Wednesday Thought -- December 31, 2014

Good Morning Friends,

“My son, pay attention to my wisdom, listen well to my words of insight, that you may maintain discretion and your lips may preserve knowledge. For the lips of an adulteress drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil; but in the end she is bitter as gall, sharp as a double-edged sword. Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to the grave. She gives no thought to the way of life; her paths are crooked, but she knows it not.” (Proverbs 5:1-6)

Most people don’t choose the way of destruction because they rationally weigh the options and consider the outcomes and decide the path to hell is worth what is at its end. Instead, they are deceived by the smooth talk of wickedness. It sounds good when you start down that path. Wickedness offers pleasure, freedom, no restraints. But it is all a sweet-sounding lie!

Later, Solomon will write, “The way of the fool seems right to him.” (Proverbs 12:15) And, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.” (Proverbs 14:12 and Proverbs 16:25)

He’s repeating the thought he frames here. It looks good when a person starts down the path of wickedness, and most are shocked at what is at its end!

Consider that in your own life and recognize how easy it is for your own heart to be deceived. Follow the advice of the One who loves you and always knows what is right.

Consider that as you relate to others. They haven’t chosen the wrong path because they have made a rational choice, they are deceived. Look for opportunities to point them toward the wisdom of the Lord – you’ll be doing them an eternal favor!

His, by Grace,

Steve

Tuesday Thought -- December 30, 2014

Good Morning Friends,

There are some things worth sacrificing for.

Solomon said, “Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.” (Proverbs 4:7)

Really understanding life -- how it works, what it means, what’s important, what’s not important – that’s what wisdom is. Wisdom is worth sacrificing for!

Jesus told a couple of parables that made the same point.

The first is about a hidden treasure. “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.” (Matthew 13:44)

The second is about a pearl of great value. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.” (Matthew 13:45-46)

Both parables say that there are some things -- at least one thing – worth sacrificing for, worth giving up everything to have.

The one thing is wisdom. Wisdom is knowing God, holding Him in awe, arranging our lives according to His plan.

That’s worth sacrificing everything to have!

His, by Grace,

Steve

Monday Thought -- December 29, 2014

Good Morning Friends,

“My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in. Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.” (Proverbs 3:11-15)

As our girls were growing up there were many times when it was in their best interest that Claudia and I discipline them. They needed to learn something and the only way they would learn it was through discipline. Although it wasn’t always easy, we loved them enough to discipline them. We made a great many mistakes in our discipline. Sometimes we were too harsh. Sometimes we were too easy. Sometimes we disciplined in anger. Sometimes we disciplined for the wrong reason, in the wrong way, or at the wrong time. But the motivation was good, we loved the girls and wanted the best for them.

God loves those who are His children, too. He loves us enough to exercise discipline in our lives. There are times when the only way we can learn what we need to learn is through His discipline. Unlike Claudia and me, God is the perfect parent. His discipline is always right. That doesn’t mean we will always like it, often we don’t. Discipline is always painful. But God’s discipline will never be too harsh, and never be easier than it should be. He will never discipline in anger, always with right motives and in control. He will never discipline for the wrong reason, in the wrong way, or at the wrong time. His discipline will be perfectly designed for our benefit.

He disciplines us for our good. If He saw the problems in our lives and did not discipline, that would not be love. He loves us enough to do all He can to teach us.

His, by Grace,

Steve

Friday Thought -- December 26, 2014

Good Morning Friends,

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Solomon learned this lesson from experience, the experience of following the opposite path. He ignored the Lord, took the direction of his life into his own hands, following his own wisdom, and suffered the painful consequences of those decisions. He messed up his life real good! He wrote these words to his son to encourage him not to follow the same path.

Do you believe that God knows what He is doing? Do you believe that God’s direction for your life will bring fulfillment and satisfaction and meet your needs? That’s what it means to trust Him. It means to take God at His word. It means when He says be faithful to your spouse, you trust that He knows what He is talking about and isn’t just out to rob you of pleasure. It means when He says to be honest and walk in integrity that you trust He knows what He is talking about and doesn’t just want to keep you from being prosperous. Whatever He says, you trust that it is best and right for your life.

