Teach Us To Number Our Days

"Teach us to number our days carefully so that we may develop wisdom in our hearts."     ~Psalm 90:12 CSB

Can you believe it is already May?  Every year seems to go by faster and doesn't look to slow down anytime soon.  The Psalmist realized this thousands of years ago.  He says, "All of our years ebb away—they pass quickly and we fly away" (Psalm 90:9-10).  This thought causes the Psalmist to ask God to "teach us to number our days carefully".  Have you ever thought about counting your days?   Another way to see this would be to ask God to help us understand our days here on earth are short and help us not to waste them. 

One of the things I have encountered in my life as a pastor is the reality we are all going to die.  Not one of us makes it out of here alive.  Another thing I have learned none of us like to think about death and many of us carry on like death doesn't exist.  But all that changes when someone close to us dies.  But death is a part of life and I think it's true we should live like we are dying.  When someone knows they are going to die, spending time with loved ones is more important that working or being entertained.  Life takes on a new importance—there is an urgency to make the most of the time you have. 

I believe that is the point the Psalmist is making, live your life with urgency—making the most of everyday.  In doing so we will develop wisdom in our hearts because our focus will be on others and especially our Lord as we prepare to be with him.  As the years go by I have realized this reality and it has changed the way I view the world around me.  Everything here is temporary and we are being prepared for eternity.  The beauty of this reality is God doesn't let us get too comfortable here and reminds us with a body that is slowly giving out.  My eyes don't quite work the way they use too.  I can't hear, my joints hurt, I can feel my body changing everyday. 

The apostle Paul realized this also when he wrote "Therefore we do not give up.  Even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner person is being renewed day by day." (2 Corinthians 4:16) I want to challenge you to think about this and to pray for God to help you to number your days.  I pray you will live with a new sense of urgency and focus on what is really important, loving God and loving others.  Seek to take time for your family and friends and most of all make the most of the time you have to be kingdom builders—knowing Christ and making Christ known.  On my office door at the church is this saying, "Only one life twill soon be past, only what is done for Christ will last".  Pray for God to help you count your days!  

Foolish Cross

"For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but it is the power of God to us who are being saved" (1 Corinthians 1:18 CSB)

I have had many conversation with people who hear the message of the cross and dismiss it immediately.  To them the idea of needing to be rescued from themselves and from sin seems silly.  Even the idea of God sending his Son to die on the cross seems crazy, especially to die for a stranger.  It’s easier for them to dismiss the whole story as a fairy tale--made up to appease people than to admit their need.  The cross is foolishness to them.  The sad reality such people have been blinded to the gospel, they cannot see the glory of Christ for their minds have been blinded. (2 Cor. 4:4) They are being kept from seeing truth, they are blind and cannot see. 

As a result of their blindness they are perishing, the “wages of sin is death”.   (Rom. 6:23) Those who are in the bondage to sin are blinded by the effects of sin.  They are blind slaves to the desires of their heart and the ways of the world.  The reason the cross is the power of God to those who are being saved is because God has shined a light into the darkness of their hearts and has shone the light of the knowledge of God’s glory in the face of Jesus Christ.  (2 Cor. 4:6) The veil has been lifted from our hearts and they can now see and understand their need for the cross.  They can see their sinfulness and can see their need for a savior. 

They also realize they’re powerless to save themselves and need to be rescued. The person on the roof of his house during a flood doesn’t need to be reminded of the rising water, he needs to be rescued. He will forever be thankful for the power of the pilot and crew who were able to pull him from flood.  The one being saved understands his need for salvation and recognizes the one who does the saving.  This morning give thanks for the cross and its ability to save you through Jesus Christ, who gave his life so that you could have life.               

Blessing and Curses

I'm reading through Deuteronomy 28 and I'm overwhelmed by the weight of blessings and curses.  Moses is encouraging and warning the people.  He is telling them if they faithfully obey the Lord and carefully follow all of his commands, God would place them far above all the nations of the earth (Deu. 28:1).  He goes on to list all the blessings they would receive.  Their land would be blessed and produce an abundance of food.  Their offspring would be many and they would not be in need.  God would give them peace from all of their enemies.  God would establish them as a holy people if they obey the commands of the Lord and walk in his ways (Deu. 28:9).  In verse 10 he says, "Then all the people of the earth will see that you bear the Lord's name, and they will stand in awe of you."  

