Put Your Full Trust in Jesus

Things in our world are changing so quickly that people are feeling unsettled. What used to be normal is no longer so. Every day seems to reveal something new and different. What was once “true” is no longer seen as true. Someone commented, “My kids tell me ‘That’s not how it is anymore!’ And I don’t know how to respond.” It’s like we are living in a land where someone changed the names of the streets. The on-ramps and off-ramps aren’t where they used to be, and familiar buildings are now empty and new buildings have sprung up. I want to remind you God doesn’t change. God is the same day in and day out. God does not change because “that’s not how it is anymore.” God spoke to Moses and said, “God is not man, that he should lie or … that he should change his mind.” (Numbers 23:19) God declared through the prophet Malachi “I the Lord do not change” (Malachi 3:6) and Jesus’ brother James wrote “there is no variation or shadow due to change.” (James 1:17) In a changing and often unreliable world, God is reliably dependable! You may look around and wonder who you can trust. You may be like many who are wondering if there are any institutions that can be trusted. People find it almost impossible to commit when, at every turn, trust has been broken. Why would anyone commit themselves to leaders, businesses, churches, schools, governments, or movements when the landscape is pocked with immorality, unethical and untrustworthy behavior? When there are few who can be trusted, there is one who can be trusted. His name is Jesus! “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8) You can put your full trust in HIM! “Jesus, I need your wisdom, peace, and guidance to navigate this crazy world! Thank you, that you can be trusted and that you’ll walk every step with me. Amen!”

I Need Wisdom

Jesus' brother James wrote to first century disciples: "If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking." James 1:5 (NLT) Another translation put it this way: "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him." James 1:5 (ESV) I look to and rely heavily upon the truth and promise of James' statement. It is one of the foundation stones that I've tried to build my life on. Our world, nation, communities, and families grow more complex each week. Questions are being asked that we've never had to answer before. New conflicts arise daily. Many of these issues can be paralyzing. I feel a greater need for wisdom today than ever. If I don't receive wisdom and understanding, I can't lead like I know I need to. I need wisdom to respond to circumstances and situations appropriately. The good news is that God gives wisdom! I've experienced it over the years. You've experienced it. The moments when wisdom was needed and God gave it, taught us about ourselves, others, and life. Where do you need wisdom? Wisdom is available for the asking. The times I decided, reacted, or acted inappropriately are times when I didn't ask for wisdom. Because I didn't ask, I didn't receive it. If any of you lack wisdom … ask our generous God, and He will give it to you! Lord, I need wisdom! I need it as a husband, father, grandfather, pastor, and community member. Thank you for being generous and never hesitating to give wisdom. Bring it on Jesus!

Don't Try to Impress Others

I received a package recently that was in a box much larger than its contents. The box was stuffed mostly with packing paper. It got me thinking about packages and packaging. There are all kinds of reasons companies package items the way they do. Sometimes packaging is about shipping costs. Other times, it’s an attempt to reduce shoplifting. Fragile items are protected during shipping by packing peanuts or bubble wrap. Small, expensive, and desirable items are put in those frustrating “clam shells.” I tend to scratch my head when a small item arrives in an oversized box filled with packing. I think, “Look at the waste. Why did they use that box? There must have been a cheaper way to ship this.” My thoughts then drifted to parallels in people. We all know big people who have lots of packing material but very little substance. They might look impressive when you meet them, but when you get to know them, they are mostly filled with “packing peanuts.” You’ve met them. They talk a great game, but they don’t have game. They like to talk about themselves, who they know, and their accomplishments. They seem to be a little item in an oversized box. I started checking my own life. Am I a little item in an oversized box - filled with packing peanuts and air? Or am I the real deal in the right-sized box? “God opposes to the proud but gives grace to the humble!” 1 Peter 5:5 (NLT) Lord, teach me to walk in humility! “Don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.” Philippians 2:3 (NLT) Jesus, correct me when I start trying to impress others! “Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves.” 2 Corinthians 13:5 (NLT) Jesus, I want my faith to be genuine and not just packing! Jesus, do your work in me!

God Is with Us

In Shakespeare’s drama Romeo and Juliet, one of the most memorable lines is “What’s in a name?” Juliet declared that a name is just a name and has no real meaning behind it. This might be true in some settings, but in other situations, names are pregnant with meaning. 700 years before Jesus, the Holy Spirit declared the name of the coming Savior through the prophet Isaiah. “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’).” Isaiah 7:14 (NLT) No other name given to the Savior Jesus is filled to overflowing with meaning. Think about it, “God with us!” Is there any statement that is more life transforming than the truth God is with us? God with us - God with me! Let the truth sink in. I would encourage you to ponder the name Immanuel. Take some time, limit outside distractions and ponder “God with me” long enough and the truth will explode in your spirit. Realizing even a fraction of the truth will energize any heart. Matthew begins his account of the life of Jesus by quoting Isaiah 7. His name will be “Immanuel.” He ends his account of the life of Jesus with the same truth. “Be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Matthew 28:20 (NLT) From beginning to end, God is with us. Is there any truth more comforting, encouraging and transforming? I think not!