You don’t second-guess God -- lean on your own understanding. That would be to put your own wisdom above God’s. I know many people who are willing to follow God’s instructions, as long as they agree with them. When they don’t agree with what God says they reject His plan and follow theirs. That puts their wisdom above the Lord’s.

Trust God and follow what He says and your life won’t be messed up.

His, by Grace,

Steve

Thursday Thought -- December 25, 2014

Good Morning Friends,

The second chapter of Matthew’s Gospel records three of the dozens of Old Testament prophecies that Jesus fulfilled during His lifetime.

“Herod asked the priests and teachers of the law where the Christ was to be born. ‘In Bethlehem in Judea,’ they replied, ‘for this is what the prophet has written.’” (Matthew 2:4-5)

“Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: ‘A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.’” (Matthew 2:17-18)

“He went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets: ‘He will be called a Nazarene.’” (Matthew 2:23)

God carefully planned and divinely prearranged the coming of Jesus into the world. It wasn’t “plan B,” it was what He planned from the beginning of time, knowing since before the world was created that man would need salvation. It wasn’t a plan hastily thrown together, but carefully prearranged and announced in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:15) and through the prophets hundreds of years before His birth.

Then, “When the time had fully come, God sent his Son.” (Galatians 4:4) When all was just right, the plan unfolded and Jesus came.

God loves us enough that He carefully planned how He would save us. Then, at great cost to Him, He fully carried out His plan in Jesus. That’s the miracle of Christmas!

Remember to celebrate that this year.

Merry Christmas,

Steve

Wednesday Thought -- December 24, 2014

Good Morning Friends,

“My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.” (Proverbs 2:1-5)

There are two things that Solomon teaches in this passage.

First, that wisdom has it source in God. There is a great deal of knowledge in the world. Man has researched every field and uncovered many of the secrets of how the world works. But that’s just knowledge. Wisdom is from the Lord. Wisdom is how to apply knowledge. It is how to use knowledge to accomplish what is good and what is right. That only comes from God.

Second, that wisdom must be sought. It won’t just come to us. God will allow us to walk in folly if that’s what we choose and will never forcefully thrust wisdom upon us. There are many who make that very choice. They follow the path of foolishness, thinking they are intelligent enough to know what is right by themselves and know what is best without seeking it from the Lord.

God invites each of us to seek wisdom from Him. When we ask God for wisdom, God promises to provide it. James promised, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” (James 1:5)

Remember wisdom’s source -- and ask Him for it!

His, by Grace,

Steve

Tuesday Thought -- December 23, 2014

Good Morning Friends,

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fool's despise wisdom and discipline.” (Proverbs 1:7)

We live in a society that is so arrogant because of our intelligence and knowledge. Generally speaking, the world thinks it can figure everything out on its own and take care of whatever problems arise. Christians face a good deal of ridicule because we believe in God and accept His Word as true.

When a crisis hits hard there is usually some turning to the Lord. The immediate response from many, perhaps even a majority, is to turn to prayer. But the seeking of God seems only shallow. Almost immediately America and Americans turn to resolve to rebuild what is destroyed and to restore peace and justice by conquering the threat.

No matter how serious the crisis, there has been no move toward national repentance, no soul-searching to determine if there are ways God would have our nation change. If God tries to use a crisis to stir our hearts toward Him we miss usually the point and rely instead on ourselves.

The fear of the Lord is reverence for Him, putting Him in His proper place, worshiping Him, seeking Him, listening to Him. That’s where wisdom and knowledge begin. It doesn’t begin in our own intelligence. It doesn’t begin in our resolve to do things ourselves. True wisdom and knowledge start with the Lord.

That’s true for nations -- and it’s true for individuals, too. I know we often think we have our lives all figured out. We know what we need to do to succeed. We know how to conquer our own problems and meet our own needs. I wonder, did we start in the right place? Did we start with turning to God, getting our lives right with Him, and listening to Him? If not, we’re not as smart as we think we are!

