gift that God gives to us – ALL!

Blessings on your day, 

August 2, 2010

BE DILIGENT TO PRESENT YOURSELF APPROVED TO GOD, …RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE WORD OF  TRUTH.   2 Timothy 2:15

You’ve heard the story about the panda who goes into a café, orders a sandwich, eats it and then pulls out a gun and starts shooting. When asked to explain himself, he hands the waiter a poorly punctuated wildlife guide and tells him to look up the description of a panda.  It read “Panda.

Large black and white bear-like mammal, native to China. Eats, shoots and leaves.”

Paul, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, understood about punctuation, commas and periods, those kinds of things. For as he encourages Pastor Timothy to be careful about the Bible, so you and I need to be careful as well.  How we read Holy Scripture has a lot to do with our faith and our walk with our God.

If we see it, as it truly is, the Word of God then we will treat it with reverence and care in  order to hear God speaking to us.  Then we will spend time to sit and listen to what our God says to us through it attempting not to read our interpretation into it.  Or not trying to listen from our way of thinking.

Let me encourage you to listen to what God is saying to you.

Blessings on your day, 

THE GRACE OF OUR LORD WAS EXCEEDINGLY ABUNDANT.  1 Timothy 1:14

These are the days when there are so many people who are filling out job applications.  Hundreds of them because of job losses.  I remember reading about a man who was filling out a job application and came to the question “Have you ever been arrested?” He wrote ‘No.’

The next question, intended for people who had answered “Yes” to the previous question, was ‘Why?’  The applicant answered it “I never got caught.”

Is that how we live our lives?  We’re okay as long as we don’t get caught?

There’s a lot of people today who feel that way.  And they can do this because in our post-modern thought we get to make up our own truth and rules.  So we can live our lives any way we feel like it.  And we’re okay as long as we don’t get caught.

St Paul did not feel that way.  In writing to Timothy he was very much aware of his sins and his guilt.  He knew that he had disobeyed God. But in contrast to his guilt was God’s grace.  And Paul felt that it was EXCEEDINGLY ABUNDANT for him.  And it is for you and me also.  God’s grace never runs out, nor can it.  It is always more than enough to cover our sins.  Never doubt that.

Blessings on your day, 

SAMUEL SAID TO SAUL, “YOU HAVE DONE FOOLISHLY. YOU HAVE NOT KEPT THE COMMANDMENT OF THE LORD.”  1 Samuel 13:13

This has been the season when houses and sometimes whole towns just disappear because of tornadoes.  But there are towns that disappear for other reasons also.  There used to be a town in Oklahoma by the name of Picher.  In the early 20th century it had 20,000 citizens.  It was booming because of the minerals there that were used in both World Wars.

But when the ore ran out so did the town.  It’s sort of like when Saul’s commitment to serve God faithfully ran out he disobeyed.  And as a result his kingdom came to an end. God had plans for King Saul but he was not a man after God’s heart.  He did not do what God wanted.  He did his own thing.  He disobeyed the command of God.  And he was gone.

In our lives and our desire to find success and prosperity we need to be careful about how we live our lives.  God desires us to serve Him.   He wants obedience.  Let me encourage you to consider your life and see what you are doing.

Blessings on your day, 

DO NOT BE AFRAID OF THEIR THREATS, NOR BE TROUBLED.  1 Peter 3:14

Corporal Desmond Doss was the first conscientious objector to earn the Congressional Medal of Honor, the United States’ highest military award.

As a Christian he believed that it was not right for him to kill others, but he wanted to serve his country.  He did so as a medic.  At first he was ridiculed during boot camp, but in May, 1945 on Okinawa he repeatedly risked his life to rescue scores of wounded men. He earned the gratitude and respect of his former critics.

As Christians we sometimes are ridiculed for our beliefs and for our commitment to the way we live our lives.  But as we reach out to a hurting world let’s continue to work on showing God’s love to others.  Peter reminds us “Even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed.”

Blessings on your day, 

PRAY FOR KINGS AND ALL WHO ARE IN AUTHORITY.   1 Timothy 2:2

In June 2009, 95 years old Emma Gray died. For over two decades she had been the cleaning lady in a big house.  Each night as she did her work, she prayed for blessings, wisdom, and safety for the man she worked for.

