Halloween is just days away. I can remember when I was a kid how much we looked forward to it; candy, candy, and more candy! There was one old lady that would always make us take our mask off when trick or treating at her house so she could tell who we were. Man, what a bummer. It took all the pizzazz out of having a good mask. She did not give much candy either which did not help her reputation with us as a “good treater.” As I grew the trick or treating became less and less exciting. When our kids were small we would take them out but somehow, things had changed. The tradition had lost its appeal because the world had grown evil. Razor blades in apples and drugged candy ruined the fun. What I did not realize then has become plain to me now; mankind can mess up anything. The Apostle Paul told the people in Colosse; *“Be careful not to allow anyone to captivate you through an empty, deceitful philosophy that is according to human traditions and the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.” Halloween is one of those traditions. The reason it went sour is because it is not about Jesus. I did extensive study on how Halloween evolved and I can tell you that it does not glorify Christ in any way. The Bible teaches we must be careful how we think so that we do not get derailed in our thinking. Halloween has become a day in which evil and death is masked as make believe. The innocence of our ignorance of the day has been lost as we become more knowledgeable of the things of God and the tricks of the enemy to pull us into compromise. What are we to do pastor? Use spiritual discernment. Christianity is not a religion but a social movement. Taking a kid trick or treating will not cause them to end up in hell but if they grow up and never learn to believe in Jesus at some point in their life; that will. Halloween, Santa Claus, and the Easter Bunny, are all human traditions that may have good intentions, but beware of the message we are sending to our kids so that we do not confuse them when we teach them about Jesus.
Our Most Gracious Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Holy Spirit who guides me daily as I read Your Word. Help me to see things as they are and to never compromise the truth. Thank You Jesus as I ask in You: Amen.
In Christ: Br Mike <><
* Biblical Studies Press. (2006). The NET Bible First Edition; Bible. English. (Col 2:8).
Monday, October 26, 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
Safe Sanctuary
Our eight year old cat, Maggie, was jumping up and down at the patio door. She’s a big cat. She will tip the scale around 20 pounds at least. She is a black long hair with one white spot under her belly. She wanted in because there is a big yellow tomcat making his rounds in the neighborhood. Maggie has been spayed but the old tom comes to eat her food. He runs when one of us comes to the door but Maggie knows that when we are in bed asleep, that is when the fireworks start. I put her in the crawl space off the garage at night when it’s cold so now she is convinced it is cold enough to come in.
*GOD’s a safe-house for the battered, a sanctuary during bad times. The moment you arrive, you relax; you’re never sorry you knocked. When David wrote these words I am pretty sure that Maggie can relate to how he felt. When she goes in the crawl space she curls up in her bed with her food bowl and fresh water close by. She knows she is safe from the weather and the old tomcat. David felt safe when in the presence of God. There were many times he thought his life would be snuffed out but God always kept him safe. There are many “safe houses” in business today providing safe shelter for people that are abused at their homes. God bless those who work in them and provide them. Some would think that a church would be a safe house from an abusive world only to find out that sometimes emotional and spiritual battering even takes place in them!
I agree with David; God is my safe house! The world can be an uncaring, unforgiving, indifferent, and chaotic place at times. I can always come into His presence and find R and R, (Rest and Relaxation for you non-military folk). Just like Maggie knocking at the patio door, I am never sorry when I knock on The Door; Jesus Christ. How about you today? Need some solace, relief, or spiritual nurturing? Then call upon Jesus. I promise you, you will not be sorry you did!
Our Father in Heaven, Hallowed is Your Name! Thanks for being my Safe House! Jesus, thank You for being the Door into Him! Amen.
In Christ: Br Mike <><
*Peterson, E. H. (2003). The Message : The Bible in contemporary language (Ps 9:9-10). Colorado Springs, Colo.: NavPress.
*GOD’s a safe-house for the battered, a sanctuary during bad times. The moment you arrive, you relax; you’re never sorry you knocked. When David wrote these words I am pretty sure that Maggie can relate to how he felt. When she goes in the crawl space she curls up in her bed with her food bowl and fresh water close by. She knows she is safe from the weather and the old tomcat. David felt safe when in the presence of God. There were many times he thought his life would be snuffed out but God always kept him safe. There are many “safe houses” in business today providing safe shelter for people that are abused at their homes. God bless those who work in them and provide them. Some would think that a church would be a safe house from an abusive world only to find out that sometimes emotional and spiritual battering even takes place in them!
