Checking in with Dad

Son, David, is on some school travel out of the country, and for the first 36 hours, we hadn't heard if he made it, or what he’d been up to since he left Indianapolis. Dad's would like to know! Are you OK? Do you need anything? Are you living like you should and enjoying life?

My Operation Timothy guys and I were talking about prayer and praying last Friday morning. Prayer is really just talking with God. If you are a Christ follower, it means “checking in with Dad,” your Heavenly Father. He’d like you to report in, “Are we OK? Do you want to ask for anything? Are you living like you should, and enjoying life?”

We studied on Friday that if we're struggling with life” we can draw near to the throne of Grace with boldness, to receive mercy and grace in a time of need.” We were reminded that “if we talk to Dad, and confess our mistakes, He'll forgive us and clean us up.”

Last Thursday, David Sherron reminded us that it's good to Praise before we Petition. Tell Dad you still love Him, that you're thankful for your life, blessings, and opportunities, before you give Him your laundry list of needs. And of course, Operation Timothy talks about the A.C.T.S. of prayer: Adoration or Praise, Confession, Thanksgiving and Supplications. Are you current with your dad? Any of these areas you two should have a good talk about?

Have you checked in with Dad recently? He'd like to hear from you!

Being a Christ Follower

Pastor Bruce says,

There are 5 key aspects of being a disciple, or follower of Jesus Christ:

1. DEDICATION: Living to please God versus ourselves. 1 Thessalonians 4:1 Romans 8:8

2. OCCUPATION: Working for God not only in serving at church or in the community, but viewing our career, and how we operate at work as if we are working for the LORD. Colossians 3:23

3. EDUCATION: Growing in our knowledge of God, His ways, and learning how to live successfully. 2 Peter 3:18

4. INSPIRATION: Being empowered by God to live the Christian life. Walking in the Spirit. Romans 8:4

5. CELEBRATION: Giving praise to God. Glorifying God and living a life of thankfulness. Psalm 30:4

This is genuine Christianity, being a Jesus follower, or disciple. To be a fisher of men means to be a disciple maker. Matthew 28:19-20 Helping others, family and friends live a successful, joyful life in Christ, with dedication, occupation, education, inspiration, and celebration is the real deal.

It's a great calling, and rewarding life purpose. Go for it Fishersmen!

Love Your Mother?

I saw a green bumper sticker on a car the other day that made me think. It said “Love Your Mother,” and had a picture of the earth. It made me think, “ We should love our father (Heavenly Father) that made our mother “earth” and breathed life into man long ago.

Earth Day corresponded to Good Friday this year and it made me think. The earth was cursed along with man when Adam and Eve sinned. The earth was perfect, but now it has some problems. The Bible says that creation groans, waiting for its redemption by a Savior. It made me think, on Good Friday, Earth Day, The Savior died for the sins of man, and not only redeems man, but sets the stage for the redemption of creation, including the future recreation of a new heaven and new earth.

This Sunday is Mother’s Day, and it makes me think. Gee, I’m thankful for my mother. A woman who loved, cared for, and sacrificed her own will many times to raise me. It made me think, “I want the Savior to bless my mother,” and, “I’m so thankful for her!”

Love Your Mother?

Love Your Mother!

Thank Dad for your mother this weekend. Tell your mother thanks, and that you love her. Tell her that Jesus loves her even more.

It makes you think!

Easter Thoughts

I hope you had as good an Easter weekend as I did. Yes, there was family and good food. But I was also blessed around this Easter with encouraging and inspirational messages by God’s people.

At the Billy Graham Evangelical Association meeting I was privileged to attend, Franklin Graham shared an update on his family, and some neat things BGEA and Samaritan’s Purse are doing to share Jesus Christ with the world. He spoke of “Boldness” in taking a little risk to tell others that Jesus loves them before they are lost without Him forever.

Most of my family attended Heartland Church on the Northeast side, and we enjoyed a very uplifting service with a well crafted message for seekers, communicating that to God, “Everyone is welcome,” to receive forgiveness and eternal life. Also, that with God, “Anything is possible.”

They also shared a very simple, but accurate mnemonic for a person coming to Christ, and meeting Jesus through a sinner’s prayer: I Know. I’m Sorry. And, I’m Ready. I know that Jesus is the Son of God, who He said He was. I’m sorry for my sin, and I know I need a Savior. I’m finally ready to accept and receive Him as my Lord and Savior, and ready to stop driving my own life and let Him change me.

In an article in a recent cbmc publication, there was a great reminder of the uniqueness and power of Jesus Christ. Bible stories that tell us:

· Jesus loves the unlovely Luke 19-1-10 (A TAX COLLECTOR)

· Jesus is willing to forgive the lowest sinner John 8:1-11 (A PROSTITUTE, OR ADULTERER)

· Jesus can provide for your need Matthew 14:15-21 (FEED A MULTITUDE)

· Jesus can heal your hurt Luke 17:11-19 (LEPROSY)

· Jesus can give you eternal life John 11:1-44 (RAISING A DEAD MAN)

Finally, in a recent book by Billy Graham, he and son, Franklin explain why millions of people have been willing to listen to Billy over the past 60 years. “It’s not what I have to say, but what God’s Word has to say to them.” That’s why they come out by the thousands into stadiums over all over the world for 3 generations.

