Change
Well, tomorrow is my birthday. Almost halfway through my sixties, I suppose I can enjoy life for a couple of more years. But after that I reckon I’ll go check myself into a home, because clearly life will be over, right?
Do you realize how much you thought that to be true when you were younger? I mean, when you are a child, anyone over the age of thirty is old. But sixty? That’s ancient beyond belief.
I’m trying to grow older gracefully and graciously. I don’t want to be the old guy hollering at the neighbor children to get off my lawn.
There are certain aspects of growing older that I’ve accepted. I can’t run up and down a ball court for two hours any longer. I can’t even jog a mile without paying for it.
Change often causes pain for the older generation. We like things the way they were when we were younger. We are comfortable with those things. Why change? That can be the songs on the radio or in the church. It can be the proliferation of technology. Quite frankly, I don’t want to register and pay for everything online.
But there are aspects of technology that I truly enjoy. Automatic climate control in my car, especially when I can crank it remotely, is a wonderful thing. And my wife’s new car has heated and cooled seats!
The truth is that things change, and they’re only going to change more. I am told that my next car may not even have rearview or side mirrors. Rather blind spot will be eliminated by cameras that allow me to see all around my car. I hope I can adjust to that change. Maybe I will figure out how to use Uber before then.
When everything is changing around me it is comforting to read that God never changes. He is always the same…always faithful, always trustworthy, always there. The fact that God does not change does not mean that He is the stubborn old man who refuses progress. No! It is a reminder that He is already perfect in every way. He is God.
God is the same, yesterday, today, and tomorrow. That is a comfort in a world that is changing faster than we can register. You can trust Him today.
Christmas Shopping
Only 149 more days until Christmas! Have you finished your shopping? Right! But let me tell you a true story. Several years ago, about this time of year, I was on the phone with my mom. In a giddy voice, said to me, “I’m through Christmas shopping!” I couldn’t believe it. Mind you, I’m not that guy who heads to the mall at 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve. December is a jam-packed month for a pastor. I can’t wait to the last minute.
A few years after this conversation, Mom had another idea for celebrating Christmas early. In July of 2004 she was diagnosed with brain cancer and told she had six months to live. She lived until April of 2005, but she was determined to enjoy her final Christmas.
So, on Thanksgiving Day 2004, our family gathered at Mom and Dad’s house for Christmas dinner and the exchange of gifts. We played Christmas carols, emptied our stockings, and celebrated. It was a precious time I will never forget.
Mom was determined that she would not miss her last chance to enjoy her grandchildren. She wanted to see their faces when they opened envelopes with checks larger than any of them had ever seen. She wanted them to remember her as the generous and loving lady that she was. She refused to wait until it was too late.
Is there something that you have been delaying that needs to be done? Do you need to take action now? Procrastination will not fix the problem. It will only delay the inevitable. Jesus once said, “Behold, today is the day of salvation.” He was reminding His listeners to do today what they know they should do. Tomorrow may not come. Don’t wait until it’s too late.
This lesson applies to trusting in the Lord. It applies to forgiving that annoying friend or family member. It applies to any number of areas in all of our lives. I encourage you to take action today. It’s always the right time to do the right thing. Celebrate Christmas at Thanksgiving if you must. But don’t put off for tomorrow what needs to be done now.
The Heat!
One of our main topics for conversation at this time of year is the heat. Temperatures in the nineties, and humidity to match. It can be a dangerous combination. I don’t need a “heat index” to tell me I need to sit down and have another glass of sweet tea.
But I am reminded of something I did eighteen years ago this month. My family moved back to our home state of Georgia after 14 years in the upper Midwest. We lived in Indiana and Michigan home during that time.
The day we moved into our rental home in Pembroke was the hottest day of the summer. I mean miserable! Between the paid movers, members of our church, and my family, I have no idea how many gallons of water and Gatorade we consumed that day. It was tough
Still, I had made a vow to the Lord. I promised Him that I would not complain about the heat, no matter how bad it got. I spent eight Februarys in Michigan. No matter what anyone else says, I’ll take August in Coastal Georgia over February in Michigan any day of the week, and twice on Sundays.
But back to my vow. I promised God I would not complain about the heat. I’ve kept that promise. But to my shame, I’ve complained about other things. Like the children of Israel long ago, I have found fault with the marvelous and matchless provision of God. I have not been satisfied.
