Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Matthw 6:1-2

"Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward" Matthew 6:1-2

"Ok, Edwin. You have told us in the past that if we have faith, we must be doing works of faith. This is our task as believers. What is this about not practicing our righteousness before men? How can we do good works for men without it being done so men can see?"

Good question. Glad you asked. Notice the comment Jesus makes after the original statement: "to be noticed by them." These are important words. They indicate that our actions are not to have the purpose of attracting attention to ourselves. Indeed, it is impossible to do good works without someone noticing. How can you buy a beggar a hot meal without him noticing? Does this mean we should not buy him the meal? No, It means that we let him know that we are doing it in Jesus' name. That's what Peter did as he entered the Temple one day. "Silver and gold have I none, but what I have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ, stand up and walk." (Acts 3:6) That's how it is done. "Dear brother, I cannot help you much, but what I have is yours. I buy you this meal in Jesus' Name. Enjoy it."

I can't think of a situation in which this will not work. Are you giving a box of food to a poor widow with five kids and want to remain anonymous? Put a note in it stating it is from Jesus, put it on the doorstep, knock . . . and run! What a surprise that woman will have - and what a story to tell her friends! Helping a single mom get her car repaired? After making arrangements for payment, have the mechanic ask her to bring her car in and tell her Jesus wants to bless her by having it repaired! That will surprise the mechanic as well as the mother. (I would like to listen in on that conversation!)

See, things can be done without drawing attention to yourself - even if the object of your good deeds knows you. Give it a try. The rewards are great - though you may not know about them
until you reach Heaven. Hallelujah, Amen and Amen.

Monday, June 29, 2009

Amos 5:5-6

"But do not seek Bethel, Nor enter Gilgal, Nor pass over to Beersheba; For Gilgal shall surely go into captivity, And Bethel shall come to nothing. Seek the LORD and live, Lest He break out like fire in the house of Joseph, And devour it, With no one to quench it in Bethel" Amos 5:5-6

So you've set out on the high road of the King. Things are rosy. The sun is shining. The view is breathtaking. The air is cool and clear. Life is good. That's the way it is the day after you receive Jesus as you Savior - or you rededicate yourself to serving Him with all your life - or revival has come to your heart. Life is good and you never want to go back to your old ways. Then, something happens. A storm cloud appears on the horizon. An old memory is stirred. A whiff of scent turns on the video of your past. A taste, a longing, a problem, whatever it is - it turns your mind back to the old ways.

Now you stand at a crossroads. Do you go back to the old ways, use the old methods to solve problems, do the old things that brought temporary relief. Or, do you draw closer to the God who redeemed you and set you free?

Israel is at the same crossroad in this Amos passage, so Amos tells them like it is. "Draw nearer to God," he says, "so that you may continue living." Then he adds, "If you don't, destruction like you have never seen will be your portion." That is about as plain as it can get. Sometimes we need to have a line drawn in the sand in order to help us make up our minds. God is asking "Are you with Me or are you against Me? There is no middle ground. No straddling the fence. No safety zone. No gray area. Only black and white. You either go my way or you go your way. Take your pick." Sounds tough. It is tough. I am struggling with it. I suspect you are struggling with it

and that is good. If we weren't struggling, we would have a 50/50 chance of being spiritually dead - or near perfection! I don't fit either classification. Do you? Amen and Amen.

Sunday, June 28, 2009

Psalm 91:2

"I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust." Psalm 91:2

"My refuge . . . " A refuge is a safe zone - a place where the refugee is not supposed to be touched. Animals that dwell in a refuge are protected by law. Open hunting is not allowed. The habitat is protected. Anyone found in the area with a weapon is hauled off to jail and dealt severely with by the courts. The believer who has the Lord as his refuge is in a very safe, protected, and managed area.

". . . my fortress . . ." A fortress is safer yet. In the Middle Ages Lords built fortresses for protection from attacking enemies. When an attack was eminent, all the villagers would make their way into the fort and there would be protected by the Lord's soldiers. Sure, some still lost their lives, but most found safety.

Now notice the progression of the provisions of God. First we have a a refuge - a place where we are off limits to the poachers of satan. There is no hunting season on Christians who are in the refuge of God. Then, we have the fortress - the most secure of all God's protective structures. In short, here are two lines of defense. In addition, I know that a fortress is much better than a fox hole.

God provides all the protection we need in the fight against evil. When one is overwhelmed, we can fall back to the next. There is not better position to be in. As a matter of fact, that type of defensive position gives confidence to the soldier who is on the offensive. He is more willing to move ahead if he knows there is good backing. He is also more likely to be victorious.

Of course there is one problem with these defenses. We have to be willing to use them. They do us no good if we are not there. The refuge is worthless if we are on the wrong side of the fence. And the fortress may as well be nonexistent if we fail to go into it when we are attacked. Think about it. Are you using all the defenses God provides? Or are you being a "lone ranger" trying to do it all yourself? Your answers are critical. Your use of the protections of God are life and death. You should be able to say with the psalmist "My God, in whom I trust!" Hallelujah, Amen and Amen.

Saturday, June 27, 2009

Acts 5:1

"But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession" Acts 5:1

Here's a couple with a problem. It wasn't that they were rich, though they probably were. It wasn't that they sold some property. It wasn't even that they lied about the selling price - though that was a serious problem. Their problem was that they loved themselves more than they loved God. Let's recap the story. Ananias and Sapphira had witnessed the act of one Barnabas who sold his property and gave it all to the apostles. I imagine that it created quite a stir among the saints. "Did you hear what Barnabas did? Wasn't that fantastic?" I suspect that the next time he entered the assembly a hearty round of applause erupted spontaneously in his honor. Barnabas didn't do it for the attention or the adulation. He did it to meet a need. I suspect that he was rather embarrassed by the praise heaped upon him.

Having seen all this, our wonderful couple decided to do the same. They wanted the attention. They wanted the praise. They wanted to bask in the spotlight for a few moments. Maybe they wanted mentioned in the "Chronicles of the Early Church" when it was published. (This they were - but not in the way they expected!) So they found a piece of property they didn't particularly need and sold it. It probably went for a few shekels more than they expected and the weight of their coin purse began to feel mighty good. That night in bed after the kids were tucked in and the candles were out a conversation such as this might of taken place.

