Monday, April 13, 2015

When the Door Closes

The suspense thrills us.  The excitement draws is in.  The agony makes our hearts ache.  

Not every movie has the scene, but some do.  And the ones that do, are incredibly intense. You've seen it, many times, I'm sure.  The main set of characters ends up in a tunnel or cave of some kind.  They are trapped on one end, and the only exit begins to close.  The door slowly inches its way down - as if some unknown source has pushed a garage door opener - threatening to trap the unprepared cast in a tomb-like structure forever.  Invariably, some make it out...and some do not.  Those who are trapped are left screaming incessantly for help from the other side, but to no avail.  Nothing can be done once the door closes.  

Now that I've gotten your attention, let me show you a similar, real life dilemma that WILL happen:  "When once the Master of the house has risen up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock at the door, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open for us,' and He will answer and say to you, 'I do not know you, where you are from,' then you will begin to say, ' We ate and drank in Your presence and You taught in our streets.' But He will say, 'I tell you I do not know you, where you are from.  Depart from Me, all you workers of iniquity."  Luke 13:25-27.

Talk about suspense...except this kind will not end once the last credit has rolled off the screen.  This suspense and drama is not made up of actors or actresses who get paid to play a part.  This kind of drama is real...very real...scary real.  

Jesus is saying that there are many of us - many in the church - who have no clue that they are seriously still trapped in their sin.  The ones He is speaking of - the ones of the other side of that cold, heavy door - are "church-goers." These people may even sing in the choir, but on THAT day, they have the surprise of their very lives thrust upon them.  They, who thought they knew Jesus and were known by Him, are actually just viewers of His grace, not participants.  

Look back at the passage.  Those who were locked outside - those who He said He didn't know - weren't the ones lying in some alley somewhere.  They weren't the ones had never seen Jesus, nor heard His teaching.  They weren't the ones who were in the bars and doing illegal and illicit things while Christ was in their city.  

No.  

The scary thing is, the people who are left outside, are the people who were very familiar with Jesus.  They were so familiar that they had eaten dinner with Him on occasion.  He possibly had even been in their homes.  They followed Him down the street as He taught of grace and mercy, sin and forgiveness - probably shaking their heads in agreement the entire time.  

No, they were not unfamiliar with Jesus.  They were very familiar...maybe, too familiar. Maybe they were SO familiar that they assumed He would NEVER close the door on them. After all,they KNEW Jesus.  They were His "buds."  Jesus was "alright with them."  Yet, in reality, He never knew them.  These people simply assumed a Family relationship because of their knowledge of Him, without ever actually being adopted into His family.  

O beloved of God - this is not meant to scare you.  It's not meant to threaten you  It's meant to make you think - really think about your relationship with Jesus.  Is it real?  Is your time with Him MORE than just your name on a church roll or your presence on the pew?  Is your relationship with Him solid?  Have you indeed turned from your previous way of life and accepted the LIFE He gives?  If not, please don't wait for the door to close.  Then it will be too late.  Settle it today.  

No, settle it now.  

Jesus, we are all in need of a little introspection on occasion.  I pray for those who are seeking out their relationship with You, right now.  I pray that You will indeed acknowledge Your presence or Your absence in their lives, so that they can make any decision necessary to change.  I pray for the ones who will be with You on that day - that they would encourage those around them to join You in life everlasting.  Open our eyes, today, Lord, so that we can know the Truth and so that You can set us free.  

Monday, April 6, 2015

It's Not Too Late

"It's too late.  He's gone."

I can see Peter, in my mind's eye, muttering these words to himself over and over.  The One who had loved him - and Whom he had loved - was dead.  He saw it happen.  It was over. 

So, can you imagine the breathless expectation...the intense beating of his heart...the hope-filled excitement that raced through the veins of that guilt-ridden disciple as the women spoke of Christ's resurrection?  "Could it be?  Could it be that I'm not too late?  That He's not really gone after all?  Could it be that I might have a second chance - that I can at least tell Him that I really DO love Him and that I will NEVER deny Him again?  Could it be?" 

I would imagine thoughts like these spurred the disciple forward and out the door - sprinting in a race for his life to see the empty tomb for himself. 

