Evildoers are Good

"...Everyone who does evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and He delights in them..." (Mal 2:17).

This is what the people were saying. But God's response was clear: "You have wearied the LORD with your words."

The people had gone beyond ignoring sin in their lives to accepting it. They even got to the point that they said it was good in God's sight.

That sounds pretty harsh. And we don't think it would ever happen to us.

Or could it?

At first we feel uncomfortable with sin.

After a while it gets more comfortable.

We get away with it. So we think no one knows.

God doesn't do anything about it, so we conclude "everyone who does evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and He delights in them."

We slide down the slope even further.

Eventually, the sin becomes comfortable and a regular pattern with apparently no consequences.

But God does care.

If we are truly a child of God, He won't let us keep going down that path.

His Word and His Spirit will begin to work in our hearts.

He will rip out the sinful habits.

But He replaces them with His presence and joy.

I know. I've been there.

It's Christmas!

It's Christmas!

Time to go to church.

Time to give gifts.

Time to sing carols.

Time to decorate.

Time to bake.

Time to send out cards.

Time to be merry and bright.

Churches will be filled this week with people who haven't been there since Easter, unless there was a wedding or funeral since then.

People have been frantically shopping to find the perfect gift. Hoping to make Christmas merry for their friends and loved ones - even if they haven't spoken to them all year.

Families will gather together to sing songs about the birth of Christ, ignoring the lack of biblical truth in some of the songs.

Hours will be spent decorating the trees, the yard, the house, the church, the business, the cookies, the gifts. And lots of money spent on the frills.

Cookies, pies, turkeys, hams, soups and sandwiches will be prepared for a gluttonous feast - or feasts.

Cards and letters will be sent to people, salving our consciences for another year of not keeping in contact.

And we'll all paste on a smile and wish each other "Merry Christmas!" while struggling through the stress of the season, the failed marriage, the rebellious child, the meaningless job, the depression and thoughts of suicide.

But that's okay. It's Christmas. It's what we do. It's how we celebrate. It's tradition. It's okay.

It's Christmas.

Maybe next Sunday, the Sunday after Christmas, the churches should be filled again.

This time filled with repentance.

Repenting over the hypocrisy of occasional church attendance (Hebrews 10:24-25).

Repenting over materialism (1 Timothy 6:10).

Repenting over false doctrine and Bible interpretation in the songs and sermons of the season (Jude 3-4).

Repenting over the foolish waste of money spent on decorations (1 Peter 3:3-4).

Repenting over gluttony (Proverbs 23:21).

Repenting over the fraudulent behavior and ignoring the spiritual needs of those around us (Galatians 6:1-2).

But it probably won't happen.

It's Christmas and it's just the way we do things.

Love Conquers Fear

Jesus knew what Judas was going to do and that it would lead to His painful death. He didn't just suspect that Judas might hurt Him, He knew exactly what was going to happen. 

And yet in the upper room, Jesus gave Judas a piece of dipped bread a symbol of honor and trust that the host was extending to His guest. 

And when the moment of betrayal came, Jesus called him "friend."

Throughout the evening Jesus gave Judas opportunities to repent. 

We often fear the potential harm that others may inflict on us and pull away from them. Or fight back. 

Jesus knew. He didn't suspect. And yet He chose to love Judas. He extended love and grace. 

Praise God Regardless

It's easy to praise God when everything is going well.

When the paychecks come in regularly and the bills are paid.

When the family is healthy.

When the car is working.

When the roof is not leaking.

But what about when things are not going so well?

Habakkuk had received visions from God that the Babylonian armies were coming to Jerusalem to destroy it.

Awful things were going to happen.

Crops would be destroyed.

Walls knocked down.

People murdered.

Yet Habakkuk was going to choose to praise God.

He wasn't going to thank God for the desolation.

He was going to praise God for being God.

"Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will take joy in the God of my salvation. God, the LORD, is my strength; He makes my feet like the deer's. He makes me tread on my high places" (Hab 3:19).

He was praising God for who He is.

He was praising God for His deliverance in the midst of the trials.

His focus was not on the trials, but on God.

He was choosing to praise God.

God Forgives and So Must You

"Who is a God like You, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of His inheritance? He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in steadfast love. He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities underfoot" (Micah 7:18-19).

What a comfort to know that God is a forgiving God!

If He held on to all the sins that I have committed against Him, there would be no chance for me.

Look at the other attributes listed here that have to do with God's forgiveness:

He does not retain His anger forever. He lets go of the anger. He withdraws His wrath.

He delights in steadfast love. He enjoys pouring out His mercy on us.

He will again have compassion on us. Though it did not seem like it at the time, Micah was anticipating God's compassion being seen again.

He will tread our iniquities underfoot. What a picture of how God sees our sins - just as dirt on the ground. He's not holding them against us. He's not looking through the list of our sins when He looks at us.

But wait, there's more!

Paul writes to the Ephesians: "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake, has forgiven you" (4:32).

We are not only to take great joy and comfort in the forgiveness that God gives to us. We are also to forgive others just like God has forgiven us.

We must pardon those who sin against us.

We must choose not to be angry at those who have trampled on our lives.

We must delight in steadfast love, loving those who are unloving toward us.

We must have compassion on those who have not been compassionate toward us.

We must consider their sins against us as dirt on the ground, choosing to look at them as Christ looks at them.

Not because they deserve it. We don't deserve God's forgiveness either.

Not because it will restore a relationship. God is ready to forgive even those who are not interested in Him.

But because that's the way God is.

Giving Up Hope

The Hallmark channel is filled with stories of hope this time of the year.

Hope that a broken relationship will be restored.

Hope that a sick child will be healed.

Hope that there will be snow for Christmas.

Hope that Lassie will make it home through the storm.

Usually by the end of the movie, everyone feels warm and fuzzy because that hope has been fulfilled.

Unfortunately, many Bible-believers have swallowed the Hallmark-Hope Lie.

If we truly believe, it will happen. If we are obedient, our dreams will come true. If we are humble and submissive, harm will never come our way.

One problem with that is that we don't have movie directors writing the scripts of our lives.

But the bigger problem is that we don't have any promises in the Bible that our dreams will come true.

No promises for a happy marriage.

No promises for healthy children.

No promises for a rewarding job.

No promises for a white Christmas.

No promises that the lost dog will return.

If we are believing the Hallmark-Hope Lie, we will be disappointed. We might try harder to believe. We might work harder to make God like us more so that He'll give us what we want. We'll be constantly on the lookout for the ruby slippers.

Or we might just give up on God. Take things into our own hands. God has given up on us. He's not given us what we want, so He must not be God. We are on our own.

Hoping for things for which there are no promises or giving up on God - both are idolatry. We've set something else in the place of God. We've made our hopes the goals for our lives.

So what's the solution?

Give up hope.

Jesus did. And so should we.

In the hours before His crucifixion, Jesus prayed, "Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me" (Lk 22:42a). He knew the pain that was coming. He knew the burden of sin that would be placed on Him. He knew the separation from His loving Father that He would face.

And He hoped that there would be another way.

But the next line of His prayer reveals that He gave up hope. "Nevertheless, not My will, but Yours, be done" (Lk 22:42b).

He gave up His hopes to be obedient to His Father.

Rather than chasing the Hallmark-Hope Lie, chase after the heavenly Father. Devote ourselves to Him. Love Him. Obey Him. Trust Him.

Not as a way to get what we want. "If I do this, then God will give me this" is like bringing fruit to an idol of stone.

Give up your hopes.

Cling to the promises of God.

"Oh Love That Will Not Let Me Go!"

It's an old hymn that has an amazing story behind it.

The author of the hymn, George Matheson, had lived in Scotland during the 19th century. He had two passions: preaching God's Word and a young woman to whom he was engaged.

His passion for preaching the Bible required much time in study and preparation - that means lots of reading. He spent so much time reading that his vision was suffering. Doctors told him that the damage was irreversible and that he would soon go blind.

When his second passion learned of the imminent handicap, she broke off the marriage. Matheson was heartbroken.

