One character trait all true children of God should have is a good sense of humor. In fact, I believe that for a minster it is an absolute essential. Laughter is like the release valve in a pressure cooker; if it does not function properly, the pot will explode. Through the years I’ve known many God loving folks whose “release valve” does not function properly. They let some situation in their life fill them with anger, resentment, bitterness, anxiety, worry, sadness, or fear. And because they linger in those seasons much longer than they should, that, in turn, robs them of the joy Christ wants them to have. We should all take the things of God seriously, but never ourselves. Paul wrote: “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.” (Romans 12:3) I confess that, early in my ministry, I went through a stretch where I thought that, as a servant of God, it was my duty to try to appear to others as always being serious, spiritual, and godly. It didn’t take me long to realize that I was being hypocritical, pretending to be somebody I was not. Once I better understood the grace of God, I decided to be myself. I felt confident that the Lord could use me in spite of my silliness or goofiness. And since He has, that reinforces my personal belief that God Himself has a sense of humor.
And because I don’t take myself too seriously, it often manifests itself in my messages and bible studies. On one occasion, a lady member came after our Sunday morning service to scold me for poking fun at myself during my sermon. Her position was that since I was a dignified servant of the most high God, I should conduct myself accordingly. To be honest, I initially felt flattered that she thought of me in that fashion. That changed when I later found out that she had started a secret movement among our members to have me “impeached.” I never knew pastors could be impeached but that was the word she used. This happened about twenty years ago, so I’m thankful that our membership never took her seriously, even though she definitely took herself seriously.
Laughter produces a merry heart and according to Proverbs 17:22, “A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones.” Nothing that is in the word of God is there by accident or coincidence. Therefore, let’s take it’s advice and make laughter a big part of our lives. It may be just the medicine our soul needs right now. Before I go, did you hear about the little Mexican boy that was born with a rubber toe? His parents named him Roberto.
God’s word for today: (Psalm 146:5) “Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God.”
Has this ever happened to you?: You are trying to do a fix-it job at home on an appliance or gadget and just when you think you’ve done all the necessary steps, nothing happens. Then, after a while, you realize the power is off. I hate to admit it but this has happened to me much more than once. I think it is the same in our Christian life. Sometimes we can’t figure out why we don’t get a certain petition answered. After a while, it dawns on us that we are not connected to the power. Something has happened to interrupt our relationship with God. When dealing with certain members’ issues, I give them what I believe is the biblical remedy for their situation. If, after a while, their issue is not resolved, I ask them about their relationships, first with God and then with people in their lives. You’ll be surprised how often they confess a hidden sin or a falling out with someone. Once they do what needs to be done, their fellowship with God is restored and the joy and victory returns.
In his first letter to the Corinthian Church, Paul pointed out some reasons why some of it’s members had become sick or even died. They were participating in the ordinance of the Lord’s Supper in an unworthy manner. To put it more simple, they too had unconfessed sin in their lives. Paul advised them to examine themselves before they participated in the Lord’s holy ordinance so that they wouldn’t suffer the same fate as those before them. The writer of Psalm 66: apparently knew this truth as well. That is why he added: If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.” (verse 18) This speaks of a sin a person likes and is not willing to let go, much less confess it.
After Adam and Eve sinned and later heard the sound of the Lord walking in the Garden, they tried to hide from Him. And since we were all blessed with Adam’s nature, it is not unusual if one of our first instincts is to try to hide from God when we have failed Him. Thank God that, because of Christ, we no longer have to hide after we sin. I John 1:9 says: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” He is so willing to receive and forgive us when we sin that He even invites us to draw near. The writer of the book of Hebrews said it this way: “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16)
If you have wondered why God hasn’t answered one of your special prayers, perhaps you may want to examine your life. If you have sinned or if there is something amiss, whatever you do, please don’t run and hide. The Lord wants to heal and restore you.
God’s promise for today: (James 4:8) “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”
Reading in Isaiah 51 this morning, I saw some things we, as God’s children, can definitely identify with. From it’s very first verse, we get this eye-opening reminder: “Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness and who seek the Lord: Look to the rock from which you were cut and to the quarry from which you were hewn.” Clearly God is telling us here to remember who we are. Since we gave ourselves to Christ and now belong to Him, we no longer belong to the World and we are very much different than they. And because of it, those who do not know Christ see us totally different than how God sees us. Their concept of us can range from simple silliness to complete dementia. Speaking about that, even when someone tells you that you are crazy, you must remember that, for a child of God, that is impossible. 2 Timothy 1:7 says: “For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” Therefore, who are we going to believe? Did Jesus not say: “I am the way, the truth, and the life” in John 14:6?