Moses then turns to what will happen to them if they do not obey the Lord.  All the blessings will turn to curses.  The land would reject them and they would be plagued by disease.  They would lose everything and their enemies would overtake them and they would be scattered as a people. Reading the list of things that would happen to them is long and detailed and its overwhelming to read.  The sad reality is as you read the rest of the story you know Israel would in fact turn from God and would suffer greatly.   

I cannot help reading this to be overwhelmed by my own sin and how I fall short of God's standard.  I have failed on many levels and I am at God's mercy.  Which makes me all the more thankful for Jesus Christ.  Because God knows our condition and he knows our hearts are hard and we can't and we don't want to follow God.  But there is hope, though we are dead in our trespasses and sin, God who is rich in mercy and because of his great love for us made us alive in Jesus Christ (Eph. 2:4).  In his grace, he makes us a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17) and he replaces our heart of stone and gives us a heart of flesh.  He has put his Spirit within us that moves us to follow his statues and to observe his ordinances (Ezekiel 36:26-27).   

God has had mercy on us, he saw our helpless condition and has had pity on us. "For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16).  You have before you a blessing and a curse, believe and live!    

I will Praise You!

I will Praise you!

"I will praise you, Lord, among the peoples; I will sing the praises to you among the nations. For your faithful love is as high as heaven; your faithfulness reaches the clouds. God, be exalted above the heavens; let your glory be over the whole earth" Psalm 57: 9-11 CSB

The Psalmist is asking for God's gracious protection, I call to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me.  He reaches down from heaven and saves me, challenging to the one who tramples me.  God sends his faithful love and truth. (Ps. 57:2-3) I read this and my heart soars! I'm in trouble I have an enemy who want to see me destroyed.  In my own strength, I am powerless against this enemy who want to keep me in chains of sin.  Reading this I am reminded it is God who fulfills his purpose in me.  He is the wind beneath my wings.  He has reached down from heaven and he challenges the one who would imprison me.  He defeated him by sending his faithful love and truth.  "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.  We observed his glory, the glory of the One and Only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:14)

God reached down!  He descended and dwelt among us!  He rescued us from our sin, he rescued us from our enemy.  We are free in Christ and God has been gracious to us!  Oh, I will praise my Lord, I tell people of his glory.  I will praise him from the roof top of my life and nations will hear!  I will tell of his faithful love that is higher than the heavens.  He is exalted and his glory fills the earth!   

I don't know where you are this morning. Maybe you feel defeated and worn down.  This morning I just want to encourage you in the Lord.  Realize the extraordinary lengths the Lord endured to secure your salvation.  How he has crushed the enemy and he no longer has anything to hold over you.  Jesus paid it all and we can take refuge in Him.  Praise him today! 

Rebellion!

"You have gone too far! Everyone in the entire community is holy, and the Lord is among them.  Why then do you exalt yourself above the Lord's assembly" Numbers 16:3b CSB

When Moses and Aaron heard these words from Korah, a Levite who wasn't happy with his limited role in the function of the tabernacle, they fell face down.  Korah was leading a rebelling again Moses and against God's established order.  Seeing Moses and Aaron fall on their faces should have been an indication this wasn't a good thing to do. 

The next day Moses has the 250 men in rebellion stand before the tent of meeting with firepans containing incense to be an offering to the Lord.  He did this to prove to the people who God accepts as leaders.  God tells Moses and Aaron to step away from all the people because he is going to consume them instantly. (Num. 16:21) But Moses intercedes for the people and request that only the leaders and those who joined them in the rebellion be punished. God tells Moses to have the people move away from the tents and all the belongings of Korah, Dathan and Abiram. 