He continued to follow his passion for teaching God's Word. In spite of his blindness he became a pastor, preacher and scholar. He preached weekly to 1500 people, even though he couldn't see any of them.

For most of his adult life, his unmarried sister Jane cared for him. She prepared his meals and kept his house. She helped him with his studies. They were close companions.

On the eve of Jane's wedding, Matheson wrote the hymn "O Love That Will Not Let Me Go."

His beloved wife-to-be had jilted him. Now his closest companion on earth would be leaving him.

With wounds re-opened he recognized a love that would never disappoint. It was a love that had been there through all the years.

God's love was so overwhelming to him at that time that it only took him five minutes to write the hymn. And he claimed it was the only hymn that he never went back to edit.

In the midst, or the depths, of the greatest pains this life brings to us, the only true love is the love of God.

O Love that will not let me go,
I rest my weary soul in Thee;
I give Thee back the life I owe,
That in Thine ocean depths its flow
May richer, fuller be.

O Light that foll'west all my way,
I yield my flick'ring torch to Thee;
My heart restores its borrowed ray,
That in Thy sunshine's blaze its day
May brighter, fairer be.

O Joy that seekest me through pain
I cannot close my heart to Thee;
I trace the rainbow through the rain,
And feel the promise is not vain
That morn shall tearless be.

O Cross that liftest up my head,
I dare not ask to fly from Thee;
I lay in dust life's glory dead,
And from the ground there blossoms red
Life that shall endless be.

A Mundane Monday Morning

"So you shall know that I am the LORD your God, who dwells in Zion, My holy mountain. And Jerusalem shall be holy, and strangers shall never pass through it again" (Joel 3:17).

In other prophets we read that the people would "know that I am the LORD your God" when judgement came.

This passage talks about the restoration of Jerusalem and Judah as the sign.

When there is peace and prosperity in Jerusalem, the people would know tha tthe LORD is their God.

When the enemies of Israel have been subdued, the people would know that the LORD is God.

So in restoration or judgement, God is working to make Himself known.

God's ultimate goal in all of His acts is to make Himself known.

In good times and bad, we can seek to discover God's attributes.

How has He revealed Himself in this event?

What does God want me to learn about Himself through this?

And I don't think it's reserved for spectacular events of judgement or restoration.

How will God reveal Himself to me today, on this mundane Monday morning?

I don't like his style!

He's too direct.

His illustrations are bizarre.

He's boring.

He's too simplistic.

He's too complicated.

He talks too fast.

He stutters.

He repeats himself.

He preaches too long.

That's just scratching the surface of complaints raised against any preacher on any given Sunday.

And it's not anything new.

How many people do you suppose complained about Isaiah walking around naked and barefoot for three years?

How many people complained about M-m-m-m-moses when he stuttered?

Read the book of Jeremiah to see how many people criticized him.

People criticized Paul's timid nature in person.

Follow the life of Jesus and you'll see that people complained about His preaching.

"But," you may argue, "those were ungodly people who complained. I'm just trying to be helpful."

Isaiah's critics probably thought the same thing.

Instead of being your preacher's best critic, maybe you should be his best encourager by applying what he preaches!

Stubborn Heifers or Submissive Sheep?

I'm not a farmer or a rancher. And I'm not really much of an animal-lover. They belong outside or on the grill. I don't hate animals, I'm just not an expert. Nor do I intend to be.

But Hosea uses an interesting picture that I think I understand. Some of you farmers and ranchers might need to correct me if I get this wrong.

"Like a stubborn heifer, Israel is stubborn;
Can the LORD now feed them like a lamb in a broad pasture?"
(Hosea 4:16)

For those of you who don't know, a heifer is a young female cow that has not borne a calf. (I looked it up, just be sure).

So, make that young female cow that has not borne a calf a stubborn young female cow that has not borne a calf.

I've been to a few rodeos. And I've been on a few farms.

My observation: Cows are pretty big.

If they don't want to move, you have to hit them pretty hard. Pull on their ropes. Hoot and holler at them. Shock them with electricity.

God is comparing Israel to a stubborn heifer that won't do what He wants them to do. She won't go where He wants them to go. Israel is fighting every command, every prodding, every shock.

When they are in that state, can God let them graze in an open pasture?

Think of a herd of sheep. No fence around them. A shepherd and his dog can keep them together. They can go from juicy blade to juicy blade. Eating until they're nice and plump. Taking a drink when they're thirsty. Resting and chewing their cud at leisure.

The shepherd wants them to eat the best grass, so he leads them to where the pastures are green. He wants them to be protected from predators and the elements. He wants them to get the fresh water that they need.

He does everything he can to give them what they need and want.

But then he lets them graze where they want in that wide open pasture.

If that stubborn heifer were let loose in that open pasture, she might run off. The rancher can't take that risk of losing his source of income. So he has to keep that stubborn heifer penned up and feed it dry grass from the last cutting of hay. She has no choice. No freedom.

How often have I been like a stubborn heifer?

"No, Lord, I want to do it this way!"

"No, Lord, I want to go to this place!"

When the Shepherd wants to give me exactly what I need and want, doesn't it just make more sense to submit to His leading?

Prayer of Repentance

What is repentance?

Is it saying, "I'm sorry?"

Is it walking on your knees to a holy place, reciting a prayer?

Not surprisingly, the Bible is the source book for understanding biblical repentance. And we find an example of repentance in Daniel 91:16, giving us five elements of a prayer of repentance.

The first element is the Word of God. Daniel was reading the book of Jeremiah, a prophet in the years preceding, during and after the Babylonian exile. Daniel was living in Babylon in exile, so he knew what the current situation was. Jeremiah helped him understand why it was that way. This understanding caused Daniel to repent. Without the Word of God, repentance has no foundation (v 1-2).

The second element is Daniel's attitude of humility (v 3). Seeking God, pleas for mercy, fasting, sackcloth and ashes are marks of humility. It was not an attitude of "I've got to do this" or "If I do this, everything will be okay." But Daniel was shaken by the truths of God's Word and the evidences of God's wrath.

The third element is Daniel's recognition of God. Look through the prayer and you'll find these words that describe God: great, awesome, faithful, merciful, righteous, just, forgiving, angry, wrathful, listening. Clearly in God's eyes, God was right.

The fourth element is Daniel's recognition of guilt. "We have sinned against You." "To us belongs shame." "We have rebelled." "We have not obeyed." No blame shifting. No minimizing. No excuses.

The fifth is a request for forgiveness and restoration (v 16-19). Daniel cries out to God to restore His people and His land and His city. Not because of Daniel's prayer. Not because of the goodness of the people. Not because they have gone through rehab and are doing better. Not because they made promises to try harder. But because of God's name. Because of God's glory.

When was the last time you repented like that? Just for the big sins? Does God have a sliding scale giving more weight to more serious sins?

We need to walk in repentance.

Giving Praise to God

A very well-known Bible account - Daniel in the lion's den found in Daniel 6 - is full of lessons to learn. One is about giving God the glory.

King Darius paced the floor all night. He was concerned for his friend and couldn't sleep.

The next morning, the king rushed to the lion's den and called out to Daniel. He had some reason to think that Daniel might still be alive.

Daniel responded, "O king, live forever! My God sent His angel and shut the lions' mouths, and they have not harmed me, because I was found blameless before Him; and also before you, o king, I have done no harm" (v 21-22).

Daniel didn't say, "Just fine! Everything's okay down here!"

He directed the king's thoughts right to God.

"God delivered me!:

So often we take credit for God's work. Or at least we don't take the opportunity to point others to God.

God helped me...

God taught me...

God did this..

And really it shouldn't be that hard.

We know that God is constantly at work, even if we're not in the lion's den.

He provides a job to pay the bills.

He keeps us safe on our drive to work - even if the roads aren't icy.

He gives us His Word to teach us.

He gives us to have victory over sin.

God is always doing something for us or teaching us.

All we have to do is open our mouths and tell someone about it!

Eternal Life

We so easily think and therefore teach that eternal life is a period of time.

"After we die, we get to live forever." Isn't that how we usually present John 3:16?

