Lessons

We see in Luke 19:1-10 the story of Jesus meeting Zacchaeus. It says that the “church people” murmured or muttered. What was the problem? Jesus was talking to, and then going to this sinner’s house!

I think this highlights three things about sharing the Gospel message:

1. God is a seeking God.

2. God calls us by name.

3. Jesus identifies with us as individuals.

We, the church, need to be more like Jesus. If someone was lost in the woods or drowning wouldn’t we try to save them? Do we approach sharing the gospel with the same determination and passion?

Are we applying the lessons that Jesus taught us: going out in the community, taking time and interest in others? Many churches believe if they keep things nice, do things the way we’ve always done it, and open the doors then people will come. Now this is not a judgment on what was, but realization that time has change. We have new opportunities to apply timeless Christ principles – if we are willing.

Have a good and godly day.

Vision

God is calling His church to have a renewed vision. We must have a passionate and clear vision of what God has called us to do and of what we need to be. Too often we have taken our feet off the pedal and looked too long in the rear view mirror at past glories.

Someone has said: “When we have more memories than dreams, life is over." When we have greater memories than dreams we will never make a difference in changing our world for God. We must know where we are going and what we are going to do!  We must dream great dreams! The challenge before us is to aim high. Low aim is a crime - it’s a sin!

God told Isaiah in Isaiah 43:18-19:
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” You and I can do the same! We can endure by fixing our eyes on our Lord.
God calls us to be courageous:

Even when the evil seem to prosper
Even when the wicked seem to be winning
Even when the pressure seems to be unbearable
Even when the critics won’t shut up
Even when big people act contemptibly small.
Even when we feel as though we’re all alone
Even when a lie is called truth, and the truth is called a lie.
 
As you stand on the edge of a new change, a new challenge, a new commitment -- look at Christ! Whatever it is you are facing - look at Christ! With our eyes on Christ we can go forward fearlessly, and know that the things which are shaken will only reveal the Eternal and Unmovable God! Bring on the changes -- world do your worst!

God uses ordinary people totally committed to Him to make a difference in a changing world. One person can make a difference!

What is He calling you to do today?

Have a good and Godly day.

Change

It is true that God never changes, but God is also a God of new ideas, of innovation. God is a God who uses change. We must pray for new visions. We cannot be content with what is. We must crave what can be. That which holds our attention will determine our actions!

If you want to be distressed - look within. If you want to be defeated - look back.
If you want to be distracted - look around. If you want to be dismayed - look ahead.
If you want to be delivered - look up! When we focus our attention upon the Lord:

Setbacks will become springboards! Obstacles will turn into opportunities! Barriers will turn into blessings! Cowards will become courageous!

We can learn from Moses. Hebrews 11:27 tells us: " By faith he left Egypt not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing Him who is unseen." Those last words are words which should instruct us. Moses’ eyes were on God and he was able to endure. The Living Bible says: he " kept right on going!" Moffatt’s translation says, " He never flinched."

Moses had staying power - even with all the changes that challenged him.That power is available to all of us.
 
Moses kept his eyes on God, not the obstacles. He endured in his eighties, in his nineties, and on into his hundreds. He endured despite the contempt of Pharaoh, the stubbornness of the Hebrews who grumbled, maligned him, complained, and rebelled. He endured amidst the criticism of those closest to him. He fixed his eyes on the Lord, and never looked back.

You and I can do the same! We can endure by fixing our eyes on our Lord, and allowing His changes to happen in our lives. Amen?
Have a good and Godly day.

Focused

I use the word focus a lot in my teaching and counseling. The truth is that I use that word as much for my own benefit as those I am sharing it with.  In Hebrews 1:2 it says, We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. To keep our minds on the things of God and to be obedient we must focus! This is essential in order to live a Christ-like life. The Bible directs us in this, Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. - Colossians 3:2-3

Four things that help me focus:

1. Prayer – Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain.- Psalm 127:1

2. Use of Multiple Reinforcements – So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; will uphold you with my righteous right hand.- Isaiah 41:10

3. Adjust Behavior – Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. - James 1:22

4. Change Thinking – Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.- Eph. 5:1-2

Use your prayers, thoughts, faith, and mind to help you stay focused. God deserves nothing less than our best.

Have a good and Godly day.

Saying No

The other day I was at Borders checking out their Going out of Business deals.

As I was looking at a book I heard an employee next to me talking to a woman who had “borrowed” one of the stores carts. She had loaded it with items. The employee told her she wasn’t suppose to use it, and would take her books to the front where she could pay for them later. The woman strongly resisted saying, ‘You can’t have them. Somebody will steal them.”

