Confess and Believe

PRAYER PRACTICE

Prayer Journal – To begin your daily worship today, grab a pen and paper and write out a prayer to God. Not sure what to write? Try using ACTS to frame your prayer. Begin with adoration for who God is. Then move on to confession – being real about where you have fallen short in the last day or two. Give thanks to God for all that He gives (including forgiveness for the sin you just confessed!). And then finish with supplication – with your prayer requests to God. When you are done, tuck this away somewhere (so you can read it later and see how God has answered your prayers) and then move into hearing from God through His Word.

DAILY READING

Romans 10: 1-21

DEVOTION / REFLECTION

God's Righteousness; Confess and Believe

by Tom Richards

Today we read about the apostle Paul’s sincere love and concern for his fellow Jews. His “heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved.” He further states “that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge.” Paul’s concern was that the Israelites had rejected Jesus and continued to strive to earn a righteous standing with God through the law.

Does Paul know what he is talking about when it comes to the Jews? The answer is clearly “yes’! This is the same Paul (Saul) who persecuted the early Church. The same Paul who was a “Hebrew of Hebrews” as we read in Philippians 3:4-6 “If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless."

Yet Paul came to realize that his pursuit of righteousness through the law did not work. His encounter with Jesus on the “road to Damascus” changed everything; so much so that in Philippians 3:8-9 he describes his accomplishments in his previous life as follows: “What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.”

The unbelieving Jews in Paul’s day clung to the belief that they could somehow earn their righteousness with God. They “did not know the righteousness of God and sought to establish their own.” Do we know people like that? Do we know people who consider themselves to be “good” but do not believe in Jesus? Do we fall into the trap of thinking we can earn our own righteousness with God by being “good”? 

Thankfully, in Romans 10:4 Paul shares the good news that “Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes." In Romans 10:9-10 he goes further, “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” That is great news! That is the gospel!

Father, help us to have the same zeal for our unbelieving friends and neighbors as Paul did for his fellow Jews.  Help us to submit our possessions and accomplishments to your will. Please allow the Holy Spirit to work in our lives so that we can share the good news of Jesus to an unbelieving world.  Amen

May 26 - Do You Understand What You are Reading?

Acts 8:26-35

Today we read about Phillip’s encounter with the Ethiopian eunuch. “This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the book of Isaiah the prophet.” All indications are that he was reading from Isaiah 53, a wonderful prophecy about Jesus.
Phillip asks this man a key question: “Do you understand what you are reading?” And… Phillip goes on to explain the scripture including the gospel message. The eunuch believes and is baptized (Acts 8:36-38).

In my last Bible Blast I wrote about being able to share our faith. Paul gave an example by sharing his faith with the people of Athens in Acts 17:16-29. Now we are looking at the same topic.

This is an area where I have lots of room for improvement. I tend to think that most people have heard the gospel message and there is no need for me to share it. That is not true. Some quick research indicates that approximately 35% of the people in Franklin County identify themselves as Christian. That means that even if all of the 35% are truly believers, roughly two out of every three people that we encounter in Franklin County don’t know Jesus. Certainly some have heard the gospel and have not yet believed, but just as certainly a significant number of people have simply never heard – or like the Ethiopian, never understood.

Today’s reading and some other scripture verses provide some guidance when it comes to sharing our faith. Paul sets an example of sharing our faith in simple terms: 1 Corinthians 2:1 -2 “And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. 2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.” Peter asks that we share our faith with gentleness and respect: 1 Peter 3:15 “ But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.” And now Phillip demonstrates that a familiarity with God’s Word is helpful when people are searching for truth but do not understand: Acts 8:30 “ Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked.”

These examples from scripture provide some good “food for thought” as we encounter people in our daily lives. Sharing our faith in simple terms, doing so with gentleness and respect, and studying God’s Word are all practices that we can put into good use!