And what did he find when he got there?  Was it true?  Was Jesus really alive? 

You'd better believe it.  It was true alright, and Peter would indeed receive that "second chance" from Christ.  His guilt would be cleansed, and the humbled, "fisher of men" would never be the same. 

What about you?  Had your "second chance" yet?  How about your third or fourth?  Or if you are like me...how about your trillionth? 

It's not too late, you know.  Jesus is still NOT dead.  If He were, there would be no need for me to write any of this.  Oh, I might be able to pat you on the back for the way you're proceeding up the corporate ladder or give you tips on how to better take care of your goldfish, but there would be no real swapping of life-changing information.  Sin would be sealed in our hearts, and a sign reading "Guilty" would be hanging over our heads. 

But as with Peter, it's not too late.  The "Guilty" sign can be removed permanently.  Jesus can trade that ratty old sign with a brand new one, glittering with gold and imprinted with the word "Forgiven." 



How about it?  Ready to swap signs? 

Dear friend, if you are not a believer, can I tell you with great sincerity and fear for your soul - one day, it WILL be too late.  One day, you will no longer have the chance to speak to Jesus about your guilt.  One day, forgiveness from Him will no longer be an option.  One day, your spirit will leave this place.  Will you be ready when it does?  Jesus is waiting.  He's waiting for you to lay aside your reservations and come running to find Him.  Tell Him NOW that you want Him to get rid of the gunk in your life...that you are ready to confess Him before men as the Savior of the world.  

Don't put this off anymore.  It's not too late...yet.  Forgiveness is still available. 

And that goes for you too, my Believing friend.  I also need to tell you - it's not too late.  You sin is not grievious enough to steal away your relationship from the One Who loves you.  It's not strong enough to continue to hold your hands in a vice grip and your heart in a guilt-ridden cage.  You don't have to remain this way. 

Jesus is alive.  It's not too late!  Forgiveness is still available.  As a matter of fact, He's waiting for you, too.  He's been missing your time with Him - your relationship with Him.  He wants you to speak with you right now.  Won't you turn and face your Savior - your Friend - your Jesus today? 

It's not too late! 

I praise You Jesus, that You are alive and well and sitting at the right hand of the Father - encouraging me, helping me, cheering me on.  I praise You that death could not hold You...that it had no power over You and therefore, will  have none over me!  Thank You that it's not too late for me to speak with You now...to fellowship with You...to tell You that I love You.  You are indeed, alive! 

Monday, March 16, 2015

Leaning

She's a walking miracle - literally, a walking miracle.  My mom is "not supposed" to be alive, and yet, she grabs her walker and hustles around the house, fulfilling her therapy duty!  

It kinda concerned me at first.  She put all of her weight on that bolted-together piece of aluminum, just like it was steel.  

It seems to work, though.  She won't win the Indy 500, but she's sure trying. 

Seeing my mom "lean hard" on her walker has added new meaning to one of my favorite verses.  Proverbs 3:5 says to "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and LEAN not on your own understanding."  

Let me explain.  For instance, what would happen if somehow her walker was damaged?  What if someone took a baseball bat to one of the legs and bent it?  What would she do?  Do you think she would use the damaged piece of metal as she had before?  Do you think she would put all of her weight on it, trusting the broken piece wouldn't give way?  I don't think so.  It would be ridiculous for her to think that her walker - in the condition that it was in - would hold her weight.  

Who would do lean on something so faulty, expecting it to hold them up?  

The answer - ME!  

You see, because of the Fall of man in the Garden of Eden...because sin entered the world and the human race...our understanding is just like that damaged walker - frail and flawed.   And therefore, we can't be trusted to "lean" on it.  

Instead, we are told to "lean" on Him...to trust what Jesus has to say about a situation...to trust His leading in a decision, even when it seems crazy and irrational.

For instance, our human nature tells us that when we are hurt by someone, we should retaliate.  We should return evil for evil...right?  And yet, God tells us differently.  God's Word says that revenge is not ours.  It's His.  He tells us to trust that He will repay.  In other words, we have to "lean" NOT on our own understanding, but trust Him to do what He says He will do. 