That person left and shortly another employee came to relieve her of her cart but met the same resistance. It was getting a little weird, so I went to the other side of the store where the music is displayed. After laying down a cd I was looking at a hand quickly reached in front of me grabbing the cd and putting it on her cart. Yes, the woman had followed me! I went down further and she reached in front of me again grabbing the item I was looking at. I quickly went down the row over to the next aisle, and within seconds she was standing at my side.

I asked, “Can I help you?” She replied, “I’ve ran out of ideas of things to put on my cart so I will take things you are interested in.” I prayed quickly and looked her in the eye, “You need to stop this right now.” She looked down and said, “I will, I promise, I am sorry.” She left her cart and left. I guess that was a hobby of hers to go around picking up all sorts of things, and then leaving without buying. The employees were glad she stopped.

I thought about this later and came to the conclusion that this is like our relationship with God sometimes. We get busy doing all sorts of things that really don’t help others, but we don’t know how to stop. It’s freeing when we’re told to stop! We can promise God that we will stop, say we are sorry, and then change our behavior. That’s cool. I think they call it repentance and forgiveness.

Do you need to “stop” certain behavior, thoughts, or words today?

Have a good and Godly day.

Digging Deeper

As we mature as believers our understanding of God’s Word should grow as well. A deeper understanding of the Word of God can only occur if we spend time hearing, reading, studying, memorizing, and meditating on it. The account of Jesus feeding over 5,000 people is one of these stories. We learn as children about Jesus’ love, using a little boy’s lunch, and the great miracle that followed. By digging deeper into this passage we can learn Biblical truths that give us direction, and help us grow in Christ.

We can learn lessons in giving, receiving, and blessings when we are doing God’s work. First we must be willing to give whole heartedly to the work of the Lord. The boy in this story gave all he had to Jesus. In his eyes and those around him it sure didn’t seem like much, but because of his faithfulness, and belief that Christ can truly do all things, something unexpected was about to occur. In our lives, we may feel that what we have to give isn’t much, but when we give it all to Him, heaven rejoices. What in your life have you not turned over to the Lord for His kingdom’s work? He is waiting for you.

The Lord will receive from us what is given to do His work. If you notice, Jesus didn’t go looking for food, but accepted what was offered to Him. God is funny like that. He told a group of church people one time that after a poor widow gave a couple of coins in the collection plate that she was the greatest giver. Why? Because she gave all she had.  Jesus wants us to give our gifts of service, money, talents, and resources to do His work. When we have that same giving heart as the widow, God will accept it, multiply it, and allow us have it back to use it in ways we can never imagine.

It says that Jesus took the fish and loaves and blessed them, and then He gave it back to them. The disciples distributed the food, everyone ate all they could, and there were 12 baskets of leftovers! When Jesus blesses what we have entrusted to Him, it will come back to us many times over. Just think about what God can do with your offering. Probably something we could never expect, but will be amazed at what He can do through willing followers. Are you ready to accept Jesus’ blessing?

Have a good and Godly day.

Get Up

Not long ago I bought a book because I liked what it said on the cover, “God wants you wise, free, and full of power – seizing life beyond belief.” The introduction shared that it was fresh look at Paul’s letter to the Galatians.

It shows us:

“The futility of sin – and how to overcome the old sin nature.

The wonder of true freedom in Christ.

The awesome potential of walking in the Spirit.

The revolutionary power of God’s kingdom.

The centrality of love to the Christian faith.

The abundant ministry available to you through the fruit of the Spirit.”

It said that today we are caught up in the same traps that the Galatians were in because of their foolish thinking. The message is liberating for the faithful, and a reminder to stop our foolish thinking!

I wondered why a fairly recent book was selling at the dollar store, but thought it might help me in the “I’ve Fallen” series I was preparing. I learned that the author was the founding and Senior Pastor of an 11,000 member church and president of  a 22 million member evangelistic group. The named sounded familiar, then I remembered. He was one of those national Christian leaders who fell from prominence because of a sex scandal. Subsequently he lost his job and fell from public grace.

Our first reaction would probably be to toss the book. I came to this conclusion, just because the author fell to sin does not change the message Paul gave. It just wasn’t applied to his life. Before we get too “self-righteous” I think we need to confess that we don’t always apply God’s Word to our lives all the time either. An Amen or Oh-Me is in order here!

David, in the Bible, illustrates this “non-application” in his life as well. He knew how to obey and please God, but failed. We all fall down, just like television preachers, and people every day do. The goal in all of our situations should be to “Get Up” with God’s help. Amen?

Have a good and Godly day