Thanksgiving

Throughout the last decade, mental health professionals have urged people to establish thankfulness or gratitude part of their regular routine. A brief search on Google for “mental health and gratitude” results in 58,000,000 websites. The websites are from medical schools, universities, ministries, therapist and countless people who have benefited from the regular practice of giving thanks. Harvard Health lists a paper: “Giving thanks can make you happier.” (https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/giving-thanks-can-make-you-happier) I want to let you in on a little secret. Gratitude is not a new idea for mental health. Gratitude is a foundational spiritual practices followers of Jesus are instructed to practice. “Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NLT) “Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.” Colossians 2:7 (NLT) “Let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. … And always be thankful.” Colossians 3:15 (NLT) “Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe.” Hebrews 12:28 (NLT) “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT) This week we celebrate Thanksgiving. Amid feasting on turkey, dressing, ham and pie, take a few minutes to thank God for the blessings and the trials. Blessings are wonderful, and trials strengthen us. Thank Him for both. BUT, But, but … Make giving thanks a part of your daily routine. Thank God for the little, the big and the trying. It will bring a new level of peace into your life. Peace “which exceeds anything we can understand.”

Though He Falls, He Will Not Be Overwhelmed

I’ve recently been thinking about a song I learned early on my journey of following Jesus. “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord … though he fall, though he fall, he shall not be cast down.” The lyrics are taken from Psalm 37. “A man’s steps are established by the LORD, and He takes pleasure in his way. Though he falls, he will not be overwhelmed, because the LORD holds his hand.” Psalms 37:23-24 (HCSB) I frequently tear up when I see videos or read stories of a runner who stumbles or falls and gets back up and finishes the race. These stories illustrate the Psalmist’s word in Psalm 37. Every follower of Jesus has tripped and even fallen. The promise of the Psalm is that even when a Jesus follower falls, he will not be overwhelmed. She might have some “road rash” and pain, but she’s not out of the race. I also tear up when I see videos or read stories of someone coming to the aid of a struggling runner. Maybe they pick the racer up and help them to the finish line or run alongside the struggler and offer words of encouragement. Isn’t that how followers of Jesus are called to respond? To pick up a fellow runner and run alongside them in the tough part of the journey? The Psalmist said “he will not be overwhelmed, because the LORD holds his hand.” Every runner has fallen either in training or in an event. Most runners (I wanted to say ALL but that would be exagerating) get up when they fall, brush off the dust and gravel, and get back to running. Every runner has also been helped by a fellow runner and if they are worth anything have helped other runners. I wish I could say the same for every Jesus follower! Some followers have tripped and fallen and then stayed down. Other followers have watched fellow followers struggle and looked the other way. We can do better! If you recently stumbled, get up and put one foot in-front of the other. If you’ve looked the other way when a fellow follower is struggling to get up and continue, don’t do it again! Help the struggling follower. Help her finish the race. “Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith…” Hebrews 12:1-2 (HCSB)

Living the "Christ Like" Fragrant Life

Followers of Jesus find themselves in a world much like the pagan world of the First Century Roman Empire. That, of course, means we have many of the same challenges that the ancient church encountered. The ancient church of the First Century was “pre-Christian” and we’re living in a “post-Christian” world. The message about Jesus’ resurrection, forgiveness, transformation and hope to the “pre-Christian” world appealed to people, and the church grew by leaps and bounds. The message about Jesus’ resurrection, forgiveness, transformation and hope to the “post-Christian” world is less appealing and unfortunately, the church is losing ground in the Western world. Many have accepted the message down through the centuries, but many more have rejected it. Paul wrote about the appeal and rejection of the message about Jesus to the believers in First Century Corinth. “Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing. To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume. And who is adequate for such a task as this?” 2 Corinthians 2:15-16 (NLT) The challenge for Jesus' followers, in this “post-Christian” world, is to live a “Christ-like fragrance rising up to God.” Followers should not worry about being “perceived differently by those being saved and by those who are perishing.” Some in your life will appreciate the “Christ-like fragrance.” Others will scorn the “Christ-like fragrance.” How people respond to the “Christ-like fragrance” is not the follower’s responsibility. Living a “Christ-like fragrance” is. Simply put, to some, the smell of the faithful follower of Jesus will smell exceptional. To others, it is putrid. Don’t let people’s response sidetrack you from faithful living. Hopefully, my thoughts encourage you. Let's live the "Christ-like" fragrant life.