Our humanity tells us that it's okay to respond whatever way we "feel" is appropriate.  Yet, Scripture tells us to not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Rom, 12:1).  We can't act like unbelievers, basing our responses on how we feel at the moment.  We are to be transformed, not conformed. We have to trust Him that what He says actually works - leaning NOT on what we think we see, but what He really does see!  

Father thank You that you have not left us to navigate this world with our own understanding.  Thank You that Your Word provides every direction we need to do the right thing and bring You pleasure.  Thank You, Father.    












Monday, March 2, 2015

Remember to Tell Them

As parents, we talk to our kids about a lot of things:  the weather, school problems, table-manners, how NOT to eat disgusting things, nor hide their dirty clothes in their closets!  Yet, how long has it been since you've talked to your kids about Jesus? How long has it been since you've spoken to them about the glorious works of God in your life - past and present?  How long has it been since you shared a verse of Scripture to encourage them through some difficulty they are experiencing?

How long?

"But they don't want to hear it," you might say.  "They roll their eyes, and I feel like they are a million miles away when I bring it up."  So, instead of speaking, you choose to be silent and pray that God speaks to them.  All the while, He gave them YOU to be His mouthpiece!

Whether you and I realize it or not, our kids ARE listening.  And if Scripture is indeed, "Life" as it promises in Hebrews 4:12, then when we speak Scripture to them, we are speaking LIFE into them...rolled eyes or not.

Deuteronomy 11:2-7 says, "Today remember that your children were NOT the ones who saw and experienced the discipline of the Lord your God; His majesty, His mighty hand, His outstretched arm; the signs He performed and the things He did in the heart of Egypt, both to pharaoh king of Egypt and to His whole country; what He did to the Egyptian army, to its horses and chariots, how He overwhelmed them with the waters of the Red Sea as they were pursuing you, and how the Lord brought lasting rain on them  It was NOT your children who saw what He did for you in the desert until you arrived at this place and what He did to Dathan and Abiram, sons of Eliab the Reubenite, when the earth opened its mouth, right in the middle of all Israel and swallowed them up with their households, their tents and every living thing that belonged to them, but it was your own eyes that saw all these great things the Lord has done." 

We assume that our kids know stuff, don't we?  We assume they will turn to Jesus during their difficult times, because they know He is faithful.  We assume that they know of His power and strength to supply their every need.  We assume that church attendance and Sunday school is enough to provide them with everything they need for their spiritual growth.  Yet, Scripture states we are to remember that it is OUR responsibility as parents to teach our kids, because they haven't "seen" God, as we have "seen" God.  They haven't "experienced" His power, as we have "experienced" it.   They haven't "heard" Him gently speak, as we have "heard" from Him.  

I'm not just talking about your "little" children, either.  Our kids are our kids...regardless of their age. They NEVER become too old to hear about God's faithfulness in our lives, and the Word of God is never without effect in theirs.

So, my encouragement to you is to speak LIFE into your kids today.  He has been good to you.  He has been faithful to you.  He has been your Provider, your Sustainer, your Hope.

Remember to tell them that.

Thank You, Jesus for this reminder to speak LIFE into my kids, regardless of their reactions.  May I remember...and then act.  
    






Monday, February 16, 2015

Fervent Love

Yes, Valentine's Day is over.  The large red cardboard hearts are torn asunder.  The chocolate candy is no longer lingering on the mouth corners of small children.  The stores are no longer selling large pink stuffed gorillas, except on clearance.

Sad, isn't it?  The holiday that celebrates love in all red has finally come to a close.

... but SHOULD IT?

As Christians, Valentine's Day just reminds us that we need to actually "do" love all year long.  I Peter 4:8 says, "And above all things have fervent love for one another, for love will cover a multitude of sins.

Now, this task wouldn't be so daunting for me, if the text said, "above all things have love for one another...."  That wouldn't surprise me.  What both surprises me and challenges me is the addition of the word "fervent."  Believers are supposed to love one another fervently.

So what in the world does that mean?  In this context, fervent means "to boil" or "to seethe."  Sound like a Valentine's Day love to you every day of the year?  Yes, and no.

The love we have for one another...the love we are supposed to exhibit to one another is a love that drives us to compassion.  It's a love that fuels or motives and our actions.  It's a love that is passionate about the object of it's attention.