In front of the people Moses says if these men die naturally then you know I am not sent by God.  But if the ground opens up and swallows them and all that they own including their families, you will know these men are guilty of despising the Lord. (Num. 16:30) As the last word left Moses' mouth the ground opened up and swallowed them and their household!  (Num. 16:31) At the same time the 250 men who joined the rebelled and were standing in front of the tent of meeting, were instantly consumed by fire. 

Reading this story is shocking and at the same time invokes a sense of awe of a holy God.  God doesn't allow for sin to go unpunished. Those who rebel against him and his leaders are quickly removed without mercy.  God is teaching his people unyielding obedience. Reading this I realize I wouldn't stand a chance in the desert. I would have been one of those who died in the widerness. 

Which makes me extremely thankful for Jesus Christ.  Isaiah 53:12 says, "Therefore I will give him the many as a portion, and he will receive the mighty as spoil, because he was willingly submitted to death, and was counted among the rebels; yet he bore the sin of the many and interceded for the rebels." 

2 Corinthians 5:21 says, "He made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." Jesus paid the price of my rebellion.  Jesus died for my sin and God poured out his wrath upon him satisfying his righteousness. Christ paid it all and I am forgiven.  I can stand before a holy and righteous God justified by faith in Jesus Christ the Son of God.  The rebellion of my heart has been vanquished and I now live in peace with God. 

We Need Meat!!

"You will eat, not for one day, or two days, or five days, or ten days, or twenty days, but you will eat for a whole month--until it comes out of your nostrils and becomes nauseating to you--because you have rejected the Lord who is among you, and wept before him: "Why did we ever leave Egypt" Numbers 11:19-20 CSB

The people of Israel are out in the wilderness and there is 1.5 million of them.  God is with them and he is providing for them in a place where there is nothing!  He feeds them with manna which falls every morning with the dew.  The people pick up what they need and grind it, boil it and form it into cakes.  "It taste like a pastry cooked with the finest oil." (Num. 11:8) But the people are not happy, they want meat!  They long for the time when they were in Egypt and had free fish, cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic. (Num. 11:4) Somehow, they forgot while they were in Egypt they were slaves, in bondage!

They people had rejected God and longed to go back to their former life.  Families stand outside their tents and weeping and crying out.  Moses their leader and their advocate to God, can't take it anymore and wishes God would just kill him (Num. 11:15).  As a result, God's anger burns against the people--he is very angry.  God tells the people they are going to get meat.  He gives them exactly what they want in abundance. He blows quail into the camp and the people gather them all day and night.  "Even while the meat was between their teeth, before it was chewed, the Lord's anger burned against the people, and the Lord struck them with a very severe plague." (Num. 11:33)

It's a terrible thing when God hands you over to your desires!  God gave the people what they wanted as punishment.  But this chapter also has Moses complaining about leading.  What is the difference between the people's complaining and Moses complaining?  The people rejected God and wanted to go back to slavery.  Moses was trying to follow God and was overwhelmed leading the people.  Moses was in over his head and needed help and God had compassion on him.  He gave him 70 leaders to help him lead.  He gave the people quail, a lot of quail.

The real story I see in this chapter is God building Moses' faith.  He provides Moses help by giving him leaders.  But even after that Moses questions his ability to provide meat for the people.  God answers Moses, "Is the Lord's arm weak?" Now you will see whether or not what I have promised will happen to you."  (Num. 11:23) God provided Moses all he needed and at the same built Moses' confidence in God's faithfulness to answering his promises.

What situation in your life has overwhelmed you and you find yourself in time of need.  Turn to God and ask him for help and expect God to answer you.  The answer may not come back as you wanted, but I promise it will build your faith in God's faithfulness!

Observations from Leviticus Part I

“You are to practice my ordinances and you are to keep my statues by following them; I am the Lord your God.  Keep my statues and ordinances; a person will live if he does, I am the Lord” ~Leviticus 18:4

Reading through Leviticus can be daunting because God is handing down the Law to Moses.  He gives detailed instructions about the different offerings dealing with sin and how the people are to interact with each other.  In reading I cannot help but to be overwhelmed with the seriousness of sin.  Sin being rebellion against God and his established order.  The first few chapters in and I can sense God not wanting the people to take sin lightly.  The painful reality with all the sacrifices for various sins, intentional or unintentional, is death.  Something dies when we sin and in Leviticus it is either the person committing the sin or an animal to atone for the offense.