The Bible tells us to, “Delight in the Lord.” He is good. He is all that we need. And yet, too many times we find ourselves longing for what others have. We are jealous and envious, failing to realize that God has provided for us what we need.
I want to be more thankful. I want to learn to be content, just as Paul was. “My God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in Glory,” he wrote to the Philippians. I pray that we will realize that is as true today as it was then.
Happy Birthday
We celebrated the birthday of the United States of America yesterday. I remember the celebration of the bicentennial in 1976. I was a rising senior in high school. Today, I suppose you could say that I’m still a rising senior.
Please allow me to offer thanks to those of you who have served our country. I consider it to be the greatest place to live on earth. We have so many freedoms and opportunities that we take for granted.
And yet…ours is not a perfect country. Consider this. Some of the very folks who wrote and signed documents that declared that all people are created equal also owned other human beings. They said one thing, and they clearly believed it. But they didn’t always live by those principles.
Paul spoke of a similar thing in Romans 7. Most of us would agree that the apostle was a great man. He was a preacher, a church planter, a missionary, and a man who provided us with a great example to follow.
Still, as Paul discussed his own life he said these words. “I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.” Here’s what I think Paul is saying. Even though he was a committed follower of Jesus, there were times in his life when he simply did the wrong thing. He still committed sin. And it frustrated him.
People sometimes refer to Christians as hypocrites, and there are times when the descriptor fits. We do fail. We do behave in ways that we should not. We do choose the wrong path.
That is why the Gospel matters so much. God has offered salvation and forgiveness to us that is free. We cannot earn it. We simply trust in Him.
It is true that our forefathers did not perfectly follow the principles they put forth in our founding documents. To this day we do not live by them as we should. And the same thing is true in our faith. We do not perfectly follow biblical teaching.
Still, God is good. He forgives and He guides. We can trust Him.
Worship and Rest
Summer officially began this month, but here in southeast Georgia it is safe to say that we have been there a while. The temperature, humidity, and thunderstorms are all present and accounted for, and the many activities of summer have begun.
In our church we have finished Vacation Bible School, and I’m hearing the same refrain over and over. “We won’t be there this Sunday, pastor. We’re going to the (lake, beach, mountains…you fill in the blank) for the week.”
Our Sunday school and worship attendance goes down this time every year in what we commonly call “the summer slump.” I used to fret over this phenomenon, wondering what I could do differently to ensure that attendance stayed strong in June and July.
I don’t have those same worries today. After all, a couple of weeks ago my wife and I were on the Gulf of Mexico for several days of “R & R” ourselves. We sat on the beach and by the pool, visited some historical sites, ate at several fine restaurants, and I hit a golf ball a couple of times.
The truth is we all need time away. We all need breaks. God knows that. If you will remember, He planned for us to take one day a week for rest and worship. He set the example for us by creating in six days, and resting on the seventh. God did not need to rest. But He knew that we do, and so He both told us and showed us what to do.
We need a day each week to relax. But we need as well to gather with other believers in worship. We need not be legalistic by having a list of activities from which we must refrain on this day. But we need to take the time to step away from the regular and persistent chores of life so that we might experience the presence of God each week in a new and powerful manner.
I encourage you to protect this day for worship. Enjoy the Lord and all He has done for you. You will accomplish more in the other six days if you keep the Lord’s command to, “Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy.”
Vacation Bible School
We are in the midst of a long and arduous week at my church. Vacation Bible School is at full speed. What a week! Every morning we have dozens of children walking in the doors, and we spend the day sharing with them what Jesus means to us.
I am so grateful for the people who work so hard for VBS, both during the week, but also in preparation. Many hours of labor are put in so that we might tell the boys and girls of the wonderful love of Jesus. It is exhausting work. But it is also exhilarating work.
I remember my first Vacation Bible School in my church in Michigan. It was the summer of 1998, and we were holding registration in the parking lot on a Saturday morning. At least three different times parents pulled out their checkbooks and asked, “How much is registration?” They were amazed when we assured them that there was no cost. I remember one who insisted that we accept a donation. But others could not believe that we would care for, and teach their children, at no cost for a week.
