What Does It Take?

... Abraham said to him, ‘If your brothers won’t listen to Moses and the prophets, they won’t listen to someone who comes back from the dead. Luke 16:30,31

It is difficult, and almost impossible to give up sinning, because sin is an addiction. Only the transforming power of God through the Holy Spirit can give you the power you need. Jesus told the true story (it is not a parable) of the rich man and the poor man who died, and the rich man found himself asking Lazarus for help. Firstly for some cold water, because it was HOT where he was, and secondly he wanted to find a way to tell his brothers that they must avoid this hell at all costs. Lazarus had his rest in Abraham’s bosom, but the rich man was greatly troubled because he was in hell. Yes, there is such a place.

Have you noticed that seeing the painful and terrible passing of a friend or loved one, does NOTHING to convince them to change? In fact, even during a traumatic hospital visit where lifestyle excesses can be even more obvious, they do not see the warning in the bed, and if they do, then it is ignored. They will take their chances that this dreadful process will never happen to them. Yes, sin is an addiction, just like drugs, tobacco and alcohol.

Jesus knew that the pleadings of someone who came back from the dead would not make any change of heart or habits, and neither will the sad end of a loved one make others kick similar bad habits or turn from the eternal consequences of sin. Yes, sin is an addiction. So, if watching someone else’s life (and death) doesn’t help, we need to listen to the only human heart that knows how sinful our life is. That’s YOU and ME! We cannot blame anyone else if we end up in the wrong eternity, even God.

Therefore, my beloved… work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. Philippians 2:12

Every Thing

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven... He hath made every thing beautiful in his time. Ecclesiastes 3:1,11

The writer of this old book was wise, very wise, and he makes the point over again, that ‘every thing’ has it’s time in our life and also that He makes everything beautiful. It doesn’t always feel like it, but we are talking about the inspired Word of God, so it must be true.

The word ‘purpose’ is forgotten or missed, but it is important to remember that in God’s work nothing is by chance. Everything has a purpose, and it is part of a God ordained plan that only He can see at that time. We do not always like what’s happening, but in the months or years to come, it can become obvious. For that reason, God’s will is always best.

There is an old and well worn phrase which we might not always like to accept that says: “God is good all the time. All the time God is good”. When the going gets rough and tough, it is worth keeping in mind that God IS good, and His ways are perfect. I love the way this same wise man expresses the theme in one of my favourite passages in Scripture…..

Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own.

Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track. Proverbs 3:5,6 Msg

Communication

I have become all things to all people. I did this so that I could save people in any way possible. I do all this to make the Good News known. I do it so that I can share in the blessings of the Good News. 1 Corinthians 9:22,23

But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts. 1 Thessalonians 2:4

We do it almost unconsciously. We talk, share emails, phone each other, and even do it by social media. Some may have used this skill (if it really is that) as an important part of work and know how important it can be. However, we all know we could do better, but there are some who just don’t communicate easily, if at all.

When important things need to be passed on, we rely on everyone in the circle to do their part. As we know, the chain is only as strong as its weakest link. When it comes to speaking and living the Gospel and being an example of Jesus Christ, let us not be that weak link. When it comes to business and work, there are people in positions whom we expect to be good communicators, and so it should be in our walk of faith. We all must communicate a holy life, but so much more those who are in leadership of our churches across the land. We are in a war against satan in all his forms, so we must stay alert and communicate properly! After all there is only one thing worse than no communication, and that is bad or unclear communication…..

….if the trumpet does not sound clearly, the soldiers will not know it is time to prepare for fighting. 1 Corinthians 14:8

We Can Certainly Do It

We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it. Numbers 13:30

We are surrounded by good friends who would do anything to help in your time of need. When you look at them, they are in no fit state to help anyone, or so you think. But they step up where others step back, and put their shoulder to the wheel and set themselves against the job to be done. That, my friend, is selfless.

Have you ever noticed that they usually are the ones who seem weak, with enough of their own issues, and least able or likely to help, but are the true friends who, with a broad grin will lend that ungrudging helping hand? I have seen it first hand, and the images don’t go away.

I have taken a liberty with the text, and used bold and underline colour to highlight and make my point. As I become older and have seen more of life, it has occurred to me that people who have their own serious struggles have an outlook which is at odds with their condition. Or so we think. They don’t see it that way. When you are faced with the brevity of life, it all takes on new meaning. There is nothing to prove now. You don’t have to feel obliged. Faith is real and unquestioned. All the minor problems of faith don’t count, because you now know without any shadow of doubt, what is true. And more importantly, Who is true. Jesus Christ is the author of their faith, it is no longer theory, and they KNOW it. Be thankful for the Spirit of God you see plainly in the hearts and lives of those who battle any serious illness, and we all know some who will give their best for the sake of others, and their Saviour. It’s the least they can do. I know it and you do too! The Word of God has echoed their sentiment clearly.