I agree with David; God is my safe house! The world can be an uncaring, unforgiving, indifferent, and chaotic place at times. I can always come into His presence and find R and R, (Rest and Relaxation for you non-military folk). Just like Maggie knocking at the patio door, I am never sorry when I knock on The Door; Jesus Christ. How about you today? Need some solace, relief, or spiritual nurturing? Then call upon Jesus. I promise you, you will not be sorry you did!
Our Father in Heaven, Hallowed is Your Name! Thanks for being my Safe House! Jesus, thank You for being the Door into Him! Amen.
In Christ: Br Mike <><
*Peterson, E. H. (2003). The Message : The Bible in contemporary language (Ps 9:9-10). Colorado Springs, Colo.: NavPress.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Old Man Buried
With harvest time upon us again I was reminded the other day of a story a friend of mine told me once. He and his wife are retired and they were babysitting their neighbor’s little boy that was four years old. When he went out to dig up his potatoes one day in his garden he took the little boy along with him to help. After they had dug up about ten or so the little boy looked up at him and asked, “Mr. Harold, what did you bury these for?” Good question for a four year old that was not there when Mr. Harold planted them. The little fellow had no idea that under the soil was a wealth of mashed potatoes, French fries, and potato casseroles.
The Apostle Paul told the folk in Colosse; *"For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory."
Given the story about the potatoes you can now understand what Paul means. When you and I submitted our lives to Christ the old us was crucified with Him, buried, and we have been raised to live a new life. That is why Jesus called it “born again.” We are buried in Christ and our past is hidden from the eyes of God. When the Father looks upon us today He does not see the same person He saw before Jesus presented us to Him as being redeemed. The moment we surrendered our life to Jesus we became hidden in Him. We dig up the old stuff once in a while only to be confronted by the Holy Spirit and reminded that we buried it and we need to leave it buried. Many times others who knew us before we were born again will dig up some of the old stuff, knock the dirt off it, and try to put it back on us. At those times we just remind them that although we cannot change who we were, Jesus has changed who we are. One day we will be seen by God when we appear in His presence with Jesus! Jesus will come back to get all of those who are His and take us to the Father. For now we are to continue to live our lives like those potatoes; growing out of sight waiting to be harvested!
Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Jesus to die for my sins that I may be crucified with Him. I look forward to the day when I shall see You, and You shall see me; with Him! Thanks Jesus for what You did and for allowing me to go to the Father in You! Amen.
In Christ: Br Mike <><
*The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (electronic ed.) (Col 3:3-4). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.
The Apostle Paul told the folk in Colosse; *"For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory."
Given the story about the potatoes you can now understand what Paul means. When you and I submitted our lives to Christ the old us was crucified with Him, buried, and we have been raised to live a new life. That is why Jesus called it “born again.” We are buried in Christ and our past is hidden from the eyes of God. When the Father looks upon us today He does not see the same person He saw before Jesus presented us to Him as being redeemed. The moment we surrendered our life to Jesus we became hidden in Him. We dig up the old stuff once in a while only to be confronted by the Holy Spirit and reminded that we buried it and we need to leave it buried. Many times others who knew us before we were born again will dig up some of the old stuff, knock the dirt off it, and try to put it back on us. At those times we just remind them that although we cannot change who we were, Jesus has changed who we are. One day we will be seen by God when we appear in His presence with Jesus! Jesus will come back to get all of those who are His and take us to the Father. For now we are to continue to live our lives like those potatoes; growing out of sight waiting to be harvested!
Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Jesus to die for my sins that I may be crucified with Him. I look forward to the day when I shall see You, and You shall see me; with Him! Thanks Jesus for what You did and for allowing me to go to the Father in You! Amen.
In Christ: Br Mike <><
*The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (electronic ed.) (Col 3:3-4). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Effective Witnessing
I went to purchase some deodorant the other day and was surprised to find that the brand I have been using for a hundred years had changed. It took me several minutes to find it because they had changed the graphics on the label. Same stuff it says but now with a different look. I mean, come on, its deodorant. It either stops sweat or makes it smell good so why improve the look of the package? Save money by using a simple label and charge less for it so more people will buy it, right? Not this day and age. It has to be packaged to keep up with the competition on the shelves.