"Wow, I never thought that piece of junk property would bring that much," said Ananias. "That was a lot. It humored me to see the expression on your face when you came through the door!" replied his loving wife. "My look? You should have seen yours when I poured the contents of the coin purse on the table! I've never seen that many coins at one time in all my life." Sapphira pauses for a moment, "Do you think we really have to give it ALL to God? Couldn't we keep some of it ourselves?"

"Sure, we could. But we wouldn't get the spotlight treatment. No one honors those who give half of the proceeds of the sale. Isn't that why we did it?" "Yes, but . . . ." "I've got it, Sapphira. No one knows what I got for that property. They wouldn't believe it if they did. Here's what we will do. I'll go to the apostles and tell them I sold it for such and such. They won't know the difference. We will get the praise - and we will keep the balance! We'll be rich!" Sapphira again pauses. "I don't know Ananias. It sounds like a good plan - but lying to Peter? He's pretty insightful. . . . . . . . . Well, that is a lot of money . . . .
.
Ok. Let's do it." The next day the transaction is completed with the apostles. Ananias dies. Sapphira follows him to the grave. So WHAT'S THEIR PROBLEM IF IT WASN'T LYING! Their problem was they were stuck on themselves. They wanted the praise, the adoration, the attention. They wanted to be in the spotlight. They wanted . . . .

"Oh, I see. They were selfish." You got it. " But I'm not like that." Really? I'm afraid that I am. I suspect that you are. Haven't you ever done anything for God to get the praise - the honor - the glory. Sure you have. Was it when you were a kid, a young adult, last year? Or was it yesterday or today? What really cooked Ananias' and Sapphira's goose was that they lied to the Holy Spirit. That God couldn't tolerate. He would have worked with them on their selfishness, their greed. But He couldn't work with their affront to Him. If He had, everyone would have taken up the example and lied to God. No one could be trusted - and God would have been knocked off His throne!

So God did what He had to do. He put down the insurrection in the very beginning. Now about you and me. We had best rein in our selfishness because sooner or later we will allow it to come above God in such a way that He will not be able to tolerate it. He may not strike us dead, but He will discipline us in a serious manner. Amen and Amen.

Friday, June 26, 2009

1 Kings 1:5-6

"Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, "I will be king"; and he prepared for himself chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him. And his father had not rebuked him at any time by saying, "Why have you done so?" He was also very good-looking. His mother had borne him after Absalom." 1 Kings 1:5-6

Strange things happen in a vacuum. Many, many years ago my during my secondary school physics class our teacher put a perfectly flat balloon in a vacuum pump, then began to evacuate the air from the chamber. Guess what? The "empty" balloon began to inflate. The little bit of air in the balloon attempted to fill the void in the vacuum chamber!

The law of the vacuum even has its effect in the church. Too many times I have seen the power struggles that take place when 1) a pastor leaves, 2) an elder retires, 3) new officers are elected, and 4) a new building is constructed. It is amazing how "normal" and "sane" Christian "leaders" descend into the pits of self-promotion in such circumstances.

David's death left a vacuum in the Israeli kingdom. Solomon was David's choice as a replacement - he was God's choice, too. But, Adonijah had a different idea. He gathered his power base and began a march on Jerusalem. The only problem was that Adonijah was not "king" material. He was a spoiled brat - to put it bluntly! David had never used the "no" word on him. Therefore when God said "no", Adonijah did not hear anything but his own desires ringing in his ears saying "go for it!" Obviously, something happened to prevent Adonijah's plans because we all know that a humbled Solomon became king and reigned for many years.

You and I must be careful that we don't let the "vacuum principle" invade our lives as well. We could easily become embroiled in the political vacuums of our workplace, church, or social group.
It would not be unusual for us to begin to promote ourselves a bit - just to see what would happen. We have all taken our turns at "blowing our own horns" because we all know that "no one else will."

It is with a guilty heart that I encourage each of us to cease the posturing and allow God to do the promotion. He certainly has better plans for us than we could ever imagine. Amen and Amen.

Thursday, June 25, 2009

2 Cor 3:5-6

"Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life" 2 Cor 3:5-6

Paul was a “with it” type of guy. As Saul, he was an up and coming young leader. He had already become a member of the Sanhedrin. He was a Pharisee par excellence. He was zealous for the faith - to the point of persecuting the rebellious and dangerous “Christian" sect. He was well educated and well connected. He had it all.

But something happened on the road to Damascus - more than just a conversion took place. Saul underwent a heart transplant. Instead of becoming a great evangelist for his new faith, he disappeared into the wilderness for around ten years. Instead of relying upon his past training, he set it all aside. When he finally made his way to Corinth, he was a humble man making his own way as a tent maker. He had lost the fancy speech of an educated man. His body had been broken by numerous beatings at the hands of both the Romans and the Jews. He had at least one near death experience.

What was the effect of all this? Paul no longer claimed to have anything to offer the Father: "Not that we are adequate in ourselves . . .." Paul would never claim to be anything other than a slave to Jesus. His only claim to fame - from his viewpoint - was saying "Yes, Lord. Here am I, send me" when he saw Jesus on the Damascus road. Saul made himself available and God changed him totally even giving him a new name, Paul.

Do you want to do great things for God? All you have to do is be available - really available. When the Lord sends you, go. When the Lord says speak, open your mouth. Don't get me wrong. This is not a license to be crazy. God does not want us to make our own way. He does not want us to be "bulls in a china closet." He does not expect us to go into the field of battle unprepared.

When an infantry unit goes into the field, they do not have air support and artillery support from the time they leave camp. However, when they contact the enemy, all these things are available as needed. If God sends you to the mission field, He will provide all the necessary tools - including funding. If God sends you to Bible College, He will make a way for you - you don't need to rely on "student loans." When God says go, he will tell you when, where and how.

Are you ready? Good. Be available. Hallelujah, Amen.

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Hebrews 11:3-4

"By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible. By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks" Hebrews 11:3-4

It seems like every Victorian novel takes place in an old mansion. The heroine is always an outsider, usually common born. Her benefactor, and ultimately her husband, is always high born with lots of ready cash and great influence. Invariably the heroine takes a stroll up a winding stairwell and down a long hall, both covered with ancient paintings of stern men and women, all ancestors of the hero, a hall of fame, if you please. People do that.