There is a reason we do such, and it is a simple one. We seek to love others, and to serve others, because Jesus did that for us. The Bible says, “We love, because He first loved us.” The truth of the matter is simple. Love would not be possible without the Lord. I know there are some who might disagree. But it is our Creator who made us with the capacity to love. And He shows us how to love by giving us His love.
Have you experienced the matchless love of God in your life? I trust that you have. The Bible tells us this. “God is love.” His love for us is beyond our imaginations. I pray that you will discover it. It will change your life.
The Flag and the Cross
Today is Flag Day. The Second Continental Congress adopted the flag on June 14, 1777. Later, in 1916 President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation that officially established the day, and then in 1946 an act of Congress was proclaimed.
Flag Day is not an official federal holiday. You will receive your mail, and the banks will be open today. Nevertheless, Flag Day is a big deal. You see, the flag is a symbol. The colors, the stars, and the stripes all remind us of who we are as a nation.
I’ve heard veterans make the remark, “I put my life on the line for this flag.” The fact is that no one would do such for merely a piece of cloth. But they know that the flag stands for much more than that. The flag stands for our freedoms. It stands for our principles. It stands for our people.
You know, there are symbols in every aspect of life. When you walk in many church buildings you will see a variety of symbols. Some churches have banners hanging on the walls. Lots of older churches have stained glass windows. All of these are symbols that point beyond themselves.
Perhaps the symbol that stands above all in the Christian life is the cross. The moment I see a cross of any kind I am reminded of the love that Jesus had for you and me. I remember that He voluntarily went to that cross, and He laid down His life in my place.
Just as the flag stands for our country, the cross stands for our faith. It is a symbol. But it is even more than that. Behind every symbol there is a truth. The cross of Christ was real. It was painful and yet powerful. Because of the cross we can have life forever.
Happy Flag Day. You are blessed to live in this great country. Thanks to every veteran and service member who has fought for our flag. We are grateful for the freedoms we enjoy.
But even more thanks belongs to the One who gave His life for every person who ever lived. Thanks to Jesus for going to the cross.
The Church
More and more I have been hearing this statement. “I’m a follower of Jesus, but I don’t like the church.” It takes many forms, and there are many reasons given for the claim. For instance…
Some tell me the church is full of hypocrites. Others can’t stand church politics. I’ve heard that the church is just after your money. And there are those who say that the church simply does not offer them anything.
I have to admit something to you. I know the church is full of hypocrites. I’m one of them. Not all the time, mind you. But I do hypocritical things. I’m not alone. It’s true for most (maybe all) of us. I also get fed up with church politics.
As for the last two excuses, it does take money to operate a church. I’m not embarrassed to ask people to give, because the Bible calls for us to be generous. Churches need to be transparent in how we use the money given, because it is God’s money. But giving is part and parcel of following Jesus.
I must say that the argument that the church does not benefit someone is tiresome to me. The very attitude is sub-Christian at best. Jesus said about Himself, “The Son of Man came, not to be served, but to serve.” And He has called His children to serve others as well.
Now, I recognize that the church has a responsibility to its members. We are to teach and train and encourage and help them along the way. But as Christians, we are called to serve the church. Often one only “gets out of church” what one puts into it. We need to take care not to approach church as if we were merely consumers. The church deserves more than that.
I hope that you recognize the importance of the church in your walk with Jesus. The Bible refers to the church as the body of Christ, the bride of Christ, and the people of God. Paul said Jesus, “loved the church and gave His life for her.” If the church matters to Jesus, it ought to matter to us as well.
Work
I’m writing this article nearly a month before it will be published. By the end of May more progress will have been made. But today, as I sit at my desk, looking over my computer monitor, I am watching block layers at work on our new building. Our church is building a new social hall and kitchen, and it is exciting to see the work being done.
Many years ago I worked on a construction crew myself. I was not allowed to lay blocks. It was my job to keep the skilled block layers supplied with blocks and “mud.” I drove the “one-wheeled truck” filled with the materials they needed to do their jobs.
As I pushed that wheelbarrow in the hot summer sun, I was motivated to study and do my work to get my college degree. I only worked construction in the summer and over Christmas break. I knew that God had called me to be a pastor, and so my job was simply a means to help me complete my education.
I learned so many things over the three summers I worked for Mr. Cash. I learned to work well with others, even those who did not hold my beliefs. There were a couple of guys who called me, “Preacher Boy,” and not in a complimentary fashion. I learned to work hard. I learned the value of a paycheck. I learned the simple discipline of getting up every day, going to work, and staying with the job for the full day. I also learned a few skills in carpentry, electricity, and plumbing that have saved me a few dollars through the years.