I think that may have been the issue the Apostle Paul was dealing with when he told the Roman citizens in his letter; *“Jesus is the only One who can save people. No one else in the world is able to save us.” It seems to me that this statement is not really impressing people today. Perhaps we could package it different for them somehow that would impress them. Maybe we could send a tweet on Twitter like, “JC saves; no One else can.” Or we could post on Facebook, “Jesus will be in Heaven today; the only One who can save us.” Then again maybe we could publish an image of Him on a skateboard flying through the air holding a high energy drink in one hand with the caption, “The only One that saves!” Even with these I am sure many would still not be impressed. Why? Because many of them have no idea what they need to be saved from. We have tried to package the “Product” without first doing some market research. Old guys like me use my deodorant; young dudes use the high powered, active life, athletic formula in a package with soccer balls and lightening bolts. Both stop sweat or make it smell better. Here is the bottom line: It saves us from stinking in public.
That is all we need to tell people today. We could send a tweet like; “Hell is real; want to go? Then get saved.” Or a poster with a guy on a skateboard on fire, nothing to drink and a horrible look on his face with the caption; “Get saved or burn forever.” Who knows, that may cause them to ask, “How do I get saved from that?” Then we could say, “Just ask Jesus, He will do it!”
Father God, help me to be a more effective witness. Jesus, thank You for saving me from hell and help me to warn others. Thanks Jesus for taking me before the Father right now! Amen.
In Christ: Br Mike <><
* The Everyday Bible : New Century Version. 2005 (Acts 4:12). Nashville, TN.: Thomas Nelson, Inc.
I think that may have been the issue the Apostle Paul was dealing with when he told the Roman citizens in his letter; *“Jesus is the only One who can save people. No one else in the world is able to save us.” It seems to me that this statement is not really impressing people today. Perhaps we could package it different for them somehow that would impress them. Maybe we could send a tweet on Twitter like, “JC saves; no One else can.” Or we could post on Facebook, “Jesus will be in Heaven today; the only One who can save us.” Then again maybe we could publish an image of Him on a skateboard flying through the air holding a high energy drink in one hand with the caption, “The only One that saves!” Even with these I am sure many would still not be impressed. Why? Because many of them have no idea what they need to be saved from. We have tried to package the “Product” without first doing some market research. Old guys like me use my deodorant; young dudes use the high powered, active life, athletic formula in a package with soccer balls and lightening bolts. Both stop sweat or make it smell better. Here is the bottom line: It saves us from stinking in public.
That is all we need to tell people today. We could send a tweet like; “Hell is real; want to go? Then get saved.” Or a poster with a guy on a skateboard on fire, nothing to drink and a horrible look on his face with the caption; “Get saved or burn forever.” Who knows, that may cause them to ask, “How do I get saved from that?” Then we could say, “Just ask Jesus, He will do it!”
Father God, help me to be a more effective witness. Jesus, thank You for saving me from hell and help me to warn others. Thanks Jesus for taking me before the Father right now! Amen.
In Christ: Br Mike <><
* The Everyday Bible : New Century Version. 2005 (Acts 4:12). Nashville, TN.: Thomas Nelson, Inc.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Encourage your leaders.
A family was on their way home from church one Sunday morning when the dad spoke up and said, “You know, that preacher must have pulled that sermon off the internet and just read it to us. It had no spirituality to it at all.” The mom says, “I thought it was okay. The music was the problem today. The Choir and musicians must have not practiced this week. They were not together and sounded off key.” The little boy spoke up from the back seat and said, “If you ask me, I thought it was a pretty good show for a buck.”
Sound familiar? Hopefully not but probably! A young man in my discipleship class who is called to be a teacher asked, “Pastor, why is it those who criticize never do anything?” I told him that would always be the case with humans. Armchair quarterbacks, backseat drivers, pew preachers, and shower singers, all think the rest of us could do better than we do. I remember fighting a fire once when a friend of mine and I were in full gear inside a kitchen battling a fire in the ceiling. All of a sudden this voice says, “You need to punch a hole over here, the fire is up here.” The owner was standing there, intoxicated of course, in the midst of all the smoke and steam with water running down him!