If we are in Christ, we are in the truth. This is something we must keep in mind constantly because there will be times when the world, or our mind, or our eyes, even our heart, will tell us something other than the truth. This happens because our old nature is still within us. Today, for example, some of you may be going through a difficult trial. And because you’re human, it just may be that you have worried more than you should about it, maybe even suffered some sleepless nights. To you, I say: “Let the truth in!” The Lord says He is with you, and that’s the truth! Later on in Isaiah 51, the Lord says: “I, even I, am He who comforts you. Who are you that you fear mere mortals, human beings who are but grass?” (verse 12)
I feed my dogs at night and every time I step outside the first thing I do is look up to the sky. I love seeing the moon and the stars but sometimes I can’t see them. Sometimes I can count only a handful of stars. Yet, I know they‘re out there. I was amazed recently when someone showed me a photo they took of the sky while out on an ocean cruise. My goodness! Even with an I-phone camera the view was amazing. I thought, “is this the same sky I’m looking at back home when I’m feeding our dogs, when I can only make out a handful of stars?” The answer is: “of course it is.” It is the same with us at times. We are going through a rough stretch and we’re desperately looking for God but we can’t see Him. By no means should we think that He’s not there. Believe me, God is always there with us and much closer than we can think or imagine. And that’s the truth!
God’s promise for today: (Isaiah 43:2) “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”
In his first letter to the Corinthian church, Paul wrote: “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.” (1 Cor. 11:1 NKJV) It is a wise thing to try to learn from and then emulate those who faithfully serve or have served the Lord, in particular the heroes of the faith. When the subject of bible heroes comes to mind, who is the first one on your list? Is it David, Moses, Abraham, Joseph, or someone else? The fact is that we can learn good things from any of these and other bible figures. I was thinking about that recently as I was reading again in Numbers, Chapter 12. It is the account of the time when Moses’ brother and sister criticized and openly spoke against him. I, like many other teachers, look for examples, lessons, comparisons, and application when reading a bible story. I found all of that in Numbers 12. I can only go over some of them lightly due to the limited space I have chosen to allot for our blogs, but I trust you’ll read that story for yourself and see what other good things you can learn from it.
Here are some of the valuable lessons I found in this story: (1) It is not wise to openly criticize a faithful servant of God. Though Moses never complained to God for what Miriam and Aaron did, the last part of verse 2 says: “And the Lord heard it.” (2) Meekness, or humility, like we saw in Moses, is a characteristic of God’s exceptional servants. As I often tell our congregation: “Meek does not mean weak.” (3) Our biggest critics and fiercest opponents are often those in our own family. (4) To desire God’s punishment on those who hurt or offend us is not a Christian characteristic. When the Lord was about to punish Aaron and Miriam for it, who was the first to intercede in their behalf? Correct! It was Moses! In fact, the punishment could have been much worse had he not interceded for them. Centuries before Jesus taught it in His Sermon on the Mount, Moses already knew that is God’s will to “bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” (See Luke 6:28)
Can we be imitators of Moses? Can we behave as he did the next time someone offends or hurts us? Can we pray for them and not rejoice or gloat if or when God decides to punish them? Can we patiently accept our trials and tribulations without crying “poor me” or complaining to God about it? If we can, God can use us. It may not even come close to Moses’ level, but He can use us anyway.
God’s promise for today: (Matthew 5:11) “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.”
Though I was never much of a fan of Country Music, there were a few tunes here and there which I either liked or else they certainly got my attention. One such tune, sung by David Allen Coe, had this rather odd line: “But you don’t have to call me darlin’, darlin.” To be honest, I never quite understood the song’s story line but, to me, it reminded me of those who flatter others or call them by sweet sounding names when it is pretty apparent their expression is less than genuine. Does the line: “You look marvelous, dahling” come to mind?
Anyway, that old tune came to mind recently when I was reading in Chapter 12 in the book of Romans. Verse 9 reads: “Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.” Other words for “dissimulation” are “hypocrisy” and dishonesty.” To me, it is a reminder for God’s children to be different than those in the world who only go around pretending that they sincerely care about others. How hard a task can that possibly be for those who have the love of Christ residing in their hearts? I choose to believe that the majority of those of you who are reading this blog, whether or not you are aware of it, are just looking for an opportunity to express or share the love of Christ with others. You are like the group of folks Jesus spoke about in the 25th Chapter of Matthew. They didn’t realize that the good they had done for others was the same as if they had done them for the Lord. That is why they asked: “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?” (verse 37)
The second part of Romans 12:9 reminds me that life is like eating at a cafeteria or buffet restaurant. We get choose what we want on our plate. We should reject that which is not good for us (abhor that which is evil) and really go for “that which is good.” It is the same when we hear someone preach or teach. We don’t have to receive something we didn’t like or agree with. We can pass it by just like we do with items at the buffet bar we don’t like. In fact, it is the same with these blogs. If you didn’t agree with something I wrote, pass it by just like you do at the cafeteria. After all, there is no preacher, teacher, or writer who is right every time. Some of us may not even be right half of the time. God’s instruction, however, remains: Our prayer should be: “Lord, help me to abhor and reject those things which are evil in your sight, and tightly cling to those which are good.”
