Halloween has become a tradition for American kids. For the most part the majority of people are not aware of the pagan roots of the day and trick or treating is an innocent time of fun and candy collecting. I went trick or treating as a kid and there was this one old lady in a wheelchair that would sit in her living room and have us kids come in to get our treats from her. I never liked to go there because she would always make us take our masks off. She was afraid of being tricked into giving candy twice to the same kid! What is it with the masks and the costumes anyway? It seems that the historical tradition of dressing up like zombies to keep evil spirits from taking over their bodies has in modern day society become a time for adult dress up and make believe. It gives some people an opportunity to engage in altering their character by putting on make up and costume clothing. Some people become someone different on Halloween as a way of having fun and to escape the hum drum of everyday normalness. There is nothing wrong with having fun but we must always guard against being fooled by the traditions of men that oppose the instructions to pursue righteousness as outlined in Scripture. The Apostle Paul wrote; And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them (Ephesians 5:11, New King James Version).
There is another reason people wear masks everyday, not just on Halloween. Jesus could see behind the masks of those He called hypocrites (stage actors). He was talking to the religious leaders who claimed to be men of God but lived in ungodliness. He said, “You can't hide behind a religious mask forever; sooner or later the mask will slip and your true face will be known” (Luke 12:2, The Message). Halloween affords an opportunity for many to be hypocrites. Death and evil is mocked in the name of make believe. Coffins and corpses become props. When we attend a real funeral it is not fun is it? That is the definition of hypocrite. Jesus knows our hearts everyday. Just as many role play on Halloween many others role play everyday. Wearing a mask of purity and speaking words of flattery. Jesus likened people like that to white washed tombs. Outside were white walls but inside were rotting bones. Tomorrow after all the parties have ended and all the masks and costumes have been put away zombies will be transformed back into regular folk. Jesus taught the same thing will happen to those who wear a mask of religion. They may honor Him with their lips but their hearts are far from Him. The difference between religion and Christianity is eternal life and eternal death. Quit playing and get real with Christ.
Monday, October 31, 2011
Thursday, October 27, 2011
A Spirit of Infirmity
If you had lived during that day in time you may have seen her; the little old lady making her way through the market square. Every Tuesday for the past eighteen years she would come down to get what few groceries she could afford. She was not the only little old lady shopping that day but there was something about her that caught your attention every time you saw her. She was all drawn over, almost double. Holding to her cane and trying to carry her basket with her goods you could tell it was a struggle for her to even walk. You felt sorry for her and wished there was something you could do to help but in that society it was not common place for a stranger to help such a one as her. Under the Law of Moses you could end up being defiled if she had some sort of disease and you touched her. You asked God to help her and then went your way.
The Sabbath finds you in the synagogue. It is your custom to be there ever since you were a child. The Scribes would take out the large scrolls and give it to the Rabbis to read from. Sometimes a fellow citizen would be offered the opportunity to read from it and comment on what he read. This day was different however as you looked behind you into the courtyard there she was, leaning on her cane, all bent over. Then it happened: Now He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. 11 And behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bent over and could in no way raise herself up. 12 But when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him and said to her, “Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity.” 13 And He laid His hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God (Luke 13:11-13, NKJV). Right there in the synagogue on the Sabbath this Fellow that was teaching did something marvelous! He did what you wished you could have done for her, He healed her. Of course the head Rabbi told the crowd He broke the Law because Jesus had done such a thing on the Sabbath. Jesus answered him just as you would have had you had the guts. Calling him a hypocrite because he and others cared more about their animals then they did people. You cheered with the rest of the people at His answer and all of you began to glorify God!
Many people today are in the same shape she was in, not just physically but spiritually. We see them in the market places or at church. They smile with their face to hide the infirmity in their hearts. Worries, fears, anger, disappointments, frustrations, grief, grudges and the like, cause their spirits to be bent. Many of them, like her, have been hurting for years. If only they would hear as Jesus calls out to them; “Come to Me, let Me heal your broken spirit.” Are you one of them? Feel all bent out of shape? The Master is calling out to you; go to Him.
The Sabbath finds you in the synagogue. It is your custom to be there ever since you were a child. The Scribes would take out the large scrolls and give it to the Rabbis to read from. Sometimes a fellow citizen would be offered the opportunity to read from it and comment on what he read. This day was different however as you looked behind you into the courtyard there she was, leaning on her cane, all bent over. Then it happened: Now He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. 11 And behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bent over and could in no way raise herself up. 12 But when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him and said to her, “Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity.” 13 And He laid His hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God (Luke 13:11-13, NKJV). Right there in the synagogue on the Sabbath this Fellow that was teaching did something marvelous! He did what you wished you could have done for her, He healed her. Of course the head Rabbi told the crowd He broke the Law because Jesus had done such a thing on the Sabbath. Jesus answered him just as you would have had you had the guts. Calling him a hypocrite because he and others cared more about their animals then they did people. You cheered with the rest of the people at His answer and all of you began to glorify God!