May 12 - Always be Prepared

Acts 17:16-29

In today’s reading we find Paul in Athens. He speaks in the synagogue and in the marketplace with a variety of people and eventually encounters “A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers (who) began to dispute with him.” My Concordia Self Study Bible notes indicate that Epicurean philosophers originally taught that the supreme good in life was a lasting happiness. But at the time of Paul’s interaction “this philosophy had degenerated into more of a sensual system of thought.”The Stoic philosophers “taught that people should live in accord with nature, recognize their own self-sufficiency and independence, and suppress their desires.” By Paul’s time this system had become a system of pride. Ultimately this leads to Paul addressing a larger group of Athens’ citizens and responding to questions about God and the gospel.

It turns out that Paul is up to the task of defending his faith. He tells the crowd in simple terms about the one true God and ultimately presents the gospel message. Acts 17:34 confirms this by stating “A few men became followers of Paul and believed. Among them Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, and a woman named Damaris, and a number of others.”

Like Paul, we are surrounded by people who hold life philosophies that are different from ours – and like Paul we should be prepared to share the truth of God and the gospel. 1 Peter 3:15 has some good advice on this topic: “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.”

When there is an opportunity to share our story we can learn from Paul how to present our faith in simple terms and follow Peter’s advice about doing so with gentleness and respect. Let’s look for opportunities to do that in the days ahead!

May 8 - Lesson Learned

Phillippians 4:10-13

What does it mean to “learn” something?  Does learning just happen?  Is it instantaneous?  Or does it take time and effort?

Reading today’s passage, I kept coming back to the word, learned. “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances” (v. 11). “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation” (v. 12).

Learning implies that you don’t already know something. By definition, it means to gain or acquire knowledge. Paul had to learn how to be content. I definitely wouldn’t consider his former self (Saul) to be content. It’s something he had to study and experience and there is no doubt his relationship with God was at the core of his new understanding.

Paul found himself in some difficult situations and through these trials he learned how to be content by relying on God. We are all called to learn many lessons during our time here on earth. Some lessons come easier than others, but we never just “know” something. It takes at least some amount of time, effort and study in order to learn.

So, don’t beat yourself up if you’re not content during these unprecedented times. You are not expected to just know contentment.  It’s going to take time to study, experience and learn what it means for you. And contentment may look different at different times, but I hope you keep verse 13 in mind, “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”

My prayer for you (and me) is that one day we’ll be able to say like Paul, with conviction, “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.”

Encountering Our Destiny

Have you ever experienced a Damascus Road Encounter, or a Burning Bush moment? Have you ever been stopped in your tracks and knocked off your horse, and blinded by an overpowering light?

Moses Encountered God at a burning bush, and the impossible became possible. God opened Moses' heart and mind to step outside side his comfort zone and change the world. It wasn't easy and Moses often questioned the wisdom of God to make him the rescuer the Israelites.

When we have a big job head of us, one filled with impossible challenges let's remember Saul and his encounter with Jesus. When roadblocks seem insurmountable and the mountains in front of us too high to scale, and we need a burning bush moment, remember how God used Moses despite his doubts.

What is it that has you in a state of panic? What worries have been heaped up in front of you? What is it that has you imprisoned in a cage of doubt or rage or terror? Human emotions are difficult to control or overcome. I have found that only by going to the cross, meeting Jesus at the foot of this cross, will I discover answers.

Just like Moses and Paul learned, an encounter God, and a Spiritual moment with Jesus changes everything. Paul was transformed into a Believer and one who fights for the truth and author of numerous books in the Bible. Moses was transformed into a deliverer of a nation. You and I can be transformed into disciples of Jesus who makes disciples of Jesus who encounter our Savior in His Word and through prayer.

Exodus 3:1-10

Thou Shalt Not Judge … Never, Ever, Ever!

READ: Matthew 7:1-5

1Do not judge, or you too will be judged.

Very popular, very acceptable. I’ll do what I want. You’ll do what you want. Neither of us will dare correct the other or insinuate that one (or both) of us is a sinner. 

2For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

So if I ignore everyone else’s sin, then they’ll have to ignore my sin. Or else … the judgment of God! 

3Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?

Huh? My brother is perfect the way he is. I do not judge him. And what is this plank of which you speak, Jesus?

4How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 

What speck? What plank? We’re perfect the way we are. Where are you going with this, Jesus?!