Working construction in the summer was a hard job. It was physical labor. Being a pastor does not require the physical toll that carpentry and masonry did. But it can also be a hard job. In fact, there are not many jobs out there that are not hard in their own way. I even imagine that baseball players sometimes wished they were doing something else.
I am reminded that the Bible says, “Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God…” God has called us all to different tasks. There are no unimportant jobs in the kingdom of God. Whatever you are doing now, even if it is retirement, do your work as if you are working for the Lord. The truth is that you really are!
Remember
This coming weekend is Memorial Day weekend. Traditionally this weekend begins the summer season. This weekend I will probably not go anywhere. I will do some yard work, possibly go to the river to fish, and likely hit a golf ball at some point along the way.
And if I am not careful, I will do the very thing that the title of the weekend tells me not to do. I will forget.
Memorial Day was originally known as Decorations Day, and came to be following the Civil War. But today it is a time when we remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms we share and enjoy in this country.
War is not a good thing. Anyone who has participated would be quick to agree with that statement. But there have been times in history when war has been necessary to preserve the freedoms that we hold dear. And because of these times there are those who have paid the ultimate price, giving their lives for us.
On Memorial Day I am thankful for those folks and for their families. I can only imagine the heartbreak they have endured. It is important that we remember what has been done for us.
And I must remind you that, in some ways, every Sunday is a Memorial Day for the follower of Jesus. Each Sunday we gather to worship the Lord who gave His life and was raised on a Sunday morning some 2000 years ago. He, too, gave His life in our place. How grateful I am for His sacrifice, and even more, that He is alive today.
Have a good Memorial Day. But as you cook out, go swimming, or enjoy a day off of work, remember. Remember those who gave their lives for you. Especially remember the One who gave His life so that you might live forever.
God With Us
Joshua 1:9 reads, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
It’s fascinating to realize that this was the third time in the first nine verses of Joshua that we read, “Be strong and courageous.” Why would God repeat Himself like that?
God was speaking to Joshua as he was taking the mantle of leadership from Moses. Moses had just died, and Joshua was the new chosen leader for the people of Israel.
Joshua must have realized what a daunting task he faced. Leadership is never easy. Leading people to follow the Lord is even more difficult. After all, people have their own opinions about what to do, when to do it, and how to do it. Joshua may have been frightened to death at the task ahead of him.
And so, three times God said to him, “Be strong and courageous.” God knew that Joshua would need the reminders. By repeating Himself the Lord was telling His servant to stay at the task. Joshua was not to give up. He was to be faithful.
For the next few years, as recorded in the next 23 chapters of this book, we see the many things that Joshua did in obedience to the Lord. We see the children of Israel follow His instructions, and ignore his instructions. I’m sure that there were times that Joshua must have been ready to quit.
But God’s instructions and calling kept coming to his mind. “Be strong and courageous.” And then there was this. The final phrase in Joshua 1:9 was the thing that Joshua most needed. It was the promise that kept him going. It was the truth to which he clung in times of doubt.
God said, “For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
I don’t know what is going on in your life, but if you are a follower of Jesus I know that God’s promise to Joshua is true for you, too. God is with you. That is the very meaning of one title for Jesus, Immanuel. He will never leave you nor forsake you. You count on Him. And that is enough.
Daddy
So, last week I shared with you a bit about my family. This week marks a most important anniversary for us. On May 6, 1987 I received a phone call from the Department of Family and Children’s Services telling me that they had a little blond-haired boy who needed a home. He was two and half years old. Were we interested?
The call came around 11 a.m. on a Wednesday morning. Keep in mind that the previous Friday we had completed all of the requirements necessary to be Foster Care/Adoptive parents in Georgia. But we were told that it would be a minimum of six months, and more likely a year, before we would have a child placed with us.
I picked Tina up from her job, we drove to the office, and in less than three hours we were on our way home. We stopped at “Toys R Us” and bought a Big Wheel, some Hot Wheels cars, and a plastic ball and bat. Later than afternoon my mom arrived with $50 worth of clothing. And just like that, we were a family.
Most of you had nine months to prepare for your first child. And that probably felt rushed. We became a family in a whirlwind.