His, by Grace,

Steve

Monday Thought -- December 22, 2014

Good Morning Friends,

“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” (Colossians 4:5-6)

People who have not experienced God’s love are watching what we do and listening to what we say. Their lives will be impacted by our actions and our words. Perhaps our interactions with them will be the closest they ever come to able to watch and listen to someone of faith. That means every interaction is an opportunity. It’s an opportunity to do damage to the impact of the Gospel on their lives. It is an opportunity to enhance the impact of the Gospel on their lives. The difference will be in how we exhibit wisdom and grace in our lives.

Wisdom means that we don’t act as though sin doesn’t matter. Sin deeply grieves God’s heart and we desperately need wisdom to know how to express God’s view of sin without coming across as judgmental and harsh. That’s not an easy task and we will fail at it many times, but that’s our goal.

Grace means that we don’t act as though there is no hope for those whose lives are bound in sin. God longs to pour out His grace on their lives and He implores us to respond by demonstrating His grace ourselves. That’s not an easy task, either, and we will fail at it many times, but that is our goal.

Wisdom and grace … sometimes they seem like opposite, almost contradictory responses to the people around us. That makes us realize ever more fully how much we need God’s Spirit to guide and God’s wisdom to inform us.

His, by Grace,

Steve

Friday Thought -- December 19, 2014

Good Morning Friends,

“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.” (Colossians 4:2-4)

Paul believed in prayer. He challenged the Colossians to make prayer more than just a casual part of their lives. He challenged them to make it a central thing in their lives. If I were to tell you that I’m devoted to golf, you would assume that golf was a big part of my life. You would assume that I thought about golf often during the day and that I played golf regularly, as often as I could. Paul challenges us to be devoted to prayer -- to think about it often during our day, to pray regularly -- it is to be a big part of our lives.

To be devoted to prayer means more than praying before you eat and before you go to sleep. It means regular, consistent prayer characterizes your life. I know I’ve got a long way to go before I could honestly say that my life reflects a life that is devoted to prayer -- but that’s my goal.

Paul believed in prayer so much that he asked others to pray for him. He knew that his ministry was not solely dependent upon his own talents and efforts. In fact, it wasn’t dependent upon those things at all. His ministry was dependent upon God, and God would respond to the prayers of others for him.

The Colossians could be partners with Paul by praying for him. By praying for him they could impact the spread of the Gospel among others. What a privilege and what a power prayer is!

His, by Grace,

Steve

Thursday Thought -- December 18, 2014

Good Morning Friends,

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord you are serving.” (Colossians 3:23-24)

With my job it isn’t too hard to remember that I’m working for the Lord. At least that’s true most of the time. Still, there are times when the job is unpleasant and unappreciated and it’s easy to forget Whom I’m serving. Like the times I’ve spent over a clogged toilet in one of the church restrooms … plunging. Like the times I’ve spent checking to be sure all the doors are secure before leaving the church property. Like the times I’ve spent sweeping the sidewalk or mopping a floor. Those bits of my job are just as much about serving the Lord as preaching and praying and talking with people about the Lord. It’s just harder to remember that perspective at those times!

You may struggle with the same problem with your perspective and attitude at times. Maybe it’s hard to connect your job with the Lord. Maybe parts of your job are unpleasant and unappreciated. Maybe parts of your job are boring and laborious. It’s hard to keep focused on the fact that those aspects of your job can be done to the Lord just as much as the fun parts of your job and the parts that easily get acclaim.

The Lord is concerned about every aspect of our lives and so every aspect of our lives can be lived for His glory and done as service to Him. That’s true of cleaning bathrooms at home, mowing the yard, changing light bulbs as well as devotional times, prayer, worship and things that seem more spiritual.

Paul’s admonition is to remember that everything can be done as working for the Lord and so everything should be done with all our hearts.

His, by Grace,

Steve

Wednesday Thought -- December 17, 2014

Good Morning Friends,

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:15-17)

Be at peace … be thankful … be in the Word … be helpful … be focused.

Those are great admonitions from the Lord about how to have a life that pleases God and is good for us, too.