5You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

And there’s the issue! We were never called to ignore sin in our own lives or each other’s lives. Quite to the contrary, the Scriptures read: “I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received,” (Eph 4:1) and, “If someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently.” (Gal 6:1)

We are called to soberly evaluate our sin, repent, and gently restore our brothers and sisters in Christ. Are you doing this?

The Good Life

READ: Philippians 3:17-21

What do you picture when I speak of the good life? Let’s weigh some common responses against the example of Paul and the words of Christ. 

Beautiful beach sunset? Paul writes from prison. Happy to be there because his captivity is advancing the gospel. (Phil 1:12-18)

Attractive spouse? Paul is single and content to be so. A married person divides attention, seeking to please both God and spouse. The unmarried person is completely focused on how he can please the Lord. (1 Cor 7:7, 32-35)

Great wealth? Christ says, “Life does not consist in an abundance of possessions,” (Luke 12:15) and, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” (Mark 10:25)

Perfect health? Paul prayed for it. God said, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Cor 12:9)

Great accomplishments? “I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ.” (Phil 3:8)

Your many labors behind you? “If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me.” (Phil 1:22)

The love and praise of everyone you know? Jesus said, “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven.” (Matt 5:11-12)

Our reward in heaven: Isn’t that really the good life? For what eye has seen, what ear has heard, what mind has conceived of the good things God has prepared for those who love him? (1 Cor 2:9)

Am I Going to Heaven or Not?

READ: Romans 3:21-31

Scripture often reveals truth in stark contrast to what we hear about Christianity. Such is the case today.

Ever hear that good people go to Heaven and bad people go to Hell? Big problem: There are no good people. All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. All deserve to be punished, yet all are freely justified by Christ’s sacrificial atonement. Does that mean all are going to Heaven? No. Only those who accept this atonement Christ freely offers are saved; without it, any one of us would be going to Hell. No wonder Paul instructs us not to boast in our good works, but to boast only in the cross of Christ!

So, then, if it’s not what you do, but what you believe, is God’s grace a free pass to sin? Little problem: Definitions. Believe doesn’t mean profess as true; it means accept as true. And if we accept something as true, we act on it. So to believe in Christ is to obey his teaching - all of it! Hence the conclusion in James 2:14-26: Faith without works is dead.

But I thought the New Covenant of God’s grace replaced the Old Covenant of the Mosaic Law? Nope. As it turns out, we don’t nullify the law by faith, we uphold the law. By believing in Christ and through the power of the Holy Spirit he gives, we live according to the moral law God gave Moses. When we fail, the sacrifice of Christ atones for us, but by the Spirit we are assured of God’s final victory: not only our freedom from the penalty of sin, but our freedom from the power and presence of sin as well.

The Suffering Servant

READ: Isaiah 53:3-6

Isaiah 53 paints the sad picture of one who took upon himself rejection, suffering, and the punishment that brought peace. The temptation is to look upon Calvary; say, “Thanks, Jesus;” and then settle into a quiet life of comfort and complacency. 

Jesus instructs us otherwise. “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24)

And be rejected?

“Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven.” (Luke 6:22-23)

And suffer?

For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him but also to suffer for him. (Philippians 1:29)

And take upon ourselves the punishments that bring peace?

If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me. I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back. (Philemon 18-19)

Really, Paul?

I speak the truth in Christ -- I am not lying, my conscience confirms it through the Holy Spirit … For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people … (Romans 9:1,3)

More than a scapegoat, Christ is a prototype. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. (Romans 8:29)

Until the Whole World Hears

Yesterday Paul shared an inspiring story about his friend Tammy. Tammy has a heart for the lost and I love how creative she will get to reach just one person with the message of Jesus. This week we have been reading a lot about the Apostle Paul, who also did whatever it took to reach the lost for Jesus.

These past weeks have shown us how fragile life is. We have witnessed consuming fires blaze across the west, earthquakes in Mexico, hurricanes, and violence in Las Vegas. So many lives lost and I can't help wondering how many never knew the saving love of Christ. 