The Bible uses many methods to describe becoming a Christian. There is conversion, being born again, and then there is adoption. In Romans 8:15 we read, “You have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’” You may have been told that the word Abba is very intimate, much like “Daddy” in our language.
I mentioned this last week, but on the ride home from the DFCS office my son asked, “Can I call you Daddy?” And then, before I could answer he said, “I think I’ll call you Daddy.” I turned on my windshield wipers before I realized that the water was not outside the car. I had to pull off the road for a moment.
The love I felt for my son in that moment was real and powerful. And yet, it was only a fraction of the love that God feels for you and for me. If you are a child of God, it is because He has adopted you. He did not have to do this. He chose to do so. I pray that we will come to realize the power and the might of God’s love, and that we will live in a way that expresses our gratitude to Him. To Him be the glory forever!
Love the Baby, Love God
My wife and I are the parents of two sons. Our family did not come to be in the normal manner. After having been married for several years, Tina and I came to realize that we could not give birth. So, we adopted our boys. Neither was a baby. In fact, both were walking and talking when they entered our home. I’m the only man I know whose son called him daddy on the day I took him home for the first time. But I digress.
Last July my son and his bride welcomed a baby girl into their home. To say that Tina and I were thrilled would be an understatement. Before she was born she had enough outfits that she did not have to wear the same thing for the first three months (I might be exaggerating, but not by much).
We get to keep our precious baby girl a couple of days each week. Her smile causes me to melt. If she asked, I’d probably borrow the money and buy her a Ferrari tomorrow.
But here is what is interesting. Mary Violet is the first and only baby that Tina and I have ever had to call our own. Of course, we have seen babies grow and develop. But not up close and personal. Now we are watching as she has learned to roll over, crawl, play with various toys, and move around the room in her “Batgirl” walker.
We are still waiting for her to walk and to say her first words (Please, don’t tell anyone, but I keep whispering Papa in her ear over and over). With every new skill she learns, we are impressed and excited. We show pictures and videos and tell others more than they probably want to know. We are not the least bit embarrassed to brag on her every chance we get.
I love that little girl more than I can express. And I wonder. Do I love the Lord as much as I love her? Do I tell others what He has done for me? Do I tell them what He can do for them?
When I consider the world in which we live, I know that we have many problems and needs. I also know the solution to those problems. His name is Jesus. The old song says it best. “People need the Lord.” I pray that we will be faithful to share Him with others. I pray that I might speak as often about Jesus as I do about my grandbaby.
Lift Him Up
When I was 14 I got my first job umpiring youth baseball games. I was young to be given that responsibility, but I took it very seriously. I purchased the equipment I would need, as well as a rulebook. I studied it with great care so.
I will never forget the “pep talk” my dad gave me the night of my first game. I was confident I would do well, but fearful of making a mistake at the same time. As we were getting out of the car he said to me, “Son. One thing. Remember, nobody is coming tonight to watch you umpire.”
Wow! I had played the game since I was six, and there were people who came to watch me play. But this was different. And he was right. Parents, grandparents, siblings, and friends came to watch players, not umpires.
Later he would remind me, “It’s in your best interest to be invisible. If they are talking about you after the game, it’s never a good thing.”
Again, he was right. People don’t talk about all of the good calls made by a referee or umpire. The only time they are mentioned is when they mess up.
As a preacher I often ask the Lord to hide me behind the cross as I preach. I want people to see Jesus, not me, as I speak or write. I often tell stories (like the preceding one) to help illustrate a point. But the goal is always the same. Elevate Jesus.
John wrote of the Jesus, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” The Lord Himself said, “If I be lifted up from the earth I will draw all men to myself.” That was clearly a reference to the cross, but it remains the same today. As Christians, we are to lift up the name and the glory of Jesus.
Here’s the deal. You can’t be entirely invisible. But if you are distracting others from Jesus, then you are not doing what you have been called and gifted to do. We need believers who are willing to stay in the background as we point others to the Lord. He is the only one who can save. Let’s be careful to put Him first in all we say and do.
We Can Live Forever
Earlier this month we celebrated the resurrection of Jesus. In reality we do that every time we gather for worship on Sunday. The early Christians referred to the first day of the week as, “The Lord’s Day,” and it is the resurrection that caused them to move their main day of worship to Sunday.