But what about those who don't believe that Jesus died for their sins? They live forever, too. It's a painful eternity, suffering in hell. But they are still alive.

So is it a quality of life after death that we are to promote?

Look at something else that John wrote:

"...His Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life" (1 John 5:20b).

Eternal life isn't a period of time. Nor is it a quality of life.

Eternal life is a person.

John began this same letter the same way:

"...the life was made manifest and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us - that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you..." (1:2-3a).

John is not talking about a period of time. Or a quality of life. Or even a distinction between life and death.

You can't see or touch those. They can't be with the Father and revealed to us. They are abstract. John is talking about something concrete.

He's talking about Jesus.

The eternal life that we can have by believing in Christ's death, burial and resurrection is Jesus Himself!

We can have fellowship with Him (1:3-4)

He is with us (Mt 28:18-20).

He gives us victory over sin (Rom 6:6).

He provides for us (Phil 4:19).

He promises resurrection (Rom 6:8-9).

And so much more!

My Hope is in the Lord

My hope is in the Lord, Who gave Himself for me.
And paid the price of all my sin at Calvary.

For me, He died. For me He lives.
And everlasting life and light He freely give.

Christ did everything for me to secure my salvation.

Everything.

Nothing I could do.

It's all a free gift that He has provided.

His goal for me is not simply that I would reach the grand entrance to heaven.

He desires that I live a holy life in the meantime.

When I choose to sin, I mock the price that He paid.

If I give in to temptation, I mock the price that He paid.

I say that His blood was not enough to give me victory.

These things I know.

These things I need to practice.

Monday Morning

"As for you, son of man, your people who talk together about you by the walls and at the doors of the houses, say to one another, each to his brother, 'Come, and hear what the word is that comes from the LORD.' And they come to you as people come, and they hear what you say but they will not do it; for with lustful talk in their mouths they act; their heart is set on their gain. And behold, you are to them like one who sings lustful songs with a beautiful voice and plays well on an instrument, for they hear what you say, but they will not do it. when this comes - and come it will! - then they will know that a prophet has been among them" (Ezekiel 33:30-33).

Sounds familiar, doesn't it?

"Hey, guys! Let's go to church! There's a great speaker."

"That was a great sermon today! He really made it easy to understand!"

But then Monday morning roles around and nothing has changed.

Wake up grumpy.

Yell at the kids.

Kick the dog.

Laziness, lying and lack of concern come back into the workday.

We don't witness to the co-worker.

We don't take time for devotions.

We work overtime.

Everything we heard on Sunday is forgotten, except maybe the gossip in the foyer.

The same message is repeated in James 1:22-25: "But be doers of the Word and not hearers only."

It's a pitfall that has spanned the centuries.

A consistent refusal to do what has been taught may lead to judgment. Look what happened to Israel.

It may be evidence that we aren't even redeemed. "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow me" (John 10:27).

Today is Monday. What are you doing today differently because of what you learned from God's Word yesterday?

Do We Dare Ask?

Ezekiel prophesied the destruction of Egypt by the hands of the Babylonians, revealing God's purposes.

One purpose was to humble Egypt and Pharaoh (30:6). Her pride and idolatry would be destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar's army.

A second purpose was to reward Babylon. God had used the mighty, unstoppable Babylonian army to accomplish His purposes with many nations, including Judah. The plunder of Egypt was to provide payment for their services (29:17-20).

Throughout this prophecy, God repeats, "Then they shall know that I am the LORD."

God's purpose centers around proclaiming His name and bringing glory to Himself.

Can we read the newspaper asking ourselves, "How is God glorifying Himself through these events?"

Or do we look at the events of our own lives and ask, "How is God glorifying Himself through these events?"

We believe that God is sovereign and that He is acting according to His plan to bring glory to Himself. Therefore, we should be able to ask ourselves that question all the time.

The question should motivate us toward obedience. God is sovereign. God's goal is to bring glory to Himself. That should be my goal, too.

So we should dare to ask ourselves the same question when we are making decisions: "How will God be able to glorify Himself if I make this decision?"

That should be our first question, since glorifying God should be our primary motivation.

Principles for Suffering

Peter continues his discussion about suffering for the believer in chapter four of 1 Peter:

1. Suffering sanctifies (v 1-3). It gives new perspective on what is important and the value of living a holy life. We learn to use our time to flee sinful practices to be obedient to Christ.

2. Suffering is expected (v 12). Christ suffered and we should expect suffering. We'd like to live a life of ease, but that is not reality.

3. Suffering gives reason for rejoicing (v 13). Ouch! We'd rather moan and groan, but it is a ground for rejoicing.

4. Suffering is an evidence of the indwelling Spirit of God (v 14). It is only through the Spirit that we can consistently do good. When suffering for obedience comes along and we choose to cave in to the pressures and not continue to obey, then the Spirit is not in us, giving us the ability to live righteously.

5. Suffering should not be because of wrongdoing (v 15). A believer should not find himself in prison for crimes. He may be in prison for preaching the Gospel.

6. Suffering is a reason to glorify God (v 16). When we grasp the big picture of God's plan, we can glorify Him. He has counted us worthy to suffer as Christ suffered. He has proven His love and mercy by sustaining us.

7. Suffering causes us to trust God (v 17-19). When everyone else has turned against us, God is still there. When we realize that God is the righteous Judge, who knows our hearts, we can trust Him. Rather than listening to the attacks and complaints of the persecutors, we can trust God and His Word.

Better to Suffer

"For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil" (1 Peter 3:17).

Often this passage is used as a motivation to witness in a hostile environment.

You share Christ and your friends make fun of you. That's better than going to jail for robbing a bank.

That may be a valid application, but I think there are other possibilities.

We can suffer for doing the right thing when we are obedient to Christ. And we can suffer at the hands of other believers.

In April 2011, the Lord worked in my heart through the preaching of His Word and I confessed sinful behaviors and struggles that had been plaguing me for over thirty years. I had thought that there was no hope of overcoming these temptations.

Like the demon-possessed man in Mark 5, the situation seemed hopeless. But when I cried out to Jesus, He has helped. As I have submitted myself to His will, I have seen great victory.

I did the right thing, but I have suffered.

My wife determined that she no longer wanted to work on our marriage and split our family. One of my sons refuses to communicate with me. I lost my job. I'll never be a pastor again. I'm carrying mattresses and couches. A large circle of acquaintances no longer has contact with me. My opportunities for teaching and discipling have vanished. Being ignored and avoided at church by people who are supposed to care is discouraging. Loneliness is constant.

But I know I did the right thing. I did what God commanded me to do. He has heard my prayer and gives me victory over temptation.

The suffering for doing good is not easy.

Doing right and having a clear conscience before God is better than suffering under a life of hidden sin.

Shifting the Blame or Repenting?

Since the Garden of Eden, we have been blame-shifters.

Adam blamed Eve. Eve blamed the snake.

And so it has continued to this day.

My parents never taught me.

My church was too strict.

I don't have a college education.

She hit me first.

My boss doesn't understand me.

God addressed the same issue with the Israelites in Ezekiel 18.

God's conclusion: Everyone is responsible for their own actions.

If the good man starts doing bad things, he will be punished for his evil deeds.

If the evil man starts doing good things, he will be preserved.

If the father was bad, but the son was obedient to God, the son will be preserved and the father punished.

If the father was good, but the son turned out bad, the son will be punished and the father preserved.

The proper response then is not to shift the blame to anyone else. The proper response is to repent.

"Repent and turn from all your transgressions, lest iniquity be your ruin. Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed, and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit!" (Ezek 18:31).

Stop putting the blame on your spouse, your parents, your children, your boss, your church, God, or anyone else!

Choose to repent. Turn from your sins.

And do right!

Law or Liberality?

"Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God" (1 Peter 2:16).

Peter addresses two extremes in Christianity: legalism and liberality.

The legalist makes a list of rights and wrongs. These are the things a real Christian does. These are the things a real Christian doesn't do.

He's got a checklist of standards by which he measures himself and others to determine spirituality.

On the other end is the liberal. He emphasizes his freedom in Christ.