As inspiring as Paul is, we don't have to be a missionary across the globe to tell people about Jesus. We can do it right where we are.

My son just recently joined Taekwondo and I have met several of the parents watching their child. Evan asked me the other night if I talk to the parents because I am looking for a friend for him to meet. He still does not have any friends since we moved this past June. I kinda felt bad, but I had to answer him honestly and say, "no."  I hadn't even thought of it. I explained to him that I am meeting people so that I can start a conversation about our church and invite them to come and check us out.

Luckily Evan was happy with my answer. He said that that was more important because there are so many people who don't know Jesus.

In our passage today we learn that Paul, "witnessed to them from morning till evening, explaining about the kingdom of God, and from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets he tried to persuade them about Jesus. Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe."

Some were convinced, others would not believe.  It is not our job to convince everyone, but there are so many people who do not know Jesus and it is our job to tell them about him. Whether you are a global missionary or a soccer mom, we don't know what tomorrow will bring let's not waste another moment.

Read today entire passage here Acts 28: 23-30

Who's in? Who's out?

READ: Acts 13:38-47

Who got invited to the party and who didn’t? Who made the team and who got cut? Who got the promotion and who fell short?

People love to ask these questions because if we’re in, we’re superior.

So, naturally, the Jews (who were in as God’s people) felt superior to the Gentiles (who were out).

Yet in Acts 13:39, Paul preaches that through Jesus everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses.

We’re all in!

“But that’s not fair!” cries the voice of pride. “It’s because of my superiority and hard work that I got invited to that party, made that team, and earned that promotion! Doesn’t my extra effort count for anything?”

Jesus addresses this complaint in The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard (Matt 20:1-16). Though many worked different hours, they all received the same wage - the full grace of God.

Again in Luke 7:36-50, a prideful Pharisee is offended by Christ’s association with a sinful woman. Jesus’s response? He commends the woman, for because she was forgiven more, she loved more.

For some, this idea that everyone is invited into the Kingdom of God is such an offense to pride that they join those who in verse 45 speak abusively against the Gospel.

To them Jesus responds, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the Kingdom of God ahead of you.” (Matt 21:31)

Remember His Great Love

Acts 20:22-24, 32

22 “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. 23 I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. 24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.

32“Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

Paul was a determined man. Once he had his encounter with Christ, on the road to Demascus, there was no stopping him.  In today’s passage we see him following the leading of the Spirit to go to Jerusalem, knowing that hardships and prison are a reality.  But he is determined. Determined to finish the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.  

You see, he experienced that grace first hand when God spared him is life. Once a man persecuting the church, hunting down Christians to be stoned to death, he now relentlessly shares the good news of Christ, counting his own life as nothing in comparison.

How passionate are you for Christ?  We, like Paul, have been given the same task.  Take some time today to consider how the grace of God covers you.  How in his mercy he has called you to him.  He does not see your flaws, your failures, your foolish decisions.  He sees someone with hope and a future.  He sees someone worth dying for.  

Do not fall weary. Finish the task set before you, go where the Spirit leads and testify to someone TODAY the good news of the grace of God.

1 Corinthians 10:11-22

The Bread = Life   

The Cup = Eternal Salvation

As God’s will soaked into Paul’s heart, Paul reached out to the Christians in Corinth in A.D.54-55.

He attempted to appeal to their inner fulfillment as he warned them about being careful not to fall.

Their immorality was like that from Israel’s history. As a result of testing the Lord, twenty three thousand of their forefathers died. Paul’s appeals seem to be endless. Why were they so deaf to his words? Why are we so numb to these warnings?

We have heard it said that we cannot serve both God and money for money is an idol if not properly used. The same is true for many other things of this world. 

Paul says; “Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry. I speak to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say. Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we partake in one loaf.” 1 Corinthians 10:14-17

Visualize how even though we partake in the body and blood of Christ in many locations throughout the world, it as though we are eating from the same loaf and drinking from the same cup. How cool is that! Now as we exit our places of worship how do we conduct ourselves? “You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too.” 1 Corinthians 10:21

Our world seems to be continuing in a downward spiral with immorality of all types being revealed to us and our children. It is more than concerning and so big it feels hopeless but is it really any different than in A.D. 54?