The writer of Hebrews begins a list of God's hall of fame with today's verses. He starts with Abel, the first-born son of the first man. He was faithful and his testimony is recorded for us here. The list of ancestors continues through some pretty famous people, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Moses are a few of those pictured on the hall walls. But the list of dignitaries continues with people, men and women, whose names have been lost, but their faith will be remembered for eternity. These folk performed no great and wondrous deeds that we should take particular note, except for this. They did not deny their God when their lives were on the line. They stayed faithful even though it meant a horrible and public death at the hands of evil persecutors.

All of this leads me to two questions. The first I direct to myself. "What will I leave behind as a legacy? Will my picture be hung on God's wall of faithful servants?" Hmmmmmmm. That will require some thought. Let's move on to the second question, one I will direct to you.

"What will you leave behind as a legacy? Will your picture be hung on God's wall of faithful servants?" Think about it. Amen and Amen.

Monday, June 22, 2009

Psalm 109:21

"But You, O GOD the Lord, Deal with me for Your name's sake; Because Your mercy is good, deliver me" Psalm 109:21

There are two ways for the Lord to deal with His children. They can ask. Or He can move sovereignly.

If God has to move on His own to correct His children, it means that we are blatantly rebellious. We fail to see that we have done anything that needs correction. Or we know we have done wrong but choose not to do anything about it.

Saul was that type of person. He was bull headed. He was determined to go his own way. He knew what God wanted of him. He understood the instructions the prophet gave him. Still, he disobeyed - and he did it consistently. God attempted to correct Saul many times, usually by sending Samuel. Every time, Saul would refuse the Word of the Lord and continue in his own paths. In the end, God had no choice but to remove Saul.

That is hard. I suspect that some of us could give our own testimonies about how God has had to deal with us in a harsh manner.

On the other hand, when we freely say to the Father, "I have sinned. Please help me." Something totally different happens. David was that type of man. No, he wasn't perfect. He sinned a lot. He sinned big time. But when God called him to account for his actions, David responded with a soft heart. "I was wrong," was a frequent theme of David's life. But it went a little further. Not only did he say the words, but he followed up with "Lord help me." When he did that, God could apply a more gentle method of discipline. Why? Because David was prepared to
change.

This is a much easier form of discipline to handle. And the key is our attitude. It is much easier to throw ourselves upon God's mercy than to insist that God inflict us with His judgment.
Praise God, Amen and Amen.

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Psalm 46:1-3

"God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah" Psalm. 46:1-3

We have all found ourselves in need of refuge – shelter. It may be a refuge from the heat, or rain, or cold, or lightning, or wind, or snow. We may need shelter from the storms of life or the oppression of the spiritual world. Whatever the problem, we often seek help in the form of some type of refuge.

God is that refuge for the believer. He is our source of peace and comfort. He is our strength when we are weak. He is our “ever present help in trouble.” David knew that. We know that. How often we have found our peace in the presence of Jesus through prayer and Bible reading.

How strong and secure is this refuge? David tells us that the earth could quake and crumble and our God will not be moved. The mountains could slide into the ocean and our Lord will stand firm. The storm waves may tower over us, and still our Refuge holds us up. That is how secure we are in the hands of our God, our Creator.

Isn’t it comforting to know He is so involved in our lives – that He cannot be moved from protecting us?

I don’t know what you are going through. It may be sickness, sorrow, pain, persecution, or grief. It may involve your family, your friends, your failures, or your losses. It makes no difference to God. He is bigger than all of you problems and my problems rolled into one. There is nothing too difficult for Him. Nor is there anything that He cannot overcome it.

Join me as we put our trust in Him. That is all He asks – nothing more, nothing less. He will take our burdens upon Himself and carry them for us – if we only exercise the faith He has given us.

Through Him we can find refuge and strength. Through Him we will be over comers. Hallelujah, Amen and Amen.

Saturday, June 20, 2009

Psalm 60:12

"Through God we will do valiantly, For it is He who shall tread down our enemies"
Psalm. 60:12

The first thing I look for in the Reader's Digest is any "Drama in Real Life" stories. I can't get enough of them. I recall the story of the man who was pushed down the highway in by a deranged truck driver. It was a heroic state trooper who used the brakes of his cruiser to stop the eighteen-wheeler. Of course there are always stories of people buried in avalanches, lost in caves, trapped in raging flood waters, and the ubiquitous "baby lost in the forest" stories. They all bring a tear to my eyes before the conclusion. What each of these types of stories has in common is this: a common person reacting with uncommon courage in the face of insurmountable odds.

David knew all about these types of situations. As a lad, he faced lions and bears intent upon destroying his sheep. A little later, he stared the giant, Goliath, in the eye and with a simple slingshot saved the day for Israel. A greater challenge happened when Saul became angry with a bit older David and slung his spear at the lad and tried to pin him to the wall with it. Of course we can find David trapped in caves, running furiously to or from battle, and facing those insurmountable odds. Yes, he knew what these were about.

Still, he knew something we often forget. "Through God we will do valiantly." If you read this entire psalm, you will find that David is in a bind, again. It wasn't the first time. I wouldn't be the last. After multiple verses asking God to deliver him and Israel from certain destruction, David realizes just who God is. He is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. If He makes a promise, no one will dare cause Him to break it. If this is the kind of God that David served, He could be trusted to take care of a few problems. Indeed, David knew with God on his side, he could perform all of his tasks valiantly, with great honor
and courage. And he did.

You and I need to be reminded that we serve the same God that David served. We also need to know that this same God loves us just as much as He loved David. With that in mind, there is nothing we can't face, no trial, no temptation, no illness, no personal or environmental disaster, or psychological disorder, no job, no daunting task that we cannot overcome. In the midst of it all, if we put our trust in our Father, we can do valiantly! After all, "it is He who shall tread down our adversaries." We don't really have to do anything, except let God be God and allow Him to do what needs to be done. Hallelujah, Amen and Amen.

Friday, June 19, 2009

2 Kings 5:10

"And Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, "Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored to you, and you shall be clean" 2 Kings 5:10

Naaman was furious. This stupid prophet of this stupid God who demanded sole allegiance wanted HIM to go take seven stupid baths in the filthy stupid Jordan river. Who did he think he was? Didn't he know that Naaman was one of the most powerful men in the Syrian army? And to top it all off, he didn't have the courtesy to come himself - he sent a slave! Indeed Naaman was upset. He stormed off. He wouldn't do it! No way! No time! No how! He was heading back to Damascus. He should never have come in the first place!