I think all too often, I exhibit the verse like this:  "Above all else, have 'comfortable' love for each other."  I love in action and deed with all my human ability, but when it becomes a little uncomfortable to do so, I back away.

Do you do that too?

I wonder why?  I questioned myself about this, and do you know what myself said?  (Yes, I talk to myself on a frequent basis.  And yes, I also answer myself.   And yes, I know what people say about people who do that!)

My answer was eye-opening, to say the least - I love humanly.  I love as much in my human nature as I possibly can.  And the problem is???  

There's no way we can fully love...fervently love...in our human nature.  We do NOT have that capability.  The type of love that Peter is speaking of here is not human love.  It's is "otherworldly." It's spiritual.  It's a love born in the heart and Spirit of God and cannot be accomplished without Him.

So, the next time you feel yourself getting a little uncomfortable and backing away from truly caring about someone - think.  Think to yourself.  Am I loving fervently as Christ would love?  Am I putting his/her needs above my own?  Am I showing this person that he/she is important to me and to the Lord?

If your answer to yourself (see...you talk to yourself too!) is "no," then don't just try to make it happen.  Don't try to think of ways to manufacture "fervent" love on your own.  You will only end up tired and burned out, trying to live and love as Christ.

Instead, get on your face before Jesus and ask Him to fill you with a fervent love...a "boiling" love for your brothers and sisters in Christ.  Ask Him to show you what that means.  Get out His Word and read I Corinthians 13.  Really - read I Corinthians 13 and ask Him to drive "love" deep into who you are.

I promise you.  If you and I can learn to live this way...if we can learn to really LOVE this way, the reality of Christ will be shown throughout the world.  No longer will comfortable love be the norm, but fervent love will exude from every Believer in every place, and Jesus would be exemplified for Who He really is.  Now THAT would make for a great Valentine's!


Monday, February 2, 2015

But If From There...

Where are you today?  

Are you sitting in your home warming yourself by a nice, cozy fire?  Are you lying in bed, reading the paper with one eye open and the other one closed?  Are you waiting by the side of a loved one in the hospital...whispering prayers of healing while they sleep?  

In Deuteronomy 4, the Israelites were somewhere, too...somewhere special.  They were about to cross over into the land God had promised would be there resting place - their final home.  For years they had traveled, wiping dust off their feet and packing up their belongings only to move from one place to the next.  And now, they were almost home.  They were finally on their way to a land where they could stake their tents and stay awhile.  

Moses, their leader, was giving them some final instructions.  He would not be entering the Promised Land with them.  He would never see the land as they saw it.  Instead, he would die before entering.  So, I am sure you can imagine that as they listened, each person - each child - and maybe even the animals hung on his every word, desiring to hear the last few words their leader would say. 

He told them to move forward.  He told them the land was theirs for the taking and to rejoice in their possession of it.  

But then, he gives them a warning.  He explains to them, like he had so many times before, that if they choose to disobey God - if they chose to follow other gods and serve them - that they would be taken from their homeland and given over to other people.  They would be snatched away from the place they would grow to love and would be scattered throughout the countryside as slaves.  Many of them would die in the process.  

However, God then gave them a way out.  He promised He would not leave them there...in THAT place.  He spoke through Moses and said,   "But if from THERE (emphasis mine) you seek the Lord your God, you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul.  When you are in distress and all these things have happened to you, then in later days you will return to the Lord your God and obey Him.  For the Lord your God is a merciful God; He will not abandon or destroy you or forget the covenant with your ancestors, which He confirmed to them by oath" (Deut. 4:29-31).  

I loved that...BUT IF FROM THERE.  Where?  But if from where?  
If from their place of distress...disobedience...disaster.  If from THAT place, the people of Israel would seek God, He promised they would find Him, if they searched for Him with all their hearts. In their slavery and solitude...in the midst of the consequences for their sin...in the midst of horrible situations of their own making - if from THERE, they would call on Him, He would hear them and come to them as a loving Father would.  