This process is brutal and bloody and though I am at first repulsed by the actions being described—then a profound thought suddenly settles on my heart.  My savior suffered. I start to think about the prophet Isaiah who wrote “But He was pierced because of our transgressions, crushed because of our iniquities; punishment for our peace was on Him, and we are healed by His wounds. We all went astray like sheep; we all have turned to our own way; and the LORD has punished Him for the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:5-6 HCSB)

Jesus was crushed because of my sin, because of my rebellion and we read “Yet the LORD was pleased to crush Him severely” (Isaiah 53:10a) God was pleased to crush him, why?  “For the wages of sin is death”, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23 HCSB) It was by the crushing of Jesus I am forgiven and my sin is erased. This had nothing to do with me being a good person or any form of merit, but was by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ.  In reading Leviticus I am seeing God laying down the requirements for dealing with the seriousness of sin.  I am witness the process for which he would use to free his people once and for all through his Son Jesus Christ.  He is laying down the framework for freedom.    

In reading this I hope you will consider the seriousness of your sin and grasp the great lengths God went to in demonstrating his love for you through the cross.           

Deserted

“As a deer longs for flowing streams, so I long for you God.  I thirst for God, the living God.  When can I come and appear before God?” Psalm 42:1-2

Have you ever felt deserted?  Where you felt like God has abandoned you? Here the psalmist longs for the day when he can be in the presence of God.  He is in a desert and he longs for flowing streams.  Tears have been his food and he feels totally alone.  There are times in our walk with God when it will feel like he has left us.  I am reminded of Deuteronomy 8:2 when Moses reminded the people: “Remember that the LORD your God led you on the entire journey these 40 years in the wilderness, so that He might humble you and test you to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep His commands.”

The reality is God is more concerned with your faith than your comfort.  This Psalm reminds us of this truth and wedged between the psalmist struggles is his declarations of faith. “Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your breakers and your billows have swept over me.” (Psalm 42:7) Here the writer feels like he has lost his footing on the cliff and the waves are pounding him!  Have you ever felt that way?  Yet listen to his response to his situation: “The Lord will send his faithful love by day; his song will be with me in the night—a prayer to the God of my life.” (Psalm 42:8)   

I don’t know where you are today in your life.  I know we all go through periods where we feel deserted by God.  But what I love about my God is these moments are temporary and I trust they serve a purpose to build my faith.  Nothing in life is wasted by God, he will take every opportunity to grow our faith in his faithfulness.  At the end of the day I can declare “Why, my soul, are you so dejected?  Why are you in such turmoil?  Put your hope in God, for I will still praise him, my Savior and my God.” (Psalm 42:11) 

Number Our Days

 “Lord, make me aware of my end and the number of my days so that I will know how short-lived I am” (Psalm 39:4)

I am constantly reminded at the shortness of life.  We come into this world and we have so many years ahead of us we give very little thought of it being over.  As I get older I now am painfully aware that one day this life will end.  Along the way, I am given reminders when others I know and love die.  I am reminded of the finality of life and how there are no restarts.  When life on this earth is finished, it is finished.  There are no more chances to go back and fix things.  There are no more chances to say I’m sorry or I love you one last time.  There are no more chances at mending fences.

Yesterday I was again reminded of this reality when someone I knew pasted away.  I can’t say we had the best of relationships but I was hopeful one day it would have worked out.  That day sadly didn’t come and now I have to live with a level of regret.  The Psalmist ask God to help him number his days, so he would know how short-lived he was.  He wanted to make his day’s count and not waste them on what could have been.  Eight years ago, I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer.  On the day I received the call I read Psalm 78:39, “He remembered that they are only flesh, a wind that passes and does not return” At that moment I was hit by the reality of my own mortality. 

This reality of our limited time should inspire us to live our lives with a sense of urgency.  It should cause us to make the most of the relationships we have now.  As Christians, we have hope, we know death is not the end for the those who place their faith Jesus Christ.  Scripture promises “if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, the he who raised Christ from the dead will also bring your mortal bodies to life through his Spirit who lives in you”.  (Romans 8:11) Our lives are short and I want to encourage you make the most of today. Keeping your eyes on Christ and trusting him.          