Indeed, what God asked of Naaman didn't make sense. Wash in the Jordan? It WAS a muddy creek of a river. It WAS humiliating. It DID seem stupid. But eventually Naaman was persuaded to try it. He dipped once. Nothing. Twice, still the white tissue of the leper's trademark. Three. Four. Five. This was ridiculous. Six. Outrageous! Seven. He looked and - nothing! No dead skin! No dying tissue. No numb feeling in his fingers. NOTHING but pure white soft skin - like a baby's.

Sometimes God asks us to do things that defies explanation - that flies in the face of every sound human reason. The Bible is full of them. Noah. Elijah. Elisha. Nehemiah. Jonah. Peter (a gold coin in a fish's mouth! Come on, get real!) Ananias. John. Even history has it's share of strange events. Luther defying the Catholic Church. Guttenberg inventing the printing press - so he could print Bibles in an unauthorized language!

Yet, in all of His unorthodoxness, God makes the end come out right. All He asks of us is obedience. Call it blind if you want too. But if you know God at all, you understand that His ways are not our ways. But they are the best ways. Sometimes our obedience must be blind - but it should always be tempered with the understanding of Who is asking - the one and only God of the universe. The One who created it all. The one who arranged our salvation. The one who worked all of human history so that you and I might meet today, right now, and touch each others lives. When God says something, it always makes sense. Hallelujah, Amen and Amen.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Micah 6:8

"He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?" Micah 6:8

I don't know about you, but if the Lord requires something of me, I want to know what that is. What is this requirement? Church attendance? Good deeds? Giving money to the poor? All those things are good, but God tells us something even more profound. What does the Lord require of me? " ...to do justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with my God."

Think about it. If we master these three things, our church attendance, good deeds, giving, working in the kingdom will all take care of themselves. Let's look a little closer at each of these.

First, we are called on to "do justly." This literally comes from the field of civil law and it means to render a verdict which is right and fair. It means to live in a way which considers first what is right and later what is profitable. Unfortunately in society what is right is often treated as being secondary to that which "works." Practicality and profit have become the twin gods of business, politics, family life and even, sad to say, some organized religious groups. I heard a minister once defend lying to his congregation because it worked. This scripture says that God requires that we do right regardless of our assessment of its practicality.

Secondly, God requires that we "love mercy." In the process of holding ourselves to a high standard of moral and ethical conduct, we must be careful not to despise those who fail to meet those standards. When I have failed and depended on others (especially God himself) to show me mercy. If I expect to receive mercy I must show it. One of the beatitudes says, "Blessed are the merciful for they shall receive mercy." This showing of mercy doesn't mean excusing wrongdoing. Rather, my act of mercy directs the person to the one who can give full forgiveness of sin by demonstrating in my life that forgiveness in word and deed.

Finally, we are required to "walk humbly with thy God." Humility before the Father says, "I'm afraid as hard as I try I can't walk justly all the time, and my mercy is inconsistent and shallow. I need help. Take me and shape me into the type of person who can truly live up to the requirements you have set before me." Fortunately, God has made a provision for our inability to meet his requirements. He sent his Son to die on a Cross so that we might "be made the righteousness of God." If you're having trouble meeting God's requirements, turn to him today and ask His Son to come into your heart. It's easier to walk a difficult path, if you have the road builder with you on the journey. Amen and Amen.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Genesis 5:24

"And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him" Gen 5:24

What is it about walking? I fellowship with Sampson. Is that the same? I worked with Walter. Doesn't that count? I live with Carmel - she wants me to walk with her to get exercise. What's wrong with living? Isn't that enough?

Enoch walked with God. Noah walked with God. It doesn't actually say it, but Adam walked with God in the garden of Eden. Why walk and not work or fellowship or live? I've come to a conclusion. The man or woman who walks with someone knows them better than anyone else. When a person walks with you, you talk. You share intimacies. You share the joys and sorrows of the day. You share your dreams; your hopes; your innermost desires.

Walking with someone involves personal contact - not necessarily a touch - but a one on one contact that is missing in other relationships. Sampson and I talk when we fellowship on the ferry ride up and back from the City - but he's reading the newspapers and I'm busy doing what I'm doing. Do I know Sampson? Yes, pretty well. Can I read him like a book? I don't think so. When we fellowship together, I know his basic needs - and he knows the same of me. But I don't know him like I would if we were both walking together.

When you are side by side with someone, neither is superior. Both are equal - though one may well be the mentor, leader, teacher and the other the student and follower. Even in a crowd, two people walking together are alone in their own world.

Three people walking together isn't the same. One is always on the outside of the conversations. One is always missing something. Only two walking together share an intimacy that is precious indeed.

So Enoch walked with God. He knew God. He shared with God. God was the mentor. Enoch was the student. God was the leader. Enoch was the follower. But they knew each other - well - so well that one day while on their walk, God must have said something like, "Enoch, we're closer to my house than yours. Why don't you come home with me?" And Enoch agreed. And Enoch was no more.

I want to walk with God. I want to know God. I want to be intimate with Him. I want to share my hopes and dreams and joys and sorrows. I have only one problem with that. I want to bring my friend, the world, with me. And I miss the intimacy of a twosome. God, help each of us to walk with you - daily - every day of our lives. Hallelujah, Amen and Amen.

Monday, June 15, 2009

Isaiah 37:14

"And Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers, and read it; and Hezekiah went up to the house of the LORD, and spread it before the LORD" Isa 37:14

Hezekiah had two choices. He could take on the affairs of state himself - or he could turn to God. The enemy was outside the gates seeking to destroy Israel. He could make an alliance with foreign nations. He could rely on his own strength. He could loot the treasuries of his land and hire mercenaries to fight the war for him.

Hezekiah, upon receiving bad news, did the best thing - the only right thing - he could do. He went to the house of the Lord, laid his troubles before the Most Holy Place and sought the face of God. He called upon his Lord to save the nation. And the Lord heard his prayer.

You and I face many problems. Many of them small. Some of them huge. A few of them potentially crippling or even fatal. We could seek the advice of "experts" in the field. We could look to the physicians. We could call upon the law. We can talk to our friends, our counselors, or advisors. There are many things we could do.

But the best thing we could do - with any of our problems is take them to the Lord. Fortunately, we don't have to go to a building with a special room to do this. No, our Lord dwells in our hearts. That is the throne room in which He has chosen to dwell. All we have to do is call upon His name and He is there. He is faithful to hear our prayers. He is just to protect us. He is true. He is Love. And He, given the opportunity, will direct our paths. That's what Hezekiah did. That's what we need to do. Amen and Amen.