Many people today are in the same shape she was in, not just physically but spiritually. We see them in the market places or at church. They smile with their face to hide the infirmity in their hearts. Worries, fears, anger, disappointments, frustrations, grief, grudges and the like, cause their spirits to be bent. Many of them, like her, have been hurting for years. If only they would hear as Jesus calls out to them; “Come to Me, let Me heal your broken spirit.” Are you one of them? Feel all bent out of shape? The Master is calling out to you; go to Him.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Life Is.
They file into the sanctuary on this beautiful Sunday morning in October. They are smiling and talking with one another. Hugging each other and shaking hands and making over the cute little kids and babies on their way to the children’s areas and the nursery. Ushers are greeting them and handing them the weekly bulletin as they greet those who are visiting and give them a brochure and a card. Once inside the service starts and the choir leads in songs of worship and praise. Praises fill the air and tears flow as the people of God worship their King. I have studied and prayed about what to teach and preach today. I want them to hear what God has to say to them not just me. I know the smiles hide hurts. I know the hugs hide worry. I know life is not as perfect for them as it appears. I share with them the message, the message I truly believe God would have me to share. I invite them to come and pray afterward and many do. Then the service is over and greetings abound once again as we all bid each other goodbye for now. Perhaps some will be back tonight or Wednesday but most will be back next Sunday or maybe one next month.
Monday morning rolls around and starts early for many. They are back in reality, the real world. It does not take long until this verse proves to be true for them: Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity (Luke 8:14 NKJV). The seed given to them in word that encouraged and inspired them yesterday is now forgotten because of work, school, and doctor appointments. His presence seems a million miles away just a day later. The troubles of life get in the way of the joy of living. Life for many becomes just an existence. God never intended it to be a grudge. Life is a gift from Him and therefore He wants us to enjoy it. Circumstances and conditions have a detrimental impact on our enjoyment to the point we forget He brought us to life that He may enjoy us. God is not ignorant of our circumstances and situations; He knows all. We may not be having fun or feeling great but He still takes joy in us. Instead of us focusing on our welfare and well being today let’s look above the situations and circumstances and fix our eyes on Jesus. You remember Him, right? The One who endured the Cross for the JOY that was set before Him. He endured everything even to the point of death that you and I may have His joy. The joy of knowing life is more than sickness, pain, disappointment, discouragement, fear, boredom, and existence. Life is eternal! Seasons come and go but life comes; and is. Look up today and rejoice because God has given you life!
Monday morning rolls around and starts early for many. They are back in reality, the real world. It does not take long until this verse proves to be true for them: Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity (Luke 8:14 NKJV). The seed given to them in word that encouraged and inspired them yesterday is now forgotten because of work, school, and doctor appointments. His presence seems a million miles away just a day later. The troubles of life get in the way of the joy of living. Life for many becomes just an existence. God never intended it to be a grudge. Life is a gift from Him and therefore He wants us to enjoy it. Circumstances and conditions have a detrimental impact on our enjoyment to the point we forget He brought us to life that He may enjoy us. God is not ignorant of our circumstances and situations; He knows all. We may not be having fun or feeling great but He still takes joy in us. Instead of us focusing on our welfare and well being today let’s look above the situations and circumstances and fix our eyes on Jesus. You remember Him, right? The One who endured the Cross for the JOY that was set before Him. He endured everything even to the point of death that you and I may have His joy. The joy of knowing life is more than sickness, pain, disappointment, discouragement, fear, boredom, and existence. Life is eternal! Seasons come and go but life comes; and is. Look up today and rejoice because God has given you life!
Monday, October 10, 2011
Hope Not Seen
When we could not see the sun or the stars for many days, and the storm was very bad, we lost all hope of being saved. (Acts 27:20 NCV).
There is no darkness as heavy upon the soul of man as the darkness which settles in the heart of the one who has lost all hope. Hope is the anchor in the midst of a storm. Hope is the life preserver we wear when our ship is sinking. Were it not for hope life would be a meaningless existence as we trudge through our days with nothing better to look forward to. Dr. Luke summed it up when he wrote, “The storm was very bad.”
Enter the Apostle Paul with the message, “I have some good news and some bad news. The Good News is you will not die. The bad news is you will think you are going to.” When the moment of crisis arrived his advice was to stay with the ship. We see that it got worse before it got better. Cold, soaked, starved, frightened, and exhausted both physically and mentally, they got onto the shore. Three months later they were on their way again on another ship and with more groceries. God is true to His word; He keeps His promises.