Freedom

 “How joyful is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered! How joyful is a person whom the Lord does not charge with iniquity and in whose spirit is no deceit!” Psalm 32:1-2

When I was in the Air Force Security Forces one of the many things we did for training was go on ruck marches.  We would load up our gear on our backs and walk for miles in formation.  It wouldn’t be long before the 50-pound pack started to feel like a 300-pound gorilla.  At the finish, we couldn’t wait to be released from our weighty burden. Once that pack slipped from our backs it was the greatest feeling!  You could move again and everyone around you was feeling the same way.  Silent groans of determination gave way to joyous sounds of laughter and relief.   

The Psalmist talks about carrying the burden of his sin.  He says his bones became brittle from groaning all day long. (v.3)  He felt like the hand of God was heavy on him draining him of his strength. (v.4) When he could no longer bear the weight of his sin be repented.  He turned to God and acknowledged his sin to God.  He brought his sin out into the open and no longer had to hide it.  He confessed his transgressions to the Lord and the Lord forgave the guilt of his sins. (v.5)

1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” God is faithful and he promises to forgive us of our sin.  It all hinges on us to be confessional.  What burden are you carrying?  What do you need to confess to God?  I want to encourage you to trust God enough to confess your sin.  Believe your sins are forgiven through Jesus Christ and turn to the Lord who forgives.  Have the confidence in knowing God will strengthen you and walk with you through your struggle.  Be joyful knowing your sins have been erased and live in the joy of your freedom.     

You Are My God

“Be strong, and let your heart be courageous, all you who put your hope in the Lord” (Psalm 31:24 CBS)

The Psalmist is feeling overwhelmed, he is greatly distressed.  His eyes are worn out with frustration and his life is being consumed with grief. (v.9-10) Greif and stress has taken its toll on him and he is at the end of his rope.  It would be easy for him to continue to turn inward and slide down the hole of despair and depression.  But he turns his gaze to the Lord and says, “But I trust you Lord; I say, “You are my God.” The course of my life is in your power, rescue me from the power of my enemies and from my persecutors.” (v.14-15)     

The Psalmist recognizes where his help will come from and he turns to the only one who can rescue him.  This is very important for those who are feeling like life has run them over.  It’s easy to blame others, it’s easy to drown in our sorrows.  But it is difficult for us to raise our heads and turn to God who is waiting.  I think this happens for several reasons, one being pride.  It’s hard for us to admit our need for help and we hate to admit we are wrong.  Second, we get into ruts and it feels like it’s impossible to get out of the hole we are in and we get comfortable there.  It becomes what we “know” and we are more afraid of freedom because it is “unknown”.   Think of a battered wife who refuses to leave her abusive husband—to leave would take her into the unknown and it scares her more than what she knows.

I want to encourage you this morning with the words of the Psalmist, be strong!  Turn from what is holding you down and turn to God who is your strength and hope.  Be courageous to step out into the unknown and trust the Lord with all your heart.  Put your hope in the Lord and know how much he loves you!  Know he will fight for you and lift you out of the desolate pit and place your feet upon a rock.  He will put a new song in your mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.  Only trust him and declare, “You are my God!”       

Everything is Temporary

“I have asked one thing from the Lord; it is what I desire: to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, gazing on the beauty of the Lord and seeking him in his temple.” (Psalm 27:4 CSB)

When David wrote these words he wasn’t a stranger to battles. He fought in many battles and many times his life was threatened.  In this Psalm he declares, “The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom should I fear?  The Lord is the stronghold of life, whom should I dread”.  David trusted in the Lord and in the face of the enemy he was strengthened by his faith.  His eyes were squarely focused upon his Lord.  Regardless if he lived or died he longed to dwell in the house of the Lord.  He longed for the day when he would be able to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord. 