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Psalm 23:1-2

"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters" Psalm 23:1-2

Range sheep are totally dependent upon the shepherd. You see, sheep are dumb critters. They will follow just about anything that they are familiar with. They will follow another sheep over a cliff or down a steep ravine and into deep trouble. It is just their nature. They will eat all the grass in a pasture and not know where to go for more food. They will only drink out of certain types of water supplies. Running water - I think not. Rolling, rapid water - uhh uhh. A sheep is fearful of those kinds of water with good reason. With all that wool on their backs, they would quickly become water logged and drown. But, they don't know how to find still waters. That is why they need a shepherd.

Jesus says that a steward or hired hand will not work. Number one, they don't care for the sheep. If a lion comes, they will turn tail and run. Number two, the sheep don't know the "new guy." They won't follow a hireling they don't know. He must earn their trust.

Years ago, I visited some friends in a small town in England. They lived on a farm and had a few sheep - in a pen. Being from Hong Kong, I thought I would like to feel one of those woolly critters. Sure! As I approached the fence, the sheep ran. When I followed them, it became a circus. No way would those sheep let me get close - they didn't know me!

The Lord is my shepherd. I know Him. I trust Him. He feeds me and takes care of all my needs. He leads me to green pastures where the grass is rich and good. He won't let me stay in one place too long for fear I will destroy the pasture. He leads me to quiet waters. He knows my fears. He keeps me well away from danger.

He wants to be your shepherd too. Won't you follow Him? He is totally trustworthy. Hallelujah, Amen and Amen.

Saturday, June 13, 2009

Gen 1:1-2

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters" Gen 1:1-2

"Daddy, where did fish come from?"
"God created them."
"Where did water come from, Daddy?"
"God created it."
"Daddy, where did God come from?"

That's a question that has been asked since the beginning of time. Oh, by the way, how did God mark time before the creation of the sun and moon? Where did time come from? What existed before time began?

I'm sure many of us have asked those questions and more. And, to be honest, I'm not going to give you an answer - because I don't know. It's easy to say "God has always been." But the skeptic will always come back with, "How do you know?"

Some things are better accepted by faith. The existence of God is one of those things. But this I will respond to, "How can I know my faith is in the right place?" And the answer is, "Because we can test it. We can try our faith in God. Early on in my faith, I would ask God for a parking space in front of the store where I was headed. I believed God would provide it - and He did - at least enough to prove my faith. Eventually I realized how selfish that prayer was and quit asking. Well, in extreme circumstances I will still ask. And He still provides.

A little later in my faith, I would ask God to help me with something much more serious than a parking space. It may have been a healing, or salvation of a loved one, or wisdom, or what ever. I always found that God would answer my prayers. Oh, some times he wouldn't answer the way I wanted, that is part of the maturing process. But I always knew that God answered. He usually made it clear to me in one way or another. And sometimes it took a long time for me to understand the answer.

Now my faith in God is strong - because I have tested it. And I still test it. Worse than having a weak faith is having a faith that has never been tested under fire. Imagine the army sending our soldiers into battle with weapons that had never been tested except on a rifle range. No one would know if they would work in the battlefield. So it is with our faith. It must be tested. It must be tried in the furnace of affliction. Only in that way will we know that our faith is strong when we face the inevitable trials of life.

Is your faith being tried? Are you right now in the fires of affliction? Do you wonder if you have the strength to hang on? Trust in God. When your strength fails, His will become strong in you. Hallelujah, Amen and Amen.

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Matthew 5:17

"Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill" Matthew. 5:17

From time to time it surfaces in every church. The misconception runs something like this: "If we want to be healthy, we must return to the food laws of the Old Testament." These kindhearted people proceed to eliminate pork from their diets. Not satisfied with that, they begin to purchase foods with the k on the label - kosher foods. Still not satisfied, they scour the Word looking for other common foods that need to be eliminated from their dietary intake. As I have observed these brothers and sisters, I have watched them come under such bondage to the food they eat that they nearly starve themselves to death.

Jesus never intended for us to be bound by the Old Testament food laws - or any other O.T. law for that matter. Indeed, He tells us in today's verse that He came to fulfill the law. While none of my friends would consider the necessity of ritual animal sacrifice (Jesus took care of that for us when He died on the cross), they fail to make the connection to His sacrificial death to the fulfillment of ALL the law.

Peter found this out when he had a vision on the rooftop. In his vision he saw all kinds of "unclean" animals on a white sheet. A voice, the Voice of God, spoke to him telling him to eat his fill. Three times Peter saw the vision. Three times he refused to eat claiming obedience to the "unclean" laws. Three times the voice told him that what God had made clean was truly clean. This reference to the eating of unclean animals indicates God's past action of cleansing them - through the Blood of Jesus.

A few minutes later, God began to work on Peter's refusal by giving him an undeniable invitation to present the Good News to gentiles, which eventually lead to the gentiles receiving the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. Still later (several years most likely) Peter was found eating with gentile believers - until other Apostles joined him and Paul in that gentile church. It was Paul whom God used to correct Peter's error.

You may be thinking that our discussion is leading to the conclusion that we can blatantly disregard the Law of Moses because we have been set free from it. Ah, you are right! AND you are wrong! We are freed from the Law - that is we are freed from the penalty for breaking the Law. But, we are not freed from the Law itself. Instead, we are bound by a new law - the Law of Love. Jesus said it first, and I paraphrase, "Love God and love your neighbor. In this you fulfill all the Law of Moses." Not only did He fulfill the Law, but we are to do it as well.

I will leave you with this question: "Is there any part of the Old Testament Law - the most important part, i.e. the Ten Commandments - that cannot be fulfilled by the Law of Love?" Hallelujah, Amen and Amen.

Matthew 12:15

"But when Jesus knew it, He withdrew from there. And great multitudes followed Him, and He healed them all" Matthew 12:15

If anyone could have boasted, it would be Jesus. He was the Son of God. He was a miracle worker. He could produce gold out of the mouth of a fish. He could raise the dead. It seems that there was nothing that He couldn't do. And all of this is true. Still, when it came to a point when He could boast, He told everyone to keep His story a secret.

He could have aroused the crowds into a rebellious frenzy. He could have commanded a legion of angels to prepare the way. If a follower were killed, He could have brought them back to life - He could have lead an undefeatable army! Supply lines - no problem. He could have spoken quality food into existence to feed His soldiers.