Our lives are not improved by contentiousness. We don’t accomplish good things in the lives of others or for the Lord by being critical and hard to get along with. Rather, it is the peaceful spirit that pleases God and improves our lives. Jesus reminded us, it is the peacemakers who are blessed. Is your life characterized more by peace or by contention and criticism?

God has provided us with so many blessing. That’s true for every one of us. Do we respond in a way that takes those blessings for granted as though we deserve them? Is our attitude one of thankfulness? God deserves our thanks and He is pleased when He receives it.

Paul encourages us to let the Word dwell in us and the only way that happens is if we are in the Word on a regular and consistent basis. We often wonder why we struggle to discern God’s will or why we don’t hear God’s voice more frequently or clearly or why we aren’t growing as rapidly as we think we should. Yet we think those things will happen without being disciplined about being in the Word. It just doesn’t happen.

We aren’t responsible for the spiritual lives of others. Each person will give an account of his own life to the Lord. But we can be helpful to each other as we share God’s Word with each other. I need you to be helpful to me and you need me to be helpful to you.

Finally, be focused … let your life be characterized by the desire to please God in everything. That doesn’t leave any area of our lives out. At work … at play … at home … at school … be focused on the Lord.

Those are keys to a healthy and happy … and God-pleasing life.

His, by Grace,

Steve

Tuesday Thought -- December 16, 2014

Good Morning Friends,

“Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” (Colossians 3:12-14)

People matter to God and how you get along with them matters to Him, too. The characteristics Paul mentions in these few verses are all relationship characteristics. Compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, love: the development of these character traits will make a huge impact on how we get along with other people.

Every one of these character traits is a reflection of God’s own character and of His relationship with us. Take forgiveness as an example. God calls us to be forgiving people, laying aside the hurts that others have caused us. That’s very difficult to do. The natural thing to do is to hold on to our hurts, to nurse them and make sure others are aware of them, especially the one who caused them. But it doesn’t take a very long look at how God responds to us to note that is not His pattern. There is a pattern of forgiveness in the way God relates to us that He would have us imitate. We are to forgive others “as the Lord forgave you.”

Humility provides another obvious example. If any one ever had a right to put on airs, to let others know who He was, it was Jesus. He knew power and position that we can’t even imagine. Yet, when He entered the earth, He did so as a human being, and not even as a human with power and position, but as a lowly human. He did that for us, to enable us to approach Him and relate to Him. If He can do that, then we can follow His example and steer clear of putting on airs before other people.

Move through the rest of the characteristics listed and you will find each one clearly exemplified in the life of Jesus. He came to show us what God was like and what we should be like as we relate to those around us.

His, by Grace,

Steve

Monday Thought -- December 15, 2014

Good Morning Friends,

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” (Colossians 3:1-4)

Where does your mind dwell?

It’s so easy for our minds to dwell on the things of this world. There is so much input we receive about the things of this world. The things of this world are the reality in which we live – the house needs cleaning, the car needs repairs, the clothes need ironing, the dishes need to be put away. Then we turn on the TV or open up the Internet and we are bombarded by images of this world and reminded of all the things of this world that we don’t have but would really help to make our lives better.

It’s no wonder that so much of our time is spent dwelling on the things of this world.

But God offers us a different choice – a better choice. He invites us to dwell on Jesus and on the things of heaven. When we do that we are drawn closer to God. Our hopes and dreams are renewed for eternity. Even the things of this world take on a different perspective and a different priority.

How do you set your hearts and minds on things above?

Through prayer – in the Word – in worship – by meditating on Jesus.

His, by Grace,

Steve

Friday Thought -- December 12, 2014

Good Morning Friends,

“For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority. In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead. When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins.” (Colossians 2:9-13)

You have been given fullness in Christ. Without Christ, life is meaningless and has no purpose. With Christ, God has provided you with the fundamental things that make life worth living. In Him there is a reason to live, there is help for the present, there is hope for the future, there is direction, there is purpose. That’s full life, and it's only found in Christ.

You were circumcised in Christ. For the Jew, physical circumcision identified him as a part of God’s family. In Christ, it is a spiritual circumcision that identifies us as His. It has meaning far beyond anything physical. He has overcome our sinful nature, overpowering it by placing His own nature within us by His Spirit. He is the mark that we are God’s.