She worked for 24 years in the same house, but the occupants of the house changed every four or eight years.  She offered prayers for President Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Ford, and Carter.

You and I need to be like Emma Gray who continue to pray for our leaders and our elected officials so that they carry out their duties according to God’s will.  Paul urged Timothy to pray for all in authority so that we may live a quiet and peaceable life.  God hears our prayers.  And rest assured as Proverbs says “The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord..”

Blessings on your day, 

THOUGH HE WAS CRUCIFIED IN WEAKNESS, YET HE LIVES BY THE POWER OF GOD.   2 Corinthians 13:4

I ran across a question that caused me to think.  The question was:  Can you turn any direction without seeing a cross?

They are all over the place.  Everywhere you look, you see one.  And that caused me to think even more how an instrument of torture and death has become a symbol of hope and life for us as Christians.

Christians are the only ones who have this ‘strange’ symbol.  All other religions have ‘nice’ symbols. The six pointed star. The crescent moon. The lotus flower.  But ours – a cross.  However, a cross has simply two beams.  One pointing up to our God who is looking down upon us.  And the other reaching out to show us how much He loves us, enough to stretch out his arms so far to be nailed to it.

Our God is a strange and wonderful God who loves us.  Our symbol reminds us of that.  And it gives us hope and joy as we follow in His footsteps.

Blessings on your day, 

THESE ARE A SHADOW OF THE THINGS TO COME, BUT THE SUBSTANCE BELONGS TO CHRIST.   Colossians 2:17

Have you noticed how popular those ‘reality shows’ are on television?  Why is that we want to watch how ‘real people’ ‘really live?’  Is it because our life is such a mess that we want guidelines on how to improve?  Is it because we want to see that we are not alone in our reality?  Is it that we want to see that some people are worse off than we are? Or is it because we want to be taken away for a few moments from our reality that is depressing?

Let me ‘bring you back to reality.’  That’s not the way to find help.

It’s not the way to see what life is all about.  And it’s not good for us to rejoice and laugh at others’ misfortune.

I would suggest the real way to find help and joy is in Jesus Christ.  He really came here to claim us as His own and to show us how to live.  He came to help in our relationship with the Father. And He came to change us with His forgiveness and grace.  The truth of the matter is that He loves you incredibly and wants what is best for you in your life today.

Blessings on your day, 

REMEMBER THAT YOU WERE SLAVES IN EGYPT AND THE LORD YOUR GOD REDEEMED YOU FROM THERE.   Deuteronomy 24:18

The other day there was a cartoon in the newspaper about remembering.  The man said something to the effect that there are so many things that he cannot remember them all.

That’s true for every one of us.  We are overloaded with information, too many events, too many people, too many activities, that it is hard to remember them all.

At least once or twice a week I find a note by my breakfast bowl reminding me that I need to do something, something that my wife and I have talked about the night before. She usually asks “Do I need to write you a note?”

And the answer is always “YES.”

God knew that the Israelites would get busy also.  They would get focused upon things they had to do and activities that they were involved in that He reminded them to REMEMBER.  Remember that you were slaves. Remember that I, the Lord, redeemed you.

May I be that reminder for you today. Remember the Lord your God.

Remember how He has blessed you. Remember He has redeemed you.  Remember Him and His love for you.

Blessings on your day, 

BEWARE THAT YOU DO NOT FORGET THE LORD YOUR GOD BY NOT KEEPING HIS COMMANDMENTS.  Deuteronomy 8:11

There’s a Far Side cartoon that shows ‘Superman in his later years’  The elderly Man of Steel is perched on a window ledge, ready to leap, but he looks back and says ‘Now where was I going?’

We don’t have to be old to forget things.  We forget things because we are busy and we have an overload of information.  But Moses warns us in some of his final words to Israel ‘Not forget the Lord their God.’  He even alerts them to the fact that when they get into the land and things are going well for them, there will be this temptation to think how well and how much they had done to get this far.  And they will begin to drift away from God and the place He desires in their lives.

The same thing is true for you and me.  When things are going well for us we tend to forget our God. We go about our lives pretty much without Him.

But Moses’ words apply to us.  “BEWARE…!”  Be careful.  Stay focused.  And stay in His Word, because it is there that He strengthens us and keeps us close to Him.  I pray that you are spending time with Him every day in your devotions.

