Humble and Gentle!

Ephesians 4: 2

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

I wonder how many people in the church, have this verse down pat?

I sure wished that I did.

Every person that comes into the church, has their own set of flaws and weaknesses.

We even pick up a few more, as we spend time in the midst of God’s family.

My wife knows me more than anyone, and despite my frailty, she is patient and gentle.

Marriage seems to be the best place for two imperfect people to come together.

Church life is too.

It’s the best place to find acceptance and ongoing forgiveness.

It’s also a good place to find the courage to grow out of the things that keep us from love.

Maybe we need to pray that these precious fruits will create an environment for Godly change.

When I meet people who need counsel in their marriage, I often ask them to make a list of the things they like best about their mate.

It sure seems easier to make a list of the faults.

Maybe that would work in the church?

Maybe we should pick the people we like the least, and make a list of the things we like the best about them.

Maybe in the place of complete humility, we can form gentleness, and patience and love…

A Testimony!

Acts 14: 17

Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons…

I counseled a young couple on Wednesday night, that are contemplating marriage.

I was honest, and told them that the number one disagreement among married couples, is the almighty dollar.

Most spouses are not on the same page when it comes to money.

Only when we come to know the One who is the great provider, will we formulate a better understanding of finances.

How often do you at the end of the month, give God the glory for His never ending provision?

How about the clunky car, that lasted beyond what you expected?

Most people now days, live paycheck to paycheck.

What if we lived as though the only One providing that paycheck, was God?

I’d be willing to bet our money would stretch farther, if we allowed Him to control our purse strings.

What are some of the ways, that God met your needs even yesterday?

If we stopped and wrote them down, one day they might be a glowing testimony of God’s faithfulness.

I sure love the freedom I have today, since I acknowledge God as my provider.

Give Him thanks today, for the seasons of abundance, and for the lessons you learned when you lacked…

No excuse!

Romans 1: 20     (NLT)

From the time the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky and all that God made.

They can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse whatsoever for not knowing God.

Atheists say that there isn’t enough evidence, to suggest that there is a God.

I just looked outside at all the puffy clouds yesterday in the blue sky, and there’s evidence enough for me, to prove the God of the Bible.

Paul’s claim to the church at Rome, was… “There’s no excuse for not knowing God!”

How well would you say you know the God of the Bible?

Anytime we get a real taste of God, and don’t look to explore Him more deeply, we are rejecting His invitation.

I asked people in church last Sunday, how many needed prayer, and many responded.

I’m a little surprised though, that more folks didn’t take the opportunity on the invite to come and pray, when they responded that they needed prayer?

The glimpses we get of God at work, and the still smallness of His voice, are the opening opportunities for a conversation, with the God of the Bible.

Do your kids know how to talk to God? I mean, really talk to God?

We can choose to engage Him, or not.

When we don’t, we are mostly settling for our spiritual status quo.

When we seek to explore Him though, He shows us more of Himself, and His wonderful, desirable qualities.

Whenever you sense Him today, let it lead you in a direction, that leads to Him—and don’t make any excuses… 

Rich Grace!

Hebrews 12:19

See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up…

In the course of everyday ministry, I meet people so often, who have been beaten up by life.

Whether it’s alcohol, drug addiction, sexual assault, these and many other painful areas of life, often take their toll.

I find that these issues harden the people who’ve had to walk through them.

I mean, who wouldn’t be hardened?

Bitterness can keep people from learning about the grace of God.

I met a man even last week, that ordered me out of his hospital room.

My prayer is that one day soon, he gets connected with the grace of God.

God’s grace is rich and free and so wonderful to experience.

Have you ever experienced God’s rich grace?

I truly hope that you have.

God can set the vilest sinner free, and how do I know that—well He did that for me.

With all the bad things that can happen in life, it can all be washed away, by the powerful grace of God.

It can even dispose of the root of bitterness.

Talk about freedom…

Suffer!

1 Peter 3: 17

It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

The more I see the world around us changing, the more I know that people will one day suffer, for doing what is right.

I golfed the other day with 3 other godly men, and each of them hear the footsteps of the return of Christ.

It also appears that good Christian people, are being drawn away by evil enticement.

That’s certainly the case with the teen age generation of today.