Despite popular belief the Bible does not say God won’t give you more than you can handle, it says this;

“No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is Faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”

It does not say it will be easy, but that He will be there to offer us an out, better options than those the world leads us to…….The Bread---Life     The Cup---Eternal Salvation

Please read/Listen to 1 Corinthians 10:11-22

Galatians 2:11-21

Less of Me, More of Jesus

In this scripture Paul opposed Peter (who he sometimes called Cephas)  to his face because he saw him acting in a way that was hypocritical. How often do we see others saying one thing and doing another but do not call them on it? Are there times we talk the talk but don’t walk the walk and hope no one reveals us?

Peter, a proclaimed follower of Christ had been eating with the Gentiles, practicing what Jesus had taught him about nondiscrimination. As Jesus had dined with sinners and the lowly, he expected his apostles to do the same. Upon Paul’s arrival he observed Peter separating from the Gentiles. The other Jews joined him in observance of Jewish law.

Paul stated to Peter in Galatians 2:15-16; “We who are Jews by birth and not ‘Gentile sinners’ know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we too, have to put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified.”

Bottom line I get from this is that religious groups have rules and practices they follow, as they did in the days of the old church. When Jesus came to earth, he offered us a new covenant, which gave us another way to look at our God. We found out that He is an all loving and forgiving God, not one who sits on a throne with a gavel in hand waiting to judge us. He cares for us deeply and wants to be eternally with us all when that time comes. This life we have is not ours but; “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20

Jesus came to earth to show us how to live the perfect life of love. Though we will not achieve the sinless status Jesus holds, we can continually strive for it by following the Word of God in our daily life. By holding ourselves accountable not so much for the rituals but our faith in the trinity that we demonstrate through our life journey, will we experience the spirit within us and be enabled to live a life that pleases God.

Lord, I need more of you in my life and less of me and the rituals that sometimes dictate my actions. Jesus,
please help me to live a Christ centered life each and every day with a focus on what you taught us is most important. God help me remember that I obey your word not to gain your approval, but because I have faith in you I am your precious child and already have your approval. Amen!

Read/Listen to Galatians 2:11-21

God Desires Oak Trees

Personal growth, professional growth, plant growth.

 You have probably heard these terms before. Personal growth to some is how you deal with people, deal with difficult situations and how you learn about the world.

Professional growth is how we learn to take on more responsibility in our careers to either do our current job better or be equipped for a higher impact job.

 

And plant growth occurs in my favorite time of the year – the spring. Something magnificent comes from a single seed in the ground. The mighty oak, for instance, originates from a simple seed, the humble acorn.

 

We are all familiar with growth. In fact, without growth, something soon becomes stagnate or dies.

 

What about Christian growth?

 

Today’s reading is 1 Corinthians 4:14-17. Paul wrote to the Christians in Corinth. He reminded them that they were Christians and will receive eternal blessings, but that they are not growing in their faith. To rectify the situation, Paul sent Timothy to Corinth to be a role model and teacher.

 

When we are baptized, we are mere acorns. Paul reminds us to grow, and to imitate Christ, the mighty oak tree. Being an acorn is great; being an oak tree is fantastic!

 

Growing in Christ is not as simple as fertilizing a tree. The Corinthians learned this and it is true for us today. Paul saw that the Corinthians needed help, and the truth be told, we need help as well.

 

How does one grow? People are different, learning styles are different and growth patterns are different. There is no single algorithm that tells us how to grow as Christians.

 

Nonetheless, the Bible gives us a few hints.

 

First and foremost, we should be in God’s Word and read the Bible daily, or as often as we can. We are also told we should pray constantly. We should serve others as that gives us first-hand knowledge of what it means to be like Christ, the world’s foremost servant. Finally, we are to gain strength from each other and from Jesus. That means taking Communion and having fellowship with other Christians.

 

Christian growth. It is the only way we can become God’s oak tree!

 

What will your Christian growth plan be?