Blessings on your day, 

YOUR RIGHT HAND WILL SAVE ME.   Psalm 128:7

With the World Cup soon taking so much time on television I thought I would share with you an interesting fact.  No one was able to score on Edwin van de Sar, goalkeeper for the Manchester United soccer team, for he kept the ball from entering his team’s goal for 1,302 minutes, a world record in one season. That means for almost 15 games of 90 minutes each, no one scored. But in March of 2009 his record was ended.

Edwin van de Sar had good hands.  But God has the best and the safest hands there are.  David says in Psalm 138 “You will stretch out Your hand…and Your right hand will save me.”  We can be assured that we are in God’s hands and He will keep us from spiritual danger and defeat.  Nothing can separate us from Him or take us out of His hands.

Be assured that God is with you to watch over you and protect you with His hands.  They are under you to uphold you. They are around you to keep you safe. And they are over you to bless you.

Blessings on your day, 

WHAT IS MAN THAT YOU ARE MINDFUL OF HIM, THE SON OF MAN THAT YOU CARE FOR HIM?   Psalm 8:4

Recently we have watched as the oil slick moved northward on to the beaches of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida.  We saw birds covered with oil.  We saw fish and turtles that had died because of it.

And we have wondered how could this happen.  Why aren’t we a bit more careful with our environment and our world?

But once again it proclaims to each and everyone of us loudly and clearly how human beings use and abuse, take advantage of and destroy the world that God has made and given us to have dominion over.  And of course, that leads us to the question: Why is God so mindful of us and Why does He care so for us?

And Psalm 8 tells us that the answer to those and many of questions lies in the character of God. That’s who He is.  That’s what He does.  He loves us.  And He created us for His pleasure. And even though we screw it up so often, He continues to forgive us and guide us in ways that will please Him.  Please consider how you might do a better job of that in your life today.

Blessings on your day, 

HE WILL NOT ALLOW YOUR FOOT TO BE MOVED; HE WHO KEEPS YOU WILL NOT SLUMBER.   Psalm 121:3

We have been told that in the United States most of us do not get the proper amount of sleep. I can tell you that by Thursday evening of most weeks I feel tired.  And especially those weeks when I have like two or three meetings I am really tired.

I used to wish that I could get along on less sleep. But I know I can’t.

Recently I read that giraffes need the least sleep of all the animals.

They sleep an average of 1.9 hours in 24 hours.  They normally sleep somewhere between 10 minutes and 2 hours.  I think about what I could get done if I would sleep only 2 hours a day.

But then I am always reminded that my God never sleeps.  He doesn’t need sleep.  And as the Psalmist says “He who keeps you will not slumber.”

That is comforting to know that my God is constantly watching over me and watching out for me.  He never closes His eyes.  He never takes His eyes off me.  He is always watchful.

Blessings on your day, 

WAGE THE GOOD WARFARE, HAVING FAITH AND A GOOD CONSCIENCE, WHICH SOME HAVING REJECTED…HAVE SUFFERED SHIPWRECK.  I Timothy 1:18-19

In our Monday Morning Bible study we are going through the book of 1st Timothy.  And we ran across this verse.  Paul warned Pastor Timothy about some people in his church that were focusing upon ‘fables and endless genealogies.’  They were into the wrong things and the wrong teachings.

In fact he names two individuals who had actually shipwrecked their faith.

I read once that early on there was a problem with compasses. The metal in the ships caused magnetic readings that were false and many times led ships into disasters.

That’s why it is so important for us to read Holy Scripture from a few good basic teachings.  One of my seminary professors used to say ‘where you go into the Bible is where you come out.’  So if you start with the right understanding of God, then that’s where you will come out.  I pray that you are focused upon the right things of God today.

Blessings on your day, 

HERE IS NO OTHER NAME UNDER HEAVEN GIVEN AMONG MEN BY WHICH WE MUST BE SAVED.   Acts 4:12

All of us have gone to the grocery store, but I have been asked to stop at the store on my way home from the office only to get there and wonder about what I am supposed to pick up for supper.

On the list I received was condensed milk. First of all I had to ask where it was. Then when I got to the aisle I noticed there were a couple of different brands and one said ‘sweetened, condensed milk.’ Another said ‘Low fat condensed milk.’ Which was I supposed to buy?