You my friend may feel like you are on a sinking ship right now. It has been many days, months, or even years and you have not seen the sun or the stars. Maybe you have called out to the Master to rescue you many times and still the skies remain dark and you are continuing to be tossed to and fro. Let me encourage you with the Word of God: do not lose hope. Jesus came to give us the same message as Paul gave the sailors. It will get worse before it gets better. Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world!” (John 16:33 NKJV). If you are not on the ship with Christ get on board now. If you are on His ship, hang on. You will survive. Stay with Jesus and do not abandon Him. Help is not on the way, He is already here!
There is no darkness as heavy upon the soul of man as the darkness which settles in the heart of the one who has lost all hope. Hope is the anchor in the midst of a storm. Hope is the life preserver we wear when our ship is sinking. Were it not for hope life would be a meaningless existence as we trudge through our days with nothing better to look forward to. Dr. Luke summed it up when he wrote, “The storm was very bad.”
Enter the Apostle Paul with the message, “I have some good news and some bad news. The Good News is you will not die. The bad news is you will think you are going to.” When the moment of crisis arrived his advice was to stay with the ship. We see that it got worse before it got better. Cold, soaked, starved, frightened, and exhausted both physically and mentally, they got onto the shore. Three months later they were on their way again on another ship and with more groceries. God is true to His word; He keeps His promises.
You my friend may feel like you are on a sinking ship right now. It has been many days, months, or even years and you have not seen the sun or the stars. Maybe you have called out to the Master to rescue you many times and still the skies remain dark and you are continuing to be tossed to and fro. Let me encourage you with the Word of God: do not lose hope. Jesus came to give us the same message as Paul gave the sailors. It will get worse before it gets better. Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world!” (John 16:33 NKJV). If you are not on the ship with Christ get on board now. If you are on His ship, hang on. You will survive. Stay with Jesus and do not abandon Him. Help is not on the way, He is already here!
Monday, October 3, 2011
Trapped Like Mice.
2 Corinthians 4:8
We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair.
Every time I read this passage of Scripture I think of the movie The Wizard of Oz. You know the scene; after rescuing Dorothy and trying to escape they go into a room of the castle only to have all the doors closed behind and in front of them. Then the witch is standing on the steps and the lion says, “Trapped, trapped like mice, uh, rats!” That is how I picture the mindset of the Apostle Paul when he wrote these words.
We sometimes say that we are between a rock and a hard place. There seems to be no way to escape being crushed. Things just seem to keep piling up on us at times. If it’s not one thing it’s another we say. I use the illustration of pulling a wagon through life to describe it. We have bricks put on it along the way and the farther down the road we go the more bricks are piled on. Eventually the last brick will be put on that breaks down our wagon. We struggle through the day pulling and tugging at the wagon making very little progress, if any. We become exhausted and depressed. We do not understand what is happening or how we got to this point and despair sets in and life becomes a drag for us. We have no joy, no happiness and some even have no hope. That is a grim picture but it is reality for many. In the movie the scarecrow figures out a way for them to escape though. It is so ironic that he wanted a brain and yet it is obvious he had one all along. That is what God is saying to us today in this passage; we do not have to be in despair even though our circumstances seem to have us trapped. Life is perplexing at times and we cannot understand why things happen the way they do but that does not mean we have to give up. Job said it best I think when he said, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him!” Paul would go on to say “Therefore we do not lose heart.” Our help is just a prayer away.
For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:15,16)
We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair.
Every time I read this passage of Scripture I think of the movie The Wizard of Oz. You know the scene; after rescuing Dorothy and trying to escape they go into a room of the castle only to have all the doors closed behind and in front of them. Then the witch is standing on the steps and the lion says, “Trapped, trapped like mice, uh, rats!” That is how I picture the mindset of the Apostle Paul when he wrote these words.
We sometimes say that we are between a rock and a hard place. There seems to be no way to escape being crushed. Things just seem to keep piling up on us at times. If it’s not one thing it’s another we say. I use the illustration of pulling a wagon through life to describe it. We have bricks put on it along the way and the farther down the road we go the more bricks are piled on. Eventually the last brick will be put on that breaks down our wagon. We struggle through the day pulling and tugging at the wagon making very little progress, if any. We become exhausted and depressed. We do not understand what is happening or how we got to this point and despair sets in and life becomes a drag for us. We have no joy, no happiness and some even have no hope. That is a grim picture but it is reality for many. In the movie the scarecrow figures out a way for them to escape though. It is so ironic that he wanted a brain and yet it is obvious he had one all along. That is what God is saying to us today in this passage; we do not have to be in despair even though our circumstances seem to have us trapped. Life is perplexing at times and we cannot understand why things happen the way they do but that does not mean we have to give up. Job said it best I think when he said, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him!” Paul would go on to say “Therefore we do not lose heart.” Our help is just a prayer away.
For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:15,16)
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