God’s word for today: (Psalm 139:23) “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts.”
The 4th Chapter of Philippians is one of my favorite chapters in the bible. Yet, every time I read it I feel uneasy at the start of it when I am reminded of the reality that strife and contentions can arise even in the best of churches and families, as it did among the Philippians. The way the Apostle Paul started the chapter is evidence that the Philippian believers were near and dear to him. He called them his joy and crown and was obviously very proud of them. Because they meant so much to him, I can only imagine how much it hurt him to learn that strife had arisen among two of it’s prominent members. In the 2nd verse, and part of the 3rd, we read: “I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel.” Besides begging these two dear ladies to end their strife and settle their differences, he appealed to the pastor to do everything that he could to help them as well.
Strife is a terrible and hurtful thing especially when it occurs among God’s children, those who should love one another dearly. If it is unchecked and is allowed to continue it can break up marriages, families, even churches. The bible has a lot to say about this damaging sin. Here are just three examples: (Proverbs 16:28 NLT) “A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends.” (Pro. 17:14) “The beginning of strife is like releasing water; Therefore stop contention before a quarrel starts.” (Pro. 20:3) “It is to one’s honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel.” To sum up the general truths of these three verses, the one who starts the quarrel is a troublemaker who causes the breakup of even the best of friends. Secondly, once the floodgates of strife are open, very little can be done to contain it or “take it back.” Thirdly, those who are quick to start quarrels are called fools while those who avoid them are called honorable.
Someone asked me recently: “In a quarrel, who should be the first to ask forgiveness or say that they’re sorry?” I replied that I wasn’t sure but what I do know is that the one who usually puts an end to a quarrel is the strongest in character and grace of the two. The one who ends strife is usually the one with the biggest heart, the one who loves Christ the most, the one who is more like Him. I feel that way because of what I read in these two particular verses: (Proverbs 15:18 NLT) “A hot-tempered person starts fights; a cool-tempered person stops them.” (Pro. 15:1) “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Since we are all capable of it, none of us are exempt from strife. Therefore, it is possible that one, two, or more of you are presently experiencing it. If you are, I have one question for you: “Are you the weak one or the strong one?”
God’s word for today: (Ephesians 4:32) “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”
The following illustration was given by a very well known pastor in the Dallas area: Two men were walking through the countryside on their way to a nearby village. As they walked, they spied an old woman sitting at the edge of a river. She was upset because there was no bridge, and she could not get across on her own. The first man kindly offered, “We will carry you across if you would like.” “Thank you,” she said gratefully, accepting their help. So the two men joined hands, lifted her between them and carried her across the river. When they got to the other side, they set her down, and she went on her way. After they had walked another mile or so, one of them began to complain. “Look at my clothes,” he said. “They are filthy from carrying that woman across the river. And my back still hurts from lifting her. I can feel it getting stiff.” His friend just smiled and nodded his head. A few more miles up the road, the same man griped again, “My back is hurting me so badly, and it is all because we had to carry that silly woman across the river! I cannot go any farther because of the pain.” The other man looked down at his partner, now lying on the ground, moaning. Have you wondered why I am not complaining?” he asked. “Your back hurts because you are still carrying the woman. But I set her down five miles ago.”
Many people are like that complaining man. They are re-living a hard or unhappy experience of the past. The more they dwell on it, the more upset they get, They reach the point where they are of no help to themselves or to others. By experience, many of you have learned that the most productive members of a team or workforce are those who have good attitudes. In fact, in this illustration, it is obvious that the complaining man had a bad attitude from the start and did not do his good deed willingly. Most things that begin badly will end badly. He was like the men-pleasers Paul wrote about in his letter to the Colossians, those who do just enough to comply with their obligations but not with a sincere heart. That is why Paul added: “Whatever you do, do it as for the Lord and not for people.” (Col. 3:23) It seems to me that the complaining man in the illustration only helped carry the woman across just to keep his friend quiet, not with a willing heart.