There is no condemnation.

My sins are forgiven.

The blood of Christ has set me free.

Therefore, I can do whatever I want.

And if anyone tries to stop me, I pull out the "Judge not!" card.

Both extremes are wrong.

Live like a freed man. But don't use your freedom to sin.

After the fall of communism in Romania, chaos broke out. The people had been so oppressed by the government, that they thought all law was wrong. Stop signs were ignored. Anarchy reigned for a time.

Unfortunately, some Christians try to live like that, too. If I'm free from the law, then I don't have to follow any rules.

But if you look at the verses before and after this verse, you'll see a list of rules.

Our freedom is a freedom from sin and from the law. But not a freedom to do whatever we want. We must be careful students of the Word so that our lists don't go beyond what God expects. We must also be careful students of the Word so that we are doing what pleases Him and not ourselves.

Striving to please Christ - not ourselves and not others - must be our goal.

Living as a child of the King and not trying to earn His favor should be our standard. We are free to live, because we are accepted in the beloved.

You're a selfish pig!

"What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you?" (James 4:1).

Usually, we think the other person starts an argument.

He did something.

She said something.

If she weren't so...

If he hadn't been so...

But James wrote that the cause for fights is not the other person. It's you. You're the one to blame.

"Your passions are at war within you."

Your desires are driving you. They are controlling your thoughts, words and actions.

What you want to satisfy your desires is greater than what you know is the right thing to do.

In other words, the arguments that you get into are because you are being selfish.

You're a selfish pig!

And that's an important lesson to remember.

When you realize that you are a selfish pig, you'll be willing to stop fighting for your rights and desires.

When you realize that you are a selfish pig, you'll be willing to stand up for the truth and not your wishes and dreams.

It's not a matter of becoming a door mat. It's not even a matter of just sitting back and letting the other person have whatever they want.

It's a matter of standing up for what God says is the right thing to do, to say and to be.

God's goal for you is to become like Christ. God's goal for the other person in your argument is to become like Christ.

So rather than wasting your energy to make the other person to be like you, (i.e. do what you want to do because you want to do it!), use that energy to help them to become like Christ.

Change your passion to becoming like Christ and let that passion drive you.

Those opportunities for argument will become opportunities for you to become like Christ.

A Bountiful Harvest

"And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace" (James 3:18).

I had an opportunity today to fight fire with fire. Someone who has repeatedly hurt me for years did it again. A malicious accusatory tone came through in an e-mail and I wanted to fight back.

In fact, I did . But I slowed it down by asking for help. I spewed out the same venom that had been spit on me. But I sent my message to two brothers and asked for their help.

They both came back with the same response: take out the references to the other person. Take out the accusations. Attack the problem, not the person.

They were right. I was stirring up more problems than making peace.

I re-wrote my response. Not ignoring or denying the problems that the other person had created, just not giving more reasons for further attacks.

Will it end the abuse? Probably not.

Will it heal up old wounds? Not likely.

But I know that I have not done anything to further disrupt the relationship. Nothing that I've said has given ground for further attacks. I don't have to fear a caustic rebuttal.

And I'm thankful for the two brothers who toned me down and tuned my heart to God.

The Other Side of Halloween

Here's another thought provoking post about Halloween and the Christian.

http://www.prophezine.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=676%3A10-reasons-i-kissed-halloween-goodbye&catid=41%3Atop-headlines

The author gives ten reasons with biblical support. Essentially, she argues that Christianity and Evil can't be mixed together - in any form. Halloween is clearly a celebration of evil, even if we try to sugar coat it with nice costumes and harvest parties.

In her introduction she compares it to her having a sexual encounter with someone other than her husband, just one night a year. Surely he wouldn't mind, would he?

Surely, God didn't mind when the Israelites prayed to Him and to Baal, did He?

The previous article that I posted about this topic proposed redeeming the holiday, because the neighborhood would be out on the streets. An interesting concept.

But would we argue that we should go to a rock concert, because there are people there? Or hang out in the bars to witness?

Would we want to encourage others in their macabre acts, just because we want to have fun? Even if we aren't making light of death and evil, because we aren't dressing up as witches, vampires or ax murderers, aren't we encouraging that by not taking a stand against the evil?

If we argue that we're just having fun, why is that argument not valid when a group of teens butchers cats or rapes a woman, just for fun?

I think I'd rather be on the side of God's Word and keep away from Satan and his celebrations.

I'm staying home tonight.

The Destruction of Jerusalem

Often we hear or read the phrase "the destruction of Jerusalem" and don't really grasp what that was like. Jeremiah describes it vividly in Lamentations, the book of mourning over the destruction of Jerusalem.

It was an awful sight, reflecting God's anger at sin.

Here are a few examples from the first two chapters:

The city is empty and lonely (1:1).

Her friends have become her enemies (v 2).

No resting place. Overtaken by enemies (v 3).

The roads to Zion mourn. Her priests groan (v 4).

Her children are captives (v 5).

The majesty is gone. The princes wander about (v 6).

The temple and its treasuries have been desecrated (v 10).

The people search for food (v 11).

The mighty men were rejected by the Lord (v 15).

No comfort can be found (v 16-17).

The young men and women are captives (v 18).

Priests and elders perished in the city from hunger (v 19).

The strongholds have been destroyed (2:2).

The temple is in ruins (v 6-8).

The gates are destroyed (v 9).

Elders and young women are in mourning (v 10).

Infants and babies faint in the streets (v 11).

Hunger overtakes the children (v 12).

Enemies pass by and mock (v 15-16).

Young and old, men and women lie dead in the streets (v 21).

All because they refused to turn from their sin. they refused to listen to God's Word, so God punished them. His wrath was poured out in judgment.

Reading this makes me thankful that I am not under God's wrath. I am certainly not any better than the people of Jerusalem.

But the blood of Christ has removed the wrath of God (John 3:16-18).

Faith can Grow

When we read the account of Abraham in Genesis, it seems that he is a failure in the area of faith.

God commanded him to leave his family behind in Ur. But he takes his father and nephew with him.

Rather than staying in the Promised Land, he leaves in the time of famine.

To save his life, he lies about his wife, saying she is his sister.

Two times he came up with a plan for an heir. The first time wanting to name his servant an heir. The second time committing adultery with Sarah's servant.

He doesn't seem to be a man of faith at all. God places tests before him and each time he fails.

But when it comes to offering Isaac as a sacrifice, his faith doesn't waver.

"By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, of whom it was said, 'Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.' He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back" (Hebr 11:17-19).

Abraham remembered what God had promised. Isaac would be the chosen seed, the line of promise. So God had to have an alternate plan. If God wanted Isaac to be killed, God would have to raise him from the dead.

It took almost 40 years for Abraham to trust God, but he did learn. After years of trying to solve God's problems on his own, Abraham learned that God was big enough to solve His problems. All Abraham had to do was to obey.

There's hope for me then. I can learn to trust God. I have failed and probably will fail again. But God is big enough to keep His word.

What to do about Trick or Treating

I don't know. I think through this every year at this time. The last few years I've lived in the country, so it's not been an issue. I still live in the country, so I still won't have to deal with it.

This mom puts an interesting perspective on it: http://troublefacemom.com/2012/10/31/on-halloween/

Essentially, she's argues that it's the one night of the year that your neighbors will come to your door. So be hospitable. Games, treats, coffee, popcorn. Do what you can to be friendly and generous. Love your neighbors.

Turn on the lights and strike up a conversation.

Not such a bad idea.

Why don't they just listen for once?

Ever had one of those days with your kids? Or your students? Or your patients? Or your spouse?

No one seems to listen. And they end up making bad choices that lead to bad consequences.

Same thing happened to Jeremiah.

After decades of warning Judah to repent, then to surrender, Jerusalem was ransacked by the Babylonian army. The royal family was killed or deported. The temple was burned. The treasuries were looted. Only the poorest were left in the land. A servant state was established.

Just like Jeremiah had told them would happen.

So Jeremiah gets his choice and remains in Judah, rather than going to Babylon - or anywhere else he wanted to go.