Because I reasoned that my wife is into helping my cholesterol and weight therefore I was supposed to take the low-fat one.  I was wrong.

I see people doing exactly what I did when it comes to their relationship with our Lord. They walk through the store of what they need to get into heaven and most choose the wrong thing. “I should pick up a can of good works.’ ‘I need a bag of doing the right thing.’  ‘I’ll take a quart of good intentions.’  HOWEVER, the Bible makes it simple. ‘You are saved by grace through faith.’  THAT’S ALL WE NEED.

I pray that you know that and believe that.

Blessings on your day, 

HE HAS REMEMBERED HIS STEADFAST LOVE AND FAITHFULNESS TO THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL.   Psalm 98.3

Do you sometimes forget things? Or dates? Or places you need to be?

That’s a silly question, we all do.  Part of it is because of busy schedules.  But we all forget where we put our car keys.  Or we forget to send that card or email to a friend on their birthday.  Or we forget to buy bread and milk after work on the way home.

I forget the names of people, and I am getting worse at it.  But the strange thing is that there are things and events that I can remember that have no meaning whatsoever.  I remember the stupid thing I said at a dinner party.  Or the dumb thing I did at a friend’s house.

All of that makes me rejoice that we have the God we have, who remembers His steadfast love and faithfulness to us, while at the same time because of Jesus Christ He forgets our sins and failures.  We have a wonderful God.  And nothing reminds us of that better than celebrating Easter.  I pray that you are continuing to celebrate His resurrection from the dead and all that that means for you and your life.

Blessings on your day, 

AND WE BRING YOU THE GOOD NEWS THAT WHAT GOD PROMISED TO THE FATHERS, THIS HE HAS FULFILLED TO US THEIR CHILDREN BY RAISING JESUS.  Acts 13:32-33

The best national news that I like to watch is usually on Friday evening because one or two of the stations carry a feature entitled “Persons of the Week.” And they always highlight some person or persons who have been doing GOOD.  That is so opposite of what the news has been all week, which is usually bad sometimes going to worse and ending up as the worst news there is.

But last Sunday we celebrated THE VERY BEST NEWS there was and ever will be – that our Lord Jesus Christ is risen from the dead.  There isn’t anything to top that.  Jesus is THE person of the week every week because of His willingness to come to this earth and take our place under our sin and suffer for it.  But not only did He suffer for it, He also died and rose again – ALL FOR US.

God truly has fulfilled the promise!  Jesus is alive and Risen! God loves you with an incredible and amazing love.  And we can rejoice in that GOOD NEWS!

Blessings on your day, 

HE IS NOT HERE.  HE IS RISEN FROM THE DEAD JUST AS HE SAID.      MATTHEW 28:6

Yesterday we celebrated the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. We attended worship with great joy.  We saw some people that we hadn’t seen for a while.  We worshiped. We sang those hymns with gusto. Maybe we had a new dress or a new tie. Maybe we were able to get together with family.

But we rejoiced in the fact that Jesus is alive.

But today does that still have some meaning for us?  Are we still as excited as we were yesterday?  Or have our phobias returned?  One of the Gospel writers described the women as “saying nothing to anyone because they were afraid.”  They had a fear (a phobia) Another described them as “trembling and bewildered.”  Is that the way we approach life?

Jesus Christ has overcome sin, death, and the devil for us. We are free to love and serve Him. We are empowered to be His people.  He has risen from the dead.  Let’s rejoice in that today and every day.

Blessings on your day, 

YET IN ALL THESE THINGS WE ARE MORE THAN CONQUERORS THROUGH HIM WHO LOVED US.  Romans 8:37

Little Round Top was a focal point at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania where Colonel Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain and the men of the 20th Maine Infantry stood their ground. It became one of the turning points during the Civil War.  Had the Confederate troops made it through Chamberlain’s men the war might have been lost.

Good Friday is like that.  It was our last line of defense.  There our Lord Jesus Christ fought for our salvation.  He took our sins to a cross, suffered horribly for them and won the battle for us. He died in our place taking the punishment we deserved.  And as He stated “It has been finished!”  The task is over.  The mission accomplished.  Thus forgiveness of sins and eternal salvation are ours.