Paul while in chains said, “For me to live is Christ and to die is gain”. (Phil. 1:21) We live in the world that is temporary.  Nothing here will last forever, it is always changing and eventually will no longer exist.  Jesus is forever.  We are not children of the temporary but we are children of eternity.  How does this play out in this life?  Nothing we face here on this little ball last forever, it may feel like it, but it will pass—pain, hurt, cancer, diabetes, hatred, betrayal, politics, presidents, you name it, it's temporary.  The only thing that last is God.  The only thing that is unchanging in this universe is God. 

This gives me a great sense of hope.  I am encouraged by this incredible reality—this truth.  I can face the day with confidence and I can have peace no matter the situation.  It also frees me to truly live.  It allows me to love those around me and to be thankful for the time I do have.  It gives my life purpose knowing I am living for a greater glory—the glory of the Lord!  Live free, live in peace knowing one day you will gaze upon the beauty of the Lord.        

Believe in the Lord Jesus

“Sir, what must I do to be saved” Acts 16:30b

The jailer had dosed off.  He had secured his prisoners, two Jewish men who had caused a disturbance.  They had been stripped of their clothing and beaten.  The magistrate ordered the jailer to make sure they were carefully watched.  These men were not like his usual clients, these two men were at peace.  They rejoiced at being beaten, they joyfully sang and prayed.  He shackled them in the most secure part of the jail and confident they were not going anywhere he rested his eyes. Suddenly and without warning the foundations of the jail shook violently.  Jolted from his rest the jailer ran out to see all the doors of the cells open, he drew his sword to end his life.  He knew the magistrate would kill him if the prisoners had escaped and he was going to take matters into his own hands. 

At the moment of desperation a voice called out of the darkness, “Don’t harm yourself, because we’re all here!” The jailer called for lights and rushed to verify what was said to him.  Seeing the prisoners still in their cells he fell to his knees in front of Paul and Silas.  Trembling he said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”  They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved—you and your household.”  The jailer took them home and his whole household believed and were baptized. 

The jailer was in a hopeless situation and he saw no way out.  It was at that very moment God intervened through the apostle Paul and the jailer was rescued.  His life was never the same from that point on.  Where are you?  Have you reached the end?  I have a message for you, believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved.  Turn to Jesus the living savior and he will forever change your life.  Join the jailer and his family and rejoice in the Lord.               

God Knew

“I know about their sufferings and I have come down to rescue them from the power of the Egyptians and to bring them from that land to a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey” (Exodus 3:7b-8 CSB)

The people of Israel had been in captivity in Egypt for many years and had grown in numbers.  So much so the Egyptians feared they may someday over throw them.  They enslaved the Hebrews and even went so far as to start killing all the male babies.  It was in the midst of their cries and suffering God heard them. He rescued the infant Moses from the water and had him raised in the palace of the Pharaoh.  He was educated and taken care of and yet seeing his people oppressed he lashed out and killed an Egyptian.  He had to flee everything he knew and became a sheep herder.  For 40 years he labored in the desert while his people suffered.

At the right moment God spoke these words to Moses out a burning bush.  He knew about the people's suffering and he had come down to rescue them and to bring them into a land where they would be taken care of.  Does this story sound familiar to you?  One of the absolutely wonderful thing about the bible is how God doesn’t change and he is fulfilling his plan.  We can read his promises and we can read about his faithfulness in fulfilling those promises.

Fast forward and God is still using the same game plan. He has heard the suffering of his people in the bondage of sin and he came down to rescue them and to deliver them to the promise land. Only this time he didn’t send a flawed man, he came down personally.  He took residence among us, humbled himself to the point of dying on the cross.  This time he would defeat sin and death, the real enemies—he would set his people free once and for all. Not only does he free them but he is preparing a place for them.  A place with no more sin or death.  A place with no more suffering and pain.  A place where he will wipe away the tears from his people and he will be their God.  The sun will no longer shine but the light of the Son will shine brightly and there will be no darkness.
I don’t know where you are in life.  Perhaps you find yourself in places you never imagined you would be in.  Maybe you’re suffering or cruising through life at light speed and want to stop. I want to encourage you this morning God knows.  He knows where you are in life and he wants you to know he has come down to free you and wants to walk you home through this life.      
     