After an insurrection, the remnant in the land comes to Jeremiah and says, "What should we do? Should we stay here, or go to Egypt? Whatever you tell us to do, we'll do it."

Jeremiah tells them to stay in the land, abide by the Babylonian laws and God would bless them.

"No way! Baruch put you up to that!"

So they took off to Egypt.

Really?

These were not men who had just heard about the destruction of Jerusalem. They had lived through the siege with its hunger and disease.

These were not men who had only heard about Jeremiah at fireside chats from their grandfathers. They had heard him preaching for decades, with his radical message and crazy object lessons.

But what he prophesied had come to pass.

And they still chose to disobey.

And drug Jeremiah with them.

When they get to Egypt, Jeremiah buries two stones and prophesies that Nebuchadnezzar would set up his tents above those stones.

And all those who disobeyed God would die in Egypt. They would be wiped out. No remnant. No escapees.

But wait. I'm just as bad as they are.

How many times has God warned me about the consequences of my sinful choices?

And yet I still choose to give in to temptations?

"Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life" (Gal 6:7).

Why bother having friends?

A couple of quotes from Sexual Sanity for Men by David White pgs 54-55 on Psalm 139:

Summary:

God created us for intimacy, a desire to be known and to know others. Only God knows us and He knows us thoroughly. 

"But it (God's thorough knowledge of him) leads David to worship. Why? Because for David - who was no stranger to sexual sin - this profoundly demonstrates God's nearness, the depth of his intimacy with us. God knows every thought - not because he's keeping a tally for judgment day, but because he actually loves you that much! He's paying attention. You are truly that known and delighted in."

"David's confidence in God's goodness and mercy enables him to end his psalm by saying, 'Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!' (Psa 139:23-24). Understanding who God truly is and our relationship to him through Christ frees us to fearlessly pray this same prayer, confidently drawing near to the throne of grace so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in our time of need (see Hebr 4:16)."

It's when we seek this level of intimacy anywhere else but with God that we run the risk of sinful choices. If I seek that level of intimacy with my spouse, parents, siblings, church members, or anyone else, I'll be disappointed. There's no way that they can know me the way that I want to be known. And I can't know them the way I want to know them. Relationships will disappoint and I'll be constantly looking for a new relationships.

So then it becomes a cycle of despair, because no relationship will satisfy. A time will be reached where there is no longer an attempt to build new relationships. 

What's the point of trying any more? Better to be a recluse with no friends than to be constantly disappointed.

Why bother investing in others?

I'm not going to be satisfied in relationships. Others will not be satisfied in a relationship with me.

So the only reason to bother having a relationship has to be to point them to God, Who will satisfy their need for intimacy, right?

And the capstone is that God wants to be known and has given us all we need to know Him.

So, look at your friendships. Are you seeking to satisfy your need for intimacy through them, or pointing them God who will satisfy their need for intimacy?

Fifty Promises to the Believer

I'm sure there are more, but since I turned 50 this week, here's a list of 50 promises:

1. Forgiveness of sins 1 John 1:9
2. Holy Spirit making intercession Rom 8:26
3. Never leave you or forsake you Hebrews 13:5
4. With you always Mt 20:28
5. Confirmed to the end 1 Cor 1
6. Eternal life John 10:28-29
7. He will complete His work Phil 1;6
8. God works to will and to do Phil 2;13
9. No condemnation Rom 8;1
10. Victory over sin Rom 8:13
11. Salvation Rom 10:9-10
12. Reward for perseverance Gal 6:9
13. Peace of God Phil 4:6-7
14. Peace with God Rom 5:1
15. Supply all our needs Phil 4;19
16. Answered prayer Matt 7:9-11
17. Crown of life James 1;12
18. Strength Phil 4:18
19. Power, love and sound mind 2 Tim 1:7
20. Eternal dwelling w/god Jn 14:2-3
21. His return Jn 14:4
22. Mercy and grace in time of need Hebr 4:16
23. Rest Mt 11:28-29
24. Everything we need to do good 2 cor 9:8
25. Grace 2 Cor 12:9
26. Guidance Prov 3:5-6
27. Victory over spiritual powers 2 Cor 10;3-5
28. God indwelling us 1 Jn 4:16
29. Christ indwelling us Col 1:27
30. Holy Spirit indwelling us Jn 16
31. Sanctification 1 Cor 6:11
32. God as Father 2 Cor 6:17-18
33. Royal status 1 Pet 2:9
34. Love from God Jn 17:23
35. Eternal, incorruptible inheritance 1 Pt 1:3-4
36. Comfort in affliction 2 cor 1:3-4
37. Bearing our burdens Ps 68:19
38. New creation 2 Cor 5:17
39. Forgets our sins Hebr 8:12
40. Constantly thinks about us Ps 139:17-18
41. Name written in heaven Lk 10:20
42. discipline Hebr 12:6
43. Access to God in prayer Eph 3;12
44. Seeing Christ Rev 22:4
45. Becoming like Christ 1 Jn 3:2
46. Rest Hebr 4:9-10
47. Removal of fear 1 Jn 4:18
48. Crown of righteousness 2 Tim 4:8
49. In the presence of Christ at death 2 Cor 5:8
50. Illumination of Scripture 2 Cor 2:14

Eat, Drink and Be Merry

Solomon seems pretty cynical in Ecclesiastes. In his observations, like seems pointless.

Work hard, invest wisely, do great things and you're still going to die like the lazy, poor wicked bum.

So what's the point?

Why bother working hard? Why not be lazy?

You work hard and are tire at the end of the day.

You save your money and your kids squander it when you die.

But his cynicism turns to encouragement.

"I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toils - this is God's gift to man" (Eccl 3:12-13).

It's not about being rich or poor.

It's not about being well educated, or a high school dropout.

It's not even about being a hard worker or a lazy bum.

It's about doing what pleases God.

God has given us commands about caring for others.

He has given us the ability to be joyful by giving us purpose in life.

He provides for our physical needs.

He gives ut the ability to work.

All these things are gifts from God, so using them the way He desires, brings glory to Him.

It's fatalism that says, "Eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we die."

But satisfaction: "Eat, drink and be merry, for God is good."

Praying for Deliverance

Seeing the massive Babylonian army approaching, King Zedekiah asked Jeremiah to pray to God that the Babylonians would retreat.

"...Perhaps the LORD will deal with us according to all His wonderful deeds and will make him withdraw from us" (Jer 21:2).

God's response through Jeremiah was clear. He would deliver Jerusalem. He would gather their weapons.

But God's deliverance was not going to be a deliverance FROM the Babylonians, but TO the Babylonians.

God was turning against Jerusalem.

Everyone in the Holy City would die by sword, famine or pestilence. The only chance of survival was to surrender to the invading army.

That was not the answer the king was wanting to hear.

The sins of Jerusalem and Judah had been increasing for generations. Prophets had been warning them and they refused to repent.

God's answer to their prayers for deliverance was clear.

Deliverance into enemy hands was imminent.

No avoiding it.

No escape.

No miraculous interventions this time.

The lesson for us: rather than harboring sin and refusing to repent, deal with it. Confess and forsake sin, so that God will deliver and use you, rather than turn you over to defeat.

What to Look for When Shopping

Having worked in a furniture store for the last few years, I've noticed that many people look at the color of the fabric first.

"I want a blue chair."

Our store deals with several companies that have 1000 fabrics each. Color is the easiest thing to change. So we have to direct the customer to look at the quality of the chair. They have to sit down in the chair to see if it's comfortable for them. And then help them decide if it's a good value for them.

Then we can go to the color.

Unfortunately, many will look for a wife in the same way.

"I want a good looking one."

Do we stop to think how selfish that really is?

We want a wife who will look good. We are concerned about what others will think about us when they see us with her. We're concerned about the benefit that she will bring to us.

"Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised" (Prov 31:30).

Like a chair, the beauty will fade. And she may not always be so charming after a 3 a.m. feeding for six nights in a row!

But if we are looking for someone who fears the Lord, who is walking and talking and living a life that pleases God, that will only improve over the years.