And because of His victory we are more than conquerors.  We are winners.

We are in line to receive the spoils, those things that Jesus earned for us. But it is only because of Jesus.  It is only as a result of His suffering, death and resurrection.

As you observe Holy Week this week remember to give thank to our Lord Jesus for all that He has done for us.

Blessings on your day, 

THOSE WHO WERE NOT MY PEOPLE I WILL CALL MY PEOPLE. Romans 9:25

I find it interesting today all the choices that we have when it comes to everything.  And I mean from the kinds of cereal we eat, to the colors of paint and to the items on a menu at a restaurant.  Choices.  Choice. Choices.

The same thing is true when it comes to our relationship with God. We believe that we can choose whether or not to worship Him on Sundays. We believe that we can choose to obey Him or not when it comes to certain areas of our lives. We believe that we can choose to serve Him or not.

We can’t, however, choose to be His people.  That’s God’s choice.  And I rejoice that He has chosen to claim us as His own and make us His own. I rejoice that He has loved us and sent His Son to die for us so that we could be His own. I rejoice that He continues to keep calling us His own because I sin and I disobey Him and I choose not always to honor Him with my life.

Let me encourage you to rejoice in His choice of you.

Blessings on your day, 

THE LORD IS NOT SLOW IN KEEPING HIS PROMISE, AS SOME UNDERSTAND SLOWNESS.  2 Peter 3:9

Have you noticed how we value SPEED today?  I mean everybody wants things done yesterday.  Email and Facebook along with Fax and cell phones enable us to do a lot of business and get a large amount of work accomplished.

Plus we want to be able to lose weight fast. We want instant meals.  We want people to complete their assignments quickly.  We want healing to take place almost immediately.  AND we cannot stand that driver going 3 miles an hour under the speed limit!

Slow is a word in our vocabulary that we don’t like. And we don’t like it because we are always in a hurry.  We always have to get some where and do something.  And so we pass that along to our God and we expect Him to take care of things immediately.

But when it comes to His return He is s l o w  according to our standards.

And because He is we begin to question Him and His actions.  What’s going on? Why doesn’t He hurry up and get here?

But remember in our rush towards goals and deadlines – God doesn’t think like we do.  He has a purpose and that purpose is to give us a chance so that the most people possible may spend eternity with us in heaven.  May I suggest that maybe we might help Him by telling as many people as possible about Jesus?

Blessings on your day, 

WHEN YOU PASS THROUGH THE WATERS, I WILL BE WITH YOU.  Isaiah 43:2

I received car wash coupons for Christmas and because I didn’t get around to using them, my wife decided to use them.  But I had to go with her the first time because she wasn’t sure what to do.  As I thought about her request, I concluded that it is a little scary if you don’t know how to go about it.  We went together. I gave the attendant the coupon, made sure the windows were rolled up, eased up to where I should go, put the car in neutral and my foot off the brake.  And the machine took over.  At the other end we had a very clean car.

Life can be like that.  We step into something and there are forces beyond our control taking over.  But as Isaiah records the word of our Lord “I WILL BE WITH YOU.”  When you pass through ‘the waters,’ When you go into the car wash of life,  When things happen, God goes with us.

And when you come out on the other side – you can say with joy and confidence ‘Our God is faithful!’  And He is!

My encouragement to you to day is to trust this God of ours.  He loves you.  He will see you through anything.  He will be with you.

Blessings on your day, 

IN THE BEGINNING GOD CREATED THE HEAVENS AND THE EARTH. NOW THE EARTH WAS FORMLESS AND EMPTY…    Genesis 1:1-2

I find the ‘predictableness’ of the universe amazing.  Weathermen cannot and do not predict the weather with 100% accuracy.  All kinds of pollsters cannot because they are not able to predict the outcomes of so many things.  And doctors cannot and thus do not predict the outcome of medical procedures or the effects of medicines.

BUT in one area scientist can and do.  For example: astronomers have predicted that Halley’s Comet will return on July 28, 2061.  Or they can tell us when the next solar eclipse will be.

God has designed the universe that way.  He brought order out of chaos.

So when we launch a space shuttle we can predict that if we aim it to be at this particular spot at this particular time it will meet the space lab there.