The people would have followed Him anywhere. They already followed Him into the wilderness - without food, water, or provisions. They knew He would take care of them. They would have followed Him into the very throne room of the Caesars! He was that popular.

But, in all humility He preferred to remain in the background. I can't recall a single time that He boasted upon Himself. Oh, He boasted alright. He boasted on His Father. He was proud of the Word. He loved the Temple, the House of God. But He never presented Himself in a proud manner.

Now, I, on the other hand, would have done just the opposite. If I could perform a miracle, I would want someone to take note. If I had a following like Jesus, I would want to promote it. If I could turn water into wine, I would want to bottle it. If I could multiply the loaves, or heal the sick, or raise the dead, I would be disappointed if my picture was not on the cover of Time Magazine's "Man of the Year" edition. I would try to parlay it into a Nobel Peace Prize.

Don't laugh! You can't tell me that you would desire anything less. All of this leads me to think, "Pastor Edwin, you have a long way to go before you look like, walk like, talk like, and act like Jesus." How true. How about you? Praise God, Amen and Amen.

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Matthew 5:14-16

"You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. "Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven" Matthew. 5:14-16

They dug deep into the heart of the earth. Searching for diamonds was not easy, nor was it clean. Crawling through natural caverns. Slithering through muddy gaps in the subterranean labyrinth was as far from the life of a stockbroker as a person could get, but for Mike Chan and his buddies, that is all they wanted to do. To the best of their knowledge and reckoning they had travel at least five thousand yards from where they entered the cave. They had seen all the evidence that lead them to believe a diamond trove was somewhere nearby. With lanterns lit, they confidently moved ahead. A few more feet and one lantern burned dim and flickered out. No problem, Jack had spare batteries in his pack. But where was Jack? He was supposed to bring up the rear, streaming their lifeline behind him. Now he was nowhere in sight. Another lamp died. Which way was out? How long would the two remaining lanterns hold? A third beam dimmed and died. Then the fourth blew out in a flash of blue as Mike dropped it from his helmet. Darkness filled the cavern. Darkness filled their sight. Darkness filled their minds with dread and fear. Darkness...

I don't know about you, but I don't like to be in total darkness. Come to think of it, I really don't like dark holes and slime and being under thousands of tons of earth. Mike and his buddies can have their search for diamonds. I will stay on the surface and enjoy their fictional story as I create it in my mind. This I do know, if I ever did explore a cave, I would make sure of two things. I would have plenty of light power, and I would trail a rope so I could find my way out - even in the pitch-black depths of a cave. There is no way I would ever want to be without light. Jesus tells us that we live in a world without light. The darkness of sin permeates the environment around us. We can do one of two things. We can hide our light and save it for ourselves, or we can set it on a candle stand so all can see and come to the safety of the Light, Jesus Christ.

I recall a little Bible School song I learned a long time ago. "This little light of mine/ I'm gonna let it shine. / This little light of mine/I'm gonna let I shine/ Let it shine/ Let it shine/ Let it shine. Won't let satan blow it out./ I'm gonna let it shine./ Won't let satan blow it out./ I'm gonna let it shine./ Let it shine Let it shine/ Let it shine." Is your light shining? Hallelujah, Amen and Amen.

Monday, June 8, 2009

Psalms 34:8

"Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!"
Psalms 34:8

David writes this psalm for the spiritually immature, who need to be instructed in the ways of God. One thing David thinks we need to know is how to live in a way that brings the blessing of God. How do we face the hard times? When we hurt, we want to know: Have we done something wrong? Has God deserted us? What do we need to do to receive God's help? These are good questions. If we pay attention to David, we will get some answers.

The word "taste" here means properly to try the flavor of anything, to eat a little so as to ascertain what a thing is. It is used here in the sense of making a trial of, or testing by experience. The idea is, that by putting trust in God - by testing the comforts of religion - one would so thoroughly see or perceive the blessings of it - would have so much happiness in it - that he would be led to seek his happiness there altogether.

If those who are in danger would look to him; if sinners would believe in him; if the afflicted would seek him; if the wretched would cast their cares on him; if they who have sought in vain for happiness in the world, would seek happiness in him- they would, one and all, so surely find what they need that they would renounce all else, and put their trust alone in God. Hallelujah, Amen and Amen.

Sunday, June 7, 2009

James 1:2-3

"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience" James 1:2-3

Today this world is desperately attempting to redefine anything that would convict it of sin. Sin has become a very "relative" term. The world is attempting to say, "What is sin to you may or may not be sin to me. Everything is relative." Whether you realize it or not, this philosophy is being taught in many places, including public schools in the United States. As a result all students today, understand this principal. Simply said, "There are NO absolutes." Implied meaning, "There is NO God." Scripture tells us to, "Stay away from those that call good evil and evil good." That is a difficult task, especially when our children are influenced by others to think that wayl

Even the churches today will accept sinful behavior in favor of. Political Correctness. Oh we cannot take a stand on that issue or lifestyle, we might be called too "Radically-Right." I was once told by a believer that it is not right to say anything against homosexual behaviour, for that is something that will drive people away from the church, although we know that God make us male and female, and not female and female or male and male. I was told that we must adapt and fit in and be socially and politically acceptable.

Martin Luther once said, "If I profess with the loudest voice and clearest exposition every portion of the truth of God expect precisely that little point which the world and the devil are at that moment attacking, I am not confessing Christ, however boldly I may be professing Christ. Where the battle rages, there the loyalty of the soldier is proved, and to be steady in all the battle front besides is but flight and disgrace if you flinch at this point."

Five hundred years later, Martin Luther King Jr. said, "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. Where do you stand?? Amen and Amen.

Saturday, June 6, 2009

Jer 2:22

"For though you wash yourself with lye, and use much soap, Yet your iniquity is marked before Me," says the Lord GOD." Jer 2:22

Pilate had it. Lady MacBeth had it. We all have it. What is it? . . .A great desire to be clean, pure. Remember Pilate? After he had allowed the Jews to condemn Jesus to the cross, he called for a pitcher of water and a bowl. Filling the bowl, he ceremonially washed his hands of the whole affair saying "His blood be upon your hands." It didn't work. Lady MacBeth tried to clean her hands of . . . what was it? Murder? She went around washing her hands crying "Out, out wretched spot!" That didn't work either.