I can do all this through Him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13

I know that You can do all things; no purpose of Yours can be thwarted. Job 42:2

That Empty Place

But the next day, David’s place was empty again. 1 Samuel 20:27

There are many reasons for that empty chair. Sometimes there is a sadness to the thought that a once occupied place is now empty, and the memory of the loved one who once sat there. At other times it’s because the usual occupant is busy, or maybe unwell. In the text, the chair was empty because David needed to know if his best friend Jonathan’s dad King Saul, still wanted to kill him. David wanted, and needed, to know if he was missed. After all, he was just one of many who were at King Saul’s table. The answer to that question meant a lot to David, and his survival!

David’s chair at the table was empty twice, and it was noticed. David’s presence was good and most folks missed him, but King Saul paid attention because his heart was dark with evil, murderous thoughts. No wonder then that David wanted, no needed, to be sure where he stood in the King’s court.

Do you notice when someone is missing from their regular place? If a particular place is regularly occupied, it is almost impossible not to notice, but the key is what we do about it. We may decide to ignore the empty chair, and hope the occupant will come back soon. What about giving some thought to phoning them, just to ask how they are doing? If that is too hard, how about sending a card through the mail? Don’t have a stamp? In this digital age, you can send an email, or get in touch informally by one of the social media platforms. Most of us are digitally aware, after all you are reading this online!

So, next time you see an empty chair in church, do something about it. Don’t leave it to the pastor, after all he IS the one person who might just be too busy!

Tell Them

But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? Romans 10:14 NLT

The true story is told of an executive at a critical meeting, when faced with a dilemma, said: “Somebody, somewhere should do something about this, and it’s not me.” We can take that attitude right into church, can’t we? So, who is going to be the Gospel to the unchurched, unsaved, and don’t care generation?

There are two ways to be faced with the Gospel. In church, and in our lives outside church. We take it for granted that the gospel is preached by our pastor, minister, leader, but is this always true? There is a clear and present danger that some churches are fudging the gospel message to make it pleasing to our ears, so that we don’t unnecessarily upset or alarm anyone. After all, the last thing we would want is to annoy folks so that they won’t come back.

As we read the Gospels and the exploits of the early church, most, if not all conversions were made outside the church buildings. Whether singly, or in great groups of people, the gospel message was given clearly, and in an unmistakable way. Did the early church leaders worry about offending the sensitive ears of their listeners? No, because they already knew that the gospel WAS an offence to them. It didn’t stop the message going out, and guess what? The church grew massively, and quickly. After 2,000+ years, we are the result, so why should we entertain anything less in our witness and preaching today?

The pure, life changing gospel is not for the faint hearted, and our churches are not growing because we have deserted it and opted for a ‘soft gospel’ version of our own making. I suggest if the Church of Jesus Christ is to grow in the hearts and minds of people today, it may not be as a result of being in church. It will be because we, that’s you and me individually, will ‘walk the walk’ so that Jesus is seen clearly to those who don’t know Him, or want Him. Then maybe church would be an option.

Broken Altars

Then Elijah said to all the people, “Come near to me.” So all the people came near to him. And he repaired the altar of the Lord that was broken down. 1 Kings 18:30

Every time the children of Israel strayed from God their altar would be neglected and fall into disrepair. And each time God became real to them again, and they walked in His steps, a prophet would step in and repair it. The altar was an important place of sacrifice, and a good barometer of the state of the people of God. Broken altar, broken people. Repaired altar, a restored people walking in step with His will.

We often apply the image of the altar to the state of our hearts as God’s people and that is a good way for any individual to know where they stand with the living God. A broken altar is a sign of an incomplete or wayward man or woman. When the altar of the heart is repaired and in good condition, our life will reflect the will of our Heavenly Father.

Every church has an altar area, usually where communion is served, or infants are baptised, weddings consecrated, or even funeral services are conducted. It is a holy and sanctified place where we feel God near to us in a sacred way as we make promises and vows before Him and the congregation. If the altar of the church is broken, or unused, it can be a sign of spiritual decay.

Not so many years ago, the altar in a church was also the sacred place where the repentant sinner would kneel to confess sin, and take Jesus as Lord and Saviour. For that to happen, there would have been a gospel message of salvation, and an invitation from the pastor or preacher. Many churches and evangelists did this, and used mightily in bringing many to salvation in Christ.

Is it too simplistic to make a connection between churches with an unused, broken altar, to a church of broken people needing spiritual repair? Could this also be the reason for low or no growth? Like Elijah, we may need to repair the altars that are broken, both in our hearts and in our churches. If not that, what? And if not now, when?

If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14

Olympics 2016

For while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. 1 Timothy 4:8

The athletes competing in the Olympic Games have already trained for years and prepared as much as is physically possible to win that elusive, but all important gold medal. It doesn’t matter which sporting discipline is taken up, at individual or team level, you have to stand back and admire their dedication and skill. As you watch your favourite athletes and events, you will see them strain every muscle and sinew to reach their goal. Their years of training all come down to this one moment.

