Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Ambassadors To Our Next Door Neighbors


“Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”  2 Corinthians 5:20

What inspires you?  What does it take to get you on your feet and doing something?  

We live in a nation with a Christian church on almost every corner.  Nowhere else in the world is it so easy for people to engage with the church.  Yet millions of people never go to church save for an occasional wedding or funeral.  Sad, huh? 

So my question is what are you going to do about it?  We are charged to take the gospel to the world.  The last time I looked the world was right outside my front door. 

Let us be what we are called to be, Christ’s ambassadors, and go knock on a few doors and extend the hand of fellowship to those who are outside the fellowship of the church. 

Monday, April 29, 2013

What Color Will The New Carpet Be?


“Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  Romans 15:5-6

I am not sure if Paul was trying to head off a church fight when he prayed this prayer, but I think it fits this sort of thing.

Church fights usually focus on the mundane, such as:  Fights about the color of the carpet.   Fights about the new hymnals.  Fights about kids being too noisy.  Fights about the pastor taking his suit coat off when he’s preaching.  Fights about somebody throwing out left over punch that has been in the refrigerator for six weeks.  All this fighting detracts from the message of the church.  It is a fact that whatever a bunch of church people decide the result will be disgruntled people.

What is really sad is that most of the time none of the fighting has anything to do with furthering the gospel.  The true work of the church gets buried by a bunch of petty arguments.

We need to pray this prayer because we need to get along to move the gospel along. 

Sunday, April 28, 2013

Don't Run With The Turkeys


“Those who wait upon the Lord will renew their strength.  They will mount up with wings like eagles.  They will run and not grow tired.  They will walk and not become weary.”  Isaiah 40:31

They say if you want to soar with the eagles don’t run with the turkeys. 

Unfortunately, in our society time has overtaken everything else.  We are so busy running that we can’t wait five minutes without complaining.  We never want to wait:  not in the checkout line, not for the car at the garage, not at the drive up window, not for the kids, or the wife or the husband.  We are so busy running that we don’t have time to do anything else.  

That is not the way it is with God.  God is patient and long suffering.  God does not lead us astray, He welcomes us.  He wants us to soar like eagles. 

We need not rush headlong through life, we need to heed the words of God, and wait upon the Lord.

Saturday, April 27, 2013

Tell Him To Share


“Someone in the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me.”  But He said to him, “Man, who appointed Me a judge or arbitrator over you?”  Then He said to them, “Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.””  Luke 12:13-15

What do you do when a family member dies and leaves his whole estate to someone other than you?  Should you ask for your fair share?

When Jesus was asked this question, Jesus did not give the answer that the one who asked wanted.  Instead He pointed out that life is more than possessions.  An abundance of possessions does not mean a good life.  What if this man’s brother begrudgingly gave Him part of the inheritance?  Odds are the giver would resent the receiver for his greed and the receiver would not think he was given enough.  Two brothers would be divided over a dead man’s decision and perhaps end up not speaking to one another.

Jesus knew where greed rules, love dies.  Our family relationships are more important than anything money can buy.  Sometimes we need to forgive and forget things which we and others had no control over.  

Friday, April 26, 2013

God Dotes on Us


“But let all who take refuge in You be glad,
Let them ever sing for joy;
And may you shelter them,
That those who love your name may exult in You.
For it is You who blesses the righteous man, O Lord,
You surround him with favor as with a shield.”
Psalm 5:11-12

When we were kids we all knew who the favorite kids were.  Their parents doted on them and they were always the teachers’ pets.  When they messed up, they didn’t get yelled at, they got talked to.  Not so for the rest of us.

God regards all who call Him Lord as his favorite kids.   We are surrounded by His love and His protection.

We are doted on by God.  And, for this we are thankful.

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Turn Them Around


“My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.”  James 5:19-20

Talking to someone about their sin is a touchy subject.  We may get the response that we are not so hot ourselves.  The problem is the Bible does not say we are to be perfect, the Bible says we are to love one another.  We do not demonstrate the love of God by watching someone destroy their life. 

We are not to jump on people with accusations.  We are to help turn them around.  We act in love by offering the salvation message of Jesus.  Then we let God do the rest.