 

Not Fortune Tellers and Mediums

Celsus Library, Ephesus 

Today’s reading is Acts 19:11-20. Paul is in Ephesus (in present day Turkey) and God is performing miracles through him so people would believe in Jesus. The sons of Sceva were using the name of Jesus to drive out evil spirits.

 

The problem was that the sons of Sceva did not believe in Jesus. They were using his name to perform “magic tricks”, most likely to obtain money from people in Ephesus.

 

As it turns out, a man with an evil spirit severely beat the sons of Sceva. The sons learned that you will get burned if you play with fire.

 

Some people today want to interact with God and the spirit world. They use séances, tarot cards fortune tellers, mediums and other portals to the spirit world. Their interactions must be on their terms. Little do they know that they may be playing with fire.

 

God has given us the portals we need. He has told us what those interactions are.

 

 He sent the Holy Spirit to us for guidance and counseling. He gave us God’s Word – the Bible – so we will know God’s Will.  Baptism and Communion are very important touch points into God's spiritual world. The Holy Spirit becomes part of us at baptism, and Jesus nourishes us at communion.

 

These are the best ways to find God – and safely I might add!

 

This explains how someone can find God. But what if God is looking for someone?

 

Yes, there is a portal, or touch point, in the this direction too. It is Christ’s Church. God finds his people through Christ's Church. As members of his Church, we represent Christ, spreading His message and looking for his members.

 

The church is a portal into the heavenly kingdom. We are members of the church. People can find Christ in us and in our actions. We can be a portal for someone into the heavenly kingdom.

 

This is why we need to know Christ, Grow in Christ and Go with Christ.

 

The Church is the real portal into the God's World. Not fortune tellers, mediums and tarot cards.

 

Beware of Cheap Imitations

You’ve seen them. You may laugh at them. You may even hate them.

 

They are 60 second spots of a pitchman trying to sell you something you don’t need that performs some task you never knew needed to be done. The items are not available in stores and they only cost $19.95 plus shipping and handling.

The part I like is when they remind you to, “Beware of cheap imitations.”

 

Today’s reading is Galatians 1:1-10. There were religious leaders telling Christians that Christ died for their sins, but they still had to follow the Laws Moses gave them to be saved and go to heaven. Paul corrects this teaching and reminds the Galatians that faith in Christ is all that is necessary for eternal life in heaven. Paul tells us, “There is no other Gospel.”

 

We have the same problem today.

 

There are religious leaders who forget their job of proclaiming Christ and take up some cause with the goal of creating heaven on earth. Sin permeates this earth so heaven on earth is impossible. Further, we cannot remove sin by taking up some cause. Sin can only be removed by faith in Jesus Christ.

 

Some politicians like to quote the Bible, and many for their own personal gain. For years some political leaders have told us collectivism (the removal of private property; the state, or the collection of all people, owning everything) will bring us a better world.

 

Ignoring the fact that God wants people to own and manage certain properties, collectivism is very shortsighted. The only thing that can give us a better world is Christ. Only he can take us from our current situation to a better world, and that better world, of course, is heaven.

 

There are so many religious and political leaders. How do we know which ones are correct?

 

God provides us an answer. He has given us the Bible. We merely need to read the Bible and compare it to what our leaders are saying. If our leaders espouse something different than the Bible, then they are leading us away from Christ. These leaders are, in other words, cheap imitations. We may not be able to stop these leaders, but we can refocus our lives on Christ.

 

Eternal life is too precious. Beware of cheap imitations.

Play in the Hole

Last month my wife and I rented a house by the beach. Our kids and their families joined us. We had an awful lot of fun.



My two grand-daughters are 3 and 5 years old. There were times when the adults wanted to just sit and rest by the ocean, but the kids needed constant supervision. Without someone watching them, they would wander into the water, wander down the beach or play with the crabs.



Playing in the Hole

Telling them not to do these things was fruitless. However, digging a hole in the sand, letting it fill up with water and telling them to play in the hole amused them. They spent several hours playing in a hole, doing what I wanted, not doing what they wanted.