We do many things to cleanse ourselves. Some of us take showers several times a day. Others consume themselves in doing "good works." Still others lock themselves up in a self-made monastery seeking God. All of these things fail because they have failed to tap the only way to be clean -- the Blood of Jesus.

No matter what we do or say it is not enough. Our imperfection prevents us from being clean - and it's a deep down dirt that will not be washed away easily. If you want to be clean, really
clean, let God apply the Blood of Jesus to you every day. It does wonders on the toughest stains to cleans them white as snow. Amen and Amen.

Friday, June 5, 2009

Psalm 68:6

"God sets the solitary in families; He brings out those who are bound into prosperity; But the rebellious dwell in a dry land." Psalm 68:6

It's all about love. That's the sum total of the human experience. Of course we define love in any different ways, but when it comes down to it, we are all looking for the same thing - a love that passes understanding - one that is pure and satisfying beyond description. It's beyond the physical, though that is were many stop in their search. The physical is simply a shallow imitation if what we all desire. We want that eternal love, one that transcends time and space. There is only one place to find that kind of love - in the Father's arms.

The prodigal son found that out. When he was in the pig sty (a rough place for a young Jewish boy), he knew that what he had experienced, what he thought was love, was nothing. When the money was gone, the love was gone. He realized that his father's servants felt more love than he did. He would have been satisfied with the love his father gave the servants. Still, when he approached home, his father saw him, ran to him, put his arms around him and gave that lost son all that he wanted and needed. The prodigal found perfect love in the arms of his father.

David says that God places the lonely in a family. The lonely, like the prodigal, have mostly given up on ever finding perfect love. They have convinced themselves that second or third best or none at all in the love category is all they are worthy of. But the Father has other plans. He wants to give them all that He has for them. He desires above all else to provide perfect love - His love. All they have to do is start out for home and the Father will come running to them.

Perhaps you know of some lonely people. Do you shun them, or do you give them love? Do you cross the street and tell your children to look the other way, or do you feed them? How do you look at the homeless, the downtrodden, the poor, the filthy, the addict? They are people that Jesus died for. If God was willing to pay that price, don't you think you should be able to give them some of the Father's love - share the love He has freely given you? Don't be stingy with our love, give it away! The Father will give you much more in return - guaranteed! Hallelujah, Amen and Amen.

Thursday, June 4, 2009

John 4:31-34

"In the meantime His disciples urged Him, saying, "Rabbi, eat." But He said to them, "I have food to eat of which you do not know." Therefore the disciples said to one another, "Has anyone brought Him anything to eat?" Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work" John 4:31-34

And now for the final detail or element in the story of the woman at the well: the disciples! As our series winds down, let us take a look at these twelve wonderful, very human, men. They probably had no idea why Jesus didn't take the route that missed Samaria. They didn't like walking through the area any more than the next Jew, any more than the Samaritans wanted them defiling Samaria. But, since Jesus went there, they went, and they didn't ask too many questions. When Jesus sent them into Samaria, they went together for protection. They knew Jesus would be safe outside the gates. I suspect they were cautious about where they bought Jesus' meal. They most likely searched high and low for a good Jewish deli. The Word never tells us if the offering they brought back was kosher or not.

But when they returned, they found Jesus talking to a woman! A Samaritan woman! A Samaritan woman with a history! They were smart enough now to refrain from asking what was going on; but they wondered. Shortly after their return, the woman left. And that was that, or so they thought.

"We brought you food, Jesus. Why don't you eat now?" they urged. Their minds were still on the physical.

"I have food to eat that you do not know about," Jesus replied with His mind on the eternal. Had He found some food stashed away in our baggage? Did He take something from the hands of that filthy whore? The disciples were confused.

"My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work." Huh? What is He talking about? Food is work? Work is nourishing? How can this be? What will He think of next?

Then Jesus looks toward the gates of the city. "You say there is still three months before the harvest." Now He is really off His rocker. Maybe His mother was right in asking Him to go home. Look at the fields; they are still green and growing. "I say to you, look at the fields. They are ripe for the harvest." The disciples follow His gaze to see which field He is looking at. A great multitude is walking with purpose through the gates of the city,and the woman is leading them. Is that the harvest? "The harvest is abundant, but the laborers are few."

Oh, now they get it. His mind is on the spiritual harvest. Is that the food He was talking about? How stupid can we be? Do we think of nothing but our stomachs while there are multitudes waiting to be fed the Bread of Life?

Where is your mind? If you are like me, it is entirely focused too much on the bread and butter of daily living and too little on the Bread of Life. Have you shared the Bread with anyone lately? Have you shared it with anyone who is not already a believer? The Word tells us to cast our bread upon the waters and it will not return to us useless and empty. That bread is the Bread of Life, and our preaching is the act of casting. What are you doing with the Bread? Hmmm. Hallelujah, Amen and Amen.

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

John 4:9

"Jesus answered and said to her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you," "Give Me a drink," you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water" John 4:10

The detail or element four in or analysis of the story of the Woman at the Well is Jesus. I imagine you had that one figured out by now. Let's take a look at this popular and well-known figure. He was the Son of God. It is not that He said he was the Son of God as Pilate wrote on a placard and ordered nailed to the cross above Jesus' head, He WAS the Son of God. As such He had all the power and authority of His Father.

Sons have that authority when they are sent by daddy to do some particular task. With that kind of authority, you would think that He would have been able to see the trouble His appearance in Samaria would cause. Indeed He did see something. He saw the meeting with the Samaritan woman, and its results.

We can see from the first interaction between the two that a special thing is about to happen. He asks for water. She mildly rebukes Him. He says, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you," "Give Me a drink," you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water." I believe Jesus had the woman's attention. "Living water? You have nothing to draw with. How can you give ME water?"

While the conversation took a few twists and turns along its path, Jesus knew the results of this conversation before He ever entered it. He knew the woman was longing for a new beginning. He understood her pain and suffering. He had heard her weeping in the night, longing to get out of her ill-advised relationships. He knew she felt she was condemned to a life of failure, and He knew He would give her the answer.

All of this Jesus knew because He was the Son of God. But wait! There is more. Jesus called Himself the Son of Man. What does that mean and how does it fit into our discussion? Jesus was born of a woman, Mary. He was raised to be a good Jewish boy. He played in the streets with the other boys of Nazareth. He sat at Joseph's feet and learned to build things. He could raise a barn, build a house, and make the cabinets for the kitchen. He knew the ways of man, and he knew the ways of woman. His compassion was Godly. His hunger was manly. And it was hunger that caused Him to send His disciples into Samaria for food. It was thirst that caused Him to ask the lone woman for a drink. The God and the Man together broke the Bread of Life and offered the woman the Living Waters that would refresh her soul.