You were buried with Christ. The true power of Christ was revealed, not in life, but in His death, and in His conquering of death through the resurrection. We share in that power. We participate in His death and picture that in our baptism. We also participate in His life and His power.

Christ forgave our sins. Without Christ there was nothing we could do about our sins. They controlled us and we could not overcome them. We couldn’t pay for them, we couldn’t hide them, we couldn’t even stop doing them. Christ dealt with our sins for us and offered forgiveness to us as His gift.

How could Christ do all that? There’s only one way: in Him was all the fullness of Deity. Only God could do the things that Jesus did -- and He was -- and is -- God!

His, by Grace,

Steve

Thursday Thought -- December 11, 2014

Good Morning Friends,

“My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” (Colossians 2:2-3)

There is a tremendous amount of wisdom and knowledge in this world. None of us can keep up with the exponential growth of the things that are known. I’m astounded when I stop to think about what is known and done today that wasn’t even imagined 30 years ago. I wonder what kind of wisdom and knowledge will open up in the next 30 years that we don’t even imagine today.

I know people who are incredibly smart. I am humbled by their brilliance and can’t even begin to keep up with what they know.

But here’s the truth that Paul declares to the Colossians – complete understanding of life is not about the amount of wisdom and knowledge that is gained in this world. Complete understanding of life is wrapped up in God’s gift to us – Jesus.

Life is really not about the amount of knowledge that a person can accumulate. It’s not about what we know. Instead, it’s about Who we know. God offers us the opportunity to know Him, through Jesus.

At the end of my life I may have lagged far behind the wisdom and knowledge of this world. I already feel as though I am losing ground. In Jesus, I’ll know everything that truly matters!

His, by Grace,

Steve

Wednesday Thought -- December 10, 2014

Good Morning Friends,

“We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.” (Colossians 1:28-29)

This short passage represents one of the clearest statements of the purpose and passion of Paul’s life.

Paul gave his life to proclaiming the message of Jesus. He did it with power and persuasion. He did it with great skill and wisdom. There was nothing more important to Paul than telling others about Jesus.

His goal was not to fulfill some obligation to God. It wasn’t about Paul. It was about the need of the people to whom he preached. He longed to see them embrace faith in Jesus Christ. He longed for more than just to see them come to faith – he longed to see them grow to be mature Christians whose attitudes and actions were more and more like those that could be seen in Jesus.

Paul didn’t go at this task half-heartedly. He gave his all to preaching and helping people know and follow Jesus. He labored – he struggled – he gave all the energy he had to this purpose.

God empowered Paul to do it. The power for Paul’s purpose didn’t come from Paul’s own resources, but from the resources provided to him by God.

Paul’s purpose was to preach the Gospel and that was Paul’s passion, too.

God invites us to the same purpose and to the same passion.

His, by Grace,

Steve

Tuesday Thought -- December 9, 2014

Good Morning Friends,

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.” (Colossians 1:15-20)

He is the image of the invisible God – look at Jesus and you see God. That’s why He came – so that we could see God and know what He is like.

He is the firstborn of all creation – nothing came before Him – nothing. Not man or any being. Not an angel or a demon. Not the world or the sun or any stars. Nothing came before Jesus.

He is the Creator – what exists is here because of Him. That means He knows everything about you and everything about your world.

No authority exists expect by permission of Jesus. That was true when Paul wrote this letter and Nero was emperor in Rome. That’s true today no matter what country we live in or what ruler has authority there. That doesn’t mean Jesus approves of everything every authority does – but it can happen only by His permission which means He is still directing the world even when evil rulers hold sway.

In Him all things hold together. Ever wonder what to call the force behind gravity? That force has a name – it is Jesus!

He is the head of the body. The church belongs to Jesus. It is His to direct and His to use as He pleases.

Making peace through His blood, shed on the cross. Read through the list of titles and attributes of Jesus that Paul outlines – then remember that’s Who died for you! He didn’t have to – He wanted to.

His, by Grace,

Steve

Monday Thought -- December 8, 2014

Good Morning Friends,

“For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father.” (Colossians 1:9-12)

I’m struck by the reasons Paul gives for wanting the Colossians to know the will of God.