But Easter Sunday is the biggest and most significant day of the Christian year. We all love Christmas, and we are grateful that God entered our world. Pentecost is also a great day as we remember that the Holy Spirit came to be with us at all times. Good Friday is a reminder of the great sacrifice that Jesus made on our behalf.
But Easter is the day when God defeated death. There are still battles to fight, and there will be until Jesus returns. But on the very first Easter Sunday we know that death was put on notice. God is more powerful than all of the forces of evil. Jesus is alive, and because of that we can live forever.
I know that many find this incredulous. How can people living in the 21st century believe in something so fantastic? Are we not beyond that? Seriously! The idea that a dead man walked out of a grave is unacceptable to many in our world today. Science would seem to have ruled out such an idea.
And yet, think about this with me. First century people did not have the knowledge that we have today in science or medicine. But they knew certain things, and one of them is simple. They knew that dead people did not rise from the dead.
And let’s make this clear. The early Christians certainly believed. Time after time they gave their lives for the cause. They would not have done so for something they knew was a lie. No, they believed, because they had seen the Lord. The church exists today because Jesus is the risen Lord. He was alive then, and He is alive today.
That is why Easter matters so much. As we approach this Sunday, and every Sunday, let us keep this in the forefront of our thoughts. Jesus is alive! That changes everything! Because He is alive we can live forever! For that we give thanks and celebrate.
Attendance
Well, Easter is over. So now we move along with life, right? Some schools may be on Spring break this week. That often means that this coming Sunday, following on the heels of such a big day, our churches will be emptier than normal.
Can I be blunt with you? The fact is that I do not know the readers of my column the way I know the members of my church family. But I would like to be real with you. I want to encourage you to do something that I think matters greatly.
Your presence in your church is important. I am aware that we all take vacations. I know that sicknesses come. And I know that things happen, both at work and at home, that may preclude you from attending every week.
But again, I say that your attendance matters. First, I believe it matters to God. He tells us in the book of Hebrews not to forsake “the assembling of ourselves together.” That tells me that God cares when we gather for worship. He is pleased when we offer Him the worship and praise that He deserves.
Then it matters to you and your family. Some folks say that they don’t get much from worship But there is something about hearing the Word of God taught and preached, as well as singing songs of worship, that energize you and encourage you in your life. And certainly it benefits your children as well.
Then your attendance matters to your friends and neighbors. They may never say anything, but the fact that you drive away from your home every Sunday is a silent witness to your faith. I assure you that people notice.
And then I want to share one more thing to you. Your attendance matters to your pastor. We are deeply encouraged when we see members of our church eagerly arrive, excited about meeting with God, and happy to share their love with others. It may be a small matter to many of you, but your pastor lives and breathes the things of church. To see the church alive and vibrant is a joy to us. May I encourage you to make church attendance a priority in your life? It really does matter.
The Hope of the Resurrection
This is holy week. This is the time when followers of Jesus remember and celebrate the events leading up to His death and resurrection. This coming Sunday, churches around the world will gather to worship the risen Savior, knowing that He is our hope.
This is also a week that holds difficult memories for me. Sixteen years ago this Friday I held my mom’s hand as she took her last breath on this earth. She was only 67.
So, why would I bring this up at this time? Quite frankly, the two events speak clearly and deeply to our life situation today.
Christians believe and teach that Jesus is alive. He truly died on the cross on that Friday long ago, but on Sunday morning He walked out of the grave, very much alive. This was not some “spiritual resurrection.” Jesus was literally and physically raised from the dead. All of the Christian faith hangs on that fact.
Paul wrote to the Corinthian church, “If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.” And then He declared, “If in this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.” In other words, if the resurrection is not real, then nothing about Christianity is true.
I believe in the resurrection. I am convinced that it is true. I believe this so much, that sixteen years ago this Sunday I stood before the congregation gathered at my mom’s funeral and declared, “She is more alive today than she has ever been before.” I still believe that is true.
Because Jesus is alive, we can live forever. That is the good news of the gospel. That is the good news of the resurrection. Jesus is alive! As Paul wrote later in the same chapter of 1 Corinthians, “Thanks be to God!” We have hope for now and for all eternity because Jesus is alive.