Don't look at the outside. That will change.

Look at her actions and words that reveal her heart.

Oh, and BTW: the same thing applies to women looking for a husband. Those stunning good looks and six-packs might get kind of droopy after 40!

Turn the World Upside Down

Trouble just seems to follow some people.

Like the Apostle Paul.

If you read through the account of his missionary endeavors, you find that he was often dragged before the city rulers.

Accused of teaching practices contrary to Jewish law and custom.

Accused of teaching practices contrary to Roman law and custom.

Worshiped as a god. Stoned and left for dead.

Beaten. Thrown in prison.

Having to be let out of town in a basket down the city walls. Escorted out of town after dark.

In some cities he was only there for a few weeks before he had created a disturbance.

Why?

He was preaching the message of the crucifixion.

Are we stirring up the cities where we live by preaching the gospel?

Have we chosen to end our evangelism with passing out tracts, holding fun fairs, and planting trees?

Have we decided that we're so comfortable in our homes and churches that we don't want to confront people with the gospel?

Have we not been transformed by the gospel?

Godly Bragging

"Thus says the LORD, 'Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom,
Let not the mighty man boast in his might,
Let not the rich man boast in his riches,
But let him who boasts boast in this,
That he understands and knows me,
That I am the LORD who practices steadfast love,
Justice and righteousness in the earth.
For in these things I delight, declares the LORD'"

(Jeremiah 9:23-24)

We all have stories that we like to tell. Places we've been. People we've seen. Skills we've accomplished. Things we've learned.

Sometimes those stories get more embellished as they get repeated. Though it's usually with good intention, it boils down to bragging, which easily turns to lying.

The Lord calls us to brag about knowing and understanding Him, not about ourselves.

Okay, so we've known that we need to tell the truth. We need to be humble.

But have we thought about the flipside?

Rather than talking about how great we are, we should be talking about how great God is.

To be able to talk about how great God is requires that we know how great He is.

When we begin to understand God, we realize that there is so much more about Him that we don't understand.

Which results in humility, recognizing how great He is and how little we are.

And it leads to a greater desire to know God.

If you want to be able to talk about God, you have to know about Him. If you want to brag about Him, talk about the amazing things that He has done and His greatness, you have to constantly be learning about Him.

The more we know, the more we can brag.

In Tenderness He Sought Me

The first song on Pandora this morning was this one, sung by George Beverly Shea.

What a great reminder of the love of Christ in bringing me into His presence for all eternity!

In tenderness He sought me,
Weary and sick with sin;
and on His shoulders brought me
Back to His fold again.
While angels in His presence sang
Until the courts of heaven rang.

Refrain

Oh, the love that sought me!
Oh, the blood that bought me!
Oh, the grace that brought me to the fold,
Wondrous grace that brought me to the fold.

He washed the bleeding sin wounds,
And poured in oil and wine;
He whispered to assure me,
"I've found thee, thou art Mine;"
I never heard a sweeter voice;
It made my aching heart rejoice!

Refrain

He pointed to the nail prints,
For me His blood was shed,
A mocking crown so thorny
Was placed upon His head;
I wondered what He saw in me,
To suffer such deep agony.

Refrain

I'm sitting in His presence,
The sunshine of His face,
While with adoring wonder
His blessings I retrace.
It seems as if eternal days
Are far too short to sound His praise.

Refrain

So while the hours are passing,
All now is perfect rest,
I'm waiting for the morning,
The brightest and the best,
When He will call us to His side,
To be with Him, His spotless bride.

Refrain

Words: W. Spen­cer Wal­ton, 1894.

Music: Adon­i­ram J. Gor­don, 1894

Fresh Water

A few years ago I was on a mountain hike with a friend. It was just a one-day trip, but we had our packs filled with food and water. The weather was perfect and the trail was not too challenging. The view at the top was gorgeous!

This was not a tourist hike with restaurants and snack shops along the way. We were the only ones on the trail that day.

We ate our lunch at the top, enjoyed the break and a drink of water. It satisfied for a while, but we still had to make it down the mountain.

On our way up, we had passed a small waterfall with cool, clear water. At that time, we rested there and rinsed off our hands and faces.

But the way back down was different. We knew that waterfall was there. And the water in our bottles was depleting. What was left was lukewarm.

About half-way down, our search for that cool, refreshing waterfall was our motivation. We were on the right trail and headed the right direction, but it seemed like it was further down the mountain than we remembered. Just around the next curve. Across that other path. Past that cliff.

It had to be there.

And it was.

We got there and began drinking from the waterfall. So refreshing! So cool!

We dumped out the warm water from our bottles and filled it with the fresh water for the rest of our trek.

Which was better? The lukewarm tap water from the bottles, or the cool fresh water from the waterfall?

Obviously, the cool fresh water. It was still cool a couple of hours later when we came by it the second time. There was still plenty of it there. It's probably still flowing today with fresh cool water.

Read what God said to His People:

"Be appalled, O heavens, at this;
Be shocked, be utterly desolate, declares the LORD,
For my people have committed two evils:
They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters,
And hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water"
(Jeremiah 2:12-13)

Rather than drinking from the cool, flowing waterfall, they chose to drink the lukewarm tap water.

We do the same. Every time we choose to search for satisfaction in anything other than God.

When we try to find fulfillment in our relationships, we're drinking lukewarm tap water.

When we try to find satisfaction in our job, we're drinking lukewarm tap water.

When we try to find satisfaction in our ministry, we're drinking lukewarm tap water.

We try to bottle up that satisfaction from a good day's work, or a healthy marriage, or a great day of fellowship.

But eventually, that satisfaction gets lukewarm and stale.

Rather than seeking satisfaction in other things, we need to find satisfaction in God, the cool, refreshing waterfall. He'll never get lukewarm. He'll never get stale. He'll never run out. He'll always satisfy.

And when we're satisfied with the cool water, we won't be disappointed.

Busy Beavers Not Accepted

It's easy to equate busy-ness at church with spirituality. We say we don't do it, but we do.

Teach Sunday School.

Lead AWANA.

Attend Bible studies.

Organize events.

VBS crafts.

Camp counselor.

Deacon.

Pastor.

Janitor.

We have in our minds that the more spiritual we are, the more we will volunteer for service.

And those who volunteer for service are more spiritual.

God said just the opposite in Isaiah 66:3 -

"He who slaughters an ox is like one who kills a man;
he who sacrifices a lamb, like one who breaks a dog's neck;
he who presents a grain offering, like one who offers pig's blood;
he who makes a memorial offering of frankincense, like one who blesses an idol.
These have chose their own ways, and their soul delights in their abominations."

They were bringing all the right sacrifices, but God was comparing them to murderers, blasphemers and idolaters.

Why?

Because they were going their own way, enjoying their sin the rest of the time.

God was not impressed with their sacrifices. They were appalling to Him.

What does God desire?

"But this is the one to whom I will look:
He who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at My word" (2b).

God is not looking for busy beavers.

He's not interested in go-getters.

He is not impressed by a full church calendar.

50 years of ministry does not grab His attention.

God wants a humble spirit, not humble actions.

God wants a contrite spirit, broken over sin.

God wants a man who trembles at His word, not simply preaching it.

So are you doing what God wants, or what you want?

Public Confession of Sin

Sometimes you come across a blog that's worth passing on:

http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/rayortlund/2013/09/10/confession/

The author is not teaching that confession to one another brings about forgiveness, because that only comes from God. He's not promoting a priesthood with the power of absolution.

But he is encouraging the confession of sin to another believer (James 5:16) as a means to bring about restoration and spiritual growth.

For years I had put up a front, hiding certain sins from everyone around me. The wall was pretty sturdy and the relationships were pretty shallow.

As God worked on me, revealing that He alone could forgive and heal me, I learned that a beneficial part of that process was public confession. It was not easy and at the time I thought it unnecessary.

"Confession needs to be as wide as those offended," one of my professors often said. "It was a private sin, so why not keep the confession private?" had been my modus operandi for decades.

But my pastors encouraged and helped (i.e. gently forced). The sense of relief, the lifting of the burden and the knocking down of the walls were immediate. The healing and the growth began.