Friends, are you teaching your kids to do what’s right, despite the end result?

Jesus is the consummate example, of doing right, and then suffering for it.

It is easy to be swayed by culture, and in the end, do what’s evil.

It is actually better to suffer for doing good.

I know a young person who recently stood up to a friend, and told them about the evil in their life.

I might just cost that person that friendship, but it also might sway they’re friend, to making a change one day.

I wonder how many people in the church today, look forward to suffering for doing what’s right?

Jesus said that when we decide to follow Him, we should be prepared to take up our cross—an instrument of torture.

Maybe if a large enough group of people, would actually suffering for doing right, we might enact a huge change of culture—just maybe… 

Who are you pleasing?

1 Thessalonians 2: 4

On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts.

I wonder if most followers of Jesus, are really trying to please God, or men?

God pleasers will have a number of attacks from men taking place in their lives.

Our aim in life, should be that Christ is magnified in every area of lives.

We are to display His truth and His power.

When we do that, there will be opposition—make no mistake about that.

Is there anyone opposing you these days? You may want to prayerfully consider who you’re trying to please.

Is Jesus really honored, by the way people see us live?

If that was our constant motive, I’m convinced more people would come to us, to have us explain salvation.

This is a good reminder, from an old saint of the faith, C.S. Lewis…

“It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world, that they have become so ineffective in this.”

What world are you focused in on?

Are you trying to please men, or God?

One day there will be a test

Resilient Faith!

Psalm 71: 20

You who have shown me many troubles, and distresses will revive me again, and will bring me up again from the depths of the earth.

I’m sure most of you are just like me.

You get constant reports of people going through various kinds of troubles.

Death of loved ones and pets—wayward children—troubled marriages—sickness and health issues.

There are times that when prayer requests come my way, I’m not even sure how to pray.

I know of a local family, who had five loved one’s die tragically.

Etched on each tomb stone are the words… "We cannot, Lord, Thy purpose see, but all is well that's done by Thee."

How did this family respond to the toughest times of life?

They had a resilient faith in God.

Is that where you are today?

Are you confident in a God who promises revival?

Maybe you need to do something about your weak faith.

From the depths of the earth—God brings us up again from troubled times.

Stop and pray to God this morning, for the grace to get you through your personal trouble.

Maybe then you’ll be able to pray those words etched on those tombstones

Vision!

Proverbs 29: 18

Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained, but happy is he who keeps the law.

People often respond well, when there are boundaries in their life.

People actually need something to focus in on.

The vision of the church is to bring people into the Kingdom of God.

Are you secure in that vision?

Most people are so enamored in their own needs in life, that they hardly have time to have a single spiritual vision fulfilled.

Like never before, I have spoken to a number of ministry colleagues, and they feel that many people of their churches, are currently unrestrained.

Folks of the church have become so used to creature comforts, that many don’t know what sacrifice even is anymore.

When followers of Jesus don’t get things their own way, they often leave for a destination that won’t require them to lose anything in their walk of faith.

The person that keeps the law of God, no matter what, are some of the happiest people I know.

How happy are you, as you explore the vision of God?

You do have you sights focused on something bigger than you—don’t you?

If not, it might be wise to take that to prayer.

Ask God to restrain you, with the vision He has for the lost and suffering…

Imitation!

Ephesians 5: 1

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children…

Elsie and Herb were married over 45 years.

At one point in Elsie’s life, she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, but that didn’t change how Herb felt about Elsie.

He would visit her every day, and without any notice at all, Elsie would often turn on Herb.

She would say some of the most mean spirited things to Herb, but Herb would always end their visit with the words… “I love you.”

In the course of some 12 years of ministry, I have had some painful things said about me.

Some that I knew about, and some that were said behind my back.

It is during those moments, that I find it hard to be an imitator of God.

Loving the loveable is easy, but loving the mean spirited—now that’s another story.

Do you have trouble loving those who have failed you?

Do you find it hard to love those who have said things behind your back?

According to God, we’re called to love those kinds of people all the more.

I don’t think I like it—but I’m pretty sure the Bible says that we should pray for those who persecute us.

If I’m going to be an imitator of God, then I need to think like He thinks.

Actually, I need to love the same way He loves

A Misunderstood Discipline!