The writer of Hebrews gives this advice to all of us; *Be responsive to your pastoral leaders. Listen to their counsel. They are alert to the condition of your lives and work under the strict supervision of God. Contribute to the joy of their leadership, not its drudgery. Why would you want to make things harder for them? I am blessed to be stationed in a church where the majority encourages others and is tolerant of imperfection. If you are making it hard on your leadership by being critical then ask God to help you to encourage them! If you are a leader then ask God to help you be the best you can be for Him!
Heavenly Father; Thank You for your patience with me. Instill in me the grace I need to deal with those who criticize and help me to listen carefully; they may be right sometimes! Lord Jesus, thank You for allowing me to ask in Your name! Amen.
In Christ: Br Mike <><
* Peterson, E. H. (2003). The Message : The Bible in contemporary language (Heb 13:17). Colorado Springs, Colo.: NavPress.
Sound familiar? Hopefully not but probably! A young man in my discipleship class who is called to be a teacher asked, “Pastor, why is it those who criticize never do anything?” I told him that would always be the case with humans. Armchair quarterbacks, backseat drivers, pew preachers, and shower singers, all think the rest of us could do better than we do. I remember fighting a fire once when a friend of mine and I were in full gear inside a kitchen battling a fire in the ceiling. All of a sudden this voice says, “You need to punch a hole over here, the fire is up here.” The owner was standing there, intoxicated of course, in the midst of all the smoke and steam with water running down him!
The writer of Hebrews gives this advice to all of us; *Be responsive to your pastoral leaders. Listen to their counsel. They are alert to the condition of your lives and work under the strict supervision of God. Contribute to the joy of their leadership, not its drudgery. Why would you want to make things harder for them? I am blessed to be stationed in a church where the majority encourages others and is tolerant of imperfection. If you are making it hard on your leadership by being critical then ask God to help you to encourage them! If you are a leader then ask God to help you be the best you can be for Him!
Heavenly Father; Thank You for your patience with me. Instill in me the grace I need to deal with those who criticize and help me to listen carefully; they may be right sometimes! Lord Jesus, thank You for allowing me to ask in Your name! Amen.
In Christ: Br Mike <><
* Peterson, E. H. (2003). The Message : The Bible in contemporary language (Heb 13:17). Colorado Springs, Colo.: NavPress.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Keep It Simple
Albert Einstein said, “If you cannot explain it simply then you do not understand it well enough.” I think of all the times I have tried to explain things to people. When it comes to explaining the Gospel we Christians can sometimes “over explain” in our best hearted attempts to let others know Gods plan of redemption for us all. To an unbeliever the phrase, “You need to be washed in the blood because the Rapture can take place any minute,” leaves them thinking: What!? The Apostle Paul put it this way when instructing a young man that had just been appointed to a new pastorate. “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.” Given his explanation to Rev. Timothy I would say the Apostle Paul understood the Gospel pretty good!
You and I need only to learn a lesson from Brother Paul’s reasoning and conclusion of the matter on how we should encourage others to consider the message of the Gospel, the Good News of Jesus Christ. Pastor Timothy had his work cut out for him and his mentor in the ministry gave him good advice on how to share this message in such a way that they could relate it to their own lives. That is all you and I need to do. We may have not all been “chief sinners” as Paul has claimed the title but we all have sinned! We all have to put aside our prideful thinking and attitude of, “Christ died for sinners,” and we have to admit that Christ died for us! Not just sinners, but for this sinner! When others hear how Christ has forgiven us, perhaps they will think, “If that guy can be forgiven so can I.”
Our Father in Heaven, we hallow Your Name! Jesus, thanks for dying for me that I may be forgiven by the Father and can now have access to Him personally through You! Amen.
In Christ: Br Mike <><
You and I need only to learn a lesson from Brother Paul’s reasoning and conclusion of the matter on how we should encourage others to consider the message of the Gospel, the Good News of Jesus Christ. Pastor Timothy had his work cut out for him and his mentor in the ministry gave him good advice on how to share this message in such a way that they could relate it to their own lives. That is all you and I need to do. We may have not all been “chief sinners” as Paul has claimed the title but we all have sinned! We all have to put aside our prideful thinking and attitude of, “Christ died for sinners,” and we have to admit that Christ died for us! Not just sinners, but for this sinner! When others hear how Christ has forgiven us, perhaps they will think, “If that guy can be forgiven so can I.”
Our Father in Heaven, we hallow Your Name! Jesus, thanks for dying for me that I may be forgiven by the Father and can now have access to Him personally through You! Amen.
In Christ: Br Mike <><
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