It's not been easy and there have been consequences which continue.

The author points out that we are afraid of public confession because of the ammunition that is placed in the hands of others when we admit our sins. It's true. It's going to happen. It's part of living in a world, a church and a family that are filled with sinners.

Just because it's hard, doesn't make it wrong.

What can you do to encourage a culture of confession in your church?

Confess your sins. Set an example. You probably shouldn't stand up every week in prayer meeting to confess all your sins to the congregation. But confessing to a close group within the church will set a pattern.

Accept the sinners. It's easy to rally around the cancer patients. It's easy to help those who lose their jobs. Those things get put in the prayer bulletin, and they should. But those who confess sins and those who admit failure in relationships need your support.

• Ask them specifically about those sins and relationships. Don't avoid the issues which have brought into the light. Asking shows concern.
• Don't spread rumors. Talk with them, not with others.
• Don't kick them when they're down. Support, not criticism. 
• Shunning will not help those who are bold enough to admit that they need help. They need friends and support.

It's radical. It's seldom practiced. But it's biblical and needed.

Snickers Doesn't Satisfy

"Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food" (Isaiah 55:2).

This may be a shocker to many, but Snickers doesn't satisfy.

Neither does a thick Iowa chop.

Neither does a new dress.

Neither does a new car.

Neither does a happy marriage.

Neither does adultery.

Neither does a new boat.

Neither does a European vacation.

We spend years chasing after those things which are set before us. They promise that they will satisfy us. But in the end, we're still searching.

We get hungry again.

The new clothes lose their appeal.

The relationships fall apart.

The boat needs repaired.

And Europe is not as glamorous.

I don't think that Isaiah is calling us to spending money and time wisely in buying health food.

Just keep reading:

"Seek the LORD while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near" (v 6).

Rather than spending years looking for satisfaction in people, places and things, seek the Lord. Only He can satisfy.

Think about this:

He owns everything already. He doesn't have a need to pad His bank account, so He's not going to sell you something that you don't need, just to make a profit.

He is sovereign. He's not in competition with anyone to get you to like Him.

He knows everything. He knows exactly how you are made and what makes you tick. He knows exactly what you need to be satisfied.

He is all-powerful. He has all the resources of the universe at His fingertips to give you exactly what He knows that you need to be satisfied.

Let me ask the same question that Isaiah asked, "Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Seek the LORD while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near."

Your Sin Hurts Others

When temptation comes our way, our first thoughts are about ourselves. Satisfying our wants is at the top of the list.

We do what we do, because we want what we want.

We are not thinking about others, unless we're thinking about how they can meet our needs.

We are not thinking about how our giving in to that temptation is damaging others.

Think about this verse in connection with your temptation:

"My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins" (James 5:19-20).

Think about when you sin and the people that you pull into your sin.

Instead of stopping the gossiper in the church foyer, you join in.

Instead of telling the truth, you encourage the braggart to exaggerate.

Instead of choosing not to watch porn, you encourage those who are abusing those men and women.

Instead of controlling your sexual passions, you pull those who are also struggling further into sin rather than from the fire.

Your sin does not affect you alone.

People to Avoid

We like to have friends. We like to have conversations.

But we have to be picky about both of them.

Sometimes it's in the church foyer.

Sometimes it's over the phone.

Sometimes it's over a cup of coffee at McDonald's.

Sometimes it's an online chat.

And sometimes we enjoy hearing it.

We listen to what others are saying about someone else. Our intent is not to figure out how to help the third person. Not even in prayer.

We just want to hear what's going on.

We like the gossip.

And sometimes we're the giver, not the receiver.

Proverbs 20:19 warns, "Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with a simple babbler."

Stay away from those who are constantly babbling about others. They may be talking about others, but they are revealing their own hearts.

And the more their heart spills over into yours, the more you will become like them.

Watch your words and watch your friends' words.

Three Things You Don't Know About Your Children and Sex

Our youth pastor handed out this article to the parents a couple of weeks ago.

Parents of children and teens, you need to read it.

http://www.annemariemiller.com/2013/08/19/three-things-you-dont-know-about-your-children-and-sex/

"I am the LORD and there is no other."

This phrase is repeated several times in Isaiah 45, "For I am the LORD and there is no other."

How does God reveal His supremacy?

He is sovereign over the nations. He will use Cyrus to accomplish His will (v 5-6). He will cause Egypt and other nations to submit to His plan. He is in control. He will fulfill His promises to Israel. BTW: Isaiah is writing while the Babylonians are the world power. Cyrus isn't even known at this time, yet God calls him by name, having chosen him to do His will.

He is supreme over creation. He is the creator and sustainer of the universe (v 18). He controls light and darkness. He controls the weather. He controls the animal kingdom.

He is superior over the gods of the nations (v 21). They have to be carried; He is in control. they can't speak; He declares His plans for the future. They can do nothing; He can do as He pleases.

The conclusion of the matter: God alone is worthy to be trusted. He has more power than anything or anyone else we might choose to trust.

To put our trust in a government or a political power is foolish.

To put our trust in the power of nature is foolish.

To put our trust in any other gods is foolish.

Trust the God for He is the LORD and there is no other.

Hand-made Creations

In Isaiah 44-9-20, the prophet points out the foolishness of idolatry by painting a vivid picture.

A man plants a tree and waters it. When the tree is big, another man takes his tools to cut it down.

Half of the tree gets used for fuel to heat his home and to cook his food.

The other half is taken to a wood carver.

The carver gives it a fine shape, maybe a person, or an animal. Many hours with metal tools and skilled hands produce a fine piece of craftsmanship.

Then the piece is taken to the goldsmith, who overlays the wood with a layer of gold. How it glistens in the sun!

The man struggles to get it back to his home, but places this treasure in a prominent location and declares, "This is my god!"

He bows down to worship it.

What a fool to choose wood over the living God!

What a fool to choose something that he created over the One Who created him!

What a fool to choose something that he dresses up over the magnificent, glorious God of heaven!

What a fool to choose an object which has no sensory perception over a God who sees everything, speaks through His Word and hears prayers!

What a fool!

What a fool we are when we choose to put anything in the place of God.

Maybe not a bedazzled piece of wood.

But maybe our family. Our time. Our money. Our resources. Our sins.

What a fool!

Two Ears and One Mouth

We've all been involved in those conversations. You know, you're listening to the other person, but really can't wait until he stops talking, so that you can say something.

While we generally will get frustrated with the other person, our behavior is what we should really be questioning.

"A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his own opinion" (Proverbs 18:2).

According to that verse, the previous conversation is an example of two fools together in one room.

They're not really conversing. Both are just spouting their opinions.

Pay attention to the conversations that you have today.

Are they really conversations, or just two fools in a room?

What can we do to change?

It's not rocket science, but we need to do it.

Listen and ask questions. Make sure that you are understanding what the other one is saying by asking questions. "Did you say...?" "Did I understand...?"  "What happened then...?"

Be patient. Remember that the other person is just as much a fool as you are.

What not to do:

Don't interrupt. So many conversations are just a "one-upmanship" competition. "My story is better and you need to hear it." The only thing that we listen for is for an opportunity to tell our story or voice our opinion.

What did that verse call those people who do that?

Don't attempt to solve every problem. Not all problems can be solved in a two-minute conversation.

Don't make a judgment before hearing the whole story. Stop and listen. Listen to both sides.

Don't argue and criticize. You're just proving that you think your opinion is needs to be heard.

The way to understanding is through active listening.  That may require us to keep our mouths shut more!

Prayer for the Persecuted

Paul writes to the persecuted believers in Thessalonica. Remember that he was thrown out of the city after just three weeks? Evidently, things didn't get better for the believers after he left, but worse.

He encourages them in the first verses, reminding them that they are suffering like other believers and that God will hold their persecutors accountable.

Although most of us will not face persecution for our belief, we do have struggles and challenges through our lives.

Look how Paul prays for these struggling believers:

"To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of His calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by His power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ" (2 Thessalonians 1:11-12).

He did not pray that they would be relieved of the persecution.