1.    So that they would live a life worthy of the Lord and please Him.

2.    So they would bear fruit in what they did for Him.

3.    So they would grow in their relationship with God.

4.    So they would have great endurance and patience.

5.    So they would give thanks to God with joy.

For Paul, knowing the will of God was not about making life easy. Knowing the will of God was not about gaining a sense of satisfaction. Knowing the will of God was not about some kind of earthly achievement.

Instead, knowing the will of God was about pleasing God, honoring Him, and accomplishing what He wants accomplished in His Kingdom.

Why do you want to know the will of God? Is it about you – or about God?

His, by Grace,

Steve

Friday Thought -- December 5, 2014

Good Morning Friends,

“We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints -- the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel that has come to you. All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God’s grace in all its truth. You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf.” (Colossians 1:3-7)

Ponder for just a few moments the miracle of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Paul affirms that the Gospel had made its way to Colossae and impacted the lives of many Colossian people. They had heard the message from Epaphras, a preacher unknown to us whom God had used to bring the message to them. There have been millions of others like him -- unknown, unheralded -- yet, faithfully taking the Gospel from one place to the next. In every place the Gospel has gone it has had an impact on people’s lives.

Paul was writing almost 2,000 years ago and the Gospel was effective then. “All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit,” he said. In large cities like Rome and small villages like Nazareth and in quiet places where there were only two people, like the road to Gaza with Philip and the Ethiopian. It was effective among the rich and powerful, like Lydia and Joseph of Arimathea, and among the poor and helpless, like the blind and leprous.

That was true 2,000 years ago, and it’s been true in every generation since then, too. It’s true in our generation, as well. All over the world the gospel is bearing fruit. In Africa, people are coming to Christ by the millions. The Chinese church, persecuted by a government trying to get rid of it completely, is stronger than it has ever been. In South America and Asia and Mexico -- there isn’t a place where the Gospel isn’t effective, not even in the most closed countries in the Middle East, not even in America!

It’s brought by unknown, unheralded messengers who are soon forgotten, but it is not the messengers that make the message effective -- it is the power inherent in the Gospel itself. It’s changed my life -- probably changed yours, too -- or it can, if you’ll let it.

His, by Grace,

Steve

Thursday Thought -- December 4, 2014

Good Morning Friends,

“This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true. Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.” (John 21:24-25)

John’ s Gospel concludes with an assertion of the truth of what has been written and a declaration that much more could have been written.

John and the other Gospel writers were selective. They didn’t write everything that Jesus did, they couldn’t. There are gaps in the record of Jesus’ life that we don’t know about. There are places He went that are not recorded, miracles that He performed that are not mentioned. It would be interesting to know what else Jesus did while on earth. But that is information locked away until we see Him face to face.

Why did John and the others choose the particular incidents from Jesus’ life that are recorded by them? They were guided by the Holy Spirit with one principle in mind, the goal God had for their writing. John mentions it in the previous chapter: “Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” (John 20:30-31)

What is written about Jesus’ life is written so that we might believe, and by believing that we might have life. The Gospels are not meant to be biographies. They weren’t written as history lessons. They have one purpose: to proclaim Jesus and draw people to Him.

We don’t know everything from the life of Jesus, but what we know is enough. It’s enough to prove His identity. It’s enough to cause us to bow before Him in worship. It’s enough!

His, by Grace,

Steve

Wednesday Thought -- December 3, 2014

Good Morning Friends,

“Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, 'Lord, who is going to betray you?') When Peter saw him, he asked, ‘Lord, what about him?’ Jesus answered, ‘If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.’ Because of this, the rumor spread among the brothers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, ‘If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?’” (John 21:20-23)

Life is unfair. That’s the obvious conclusion that we have to draw when we look around us at the various things that different people face in their lives.

For some people it seems like life goes without a hitch. They never lose a job. They never lose anyone close to them in death, except at very old ages. They never face any serious health problems. They are well into their 80s or 90s in relatively good health and then die peacefully. I’ve known people whose lives were like that, you probably have, too.