Think before you speak...

“Your speech should always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer each person.” (Colossians 4:6 HCSB)

It’s concerning to read social media today and to hear how people talk to one another.  There seems to be little room for discussion or tolerance of different points of view.  How we talk to others matters.  Paul reminds us that our conversations are to always be gracious and seasoned with salt. 

Being seasoned with salt is thought to mean to be witty or winsome.  In other words, we should give well thought out responses.  We should talk to others with grace and not in anger—not "over charged" with emotions. We shouldn’t crush people to prove them wrong just to win the argument.  When we talk to others it should be with a heart to glorifying Christ. I see this also a “measured” response, from a life that is lived in Christ.  Is your heart is right, are you praying, to give an answer out love for the other person.  If you are not ready for a measured response be quiet, hit the delete button! 

On my desk I have a small sign under the monitor that simply reads “Be sure brain is engaged before putting mouth in gear”.  I have had this sign for years on my desk and it doesn’t point to people I’m talking to.  It serves as a reminder to me to stop and think before I speak.  I also think about Proverbs 5:1-2 which says, “A gentle answer turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs up wrath. The tongue of the wise makes knowledge attractive, but the mouth of fools blurts out foolishness.”

I hope as you reading this you’ll start to think about what you’re saying to others.  I hope for graciousness and wisdom will guide your heart before you engage your mouth or fingers on your keyboards.   

Shrewd Serpents

“Look, I’m sending you out like sheep among the wolves.  Therefore be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves” (Matthew 10:16 CSB)

Jesus is sending out the disciples to proclaim the kingdom of heaven is near to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.  They couldn’t take anything with them and were to be totally dependent upon God to provide for them through the kindness of others.  As they are leaving Jesus gives them this warning, how they would suffer.  As we read the book of Acts we know that is exactly what happened.  We know they were arrested, beaten and in the end killed for their faith.  He also told them not to worry about what they said when brought before magistrates and kings.  He told them in those moments “it isn’t you speaking but the Spirit of your Father is speaking through you”.   

How then are we to interact with the world that has entirely different set of values? How do we not compromise the gospel and still engage the world around us?  How do we remain sheep among the wolves?  Prayer—devote yourselves to prayer, as if your very life depended upon it.  Be alert to the needs of those around you and act—be thankful.  Act wisely towards those who are outside the faith, don’t waste your time, but live with a sense of urgency knowing the time is short.  Be gracious towards everyone, be wise when speaking to others.  Especially on social media where you have an audience watching and not responding.  Know how to explain and defend your faith—be able to answer people when they ask about the hope that is in you. 

We live among wolves and we have to be wise to that reality.  Because there is more at stake than some political agenda—like the eternal destiny of those we love.  We need to live dependent upon God, praying for those around us and those in ministry.  We need to live thankfully and graciously.  We need to be innocent as doves and as wise as serpents.   

Evil Plans

“You planned evil against me; God planned it for good to bring about the present result—the survival of many people” (Genesis 50:20 CSB) 

Jacob is dead and he has been buried.  Joseph’s brothers now fear what may happen to them with their father’s protection gone.  They had sold Joseph into slavery, ripping him from his home.  They had lied about his death to their father.  Joseph was falsely accused by his master’s wife and thrown in jail.  There he was forgotten about by the cupbearer and eventually was rescued by God.  By interrupting a dream of Pharaoh he saved Egypt from disaster and eventually saved his own family.  Years later Joseph sees the bigger picture of God’s sovereignty and faithfulness. 

This isn’t the only time God has used the evil plans of people in order to save them.  Jesus was innocent and without sin.  He did nothing wrong and yet the evil of man plotted and succeeded in killing him.  What they didn’t know was God was working out his predetermined plan to save man, using their evil hearts.  The men who were pounding in the nails into Jesus’ hands were the very ones whom Jesus came to save.  The religious leaders planned evil against Jesus and God planned it for good—to save his people.