Because of that we can predict where we will spend eternity.  Jesus said “Whoever believes in me will have eternal life…”  Thus whoever does NOT believe in Him will NOT.  There’s no guesswork with that.  Thus if we want to spend eternity in heaven we need to put our trust in the Lord Jesus Christ.  It’s that simple.  I pray that you do.

Blessings on your day, 

AS LONG AS THE EARTH ENDURES, SEEDTIME AND HARVEST, COLD AND HEAT, SUMMER AND WINTER, DAY AND NIGHT WILL NEVER CEASE.  Genesis 8:22

I don’t know about you but there are people who are getting a little tired of winter, of the cold and the snow, of the wind and weather.  And yes, it seems like it has been a long winter already.

But isn’t it wonderful that our God has decreed that we have summer and winter, day and night?  What if it were ALWAYS winter?  What if it were ALWAYS night?

I am so grateful that you and I can’t change the weather, that we are not in charge of things like that.  I rejoice that our God is God and He is in control.  And I love the fact that He gives us the variety He does.  But I know that there are days when I need to remember that I can’t change the weather, therefore there is no need to complain.  So I accept day and night, summer and winter as gifts from God to be enjoyed.  And thus I give thanks to Him that I still can enjoy them.

Blessings on your day, 

COME TO ME, ALL YOU WHO ARE WEARY AND BURDENED, AND I WILL GIVE YOU REST.  Matthew 11:28

Naptime with children can be a real hassle.  But with adults it is something that we look forward to.  There is nothing like a nap.  In fact NASA researchers have found that a power nap – less than 30 minutes – increases brain power by nearly 40%.  You might feel lazy but actually you are boosting your productivity with a short nap.

This says to you and me that physical rest is important and needs to be more a priority with us.  BUT then how much more important and a priority does our spiritual rest need to become?

Jesus said “Come to Me…”  That’s what we need to do.  We need to go to our Lord Jesus and spend time with Him.  We need to take that spiritual ‘nap’as it were with our Lord to be refreshed.  I wonder how much increase in heart power and faith power we would receive each day if we spent time with Him in His Word listening to Him speak and receiving His grace?

I would encourage you to do just that each day.  So often I ask people on boards and committees how their devotional life is going?  Let me present that question to you: HOW IS YOUR DEVOTIONAL LIFE GOING?

Blessings on your day, 

I AM THE VINE AND YOU ARE THE BRANCHES.  IF A MAN REMAINS IN ME AND I IN HIM, HE WILL BEAR MUCH FRUIT.  John 15:5

The new iPad is out!  But before that was the cell phone, and iPod, laptop, pager. There are so many ways to stay connected.  And it was like 24-7.  In some ways that was good and in others it was bad.  Some see a desire and even a craving to be connected that at times becomes an addiction.  Others are finding that it is important to limit their uses of these devices to give them some peace and quiet.

Jesus understands the need to be connected, but He holds up the connection between Himself and us, His branches.  If we are connected then we bear much fruit.  But if we are not, if we are cut off, or if we cut ourselves off from Him, then you know what happens. The branch doesn’t produce because the branch is no longer alive.

Many people find it important and necessary to have a daily connection called devotional time with the Lord. It’s only when His life flows into ours that we are able to produce the kind of fruit that He desires.  I urge you today to take the time to have that quiet and nurturing time with our Lord.

Blessings on your day, 

WHATSOVER IS TRUE,…THINK ABOUT THESE THINGS.  Philippians 4:8

A lot of students do not like true or false questions on a test or worksheet.  To some it may seem easier because you have a fifty-fifty chance of getting the right answer.  But sometimes the questions are worded in such a way that they are very difficult to come up with the correct answer.

The prophet Isaiah makes an interesting comment in 59:15.  He says “Truth is lacking.” I wonder if he were looking at our day and time?  Did he know something about the 21st century?  TRUTH is lacking today.  In fact there are people who keep saying that there is no such thing as TRUTH.  But you know it’s because many BELIEVE that there is no such thing as truth that we are in the predicament that we are today.  Because if there is no truth, then there is no right and wrong.  And IF truth is what I think it is or what you think it is, then you or I can do anything we want.  And that seems to delight a lot of people in our world.