Let Go Of Worry

Jesus talked to His first followers about worry and anxiety. It is obvious He spoke to them about these struggles because they were a regular part of their lives. The more I study and understand the world of Jesus’ day I can understand why worry and anxiety were common traveling partners. The average person faced life and death daily. What might be called “medical care” was primitive and mostly ineffective. The woman Jesus healed who hemorrhaged for years spent all she had “suffered a great deal from many doctors” and “spent everything she had to pay them” but she got “no better.” Taxes were squeezed out of people to finance Rome’s quest to increase power and breadth. Those in power grew wealthier, those paying the taxes became poorer. Men with religious authority and power manipulated the people for personal gain. “They crush people with unbearable religious demands and never lift a finger to ease the burden.” Matthew 23:4 (NLT) Jesus looked at the crowds of people and “had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” Matthew 9:36 (NLT) Listen to Jesus “… I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing?” Matthew 6:25 (NLT) “Why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.” Matthew 6:28-29 (NLT) “Don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs.” Matthew 6:31-32 (NLT) As we say, “Easier said than done!” What did Ole’ Baloo say? “Forget about your worries and your strife.” Or, as the Apostle Paul wrote: “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT) Take a deep breath, tell Jesus about it, then let go of it and breath in the peace He offers.

Jesus will Build His Church

A pledge Jesus made 2,000 years ago has encouraged me lately. It would be easy to become discouraged by what is happening in our world. Things aren’t looking very bright and cheery right now. The news constantly reports on the failure of church leaders and organizations. Descriptions of people “deconstructing their faith” are regular tabloid type news. The bigger the church, the more famous the leader, the harder they fall and the bigger the schadenfreude. The Apostle Matthew records Jesus’ pledge “I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.” Matthew 16:18 (NLT) I’ve been encouraged by the remembering and reflecting on Jesus’ pledge. Let me pull Jesus’ pledge apart by reminding us that the church is the people who follow Jesus! The church is not a building, it’s not a legal entity, it’s not the organization. The church is the gathering of the followers of Jesus. It’s His church. The church isn’t a man-made organization. The church isn’t just something that happened under sociological circumstances. Jesus started the church, loves the church, and has never stopped building it. It is a church. The church isn’t a social club, an eatery, a service organization, a hospital, clinic, or school. At times and in countless ways churches do all those things, but the church’s mission is to introduce the “Giver and Lord of life” to people He loves. The Apostle Paul describes believers as ambassadors with a ministry of reconciling people to God. That’s the mission. Jesus’ flock loves gathering and socializing, eating, and serving. The church cares for the sick and marginalized and educates children and adults. All those things are admirable and good. But the church is the only one who can introduce people to Jesus! The powers of hell hate the church and individual believers! The powers of hell will do everything they can to prevent the church from introducing people to Jesus. The list of ways the powers of hell seek to conquer the church is endless. The powers of hell tempt, frustrate, discourage, persecute, come against in thought, and legal action, get people angry at each other and at groups, etc. infinitum. Jesus won’t let the powers of hell conquer. HE WILL BUILD HIS CHURCH! Don’t let the powers of hell keep you from being the church and introducing people to Jesus! Let’s do the mission – If you are a Jesus follower, you are an AMBASSADOR OF RECONCILIATION!

Double Down on Pride

I’m an avid reader. I have half a dozen or more books started and am listening to a couple of others. I’m also a “news junky.” I read too many blogs and news conglomerates every week. I can’t stop myself! The appetite for words is too powerful for me to resist. Over the last couple of days, some thoughts about pride have jumped off the pages I’ve been reading. I’m trying to figure out the message being sent and what I’m supposed to do about it. “Pride doesn’t die easily.” Jeremy Norton Pride is what creates insecurity and feelings of unworthiness in a person and pride is also what makes a person secure in their self-righteousness and goodness. Then the clincher … PRIDE ALWAYS MAKES A PERSON FOCUS ON THE SELF. (From: What Does It Mean to Be Chosen? - Volume 1 - The Chosen Bible Study Series) That’s it. PRIDE ALWAYS MAKES A PERSON FOCUS ON THE SELF. I spend too much time focused on myself. I’m always concerned about whether I did enough or too much, said enough or too much, or paid enough or too little attention to someone. I worry about what they thought, what they liked or didn’t like. If I say “NO” to them, what will they think? If I say “YES” to others, what will they think? Right there … That’s it … I used “I” in describing how I focus too much on myself. These thoughts have made me realize I need to double down on pride and apply the Apostle Peter’s words: “Humble yourselves under the mighty power of God … Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” 1 Peter 5:6-7 (NLT) and double down on Jesus’ brother, James words: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” James 4:6 (NLT) Humbling oneself “under the mighty power of God” doesn’t come easy. Like every other person since Adam and Eve, focusing on ME is the default response to life. Jesus, forgive me for focusing on me! Weed out every thistle of pride from my life and teach me to live in humility! Amen