Give your friends, family and acquaintances God’s word with boldness. Let them know everone is welcome, and anything is possible. Tell them about Jesus, why He’s special and unique. And , if they know, are sorry, and ready, help them open the door of their hearts to Him.

Saul and David

“Has the LORD as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and insubordination is as iniquity and idolatry.” The prophet Samuel to King Saul after his failure to carry out God’s orders in the destruction of the Amalekites and their king Agag. 1 Samuel 15

“Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” The LORD to the prophet Samuel before he anointed David king over Israel. 1 Samuel 16

King Saul was handsome. King Saul was tall and popular. King Saul thought for himself, and wanted to do things for god, as he thought best in his own mind. King David was smaller, the runt of Jesse’s litter. He was relegated to tending sheep while his older brothers represented the family, fighting along King Saul.

The people wanted a king. Saul was the people’s popular choice. And, the prophet Samuel thought Saul looked good in his armor too. But, Saul wanted to fit God and His agenda into Saul’s convenient schedule. He was a rule bender. When Samuel showed up late one day, Saul went ahead and played priest and offered a sacrifice himself. When God said wipe out every Amalekite and everything they have, Saul, thought better, and decided to spare king Agag, the best sheep, and spoil. And, when God through Samuel said, your reign is over, David’s the guy; Saul foolishly tried to kill David and stay on top. Saul fudged on his orders. Saul was a compromiser, who wanted to make God, the people, and especially himself happy. It cost Saul the kingdom, God’s favor, and his peace of mind.

King David had is own problems, but, king David was a man after God’s own heart. When the average Israelite saw insurmountable problems, (e.g. an eight foot Philistine, named Goliath), David saw the irresistible will and unlimited power of God. “You come to me with a sword and a spear, and a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have taunted. This day the LORD will deliver you up into my hands…” The youth David, to the Champion of the Philistines. 1 Samuel 17:45, 46a

These three chapters in 1^st Samuel are sobering to me. They tell of the perfect will of God, the imperfect obedience of man, the fickleness of the people, and the power of setting one’s heart after God. It’s sobering, because our culture thinks like Israel, and many times I think like Saul. “Keep everybody happy, and do something for God, while I conveniently fit him into my agenda.” After I do what I want to do, I’ll go to church, write a check for an offering, and ask God to bless me.

But, am I uncompromisingly following the specific will of God to the letter? Is my heart right like David’s? Would I destroy and burn up everything in my life that is a hindrance to my obedience to God and his kingdom? I know I come up short. How about you? Read 1 Samuel 15 through 17 and see if you get challenged and convicted about your walk.

Ruth and Boaz

I’m going through the Chronological Bible which has me transitioning from the book of Judges to the story of Ruth. What a change! The clans of Jacob have been fighting each other over a land grab and almost wipe out Benjamin after a shameful scandal of the abuse of a concubine. Judges leaves us with a mess in Israel, because it says, “Everyone did what they thought was right in their own eyes.”

The love story of Ruth is much more encouraging. A foreigner, Ruth, a Moabite woman marries into a Jewish family and learns to love her mother in law and the ways and God of Israel. Ruth sacrificially gleans in the fields of a relative of Naomi’s and brings enough grain home to keep Naomi and herself alive in tough times. Boaz, a righteous man, and kinsman redeemer, ends up looking after Ruth and Naomi, and redeeming the women and their former lands for a heritage.

Boaz is touched by Ruth’s love for her mother in law, and her willingness to cast her lot with him, self described as an older man, not as young and handsome as men more Ruth’s age. But they happily marry and put a family together. Ruth gives birth to Obed, who later becomes the father of Jesse, and the grandfather of King David. God really honors this family’s selflessness and desire to do what’s right.

In fact, the name “Ruth,” has come to mean Love! You may be more familiar with the negative “ruthless” meaning without any love or regard for one’s fellow man. Quite a change from the selfishness of Judges to the selflessness of Ruth! Read this inspiring story when you have a chance.

Knowing God, part 1

A few weeks back, in a blog article we saw a Happiness Equation. It asserts that the road to a happy life, or having joy begins with getting to know God. This leads to the question, “How does one get to know God?”

First, a man has to believe there is God, and that he’s not Him. And without faith it is impossible to please Him (God), for he who comes to God (gets to know Him) must believe that He is (exists) and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6

The creation tells us there must be a powerful God. “because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.” Romans 1:19-20

Still, many people, not wanting to be accountable to a higher power, reject the idea of God. The bible verse Psalm 14 tells of the special Holiday for atheists on April 1^st. ‘The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” There is no one who does good. The LORD looked down from heaven upon the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God.’ Psalm 14:1 (April Fools Day)

But which of man’s religions points to the true God, and what is He like? The bible asserts that Jesus, is God, and the best and only true way to get to know Him. “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form,” “For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.” Colossians 1:19-20

The good news is that God wants a relationship with man. He wants to reveal himself to us. Jesus came to be known, and wants us to get to know Him. “Here I am! I stand at the door (of your heart) and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” Revelation 3:20

Getting to know God then begins with a heartfelt desire to seek a relationship with the Savior, Jesus Christ.

Next time: Pursuing God