Isaiah 58: 6 (NAS)

"Is this not the fast which I choose, to loosen the bonds of wickedness, to undo the bands of the yoke, and to let the oppressed go free and break every yoke?”

As I struggle with the state of the church, and the things going on in our culture, I often ask God what my role is in all of this is.

Often times, the Holy Spirit directs me to fast and pray, but I often wished there was an easier way.

Some folks in the church say we shouldn’t even bring up the subject of praying and fasting, because it’s private and shouldn’t be talked about.

Fasting and praying is the most misunderstood of all the spiritual disciplines.

Fasting is really healthy for the person who desires to let go of the fleshly influences of the world.

When I fast, it often reveals how selfish I really am. I also realize just how much I need God.

When is the last time you embarked on a real dyed in the wool, fast?

Did you complain and belly ache the whole way through?

Fasting allows us to wait for a great spiritual breakthrough.

Speaking of spiritual breakthroughs, when’s the last time you had one?

To resist being so self absorbed, we need sacrifice in our lives.

Would you join me in a fast?

How about a sunup—to sundown, fast—on Tuesday, June 24^th? Just fruit juices for the entire day.

Let’s see what God reveals to each of us.

Maybe God will give us a whole new, bold new, way of waiting upon Him, and seeking His face

No complaining

Philippians 2: 14

Do everything without complaining or arguing…

One thing that Debbie and I disciplined Jake & Ben for when they were little, was complaining and arguing.

They both were held to a pretty strict standard, when it came to an attitude of ingratitude.

Do you ever complain about your job?

Is your spouse not quite the dreamboat you remember?

I even remember as a child, that if we complained about what my Mom made for supper, we had the option of forgoing supper all together.

And just be sure of this—we were never allowed into the kitchen later on, to try and scrounge up something different.

That also meant that we had to go without dessert as well.

My Mom was trying to teach us five boys, to appreciate what we had.

She was also trying to show us, that a spirit of constant complaining, would probably follow us all of our adult lives.

That’s what we were trying to prevent from happening to Jake & Ben.

Truthfully—how much griping do you do?

How will you address this issue, the next time it comes up?

Do your children see you as a complainer, or someone who is satisfied with anything that comes your way?

Maybe stop for a moment today, and ask God to help you model a spirit of gratefulness.

If you demonstrate a grateful heart, your children will too one day.

It’ll probably be a pretty good environment for the people you hang out with too…

True Love..Thank you Carter!

1 John 4: 10

This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son…

I think I’ve learned more about love through my grandson Carter, than from any other person I know.

I’m sure most children try and test their parents, but in different ways than Carter has tested his Mom & Dad.

We also have some other people in our church, who have a number of adopted children.

I wonder if they’ve ever, for even a second, felt like this is just too hard?

Because of Carter and those other precious children, I know God in a way I don’t think I ever could.

God has called these parents to a kind of love they probably didn’t even think they were capable of.

Anyone can love a child that is theirs by birth, but to love one that is adopted, is to know the real love of God.

Carter lived in our home for a while, and I’m not sure I was crazy about that arrangement at first, but it gave me a front row seat to the love of God.

Because of this parents love, Carter has his first baseball game tonight.

I for one, am one proud Poppy to be able to attend, and watch him strut his stuff.

Is there someone in your life right now, that requires a special effort just to love them?

I know there are people in my church, that must find it really hard to love me like God does—and I fully understand why.

“Father God, thank You for always showing me the true picture of love.

Thank You for caring enough for me, for adopting me, and reserving a special place for me in Your Kingdom.

Thank You too, for giving us all the capacity to love, and for teaching us how to love. Amen.”

Leave it!

Acts 1: 14 (NAS)

These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer…

I often wonder what it might be like, to have everyone in the church of one mind.

It’s seems that there are more factions in the church today, that I’m able to count.

Yesterday in church we passed around a signup sheet for prayer.

The early church we’re known as people who prayed continually.

I shared in church a few weeks ago, that Pastor David Wilkerson said… “What ever happened to the all night prayer meetings?”

I thought that was a good question, so I scheduled one for our church.

An all night prayer meeting?

Yes—an all night prayer meeting.

Maybe the early church had one mind, because they actually labored together in corporate prayer.