But Jesus tells us that “HE IS THE TRUTH…”  He is the Truth of God. He speaks the truth. He shows us the truth. He is the standard of truth.  And He asks us to live in His truth.  Paul encourages us to think about the truth, meaning accept it and live it as we know it in Jesus Christ.

Blessings on your day, 

THESE (trials) HAVE COME SO THAT YOUR FAITH – OF GREATER WORTH THAN GOLD…- MAY BE PROVED GENUINE AND MAY RESULT IN PRAISE, GLORY AND HONOR WHEN JESUS CHRIST IS REVEALED.  1 Peter 1:7

We all know the value of gold these days. It’s around $1200 an ounce.  But I am wondering if we know that gold is the densest of the precious metals.

It is the most beautiful, workable and endurable metal in the world. An ounce of gold can be beaten and flattened as gold leaf to cover about 200 square feet.

Gold needs to be refined and worked so that it becomes the precious metal it is today. And so does our faith.  Refinement is a process God uses in our lives to prove that our faith indeed is genuine and real.  It’s a process that He uses to help us focus upon what is really important for our lives, namely our relationship with Him and His Son, Jesus Christ.

God considers our relationship with Him to be far more precious than gold.

After all He uses gold in heaven as paving bricks.  He wants our presence with Him forever and ever and that’s why He works so hard to get us there.

Things happen and are used by God to keep us believing and focused.

Blessings on your day, 

MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE TO THE LORD, ALL YOU LANDS!  Psalm 100:1

Recently I had a funeral where the church was packed.  I mean it was FULL!

After ward I thought wouldn’t it be nice if it could be that full on Sunday morning to honor our Jesus.

But I sometimes think that same way when I watch a football game and the noise is so loud that I cannot hear the announcers describe what is going on.  People get excited about football and basketball games.  Just watch and you can see it.

God and His goodness to us can motivate us to freely express ourselves like those football or basketball fans.  I mean His love is so amazing and wonderful - that’s it’s for us.  Like the leaders of Duke University when North Carolina comes to play, they encourage their fans “This is the game you’ve been waiting for.  No excuses. Give everything you’ve got.”

God deserves our greatest excitement and amazement.  Let’s hold nothing back when it comes to praising and giving thanks to Him.  He deserves all that we can give.  Give everything you’ve got!  Make a joyful noise to Him.

Blessings on your day, 

MY GRACE IS SUFFICIENT FOR YOU. 2 Corinthians 12:9

Every time I use my paper shredder to destroy some personal information or our address on a letter or something I think if only I could shred some of the memories I carry around in my mind.

It would be nice to get rid of the thoughts of those past sins or the reminders of the embarrassment I caused myself by saying or doing something so stupid.  And wouldn’t it be nice to shred some of the memories of those hurts that people have caused us?

But then I remember our God has the best shredder of them all, for He promises that He forgets our sins. In Jesus Christ they have been removed forever.  They will never be brought up against us. They will never be held against us.  In the cross and empty tomb they have been paid for and so they are gone.

His grace is all that we need.  His grace will enable us to forgive and let go of those hurts and embarrassments.  His grace will shred the guilt and pain.  His grace is all we need because He says that it is sufficient for everything.

Blessings on your day, 

NOW, THEREFORE, SAYS THE LORD, TURN TO ME WITH ALL YOUR HEART, WITH FASTING, WITH WEEPING, AND WITH MOURNING.  Joel 2:12

We are beginning a new year.  And what a time to do some checking on our lives and re-evaluate what it is that we want.  I must encourage you not to ignore the warning signs.

I read about a man who ignored the warning sign on the dash of his car.

On the way to work one day the car kind of hesitated.  Then the little red light came on.  He ignored it.  He told himself that it was just a malfunction or something.  But the very next morning when the car wouldn’t start he realized that he should have paid more attention.

As you begin 2010 I encourage you to pay more attention to your spiritual life.  How is your relationship with the holy God of the universe?  Are you on speaking terms? Do you take time to hang out with Him?  Do you listen to His suggestions for your life?  And do you sense that the two of you are growing closer?

It’s a good time to check.  If your life isn’t going so well, maybe it’s time to check in with the Father.  Maybe it’s time to work on your relationship.  Do you think He should bless you when you ignore Him?

Blessings on your day,