What about you? Have you suffered at the hands of others?  Remember what God’s word says in Romans 8:28, “We know all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.”  You are not forgotten, you are not alone, God is working all things to the GOOD of those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ.  Trust in Christ, walk with him and know he is with you.  Understand you are part of God’s bigger plan saving his people to bring Glory to his name.  Be encouraged and walk boldly in faith!    

Greatest Need

“Just then some men brought to Him a paralytic lying on a mat. Seeing their faith, Jesus told the paralytic, "Have courage, son, your sins are forgiven.” (Matthew 9:2 HCSB)

A group of men who obviously cared for their friend brought him to Jesus.  He was a paralytic and unable to move on his own.  He had to have others care for him and his friends bring him to Jesus.  They were looking for healing and Jesus seeing their faith said, “Have courage, son, your sins are forgiven.”  Now that seems like a strange thing doesn’t it.  Why didn’t Jesus heal him first?  What is the bigger issue here?  Jesus was more concerned with the condition of man’s soul than he was with his physical well-being. “Don't fear those who kill the body but are not able to kill the soul; rather, fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:28). 

Jesus knew the greatest healing we can receive is the forgiveness and freedom from the bondage of sin.  Also he knew the religious leaders were listening.  They accused Jesus of blaspheming God.  They believed only God can forgive sin and Jesus was claiming to be able to do what only God could do!  Jesus wanting to heal the man completely and to challenge the religious leaders told the man to get up and walk.  The man did just that, he got up, picked up his mat and went home.  By doing so Jesus declared he had the authority on earth to forgive sins.  This would have had a profound impact on the leaders and the people, because they associated sin with disease, in that God was punishing the person afflicted.  But here we see Jesus not only forgive the man of sin, but also restore him physically.  He freed him from bondage and set him free physically and spiritually.  The crowd was awestruck (3:8) and they gave glory to God.  Understand your greatest need is the forgiveness of sin and Jesus came to set you free!  

Doing Right

“But the Lord was with Joseph and extended kindness to him.  He granted him favor with the prison warden” Genesis 39:21

Wait a minute!  Let’s rewind and take a look at the story of Joseph to understand why I would want to pause.  Joseph was his father’s favorite and he let his 11 brothers know it.  He also shared dreams of his brothers and parents bowing down to him.  This caused his father to even question him and stirred his brothers to hatred.  His brothers wanted to kill him but instead sold him into slavery. Once Joseph is sold into slavery he does very well for God and his new master.  That is until his master’s wife accused him of trying to seduce her. Joseph did everything right and refused to sin against his master and especially against God.  His reward was to be thrown in prison!  Where God extended him favor with the prison warden!  Again Joseph does everything right in prison and is forgotten by a cupbearer for two years after helping him.  Only then God used Joseph to bless Pharaoh and Egypt and his family.  Let me ask you a question, have you ever suffered for doing the right thing?  I want to remind you of Joseph’s story and hope it encourages you to stay the course.  Doing right by God is never the wrong way and in the end, will have a greater impact on the kingdom for God’s glory.  Be encouraged today!

~ps 

Judging and Planks

The one bible verse everyone knows is Matthew 7:1 “Do not judge, so that you won’t be judged”.  But what is rarely shared is the rest of the verses that give this verse context. The very next verse is scary and should cause you to pause “For you will be judged by the same standard with which you judge others, and you will be measured by the same measured you use”

Did you catch the end? It didn’t say you would be judged by the same standard you LIVE but by the standard, you USED to measure others.  What is so scary?  The standard you use is most likely the standard you would like to live by but can’t and so you project that standard on others.  In other words it’s a standard you can never live up to and yet you expect others to reach it.  That is the standard God is going to use to judge you!  In the same set of verses, Jesus is addressing Hypocrisy, first take the plank of wood out of your own eye before you attempt to take a splinter out of your brother’s eye.  When we read this passage we should be greatly humbled by our own shortcomings and how far God has brought us by his immeasurable grace, before we look to judge others sins.  And when approach a brother or sister struggling you do so with gentleness and respect.  Galatians 6:1 “Brothers and sisters, if someone is overtaken in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual, restore such a person with a gentle spirit, watching out for yourself so you won’t be tempted”  God bless and live for God’s greater glory!