So, that begs the question again.  Where are you...spiritually speaking?  Are you there in the midst of your own disobedience, thinking that God will never want your presence again?  Are you suffering the consequences of your own actions, that have put you and your family in a horrible mess?  Are you desperately seeking something to fill your days, because you just can't seem to go on?  

Let me say it again, as Moses said it over thousands of years ago...but if from there!  If from there - wherever you are - you will seek Him with your whole heart and soul - if you will cry out to Him for help, He will hear you.  He will be "merciful" as Moses promised.  He will meet you THERE. 

Thank You, Jesus, that even in places of distress of my own making, You never leave me alone.  You will answer my call for help and mercy, because You are my God.  Thank You, Father. Thank You.  


Monday, December 29, 2014

All is Well

Disbelief.  That's how I would describe my conversation with my sister that night at the beginning of December.  Evidently, my mom had double pneumonia, which turned into fungal meningitis.  My sister said she might not make it through the night. 

I flew out the next morning to help my family four states away, while leaving my own family behind. 

I was there two-and-a-half weeks.  During that time, they placed mom on a ventilator, then took her off and gave her a tracheostomy.  Basically, that's a trach attached to a ventilator.  My dad went to the emergency room two different times for two different reasons, and had surgery the next week.  My sister was in one hospital with my mom, while I sat in the other hospital with my dad!  I got sick and ended up having four shots and two rounds of antibiotics.  My brother had a root canal.  My other brother developed a nasty upper respiratory infection. 

Let's see, the list could go on and on.  Believe me.  Did I mention that my older brother's house was almost burned down by a neighbor's out-of-control burn pile, and my dad's roof started leaking???

Still there's more, but I won't burden you with the details. : )

Yet, in the midst of it all, God was there.  Seriously.  He kept gently reminding me that I was not alone and that He was still in control.  So, when the choir director asked me to play and sing last Sunday (my mom has played the piano there for over 40 years), I found the perfect song.  It's a Christmas song with a beautiful message.  It's not often sung or played.  As a matter of fact, I've only heard it about 5 times in 10 years, but I happened to find it in a worship hymnal that belonged to my sister.  The name of the song is "All is Well." 

The first verse says, "All is well.  All is well.  Angels and men rejoice.  For tonight, darkness fell, into the dawn of Love's light.  Sing al-le.  Sing alleluia!"  The meaning behind it?  ALL IS WELL, because of Jesus. 

Because Jesus was born in a manger, grew to be a man, died on that cruel cross and rose again to conquer death, all is well.  Period.  He has the victory, not just over our sin, but over everything...over hospital rooms and doctors and fires out of control.  He has it all wrapped up in His plan, for He causes all things to work together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Rom. 8:28). 

So, during the special music portion of the service that morning, I sang.  I sang that song as hard and as loud as I could, banging those keys into submission, as a tribute to the victory that I expected He would bring - no matter what.  I prayed that He would allow that to be my testimony for all of the people in the congregation who needed to be reminded that ALL IS WELL, because of Jesus. 

Fast forward to yesterday.  I am back home, sitting in my own church.  I'm glad to be home, but struggling, because part of me wanted to be there again, so I could help my sister - so, I could see my mom getting better - so I could bake biscuits, bacon and eggs for my dad.  

That's when it happened. 

The song service ended, and as the pianist began playing the offertory song, my heart heard a familiar tune...and I began to cry...not tears of grief or sadness - not tears of a burdened heart, but tears of appreciation for my God Who is gentle and so very personal. 

Each chord of the song struck deep into my heart.  I sung to myself, as she played:  "All I well.  All is well.  Angels and men rejoice.  For tonight, darkness fell into the dawn of Love's light.  Sing al-le - sing alleluia!" 

My sweet Father God was speaking...gently speaking, reminding me again that even though I was not beside my mom, that He was. 

All is indeed, well, because of Jesus. 

Maybe He did that just for me.  Or, maybe He did that because I am not the only person in the world that needed to be reminded that all is well, because of Jesus.  Maybe you do, too. 

So, let me be the bearer of wonderful, comforting, glorious news - All is well, my friend.  All is indeed, well. 

Thank You, Father, for the way You speak.  Thank You for whispering life into my heart in the strangest and most wonderful ways.  You are God.  You are in control.  You are the Victor.  All indeed, is well.