He Knows My Heart
I suppose I’m pretty fortunate. I certainly have done nothing to deserve it. But I’m eligible for “senior discounts” in many places of business and still have a full head of hair. My dad ,all of my uncles, my mom and dad’s brothers, as well as both grandfathers all died with full heads of hair.
A few years back, following a Sunday morning service, a church member came to me laughing so hard she couldn’t stop. Between fits of snickering I was finally able to understand what she was saying. She had brought a friend to church that morning, and the friend had asked her, “Where do you think your pastor gets his toupee?” Ha ha.
Actually, it really is funny. Toupee indeed!
It’s funny the things we do to hide our flaws. Hair color. Lifts in shoes. And many even go to the extreme of undergoing plastic surgery. All to hide the truth that we are aging.
I’ve thought about that incident since that day. I’m glad I still have my hair. But what would I do if I lost it? To what extremes would I go to hide the truth?
And not just with hair? How many times a day am I fake? What am I trying to keep secret from you?
The Bible tells us that God knows everything about us. There is nothing hidden from Him. Psalm 44:21 says, “He knows the secrets of the heart.”
You and I might very well hide things from our bosses, our neighbors, our children, and even our spouses. But we can hide nothing from the Lord. That is a very sobering thought. He knows my heart.
I need to learn two lessons from this. First, I need to confess to God those sins about which He already knows. He already knows. I need to be honest with Him. Second, I need to live in the power of the Spirit and avoid those sins. The Bible says that I have the power within me not to sin.
What are you hiding? Why don’t you confess it to the Lord? He already knows. There is freedom and power in confession. God is waiting to forgive. It’s up to you.
The Word
Last week I wrote about the power of words. I want to pick up on that theme one more time, because I think it matters so much. As I write my column each week I use words. Not exactly a revelation, right? Still, I must choose words that communicate, words that help you understand what I intend to say.
When I was young I learned the little ditty, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never harm me.” As best I can remember, that is the only lie my mother ever told me. She was trying to teach me to move on and to ignore mean things that others said. But the fact is that words have the power to help and the power to harm.
You don’t think words matter? Do you realize that John, the Apostle, referred to Jesus simply as, “The Word.” John 1:1, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” I couldn’t possibly exhaust the meaning of that one verse in this column.
But I do want to point out this one thing. If nothing else, John was making clear that Jesus was, and continues to be, the most important means by which God communicates to us. God shows us who He is in the life of His Son.
The author of Hebrews said pretty much the same thing in 1:1-2 of his book. “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son.” The Bible tells us many things, but this one thing is certain. God wants to speak to us. He wants us to hear. So, He has spoken most clearly by coming to live in our midst.
A little boy was asked by his mother, “What did you learn in Sunday School today?” He replied, “We learned about Jesus.” And what did you learn about Jesus? Who is He?” The little boy said, “As best I can tell, Jesus is God with skin on His face.” And I’m not certain I can say it any better than that.
Words
Are you on social media? The various methods for communicating today have multiplied. Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, Tumblr, Instagram, Tik Tok, and on it goes. You can communicate with friends or perfect strangers in more ways today than ever. And that can be a good thing.
I have caught up with a number of high school and college friends. That’s been a lot of fun. I’ve also learned of the deaths of a couple of old friends. Of course, that is not good, but at least I have heard the news.
Of course, social media can be both a blessing and curse. My dad used to tell me something that I tried to teach my sons. “Sport,” (yes that was his nickname for me) he would say. “You don’t have to say everything you think.” That was some of the best advice I ever received. Just because it comes into your mind does not mean that it should be shared.
I’m on Facebook. I don’t post a lot. But I do get on it and read once or twice every day. There are times that I learn things that I really do need to know. But I also read much that I ought not see. Sometimes people post things on social media that they really ought not to say publicly. It is almost as if they think they have anonymity when that is not the case. Your name is attached to everything you say (and sometimes to things others say). You need to be careful.
The Bible says, in James 3:6, “The tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness.” And how true that is. Later in the same chapter James writes, “From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.” Recently my youngest son posted, “Wise men are not always silent, but they know when to be.” To that I respond, “Yep.”
The old children’s song says, “O, be careful little tongue what you say.” And better advice has never been given. Whether on social media, on the telephone, or face to face, be careful what you say. Words are powerful. Speak words that bring life and peace and hope. Even when you reprimand, do it in love. What a difference you can make as you do.