At the other extreme, there are people who seem to have constant problems. They suffer from one sickness after another. They lose a spouse to death very early in life. They can’t seem to find and hold a decent job. Their kids give them trouble constantly. Then they die an early death after a significant period of illness.

For most of us, life is somewhere in the middle of those two extremes. It isn’t perfect, but it isn’t as bad as it could be.

The truth is, you have to deal with different things in life than anyone else around you. Life is not fair. Life is kind of like poker, some people draw a straight flush and some people don’t even get a pair!

When Peter questioned the fairness of what he would have to face in life compared to what another disciple would face, Jesus said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow Me.” That’s the point: our responsibility is to follow Jesus through whatever is dealt to us in life.

Life is not fair, that’s just the way it is. Follow Jesus through whatever!

His, by Grace,

Steve

Tuesday Thought -- December 2, 2014

Good Morning Friends,

“When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?’ ‘Yes, Lord,’ he said, ‘you know that I love you.’ Jesus said, ‘Feed my lambs.’ Again Jesus said, ‘Simon son of John, do you truly love me?’  He answered, ‘Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.’ Jesus said, ‘Take care of my sheep.’ The third time he said to him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ He said, ‘Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said, ‘Feed my sheep.’” (John 21:15-17)

This is a moving story, aimed at showing how important each individual is to the Lord and how much each one is loved by Him.

Peter had rendered himself unusable in the kingdom of God. At least that’s the way it seemed. He had denied knowing the Lord. Given the opportunity to stand with Him in His darkest hour, Peter turned away. He saved his own skin. Not just one time, but three times.

Was Peter worthless to God? Had his denial made him unusable from then on? Peter probably thought so. But not Jesus!

Peter was worth enough to God and loved enough by God that Jesus took him aside to reaffirm his relationship with Him and his place in the kingdom. As Peter had denied knowing Jesus three times on the night of the trials, now Jesus gave Peter three opportunities to affirm his love for Him. Three times Jesus let Peter know that he had an important place in the kingdom, a place of service, a place of leading others.

As bad as Peter’s sin was God forgave it. As bad as his sin was God still wanted him. As bad as it was God still trusted him. As bad as it was God still loved him.

He said those things to Peter so you would hear them, too. As bad as your sin is God forgives it. As bad as it is God still wants you. As bad as it is God still trusts you. As bad as it is God still loves you.

He’ll go out of His way to tell you that!

His, by Grace,

Steve

Monday Thought -- December 1, 2014

Good Morning Friends,

After His resurrection, Jesus appeared to a number of His followers, including all of the apostles at one time. That is, all except Thomas. For some reason Thomas was absent at the time of Jesus’ appearance. Thomas couldn’t believe what the others told him. To believe it, he had to see Jesus for himself. Jesus accommodated Thomas.

“Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, ‘We have seen the Lord!’ But he said to them, ‘Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it.’ A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you!’ Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.’ Thomas said to him, ‘My Lord and my God!’” (John 20:24-28)

I’m thankful for Thomas. I’m thankful that the resurrection can stand the test of doubts. The resurrection isn’t just a story passed from one follower of Jesus to another and believed without proof. Thomas asked for proof, and Jesus provided it.

I’m thankful for Thomas. I’m thankful that Thomas wanted physical proof. The resurrection isn’t just an hallucination or the appearance of a ghost. Thomas asked to be able to touch Jesus, and Jesus provided that opportunity. The resurrected body of Jesus was real.

I’m thankful for Thomas. I’m thankful for the clear conclusion to which this doubter came. When Jesus provided the proof that Thomas asked for, Thomas responded: “My Lord and my God.” The doubts disappeared and Thomas embraced the resurrection. His was an honest doubt and once satisfied, he responded to Jesus.

I’m thankful for Thomas. I’m thankful because sometimes I have doubts and sometimes others around me do too. Thomas teaches me that God can handle doubts. Thomas teaches me that there are answers to the doubts people have. Thomas teaches that honest doubts can be overcome.

I’m thankful for Thomas.