You may have noticed I have consistently used the past tense in referring to Jesus: He was the Son of God. However, Jesus is not a past tense type of individual. Though He was crucified and laid in a tomb, though that tomb was sealed by the authorities in case His disciples should steal the body and claim a resurrection, though Roman guards stood watch over that tomb to prevent that theft, Jesus did not stay in that tomb. On the third day, He rose from the grave and reclaimed the life He had always had, eternal life.

And that, my brothers and sisters, is the Living Water Jesus told the woman about. And that is the Living Water He is offering you today. If you have never accepted His gift, now is the time. Be like the Samaritan woman and accept the proffered offering of eternal life now. If you have known Jesus for a while and have become like a dry desert, take a sip of that refreshing beverage and be renewed in strength. It is there for one and all, old and young, man and woman and children alike. Drink deeply of the river that will never run dry. Hallelujah, Amen and Amen.

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

John 4:9

"Then the woman of Samaria said to Him, "How is it that You, being a Jew, ask a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?" For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans" John 4:9

The third detail or element in our story of the Samaritan woman is the woman herself. Not only did the Jews avoid Samaritans, they especially avoided female Samaritans. The woman's opinion of herself was apparent in her statement as well. She didn't like herself very much. Note the hour in which this exchange takes place. It is not early in the morning when all the other women visit the well for the day's fresh water. Nor is it in the evening when they return
for the evening's rations. It is midday when no one is near the well. She recognizes that she is an outcast and she would rather not suffer the stares she had endured in times past. No, she had learned her lesson well.

We find that her opinion is not only demonstrated by her timing at the well, but by the fact that she was a four-time loser at marriage, and she had even given up on the attempt at number five. Being a live-in companion was much easier. Divorce would not be necessary when the new man in her life found her boring and moved on. Yes, it was indeed easier this way.

With all of this tossing about in her head, is it any wonder that a Jew, a Jewish rabbi by the looks of him, would ask her for a drink of water? Her reaction was much like that of the lepers who loitered around the city dump: "Unclean! Unclean! I am unclean. Stay away from me or you will be contaminated too." Her disease was not as visible. She still had some semblance of beauty, at least the new guy in her life told her she was attractive. But she was just as unclean as the feared unmentionables. The only difference was that she could live inside the city walls. They lived without them. She could sleep in her own bed, well her lover's bed. They slept in the caves and pits of the dump. She dined well. They subsisted on what they could find in their neighborhood.

No, all was not well for this woman, a Samaritan, and she was not in the least comfortable in the presence of this Jewish man. It seemed that He could look into her soul, and she didn't like what He read, though it didn't seem to bother Him too much.

The world is composed of two kinds of people: outcasts or accepted society. You and I are one or the other. Actually, we are both. I am not welcome in the Chief Excutive Officer's quarters. I can't call the President of China and tell him to send me a plane to the Hong Kong International Airport and take me to Shanghai for a weekend vacation. I am an outcast from that society. But then again I am not an outcast. I can go to my Church where I am welcomed with open arms.

But there is one place where I really am welcome at all times. That place is far more important than my Church, or the Chief Executive Officer's Office. I am welcome in the presence of the Living God! It wasn't always that way. At one time I was an outcast. My garments were soiled. My life was a shambles. Like the flesh of the leper, my soul was consumed with the disease of sin. But then one day sometime ago, I asked Jesus to forgive me of those sins and wash them away. He, through baptism, applied the Blood He shed on Calvary to my sinful soul and cleansed me. That is why I am free to enter into the household of God.

If you are like the woman at the well, you can be freed from your sins as well. Go ahead and ask the Master your questions. He is patient. He will answer them one by one. Then, like the woman, He will tell you all that you ever did, in love, and He will wash you in His Blood, and you will be make part of the Family of God. You will never again be an outcast. Hallelujah, Amen and Amen.

Monday, June 1, 2009

John 4:9

"Then the woman of Samaria said to Him, "How is it that You, being a Jew, ask a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?" For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans" John 4:9

Yesterday I started a series based upon the story of the Samaritan woman. The first of five details or elements in this story is the Samaritan race. They were half-breeds, shunned by the pureblooded Jews. It is these folk that make up the second element of the story.

The Jews were not only pureblooded, they were proud of it. It wasn't always that way. When the Jews first became a people, Abraham dwelt peacefully among the Canaanites. His son and grandsons did the same. It wasn't until the much greater nation possessed the land we know as Israel that they became arrogant, and even then it took generations to refine the art of nobbery. It was well refined when Jonah was told to go to the gentiles and preach. He refused, then
he went reluctantly, then he preached without heart, and finally he was embittered when the people repented. From this time on the trend became a downward spiral in direct proportion to the upward tilt of the distinctive Jewish nose! Even after Jesus told the believers to go to "Samaria, and the uttermost parts of the world," they were reluctant to share the Good News with anyone but those they considered true Jews.

Unfortunately, too many church members are much like the Jews, and too many pastors are too much like the worst of the Jewish snobs, the Pharisees! We approached the attitude a bit yesterday, but let me expand the thought a bit more. How many people do you know who have become ministers? A few? That's good. How many have become missionaries? Don't know any? That's not unusual. Very few Christians want to become missionaries and sacrifice themselves on foreign fields. After all, the pay is poor and the living conditions are worse. In essence, we are snubbing our noses at the rest of the world, oh, don't get me wrong. The Church is still sending missionaries around the world. They are still spending a of money to spread the Gospel to other nations. But, at the same time we are walking around with our noses hiked up so high our spiritual necks ache and we don't know why.

Yes, many church members are very much like like the Jews of old. We much prefer to pass on the other side of the world and spend a few bucks on missionaries who are willing to go to the nations.

However, that is not the call we received when we signed on to the Army of God. Remember that call? " Go ye therefore into all the world. Preach the Gospel, baptizing those who believe, and teaching them all the things I have taught you." is that not your commission? I hate to disagree with you, but it is. That call is extended to all believers, you included. If you ignore it, is it possible that the Father will ignore you and not heed your prayers?

Think about it. Amen