However, the Games have been marred this time because of cheating, mostly but not only, by the Russian team athletes. This brings their reputation down, but also the trust of all other competitors. How do you know if their win was deserved, and clean?

Physical training is limited, and only of little value. Results can be manipulated. Cheaters can win, at least for a while. In contrast, our Spiritual and Godly life cannot be manipulated and we cannot cheat to win, but the goal is so much greater. We strive for an eternal reward, and God is not mocked, or tricked. He knows our heart, and no one will slip past His judgement. That is why physical training is limited, but our Spiritual life is unlimited. I suggest we keep that in mind as we watch the Olympics. The apostle Paul knew what was important, and put it this way:

I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14

Anger

“In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry. Ephesians 4:26

Did you ever read the ‘Mr Men’ stories by Roger Hargreaves to your children? They all had a characteristic which made it easy to use as a moral which could be applied. Among all the little men was Mr Angry, and he got angry at just about everything, everyone, all the time, to the point it became ridiculous. By the end of the story you had lost any sympathy you might have had for the poor wee man. He overplayed his flaw to the point of losing his friends, even his closest pals! It seems some adults were never introduced to this Mr Men character and any lessons that might have been learned are lost. But he does have a (not so) secret following!

The world is a very angry place, or to be more accurate, the world has too many angry people. Have you watched the news on TV, or caught a bulletin on the radio? It can’t have escaped your attention that we live among a very angry people. Did you watch the anger displayed at the US Republican and Democratic Conventions? After recent shootings in the USA, the streets are filled with angries. It happens every time people are mown down unnecessary, and it does not matter their colour. Closer to home, the ‘gentler politics’ promised melts away quickly when tested by tough times, or a leadership battle, or sport, or a referendum held in the UK and in Scotland. Division makes people angry, and feeling that you don’t count makes these faceless people very angry indeed.

Who or what gets you angry? I suggest anger mainly rises inside with those who are closest to you. Your family, your government, your environment, your team, and yes even your spouse. If you didn’t care, you wouldn’t get your dander up (as my wise Dad used to say). Passion makes for heightened emotions, feelings, and that includes anger. It is significant that the apostle doesn’t say we shouldn’t get angry. We know that Jesus was angry enough to clear out the Temple Courts of money changers and traders. When we fall prey to anger, and let’s face it, we all get angry, there are a couple of golden rules. The first one is not to allow your anger lead to sin. That could include the sin of exaggeration to make a point, impatience, arrogance, belittling someone, or shouting them down. These are sins to be avoided, so when you are angry ‘don’t give the devil a foothold’ as the apostle continues in verse 27.

The bit that is hardest, especially with family, and maybe your spouse whom you might love and get angry with in equal measure, is not ending the day holding on to your anger. None of it. Zilch, nada, nil! There is an old hit song which has the words, “The best part of breaking up, is when you’re making up”. Not quite the same, but you get my drift. How good is that feeling when you say sorry, and are forgiven? It’s like that with our Heavenly Father too. We get angry with Him and blame Him for just about everything, but when we say sorry and mean it, there is no better feeling this side of heaven than His forgiveness. Trust me! So, take care with your anger on earth, and be more than careful to say sorry to God for the anger you have felt towards Him, and receive His forgiveness which leads to salvation and confirms His presence. Now that’s a sure way to achieve heaven on earth, before we get there.

It's War

I don’t know what else to call it, except an all out war a bit like the American Civil War of 1861-65 but this has already lasted longer. Is this happening in the Middle East, Africa or Asia? No it’s much closer to home, it’s in our evangelical, progressive churches and it’s all about two major differences. Age and music, but they seem to go hand in hand in this case.

For some background (in case you have been away or sleeping for the past couple of decades) we need to recognise that there has been a seismic shift in the way church music has evolved in the recent past. The shift in some people’s style of worship has meant the rise of the ‘Worship Group’ in the musically capable hands of mainly younger folks. In many cases, copying the work of major Christian artists who attract a huge following.

Prior to this was the Gaither music style followers who are now in their later years, but who look back in nostalgia when music had a tune, but not necessarily a heavy metal beat. What’s the difference You may ask? Well, ‘Gaither or Southern Gospel’ was a style of music sung as specials and not as part of mainstream worship, so hymns and traditional Gospel Songs were never in jeopardy. Not so with the newer style of progressive Gospel beat music. Now this has become the main musical diet of the progressive churches who want to reach out to the younger generation. In the process, some older folks are accepted as the collateral damage and part of the change. We are losing good people.

Instead of finding a middle path, we go to war. Older against younger. Traditional Hymns set against Newer Gospel Songs and the two factions are intertwined. There is no doubt that the church preaches and teaches love, forgiveness, patience, and longsuffering, but we are not good at acting this out at any age. That is true for both sides of this trench warfare who only seem able to bad mouth, and pop their heads up to fire a well aimed insult at the other side, who are so obviously in the wrong, and why can’t they see it after all?

We need a few words from the author of our common faith, Jesus Christ, who said "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." John13:34,35