Maybe the reason they saw the tremendous movement of God’s great power in the church, was because they were devoted.

I realize that praying at 2am, isn’t feasible for everyone.

I’m not sure Jesus was looking for people who actually sought convenience, or feasibility.

Call me crazy, but I’m pretty sure Jesus was looking for people who were willing to leave their old lives behind

Stand Firm!

Romans 14: 13

Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way.

Have you ever considered, how home entertainment can be construed as an obstacle?

When  a steamy scene comes on TV, what’s our first inclination?

What’s the standard in your home?

A little steamy stuff—a few curse words—just a smattering of violence perhaps.

What we watch, affects our children and will one day affect their children.

How about the music we invite in, to entertain us?

I believe it’s the responsibility of every person, to establish a godly standard when it comes to home entertainment.

I understand this is old fashioned thinking, but we are desperately trying to swim against a very strong cultural current.

My advice to you… STAND FIRM!

We need convictions in our home these days.

Do you have a standard in your home?

If not—why not?

Maybe it’s time to throw out the evil that’s being forced upon us these days.

Maybe it’s time to remove the stumbling block…

Look to others!

Philippians 2: 4

Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

 

Americans spend over $110 billion dollars a year on fast food.

That’s more than they spend combined on magazines, movies, books, and recorded music.

 

Can you imagine if most people thought about helping others, instead of helping themselves?

Many adults spend about $5 dollars per day on candy and soda. That’s short of $2 thousand dollars per year.

 

Not many people would choose to pull out yesterday’s left over spaghetti.

Let’s face it, we pretty often look out for number one, and leftovers aren’t usually a part of the menu.

 

What if we all gave thought to helping people who are starving in the world?

The average person in 2/3^rds of the rest of the world, live on less than $2 dollars per day.

 

What if instead of being concerned about how we’re going to live out our retirement years, we actually decided to help folks who are alive today.

They might not even make it to retirement age, if we don’t consider their interests first.

 

All we’d have to do, is cut our candy/soda intake in half, and we could make a huge difference.

But that would take some getting used to. That would actually take some sacrifice.

 

How do you plan at looking at the interests of others?

Do you even care about the interests of others? 

Self-Centered!

Job 30: 25

Have I not wept for those in trouble? Has not my soul grieved for the poor?

Have you ever experienced trouble, that you know other’s are going through right now?

I wonder if we’ve forgotten what it’s like, to be in a fix?

The heaviness of trouble, can wear a person down fast.

Do you know what it might have been like, to have someone else help carry that burden?

We almost never have to worry about what we’re going to eat for supper, but a poor person does.

Do we really grieve for the poor?

Having to go to a food pantry, must not be fun for the person who has to use one.

I can’t even relate, because I’ve never had to shop at one.

Maybe we wouldn’t have to beg for food to fill the shelves of our church food pantry, if we really knew what it was like to be poor.

Sometimes we hear of the trouble people have, and we’re honestly not one bit moved.

I wonder if we’re more self centered, than we thought we were…

“Abundant God, forgive us when we’re not really moved about people who have severe trouble.

Give our hearts a boost of compassion, as we consider the poor that live near us. Amen.”

Silence is not always golden!

Psalm 39: 9

I have become mute, I do not open my mouth.

Sometimes, there is so much noise in the world, that it can often drive us to silence.

Being a follower of Jesus, and being silent, is almost an oxymoron today.

When we signed up to be a Christian, silence is something that should almost never exist, with the exception of prayer.

Amazingly enough, most followers of Christ never open up their mouth in testimony of His greatness.

Sometimes, feelings of inadequacy silence us.

Often times the sheer thought of being vocal for Christ, brings us to embarrassment to even speak.

Do you have an emotional distance from the Savior?

Maybe you need to return to the place where He can use you in the most effective way?

Granted, there is a peace that can come with avoidance, but it never lasts very long.

Silence often times, is more appealing that dealing with reality.

Silence is one of Satan’s most deadly disguises.

He will often convince us, that Jesus is giving us the cold shoulder, so why say anything at all.

Reaching up to receive His redemptive closeness, can be our motivator to talk.

What drives you to silence?

Have God show you what to do, when you become quiet to the world, who desperately needs to hear about His never ending love…