His, by Grace,

Steve

Friday Thought -- November 28, 2014

Good Morning Friends,

“Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, ‘They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!’ So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. Then Simon Peter, who was behind him, arrived and went into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the burial cloth that had been around Jesus’ head. The cloth was folded up by itself, separate from the linen. Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. They still did not understand from scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.” (John 20:1-9)

The most amazing and meaningful event in the history of the world occurred while no one was watching. In the middle of the night, or more accurately, in the early morning hours, something astounding happened inside the tomb of Jesus.

Jesus came out of His grave clothes. He left them just lying there on the rock ledge on which they had placed His body. The stone was moved. The heavy stone that several women knew they could not move, someone else had rolled it away from the entrance to the tomb. Jesus was gone.

Now that’s strange. Dead men don’t just leave their tombs! Jesus did! That’s just the first sign that would prove Jesus came back to life. The second, and more convincing sign, would happen again and again as Jesus Himself appeared to followers of His.

Jesus had to rise from the dead, that’s what the scriptures say. Why? Because if death held Him in its grip, there would be no hope for us. If He couldn’t conquer death for Himself, what chance is there that He could conquer it for us. Conquer it for Himself, He did! Conquer it for us, He has done that, too!

He’s not in the tomb any longer. His grave clothes were there, but He wasn’t. He’s alive, He still is! Now that’s amazing and wonderful and life-changing!

His, by Grace,

Steve

Thursday Thought -- November 27, 2014

Good Morning Friends,

Today is Thanksgiving! The food is being prepared for a great feast. Family and friends are about to gather or perhaps already have. Parades are on TV. Football games will come on this afternoon. It’s Thanksgiving and it’s a great day!

The modern history of Thanksgiving probably dates to the Reformation, especially in England. Days of Fasting were declared when there was some disaster or difficulty that was being faced. Days of Thanksgiving were declared when special blessings were being enjoyed.

In the United States, the origin of Thanksgiving can be traced to the Puritans in New England who celebrated God’s goodness with a week of thanksgiving and praise. It took a presidential proclamation by Abraham Lincoln to fix the date of Thanksgiving on the same date in all the states … at least in the Union states.  The fourth Thursday of November was chosen during the presidency of Franklin Roosevelt and is a fixed tradition today.

The Bible is filled with expressions of thanksgiving to the Lord.

“We give thanks to you, O God,

We give thanks , for your Name is near;

men tell of your wonderful deeds.” (Psalm 75:1)

“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good;

His love endures forever.” (Psalm 107:1)

“Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor

and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever.”

(Revelation 7:12)

Today, on this annual day of Thanksgiving, take time to give thanks to the Lord for His blessings to you.

His, by Grace,

Steve

Wednesday Thought -- November 26, 2014

Good Morning Friends,

“Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jews. With Pilate’s permission, he came and took the body away. He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs. At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid. Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.” (John 19:38-42)

Joseph and Nicodemus made good partners. They were both hesitant to go public with their interest in Jesus.

Some time earlier, Nicodemus wanted to talk with Jesus, but didn’t want his friends and associates to know it, so he went at night to see Him. Joseph was a disciple, but only secretly. There was fear in him. He was a member of the Sanhedrin (Mark 15:43) and wondered what the rest of them would say and do if they knew he was a disciple of Jesus.

But there was something about Jesus’ death that made these two hesitant followers willing to take a risk. They risked being found out. They risked others questioning what they were doing.

At Jesus’ death, they were willing to do what they were not willing to do in Jesus’ life. It must have pleased Jesus to know they were caring for His body. It pleased Him to know they were willing to take a stand for Him, even though it took His death to make them do it.

There are many people who still want to be secret followers of Jesus. There is fear in them. Fear of what friends and associates would say and do if they knew they followed Him. We’ve seen what they do to outsiders, to those who are different, those who don't quite fit in. They can be brutal. We don’t want to face that kind of ridicule, too.

But there is something about Jesus’ death that should make those hesitant followers be willing to take a risk. Look closely at Him, hanging on the cross. Remember how much He was willing to do for us. See the extent of His love.

If He will do that for us, can’t we go public for Him? When they saw it, Joseph and Nicodemus did!

His, by Grace,

Steve