Like the man in the illustration, are you still re-living a bad experience from the past ?Have you let it rob you of the joy and peace God wants you to have? If you are, let it go! Don’t be like this man. Don’t keep carrying this awfully heavy burden any longer. Give it to Jesus! Jesus said: “Come to me, all you who are struggling hard and carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28) Take His invitation today!
God’s promise for today: (Psalm 55:22) “Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.”
Have you ever been fortunate enough to get box seats or see a game in a luxury suite? I've never been inside a luxury suite and I honestly can’t remember the last time I sat in a box seat or front row to any public or sporting event. I do remember the many times we have sat in the “nosebleed” section. In fact, my head was practically touching the ceiling on more than one occasion. For the most part, only the rich and famous get the best seats in public events or in airlines. My wife and I have flown many times but almost always on “stand by”, never in “first class.” To be honest, I don’t even know what “first class” looks like on an airplane in the first place. I can honestly say I don’t bemoan that fact and the truth is that I’ve turned down free tickets many times. I’ve reached the point in my life, where I now prefer watching games or events in the comfort of our living room. Nevertheless, I can understand how it would be a life’s dream to many, to be able to see a game or special event in a luxury suite or a box seat.
I thought about all this recently as I was reading in the 2nd Chapter of Ephesians, in particular this verse: “And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus.” (Eph. 2:6) Can you imagine that? Those of us who never got preferred seating at special places or events in this world, will one day be seated next to Jesus in Heaven. Talk about First Class, and then some! In Heaven, there will be no class distinctions. Everyone will be equal. We will all have the same benefits and much better than those enjoyed in this life. Now, that’s something to look forward to.
God’s promise for today: (I Corinthians 2:9) “But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”
Psalm 127 begins with this established truth: “Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.” Bible scholars disagree regarding the writer of this psalm. Some believe Solomon wrote it, others believe David wrote it as an instruction for his son. If the psalm was referring to Solomon’s temple, here’s what we know: David had wanted to build it but the Lord did not permit it, choosing Solomon instead. But whether the author of the psalm was David or Solomon, it is obvious both knew that if God was not in the project, their work would come to naught.
The four thousand miles long Great Wall of China, built over two hundred years before the birth of Christ, was set up to keep out invaders from the north but in 1644 the Manchus broke through and overran China. Did they make a breach in the wall? No, they bribed a general of the Ming dynasty to open the gates. Although the wall was, and still is, a bonafide marvel of construction, it did not fulfill it’s purpose. Bottom line: God was not in it.
Please don’t think I’m trying to be political but there is just so much talk and discussion these days about the safety of our homes, community, even our entire country. If and whatever course we decide to take to ensure the safety of our family, and whatever steps are taken by our leaders at all levels, we must not forget this eternal truth: If God is not in it, it matters little what action is taken. Even as God’s children, we all think differently about many issues. Take the safety of our family, for example. Some may buy guns or home protection services, others may do nothing, being totally convinced that if God can’t take care of them, entire armies wouldn’t be able to do it. Regardless of the course of action we take, we must all put our trust in God. It is only in Him, where we can be totally safe and secure,
God’s promise for today: (Proverbs 18:10) “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run into it and are safe.”
We all know some people who are not happy with who they are. They will try everything they know in order to appear to be something or someone else. Many years ago, while sharing the gospel and the love of God with a co-worker, he replied: “Well, if God loves me so much why did he make me a (ethnic group) and you a (my ethnic group)?” On the other hand, there are those who are “proud” of who or what they are. Just the other day, I saw a license plate that read: “I’m Irish and proud of it.” Whether Irish, Mexican, German, Jewish, Italian, or any other race, how can anyone be proud of being something they had nothing to do with? Then, there are those whose own parents will make it known to all the world that they did not plan on having them, making some of them go through life believing they are “mistakes.” In the first place, it is God who decides who is born, not people. Secondly, He decided who and what we would be and just like all the rest of His creation, when He made us, He said that it was good. If you are a master craftsman, everything you make is good, and God is the Master Craftsman.
David knew that truth. That is why He wrote: “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” (Psalm 139:14) No, no, a thousand times no; none of us is a “mistake.” From time to time, we will hear others say they saw or met up with someone who looks exactly like us, a “dead ringer” if you will. Similar, perhaps, but exactly like us, never. Even so-called identical twins are not exactly alike.
There is no one in the world exactly like you or exactly like me. We are all unique and we were all made with a specific purpose. God loves us because He made us and because He is God He has never, He will never, make anything that is inferior. Because God made you, you are a somebody and you are special. Forget proud, we should be thrilled and happy that God made us just the way we are.
God’s word for today: (Psalm 100:3 KJV) “Know ye that the Lord He is God: it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.”