He did not pray for vengeance.

He did not pray that there would be a change in the government so that they could worship in freedom.

He did not pray that the Christians would become the majority and take over the city.

He prayed that God would refine them, make them worthy of His calling. Make them to look and live like children of God, which they were.

He prayed that God would accomplish His will in their lives. That God would bring about good in the midst of trouble. That God would fulfill His plan by His power.

Why?

So that the name of Jesus would be glorified, made to look big, in them. That they would see the greatness of Jesus. That they would see His work in their lives in the midst of persecution.

And that the believers would be glorified in Him. Not made to look great in the world's eyes, but that the promise of eternal glory would be realized in the believer. That they would remember that this light affliction is nothing in comparison to the eternal weight of glory that awaits them.

What does your prayer life look like for those brothers and sisters who are going through struggles?

Relief from pain?

More money in the bank?

Smooth sailing?

How about praying that God would work out His plan in their lives for His glory and their good?

Good Bitterness

After the Lord restored his health and added 15 years to his life, Hezekiah wrote a song of praise that's recorded in Isaiah 38.

The crux of the song is in verse 17:

"Behold, it was for my welfare that I had great bitterness; but in love You have delivered my life from the pit of destruction, for You have cast all my sins behind Your back."

When we are in the middle of "great bitterness," we don't usually think of the good that will come out of it.

Sure, we may try to encourage ourselves by saying, "God will work it out." But in reality, it's pretty hard to see that it's going to turn out good.

When the trial comes to an end, or at least when the dust starts to settle, we should be able to look back and see that it was for our benefit.

Hezekiah learned that lesson.

And so have I.

A few years ago, I was seeking opportunity to end my life. The guilt of my sin was a burden I no longer wanted to carry. My life didn't seem like it was going to change for the better. In fact, it seemed that every day was getting worse.

But God has delivered my soul.

He has taken me from the pit of destruction.

He has cast all my sins behind His back

He has chosen to forgive me because He loves me.

Does that mean that every day is rosy? No.

Does that mean that there are no longer temptations to overcome? No.

Does that mean that there will be no new periods of great bitterness? No.

But it does mean that God has worked through this trial to teach me of His love for me.

I can say with Hezekiah, "Behold, it was for my welfare, that I had great bitterness."

Completely Satisfied

We talk about being satisfied. Usually we talk about being unsatisfied and wish we were satisfied, don't we?

His grades are unsatisfactory.

I'd like a better job.

If only this house were a little bit bigger.

I've got to knock off 20 lbs before the end of October.

I wish I could go on a cruise.

Is it possible to be completely satisfied?

Isn't it interesting that motivational speakers put "satisfaction" at the end of the stick? But throughout their speech, they're telling us not to be satisfied with previous results.

You can't be satisfied now. You've got to work harder and then you'll be satisfied...well, probably not.

Occasionally in church we hear a sermon about being satisfied in Christ.

Complete in Thee, O blessed Thought!

We talk about how Jesus paid it all. He's provided everything for salvation.

And we're okay with that. He did everything because there was nothing we could do. We've got the salvation part down.

And we know that when we enter heaven's gates, we'll be satisfied with the glory of God for all of eternity.

No more pain. No sorrow. No want. In the presence of God.

But what about Tuesdays?

Are we satisfied on Thursday afternoon at 2:30?

We've got salvation and heaven. But what about today?

Aren't we still yearning for something?

Better grades. A new dress. A bigger house. A better physique. Health. Happiness. Marriage. Children. Retirement. Grandchildren. A good church family. Rewarding ministry. Presents under the tree.

Is it possible to be satisfied in Jesus and in Him alone?

To not want anything more but a relationship with the creator of the universe. To not need anything more than the sweet fellowship of communion with Him through His Word and prayer.

If all the things of life were stripped away, could you still be content?

Take away your family. Take away your job. Take away all ministry. Take away your house. Take away your car. Take away your health. Take away your church.

That's not likely to all happen at once, but what happens if just one of them is taken away?

Would you be satisfied in Jesus if you were living on welfare in your parents' basement?

Would you be satisfied in Jesus if your family turned away from you - or even just one child?

What does it look like to be satisfied completely in Jesus?

More questions than answers this time. Leave your answers in the comments below.

Is God anti-gay?

I don't usually do book reviews here, but I just read this little book and thought it worth sharing.

The title, "Is God anti-gay? And other questions about homosexuality, the Bible and same-sex attraction," is as straightforward as the book. It's only 83 pages and small, so the author, Sam Allberry, doesn't waste any time.

As a Christian struggling with same-sex attraction, the author points the reader to the grace of God. He doesn't waste time with stories or drama. "This is what the Bible says; read it for yourself" is the tone of the book.

He explains clearly the few references in the Bible to homosexuality as well as God's purposes for marriage and sex. Unashamedly, he concludes that homosexuality is not part of God's plan. It is a sin for which there is grace, love and forgiveness - just like for every sin. Repentance and faith are needed for those struggling with same-sex attraction, just like for those struggling with adultery, greed and gluttony.

The author also provides practical help for dealing with those who admit to their homosexual behavior:

What do you do if a co-worker confides in you that he is gay?

How should you react if a gay couple showed up for church on Sunday?

What if someone in your Sunday School class told you that he's more attracted to men than to women?

The author's answer is the same as the Bible's answer: point them to the cross.

Show them that their identity is not in their sexuality, but in Christ.

Love them more than their homosexual friends love them.

Love them more than they love their homosexuality.

This is a book that every pastor should read. It's a book that he should be bold enough to read with his deacons. Youth workers should read this. Parents should read this. Teens should read this.

It's only 83 pages long.

But it might help you to point someone to the cross.

Peace in the Storm

In the midst of prophecies of gloom and doom, the LORD gives Isaiah a song of rejoicing.

Not rejoicing because of the the bad things that are going to happen, but because of the restoration of Israel in the end.

"You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock" (Isaiah 26:3-4).

The hard times were coming. And they were going to be bad.

God's people and the neighboring countries were going to be judged. And it wouldn't be just a slap on the hand.

In the hard times that were coming, this song would remind God's people that peace was possible.

Not possible by looking at the circumstances.

Not possible by ignoring the circumstances.

Not possible by trying to manipulate the circumstances.

Not possible by just plowing through the circumstances.

Peace in the midst of the circumstances was possible by thinking about God and trusting in His promises.

The same is true for us today.

Remember that God is always in control.

Remember that God is working everything for His glory.

Remember that God is working to change you to the image of His Son.

Remember that God is protecting you from Satan's plans.

Remember that God is always with you.

Remember that God has prepared heaven for you and that earth is temporary.

Remember that God loves you more than anyone else.

Remember that God has provided forgiveness, redemption, sanctification, justification, adoption, glorification  and so much more for you

 Remember that God...

You Get What You Want

Often we try to blame our sinful actions on our environment.

My dad was a hot-head, so I lose my temper.

Everyone else is watching this program, so I will, too.

My parents beat me, so that's how I handle stress.

All the girls in school where these, mom!

While our surroundings are not totally to blame, they do have an influence.

"Whoever diligently seeks good seeks favor, but evil comes to him who searches for it" (Prov 11:27).

This verse teaches that sin does not develop in our lives passively. Lying, cheating, adultery or robbery won't simply show up one day.

"Evil comes to him who searches for it."

We want to fit in, so we search for what others are doing, how they talk, and how they dress.

We want to satisfy our lusts, so we search out immorality.

We want more money, so we cheat on our taxes or our time card.

If we want something, all we have to do is look for it and it will come to us.

The same is true about good things.

If we want to live a holy life, we will seek it and find it.

We'll study God's Word to know God's definition of holiness.

We'll surround ourselves with godly examples who will show us how to live a holy life.

If we want to please God, we will concentrate our time and energy into that goal and achieve it.

Our environment can't be blamed, because we choose our environments. The problem is our hearts. We choose our environments because of the condition of our hearts. Our environment is a reflection of our heart's desire.

Good or evil, the choice is ours.

Seek good or seek evil. You'll find either one.