Today’s reading is Galatians 5:16-26. Some Christians in Galatia believed that because Jesus died for their sins, they had free reign to do as they please. Paul is reminding the Galatians that if they are in the Spirit, then they should live in accordance to the Spirit.  A Christian should not live a life of constantly succumbing to desires of the flesh.

The 10 Commandments tell us what we are not to do. (Okay, they tell us to honor our parents and worship God.) But what are we to do?

If we live in the Spirit, then we do what Jesus Christ did. We love God and we love our neighbor as ourselves. We make disciples of people, and we teach them the Word of God.

When we do these things, we live in the Spirit. We don’t have to worry about breaking the Ten Commandments.  

When we do these things, we don’t do what we want to do. Rather, we do what God wants.

God wants us to play in the hole.

Eyes on the Prize

We live in a busy, crowded society.

 

Our jobs, for those that have one, may require more than 40 hours a week. Those with jobs requiring less than this may have two jobs simply to make ends meet.

 

Raising kids takes a lot of time, and not just one-on-one time. We spend a lot of time driving to soccer games, piano lessons, ballet practices and swim meets. 

 

In all the bustle, we try to treat our fellow man decently and attempt to make it to church frequently. We may even attend a few church meetings and activities.

 

Uggghh! It would be easier if we did not spend so much time in church activities.

 

Today’s reading is Romans 8:18-30. Paul explains the primary benefit derived from our faith. It is beneficial to occasionally review the hope we have.

 

Paul writes

“… but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we are saved … For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.”

 

 

We have First fruits of the Spirit. Other passages (Ephesians 1:14, e.g.) tell us that we currently have but a portion of the Spirit and that the remainder will be given to us in Heaven.  There is more, much more, to come.

 

We will be adopted sons (and daughters!). Jesus is God’s natural son, and we will be adopted by God. As adopted children, we will have the same rights that Jesus has.

 

We will be conformed to the likeness of God’s natural son. We will be siblings of Jesus.

 

Jesus died, rose from the dead and ascended to Heaven. We can expect the same. Jesus had a new body after death, and so will we.  Jesus was glorified, and so will we. Jesus lives with God, and so will we!

 

This is great Joy!

 

In all the hustle and bustle of life, it can be helpful to take time out and keep our eyes on the prize!

Paul, The Master Marketer (?!)

Ron Popiel, Billy Mays and Vince Offer. Purveyors of the Veg-o-matic,  Pocket Fisherman, OxyClean, Slap Chop and ShamWow.

 

Pitchmen for TV infomercials. They are full of energy and are entertaining (and perhaps sometimes even obnoxious). They can sell you a gadget to solve a problem you did not know you had.

But wait, there’s more….

 

Ed Valenti (Ginsu knives), George Foreman (Lean Mean Grilling Machine) and Chef Tony (kitchen utensils).

 

They know their customers and are good marketers.  They are passionate and can endlessly extol the virtues of their products.

 

All this for the low price of $19.95 plus (shipping and handling)!

 

But their monolithic message does not appeal to some people. They have one speed and they don’t slow down waiting for some to “catch up.”

 

Today’s reading is 1 Corinthians 9:19-27. Paul tells us that he wants to win as many for Christ as possible. He is passionate about Christ and he wants to share it with the world.

 

Paul understands his audience and further, he knows it is not monolithic. He differentiates between the gentile and the Jew, between the weak and the strong and he presents the Good News of Jesus Christ to each in a way that will be meaningful to them. He is a masterful marketer.

 

More importantly, Paul does not merely change his words as he talks to different groups. He changes his behaviors! He becomes like one of them.

 

Unlike TV pitchmen, Paul does not charge for his “product.” He offers “it free of charge” (verse 18). Further, the Gospel is available immediately. You don’t have to wait six to eight weeks for delivery.

 

People need to be met where they are in life when discussing Christ. Paul was masterful at this, TV pitchmen, not so much, and I even less.  I need to understand my audience better. I need to be more mindful of where they are in life.

 

Paul knew people are different, and how he presented the Gospel depended on this difference. Paul changed when he had to.

 

Do you need to make minor changes to more effectively reach others with the Gospel?